NFL mock draft: Bears shift course; OTs everywhere

Mon Feb 26 11:11am ET
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1. Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Upside for days. Justin Fields had three seasons to show he's a franchise quarterback.

2. Washington Commanders

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Maye is the best pro-style fit in the "Air Raid" derivative offense Kliff Kingsbury operates --if the Commanders fix their offensive line. Already equipped with very good skill talent, Maye lands in the ideal spot with WRs Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel on his side to help the transition.

3. New England Patriots

Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State

Size, speed and pedigree, this pick is based on an educated hunch the Patriots are focused on a veteran QB solution.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Nabers is 20 years old, a big-play machine and warrants comparison to the most recent LSU products at the position such as Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Bowers instantly becomes a No. 1 target in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

6. New York Giants

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Tempted to ride it out with Daniel Jones, the Giants roll the dice with Daniels, a dynamic playmaker not unlike head coach Brian Daboll's previous star pupil in Buffalo, Josh Allen.

7. Tennessee Titans

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

GM Ran Carthon gets a shot at his preferred OT1. Protecting potential franchise quarterback in Will Levis rates as a first step ahead of adding more weapons outside.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Tempting to add a receiver, the Falcons know there are no pass rushers on their roster better than Turner. He has plus athleticism and a conversion of speed to power that should entice Raheem Morris as he brings his 3-4 scheme to the state of Georgia, and Turner should play well in an OLB role.

9. Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

A teeth-gnashing conundrum for the Bears, who want more pass rush and better blocking in front of their franchise quarterback. In tandem with DJ Moore and TE Cole Kmet, Odunze sets up Williams and Chicago's offense for instant success.

10. New York Jets

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Mekhi Becton can't stay healthy and the rotation of tackles alongside him has been sketchy at best. Bringing in Alt allows for an anchor on at least one side of the line to protect 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers.

11. Minnesota Vikings

Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

The Vikings prioritize length in their edge group and Verse has it in spades, combined with explosive athleticism and decent technical refinement. Verse should raise the floor of a depleted defensive line and elevate Brian Flores to new heights as a defensive coordinator.

12. Denver Broncos

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Patrick Surtain needs a partner in the cornerback room. The Alabama connection with Arnold, a feisty man corner who made a splash with high pass deflection numbers and great ballhawk tendencies, would appeal to head coach Sean Payton.

13. Las Vegas Raiders

Tailese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State

Fuaga provides the flexibility to replace ineffective 2023 starters. His power profile and run-blocking ability suggest he fits as a top-end guard, but Fuaga has the length and footwork to operate outside of a phone booth as a tackle.

14. New Orleans Saints

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Trevor Penning isn't the answer for the Saints, and the passing game has suffered because of it. Latham brings strength and incredible footwork to a team that should contend for the division title again.

15. Indianapolis Colts

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Lead receiver Michael Pittman Jr. isn't a lock to return. Thomas is the perfect replacement for Indianapolis. GM Chris Ballard typically prioritizes flashy athletes and Thomas possesses impressive size, speed and agility to partner alongside Josh Downs if Pittman does depart. Thomas would instantly lock down the outside receiver spot.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Jer'zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Jarran Reed is long in the tooth and new head coach Mike Macdonald will emphasize the front seven. Enter Newton, a forceful prospect who uses his hands perfectly to create pressure and plug holes. He brings skill to the heart of the defense and would increase the overall production of the group.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Based on last season, the Jaguars need to find CB Tyson Campbell a better running mate. Wiggins' tenacity and physicality to jam receivers at the release point and speed to carry them through the route would make Jacksonville's secondary a force.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Murphy should help provide stability to the defensive line rotation, adding athletic upside and powerful mitts to spice up the pass-rush production.

19. Los Angeles Rams

Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA

Latu's technical refinement fits the Rams' group of very refined young athletes on the defensive line. Latu could eventually be the marquee feature alongside Kobie Turner and Byron Young, turning the unit into something to be feared.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Mims will need time to adjust but brings the prototype build and athleticism you're looking for in an offensive tackle. QB Kenny Pickett may receive protection just yet.

