This is a very interesting matchup when we dive into the X’s and O’s. It’s very easy to say Seattle will run away with this one. They have a very good balanced offense with Kenneth Walker and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They have two great blocking tight-ends who provide a huge impact in the running game. On defense they don’t blitz much, but they seem to get the quarterback with ease. On paper, their the better team. But wait a minute, does the better team always win? It’s about execution, it’s about timely plays at timely moments. It’s about field goals in pressure moments. All of these things play a factor in the outcome of the biggest game of the year. For the Patriots, they’ve been winning all year with smart QB play, a solid run game and tough hard nosed defense. There defense is a reflection of their tough hard nosed coach and Mike Vrabel. He has these guys believing, and why not the Patriots this year, why not?

What do the underdog (-4.5) Patriots have to do to win this game? I think first and foremost they must keep Seattle’s offense off the field. Seattle is way too dangerous, and they can score points very quickly. A couple mid-range passes to JSN and before you know it there on the 10 yard line. They should and will have a plan for JSN, because as he goes the rest of the team goes. He’s there #1 target and if they can shut him down They need to run the ball and control the clock as much as they can. They need to mix in some play action and throw short to intermediate throws. But most important be smart with the ball. Their margin for error in this game is very slim. They need to take advantage of certain opportunities and score touchdowns, not field goals when they have a chance. Also, they will need one if not two turnovers and create a short field for themselves. It’s important to remember, Sam Darnold has had his issues, and has made his mistakes in big games. I don’t think he just forgets about that, and maybe even thinks about it during this game. There is a lot of pressure in the biggest game of the season. But if he stays mistake free and lights it up, it could be a long game for the Patriots.

What do the favorites Seattle have to do? Well, that’s fairly simple. They need to play their game with a balanced offensive attack, play good defense and minimize turnovers. They cannot give the Patriots a short field. They need to “run up the score” and just keep the pedal on the gas. If they get up by 14 or 21 I think the game is over. They cannot let the Pats linger in this game and stay close. On the defensive side of the ball, they need to come after Maye early and often. He has been sacked 15 times in the 3 playoff games he’s played. If this continues, they will have no chance in this game. With all that said, my prediction is soley on the fact that whoever the critics thought would win and whatever they thought the score would be, either the opposite would happen or most of them were clearly wrong. Everybody is on that Seattle Train as they should be, there the better team, but slow your role!! I like the Patriots in a game where they frustrate Seattle with their potent D and create turnovers. In this game, Darnold may struggle, so how does he overcome that adversity. Everybody sit back on your couch and watch this, as it may be a different game then we all think it might be.

Patriots 21 Seattle 20

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Commanders Trade Up for Caleb Williams

Early on in the offseason, it seemed like a lock the Chicago Bears would select Caleb Williams with the first pick. Fast forward to today and that is no longer a guarantee. As it stands quarterback Justin Fields is still on the Bears roster and hasn’t been traded. Most assume that is because nobody wants him but what if the Bears intend to keep him instead?

Yesterday, Chicago pulled off a surprising trade with the LA Chargers and received Keenan Allen for a 4th round pick. Allen is no longer in his prime but is still a top-level receiver in the league. Pairing him with DJ Moore gives the Bears something they have been lacking for years. Weapons.

Some would assume getting Allen is to help Caleb Williams but what if it’s for Fields instead? Fields has not had a great supporting cast since he was drafted. This move could put less pressure on Fields and allow him to stay in the pocket more as these two receivers will eventually get open. Keep in mind the Bears also signed running back De’Andre Swift in free agency. Swift is another weapon that Fields could utilize.

So what would it take for the Commanders to move up? Well with the trade yesterday the Bears now only have 4 picks in the upcoming draft. I believe Washington who just acquired an additional 3rd round pick for Sam Howell could offer the below package.

• Commanders get 1st overall pick —> Bears get 2nd overall pick, 36th pick, 67th pick and a 2025 1st round pick

That may seem like a lot to move up one spot but if Washington believes that Williams is their franchise QB of the future they have to pull the trigger.

Vikings Move Up and Draft Drake Maye

Earlier today the Minnesota Vikings pulled off a trade to swap draft picks with the Houston Texans. This gives Minnesota the 23rd pick in the upcoming draft. The Vikings now have two first-round picks at their disposal and I believe they will use them to move up for Drake Maye.

As it stands the Vikings are too far back to wait on a quarterback and with the departure of Kirk Cousins they need to address the position. I do realize the Vikings picked up Sam Darnold this week but I don’t think he is there to be the starter. Maye makes a lot of sense for this Vikings team who still have star Justin Jefferson and recently brought in ex-Packer Aaron Jones.

The post 2024 NFL Mock Draft V2 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterback

Long story short, this quarterback class is loaded. In most drafts, a prospect like Jayden Daniels is a lock to be a top 3 picks but there is a true chance with all the talent on the board he could fall to maybe 8-10th overall. On the other hand, the first few picks are looking like they will be quarterbacks as well.

Caleb Williams is nearly a lock to go number 1 overall, the discussion is surrounded around where he will go with the Bears currently owning the first overall pick. Drake Maye would be the first quarterback taken off the board in 90% of other classes, he’s just that talented. A couple of other guys like Micheal Penix Jr. and Bo Nix from Washington and Oregon have  chance to go in the 1st round if not very early second. 

