N&D NFL MOCK DRAFT 4.3

Posted by henpunk2 on

The Almost Ready Edition

So, I’m pretty close to having my final mock draft locked down. I’m pretty settled on what the top ten will look like, and barring any seismic shifts in the next 10 days, what you see here is what my final mock will look like, at least in the top ten.

I’ve done some mock trades, which are always tough. I’m not privy to insider information, so calling a major trade out of the blue like Daniel Jeremiah did last year with the Houston-Arizona trade would be a minor miracle. That being said, I think the trades I did mock make sense. We’ll see how it plays out.

I used Pro Football Network’s mock draft tool to complete this:

The Chicago Bears are taking Williams, end of discussion. This was etched in stone the minute they traded Justin Fields.

Confidence Level- Stone cold lock. 100% certainty.
The Washington Commanders will take a QB, the only question is which one. So far, nothing has dissuaded me from the belief it will be the Heisman Trophy winner.

Confidence Level- High, it’s either Daniels or Maye.
If I was running the New England Patriots, I’d take the haul some team will throw at them, add more talent and think about a QB down the road. They won’t, though.

Confidence level- High, if Washington goes with Maye, I can actually envision this pick being JJ McCarthy.
The Arizona Cardinals like to wheel & deal during the draft, and they’ll be tempted by the offers. I just think the chance to draft a generational talent like MHJ is too good to pass on.

Confidence level- Fairly high, there will be some huge offers thrown their way.
*TRADE*
Of the teams outside the top ten that are in the QB market, the Minnesota Vikings are the best positioned to make the move up to get one.

Confidence level- A little better than moderate. I’m confident Minnesota will make the move, but who their trade partner will be is more of a mystery. IF, they can somehow get to #3, this could be Drake Maye.
If one of those four QBs is somehow still on the board, maybe the New York Giants move on from Daniel Jones. If the first five picks play out as I expect, they’ll get Jones something he’s never had; a true #1 receiver.

Confidence level- High. Barring a QB still being available, this pick will be a WR & I think it’ll be Nabers over Rome Odunze.
The Tennessee Titans are another team that could be a trade back candidate, but not if those 4 QBs go before this pick. I don’t see a scenario where they’d pass on the top OT without receiving a monster haul and nobody is giving them that unless it’s for a QB.

Confidence Level- High, if they pick at #7, it’ll be Alt.
The Atlanta Falcons are in a similar position to Tennessee. If they stay at #8, they’re getting their top choice of defensive players.

Confidence Level- High, it’s just a matter of who they have as their top graded defensive player.
The Bears pick at #1 is a lock, but this pick is far less certain. If the top three receivers are off the board, I think they’ll look to trade back since they only have four picks in this entire draft.

Confidence Level- Fairly high, if Odunze or Nabers are there, they’ll take them.
The New York Jets added two offensive tackles this offseason, so I think they’ll target another weapon for Aaron Rodgers.

Confidence Level- Moderate, one of their new offensive tackles is only signed for one year, so it’s not out the question that they go OT.
Once MHJ goes off the board, the Los Angeles Chargers should be open for business with the #5 pick.

Confidence Level- Moderate, WR is a bigger need, but this is a deep class and they can add one later with the extra pick they acquired to make this move.
The Denver Broncos are in a tough spot. They desperately need a QB, but they’re not in a very good position. Minnesota can outbid them to move up and they don’t pick again until the third round.

Confidence Level- Moderate, this is quite high for Nix, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
*TRADE*
The Philadelphia Eagles secondary was abysmal at the end of the 2023 season. The return of Chauncey Gardner–Johnson helps, but more is needed. Mitchell has the type of game Philly should covet enough to part with a second rounder to move up,

Confidence Level- Slightly less than moderate, Mitchell and the Eagles are a great match, but will Philly make the move to get him?
The New Orleans Saints badly need an offensive tackle, Fashanu was once projected as a top five pick, so I think he might be the choice.

Confidence Level- A little more than moderate, my confidence that the Saints go offensive tackle is very high, just not sure who they’ll have graded higher.
*TRADE*
I think the Miami Dolphins should have a healthy interest in Fautanu, who could kick inside to guard to replace Robert Hunt.

Confidence Level– Fair to moderate, because it involves a trade. The Dolphins-Fautanu match is good, but they’ll have to get ahead of Seattle to land him.
The Seattle Seahawks and Fautanu are a great match, but they get jumped by Miami for him. Latu is a great talent with a scary medical history. If Seattle isn’t comfortable with that I could see one of the defensive tackles here.

