Hawkscast.net Official NFL 1st Round Mock Draft

Veta Mur

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1. Carolina Panthers.​


The Pick: Bryce Young, QB. I must say, I make this pick with some hesitation. Everything is pointing this way.. but a couple of people with generally good sources strongly insist that CJ Stroud is the pick. Young is very slight and small, but should be able to adjust to the NFL. If so, he should send 10% of his earnings to Russel Wilson and 5% to Drew Brees because without those 2 having the careers they hadve/had, we arent discussing a quarterback of this height going #1 overall.

2. Houston Texans.

The Pick: Will Anderson, EDGE. Usually my mock drafts are out a couple weeks before the draft, not a week. This pick is one reason Im late this year. Early I had the Texans take whomever the Panthers DIDNT take.. Stroud or Young. There is more and more noise now however that the Texans want Young, and if they cant have Young they are going to go in another direction. Now, arguably, if thats how they feel and knowing the importance of the position, they should trade up a spot. If Carolina likes Stroud at all maybe they would be happy to trade back down 1 spot and get some picks back. They have a ton of needs. But the Texans are a dysfunctional franchise and are going to blow it. Now, Will Anderson is a good player and the Texans have spent years trying to replace Clowney and JJ Watt but he may not even be the most dynamic guy out there. But you know what he is? Safe. Texans get a very good EDGE rusher and the safest pick in the draft. I am still tempted to change this however, as Im now starting to hear rumors the NFL may not be viewing Anderson the way the rest of us do. But at some point , you just got to write something down and live with it.

3. Arizona Cardinals.

The Pick: Tyree Wilson, EDGE. Another pick that made my mock late. I had the Arizona moving out of 3, during the moving around of teams trying to get one of the top 4 QBs. I no longer believe there is a mad rush to get the QBs at the top of the draft, and dont think the Cardinals will be able to move down. They get the EDGE rusher with the highest ceiling perhaps and a freak of a body type. I have never done a mock with so little certainty in the first 4,5 picks.

4. Indianapolis Colts.

The Pick: Will Levis, QB. Apparently the Colts think this is their guy. People have argued back and forth about him.. were his faults due to his own failings or because his team and the program didnt do him any favors with talent and scheme? We will find out. Normally, as Ive written elsewhere, Im a "Youre responsible for what you put on tape" kind of guy. But nothing is absolute and you do need to consider surroundings to some degree. Is this all a smoke screen? Is Levis secretly the second best QB? TIme will tell.

5. Seattle Seahawks.

**Discussion First. Its a Seahawks board so Id like to go more in depth here. If this is how things play out I will curse the Chargers once again for dropping their last two and making us move from #3 to #5. The above scenario really creates a difficult choice. Jalen Carter is still on the board. Pete Carroll isnt just a coach. He is a life mentor, he will take chances on red flag players and help them achieve on and off the field. So, is Carter then an ideal fit? He is certainly a fit for what they need and is maybe the best player in the draft. But there is the other side of Pete.. Pete is about "always comPete". Does he want Carter after he couldnt finish his individual drills at this pro day? Is that always competing? If not, is that something Pete could instill? Anthony Richardson is also available, and I dont think the Seahawks interest in this years quarterbacks is a smoke screen. And with Anthony Richardson there at 5 would a team move up to get him or Carter and be willing give a lot? There is a lot to think about and this is probably why so many mock drafters and commentators have said the Seahawks pick really is the most intriguing. I feel like Anthonry Richardson could be a good pick but it would leave such feeling of missed opportunity. I suspect the Seahawks want Tyree Wilson, but wont move up for him.

The Pick: Jalen Carter, NT. The Seahawks take a chance, but both the city and the staff should make Seattle an ideal landing spot for Jalen Carter. Pete is a motivator, the team is professional, and with Bobby Wagner around Carter will be in a situation he can maximize his considerable potential.

