"The Bears are meeting over the next couple weeks to finalize plans at quarterback, with the expectation that they’ll have the plan in place in Indianapolis next week." Albert Breer recently laid out the timeline for the big decision regarding the No. 1 pick, indicating nothing is final. With the NFL Scouting Combine approaching and the new league year almost set to begin, things will begin moving quickly. Past the first pick, clarity on team intentions is arriving, and mock drafts will start to align across the industry. Still, with the quarterback landscape looking like the Wild West, I explored some fun trade scenarios that could reshape the league power structure (behind the Chiefs, of course).
Thank you to Tankathon for providing the most updated draft order.
Check out all the NFL mock drafts at Footballguys:
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 2.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 3.0
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams (QB - USC)
Christian's Grade: 85.5 (Pro Bowl)
The Bears reset their clock with one of the best quarterback prospects in the last decade. Williams' quick release, playmaking ability, and willingness to throw into tight windows make him a perfect fit for new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye (QB - North Carolina)
Christian's Grade: 79.7 (Quality NFL Starter)
While there's some buzz surrounding Jayden Daniels here, Maye's age, pre-snap intelligence, and big arm are a perfect fit for a franchise that desperately needs a guy to build around in the new era of ownership.
3. Minnesota Vikings (via NE) - J.J. McCarthy (QB - Michigan)
Christian's Grade: 76.5 (NFL Starter)
Trade details: Minnesota sends No. 11, No. 42, a 2025 1st, a 2025 2nd, and a 2026 2nd to New England for No. 3.
The NFL is higher on J.J. McCarthy than the media. McCarthy's combination of decision-making, competitive toughness, and athleticism gives him a ton of upside as an NFL signal caller. He should sit and learn for a year, but the Vikings get aggressive here to acquire Kirk Cousins' successor.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR - Ohio State)
Christian's Grade: 90.5 (All-Pro)
Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best player in the class, and the Cardinals need a No. 1 target for Trey McBride and company to complement. Harrison Jr. gives the Cardinals' offense the upside to become one of the best in the NFC.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Taliese Fuaga (OT - Oregon State)
Christian's Grade: 81.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
While Fuaga likely won't be OT1 on most boards, the Chargers have a massive need at right tackle, and Fuaga is one of the best natural right tackles in the class. Jim Harbaugh and company should value his nastiness, and he'd give Justin Herbert a fighting chance to stay healthy moving forward.
6. Las Vegas Raiders (via NYG) - Jayden Daniels (QB - LSU)
Christian's Grade: 77.0 (NFL Starter)
Trade details: Las Vegas sends No. 13, No. 44, a 2025 1st, and a 2025 2nd to New York for No. 6 and No. 140.
In this scenario, the Giants loved three quarterbacks who all came off the board. The Raiders hop in front of the Falcons and get their new franchise quarterback, a dynamic athlete with elite rushing ability and deep ball accuracy.
7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt (OT - Notre Dame)
Christian's Grade: 82.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
Brian Callahan brought his father over from the Browns to coach up the offensive line, and they get a player worth coaching here. Alt is as well-rounded as they come at left tackle and would give the Titans a chance to evaluate Will Levis properly.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner (EDGE - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 82.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Falcons fix the quarterback situation later in this mock and decide to improve the defensive line here with Turner, the young, athletic edge defender with a great motor and fantastic finishing ability.
9. Denver Broncos (via CHI) - Rome Odunze (WR - Washington)
Christian's Grade: 85.0 (Pro Bowl)
Trade details: Denver sends No. 12 and No. 81 to Chicago for No. 9 and No. 143.
Moving on from Courtland Sutton saves the Broncos $13.5M, and Jerry Jeudy is in the final year of his deal. Marvin Mims is the only future wideout on the roster, so the Broncos get semi-aggressive to get the big-bodied, smooth-moving Rome Odunze.
10. New York Jets - Malik Nabers (WR - LSU)
Christian's Grade: 86.5 (Pro Bowl)
There are a few offensive tackle options on the free agent market to fix that problem in New York, but there are no wideouts with Malik Nabers' ability on a cost-controlled contract. Nabers slides in opposite Garrett Wilson to create one of the best young receiver rooms in the NFL.
11. New England Patriots - Olu Fashanu (OT - Penn State)
Christian's Grade: 78.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
Two offensive line options mentioned for the Jets are coming from the Patriots line, but Olu Fashanu falls into their lap here. Trent Brown declined severely over the last few years, and Fashanu would slide in and allow the new quarterback (Russell Wilson in this scenario) to throw the ball with time.
