2024 NFL Mock Draft: B/R NFL Scouting Dept.'s Final Picks

The NFL draft is so popular these days that it's the only thing able to draw legitimate attention away from Taylor Swift's latest album release. The level of interest paid to professional football's incoming crop of talent is immense and continues to grow with each passing cycle.

The 2024 edition is particularly spicy since it features what's considered four elite quarterback prospects, three difference-makers at wide receiver, the most decorated tight end prospect of all time and the best offensive tackle class in recent memory.

Franchises that have been down bad can immediately change their fortunes.

In the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final mock draft, its team—which consists of Alex Ballentine, Brandon Thorn, Brent Sobleski, Cory Giddings, Derrik Klassen, Kris Knox and Matt Holder—based its last projections on the belief of what NFL front offices will do once they're on the clock, with a caveat.

Draft trades are not included, though potential inflection points are noted.

As expected, this final effort opens with three quarterbacks coming off the board in the first three selections. How did it end? Follow along to when the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, are on the board.

The Chicago Bears failed Justin Fields as their potential franchise quarterback. But the squad is better positioned today to take on another top prospect and see him succeed than it was three years ago.

After the offseason additions of running back D'Andre Swift and wide receiver Keenan Allen, the team already has more skill-position talent than it did during Fields' entire tenure. Now the organization has settled on USC's Caleb Williams as its next triggerman and understandably so.

"Williams has everything necessary to quickly become the best quarterback in Bears history," Klassen said. "Williams is a quick, agile athlete with impeccable balance and flexibility to always keep plays alive. No matter the throwing platform, Williams always has the ability to get the ball out with special velocity and placement.

"Williams' playmaking ability will make him a weapon right away, and he's much further along as an in-structure passer than is often led on."

LSU's Jayden Daniels emerged during the 2023 season and throughout the predraft process as an elite prospect after four seasons of middling play.

But the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is now the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback since Lamar Jackson entered the professional ranks.

"Daniels' athleticism and accuracy to all three levels is easy to buy into," Klassen said. "He will immediately be one of the best rushing threats in the league, and there isn't a throw on the field he can't make. Better yet, Daniels is a rhythmic, calculated passer who rarely makes poor decisions.

"At the same time, Daniels' shaky pocket management and inconsistent willingness to make high-leverage throws over the middle invite worry about what his ceiling will be."

North Carolina's Drake Maye may be the third quarterback off the board. That's OK. He's still the best fit for the New England Patriots.

First, he entered the draft as the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's top-rated quarterback prospect. Second, he won't be rushed into the lineup with veteran Jacoby Brissett already on the roster. Finally, he's a big, strong-armed playmaker who can thrive competing in the Northeast.

"Maye checks every single box," Klassen said. "Maye is a well-built quarterback with great quickness and the speed to be a major threat as a scrambler. As a passer, Maye will need to shore up his footwork a little bit, but all the physical ability is there.

"Maye's arm is outstanding and his best throws are right up there with the best prospects over the last decade. Maye also has some of the most advanced pocket management and pre-snap cognition of any quarterback in the class."

The Arizona Cardinals should do what's best for business, and that's selecting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. once the run of quarterbacks ends.

The reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner is the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and the No. 1-rated prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board regardless of position.

"Much like DeAndre Hopkins a couple years ago, Harrison gives quarterback Kyler Murray a true No. 1 target on the outside," Klassen said. "At 6'3" and 209 pounds, Harrison moves exceptionally well in every way, from speed to agility to crisp footwork. The son of a Hall of Famer is a reliable, explosive route-runner who can also finish plays at the catch point with rare range and hands.

"Harrison is the best player in the draft, and the Cardinals are lucky to get him at fourth overall."

Potential Trade Spot: Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort hasn't been shy about listening to potential trade offers. Arizona likely demands a sweetheart deal to move off a prospect as talented as Harrison. But multiple quarterback-starved teams, namely the Minnesota Vikings, must consider making the move.

The Los Angeles Chargers are under new management, and the team will assume Jim Harbaugh's identity.

To be fair, an offensive lineman feels more like the Harbaugh thing to do. But LSU's Malik Nabers is a true difference-maker at wide receiver, which the Chargers desperately need after releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears.

