Craig Llewellyn: “After two no-trade drafts to kick off NFL Draft week, I thought I’d inject a little mayhem into proceedings, courtesy of multiple position changes as teams hunt their preferred prospect.”

PICK #1
CHICAGO BEARS
The easiest call of the night, as the Bears do what they didn’t in 2023, stick with the #1 overall pick and take the consensus #1 quarterback in the draft. Hopefully, this will be the franchise QB Chicago fans have been seeking forever. If he isn’t, heads will roll in the Windy City.
Biggest Needs
QB, WR, Edge
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
CALEB WILLIAMS, QB, USC

PICK #2
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Despite the rumour mill suggesting that their man was backing away from being drafted by Washington, the new regime at the Commanders, already active in free agency, gets the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to invigorate an offense that has weapons yet to fulfil their potential.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, DL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
JAYDEN DANIELS, QB, LSU

PICK #3
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
It has to be quarterback here for the Patriots, despite suggestions that they may be open to trading down with so many needs to fill. They’ll be open to taking whichever of the QBs behind Williams is sitting here.
Biggest Needs
QB, WR, OL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
DRAKE MAYE, QB, North Carolina

PICK #4
ARIZONA CARDINALS
So far, so chalk and the Cardinals do nothing to change that perspective as the best player in the entire draft falls right into their lap. Again, there has been talk of trading back, but Arizona already has a surfeit of picks — and there are other spots for QB-needy teams to move into.
Biggest Needs
WR, DL, CB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
MARVIN HARRISON, WR, Ohio State

PICK #5
TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings didn’t acquire pick #23 from Houston for no reason. Is pick #5 too high to jump to get their choice of quarterback? Maybe, but there are other teams out there with similar intentions and Minnesota may think they can’t afford to wait and be gazumped by the Giants, Broncos or Raiders.
Biggest Needs
QB, DB, DL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
J.J. McCARTHY, QB, Michigan

PICK #6
NEW YORK GIANTS
With QB4 snatched from under their nose, the Giants go for plan 1a and take a player who can help the quarterbacks they already have on the roster. There may be some deliberation over which pass-catcher they take but the decision brings some electricity to the Big Apple.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, WR
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
MALIK NABERS, WR, LSU

PICK #7
TENNESSEE TITANS
Almost as obvious as the Bears’ selection at first overall, the Titans stay true to their board and fill the biggest hole on their roster, taking a plug-and-play lineman to help keep second-year QB Will Levis upright. Los Angeles trading out ensures Ran Carthon gets his first choice.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, WR
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
JOE ALT, OT, Notre Dame

PICK #8
ATLANTA FALCONS
Likewise, there is no shock at eight overall, as the Falcons take the player they have long been linked with. With major needs on all levels of their defense, Atlanta goes right to the top of the list, even though there are tempting options to add weapons for new QB Kirk Cousins.
Biggest Needs
Edge, CB, LB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
DALLAS TURNER, EDGE, Alabama

PICK #9
TRADE WITH CHICAGO BEARS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
With extra ammunition after moving out of pick #5, the Chargers move back into the top ten to ensure they begin to replenish their receiver room following the exits of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. With just one of the perceived top three still available, the price is right to get a new weapon for QB Justin Herbert.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, TE
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
ROME ODUNZE, WR, Washington

PICK #10
NEW YORK JETS
Yes, the Jets have been linked to top tight end Brock Bowers in many a mock this pre-draft season, but the need to protect their ageing franchise quarterback — and see him play more than four measly snaps in 2024 — proves too strong and, with a bevy of talent still to choose from, this is the obvious spot.
Biggest Needs
OL, Edge, CB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
TROY FAUTANU, OT, Washington

PICK #11
TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
CHICAGO BEARS
Having landed Keenan Allen ahead of the draft, the Bears’ pressing need at receiver — they also have D.J. Moore from last year’s trade of the #1 pick to Carolina — is lessened, allowing them add another defensive weapon to bolster a unit that began showing real promise towards the end of 2023.
Biggest Needs
QB, WR, Edge
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
LAIATU LATU, EDGE, UCLA

PICK #12
TRADE WITH DENVER BRONCOS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The 12th overall pick has become a popular trade spot in recent weeks, and the Eagles are consistently being tipped as the team to do business with Denver — but to go and get which player? Speculation has several names (and positions) in the frame but, with needs all over the secondary, versatility wins the day.
Biggest Needs
DB, LB, Edge
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
COOPER DEJEAN, CB, Iowa

PICK #13
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Quarterback is still an aching need for the Raiders, with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew currently at the wheel, but will Antonio Pierce — a confirmed Jayden Daniels fan — consider pick #13 too rich? In this scenario, Vegas bets on Michael Penix Jr still being available later and addresses a different need.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, DL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
TALIESE FUAGA, OT, Oregon State

PICK #14
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints are desperate to land some O-line talent and this is a good year to go hunting for it. While they may covet the likes of Alt, Fautanu and Fuaga, trade partners may be hard to find – but the way this mock works out, possibly the layer with the most room to grow falls right to them.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, Edge
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
OLUMUYIWA FASHANU, OT, Penn State

PICK #15
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis also needs offensive line help, but there are bigger problems on the defense and, despite the Eagles moving up to take perhaps the best combo corner/safety in the field, the Colts can sit, wait, and then make a choice between the top pure corners on their board.
Biggest Needs
CB, Edge, OL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
QUINYON MITCHELL, CB, Toledo

PICK #16
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Whatever Indy’s pick is at #15, the ‘other’ cornerback could be a consideration for Seattle here, but the Seahawks also have needs across their offensive front and, with a handful of stud prospects still on offer, decide that that is the way to go in the opening round. As with Dejean at #12, versatility wins the Seattle vote.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
GRAHAM BARTON, OC, Duke