6. Detroit Lions.

The Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB. After trading way disappointing Okudah, the Lions really need to get some help in the secondary where the cupboard was already bare. Gonzalez has all the tools and the right build to be a Pro Bowl CB you can leave on an island.

7. Las Vegas Raiders.

The PIck: Paris Johnson Jr. , OT. Ive put this straight forward, practical , smart , sure thing pick here.. so I fully expect the Raiders to get cute and do something to sabotage themselves yet again. They should grab the best OT in the draft.

8. Atlanta Falcons.

The Pick: Nolan Smith, EDGE/OLB. Are the Falcons enough commited to Ridder, last years third round pick, that they would stick with the plan even with Anthony Richardson there? I honestly dont know. But Nolan Smith gives them a badly needed chess piece on defense.

9. Chicago Bears.

The Pick: Peter Skoronski, OT. Chicago has a lot of needs. Devon Witherspoon is maybe a bit of a reach here, there are some other intriguing names but Skoronski makes Fields a better player come September, and that means more return from DJ Moore. Skoronski makes the team better, despite his T Rex arms.

10. (TRADE) Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay trades #19, #153, #175, and 2024 1st round to get Philadelphia Eages #10 and 2024 3rd rounder.

The Pick: Anthony Richardson, QB. Not originally part of the plan, but with Richardson coming down to 10, this move makes some sense and will perhaps start a bit of a panic in teams who were hoping QBs would keep falling. The Eagles dont have a ton of needs but have a large hole in their drafting area, so this gets them picks in the middle rounds and a 1st rounder next year when they may have more obvious needs. Tampa gets Richarson and a chance to let him sit behind Mayfield for a year.

11. Tennessee Titans.

The PIck: Broderick Jones, OT. The Titans may have been getting excited watching Richardson fall, but cant afford to move up even though they might have been a good landing spot for Richardson. The Titans O line is a shambles so Broderick Jones is a good step in rebuilding it. Not a sexy pick, but those will come. They need a foundation.

12. Houston Texans.

The Pick: CJ Stroud. If Stroud falls the way many others think Levis will , then the Texans cant ignore him at 12 and this would make them accidentally look like geniuses.

13. New York Jets.

The Pick: Darnell Wright, OT. Even if trading for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets will still have this pick and will use it to protect their investment.

14. New England Patriots.

The Pick: Lukas Van Ness, DL5T. This could be a WR, but the lack of a clear cut star there this year could mean the Patriots improve their pass rush and defensive front overall with this pick. A slightly divisive pick..he could go earlier or much later. Not purely an EDGE guy.

15. Green Bay Packers.

The Pick: Dalton Kinkaid, TE. Could go WR here to be ironic, but a TE will be a young QBs best friend. Kinkaid can do it all: H back, in line, split out, slot.. block. Many tight ends need a couple years before they contribute but Kinkaid should be able to produce immediately.
 
(part 2)

16. Washington Commanders.

The Pick: Devon Witherspoon, CB. After a mini-slide down to 16, Witherspoon lands with Washington. Some teams may evaluate him as the best CB in the draft, and I wouldnt be shocked if someone moved up to take him.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pick: Joey Porter, Jr., CB. Sometimes its desinty -- like father like son, another Porter to make his mark in the land of Terrible Towels.

18. Detroit Lions.

The Pick: Michael Mayer, TE. The Lions biggest hole is at TE after trading Hockenson last season. They get their man here.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (from the Bucs)

The Pick: Jaxon Smith-Njiba, WR. The Eagles add a weapon by taking the first WR off the board here. JSN is a good complement to the other WRs and can really work the whole field, making the defense's job toughter.

20. Seattle Seahawks.

The Pick: Myles Murphy, EDGE. Seattle continues to rebuild its front 7, grabbing highly touted Murphy. If Murphy isnt here this could be Will McDonald who they had a visit with late in the pre draft process.

21. Los Angeles Chargers.

The Pick: Bijan Robinson, RB. Back in the day, Robinson would have been a top-3 pick. Welcome to today's NFL. Momma, dont let your boys grow up to RBs..make them EDGE rushers to they are wanted. Ekeler doesnt feel wanted, so the Chargers reinforce the feeling by picking up Bijan Robinson.

22. Baltimore Ravens

The Pick: Deonte Banks, CB. This obviously could be Quentin Johnston , WR, but the Ravens will likely go defense first and pick up the best corner available on their board.

23. Minnessota Vikings.

The Pick: Quentin Johnston, WR. The Vikings fill the place left by Thielen with Quentin Johnston, who some rate as the most complete WR of this draft.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars.

The PIck: Will McDonald IV, EDGE. He may be off the board at 20, but if not the Jaguars will be excited to get McDonald at 24. A steal.

25. New York Giants.

The Pick: Brian Branch, S. Versatile, fast, able to play anywhere in the secondary Im wondering if he is in fact a top 16 pick.. maybe Washington at 16 takes him. But in this Mock, the Giants fill a need with the BPA and get him at 25.

26. Dallas Cowboys.

The PIck: Mazi Smith, NT. Probably my favorite player in the draft and a player I project to Seattle at 20 or just higher if they trade back and havent taken Jalen Carter. The Cowboys luck into a real gem.

27. Buffalo Bills.

The Pick: Kalijah Cancey, DI. Cancey is another divisive player, evaluated pretty radically differently by different scouts. He has a potential to be a force and if used properly could dominate.

28. Cincinatti Bengals.

The Pick: Emmanuel Forbes, CB. The Bengals are another team that isnt desperate anywhere, and can really let their scouts make this pick. Forbes is a strong CB and you can never have too many of those.

29. New Orleans Saints.

The Pick: Bryan Bresee, DT. A highly regarded DT, a "clean" prospect you dont have worries about. He can be plugged in and contribute immediately and probably for years.

30. Philadelphia Eagles.

The Pick: O'Cyrus Torrance, G. A bit of a reach for some, a big reach for others, but if you see him as a 10 year plug and play starter at guard you have to make this pick. Personally I dont think he will be but Im in the minority.

31. (TRADE) Tennessee Titans send #41,#147 and 2024 2nd round pick to LA Chargers for #31 and 2024 3rd pick
The Pick: Hendon Hooker, QB. Some people are very down on Hooker, but by moving up and taking him in the first round, the Titans get him for 5 , not 4 years of control which makes it a decent risk even given his age and injury. Hooker comes into a good situation where he can sit worry free behind Tannehill while he rehabs his ACL. Honestly, I want Seattle to make this move at 30, but I couldnt make the moves work as they have things they need to get in the 2nd round.

(Miami Dolphons forfeited their 1st round pick which was at #20)
 
Love it. Great work!

I really didn't get to dive in like usual this year so I'm very late trying to catch up. So far I've developed my own idea of what the Hawks will do at #5 but of course as I gather more info it changes. At the moment I don't think they'll trade out of the 5th pick unless its a bit of a ridiculous offer.

My 5 if available:
1 CJ Stroud
2 Will Anderson
3 Tyree Wilson
4 Jalen Carter
5 Anthony Richardson

I'm partially sold on the Seahawks QB "smoke screen". I've been thinking if Stroud gets to 5 we'd take him. Now the recent S2 scores that came out of which Stroud is rumored to only have scored 18% is throwing some real doubts on my thinking but there is also some rumblings that the scores released may not have been totally accurate. So for now, I'll still stick with him as the pick if available.
Anderson I believe is the real catch here though. Heck of a player the Hawks could really use. I'd be stoked to get him. Now Wilson, I was on to since before the draft. Talk about him has really fluctuated between positive and negative these past few weeks.
I'd like to mention that all of these defenders are outstanding in my view and I've got rated very close together. To that end, all it took for me to recently bump Wilson above Carter was Richard Sherman saying that he heard that the Seahawks were going back to the defensive scheme of their recent heydays.
We all know the issues with Carter. His pro day sucked and he seems to make questionable of the field decisions. Well, all these players are kids essentially. They'll all need guidance and if there is one coach in the league that I think can guide a kid who hasn't quite matured to the moment he finds himself in, its Coach Carroll. He can do it. I have no doubt.
Now with Richardson I've got at 5 and barring a highly favorable trade for that 5th pick, he's just got too high of a ceiling, in my view, to pass up especially with the situation the Seahawks are in to allow time to wait and learn from Geno. I think his pick also makes sense.