"The Chargers desperately need some juice on offense," Klassen said. "Nabers gives them that and so much more.

"A slot/Z-receiver hybrid in the Amari Cooper mold, Nabers is an explosive play waiting to happen. He's a solid route-runner with unreal ability to transition himself into a ball-carrier the moment the ball hits his hands. Nabers isn't just a YAC guy, though. There are also flashes of sweet ability to track the ball over his shoulder and make tough catches on the sideline."

Potential Trade Spot: If the Arizona Cardinals select Marvin Harrison Jr., as they did in this projection, the fifth overall pick becomes an inflection point, as organizations in search of a franchise quarterback scramble to get ahead of the New York Giants, who select sixth.

The New York Giants have been linked to multiple quarterbacks prospects throughout this entire process. Maybe they are willing to move past Daniel Jones already. It doesn't seem likely, though, especially if the organization has to surrender extra picks to do so.

Instead, Washington's Rome Odunze is an awesome target on the outside to help Jones in his development. The 21-year-old prospect is exactly the type of weapon the Giants have been missing basically since they traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

"Odunze is the 'set it and forget it' X-receiver the Giants have been searching for," Klassen said. "Odunze isn't as flashy as LSU's Malik Nabers, but he's an exceptionally polished route-runner with natural ball skills.

"Odunze's ability to find the catches outside his frame and win the ball in the air is what quarterbacks dream of. Odunze can instantly become the focal point of the Giants' passing attack."

Unless someone else selects Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt before this slot, the Tennessee Titans shouldn't go in any other direction. He makes too much sense for the team that fielded the league's worst offensive line last season.

"There is a reason this is considered a chalk projection at this point," Thorn said. "It's because of the glaring hole the Titans have at left tackle, with the quarterback and No. 1 wide receiver already in place.

"Alt is the most polished blocker in the class with room to get even better considering that he is young and relatively new to the position, so pairing him with line coach Bill Callahan would be an ideal match that fills a need."

Alt playing next to Peter Skoronski could easily turn into one of the league's best left sides for the next decade or longer. Bill Callahan coaching them can certainly make this happen.

The Atlanta Falcons could do worse than standing pat, waiting through seven selections and then making the first defensive player selection of the draft.

Now, a discussion can ensue over exactly which defender should be the selection. In this instance, Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell gets the nod because A) he can provide an excellent bookend to A.J. Terrell and B) possibly replace Terrell since the squad's top corner is a free agent after the upcoming season.

"The Falcons are in need of youth at their cornerback position and Mitchell is the perfect fit," Giddings said. "Mitchell shot up draft boards with his play this past season, combined with stellar postseason efforts at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.

"A fluid athlete with elite speed, Mitchell will provide immediate help to the Falcons secondary."

Potential Trade Spot: Late rumblings have the Indianapolis Colts and possibly the Jacksonville Jaguars jockeying to move up for the class' top-rated cornerback prospect. The Falcons would need a great offer to simply not draft him themselves.

When the Cover 2 defense took over the NFL, Warren Sapp dominated at 3-technique for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the scheme has evolved over the last 30 years, the importance of that interior defender has not dissipated.

Texas' Byron Murphy II is the interior's most explosive pass-rusher. With him collapsing the pocket and Montez Sweat screaming of the edge, Matt Eberflus' defense will finally be built in a manner to dominate.

"With the Bears addressing their quarterback situation first with Caleb Williams, the ninth overall selection is a great spot to improve the defense," Holder said. "Even after taking Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens during last year's draft, Chicago could use a defensive tackle with Murphy's pass-rush upside. The former Longhorn working alongside Sweat could be a great pairing in the trenches for a long time."

Potential Trade Spot: Movement at this slot is possible based on two factors. First, the Bears have the fewest number of draft picks with four going into the festivities. Second, a team like the Indianapolis Colts could consider the possibility of jumping ahead of the New York Jets to snatch tight end Brock Bowers.

The New York Jets are in full YOLO mode. They know if they don't make something happen this season, the likelihood of the same regime and quarterback leading the way into 2025 is unlikely at bet.

As such, their plans are obvious: The Jets are all in this year. Thus, they should add a difference-maker to the offense, which will make Aaron Rodgers happy.

