Anytime we look at the NFL draft in terms of a mock draft, there are a couple of ways to approach it. You can approach the draft like a prediction in playing GM for all 32 teams. Or you can offer up a true prediction even if you don’t agree with the picks, it’s more about what you would think the team would do.
This time around, we decided to do a little experiment. Only using the first 10 picks, let’s try and give those teams the best-case scenario regardless of team need or player rankings. Some of these are going to surprise you.
1 - Chicago Bears - WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
There’s no better prospect in the upcoming draft than Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and even if the Bears were loaded at receiver, you draft him first.
2 - Chicago Bears - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
With each week we are more impressed with Penn State OT Olu Fashanu. He gets the nod here over any top quarterback because every week we see NFL quarterbacks running for their lives due to poor offensive line play.
3 - Denver Broncos - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Just like with Fashanu, the same argument applies to Joe Alt. He’s a Day One starter and will improve any offensive line he is a part of.
4 - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Zach Ertz is 32 years old and there isn’t another tight end on the roster who can hold a candle to what Brock Bowers can bring to an offense.
5 - New York Giants - EDGE Laitu Latu, UCLA
Latu is easily my biggest riser among defensive prospects and the biggest difference-maker on the defensive line in this draft.
6 - New England Patriots - QB Caleb Williams, USC
Of all the teams that need Caleb Williams, no team needs him more than the New England Patriots.
7 - Minnesota Vikings - QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
We love Kirk Cousins but the best thing that could happen for the Vikings is to have Drake Maye fall into their laps as his heir apparent.
8 - Tennessee Titans - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
We have no idea who will be starting at quarterback for the Titans next season but if we have to pick between the next best quarterback in the draft or Nabers, we go with Nabers. He can make Will Levis or whoever is under center next season better.
9 - Green Bay Packers - RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Giving Brooks to the Packers is probably the biggest curveball of the draft and we know this won’t actually happen. But after seeing how Bijan Robinson has impacted the league as a rookie, we know Brooks, another Longhorn, can do the same.
10 - New Orleans Saints - CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Make no mistake, the best all-around defensive back in this draft is not Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Saints have an opportunity to add a special defensive back who has All-Pro potential at cornerback and safety in Dejean and that’s why he gets the nod here.
