The 2024 NFL Draft is sort of right here. With the overall few days earlier than Thursday’s massive tournament, let’s perform a little wish-casting. Right here, you’ll in finding some player-to-team suits which are in keeping with a point of realism — sorry, Rome Odunze gained’t be matched with the Chiefs nor will Malik Nabers cross to the Expenses — however they’re made with a powerful look towards egocentric fable soccer functions.
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams to the Bears
We’re sticking with final realism right here as this will probably be and must be the select come Thursday night time. Williams will probably be arrange for good fortune in Chicago. The Bears have a powerful beginning receiver duo and a suitable offensive line. Williams’ second-reaction playmaking gene will lead to a couple massive weeks in Yr 1, on the very least.
Drake Maye to the Vikings
I’m in most cases partial to Drake Maye however I will see the argument that his building will probably be torn asunder if he has to play early in a nasty state of affairs. The Vikings are a very good ecosystem to expand a tender passer with Kevin O’Connell on the controls and a powerful supporting solid. In addition they is probably not pressured to play him early if Sam Darnold presentations smartly in summer season actions. Both manner, this secures Justin Jefferson’s long-term outlook and a high-ceiling QB1 for the Vikings.
Jayden Daniels to the Commanders
I don’t suppose that is the Commanders’ precise mindset however I query one of the media common sense of pursuing Jayden Daniels on the most sensible of the draft as a result of he may have compatibility Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Regardless, for this workout, the have compatibility is good in Washington. Daniels would carry immediate beginning doable in fable together with his dashing chops. His passing taste maps smartly to Terry McLaurin as a vertical X-receiver and Jahan Dotson as a slot spear downfield.
J.J. McCarthy to the Raiders
I’m going with one non-chalky quarterback marriage. The Raiders commerce as much as gain the services and products of J.J. McCarthy after the remaining regime attempted the stopgap method. McCarthy does have some upside however with Gardner Minshew in position, they may be able to slow-play his building to present McCarthy the most productive shot at getting access to that ceiling when able. No less than now we will hope for a high-end quarterback running along Davante Adams in his ultimate high years.
Bo Nix to the Broncos
After such a lot of episodes of Mock Draft Monday, I’ve after all been Nix-pilled and imagine he can reach starting-level play in Sean Payton’s offense. He works the quick and intermediate spaces smartly and is a correct passer. I’m no longer certain if this will require the Broncos to sacrifice long term property or gamers to get again into Spherical 1 or a minimum of early on Day 2, however I’m slightly assured that Payton doesn’t plan on losing a 12 months together with his present quarterback strong.
Michael Penix to the Patriots
In a “dream state of affairs” workout, not one of the most sensible guys are going to New England. However it could nonetheless be lovely bizarre if Robert Kraft doesn’t insist they arrive away without a long term on the function. Penix has the arm skill to assault downfield however has some flaws in his recreation. New England can permit Jacoby Brissett to take the early lumps with a coarse supporting solid whilst Penix marinates.
Working Backs
Jonathan Brooks to the Chargers
Complete disclosure: I’m purchasing what many are promoting about Jonathan Brooks’ conceivable touchdown with the Cowboys:
Nonetheless, let me supply another. Brooks is a wise choice for the Chargers as a result of they added a reliable participant in Gus Edwards to take many of the early paintings this season. Edwards is a bruiser who can get loaded up with rush makes an attempt and, if J.Ok. Dobbins is wholesome, he can sprinkle in too.
Emphasis on if, in fact.
With a plan in position, the Chargers can glance to get the most productive out of Brooks as an explosive runner of their gadget later within the season. The Jets simply pulled this plan off with Breece Corridor remaining season.
Trey Benson to the Cowboys
FSU’s fierce rusher doesn’t profile as a heavy-workload again, a minimum of no longer early in his NFL days, however Trey Benson may well be the most productive big-play choice on this magnificence. That strikes a chord in my memory a excellent little bit of Tony Pollard’s early years in Dallas, and the Cowboys have some competent rushers to combine in with him because the early-down grinders. Benson would make what was once a stagnant 2023 Cowboys’ dashing recreation legitimately frightening. Dallas’ offense must stay pass-heavy and he can paintings in as an choice on swing catches out of the backfield.