"With where Rodgers is at in his career as he comes back from an Achilles tear, YAC has to be paramount in the Jets offense," Klassen said. "That's exactly what Georgia's Brock Bowers provides.

"A receiver in a tight end's body, Bowers is a truly special player with the ball in his hands. Players with his size, speed, balance and vision just don't come around very often. Bowers is merely an average blocker and not exactly the ball-winner some of the bigger tight ends are, but the explosive play ability more than makes up for it."

Clearly, this is a scenario where the expectation is the Minnesota Vikings land Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a likely trade-up scenario. The projection remains intact simply because no trades have been included.

Otherwise, this fit seems destined. While McCarthy probably won't make it to No. 11 overall, the point is the pairing and McCarthy's fit in purple and yellow.

"McCarthy will need some time to develop," Klassen said. "He's coming from an offense that did not ask him to carry the team and he has some mechanical issues to iron out, especially when throwing to his left.

"That said, McCarthy has the velocity, unwavering aggression and toughness in the pocket to be a quality starting quarterback. That's especially true in Minnesota with Kevin O'Connell calling the plays and a stacked supporting cast around him. The Vikings are a perfect spot to get the most out of McCarthy."

Somehow, some way, the Denver Broncos must find a new starting quarterback. The top four options are already off the board, though.

The organization may consider trading back (more on that in a bit) and then taking either Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

A deal takes two to tango. If the Broncos are stuck at No. 12, there are worse ways to go than adding the draft class' highest-upside edge-rusher.

"With Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper currently penciled in as the team's starters, the Broncos could definitely use some help at edge," Holder said. "Alabama's Dallas Turner is an elite athlete with long arms, giving him a ton of potential at the next level. His combination of speed, athleticism and a nasty ghost rush move will give people in Denver flashbacks of Von Miller."

Potential Trade Spot: The Broncos lack a second-round draft pick thanks to the Sean Payton "trade." So it's in the organization's best interests to move back in hopes of landing a second-tier quarterback prospect and recoup an asset or two. With multiple high-end offensive tackles available, another organization could oblige with a trade proposal.

The Las Vegas Raiders must avoid the temptation to trade up for anyone other than Jayden Daniels, who was taken second overall in this mock, or select a quarterback with the 13th overall pick, since Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon Bo Nix are the only remaining options in this scenario.

Instead, the Silver and Black should look toward reinforcing their trenches and make life easier on whomever starts at quarterback this fall. Alabama's JC Latham provides an intimidating presence to help turn the Raiders' front into their primary identity and help elevate everyone working in the backfield.

"Latham is arguably the strongest, most physically imposing blocker in the class, and the Raiders could use an upgrade at his natural position at right tackle," Thorn said. "The team also wants to build with a certain swagger and mindset that Latham's play style would fit right into as a dominant run-blocker who can spearhead a revamped right side of their line."

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2024 NFL draft with three-fifths of their starting offensive line being plagued by significant question marks.

"The Saints need help on the right side of their line with the future of stalwart Ryan Ramczyk being up in the air due to a nagging knee injury," Thorn said. "Addressing the line with a tackle who can play across the line is an ideal match that Washington's Troy Fautanu is more than qualified to handle."

It's not just about Ramczyk's health, though. First-round left tackle Trevor Penning has been a disappointment. Projected left guard Nick Saldiveri is unproven. The roster's depth is nearly non-existent.

Fautanu can play all five spots along the offensive line. He may have to play more than one if the Saints do select him. Either way, he's the ideal fit for a team whose offensive line is in complete disarray.

The Indianapolis Colts value high-end traits more than any other NFL organization. Brian Thomas Jr.'s athletic profile is as good as anyone's in this year's class.

How good? His relative athletic score ranks top 10 among wide receivers over the last 37 years, according to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte.

This selection is also about properly building around sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis has a rock-solid receiver group. Thomas provides something different.

"The Colts' receiving room isn't bad, but they could use a little bit of juice," Klassen said. "Thomas provides that and more. Thomas is a vertical X-receiver with terrifying speed down the field and flashes of excellent ball-tracking ability.

"Thomas may need a year or two to come into his own as a route-runner, but he already showed some development there over his final season at LSU. Thomas' best football is ahead of him."

