SPORTS COLUMNIST MAKES FINAL DRAFT PREDICTIONS

Column by Kenny Ward.

It’s almost here. Day one of the NFL Draft. April 25th. The day the dreams of many athletes will come true. It’s a great day. This is the last mock draft we will publish before it happens, but don’t worry, we aren’t done with the draft coverage yet. No spoilers though. Without further ado, let’s get into the final *NFL Mock Draft before the real thing happens.

(*Here’s how it will work. If the pick remains the same from the last mock draft, not much depth will be given. If there is a change, I will give a detailed reason. There will be no trades included in the mock drafts. Positions and colleges are included.)

1. Chicago Bears: Quarterback Caleb Williams, USC

In this mock draft I still have the Bears taking Caleb Williams. He is a star player, and that is just what the bears need. Plain and simple.

2. Washington Commanders: Quarterback Drake Maye, UNC

The Commanders are also in need of a player at quarterback. People have their doubts about Maye, but he is a serious athlete who can bring this Washington offense to life. This is definitely the pick here, unless Jayden Daniels impresses the organization more.

3. New England Patriots: Quarterback Jayden Daniels, LSU

In the last mock draft I had the Patriots taking Marvin Harrison Jr. This draft I have it changed. I do think they could still possibly look for quarterback talent later in the draft, but Jayden Daniels has proved himself as a star. If they look to draft a quarterback, this is the guy they will go with and for good reason.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State University

They still take a wide receiver here but now they get most likely the best one in the draft. Harrison has the ability to change an offense. The Cardinals need an overhaul. Simple as that. The Kyler Murry, Marvin Harrison, and Trey McBride duo will be one of the best in the league if used correctly

5.  Los Angeles Chargers: Wide Receiver Malik Nabers, LSU

So, I may or may not have had Brock Bowers to the Chargers as my “lock of the draft”, and now I have changed my mind. Do not get me wrong, I do think that Bowers is a great fit with the Chargers. I just think they will go different directions and take another playmaker in Malik Nabers. They could definitely use a man like him after getting rid of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Any receiving threat they get at this pick will help, but Nabers is a prime player and is hard to pass up on.

6. New York Giants: Quarterback J.J. McCarthy

Daniel Jones IS NOT the answer, but the top three quarterbacks in the draft have been taken. J.J McCarthy is just as good as them though. He is well rounded and has worked in a pro-style offense. He may turn out like Will Levis did last year, but that won’t matter. He is a great player with championship experience and a good motor. 

7. Tennessee Titans: Wide Receiver Rome Odunze, Washington

Speaking of Will Levis, he gets a weapon here with Rome Odunze. They have Calvin Ridley now, and if they go skill player, they can draft a dangerous three headed dragon.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Rusher Dallas Turner, Alabama

Again, I honestly thought that the Falcons would have gone defense at pick number eight last year. This year I have them going Edge Rusher with Dallas Turner and bolstering the front seven.

9. Chicago Bears: Offensive Tackle Joe Alt, Notre Dame

They could do a few things with this pick, but protection for their new Quarterback is not too shabby of an idea. If they really want to revamp things, they need to start off by setting up Caleb Williams for success.

10. New York Jets: Tight End Brock Bowers, Georgia

Brock Bowers, the best Tight End of the entire draft, and one of the best prospects in the past 20 years, has taken a tumble. He lands in a slightly rebuilding playoff hopeful New York Jets organization. Having Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball will be a great look.

11. Viking: Cornerback Terrion Arnold, Alabama

It feels like the Vikings consistently have secondary problems. Terrion Arnold will hopefully be the answer to their woes.

12. Denver Broncos: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

The Broncos are a toss up here. Without a doubt they will go defense unless they trade up. They could go Edge here, but they need a cornerback to bolster down the opposite side of Pat Surtian. Quinyon Mitchell is a good young player, even though he’s not from a big name school.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Offensive Tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

The Raiders are going with an offensive lineman here. They need help everywhere, but they play it safe with Fashanu. 