I'm not seeing any of these options in a bad light at all. There are many fans that have their heart set on a guy and if they don't pick him the Hawks will have blown the entire draft!! All of these players I believe will be successful where ever they go including with the Seahawks. No doubt in a few years there will be crying about the guys we didn't pick but I'm confident the guy we do will help the team as a top 5 pick should. Seahawks are in a great spot.
 
I’m not a fan of Murphy but its a fine pick. I would probably gonwith Smith or Mcdonald, or even Bijan there.

Love the pick of Carter. If we pick Carter it is bexause Pete and Jihn did their homework.
 
I’m not a fan of Murphy but its a fine pick. I would probably gonwith Smith or Mcdonald, or even Bijan there.

Love the pick of Carter. If we pick Carter it is bexause Pete and Jihn did their homework.
McDonald is very possible..they did a late Top 30 visit with him. I actually hope things fall that we take Will Anderson at 5 somehow so we can take Smith later.. cant take Carter and Smith as they are both interior.
 
McDonald is very possible..they did a late Top 30 visit with him. I actually hope things fall that we take Will Anderson at 5 somehow so we can take Smith later.. cant take Carter and Smith as they are both interior.
Sure you can! Especially if we continue with two and three man fronts. Plus they are very different players.
 
We literally have two legit linemen. Two. And Reed is a short term fix.

I would draft three DL in the first two rounds if I could.
 
We literally have two legit linemen. Two. And Reed is a short term fix.

I would draft three DL in the first two rounds if I could.
Absolutely. Ideally you use 3 of your picks in rounds 1-3 on interior DL.
 
good stuff, but I said it before. If Bijan is there at 20, not sure how you could pass up two Doak Walker award winners in the same backfield.
 
If you get more than 10 right I'll buy you your choice of alcohol ($200 max)
 
If you get more than 10 right I'll buy you your choice of alcohol ($200 max)
Well.. a ton are wrong already with new info.

Ive never seen a draft where the top is SO uncertain.

I think my latest predictions are :

1. Young.

2. Texans trade out , Colts trade up and take Levis.

3. Cards apparently listen to their shortstop...sorry, QB.. and take Paris Johnson.

4. Texans trade back again to Raiders, Raiders take Anthony Richardson. Could be the Titans..Id love to see the rookie GM make that aggressive move.

5. Seahawks.. and here you go.. Stroud is there. You can take Stroud..who a month ago was the unanimous #2 til a leaked test that is or isnt a foregery happened..and everyone said it doesnt matter.. but mysteriously Stroud drops.. Will Anderson ..Jalen Carter.. are all there. OR you can trade down for someone clamoring for Carter, Anderson, or Stroud.. And honestly, I cant get a handle on it. AND beside all that, there is a chance that if Seattle is in love with Anthony Richardson as some think they move UP not down to get him.

For now Im saying.. Carter.

6. Lions take Anderson.

7. Texans could pick here.. and at this point they are sitting awesome.. They have "#7 and #12, plus FOUR first round picks next year. And honestly as they dont need CBs, they could move back to someone wanting Gonzalez or Witherspoon and pick up ANOTHER one. But we will say they take Tyree "Lisfranc" Wilson.

8. Falcons.. could go with Stroud if he falls here. Or if they are serious about going with Ridder , they could move back and the Titans could slide in here and take Stroud.

Thats my update!
 
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