A new defensive-minded head coach in Mike Macdonald brings a different approach. After 14 seasons with Pete Carroll at the helm, the Seahawks will look a little different. The potential to dominate up front has to be alluring.

Florida State's Jared Verse is Bleacher Report's top-rated defense prospect. He can join Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Maye to form a dangerous outside linebacker rotation, with the possibility of having all three on the field in certain sub-packages.

"Seattle has a good defensive line with Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones," Holder said, "but adding Verse can help elevate the unit to the next level.

"Edge isn't a pressing need for the Seahawks, but they get a top-10 player on B/R's big board with the 16th pick overall, which is excellent value."

After finishing 30th overall in total defense, the Seahawks could use such a boost.

The need for the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire a talented cornerback and add him to the lineup is obvious.

The organization may flirt with the idea of trading up for one, considering the rival Indianapolis Colts have the 15th pick and also have a glaring need in the secondary.

In this instance, the Jaguars don't have to go anywhere and still land Alabama's Terrion Arnold, who can still make an argument as the class' best corner prospect even though Quinyon Mitchell had more support late in the process.

"Arnold is a versatile all-around cornerback who provides scheme flexibility," Giddings said. "With Mitchell already off the board, Arnold is obviously next in line among the cornerback prospects.

"The safety convert is an instinctual player with high IQ, allowing him to make plays all over the field. Arnold will have to compete for the immediate starting job but will end up being a mainstay for the Jaguars for years to come."

The Cincinnati Bengals' never-ending search to upgrade the offensive line continues with Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga.

Since selecting Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, the Bengals have taken Hakeem Adeniji, Jackson Carman, D'Ante Smith, Trey Hill and Cordell Volson with subsequent picks.

Volson is the only one to provide anything of substance, though Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga can immediately replace him in the lineup.

"Fuaga gives the Bengals an instant upgrade at left guard and the potential to play right tackle in future seasons," Thorn said. "With a refined skill set as a run-blocker and pass-protection skills that would receive a boost inside, the Bengals line could finally elevate themselves into the hierarchy of units after scrambling to address the group for several years."

Cincinnati has been more successful bringing in veteran offensive linemen, but Fuaga is the right kind of draft investment after years of floundering in that area.

The Los Angeles Rams will probably be gobsmacked if this scenario plays itself out during Thursday's first round. After not having an opening-round selection since 2016, the Rams are fortunate enough to draft a franchise left tackle—the class' best pure pass-blocker—and a legitimate top-10 talent.

Penn State's Olu Fashanu fell slightly strictly because of fit.

"This would be quite a slide for Fashanu," Thorn said, "but the Rams would happily end it. Fashanu would dramatically upgrade what they currently have. This would also boost their depth by sliding current starter Alaric Jackson down to a swing tackle."

Jackson did re-sign with the Rams this offseason, though he came back on a one-year, $4.9 million deal. Fashanu is a different caliber of option who brings the type of talent Los Angeles has missed since Andrew Whitworth retired.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could look to improve at wide receiver or the secondary. But the front office needs upgrades closer to the ball, specifically directly over the pigskin.

Center has always been a lauded position in the Steel City, with a long and illustrious history of great snappers. Drafting another quality offensive lineman can help re-establish a long-buried identity of a squad that can dominate in the trenches on offense.

Duke's Graham Barton started at left tackle over the last three seasons. He began his collegiate career at center, though.

"Pittsburgh would likely slide Barton inside to center in this scenario and could play him at guard the following season considering starter James Daniels will be a free agent," Thorn said. "Barton is one of the select few blockers in this class with the skill set to play across the line and should be an impact starter at the pivot right away on a level Pittsburgh hasn't had since Maurkice Pouncey last played."

Georgia's Amarius Mims may be the incoming class' most fascinating prospect since he's clearly a first-round talent with impressive physical traits yet lacks experience.

Mims will enter the professional ranks after only eight starts at the collegiate level.

"The Miami Dolphins provide an excellent situation for the inexperienced Mims to learn and grow into with an outstanding mentor in Terron Armstead to guide him along in his development," Thorn said. "Without immediate pressure to play and maybe the most OL-friendly scheme in football, this is a dream fit for both the team and player."

Ultimately with the right coaching and development, the 21-year-old prospect can be a dominant force.