12. Chicago Bears - Brock Bowers (TE - Georgia)
Christian's Grade: 85.5 (Pro Bowl)
Shane Waldron is notorious for utilizing multiple tight end sets, and the Bears need a candidate worthy of snaps behind Cole Kmet. Brock Bowers would slot in as the move tight end, allowing Kmet to do the dirty work and giving the Bears personnel flexibility.
13. New York Giants - JC Latham (OT - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 81.5 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Giants have gone down this road before, but they're getting the right player this time. Latham has inside-outside versatility and gives the Giants another piece in front of Daniel Jones as they attempt to find their future at the quarterback position.
14. New Orleans Saints - Jared Verse (EDGE - Florida State)
Christian's Grade: 78.5 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Saints have an edge rusher problem, and Verse's power and finishing ability make him one of the highest-upside plays in the 2024 edge class. They finally find a successor to Cameron Jordan.
15. Buffalo Bills (via IND) - Troy Franklin (WR - Oregon)
Christian's Grade: 82.5 (Quality NFL Starter)
Trade details: Buffalo sends No. 28, No. 60, and a 2025 3rd to Indianapolis for No. 15.
Buffalo has a problem at wideout. Stefon Diggs' future is a question mark, and the team is seemingly ready to move on from Gabe Davis. They get aggressive to get an elite speed player with a game-changing ability before and after the catch.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy (DT - Texas)
Christian's Grade: 85.0 (Pro Bowl)
The Seahawks may lose Leonard Williams to free agency this offseason, and Murphy is the clear best player available at this spot. His versatility to line up at nose or as a 3-technique and generate pressure from the interior makes him a high-upside play in the middle of the first round.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold (CB - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 82.5 (Quality NFL Starter)
Arnold is a ball-hawking corner with the upside to become a top-ten player at the position. While the Jaguars need a wide receiver, they look to the 2nd round to fix that hole.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amarius Mims (OT - Georgia)
Christian's Grade: 63.0 (NFL Backup)
My grade doesn't reflect how the NFL will view Mims, a toolsy, projection-based selection who simply hasn't played enough football. Mims has a considerable power profile and moves well for someone his size; that upside should place him in first-round conversations despite my low grade on him.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Quinyon Mitchell (CB - Toledo)
Christian's Grade: 80.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Rams could look to get Matthew Stafford's successor, but their win-now mentality should win out. Mitchell is an instinctual corner with strengths in man and zone coverage, giving him the most complete profile in the corner class.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - LSU)
Christian's Grade: 80.2 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Steelers move Diontae Johnson to fix salary cap-related issues in this scenario. Thomas Jr. is a fluid athlete with rawness within his routes but rivals Harrison Jr., Nabers, Odunze, and Franklin as one of the highest-ceiling wideouts in the class.
21. Miami Dolphins - Jackson Powers-Johnson (C - Oregon)
Christian's Grade: 84.0 (Pro Bowl)
The Dolphins have an interior offensive line problem, and Powers-Johnson is the perfect fix when considering scheme fit. His movement skills fit McDaniel's run-game design perfectly, and he is no slouch as a pass protector to keep Tua Tagovailoa upright.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Tyler Guyton (OT - Oklahoma)
Christian's Grade: 70.0 (Potential NFL Starter)
Lane Johnson is 33, and the Eagles need a succession plan at right tackle. Guyton is an elite athlete with technical issues that good coaching can clean up. His movement skills fit the Eagles offense, and he can redshirt for at least one season while Johnson enters the final years of his career.
23. Houston Texans - Laiatu Latu (EDGE - UCLA)
Christian's Grade: 81.5 (Quality NFL Starter)
Injury questions aside, Latu is the most pro-ready defensive end in the class. His hand technique and counters (and the counters to the counters) make him an immediate impact player. Slotting him opposite Will Anderson Jr. would make a terrifying pass-rush duo.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Adonai Mitchell (WR - Texas)
Christian's Grade: 76.0 (NFL Starter)
After the first five wideouts, there are less "sure things." Still, Adonai Mitchell is a big-game player with fantastic above-the-rim ability and has shown flashes of great routes for his size. With no No. 2 of the future on the roster, the Cowboys upgrade the position and give Dak Prescott more to work with.
25. Green Bay Packers - Nate Wiggins (CB - Clemson)
Christian's Grade: 73.5 (NFL Starter)
The Packers must upgrade their secondary this offseason, and Wiggins is a great fit for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. His goal is to shut down the middle of the field, but part of that equation is having corners who can rally and tackle. Wiggins' elite athleticism, plus his sticky ability in man coverage, make this a good fit.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 80.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
McKinstry has been a faller during this cycle, mostly because of the "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" principle. He's a high-level athlete who can take away an entire side of the field. Teams will question his effort to make tackles, but Tampa Bay gets a young player to learn behind Carlton Davis (if he remains on the roster) and Jamel Dean.