Jaylen Wright to the Chiefs
Kansas Town already has an explosive again who can maintain a large workload in Isiah Pacheco. Including Jaylen Wright would give them a slasher part to paintings along him. Wright’s collegiate position does no longer map to the NFL in any respect, however the Chiefs offense creates areas for backs and Wright may just expand on this spot.
Marshawn Lloyd to the Panthers
The Panthers were given appropriate play from Chuba Hubbard remaining season after a crisis free-agent signing of Miles Sanders. Given how a lot Dave Canales and his personnel have talked up the run recreation, I guess they’re taking pictures upper than “appropriate” out of the backfield. Marshawn Lloyd runs with steadiness and brings some juice to a working again room that wishes it. He is usually a great season-long sleeper.
Blake Corum to the Giants
Going to the Chargers is chalk for Blake Corum, however the Giants are every other cast touchdown spot. Dropping Saquon Barkley is a huge blow and changing him with Devin Singletary isn’t sufficient. Corum is a technically sound runner who must be capable of get started for this staff quicker than later.
Ray Davis to the Raiders
Ray Davis most likely is going on Day 3 however that’s the world the Raiders must be on the lookout for backs. Zamir White had some great moments in aid for Josh Jacobs remaining season. Including a cast and rugged presence like Davis offers them two gamers with an identical ability units. Allow them to compete and roll with the most suitable option.
Large Receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Chargers
I firmly imagine that the Chargers need a trade-down that facilitates including anyone within the trenches for Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman to construct round. However it is a dream state of affairs workout, and Justin Herbert and Marvin Harrison Jr. running in combination for the following decade is a imaginative and prescient of pleasure. After beginning his occupation with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, Herbert has proven he can paintings with boundary X-receivers and top quality separators. Harrison tests each packing containers and is customized to hit the NFL box as a powerful starter.
Malik Nabers to the Giants
I do know, I do know. This isn’t what you sought after to look.
Alternatively, Malik Nabers’ recreation as an intermediate-area course runner and explosive run-after-catch freakshow makes him uniquely ready to live on the Giants’ touchdown spot within the most sensible 10. New York would merely ask its quarterback to seek out him early on outlet receptions and let Nabers do the remainder. Nabers could be a goal hog from Day 1 and, whilst remaining 12 months was once no longer promising, I nonetheless imagine in Brian Daboll’s talent to get gamers in house creatively. On this state of affairs, Nabers would possibly come at a slight bargain in dynasty rookie drafts.
Rome Odunze to the Cardinals
Rome Odunze is a refined and high-ceiling prospect on the X-receiver function, which is these days a gaping hollow at the Cardinals roster. His ball-tracking, tight protection chops and cunning route-running make him a secure and high-ceiling prospect. Kyler Murray labored smartly with a participant who carried the ones abilities in DeAndre Hopkins early in his occupation. Odunze may just lend a hand revive that form of connection. He would moonwalk into 130-plus goals in Yr 1.
Ladd McConkey to the Falcons
The Falcons want another threatening receiver in this offense, and Ladd McConkey would instantly step into the No. 2 position in the back of Drake London. McConkey would give the Falcons some flexibility with Darnell Mooney to transport between the flanker and slot positions.
Brian Thomas Jr. to the Colts
The Colts may just upload a substitute for Alec Pierce within the vertical X-receiver function at the offense. Brian Thomas Jr. would whole the room with Michael Pittman Jr. because the intermediate quantity hog and Josh Downs within the slot. Anthony Richardson will get a lid-lifter and could be arrange for good fortune in Yr 2.
Keon Coleman to the Bengals
This has been my favourite touchdown spot for Keon Coleman since I labored on his movie as a result of I feel he wishes to transport to an influence slot position within the execs. Coleman may just give you the Bengals a right away alternative for Tyler Boyd inside of as a rookie and develop into the second one goal in the back of Ja’Marr Chase if Tee Higgins leaves after this season.
Ricky Pearsall to the Panthers
The Panthers proceed so as to add separators to the offense to present Bryce Younger what he must prevail. Ricky Pearsall is a wonderful course runner and has dependable fingers in any respect 3 ranges of the sector. He’s most likely perfect as a flanker however can paintings inside of and has the strikes off the road to be a satisfactory X-receiver. Pearsall and Diontae Johnson as the highest receivers at the staff is an enormous bounce from what Carolina rolled out because the outdoor receivers in 2023.
Adonai Mitchell to the Chiefs
This one makes such a lot sense that it is going to no longer occur. Within the Patrick Mahomes generation, the Chiefs nearly completely drafted and signed flanker, slot or device receivers. It’s time to get an X-receiver candidate to paintings the boundary. Mitchell isn’t a flawless prospect however he’s a downfield ball-winner with the makings of sturdy course working in opposition to guy and press protection outdoor. The Chiefs may have used a participant like this regardless however the felony state of affairs soaring over Rashee Rice makes this a real “should” subject to deal with.
Xavier Worthy to the Rams
Complete credit score to Jordan Vanek in this one. He were given me to shop for in:
Worthy would step into the position Tutu Atwell held down for the Rams early in 2023. Sean McVay and co. after all were given the most productive out of Atwell via the use of him at the full-speed pre-snap movement performs. Worthy would report in and provides them an improve. Worthy’s velocity downfield could be maximized with Matthew Stafford and he’d filter the sector for Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Xavier Legette to the Steelers
I don’t suppose Xavier Legette is subtle sufficient as a receiver to expire because the X and win early in his occupation. With George Pickens in position, he wouldn’t need to. Legette may well be one thing of a position-less marvel for the previous Falcons head trainer however is an actual risk on the kind of crossing routes Arthur Smith likes to deploy off play-action. His run-after-catch doable may just in truth incentivize Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields to paintings the center of the sector. The Steelers desperately wish to upload juice within the receiver room.
Troy Franklin to the Jaguars
Jacksonville has added pass-catchers each offseason the remaining 3 years and nonetheless wishes a wideout. Troy Franklin may just slide in because the flanker on this offense in 11-personnel programs with Gabe Davis maintaining down the X and Christian Kirk hogging quantity within the slot. I’m blended at the participant however suppose Franklin could be perfect used off the road and as a vertical assault separator. That’s necessarily the position they sought after Calvin Ridley to fill when they signed Davis.
Jermaine Burton to the Cowboys
If there weren’t personality considerations round Jermaine Burton and Alabama had a purposeful passing recreation remaining season, I’m satisfied he’d be in a tier with AD Mitchell, on the very worst. Because it stands, Burton would possibly slide to Day 3. Dallas wishes extra pop on the receiver function in the back of CeeDee Lamb. Burton can win on vertical routes and has the upside to grow to be a top quality goal earner as a result of he can run near to each course.
Javon Baker to the Expenses
If the Expenses aren’t ready to safe a downfield X-receiver, they must glance to Javon Baker on Day 2. Few receivers on this magnificence ran extra downfield routes than Baker, and he demonstrated the separation and route-running chops so that you could fill that position early within the NFL. There’s doable for him to grow to be a perimeter No. 1 form of goal. For this workout, he’s the deep-game service provider for Buffalo because it funnels goals to Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir because the flanker and slot.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers to the Broncos
My simplest worry with Brock Bowers is that he finally ends up with a training personnel that tries to over-complicate his position and places an excessive amount of on his plate. Some in style touchdown spots in mock drafts ship up the ones alarm bells:
Pairing Bowers with Sean Payton in Denver alleviates the ones worries for me. Payton has made nice use of “joker” sorts on the tight finish function and has gotten manufacturing from massive slot receivers through the years. Bowers blurs the strains right here. The twelfth general select on a good finish is competitive on paper, however Bowers is a most sensible prospect and Denver’s toothless roster merely wishes REAL gamers.