Potential Trade Spot: The Dolphins are a popular trade projection because the organization currently has two selections among the top 150 picks. They can move down and add extra assets to supplement. Meanwhile, teams could be looking to get back into the first round, maybe for another quarterback, or looking to get ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, who are likely targeting offensive line options.

The ties that bind are strong between the Philadelphia Eagles and Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, an Oklahoma alumni, has mentored Guyton over the years. The incoming prospect even described the situation as a "big brother-little brother relationship."

Said Thorn: "Even with Johnson still playing at an All-Pro level and showing no signs of decline from elite status, the team has typically preferred to be ahead of the curve in securing the replacement for current, aging stalwarts. As another former Sooners tackle who hasn't been playing the position for very long with tantalizing physical traits, Guyton couldn't go to a more perfect landing spot."

To Thorn's point, Philadelphia previously drafted offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens a year or two early to the develop them so they were ready to break into the lineup once an established vet was ready to walk away.

This particular selection is made with the intention of it eventually belonging to someone else, probably the Arizona Cardinals or Los Angeles Chargers.

In both cases, those teams can use an infusion of a talented young pass-rusher the caliber of UCLA's Laiatu Latu, who finished first in overall grade, pressures, pass-rush win rate and pass-rush grade over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.

If the Minnesota Vikings don't trade up or include this particular selection, it remains a solid fit based on how the team operated this offseason.

"While the Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency, they also lost Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum," Holder said. "That's a lot of production to replace and Latu can fill that void. The UCLA product has a wide array of moves he can win with and would form a dangerous pass-rush trio with the two free-agent signings."

The Dallas Cowboys are all in this offseason, or so owner Jerry Jones claims. Apparently, the franchise is waiting until the draft to actually be all in.

Well, the organization missed out on the earlier run of second-wave offensive tackle prospects. So it pivots to wide receiver, where the offense needs a threat opposite CeeDee Lamb.

The team won't find another option more explosive than Texas' Xavier Worthy.

"Worthy is a Jerry Jones pick through and through," Klassen said. "At a wiry 5'11" and 165 pounds, Worthy brings one-of-one speed and surprising route-running chops for a player billed as just a speed threat.

"Worthy is a twitchy athlete with the ball in his hands as well. At his size, Worthy will need to be protected from press coverage. He also struggles to win the ball in contested situations. Still, the record-setting speed and explosiveness Worthy brings could completely change the dynamic of an offense."

The Green Bay Packers have such a young and exciting offense. It's time to add to the defense so the team can play strong complementary football.

Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes missed a combined 24 games last year. Iowa's Cooper DeJean provides immediate flexibility to Green Bay's secondary while also serving as a long-term solution at one spot.

"DeJean is one of the most versatile and athletic defensive backs in this year's draft," Giddings said. "With the ability to play cornerback and safety, DeJean also provides outstanding special teams value. A cornerback at heart, he has the straight-line speed and explosive twitch to run with receivers at the next level. It will be up to whichever defensive coordinator selects him to put him in the optimal position to use all of his skills."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers transitioning from the retired Ryan Jensen to Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson couldn't be a more perfect fit.

"Bucs general manager Jason Licht has an affinity for tone-setting, ultra-physical blockers that have an edge about them, so Powers-Johnson makes perfect sense from that standpoint," Thorn said. "Add in a glaring hole at left guard with JPJ having guard experience at Oregon, and this would be an easy match to forecast."

The reigning Rimington Trophy winner is full of personality, both on and off the field.

On the field, Powers-Johnson is as powerful of a center prospect as the NFL has seen in a long, long time. He can completely control defenders at the point of attack.

Off the field, the early entrant has a hamburger named after him at local brewery, sings a little gospel music and signs autographs in the most unusual way.

All of it makes Powers-Johnson unique as a potential centerpiece for the Buccaneers.

The Arizona Cardinals don't have a legitimate edge-rusher on the roster.

Last season, Dennis Gardeck led the team with six sacks. This offseason, the front office concentrated on rebuilding the defensive interior. Now, it has an opportunity to add some juice off the edge with Penn State's Chop Robinson.

"Defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon knows how crucial it is to have a plethora of pass-rushers after his days as the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator," Holder said. "Robinson is a bit of a project, but his elite athleticism gives him a high ceiling to be an excellent pass-rusher down the line."

