The Auburn Daily Way-Too-Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft has come to an end, and Auburn was once again well represented, with both Derick Hall and Tank Bigsby going to the Seahawks and Jaguars on day 2. Colby Wooden has found a new home with the Packers (Colby Cheese, anyone?) and the undrafted free-agency period will land other Tigers in the pros.
Even though the clock has stopped ticking down for the 2023 Draft, many analysts and coaches are already looking ahead to next year, and for those who are wondering what it could look like, here's a way-too-early look at 2024, and one (or two) Auburn stars could find themselves in the first round with a strong senior season. Let's dive in.
Draft order is projected by betting odds for Super Bowl 58, according to Caesers Sportsbook.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (trade with Houston Texans) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC: No disrespect to Bryce Young, but if Williams had come out for the 2023 Draft, he would've gone #1 overall. The Bucs ride out a rebuild season and then get the true heir apparent to Tom Brady.
2. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State: Much to the chagrin of the Colts picking at 3, the Cards get Kyler another weapon to pair with Hollywood Brown. Like his father, Harrison Jr should be one of the best receivers in the league for years to come.
3. Indianapolis Colts - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State: No Marvin Harrison Jr? No problem. The top ranked OT in next years draft goes to Indy to protect Anthony Richardson.
4. Houston Texans (trade with the Washington Commanders) - Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama: Coach Ryans got his guy by trading up to select Will Anderson Jr, so why not continue to invest in the pass-rush by grabbing his teammate?
5. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, UNC: The Commanders could have a new coach in the building if its another lackluster year under Ron Rivera, and the first thing to do for the new regime is secure the future at quarterback. Maye could arguably go to a team whos first round QB this year shows immediate signs of being a bust, but I think Washington can sit and snag him for now.
6. Tennessee Titans - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas: After sitting Will Levis for a year behind Ryan Tannehill, the Titans begin their campaign to reclaim the AFC South. Treylon Burkes hasn't developed as fast as they would like, so it's time to get their shiny new QB a shiny new toy, and the speedy Worthy fits the bill.
7. Carolina Panthers - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: Sorry Philly, this Dawg comes to Charlotte. Bryce Young gets a solid weapon for the middle of the field and Carolina fans breathe a sigh of relief that they found the next Greg Olsen (but better).
8. Atlanta Falcons - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: If Bama fans claim Jalen, then can Auburn fans claim Nix? Debatable. There's no denying that the former Auburn QB has improved his draft stock and looks more polished in the pocket after transferring to Oregon. If he has another solid year, Arthur Smith could finally land an ideal prospect to run his QB-friendly system.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Unfortunately, you can't draft offensive coordinators, but assuming Matt Canada is fired the Steelers could get whoever comes in next a solid blocker for Kenny Pickett.
10. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse, DE, FSU: Verse was a round one prospect THIS year, and there's no reason to believe that will change if he has a similar senior season in 2023. The Bears shore up the line and continue to improve their odds to claim the NFC North.
11. L.A. Rams - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia: The Jalen Ramsey trade has made a need at CB that the Rams couldn't address correctly in the 2023 Draft. That'll be fixed once they finally pick in the first round again.
12. New England Patriots - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: The Pats get a solid CB2 to play alongside Christian Gonzalez. Bill Belichick will probably rely on free-agency to address offensive needs (including QB) and will look for playmakers of McKinstry's caliber to limit what AFC QBs Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rogers can do.
13. Seattle Seahawks - J.T. Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State: Nobody knows how long Pete Carrol will continue coaching, but I think they'll continue to improve the defense under him as long as he's there. Tuimoloau finished well last season and could be a top-five prospect next year.
14. Green Bay Packers - Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State: This won't happen, because God-forbid the Packers ever take a wideout in round one, but one can dream, right?
15. Denver Broncos - J.C. Latham, OT/G, Alabama: This could be QB if someone has a breakout season and Russell continues to burn his cooking, but for now Sean Peyton elects to beef up the offensive line.
16. Minnesota Vikings - Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: All good things must come to and end, and the Kirk Cousins contract has been pushed back for far too long. If Penix Jr. Continues to shine for the Huskies then there's no reason to not take a shot on a guy who could sit behind Cousins for a year.
17. New York Giants - Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State: If Saquan Barkley departs the boys in blue after the season, assuming that he doesn't get a new deal soon, then the run game for Daniel Jones will need to be re-tooled. The Bills are probably hoping a guy of Henderson's speed and agility would fall to them, but Coach Daboll gets his guy.
18. Las Vegas Raiders - Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: The Jimmy G is a fine starter, but he's not as dynamic with deep-ball situations, and his health will always be a question every year he plays. Brining in Quinn Ewers would instantly elevate McDaniels' offense overnight... Assuming he's still calling the plays by then.
19. New Orleans Saints - Beaux Collins, WR, Clemson: The name fits, and he's a good route-runner. Collins is an underrated prospect who could step up to either be WR3 for the Saints or WR2 if Michael Thomas departs the bay area.
20. Cleveland Browns - Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State: This could be wideout if the board falls to them correctly, but then again Cedric Tillman could be a breakout star for the Browns. The defensive line could use more beef alongside Myles Garret, and Hall fits the scheme to a T.
21. Baltimore Ravens - DJ James, CB, Auburn:
Trey Lee/ Auburn Daily
No offense? Well, I think Odell will get another 1-year deal from the Ravens, and Mark Andrews will sign a hefty extension to remain TE1, so let's make sure Jackson and Co don't have to play catch-up ever. Getting a rotational piece like James could make life a nightmare for top wideouts Ja'mar Chase, George Pickens and Tee Higgins in the division, and after amassing 37 total tackles as a junior, James will be a name to watch in next years class.
22. Miami Dolphins - Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State: Keeping Tua upright is the key for the Dolphins to win the AFC, and Ohio State has a lot of beef entering this year. Jackson gets the call after another solid season with the Buckeyes.
23. Detroit Lions - Maason Smith, DT, LSU: Assuming that Smith recovers from the ACL tear and plays like a monster again, he'll get plenty of looks. I expect the Lions to be defense-heavy in the next draft, so Smith gets the call here.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bralon Trice, DE, Washington: This could be a tight end, but for now let's make Jacksonville Sacksonville again. Trice is an excellent pass rusher with good speed for a guy his size.
25. L.A. Chargers - Rivaldo Fairweather, TE, Auburn:
Eric Starling/Auburn Daily
The comp I keep hearing for Fairweather is Evan Engram, and it's absolutely fair. Rivaldo enters the Freeze/Montgomery offense at Auburn having over 700 yards receiving under his belt. If he replicates that success this year, the Bolts could look to add him to their stable of pass-catchers for Justin Herbert. Kellen Moore's offense needs a big-bodied TE to operate at full capacity anyway.
26. Dallas Cowboys - Bryce Foster, OL - TEXAS A&M: I was tempted to take Jaydon Daniels out of LSU to turn up the heat on Dak Prescott, but then I remembered that Ja'Tavion Sanders is still on the board and the Cowboys need a solid TE after missing out on Dalton Kincaid in this years Draft. Then I remembered that Jerry Jones is in charge and will probably do something else entirely. Bryce was the anchor of the Aggies offensive line, and remains in the Lone Star state for his pro career.
27. Green Bay Packers (via NY Jets) - Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas: I have a feeling that Sanders will have more catches than Worthy this season, becoming Quin Ewers favorite target. I also have a feeling that Aaron Rogers plays more than 65% of snaps this season, so the Jet's second round pick they sent to the Packers will become a first. I also have a feeling that this will be a defensive player because it's the Packers, but this is a mock, so one can dream.
28. Cincinnati Bengals - Rocket Sanders, RB — Arkansas: Sanders boasted over 1,400 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, becoming a premier running back in the mighty SEC. Assuming Joe Mixon is released or traded this offseason, the Bengals will be looking for a bell-cow to take pressure off of Joe Burrow and the passing game. Sanders easily fits that mold.
29. Philadelphia Eagles - Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon: Bo Nix's favorite target comes off the board and joins the Philadelphia Bulldo- Erm, Eagles. AJ Brown and Devonta Smith could use a premier WR3 to take looks off of them and Howie Roseman has built enough around the team to be able to take a guy like Franklin here.
30. Buffalo Bills - Zion Nelson, OT, Miami: The Bills have surrounded Josh Allen with talent, but having an offensive line that can rotate plug-and-play pieces without skipping a beat would send them to the moon. GM Brandon Beane elects to protect his QB as they continue their quest to rip the AFC title from the Chiefs.
31. San Francisco 49ers - JaCorey Brooks, WR, Alabama: Someone at Alabama will step up for WR1 after having a down year at the position (even with Bryce Young) but Brooks has the tools to take the next step this year. Assuming the 49ers don't extend Brandon Aiyuk anytime soon, this could be a good fit for him.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame: Everyone will assume wideout, but the defense needs more playmakers not named Chris Jones, or else Mahomes and Co will be having alot of shootouts. Kiser could rise with another solid season, but I think he'll land here for the Chiefs.
What do you think? Perhaps Jarquez Hunter goes nuts and sneaks into the first round? Did we miss a favorite player? Want to roast me on how bad I did? Let us know in the comments!
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