On Monday, much of North America will experience a total solar eclipse during the day. It’s a rare occurrence, one that the United States and Canada won’t see again until 2044.
One of the few rarer happenings than a solar eclipse is a perfect NFL mock draft. No, this won’t be one of them, either. Increasing the degree of difficulty, this eclipse edition extends out through two rounds. I’ll be watching the eclipse very near Cleveland, and since the Browns are one of a handful of teams with no first-round picks, we need to include them in the projections, too.
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
No change. No need to change.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Another pick I’m not changing until I compellingly hear otherwise.
New England Patriots: J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
The more the draft process progresses, the more it feels like McCarthy will be the centerpiece of the post-Belichick world in New England.
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No change here either; Harrison as the first wideout drafted seems set in stone.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
In past editions, the Chargers have dealt this pick away, but this time Los Angeles keeps the pick and builds the bookends by adding the ready-made starter in Alt with Rashawn Slater.
New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze offers size, strength, precision and playmaking at all levels of the field. Just what Dr. Daboll ordered for the Giants offense.
(Trade): Minnesota Vikings: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Trade details: Minnesota trades No. 11, No. 23 and a 2025 third-round pick to Tennessee for No. 8 and a 2025 second-round pick.
Maye tumbles a bit and it allows the Vikings to pounce without giving up quite as much to land their aspiring new franchise QB. The Titans can take the volume return here and not lose much in the way of player availability.
Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Not to be redundant, but the Turner/Falcons pairing has been one I’ve ridden since the week of the combine and I’m not changing now.
Chicago Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After projecting offense here lately, this time the projections explore what happens if the Bears opt to bolster the pass rush with their own top-10 pick. Verse gets the nod on steadily growing upside and finishing ability.
New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers rounds out the top 10, giving the Jets a versatile weapon who can attack all layers of the defense and create big plays at any of them.
(Trade) Tennessee Titans: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
After trading back, the Titans pounce on the best remaining pass rusher in Latu. While others might be better athletes, they’re not better football players than the accomplished tactician Latu has proven to be.
(Trade) Carolina Panthers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Trade details: Carolina trades No. 33, No. 39 and a 2025 second-round pick to Denver for No. 12, No. 136 and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
In most projections, Nabers is a top-6 pick. He fell through the cracks here, and the Panthers seize the day to land the dynamic LSU playmaker to help Bryce Young.
Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell is a ready-made starter with incredible athletic upside. His attitude and playing style should be good fits with the culture new head coach Antonio Pierce is trying to build.
New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Fashanu is a gamble on the tremendous athletic upside he showed without ever fully putting it all together for Penn State. I had Brian Thomas slotted here until the final edit…
Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
With Mitchell off the board, there is urgency for the CB-needy Colts to snag Arnold, who is widely perceived to be a cut above the remainder of the top corners.
Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Fautanu gets reunited with his college OC in Seattle. While Fautanu played tackle in college, he’s probably the best guard prospect in this draft. The flexibility should suit the youthful Seahawks OL well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
A bit of an odd fit for the Jaguars schematically, but Newton has the juice to play 4i/5T and create problems for the opposing offense. Really wanted Terrion Arnold here but he didn’t last.
Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The Bengals and offensive line remain entwined like a burger with fries, but landing the gifted Fuaga–who is the best right tackle prospect in the class–is a combo meal everyone in Cincinnati should love.
Los Angeles Rams: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Robinson offers the ability to play multiple spots and create power-to-speed pressure from all of them, something the Rams need with Aaron Donald’s retirement.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
No change here from the last mock. Pittsburgh needs a center and Barton proved at Duke’s pro day that he’s got the athletic ability to be a great center even though he played tackle for the Blue Devils
Miami Dolphins: Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Morgan was a pretty good tackle for Arizona, but in the NFL he might project better at guard. That’s where the Dolphins desperately need help, and there’s a fear the stock of linemen won’t last until Miami’s next pick.
(Trade): Atlanta Falcons
Trade details: Atlanta trades No. 43, No. 79, No. 109 and a 2025 second-round pick to Philadelphia for No. 22 and No. 161.
The Eagles, as everyone expects, trade back in this scenario. They find a willing taker in the Falcons, who swoop up to land McKinstry, a good fit for their defense both schematically and emotionally.
(Trade) Tennessee Titans: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
With their bonus pick from the earlier trade, the Titans snare the rock-solid Murphy to help solidify the middle-of-field defense that needs some more help.
Dallas Cowboys: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham and offensive tackle might not be Dallas’ biggest need, but his talent ceiling and impactful style are tough to bypass here for the Cowboys.
Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Another pick that didn’t change from the last mock, as I think the pairing of the versatile Dejean with the Packers and their need at both outside CB and safety is a smart one.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Robinson to the Bucs is another previous fit that seems too good to fight it. Chop adds some sizzle to the Tampa Bay pass rush.
Arizona Cardinals: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins has a lot of speed and a lot of experience covering top wideouts. He would fit nicely into a CB group that is in serious transition in Arizona right now.
Buffalo Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy is the fastest wideout ever at the combine, and pairing him with cannon-armed Josh Allen might be the best way to maximize his effectiveness.
Detroit Lions: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson has “Dan Campbell type of player” written all over him. That he can play center or guard at a high level is a nice trump card for the man known as JPJ. No change from the last mock, though Brian Thomas is very difficult to bypass here.
Baltimore Ravens: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
The Ravens effectively replace one LSU alum, Odell Beckham Jr., with another in Brian Thomas. His route-running improvement gets overlooked in the shadow of all the touchdowns he scored for the Tigers in 2023.
(Trade) Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Trade details: Las Vegas trades No. 44, No. 112 and a 2025 first-round pick to San Francisco for No. 31 and No. 132.
The Raiders package picks and acquire Penix to be their new franchise QB.
Kansas City Chiefs: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
A goliath of a man and a project, Mims offers outstanding potential at offensive tackle with some real risk in durability and experience.
Second round
33. Panthers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
34. (Trade) Eagles: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Eagles trade No. 43 and 53 to New England for No. 34 and No. 180
35. Cardinals: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
36. Commanders: Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
37. Chargers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
38. Titans: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas &M
39. Panthers: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
40. Commanders: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
41. Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
42. Texans: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
43. (Trade) Patriots: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
44. 49ers: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
45. Saints: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
46. Colts: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
47. Giants: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
48. Jaguars: Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
49. Bengals: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
50. Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
51. Steelers: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
52. Rams: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
53. (Trade) Patriots: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
54. Browns: Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State
55. Dolphins: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
56. Cowboys: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
57. Buccaneers: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
58. Packers: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
59. Texans: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
60. Bills: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
61. Lions: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
62. Ravens: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
63. 49ers: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
64. Chiefs: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
No change. No need to change.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Another pick I’m not changing until I compellingly hear otherwise.
New England Patriots: J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
The more the draft process progresses, the more it feels like McCarthy will be the centerpiece of the post-Belichick world in New England.
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No change here either; Harrison as the first wideout drafted seems set in stone.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
In past editions, the Chargers have dealt this pick away, but this time Los Angeles keeps the pick and builds the bookends by adding the ready-made starter in Alt with Rashawn Slater.
New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze offers size, strength, precision and playmaking at all levels of the field. Just what Dr. Daboll ordered for the Giants offense.
(Trade): Minnesota Vikings: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Trade details: Minnesota trades No. 11, No. 23 and a 2025 third-round pick to Tennessee for No. 8 and a 2025 second-round pick.
Maye tumbles a bit and it allows the Vikings to pounce without giving up quite as much to land their aspiring new franchise QB. The Titans can take the volume return here and not lose much in the way of player availability.
Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Not to be redundant, but the Turner/Falcons pairing has been one I’ve ridden since the week of the combine and I’m not changing now.
Chicago Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After projecting offense here lately, this time the projections explore what happens if the Bears opt to bolster the pass rush with their own top-10 pick. Verse gets the nod on steadily growing upside and finishing ability.
New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers rounds out the top 10, giving the Jets a versatile weapon who can attack all layers of the defense and create big plays at any of them.
(Trade) Tennessee Titans: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
After trading back, the Titans pounce on the best remaining pass rusher in Latu. While others might be better athletes, they’re not better football players than the accomplished tactician Latu has proven to be.
(Trade) Carolina Panthers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Trade details: Carolina trades No. 33, No. 39 and a 2025 second-round pick to Denver for No. 12, No. 136 and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
In most projections, Nabers is a top-6 pick. He fell through the cracks here, and the Panthers seize the day to land the dynamic LSU playmaker to help Bryce Young.
Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell is a ready-made starter with incredible athletic upside. His attitude and playing style should be good fits with the culture new head coach Antonio Pierce is trying to build.
New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Fashanu is a gamble on the tremendous athletic upside he showed without ever fully putting it all together for Penn State. I had Brian Thomas slotted here until the final edit…
Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
With Mitchell off the board, there is urgency for the CB-needy Colts to snag Arnold, who is widely perceived to be a cut above the remainder of the top corners.
Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Fautanu gets reunited with his college OC in Seattle. While Fautanu played tackle in college, he’s probably the best guard prospect in this draft. The flexibility should suit the youthful Seahawks OL well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
A bit of an odd fit for the Jaguars schematically, but Newton has the juice to play 4i/5T and create problems for the opposing offense. Really wanted Terrion Arnold here but he didn’t last.
Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The Bengals and offensive line remain entwined like a burger with fries, but landing the gifted Fuaga–who is the best right tackle prospect in the class–is a combo meal everyone in Cincinnati should love.
Los Angeles Rams: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Robinson offers the ability to play multiple spots and create power-to-speed pressure from all of them, something the Rams need with Aaron Donald’s retirement.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
No change here from the last mock. Pittsburgh needs a center and Barton proved at Duke’s pro day that he’s got the athletic ability to be a great center even though he played tackle for the Blue Devils
Miami Dolphins: Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Morgan was a pretty good tackle for Arizona, but in the NFL he might project better at guard. That’s where the Dolphins desperately need help, and there’s a fear the stock of linemen won’t last until Miami’s next pick.
(Trade): Atlanta Falcons
Trade details: Atlanta trades No. 43, No. 79, No. 109 and a 2025 second-round pick to Philadelphia for No. 22 and No. 161.
The Eagles, as everyone expects, trade back in this scenario. They find a willing taker in the Falcons, who swoop up to land McKinstry, a good fit for their defense both schematically and emotionally.
(Trade) Tennessee Titans: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
With their bonus pick from the earlier trade, the Titans snare the rock-solid Murphy to help solidify the middle-of-field defense that needs some more help.
Dallas Cowboys: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham and offensive tackle might not be Dallas’ biggest need, but his talent ceiling and impactful style are tough to bypass here for the Cowboys.
Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Another pick that didn’t change from the last mock, as I think the pairing of the versatile Dejean with the Packers and their need at both outside CB and safety is a smart one.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Robinson to the Bucs is another previous fit that seems too good to fight it. Chop adds some sizzle to the Tampa Bay pass rush.
Arizona Cardinals: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins has a lot of speed and a lot of experience covering top wideouts. He would fit nicely into a CB group that is in serious transition in Arizona right now.
Buffalo Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy is the fastest wideout ever at the combine, and pairing him with cannon-armed Josh Allen might be the best way to maximize his effectiveness.
Detroit Lions: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson has “Dan Campbell type of player” written all over him. That he can play center or guard at a high level is a nice trump card for the man known as JPJ. No change from the last mock, though Brian Thomas is very difficult to bypass here.
Baltimore Ravens: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
The Ravens effectively replace one LSU alum, Odell Beckham Jr., with another in Brian Thomas. His route-running improvement gets overlooked in the shadow of all the touchdowns he scored for the Tigers in 2023.
(Trade) Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Trade details: Las Vegas trades No. 44, No. 112 and a 2025 first-round pick to San Francisco for No. 31 and No. 132.
The Raiders package picks and acquire Penix to be their new franchise QB.
Kansas City Chiefs: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
A goliath of a man and a project, Mims offers outstanding potential at offensive tackle with some real risk in durability and experience.
Second round
33. Panthers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
34. (Trade) Eagles: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Eagles trade No. 43 and 53 to New England for No. 34 and No. 180
35. Cardinals: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
36. Commanders: Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
37. Chargers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
38. Titans: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas &M
39. Panthers: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
40. Commanders: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
41. Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
42. Texans: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
43. (Trade) Patriots: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
44. 49ers: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
45. Saints: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
46. Colts: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
47. Giants: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
48. Jaguars: Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
49. Bengals: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
50. Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
51. Steelers: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
52. Rams: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
53. (Trade) Patriots: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
54. Browns: Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State
55. Dolphins: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
56. Cowboys: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
57. Buccaneers: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
58. Packers: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
59. Texans: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
60. Bills: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
61. Lions: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
62. Ravens: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
63. 49ers: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
64. Chiefs: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington