Many NFL teams are looking for quarterbacks, and there are plenty of attractive candidates this season.
This inaugural mock draft considers quarterbacks going with the first three picks, and a hypothetical trade that could facilitate that.
One way the design could unfold:
1. Chicago: QB Caleb WilliamsUSC— The Bears are restarting with a new quarterback, a guy who likely would have been taken first overall in the past two drafts.
2. Washington: QB Jayden Daniels, Louisiana State – Tough to pass on a quarterback when you need one as much as the Commanders do. Fits well with the Kliff Kingsbury system.
3. [PROPOSED TRADE] Atlanta, from New England: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina — As in 2021, QBs go 1-2-3. Instead of trading for Justin Fields, Falcons restart the clock with a rookie.
4. Arizona: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State — If the Cardinals want to pay Kyler Murray all that money, they need to give him the best weapons. New era Larry Fitzgerald.
5. Chargers:OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame — Alt replaces Trey Pipkins at right tackle and the Chargers have formidable bookends in Rashawn Slater to protect Justin Herbert.
6. New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze, Washington — The Giants don’t have a true No. 1 receiver and they need to stock the shelves for quarterback Daniel Jones.
7. Tennessee: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State – The Titans teamed up at left tackle last season and it basically turned into a crappy revolving door. Fashanu and Will Levis, former teammates.
8. [PROPOSED TRADE] New England, from Atlanta: T JC Latham, Alabama — Yes, the Patriots could sit out and take a quarterback, but in this scenario, they could wait to check that box.
Read more: Rams set up with money and draft picks, now they can ‘do anything we want’
9. Chicago: WR Malik Nabers, LSU — Good news for Chicago’s starting quarterback: The Bears are acquiring a No. 2 receiver to complement DJ Moore.
10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia — Of course, the Jets could use a protector for Aaron Rodgers. But for coach Robert Saleh, Bowers could be New York’s answer to George Kittle.
11. Minnesota: Rand Dallas Turner, Alabama – For the first time since 2014, when they took Anthony Barr from UCLA, the Vikings are using their top pick to bolster their pass rush.
12. Denver – QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan — Goodbye, Russell Wilson. Sean Payton goes against type and takes a quarterback he can mold from the start.
13. Las Vegas: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo — The Raiders have needs at quarterback and defensive tackle, but those can wait a while. By the way, Mitchell ran the 40 in 4.33 seconds.
14. New Orleans: DE Jared Verse, Florida State – Besides Carl Granderson, the Saints are floundering as pass rushers. Verse gives them an injection of speed and intensity.
15. Indianapolis: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa — DeJean has a leg injury, so he may slip a bit. Super versatile defensive back who can line up anywhere.
16. Seattle: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA — Regardless of whether they keep Leonard Williams, the Seahawks could use help on the defensive front. Latu would provide that.
17. Jacksonville: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Ill. — The Jaguars got just 3½ sacks from their defensive linemen last season. Newton had eight sacks on his own last season.
18. Cincinnati: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama — His 4.5 time in the 40 hasn’t blown anyone away, but Arnold is fluid, smart and a good fit for the Bengals.
Read more: With big money and draft picks, Rams GM Les Snead says: ‘We like to attack’
19. Rams: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon — This may not be a sexy pick — especially since the Rams haven’t drafted in the first round since 2016 — but an important position to sign.
20. Pittsburgh: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State – Steelers strengthen their blocking front and make Fuaga the first Oregon State offensive lineman to go in the opening round.
21. Miami: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas — Free agency is looking to deal a blow to Miami’s defensive line. Murphy starts rebuilding.
22. Philadelphia: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson – Wiggins ran the 40 in a scorching 4.28 seconds, but limped off with a hip injury. He should be ready to go for his pro day.
23. Houston: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU — The Texans get a big, confident receiver for CJ Stroud. The 6-foot-2 Thomas is a smooth route runner with strong hands.
24. Dallas: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia – The Cowboys will eventually have to move on from Tyron Smith, so tackle is a glaring position of need.
25. Green Bay: FS Kamren Kinchens, Miami — The Packers need a tackle to replace David Bakhtiari, either immediately or eventually, but safety is a more pressing need.
26. Tampa Bay: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State — Coleman could be the next Mike Evans for the Buccaneers, and they would love to grab that guy.
27. Arizona: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma — Another move to strengthen Arizona’s offense, already bolstered by the addition of Harrison at wideout.
28. Buffalo: DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan – The Bills need to strengthen the interior of their defensive front and Jenkins, a throwback at the position, would be a good fit.
29. Detroit: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama – The immensely talented McKinstry was able to slip out of the first round after doctors discovered a broken bone in his foot.
Read more: New Chargers GM Joe Hortiz says production, not age or money, will decide who goes
30. Baltimore: G Graham Barton, Duke — The Ravens are facing the potential departure of both guards. In this mock they are setting up for emergency.
31. San Francisco: CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia — The 49ers need an offensive tackle, but the top prospects are gone at this point. Help on the corner is also needed.
32. Kansas City: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon — The Chiefs need more weapons for Patrick Mahomes, and Franklin has the speed to beat defenders on the outside.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.