21. Miami Dolphins

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

There are multiple levels of concern on the offensive line in Miami, but Barton brings the potential to fill the center spot or step into another vacancy.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Philadelphia's secondary was broken last season. DeJean should fix at least one problem. He can play cornerback and safety with top-end speed and vision across the field.

23. Houston Texans

Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri

Robinson combines the length of a high-upside defensive end with the strength and stoutness of a quality defensive tackle. A good showing during the pre-draft process can push Robinson into this range. He should bring interior pressure to the Texans' defensive line alongside Will Anderson.

24. Dallas Cowboys

Chop Robinson, OLB, Penn State

The Cowboys do not really have anyone partnered with Micah Parsons for the long term, and the All-Pro's contract conversation looms large. Another Penn State product, Robinson can explode off the line at an elite level and would give the Cowboys a feared pass-rush tandem.

25. Green Bay Packers

Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

Powers-Johnson could play guard or center for the Packers. After a big showing at the Senior Bowl and some added weight, more teams are convinced he's destined to be a big-time mauler.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Nix may be a move to consider regardless of how contract talks with Baker Mayfield are resolved. If Nix can show off the arm he had at Oregon and work in more NFL concepts, he can be a top-end quarterback.

27. Arizona Cardinals

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Kool-Aid has almost become underrated as a cornerback prospect. His sticky coverage ability and zone aptitude make him perfect for Arizona, where he becomes an instant defensive headliner.

28. Buffalo Bills

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Bills are looking for a better big receiver to partner with Stefon Diggs, who consumes a serious chunk of the salary cap. Coleman is tall and a suitable target for Josh Allen, who needs another target who can go up and get it in contested-catch situations.

29. Detroit Lions

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Toledo and Detroit ran shockingly similar defensive concepts with heavy amounts of soft zone under Aaron Glenn. Mitchell would immediately fit right in for the Lions and provide some ballhawk ability plus great straight-line speed.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Fautanu can play guard or tackle. No matter where you station him along the offensive line, Baltimore is getting a quality run blocker who has mauling tendencies.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

Morgan will need to evolve technically and improve his footwork, but coach Andy Reid will always protect his Patrick Mahomes investment.

32. San Francisco 49ers

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

San Francisco understands Trent Williams is approaching 36 years old and can't play at his current level forever. The 49ers can shape athletic freaks into high-end linemen, and Suamataia has star potential.

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Player Notes
D.J. Chark Jul 26 10:50pm CT
D.J. Chark

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark has been operating with the first team's offense during training camp. The Los Angeles Chargers have 320 vacated targets heading into the 2024 season, and this receiver room is ripe for the taking. Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston are the primary returning wideouts for quarterback Justin Herbert, and while they have the most experience with the former sixth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Chark does have a chance to outplay them. Chark broke out in 2019 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns but has not matched any of those totals since then. He'll be on his fourth team in four years, which shows some insight into how the teams he's been a part of view him. However, Chark has enough athleticism and will be afforded the best quarterback play of his career this year with LA. He's an afterthought in drafts right now as the NFFC WR88 (272 overall) and has some nice sleeper upside going into a year with such a murky WR room around him.

From RotoBaller

Matt Ammendola Jul 26 10:40pm CT
Matt Ammendola

With the news that Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (hamstring) had suffered a significant season-ending hamstring injury, the Lions worked out a horde of potential replacements. During the workout, Detroit tried out Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisic, Matthew McCrane, and Andre Szmyt. Badgley didn't start for Detroit until Week 15 of the 2023 season, but he was a reliable option for them from then on. He went 7-of-7 on field goal attempts from that point forward while also knocking in 23-of-25 extra-point attempts. It is unclear which direction they will go to fill their need. Still, this situation requires monitoring as they project to be one of the highest-scoring offenses in 2024, and whoever ends up kicking for them will be a valuable asset for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Jul 26 9:30pm CT
Chase Brown

