Mock: Raiders and Vikings make a QB swing deal.

Certainly, it’s essential to maintain a balanced perspective when evaluating prospects after the NFL Scouting Combine. While the event provides valuable data, it’s crucial not to let it overshadow what players have shown on tape throughout their college careers.

Xavier Worthy’s impressive 40-yard dash time undoubtedly garnered attention, but it’s essential to consider other aspects of his game, such as his route running and productivity on the field. As you mentioned, his performance in specific metrics like yards per target can provide additional context.

Ultimately, incorporating combine results into mock drafts should complement, rather than overshadow, the evaluation of a prospect’s overall body of work. By maintaining this approach, mock drafts can offer more accurate projections of how players will perform at the next level.

NFL MOCK DRAFT
Round 1
   From Carolina Panthers
Round 1 – Pick 1
player headshot
Caleb Williams QB
USC • JR • 6’1″ / 215 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Caleb Williams will be the first player chosen in the draft. Perhaps there’s a small chance it’ll be somebody besides the Bears taking him, but I doubt it.
Round 1 – Pick 2
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Jayden Daniels QB
LSU • SR • 6’4″ / 210 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I’ve often seen Jayden Daniels compared to Lamar Jackson, but I see him more as a skinnier Justin Fields. He’s too quick to leave the pocket sometimes and is more comfortable working to the edge than the middle of the field. Also, did you know that Daniels is only 20 months younger than Fields?
Round 1 – Pick 3
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Drake Maye QB
NORTH CAROLINA • SOPH • 6’4″ / 230 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

New England

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Maye’s 2022 tape was much more consistent than his 2023 tape, as he had better receivers and worked behind a better offensive line. What stayed the same was his size, athleticism and arm. His footwork needs refinement, but he has franchise-quarterback tools.
Round 1 – Pick 4
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Marvin Harrison Jr. WR
OHIO STATE • JR • 6’4″ / 205 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

I understand why some might raise an eyebrow about Harrison not working out at the combine and that he reportedly won’t work out at Ohio State’s Pro Day, either. But if you’re nervous, turn on the tape. He’s strong, has a huge frame, is smooth in his route-running and will instantly be Arizona’s best WR.
   Mock Trade from Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 – Pick 5
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J.J. McCarthy QB
MICHIGAN • JR • 6’3″ / 202 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

So Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers trade down with the Vikings team Harbaugh interviewed for a couple of years ago, and then the Vikings use that pick to take Harbaugh’s former QB at Michigan. In this scenario, Kirk Cousins has left for Atlanta, and the Vikings replace him with another QB who is very comfortable working over the middle of the field.
Round 1 – Pick 6
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Joe Alt OT
NOTRE DAME • JR • 6’7″ / 322 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I can envision a scenario where the Giants take a QB and groom him for a season while riding out another year of Daniel Jones, but this makes more sense to me with four QBs already off the board. Alt is a franchise cornerstone left tackle who will benefit the entire offense for a decade.
Round 1 – Pick 7
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Amarius Mims OT
GEORGIA • JR • 6’7″ / 340 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

5th

I wasn’t surprised by Amarius Mims’ combine performance because that’s what he looks like on the field. He’s a giant man who moves like a ballerina exposed to plutonium and now cannot stop driving unwilling defenders out of your television screen. The only problem is there’s not as much tape for us to watch because he has had difficulty staying on the field.
Round 1 – Pick 8
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Malik Nabers WR
LSU • JR • 6’0″ / 200 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

As I said earlier, in this scenario, Kirk Cousins has joined the Falcons, and now Cousins finds himself going from Justin Jefferson to a team with Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and now Malik Nabers. This offense would be terrifying.
Round 1 – Pick 9
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Rome Odunze WR
WASHINGTON • JR • 6’3″ / 215 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The run on QBs in the top five allows Rome Odunze to fall to the Bears at No. 9. Odunze is my top-rated WR in the class and is a great complement to what the Bears have in D.J. Moore. Pairing Odunze with Caleb Williams could prove to be a franchise-altering draft for the Bears.
Round 1 – Pick 10
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Taliese Fuaga OT
OREGON STATE • JR • 6’6″ / 334 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

4th

This was a combine performance that caught me by surprise. I never thought Fuaga was a statue, but he tested better than I anticipated. I guess he’s just so physically imposing that when you watch him maul people, you don’t notice the athleticism as much. When you’re watching two grizzlies fight, you usually don’t check out their footwork, you know?
   Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 – Pick 11
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JC Latham OT
ALABAMA • JR • 6’6″ / 360 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Chargers move down, pick up a few assets and still get a right tackle to solidify their offensive line and protect Justin Herbert.
Round 1 – Pick 12
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Dallas Turner EDGE
ALABAMA • JR • 6’4″ / 252 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

I swear I didn’t go into my mock intending to go this long without a defensive player going off the board, but it’s not entirely without question. I don’t think there’s any question that this draft class strength is on the offensive side. Still, Dallas Turner is an excellent prospect who the Broncos would be happy to have.
Round 1 – Pick 13
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Quinyon Mitchell CB
TOLEDO • JR • 6’0″ / 196 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

Depending on how the free agent QB shuffle goes, the Raiders may look to move up and get somebody in the top 10. In this simulation, they grab the one player whose stock has soared throughout the entire pre-draft process.
Round 1 – Pick 14
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Jared Verse EDGE
FLORIDA STATE • JR • 6’4″ / 260 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

3rd

I don’t find this to be the most enticing class of edge rushers, but while I may not look at a player like Verse as a game-changing presence, I don’t envision a scenario in which he doesn’t turn out to be a solid starting-caliber player who helps out against both the pass and run.
Round 1 – Pick 15
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Terrion Arnold CB
ALABAMA • SOPH • 6’0″ / 196 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I’m a big Terrion Arnold fan. He improved considerably as the season went on and can be used in a variety of ways. You can put him outside, in the slot or even at safety. He’s a true Swiss Army knife of a defensive back.
Round 1 – Pick 16
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Byron Murphy II DL
TEXAS • JR • 6’1″ / 308 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

1st

One reason Mike MacDonald’s defenses have been so successful at the college and NFL levels? They have disruptive forces on the interior of their defensive lines, and that’s exactly what Byron Murphy will give the Seahawks defense.
Round 1 – Pick 17
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Nate Wiggins CB
CLEMSON • JR • 6’2″ / 185 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

There will be concerns about Wiggin’s overall size, but he plays like a much bigger corner. His speed and length are crucial to his game, and he plays with a high motor.
Round 1 – Pick 18
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Brock Bowers TE
GEORGIA • JR • 6’4″ / 240 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

Talent-wise, there’s no reason Brock Bowers should fall this far. However, only nine tight ends have gone in the first round of the last 10 drafts, and of those nine, only three (Kyle Pitts, T.J. Hockenson, and Eric Ebron) went in the top 10. If history is the best indicator of future behavior, the Bengals may be handed a pleasant surprise.
Round 1 – Pick 19
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Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT
PENN STATE • JR • 6’6″ / 317 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

If Olu Fashanu had left school last season, he would have been a top-10 pick. Instead, he stayed in school for another season and came out in a draft class much deeper at the tackle position, allowing him to fall this far.
Round 1 – Pick 20
player headshot
Troy Fautanu IOL
WASHINGTON • JR • 6’4″ / 317 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

56th

POSITION RNK

4th

I’ve seen Pittsburgh take Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson here a lot, and that’s certainly possible. However, this class is much deeper at center than most realized, which was evident at the combine. So, in this mock, I have the Steelers addressing the tackle position and possibly using their second-rounder on a center. Oh, and they’ve also signed Russell Wilson. Maybe.
Round 1 – Pick 21
player headshot
Tyler Guyton OT
OKLAHOMA • JR • 6’7″ / 328 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

6th

I toyed with the idea of the Dolphins adding Brian Thomas Jr. to their cadre of super fast human beings, but as fun as that would be, the smarter play is addressing the offensive line.
Round 1 – Pick 22
player headshot
Cooper DeJean CB
IOWA • JR • 6’1″ / 207 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