14. New Orlean Saints: Offensive Tackle Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

The Saints also need help on the offensive line, and will take Fuaga, the senior bowl standout from Oregon State to try and correct the wrongs done by Andrus Peat and Trevor Penning.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Cooper DeJean is a cornerback, no matter what you say. He is also very physical, and a very good tackler. The Colts lost a corner in Kenny Moore II, and now replace him with a very good young player. Golden star for them.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Edge Jared Verse, Florida State University

I have changed my mind on offense line for the Seahawks. While it is still a need, Jared Verse has fallen directly into their laps. Getting him to help their mid tier defense is a miracle and a match made in heaven.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive Lineman Byron Murphy, Texas

The interior defensive line for the Jaguars is nothing special. They can draft a good defensive tackle to start right away here in Byron Murphy. This will boost the front seven up and give help to Josh Allen. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive Tackle Troy Fautanu, Washington

They no longer have Orlando Brown or Jonah Williams, so they are looking for an offensive lineman to try and keep Joe Burrow healthy for the first time in a while. They go with Troy Fautanu here. He has big-game experience, and is a body they can attempt to use to protect Burrow.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Aaron Donald just retired so now they need someone, anyone on the front seven. Laiatu Latu is an experimental player but has a great upside if taught well. Another player who was like that is Aaron Donald. Maybe history will repeat itself.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive Tackle J.C. Latham, Alabama

The Steelers have two starting caliber quarterbacks now, and they should want to keep them healthy. Drafting offensive line here is the safest option. J.C. Latham pairing up with Broderick Jones is scary.

21. Miami Dolphins: Offensive Tackle Armarius Mims, Georgia

Tua Tagovailoa is very injury prone. Drafting someone who can possibly help him stay healthy is a great idea, no matter what. Armarius Mims can help do so.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerback Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Eagles are very solid all around. They did struggle somewhat in the secondary last year, so drafting Nate Wiggins can help them bolster up there.

23. Minnesota Vikings from Houston Texans: Defensive Lineman Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois 

I still have Jer’Zahn Newton going here. The Vikings lost Danielle Hunter and now need to add someone to the front seven. Newton is young, and very talented. He can fill the gap if needed.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Somehow, the Cowboys are low on wide receivers. CeeDee Lamb is the only above average player they have there. Brian Thomas can pair up with him and cause problems for opposing defenses.

25. Green Bay Packers: Interior Offensive Lineman Graham Barton, Duke

The Packers are decent on the interior offensive line. Graham Barton can help add depth, and can slide in and perform if needed.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Demeioun Robinson, Penn State

When the Buccaneers last won a superbowl, Shaquille Barrett was in his prime. Now, they are looking for another star Edge Rusher. Demeioun Robinson can be that guy and help make the defense elite again.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

The Cardinals need defensive help. Kool-Aid McKinstry was a top five pick during the beginning of the year. If the Cardinals can get that version of him, they will have the steal of the draft.

28.   Buffalo Bills: Wide Receiver Adonai Mitchell, Texas

The Bills don’t have even a subpar wide receiver on the team right now. They look rough. Adonai Mitchell will give Josh Allen an option to throw to and will hopefully answer some questions on the offense.

29.  Detroit Lions: Interior Offensive Lineman, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Jackson Powers-Johnson may be the best lineman in the entire draft, but he is a center. He can slide in and replace Frank Ragnow when he ages out of the spot, and can also help at both of the guard spots if needed,

30. Baltimore Ravens: Offensive Tackle Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

The Ravens lost Morgan Moses and Kevin Zeitler. Ronnie Stanley is very injury prone. If they get someone who can stay on the field with Tyler Guyton, they should be sitting pretty.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey, Georgia

There has been talks about some 49er Wide Receivers moving around. Drafting Ladd McConkey for depth is not a bad idea. Even if he doesn’t start he can help as a role player.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Wide Receiver Troy Franklin, Oregon

They did pick up Marquise Brown in the offseason, but one player will not revamp a whole position. They need to change it drastically and Troy Franklin is another step in the right direction . 

As we count down the hours until the draft, the suspense builds for the shocks that will inevitably happen. The draft looks like it will be exciting and surprising yet again this year. That’s it for now. As we always say. Stay Scoutin’.

**all information found on espn.com**