PICK #17
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Almost as soon as Barton’s name is out of commissioner Goodell’s mouth on opening night, the Jaguars are scribbling the name of a top flight corner onto their draft card and rushing it to the podium. It might not be the Jags’ biggest need, but the opportunity simply cannot be overlooked.
Biggest Needs
WR, OL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
TERRION ARNOLD, CB, Alabama

PICK #18
CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals have holes to fill on either side of the trenches, Trey Hendrickson’s late late trade request not withstanding, but the draft eve drama only serves to confirm that the D-line should be prioritised, especially with all the leading interior talent still sitting on the board. Cincy lands perhaps the biggest riser at the position.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
BYRON MURPHY II, DI, Texas

PICK #19
LOS ANGELES RAMS
If Les Snead and Sean McVay can resist the temptation to ‘f*** dem picks’ one more time, they could fill any one of a number of needs, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Many predict the Rams to move on down but, in this scenario, they stick and pick, landing an outstanding player at great value.
Biggest Needs
DL, DB, WR
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
JARED VERSE, EDGE, Florida State

PICK #20
TRADE WITH PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Having managed to retain the second of the opening night picks they received from Minnesota, the Chargers move up again, doubling down on pass-catchers at the additional cost of a third-round selection in 2025 and halting the slide of a standout talent many tip to go closer to the top ten.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, TE
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
BROCK BOWERS, TE, Georgia

PICK #21
MIAMI DOLPHINS
With the O-line, and tackle in particular, just one area of concern for the Dolphins, their choice could come down to not just deciding which player to select, but also determining whether the need is bigger than replacing departed DT Christian Wilkins. In this case, both the need and the solution are very big.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
AMARIUS MIMS, OT, Georgia

PICK #22
TRADE WITH DENVER BRONCOS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Seeing the tackle pool diminish with other needy teams still ahead of them in the draft order, 49ers GM John Lynch pulls the trigger and jumps up nine spots, at the cost of two further 2024 picks (and a third-rounder in 2025), to land one of the most pro-ready prospects in the class to protect Brock Purdy.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
J.C. LATHAM, OT, Alabama

PICK #23
TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Having traded down to allow the Chargers to continue their opening night trampoline act, and ignoring late whispers of potential injury concerns, the Steelers still land a key component for their O-line retooling in the form of the reigning Rimington Trophy winner.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OC, Oregon

PICK #24
TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Seeing the options to fill needs along the O-line vanish before his very eyes, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones goes ‘all out’ and bails on round one entirely, allowing the Panthers to jump in and snag this year’s perceived WR4. Dallas, meanwhile, not only reclaims a fourth-round pick but also kicks off rounds two and three.
Biggest Needs
WR, Edge, OL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
BRIAN THOMAS Jr, WR, LSU

PICK #25
GREEN BAY PACKERS
With similar needs to the Cowboys, the O-line cupboard looks a little bare for Green Bay too, but GM Brian Gutekunst changes course and snares a young, rapid defensive back who excels in coverage, even if he will need to work on other aspects of his game.
Biggest Needs
OL, DB, LB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
NATE WIGGINS, CB, Clemson

PICK #26
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Although the chance to keep one of the leading edge rushers in Florida as he makes the jump from college to the pros evaporated seven picks previously, the Buccaneers still manage to satisfy a glaring need with one of the more explosive players at the position, even if he’ll need a little more polish to really shine.
Biggest Needs
Edge, OL, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
‘CHOP’ ROBINSON, EDGE, Penn State

PICK #27
TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Even though the wide receiver class is one of the deepest in this year’s draft class, the reigning Super Bowl champs decide that, to get their man, they need to move ahead of the likes of Buffalo, especially with Carolina having already taken a sought-after talent off the board. In this case, speed kills.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, CB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
XAVIER WORTHY, WR, Texas 

PICK #28
BUFFALO BILLS
Surprised by the Chiefs’ move, Buffalo could consider trading back, but opt to stick and pick to ensure they aren’t bypassed further in the receiver race. With one Texas pass-catcher gone, the Bills make it two in a row, despite some teams not sharing the same confidence in their selection.
Biggest Needs
WR, DB, OL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
ADONAI MITCHELL, WR, Texas

PICK #29
DETROIT LIONS
Although they spent FA dollars on bringing in both Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson to bolster their secondary, the axing of Cam Sutton in the wake of off-field allegations prompts Detroit to return to the defensive back well on opening night, snatching potentially the best at his position with a great value pick.
Biggest Needs
DB, Edge, WR
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
‘KOOL-AID’ McKINSTRY, CB, Alabama 

PICK #30
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens might consider moving up or down the order on opening night as key prospects run low, but instead take the plunge on a defensive player who came to the fore in 2023 after moving from the interior to edge. An early second-rounder on many a board, the Ravens may be reaching — but not much.
Biggest Needs
OL, LB, DB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
DARIUS ROBINSON, EDGE, Missouri

PICK #31
TRADE WITH SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
DENVER BRONCOS
Having traded down not once, but twice, the Broncos finally stick and pick but, in a shock to many — not least AFC West rival Las Vegas — they take the position, but not the player, they were rumoured to be considering at pick #12. HC Sean Payton will welcome the multi-faceted game now at his disposal.
Biggest Needs
QB, DB, OL
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
MICHAEL PENIX Jr, QB, Washington

PICK #32
TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Their franchise QB is already in place, and furnished with a franchise receiver from pick #4, so the Cardinals use their second opening night selection to fill another position of need. Trading down is a possibility, especially with teams looking to get a fifth-year option on a player, but extra picks aren’t a need in Arizona.
Biggest Needs
WR, DL, CB
LLEW’s MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection
JER’ZAHN NEWTON, DT, Ohio State