Since the beginning of the Cincinnati Bengals training camp, Chase Brown has taken the majority of reps as the starting running back with the first-team offense. If Brown is indeed the preferred option to lead Zac Taylor's offense, fantasy managers are not drafting him high enough. The former Illinois product is currently the RB37 (No. 113 in ADP), while his backfield mate Zack Moss is going 20 picks before him -- the RB31 -- as the presumed lead back in the Bengals offense. It is presently unclear if Brown has superseded Moss in Cincinnati's pecking order, but this will obviously be a situation to monitor as we encroach on Week 1. Before Joe Burrow fell victim to multiple hindering injuries last season, the Bengals ranked in the top ten each of the prior two seasons in team points per game. Regardless of who the lead back is going into 2024, this should be an offense that presents many scoring opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Jul 26 9:13pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Dynasty | The Dolphins have signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to an extension. Dynasty Analysis: It's a four-year, $212.4 million extension, with a whopping $167 million in guaranteed money. It also makes him the highest paid player in Dolphins history and the third highest paid quarterback in the league in terms of annual salary. While he's had some struggles here and there and injuries are a serious concern (his concussion history is especially worrisome), Tagovailoa has performed admirably during his tenure. He'll remain to be a low-end QB1 in dynasty leagues but one that doesn't come with some risk until we see him make it through consecutive seasons healthy.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jordan Love Jul 26 8:50pm CT
Jordan Love

The Green Bay Packers have officially decided to lock up quarterback Jordan Love long-term. Love and the Packers agreed to a new deal Friday evening, culminating in a four-year extension worth $220 million, including a $75 million signing bonus and $155 million guaranteed. The second-year starter will now be a part of the Packers for the foreseeable future, and his new deal puts him at the top of the list regarding annual average salary among quarterbacks. Despite playing just one season as a starter, the Packers saw enough from Love to warrant paying him a big bag of cash. He's the current QB8 in NFFC ADP (62nd overall). If Love has retained the gains that made him the fantasy QB6 in 2023, he'll provide a good bit of value at his current price and remains a target in every format for 2024.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Jul 26 7:20pm CT
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall's (hamstring) work on the side at training camp has progressed to route-running at what looks to be full speed. Pearsall looks on track to return to training camp practice next week after opening camp on the Non-Football Injury list. Barring a setback, the 23-year-old should be ready in plenty of time for the Week 1 regular-season opener, although he'll most likely struggle for consistent playing time in his first year in the NFL if the 49ers don't trade disgruntled wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Pearsall was a surprise first-round selection at the end of Round 1 back in April, and his production didn't exactly stand out in college at Arizona State and Florida. Although he isn't much of a redraft fantasy target in 2024, Pearsall has an intriguing long-term outlook in San Fran and should take on a starting role as early as 2025.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Jul 26 4:00pm CT
Andrei Iosivas

With Cincinnati Bengals star wideout Ja'Marr Chase holding out early on in training camp, Andrei Iosivas has taken advantage of extra opportunities in practice and has been impressive. Iosivas spent the entire day on Wednesday working out of the slot for the first time in his life and looked like he belonged. He moved back outside on Thursday and caught everything thrown his way. The former sixth-rounder last year made significant strides in the offseason thanks to work with receivers coach Drew Lieberman in Atlanta. "He had a great spring," wide receivers coach Troy Walters said. "You want to get your best three players on the field. Right now, he's probably No. 3 and playing well." Iosivas will be competing with Jermaine Burton for the No. 3 job and could see a Year 2 leap if he wins the job.

From RotoBaller

Kadarius Toney Jul 26 3:50pm CT
Kadarius Toney

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is getting plenty of repetitions with the team's projected starters early in training camp practices this week. Toney was also seen doing drills with the running backs this week, so the Chiefs clearly haven't given up on his talent despite a disappointing year in 2023. The 25-year-old former first-rounder missed more time due to injury last year, too, playing in only 13 games (two starts). Toney finished with 27 catches (38 targets) for just 169 yards and one touchdown. Rashee Rice is expected to be suspended at some point in 2024, but the additions of rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown figure to make things even more difficult for Toney to find a significant role in the Chiefs' offense. In most leagues, fantasy managers are going to want to see evidence of Toney taking the next step before putting him on their roster.

From RotoBaller

Jaret Patterson Jul 26 3:40pm CT
Jaret Patterson

As long as Los Angeles Chargers running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are healthy, they will be the unquestioned top two RBs on the team's depth chart. The real battle in training camp and in the preseason will be for the third and fourth spots on the depth chart, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Jaret Patterson, who spent most of last year on the team's practice squad, got a notable amount of work with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. Edwards was limited to individual drills on Thursday, but it's notable that Patterson appears to be ahead of rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal early in camp. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders. Patterson is unlikely to see a big role for the Bolts this year.

From RotoBaller

Michael Wilson Jul 26 3:40pm CT
Michael Wilson

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has been running with the starting offense early in training camp practices, even after the team added Zay Jones in the offseason. Wilson led the starting unit on Thursday with three catches and is looking to build on a rookie season in which he had 38 receptions for 565 yards on 58 targets. In addition to his role on offense, Wilson also split repetition in punt-return drills with Greg Dortch and Xavier Weaver. Rookie first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to be a starter right away, so Wilson, Dortch and Jones figure to battle for the next two starting spots in camp and the preseason. The 24-year-old Wilson appears to be off to a good start. If he can remain as efficient as he was in 2023 with more opportunities in 2024, Wilson could be a popular early-season waiver-wire target in the Cardinals offense.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Jul 26 3:30pm CT
Ladd McConkey

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Jul 26 3:20pm CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener said he learned just before training camp that he had a rare form of skin cancer for his age pop up with a bump on his face, and he plans to follow up with another evaluation on an off day on Aug. 1. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will delay treatment for his skin cancer so that he can compete with rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler for the backup QB job this summer behind starter Derek Carr. A fourth-rounder last year out of Fresno State, Haener was suspended for six games in 2023 and has yet to make his NFL debut. He has a shot to become the team's backup now that Jameis Winston is no longer in town, but there's no fantasy value here unless he wins the job and is thrust into the starting gig if Carr misses time with injury.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Jul 26 3:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is signing a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension on Friday, according to Athletes First. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were able to work out a long-term contract extension during the first week of training camp. It makes sense after it was reported earlier on Friday that the 26-year-old former first-rounder was a full participant in training camp on practice. Tagovailoa earned this extension by leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in his fourth NFL campaign while also throwing a career-high 29 touchdowns to go along with 14 interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. Fantasy-wise, Tagovailoa has the ability to rack up the aerial yards with elite accuracy and two of the best receivers in the game at his disposal, but the absence of much of a rushing profile, his ceiling will likely be capped as a low-end QB1.

