There's still a month until the draft, which means we can still experiment with some things in our mock draft!

In this edition, the Commanders shock the media (but apparently not team executives) with their QB choice at No. 2, the Eagles get aggressive to improve their secondary, and Michael Penix Jr. sneaks into the end of Round 1.

Now let's get to it!

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For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
USC • 6'1" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3633

RUYDS

121

INTS

5

TDS

41
Caleb Williams didn't have to work out at the USC pro day to be the No. 1 overall pick, but he did so anyway and checked all the boxes in front of the Bears brass. Caleb to Chicago is a foregone conclusion at this point.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Michigan • 6'3" / 219 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

4th

PAYDS

2991

RUYDS

202

INTS

4

TDS

25
NFL Media reported earlier this week that in talking to executives of other teams who know new Commanders GM Adam Peters well, the popular answer to whom they'll select at No. 2 overall is J.J. McCarthy. Let me make this clear: I'm fully aware it's smokescreen season and that the rumors will be flying all the way until draft night. But for the sake of this mock, let's explore this possibility. McCarthy to Washington.
Round 1 - Pick 3
LSU • 6'4" / 210 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3812

RUYDS

1134

INTS

4

TDS

50
The Patriots select Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye here. The LSU standout was impressive at his pro day this week. And perhaps more importantly, he weighed 210 pounds. His weight was a potential concern for teams earlier in the draft process, especially after Daniels opted not to get measured at the NFL Scouting Combine. Daniels is plenty heavy enough to be a potentially game-changing QB for new head coach Jerod Mayo.
Round 1 - Pick 4
LSU • 6'0" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

89

REYDS

1569

YDS/REC

17.6

TDS

14
Not only do the Cardinals stick at No. 4, but they take Malik Nabers instead of Marvin Harrison Jr. Nabers absolutely rocked his pro day and has better short-area explosiveness than his Ohio State counterpart. Lots of people still have Harrison ahead of him, but it's not a consensus like it was after the college football season.
  Mock Trade from Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 - Pick 5
North Carolina • 6'4" / 225 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3608

RUYDS

449

INTS

9

TDS

33
Instead of taking Marvin Harrison Jr., whom Jim Harbaugh knows very well from playing against Ohio State, the Chargers collect an extra first-round by moving back six spots in a trade with the Vikings. Drake Maye has a connection to Vikings QB coach Josh McCown going back to high school, so the two reunite as Minnesota finds its replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Ohio State • 6'4" / 205 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

67

REYDS

1211

YDS/REC

18.1

TDS

15
If the Giants miss out on the top QBs, this is the next-best scenario. New York jumps at the opportunity to drop in a WR1 into what's been a lackluster passing offense in recent years.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Notre Dame • 6'8" / 322 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd
Will Levis got a No. 1-caliber WR in Calvin Ridley during free agency. Now it's time for him to get a franchise cornerstone protecting his blindside. Notre Dame's Joe Alt is the man for the job.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Alabama • 6'3" / 247 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st
The Falcons brought in Kirk Cousins to elevate the offense to new heights, and they draft Dallas Turner to do the same on the defensive side of the ball. He's everything you want in an NFL edge rusher.
Round 1 - Pick 9
Florida State • 6'4" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd
Similar to Atlanta, the Bears got a lot better offensively with the additions of D'Andre Swift, Keenan Allen and then Caleb Williams. But they still need a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, so they look to the uber-productive Jared Verse out of Florida State.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Oregon State • 6'6" / 324 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd
Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers were tempting here, but beefing up the offensive line in front of Aaron Rodgers was more important. Drafting Taliese Fuaga will ensure New York puts out the best five players to protect the future Hall of Fame QB.
  Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 11
Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

92

REYDS

1640

YDS/REC

17.8

TDS

15
The Chargers pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. but gain the No. 23 overall pick as well as Rome Odunze, who would be fighting for the No. 1 WR spot in other draft classes.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Alabama • 6'0" / 199 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

2nd
With the top-four QBs off the board, the Broncos turn to the defensive side of the ball. Having Terrion Arnold and Pat Surtain II as the starting outside corners will be a big luxury for Vance Joseph's defense.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Penn State • 6'6" / 312 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st
Neither Aidan O'Connell nor Gardner Minshew seems like the long-term answer in Vegas, but once the Raiders do find one, they'll already have a franchise left tackle in Olumuyiwa Fashanu.
  Mock Trade from New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 14
Toledo • 6'0" / 193 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

68

REYDS

1177

YDS/REC

17.3

TDS

17
Big move from the Eagles! GM Howie Roseman has traded up in Round 1 for three straight drafts and four of the past five, and he does so again here. Knowing the team's starting cornerbacks are aging and that Quinyon Mitchell is potentially the No. 1 CB in this class, Roseman gets aggressive in helping the Philadelphia defense.
Round 1 - Pick 15
LSU • 6'2" / 209 lbs

Projected Team

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

68

REYDS

1177

YDS/REC

17.3

TDS

17
The Colts would have loved Mitchell here, but getting Anthony Richardson a big, explosive, speedy wideout works, too.
Round 1 - Pick 16
Washington • 6'4" / 317 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

1st
The Seahawks lost guard Damien Lewis and center Evan Brown in free agency, and they haven't re-signed their other guard from last season in Phil Haynes. That tells me they're locking in on offensive line in Round 1, and Troy Fautanu is a worthy choice. He played left tackle at Washington but will probably be best suited inside in the NFL.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Clemson • 6'1" / 182 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

4th
The Jaguars signed veteran Ronald Darby after releasing Darious Williams, but they need more firepower at the position. Nate Wiggins has the length, speed and press-coverage chops to give opposing WRs fits in the AFC South.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Georgia • 6'4" / 230 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

56

REYDS

714

YDS/REC

12.8

TDS

7
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Brock Bowers?! As long as Joe Burrow stays healthy, he'd be in for a massive season.
Round 1 - Pick 19
Texas • 6'0" / 306 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st
Poor Byron Murphy II, who will be tasked with replacing one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history. He won't be Aaron Donald, but he can be an interior disruptor from Day 1 -- similar to several Rams rookies from last season.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Georgia • 6'8" / 350 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

4th
Russell Wilson will get the first crack as QB1, with Justin Fields waiting for his opportunity. Regardless of whom is the starter, the Steelers will have two Georgia tackles protecting them in Broderick Jones and Amarius Mims.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Alabama • 6'6" / 342 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

5th
Terron Armstead said he'll play in 2024, but the 5-time Pro Bowl tackle will turn 33 years old in July and has only averaged 10 starts per season during his career (not counting his rookie campaign). History says the injury-prone Armstead will again deal with issues in 2024, so JC Latham would not be a massive (literally) insurance policy, but he could battle Austin Jackson for the starting right tackle spot.
  Mock Trade from Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 22
UCLA • 6'5" / 265 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

3rd
The Saints move down eight spots and still get the third edge rusher off the board. Laiatu Latu, who may slip because of his medical history, is one of the best pass rushers in this class when he's on the field.
  Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 23
Oregon • 6'3" / 328 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

2nd
Center Jackson Powers-Johnson is Jim Harbaugh's type of offensive lineman: tenacious, nasty and always getting the job done in the trenches. Los Angeles recently signed Bradley Bozeman, but he's not the long-term answer, so maybe Powers-Johnson starts his NFL career at guard before moving over to center.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Oklahoma • 6'7" / 322 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

38th

POSITION RNK

6th
The Cowboys need a Tyron Smith replacement. Tyler Smith can move over to the left side while another Tyler (Guyton, out of Oklahoma) slots in at right tackle.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Missouri • 5'11" / 191 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

37th

POSITION RNK

7th
The Packers have used 12 of their past 13 first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball -- with the lone offensive player being Jordan Love -- and I expect that to continue this year. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. didn't test great at the combine, but he's energetic, physical and productive. He'll fit in just fine on this Green Bay defense.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Penn State • 6'3" / 254 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

4th
The explosive Chop Robinson replaces Shaq Barrett in Tampa Bay.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Missouri • 6'5" / 285 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

5th
The Cardinals improve their edge-rushing presence by bringing on Darius Robinson, who can help on the interior as well.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Iowa • 6'0" / 198 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

5th
The Bills basically released their entire secondary due to salary cap reasons, and while they did re-sign some of their own, they need more. Cooper DeJean will not only help in coverage but is also a very capable run-stopper, blitzer and return man.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Texas • 6'2" / 205 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

55

REYDS

845

YDS/REC

15.4

TDS

11
GM Brad Holmes preached continuously at the combine that the Lions will focus on adding the best player available from their draft board. In this case, I believe that to be Adonai Mitchell, who joins Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in creating a dangerous receiving trio in Detroit.
  Mock Trade from Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 - Pick 30
Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

5th
The Broncos challenged Michael Penix Jr. during his meeting with them at the combine, and based on this pick, they must have liked what they heard. Denver moves back into the first round to snag the Heisman Trophy runner-up to compete for the starting job from Day 1.
Round 1 - Pick 31
Arizona • 6'5" / 311 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

9th
The 49ers haven't drafted an offensive tackle since 2021, and that was in the fifth round. That changes with the selection of Jordan Morgan, who can compete for the right tackle job right away and hopefully become the long-term replacement for Trent Williams on the left side.
Round 1 - Pick 32
Georgia • 6'0" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

6th
Ladd McConkey just knows how to get open, and you know Patrick Mahomes will find ways to get him the ball. With Marquise Brown and McConkey in Kansas City, Andy Reid's offense won't be questioned in 2024.