Confidence Level- Poor, this is one pick I’m not even remotely convinced of. If Fautanu was available, my confidence level would be moderate to high.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have bigger needs on the defensive side, but the loss of Calvin Ridley also stings.

Confidence Level- Moderate to high, Thomas is a great prospect and maximizing Trevor Lawrence’s potential is of the utmost importance.
I think the Cincinnati Bengals would love to replace Jonah Williams with Fuaga.

Confidence Level- Moderate, I have little doubt Cincy would pounce on Fuaga, I’m just not convinced he lasts this long.
I love the idea of the Los Angeles Rams drafting Murphy to fill the void left by Aaron Donald’s retirement, not that any one player could ever fill that void.

Confidence Level- Moderate, the player-team match is nearly perfect, the question is whether he’ll be available here.
The Pittsburgh Steelers going offensive line here makes the most sense, the only variable is who they have graded higher.

Confidence Level- Moderate, this will be an offensive lineman but who? I can also see them going with center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
I think the Indianapolis Colts might be eyeing Brock Bowers or one of the top two corners at #15. When they’re all off the board, they make a move down, possibly targeting the next tier of corners or a WR. Verse being available here is too good to pass up.

Confidence Level- Slightly better than poor, once Bowers, Arnold and Mitchell are gone, all bets are off on the Colts pick.
The Las Vegas Raiders taking an offensive tackle is highly probable, even at their original draft position. They land an extra second rounder which will come in handy later.

Confidence Level- Fair to moderate, because it involves a trade. It makes total sense for the Raiders, especially considering what’s to come later.
*TRADE*
The Detroit Lions seize an opportunity to move up a grab a complimentary pass rusher for Aiden Hutchinson.

Confidence Level– Fair, it involves a trade which drives down the confidence, and there’s a the very real possibility that Detroit could target a corner.
The Dallas Cowboys need a tackle and a center for their offensive line, they get the best center prospect in years.

Confidence Level- Moderate, the fit is perfect, but dependent on JPJ’s availability. He might not make it past Pittsburgh or Miami.
The Green Bay Packers need help in their secondary, DeJean can play corner or safety.

Confidence Level- Moderate, we’re late enough in the first round to not feel as certain about any pick, but if DeJean is there I can’t imagine the Packers passing.
With the top edge rushers off the board, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pivot to improving their secondary.

Confidence Level- Poor, not at all confident of this pick.
The Cardinals use their second first round pick on a difference maker for their defensive line.

Confidence Level- Poor, I love the fit and I have little doubt the Cardinals would pounce, I just don’t think Newton will actually last to #27.
After trading Stefon Diggs, the Buffalo Bills have a major need at receiver. Mitchell is the best one still on the board.

Confidence Level- Moderate, the Bills are more than likely going receiver here, and Mitchell should be available.
After their second trade back of the first round, the Chargers take the speedy Worthy to try to rebuild their receiving corps.

Confidence Level- Slightly better than poor. This confidence level all hinges on whether LA makes the trade that nets them this pick in the first pace. A WR makes total sense, though.
The Baltimore Ravens add a versatile interior lineman to their offensive line.

Confidence Level- Poor. I, admittedly, am pretty clueless as to Baltimore’s intentions with this pick.
*TRADE*
The Raiders use some of the draft capital acquired from an earlier trade down to jump into the back of the first round a get a fifth year option on their QB.

Confidence Level- Slightly better than poor. I like the idea of the Raiders drafting Penix, but will they actually move back into the first round to do it?
The Kansas City Chiefs draft a replacement for L’Jarius Sneed.

Confidence Level- Fair. Feels like this pick will either be a corner or a WR.

TEAMS WITHOUT A FIRST ROUND PICK:

The Carolina Panthers have to do everything in their power to maximize Bryce Young’s potential. Adding a big bodied X receiver like Coleman is a start.

Confidence Level- Fair. I feel like the Panthers have to go receiver with their first pick, but who do they have graded higher?
One thing the Houston Texans could still use is a disruptive presence on the interior of their defensive line.

Confidence Level- Fair. I think the Texans will target defense, specifically CB or IDL.
The San Francisco 49ers are probably targeting an interior offensive lineman at #31, but Baltimore took Graham Barton the pick before, so they trade out of the first round and still land an instant upgrade for their offensive line.

Confidence Level- Slightly above poor, only because it involves a trade. I’m pretty confident that San Fran will target offensive line.
The Cleveland Browns nearly had their season derailed by injuries along their offensive line. They need better depth and upgrades at most positions.

Confidence Level- Fair. It’s tough to predict how the board will play out this deep into day two, but Paul would be a good get for the Browns.

Leave a comment