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USATSI

We're here, finally. It's officially Draft Day (less than two hours away) and what better way to celebrate three of the most exciting days of the NFL offseason than with one last mock draft. This is what I think will happen, though after countless revisions and what felt like just as many trades, you could argue pretty easily that I'm probably overthinking this.

For the record, I had seven trades in this final mock draft (SEVEN!):

1. The Vikings trade up to No. 3, the Patriots get picks No. 11, 23 and more;
2. The Broncos trade up to No. 4, the Cardinals move back to No. 12 (along with a lot more draft compensation that's beyond the scope of what we're discussing here);  
3. The Cardinals then trade up from No. 12, back to No. 5, and the Chargers now have the 12th pick;
4. The Saints trade up to No. 9, the Bears move down to 14th;
5. The Eagles trade up to No. 18, the Bengals move back to No. 22;
6. The Texans trade into the first round (pick No. 27);
7. The Panthers trade into the first round (pick No. 31).

If this feels excessive, it probably is. If nothing else, it'll help you pass the time at work while you wait for 8 p.m. ET. You're welcome.

The time for talking, mercifully, is officially over. OK, all together now, one last time ... let's get to it.

For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc.  

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
USC • 6'1" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
PAYDS
3633
RUYDS
121
INTS
5
TDS
41
This hasn't changed since last August and I never understood why any other player was in the QB1 conversation these last 4-5 months. Williams is a special talent, and the Bears have done a good job of putting pieces in place to support him.
Round 1 - Pick 2
LSU • 6'4" / 210 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PAYDS
3812
RUYDS
1134
INTS
4
TDS
50
No player improved more over the last 12 months than Jayden Daniels. He has a big arm, throws with touch to all three levels and has the athleticism to rip off 50-yard runs and make it look easy.
  Mock Trade from New England Patriots
Round 1 - Pick 3
North Carolina • 6'4" / 225 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PAYDS
3608
RUYDS
449
INTS
9
TDS
33
This isn't breaking news but the Vikings have to get a QB in this class and I've heard that they prefer Maye at this spot. The problem: it's going to be costly to get up to No. 3 but if Maye is your guy, it's an easy decision.
  Mock Trade from Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 4
Michigan • 6'3" / 219 lbs
Projected Team
Denver
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
4th
PAYDS
2991
RUYDS
202
INTS
4
TDS
25
Like the Vikings, the Broncos need a QB, especially in that division, and especially if they can beat their AFC West rivals to the punch.
  Mock Trade from Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 - Pick 5
Ohio State • 6'4" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
REC
67
REYDS
1211
YDS/REC
18.1
TDS
15
The Cardinals aren't afraid to move down -- and then back up -- the draft board (see last year) and if they can move down from No. 4, and then get back to No. 5 and still land Marvin Harrison Jr. feels like best-case scenario. (For our purposes here, Arizona moved down from No. 4 to No. 12, then traded back up to No. 5 to get Harrison Jr.)
Round 1 - Pick 6
LSU • 6'0" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
2nd
REC
89
REYDS
1569
YDS/REC
17.6
TDS
14
The Giants will try to get Drake Maye and if they can't pull off that trade-up, they have to get Daniel Jones some help.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Notre Dame • 6'8" / 322 lbs
Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
2nd
I desperately wanted to give the Titans a wide receiver here, and new coach Brian Callahan might be leaning in that direction, but instead they get the most NFL-ready left tackle in this class.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Florida State • 6'4" / 260 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
2nd
It'll be interesting to see which edge rusher goes off the board first but Jared Verse can take over games and in Atlanta he fills a huge need
  Mock Trade from Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 9
Penn State • 6'6" / 312 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
1st
Saints GM Mickey Loomis ain't afraid to trade up and given their needs at the tackle position (potentially both left and right), this would be the least surprising development of Thursday night.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Oregon State • 6'6" / 324 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Even with Rome Odunze still on the board, GM Joe Douglas gets the offensive lineman he was reportedly enamored with going back to the Senior Bowl.
  Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 11
Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
3rd
REC
92
REYDS
1640
YDS/REC
17.8
TDS
15
The Patriots trade down and and find Rome Odunze sitting in their laps. He's a top-8 talent all day long, but because of all the trade-ups for QBs and OTs, Odunze lasts until pick 11.
  Mock Trade from Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 12
Alabama • 6'6" / 342 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Chargers
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
5th
Latham's NFL future may eventually be at guard but he'll get every chance to win the RT job where he was dominant for Alabama the last two seasons.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Toledo • 6'0" / 193 lbs
Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st
Vegas needs a QB but if they don't trade up, they'll target the bet OT or CB. In Mitchell, they land the best cornerback in this class.
  Mock Trade from New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 14
Texas • 6'0" / 306 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
1st
The Bears could take an edge rusher here and it would make all the sense in the world, or they could take the best defensive player in this class in Byron Murphy II.
Round 1 - Pick 15
LSU • 6'2" / 209 lbs
Projected Team
Indianapolis
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
4th
REC
68
REYDS
1177
YDS/REC
17.3
TDS
17
The Colts could be in the market to trade up for a WR but instead stay put and land one of the best deep threats in this class.
Round 1 - Pick 16
Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
5th
PAYDS
4903
RUYDS
8
INTS
11
TDS
39
This feels out of left field, but there are the obvious connections too; Ryan Grubb, the Seahawks new offensive coordinator, was Penix's OC and QB coach for the Huskies. Geno Smith, meanwhile, will be 34 in October and his contract expires after the 2025 season.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Alabama • 6'3" / 247 lbs
Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
1st
Turner could be off the board 8 or 9 picks earlier but somehow lasts until the middle of Round 1. He'll be EDGE1 on a lot of teams' boards.
  Mock Trade from Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 - Pick 18
Alabama • 6'0" / 199 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
2nd
The Eagles need to solidify the secondary and they're trading up here to do it.
Round 1 - Pick 19
UCLA • 6'5" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Rams
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
3rd
The Rams could target defensive line here but if they've cleared Latu medically, he would make a lot of sense.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Washington • 6'4" / 317 lbs
Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
1st
The Steelers could go in any number of directions here, from WR to CB to interior offensive line, but they target the tackle position with Fautanu, who has the flexibility to play all five positions.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Duke • 6'5" / 314 lbs
Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
35th
POSITION RNK
6th
Barton played left tackle at Duke but his NFL future will be inside at either guard or center.
  Mock Trade from Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 22
Georgia • 6'8" / 350 lbs
Projected Team
Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
4th
Brock Bowers is still out there but the Bengals consider the offensive line a bigger need here.
  Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 23
Oklahoma • 6'7" / 322 lbs
Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
36th
POSITION RNK
7th
Guyton played right tackle at Oklahoma but some teams think he has the ability to move to the left side, which is a huge need for the Patriots.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Arizona • 6'5" / 311 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
41st
POSITION RNK
9th
Morgan played left tackle at Arizona and he may kick inside at the next level; wherever he ends up, he'll play alongside Tyler Smith.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Iowa • 6'0" / 198 lbs
Projected Team
Green Bay
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
4th
The Packers could go offensive or defensive line, but instead add depth to the secondary. I like DeJean as an outside CB but some teams think he'll be best suited at nickel or safety.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Alabama • 5'11" / 199 lbs
Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
5th
The Bucs could love an interior offensive lineman here but they also need to improve the secondary and McKinstry could be a target here.
  Mock Trade from Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 27
Illinois • 6'2" / 295 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
26th
POSITION RNK
2nd
The Texans traded this pick to the Cardinals a year ago as part of the Will Anderson deal and now they're trading back into Round 1 to get a much-needed defensive tackle.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Texas • 6'2" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
5th
REC
55
REYDS
845
YDS/REC
15.4
TDS
11
Xavier Worthy was a consideration here but the Bills have Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir; Mitchell is a big, fast, physical target who can win on short, intermediate and deep routes.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Missouri • 6'5" / 285 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
28th
POSITION RNK
5th
Robinson can plays on the edge or inside and he'll make it tougher for opponents to double-team Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit.
Round 1 - Pick 30
Clemson • 6'1" / 182 lbs
Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
3rd
Wiggins only weighed 173 at the combine but he's the best cover corner in this class -- and plays with the type of confidence you typically see in a Ravens defense.
Round 1 - Pick 31
Georgia • 6'4" / 230 lbs
Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
1st
REC
56
REYDS
714
YDS/REC
12.8
TDS
7
Maybe Bowers goes to the Jets, or even the Bengals -- but both teams could also target an offensive linemen. And if the Panthers are able to trade up a few spots to get him here, that almost feels like stealing.
Round 1 - Pick 32
Texas • 5'11" / 165 lbs
Projected Team
Kansas City
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
7th
REC
75
REYDS
1014
YDS/REC
13.5
TDS
6
I know, the Chiefs have Hollywood Brown and Kadarius Toney on the roster too, but Worthy's 4.21 is hard to ignore. It's also hard to ignore his weight, 165 pounds at the combine, but he lined up in the slot and outside for the Longhorns and it's hard to imagine how the rest of the league will defend this Chiefs offense with someone like Worthy on the field.

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly updated draft order and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.Â