Potential Trade Spot: Maybe general manager Monti Ossenfort wasn't talking about trading out of the four hole when saying the Cardinals are open for business. He could have meant this year's 27th selection, where a team tries to come back into the first round searching for A) a quarterback with a fifth-year option on his rookie deal or B) to get ahead of the wide receiver-needy Buffalo Bills.

With Stefon Diggs now playing for the Houston Texans, the Buffalo Bills are back looking for a premium target.

Granted, tight end Dalton Kincaid's role will almost certainly expand after last year's first-round pick showed plenty of promise. But an outside threat that can challenge every blade of grass against a defense is still necessary.

Texas' Adonai Mitchell provides a big target with awesome natural gifts.

"Mitchell is more of an idea than an actualized player at this point," Klassen said. "Mitchell is all of 6'2", 205 pounds with dangerous long speed and the agility of a much smaller receiver. Mitchell also shows really impressive ability to find the ball outside his frame, especially in the air.

"At the same time, Mitchell always ran hot and cold in college. A lot of that is tied to his inconsistent route running and his struggles with physicality. Mitchell is a boom-or-bust prospect, but the payoff could be massive."

The Detroit Lions will have very specific targets in mind once they're on the clock. If they are off the board, a move is likely to happen (See: below).

Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry should be perfect for a Lions squad that still requires secondary help. McKinstry entered this season as the consensus CB1. While he was eventually surpassed by Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell and teammate Terrion Arnold, the 21-year-old prospect remains a legitimate first-round talent and talented cover corner.

"McKinstry is a long, athletic cornerback that fits into the Lions' mold," Giddings said. "A rangy man-coverage corner, he shows to be a natural man-coverage defender. He plays with a burst out of breaks and plays with great ball skills. He will look to be an early starter for the Lions.

Potential Trade Spot: This isn't a projection as much as it listening to those in charge of the Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell came right out and said, "If we're sitting there and our guy's not there, we will move back." OK, sounds like a plan, Coach.

The run on first-round offensive tackles continues with Houston's Patrick Paul. Paul hasn't been a name often associated with the opening frame, but he's a strong contender to be an early selection, particularly for the offensive line-needy Baltimore Ravens.

"Paul wouldn't be as surprising of a first-round selection as many expect considering his measurables (6'8", 331 lbs), athletic ability, play strength and competitive toughness, and Baltimore's team infrastructure would be a great spot for him to refine his unrefined skill set," Thorn said. "Baltimore also has holes at several positions on its line, so addressing the position multiple times in this draft is likely to happen."

Typically, the Ravens are known for their patience and selecting the best available player that falls to them. They rarely force a pick. Yet their needs along the offensive line are far too drastic not to make something happen early in the process. Paul benefits.

Every team and coach has a type.

For the San Francisco 49ers, they love thick and versatile wide receivers who can be used in a variety of manners.

Considering that leading receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, it's possible the 49ers add a similar type of talent.

"South Carolina's Xavier Legette is the perfect insurance policy for whatever may happen with Aiyuk's contract situation," Klassen said. "Legette is a hulking 6'1" and 221 pounds—the type of 'running back playing receiver' build Kyle Shanahan loves. Legette is also a weapon with the ball in his hands, showing off the long speed, vision and balance to take it to the house at any moment. He also has flashes of outrageous ball skills in the air.

"Legette may not be the sharpest route-runner or technician right now, but in San Francisco, that probably matters less than in other landing spots."

The Kansas City Chiefs have to draft a wide receiver, right? Well, no.

The organization finds itself in a similar situation as last year. It took defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah before finally addressing wide receiver in the second round.

This year, the team should be ecstatic with Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton still being available.

Newton can take some pressure off Chris Jones, while Derrick Nnadi is a free agent after this season.

"Chiefs fans might want to see an offensive tackle or wide receiver here," Holder said, "but this is excellent value for Newton. who is a well-rounded defensive tackle. He'll have a great mentor in Chris Jones and could be the team's 3-technique for a long time if the soon-to-be 30-year-old decides to hang 'em up anytime soon.

"Also, Kansas City liked to give Jones a blow on running downs last season, so Newton could fill that role and keep the veteran fresh on third downs and late in the game."