With just seven days to go until the chime sounds we continue to wait for the presumptive trade by the Purple. But absent that coming through it's time keep the mock drafting going!
ICYMI, here is the last edition.
Now onto the new one
This simulation started with a possibility that could have K.O. pounding on the table in the draft room as Drake Maye hung til pick 10 before being tabbed as the understudy to Rodgers. That may be too big picture for the way the Broken-down Planes are approaching the selection process but gives something else to think about.
As often projected, nine of the first 10 went the way of offense so as it could be for real, the option was either to trade down or have any preferred defender. Former St. Louis got the closest, offering 19 & 52 for 11 & 232 but none of them knocked my imaginary GM hat off so instead of I took the swing for a potential HOF member of Flores motley crew - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo.
At 23 AZ offered 27 & 66 for it & 129. With DE Jared Verse, Texas DT Byron Murphy and QBs Michael Penix Jr. & Bo Nix hanging in, there would have been a sure player available. A counter with 157 got it done and both the under-centers were not sent away. Nix is old by rookie standards but putting him against the repeatedly injured gives him the edge. If McCarthy doesn't last to the second-half of the top 10 to aid a trade up then this would be a strong day by KA-M.
66 brought several defensive line options and one of the top centers in the class, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (Georgia). Finding an upgrade from Bradbury would be a nice subordinate result of 2024 but Ohio State's Michael Hall could fill an even bigger one - the Kevin Williams role.
When 108 rolled-up New Orleans called with 150, 168, 170 & 175 to get 232 in return. Having six picks over a 27-pick span on Saturday would be exciting but making up for the Lewis Cine pick would get that done in spades so I opted for a more recent Georgia safety, Javon Bullard!
With the continuity on offense the actual draft could unfold similar to this, even with the highly-regarded rookie QB bring brought aboard. But there will still need to be investments to help him succeed whenever he supplants Darnold so that became the priority with the 129th. Tanor Bortolini (WI), Mason McCormick (So Dak St.) & Layden Robinson (TAMU) were the top-rated OL with TB getting the edge for his experience as a center but having the option to add him to the guard competition.
That ball kept rolling at 167 as a trio of the quarterback's best friend ascended. Granted, running backs are several rungs down for the head coach but having another play-making option to go along with Aaron Jones & Ty Chandler. If they want a bigger back then Isaiah Davis & Isaac Guerendo could be the answer. If a jitter-bug is more the desire than Southern Cal's MarShawn Lloyd is the ticket. Since it's always going to be pass-first with this coaching staff the lean went to Lloyd's way.
The start of the sixth round brought options from across the spectrums of positions and player types before landing on Clemson edge Xavier Thomas. If the reality matches this fantasy then it would be BPA 100%, which would also very likely be able to address an area of weakness. Not too bad 177 into it!
230 brought the chance to round it out even more as Louisiana State LB Omar Speights emerged from a dense section of DL and DBs. UConn's Eric Watts was also given consideration and landed as the boomerang when 232 bounced onto the screen.
Nine new guys with a 6/3 ratio toward Flores. With all that the offense already has going for it that may not be far off from how next weekend concludes.