7th

I love DeJean’s versatility and playmaking ability. The Eagles need to upgrade their secondary and DeJean is a good get for them here.
   From Cleveland Browns
Round 1 – Pick 23
player headshot
Laiatu Latu EDGE
UCLA • SR • 6’5″ / 265 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

2nd

As long as the medicals come back clean, Latu will not reach the second round. After grabbing Will Anderson Jr. with their second pick last season, the Texans bookend him with Latu.
Round 1 – Pick 24
player headshot
Jordan Morgan OT
ARIZONA • SR • 6’5″ / 325 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

39th

POSITION RNK

7th

If you’re a connoisseur of line play, go ahead and put on the Arizona offense versus the UCLA defense and watch Morgan go head-to-head with Laiatu Latu. It’s just as good as Godzilla vs. Kong. The Cowboys take Morgan as a Tyron Smith replacement.
Round 1 – Pick 25
player headshot
Kool-Aid McKinstry CB
ALABAMA • JR • 6’1″ / 195 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

4th

McKinstry didn’t work out at the combine because of a Jones fracture in his foot. It’s the kind of injury that could significantly impact his stock if teams aren’t comfortable with the medicals, but for the moment, he’s a player who makes a lot of sense for the Packers.
Round 1 – Pick 26
player headshot
Chop Robinson EDGE
PENN STATE • JR • 6’3″ / 254 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

4th

Opinions vary, but I’m not overly high on this edge class, which is why I have Chop Robinson at the top of my board. I see him as having the highest ceiling of any edge prospect in this class, so I’d take him before others. Based on the intel I’ve gathered from others, I’m not in the majority with this opinion. Still, I don’t think he gets out of the first round.
   From Houston Texans
Round 1 – Pick 27
player headshot
DUKE • SR • 6’5″ / 314 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

46th

POSITION RNK

8th

Some see Barton as a player who will move to guard at the NFL level, while others think he can stick at tackle. I’m in the former camp, but the Cardinals could use help all across their offensive line.
Round 1 – Pick 28
player headshot
Johnny Newton DL
ILLINOIS • JR • 6’2″ / 295 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Buffalo could use a young talent infusion on its defensive line, so I have the Bills adding one of the most talented interior linemen in the class. Newton didn’t work out at the combine because of a foot injury, but he is a violent and disruptive presence on the inside.
Round 1 – Pick 29
player headshot
Tyler Nubin S
MINNESOTA • SR • 6’2″ / 210 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

40th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I’ve had the Lions address the secondary in all three mocks, and I’ll likely continue to have them doing so. I love Nubin. He’s the kind of talented and smart player you want on the back end of your defense.
   Mock Trade from Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 – Pick 30
player headshot
WASHINGTON • SR • 6’3″ / 213 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

5th

The Raiders didn’t trade up earlier to get a quarterback, but with Michael Penix on the board, they pull the trigger here. Penix has a great arm and is an intriguing prospect, but by getting him in the first round, the Raiders get the fifth-year option with him.
Round 1 – Pick 31
player headshot
Kingsley Suamataia OT
BYU • SOPH • 6’6″ / 325 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

47th

POSITION RNK

9th

Suamataia played both tackle positions during his time at BYU, and while he’d be destined for right tackle as a rookie, he could serve as the potential replacement for the 35-year-old Trent Williams down the line.
Round 1 – Pick 32
player headshot
Brian Thomas Jr. WR
LSU • JR • 6’4″ / 205 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

4th

Teams may decide to hold off on targets once the top three wide receivers are selected, as was the case in this mock, given the depth of the WR class. If they know it might result in Brian Thomas Jr. ending up in Kansas City’s lap, will they still go ahead and do it?

The dates of the 2024 NFL Draft are set for April 25–27 in Detroit. You can find more draft coverage on CBSSports.com, which also features a constantly updated look at the eligible prospects and the weekly updated draft order.

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