27. Arizona Cardinals - Johnny Newton (DT - Illinois)
Christian's Grade: 83.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
Newton is another interior pass rusher who should generate a ton of interest following the NFL Combine. Newton is the best natural, penetrating 3-technique in the class, and his similarities to Calijah Kancey, combined with Kancey's immediate production as a rookie last year, should keep Newton inside the first round this April.
28. Indianapolis Colts - Cooper DeJean (CB - Iowa)
Christian's Grade: 79.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
After trading back, the Colts get the perfect Cover 3 corner to boost their secondary. JuJu Brents flashed as a rookie, and Kenny Moore is consistent, but Moore doesn't have a contract, and the Colts may allocate that money for Michael Pittman Jr this offseason. DeJean is arguably the best zone corner in the class with positional versatility and elite speed.
29. Detroit Lions - Troy Fautanu (G - Washington)
Christian's Grade: 75.5 (NFL Starter)
The Lions would kick Fautanu inside to take over for Jonah Jackson, the impending free agent. Fautanu has great movement skills, hand technique, and power, but his compact frame prevents him from being a high-level tackle at the NFL level. A high-level guard? Perhaps.
30. Baltimore Ravens - Ladd McConkey (WR - Georgia)
Christian's Grade: 78.0 (Quality NFL Starter)
McConkey rejoins Todd Monken in Baltimore, bringing his Georgia career full circle and giving the Ravens a more reliable No. 2 option to lean on as they venture further into the "we are paying our quarterback a ton of money" era. McConkey fits the Ravens' scheme perfectly, and his best film came with Monken designing the system for Georgia in 2022.
31. SF - Graham Barton (G - Duke)
Christian's Grade: 74.5 (NFL Starter)
The 49ers' offensive line struggled throughout the 2023 season, and while a right tackle makes sense, the top two options around this area are gone. Insert Barton, a fantastic athlete who moves well in the run game and plays with a high motor and tenacity. Barton would take over for Jon Feliciano as a starting guard.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Darius Robinson (EDGE - Missouri)
Christian's Grade: 75.0 (NFL Starter)
While the Chiefs need a wideout or two, they go in a different direction here, selecting Robinson to improve the edge room and get a potential production replacement for Chris Jones. Robinson is a powerful player with great hand usage who can collapse pockets. While they just drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah and received good play from Charles Omenihu, this would give them a deeper assortment of power edge rushers to deploy as they look to three-peat.
Second Round
33. CAR - Xavier Worthy (WR - Texas)
34. NE - Bo Nix (QB - Oregon)
35. ARI - T.J. Tampa (CB - Iowa State)
36. WAS - Zach Frazier (C - West Virginia)
37. LAC - T’Vondre Sweat (DT - Texas)
38. TEN - Keon Coleman (WR - Florida State)
39. NYG - Edgerrin Cooper (LB - Texas A&M)
40. WAS - Chris Braswell (EDGE - Alabama)
41. GB - Kamren Kinchens (S - Miami)
42. NE - Bralen Trice (EDGE - Washington)
43. CHI (via ATL) - Chop Robinson (EDGE - Penn State)
Trade details: Atlanta sends No. 43 and a 2025 3rd to Chicago for Justin Fields.
44. NYG - Xavier Legette (WR - South Carolina)
45. NO - Leonard Taylor (DT - Miami)
46. IND - Jordan Morgan (OT - Arizona)
47. NYG - Tyler Nubin (S - Minnesota)
48. JAX - Roman Wilson (WR - Michigan)
49. CIN - Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE - Texas)
50. PHI - Ennis Rakestraw (CB - Missouri)
51. PIT - Kingsley Suamataia (OT - BYU)
52. LAR - Junior Colson (LB - Michigan)
53. KC (via PHI) - Malik Washington (WR - Virginia)
Trade details: Kansas City sends No. 64 and No. 133 to Philadelphia for No. 53 and No. 171.
54. SEA (via CLE) - Christian Haynes (G - UConn)
Trade details: Cleveland sends pick No. 54 to Seattle for Tyler Lockett.
55. MIA - Jeremiah Trotter (LB - Clemson)
56. DAL - Kamari Lassiter (CB - Georgia)
57. TB - Dominick Puni (G - Kansas)
58. GB - Kris Jenkins (DT - Michigan)
59. HOU - Patrick Paul (OT - Houston)
60. IND - Adisa Isaac (EDGE - Penn State)
61. DET - Mike Sainristil (CB - Michigan)
62. BAL - Jonah Elliss (EDGE - Utah)
63. SF - Kris Abrams-Draine (CB - Missouri)
64. PHI - Javon Bullard (S - Georgia)