Wide Receiver

Well, this was a popular position during the combine with guys like Xavier Worthy lighting it up in the 40 yard dash. To look at it frankly this is the best wide receiver class in years and maybe in a decade or so. Marvin Harrison Jr is a blue chip and a lock to go top 5 overall and Malik Nabers shouldn’t fall to far behind him.

This class is not only top heavy with MHJ, Nabers and Rome Odunze but has some really good depth with Brian Thomas Jr (LSU) and Keon Coleman being available late first round maybe even second round. Xavier Worthy’s draft stock is also rapidly rising with his impressive 40 yard dash time, he wouldn’t be a surprise for his name to be called on day 1. 

Offensive Tackle

Joe Alt is the big name for this class, the left tackle out of Notre Dame has a very good shot to go top 7 in this year’s draft. Also at the top Olu Fashanu (Penn St.) is very likely to go early. My personal favorite prospect is Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State). Tackle is a very big need for NFL teams needing to protect their Quarterbacks, so I could see a world in where some trades are made maybe by the Cardinals to protect their guy.

The 2024 class is one of the more exciting classes in recent years considering how strong this particular class is. The only true class that is bad is the running back. Everything else has top to bottom quality starters, and we could potentially look back at the 2024 class and think of it as the turning point.

Out of all three classes listed I would give the slight edge to the Wide Receivers, much more depth than both other positions and maybe even more talent at the top. 

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Every few years, there is a draft that produces stars in nearly every pick of the first round, for example 2017’s draft produced Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Browns DE Myles Garrett, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, and Saints CB Marshon Lattimore. With all head coaching vacancies being filled and staffs rounding out it is officially mock draft season, so let’s take a look at 5 teams who could make some waves in the upcoming draft. 

1. Chicago Bears

When you look at the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears should be one of your first if not the first teams you think of. One of the more unique situations in NFL history with a team already having a potential franchise Quarterback in Justin Fields or a generational prospect in Caleb Williams.

Caleb would likely have all the help he would need with the bears potentially having two other first round picks to pick a receiver to lineup opposite of DJ Moore. The market for Justin Fields would likely be a first round pick at best and a second round pick if worst comes to worst. Caleb’s market should be a hefty price as in a few firsts, few seconds and a blue chip guy was the price for the 1st overall pick last year. Teams may be hesitant after seeing Young struggle in year 1, but the haul for Caleb should be elite. 

2. Arizona Cardinals

The cardinals while having a franchise guy in Kyler Murray could be involved in some very interesting trades at the top. A lot of speculation has gone around about the Cardinals having doubt about Kyler Murray, but I don’t buy it. The cardinals’ 4th overall pick is a popular trade piece because they are in a prime position to move down and get more capital or move up and secure their chance to get blue-chip prospect Marvin Harrison Jr.

The more likely is Kyler stays and the cardinals hope MHJ falls in their lap to pair with Micheal Wilson and Trey Mcbride. Thinking about trading Kyler is unrealistic but very fun. Do the cardinals really trade a guy who has shown he can play at a high level in this league when they can easily just give him all the help he needs? Probably not.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

As mentioned above, the Las Vegas Raiders should be a super interesting team to watch in the draft. Antonio Pierce is now head of the helm and with his aggressive nature, I do not expect him to sit back and watch 12 picks go by. You might ask; what will the raiders trade up for?

Maybe a quarterback, maybe a star edge to pair with Crosby in Dallas Turner. The possibilities are limitless with a struggling franchise in the Raiders. One positive thing about the raiders is they do have what seems to be the right guy leading this team. Antonio Pierce is a legit HC in this league which gives them all the room to make a blockbuster this spring. 

4. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are the kings of under performing in the playoffs. Jerry Jones is unhappy with the performance, questions about Dak Prescott, talks of trades, the usual Dallas cycle. The cowboys do not have a high pick in the draft but what they do have is an aggressive owner.

The 24th overall is more than enough for Jerry Jones to strike a deal with someone, and I believe they need to. It is evident the offense was rolling for much of the year with Dak and star wideout Ceedee Lamb being largely responsible for that. Then it seems like Dallas reached a point in the year they weren’t connecting as often and everything went stale. Trade the 24th overall and some future picks to get in the high teens and grab a guy like Rome Odunze out of Washington and see if that changes anything. The cowboys already filled a defensive hole in the roster with Mazi Smith last year, so if there is any year to get aggressive and grab a potential star, it is this one.

5. Houston Texans

What a turnaround last season was for this franchise. 10-7 and an AFC South Championship for the first time since 2019 when they had QB Deshaun Watson. With that being said, this franchise is gunning for it this year and could go all out to fill some needs they have. Right now corner is the biggest concern which there are some guys there at 23 (CLE Pick) but the one I’m targeting is Kool-Aid Mc Kinstry (Alabama) this would be a huge get for the texans and very possible even at 23.

One team they most likely will have to jump is the Eagles who also have a hole at corner. Speculation has arisen about maybe trading 23 straight up to get an established star like Lattimore or a big name WR. The Texans front office has a serious chance to be a contender every year if they play this draft right, the question is: will they?

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