From RotoBaller

Darious Williams Jul 26 3:10pm CT
Darious Williams

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed at training camp on Thursday that reserve cornerback Derion Kendrick (knee) suffered a torn ACL this week at practice. Kendrick will now be forced to miss the entire 2024 season after getting hurt in the first practice session this summer. The 23-year-old entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (212th overall) by the Rams in 2022. In his first two seasons, he recorded 92 tackles (77 solo), one interception and 14 pass breakups in 32 games (18 starts). LA's secondary is a beat bit up already early in camp, as Darious Williams is also dealing with a hamstring injury early on. Tre'Davious White is also an injury risk after suffering serious injuries to his knee and Achilles the last two years.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Jul 26 2:00pm CT
Gabriel Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) was spotted at Thursday's practice in training camp. Davis missed some time late last season with the Buffalo Bills due to a sprained PCL, but it looks like he'll be a full participant at camp to begin familiarizing himself with Jacksonville's offense ahead of the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. The 25-year-old deep threat was as erratic as ever in 2023, going catchless in four games during the regular season and exceeding 20 fantasy points on five other occasions, and he'll battle for targets on the perimeter with rookie first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024. Star quarterback Trevor Lawrence has formed a clear connection with slot man Christian Kirk over the past two years, so Davis is likely going to give both the Jags and fantasy managers plenty of headaches as a weekly boom-or-bust WR4/flex option this fall.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Jul 26 1:50pm CT
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (illness) returned to practice at Friday's training camp. After missing a few days with an illness, Worthy is back on the field for valuable reps. The Chiefs spent the 28th overall pick in this spring's NFL draft on Worthy to bolster their mishmash receiving corps from 2023, and the rookie wideout should have a pretty clear runway to a starting role on the perimeter alongside new acquisition Marquise Brown. Worthy's ADP finds itself in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts as a WR3 value, but his stock is also contingent upon whether or not Rashee Rice is suspended at some point this summer. After logging a blazing 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine, the 21-year-old Texas product's game-breaking speed could mesh well with the huge arm of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes if the two are able to establish a rapport this fall.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Jul 26 1:20pm CT
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Friday that he did not have an update on quarterback Jordan Love's contract status. Love is not currently participating in practice as he awaits a contract extension. General manager Brian Gutekunst said earlier this week that he believes the two sides are close to reaching an agreement, and there's still plenty of time for a deal to be worked out before the regular season begins in September. Green Bay's preseason opener is on Aug. 10 against the hosting Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old former first-round pick proved to be an instant success during his first full season as a starter for the Packers, throwing for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while picking up four additional scores on the ground in 16 games in 2023. Love remains safe to draft as a low-end QB1 in the second half of fantasy drafts this summer.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Jul 26 1:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens announced that quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) will remain sidelined due to his illness and will not take part in Friday's training camp practice. Jackson will continue to undergo further evaluation and receive care from the medical staff. The 27-year-old two-time MVP returned to the practice field on Wednesday but apparently is still under the weather from an illness that he first came down with last weekend. He should be fully recovered well before the start of the 2024 regular season, so fantasy managers should have nothing to worry about. When healthy, Jackson is one of the most dangerous dual-threat signal-callers in the league and is a top-five fantasy QB. What he lacks with his arm, he more than makes up for with his rushing ability. Jackson had a career-high 3,678 passing yards with 24 touchdown passes and seven picks in 16 regular-season starts in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Gipson Jul 26 12:40pm CT
Xavier Gipson

New York Jets wide receiver/kick returner Xavier Gipson (leg) will miss a week or two of training camp with a "lower-extremity" injury. Head coach Robert Saleh said that Gipson injured his leg in practice on Thursday. The 23-year-old second-year player finished his rookie season last year with only 21 receptions for 229 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games played, but he also worked as the Jets' primary kickoff and punt returner on special teams. He's going to have to stay healthy this summer to hold off the likes of Tarik Cohen and Isaiah Davis for the return jobs, though. Even if Gipson wins WR3 duties for the Jets this year, he's unlikely to be much of a fantasy option, even with quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Jul 26 12:30pm CT
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (hand) is dealing with a hand injury that has limited him the last couple of days in training camp practices. Head coach Jerod Mayo called Douglas day-to-day on Friday. Douglas' injury is minor, but he's missing valuable repetitions as he looks to continue to impress in a Patriots receiving corps that is looking for players to step up in 2024. The 23-year-old second-year wideout was impressive in offseason workouts in the spring after going for 49 catches, 561 yards and no touchdowns in his rookie campaign in 2023 after he was taken in the sixth round out of Liberty. Douglas is one to watch entering his second year in the league, but with competition from rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in an offense led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett, he's probably going to go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller