Murf’s Final Mock Draft: What changes come from the Combine Mock Draft?

Our own @blakemurphy7 looks back at the mock drafts from two months ago and submits his final mock asking the question…to change or not to change?

It seems like every single year, the same NFL Draft song and dance takes place when it comes to mock drafts.

No, not any mock drafts will be correct in the end, and even nailing 3-4 picks after the top 10 are done is quite a feat.

My approach has changed over the past few years in terms of mock drafts…there’s what you WANT to happen from a Cardinals fans’ perspective and then there’s reality.

Last year, for example, I was optimistic that Arizona would stay put and take Will Anderson but the news at the combine was: “they’re looking to trade down”.

The night before and the weeks leading up to the draft the rumors of the Houston Texans trying to move up to 1 & 2 or aiming for getting Will Anderson AND Bryce Young paid off after taking C.J. Stroud with the 2nd pick in 2023.

So what did this year’s Combine mock draft look like and what may have changed?

Original mock draft is below with my final 1st round mock afterwards (recap at the end) with analysis for each pick & why it’s made.

Mock Draft located here on X/Twitter, with photo below:

Photo below:

Alright with that out of the way let’s look at the rest of the mock draft and what changes may or may not have occurred:

#1. Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

No surprises and my favorite draft prospect (even ahead of Trevor Lawrence) since Mahomes & Burrow. A joy to watch and while the Bears GM worries me he’ll be a star at the next level.

#2. Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Once they hired Kliff Kingsbury as OC I think that this choice was set despite late movement toward him wanting to be a Raider. Heisman winner but I worry that his best comparison for me is RGIII if he never hurt his knee and, well, we saw what happened to Kyler when Kliff had him running a lot…

#3. Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, UNC

Way that I might describe these QB’s: if I needed a guy for my franchise I’d have Maye as QB1. If I could sit both QB’s a year, I’d take Caleb as the long-term guy but think Drake Maye’s overcome a ton of adversity and this will be one of those “They took Tua over Herbert” draft picks in hindsight for Washington, but it’s a pretty big rebuild ahead of him in NE.

#4. Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Cardinals cut DeAndre Hopkins last year, let Hollywood Brown walk and get one of the best wide receiver prospects since Larry Fitzgerald/Julio Jones, Ja’Marr Chase to be their next franchise receiver.

I think that if they did look to move back they’d try to go back up to get him if they could, and think that Marvin is why they’ll have too steep a price for other teams to pay for #4. He’s the same sort of speedster (just not in YAC) and toughness w/ hands as Odunze and gives Kyler Murray the “missing piece” on Arizona’s offense.

#5. Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

This pick by all accounts is the pivot point of the draft.

Chargers have been linked to Joe Alt (and JC Latham, even?) Probably!

Could they trade down with the Vikings for J.J. McCarthy here? I could see it but…if it’s going to cost near the same for the Vikings a la their 2025 1st round pick, I wonder if the Vikings try a cheaper move up.

The Carolina Panthers, after all, gave up the #1 pick for a QB who had as rough a rookie season as Josh Rosen and Minny might not think J.J. McCarthy is worth 3 firsts. I’d take Joe Alt here as an option but my firm belief has been that Harbaugh’s shouted what he’s wanted to do…but also shipped out both wide receivers.

I think they get Herbert a WR1 and add another few Michigan OL via the draft but their preference would be to move back a bit and go for the OL.

But after the first 4 picks, this is the “chaos” pick that could alter the entire draft

#6. Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Multiple NFL insiders saying they think that McCarthy isn’t the Giants guy compared to Drake Maye…and they still need a WR1 to catch passes from whomever their QB is even if they took J.J. McCarthy. I think that they target Penix or Rattler later or hinge waiting on Jones and 2025’s QB class.

If the Jaguars are able to hop up, I’d expect it to be for Malik Nabers but it wouldn’t shock me if they were aggressive for a WR1.

#7. Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

If he goes to the Chargers, they have a huge need but Hopkins’ deal is for only one year and it’s a different GM than the one who drafted Treylon Burks. They could take a receiver or maybe even trade down to a team who wants one.

#8. *TRADE – Vikings from ATL – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Finally!

Here the Vikings get a guy who can get them to 10 wins, they keep their 2025 first and aren’t having to give up pick #23 but can add talent or trade back.

Three first round picks is a bit rich for J.J. even with the upside…but one first? That’s doable and I think that they move here knowing that Chicago lurking might deal with the Broncos/Raiders ahead of them.

#9. Bears – Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas

I’ll copy a Bears beatwriter on this as he had the same thought process I had…and it fits with how Insiders all keep repeating that Murphy II could be THE first defensive player off the board:

#10. Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Jets desperately need an offensive tackle. They could also use a reliable second option for Aaron Rodgers besides Garrett Wilson given how Mike Williams’ health is so up in the air.

But just like Rodgers, I expect the Jets to take a tight end in the top 10 rather than logically eating their vegetables as they should.

#11. *Falcons from MIN – Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Falcons get the top consensus edge on the board as he has the upside higher than Verse but the security of not having Latu’s health questions

#12. *TRADE – Eagles from Denver – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Eagles have been rumored to move up for a QB, Broncos have seemingly been sounding aggressive in moving up for a QB but…with what picks? I bet they trade back instead and add a player and a quarterback…the question is in which spot?

I have the Broncos reaching in the first (teams are weird with QB’s) but if they take a cornerback and go get Bo Nix in the 2nd round, I could see that too.

#13. *TRADE – LA Rams from Las Vegas – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Rams have been rumored to trade up for a quarterback, and without Jayden Daniels being in striking range, Michael Penix Jr. has been rumored to go here.

I ain’t buying it. I could see him and Nix falling to round 2-3 with their age and think that they move back with a team that FINALLY uses a first round pick on a prospect.

#14. Saints – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Saints have made their bed in terms of short-term decisions after trading up for Trevor Penning & he busted out.

You could draft offensive tackles at picks 1 through 14 and if I was the only other person who was listed as an offensive tackle in their draft guide, New Orleans might trot me out there. They’ll take a tackle round one if they don’t trade back.

#15. Colts – Terrion Arnold, CB, Bama

Would love if the Colts could get aggressive for a top 3 receiver and maybe this would be a Brian Thomas Jr. spot. Gave them the physical corner and was a toss up between him and Wiggins

#16. Seahawks – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

What would Mina Kimes do? Seahawks fans (and ball-knower) that she is, I think that she’s onto something in Seattle. Cooper DeJean is possible here, too if Arnold is gone.

#17. Jaguars – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

They need a corner desperately and a WR. Wanted to give them Wiggins here but with them losing Calvin Ridley in free agency I’ll force a WR pick for a guy who can allow Christian Kirk to work underneath

#18. Bengals – Jared Verse, Edge, FSU

The Bengals need an OT and need a defensive lineman. I considered J.C. Latham here but really don’t feel like those two teams fit well as someone will need to push him to get the most out of him, so I give them a pass-rusher in a “win the super bowl” year for their franchise

#19. *Raiders from LAR – JC Latham, OL, Bama

I think he might be a guard and he also might be nasty. He’s got a bit of Richie Incognito in him and if that doesn’t fit the Raiders…or a coach who pushes the lines in Antonio Pierce, then I don’t know what does

#20. Steelers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Steelers can start him at maybe any spot on the OL besides RT immediately but the interior is perfect for a freak athlete like he is.

#21. Dolphins – Troy Fatanu, OL, Washington

I think they would have wanted a DT but they’ve got questions on the O-Line and Tua’s health is never a secure thing so I think they grab a guy who can keep the offense running even if Terron Armstead isn’t able to play a full season

#22. *Broncos from Philadelphia – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Man I wanted to give them Cooper DeJean but if the Broncos end up in this spot and can’t move back and have to take Nix at 12…oof.

#23. Vikings (from HOU) – Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa

Hard pick to make and figured that the Vikings need a Harrison Smith replacement soon and DeJean also helps them win games with his return ability in the short-term

#24. Cowboys – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Cowboys could take Jackson Powers-Johnson here but I have them looking to replace Tyron Smith with ANOTHER freakishly large & athletic offensive tackle

#25. Packers – Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona

Packers actually grab an interior offensive lineman early versus in the 4th/5th rounds? Sheesh. They could go a lot of directions here, especially on defense.

#26. Buccaneers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL/C, Oregon

Have heard that he might get pushed out of the first round but hard to see Todd Bowles and Co. passing on him after Dave Canales left for the Panthers & the need for a heavy dose of the run game. They missed their starting center who retired the previous season, badly.

#27. Cardinals (from HOU) Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Tough call between him and Wiggins but I went with Newton because he’s probably a top 15 player in this class as an interior rusher (something the Cardinals don’t have) and looks to be a safer bet than Chop Robinson or a slighter rookie corner. Arizona’s front seven needs a lot of work even with the free agency signings.

#28. Bills – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

If he can stay healthy, he’s gotten some Cooper Kupp comparisons and knows how to separate. Age & health & production concerns, his senior bowl and Josh Allen might really put some of that to rest as he could be moved all over the formation and worked in while the other two tight ends are moved about.

#29. *TRADE Commanders from Detroit – Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Commanders have been reportedly wanting to jump up for a OT and Paul’s stock has seemingly risen to where he’s going to go on Day 1.

Seth Cox’s Guest SullyFootball on the Original Draft Breakdown podcast listed Paul as a guy he liked due to that his stance/feet are fixable and he’s got the ability to play left tackle whereas other guys are right side only. I, for what it’s worth, am not one to doubt Sully.

#30. Ravens – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Wanted (and could see) an OL here but couldn’t leave Wiggins out of the first round. He might end up being the 3rd cornerback taken or he could fall to the second round

#31. Niners – Brandon Coleman, OT, Texas Christian

There’s been a lot of talk about Roger Rosengarten with this pick but I think that he might have been worked out separately as an option should their top OT be gone…and in this scenario a guy who may have gone much higher if not for injury falls to San Fran.

#32. Chiefs – Kingsley Suitamataia, OT, BYU

I think Patrick Paul is possible here but won’t ever discount the bloodlines here, nor Andy Reid’s BYU connection…and need for a left tackle ahead of a receiver for Mahomes.

Some names left out of the first round that I think could be in this (biggest one being Tyler Guyton possibly to the Cowboys or another team):

• Chop Robinson, Edge
• Darius Robinson DL/Edge
• Kool-Aid McKinstrey, CB
• Xavier Worthy, WR
• Jordan Morgan, OT
• Mike Sainristil, CB

In any case, it’ll be a final 7-round mock draft for the Cardinals popping up tomorrow morning as well for anyone who missed this one. (Link to come!)

Enjoy draft weekend, everyone. Below is an image of the complete mock: