Chargers say they drafted ‘a weapon’ in huge Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt
The Chargers’ expressed desire to become a more physical, bullish team continued Thursday when they used the No. 5 pick in the draft on offensive tackle Joe Alt.
General manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh touted Alt’s size — he’s listed at 6 feet 9 and 321 pounds by the NFL — and athletic ability, Hortiz calling it “elite” and Harbaugh “extreme.”
Alt also just turned 21 at the end of February, and the Chargers believe that they’ve added a player who still is developing in ways both measurable and significant.
“You’re talking about a guy who’s still growing and maturing,” Hortiz said. “The upside with him is tremendous.”
Rams’ top pick, Florida State’s Jared Verse, got pre-draft advice from Aaron Donald
A few years ago, before he transferred to Florida State, Jared Verse was making his way as a defensive lineman for Albany when his coach set up a Zoom meeting with Rams star Aaron Donald.
“The biggest thing I took away from the questions I asked him,” Verse said, “was he said, ‘You don’t need a huge arsenal of moves. If you have a couple good moves and execute them to the highest level of your ability you will destroy everyone.’
“And just aggression beats everything.”
On Thursday night, Verse showed his hard work paid off.
The Rams selected him with the No. 19 pick in the NFL draft.
Verse is the first player selected by the Rams in the first round since general manager Les Snead traded up a record 14 spots to choose Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in 2016.
Carolina Panthers select receiver Xavier Legette with No. 32 pick
No. 32 Carolina Panthers — WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina): Spencer Rattler’s favorite target, Legette was only a part-time starter heading into last season before exploding onto the scene.
The Panthers moved up to the final pick of the first round in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Carolina sent its 33rd and 141st picks to Buffalo for No. 32 and No. 200.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Panthers were woefully insufficient at receiver last season. They need to get quarterback Bryce Young some help ASAP.
San Francisco 49ers select receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31
No. 31 San Francisco 49ers — WR Ricky Pearsall (Florida): Coming off a strong season with the Gators, Pearsall has great hands and a reputation for running clean routes and expanding the drop zone on passes.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: With the future of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk not entirely clear, the 49ers wanted to stock up on targets for Brock Purdy. Pearsall played at Arizona State before transferring to Florida. Fast and a strong route runner who can also play special teams.
Baltimore Ravens draft Nate Wiggins at No. 30
No. 30 Baltimore Ravens — CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson): Two-year starter who was All-ACC in both of those seasons. Picked off fellow prospect Drake Maye twice.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Long, athletic corner who fits that Ravens defensive mentality. Scorching speed, and someone who can help on special teams too.
Dallas Cowboys select Tyler Guyton at No. 29
No. 29 Dallas Cowboys — OT Tyler Guyton: Transferred to Oklahoma from Texas Christian and didn’t become a full-time starter at right tackle until last season.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Massive player. The Cowboys need help at multiple spots on the offensive line. Guyton should be able to step in at right tackle.
Kansas City Chiefs trade up to take receiver Xavier Worthy
No. 28 Kansas City Chiefs — WR Xavier Worthy (Texas): Although he’s got a slight frame, Worthy has spectacular speed. He set the combine record in the 40-yard dash at 4.21 seconds.
The Chiefs traded up from No. 32 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs received the No. 28, No. 133 and No. 248 picks in this year’s draft in exchange for the No. 32, No. 95 and No. 221 picks.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Chiefs needed help for Patrick Mahomes for most of last season, even though they wound up winning the Super Bowl.
Arizona Cardinals draft Missouri’s Darius Robinson at No. 27
No. 27 Arizona Cardinals — DE Darius Robinson (Missouri): Came on strong at the end of his college career and had 7½ sacks last season, very difficult to do from the defensive tackle position.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Cardinals failed to generate a consistent pass rush from their young group last season. Robinson will help the Cardinals turn up the heat on QBs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Graham Barton at No. 26
No. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C Graham Barton (Duke): Started at left tackle for three seasons. A versatile athlete who was a standout lacrosse player in high school.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Buccaneers have yet to find a sufficient replacement for Ryan Jensen, and center Robert Hainsley was only decent last season. Barton is solid.
Green Bay Packers pick Jordan Morgan to bolster O-line
No. 25 Green Bay Packers — OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona: An athletic tackle capable of redirecting pass rushers is a potential replacement for David Bakhtiari.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The versatile Morgan might be more of a guard, but the Packers need help at tackle.
Detroit Lions trade up to draft Terrion Arnold at No. 24
No. 24 Detroit Lions — CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama): Converted safety was an All-American corner last season. Had five interceptions and 12 passes defensed in 2023.
The Lions moved up to No. 24 from No. 29 in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to the 24th pick, the Lions also received a 2025 seventh-round selection in exchange for the 29th overall pick and a third-round pick (73rd) in this year’s draft.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Lions were lacking an alpha corner. Their coverage was spotty last season. They must love Arnold to trade up to get him.
Jacksonville Jaguars take Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23
No. 23 Jacksonville Jaguars — WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU): The 6-foot-4 Thomas is a huge target who turned down multiple offers to play college basketball.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Trevor Lawrence has a big new weapon with 4.33 speed. He led the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns last season.
Philadelphia Eagles take cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22
No. 22 Philadelphia Eagles — CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo): Holds the school record with 46 career pass breakups — 25 of which came in 2022. Dominated the competition in the MAC.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: First corner to come off the board. Eagles struggled with James Bradberry and Darius Slay last season, and Avonte Maddox missed 13 games.
Penn State’s Chop Robinson goes to Miami Dolphins at No. 21
No. 21 Miami Dolphins — DE Chop Robinson (Penn State): Although he has average size, the 254-pound Robinson has uncanny instincts and an ability to get off the line the instant the ball is snapped.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Dolphins lost a ton of defensive talent and, because of injuries, need to beef up their pass rush. Robinson is a relentless rusher.
Pittsburgh Steelers draft Troy Fautanu at No. 20
No. 20 Pittsburgh Steelers — OT Troy Fautanu (Washington): A two-year starter who was compact but highly effective on Washington’s offensive line.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Can play tackle or guard. The Steelers are focused on becoming a power-running team again, and the 320-pound Fautanu is a bulldozing blocker.
Rams draft Florida State defensive end Jared Verse at No. 19
No. 19 Rams — DE Jared Verse (Florida State): Began his career at University of Albany, where he ranked third in his conference in sacks. Immediate starter when he transferred to Florida State.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Aaron Donald is gone in the middle, but the Rams just got a lot better coming off the edge. He and Byron Young figure to do some damage.
Cincinnati Bengals take Georgia’s Amarius Mims at No. 18
No. 18 Cincinnati Bengals — OT Amarius Mims (Georgia): He was a reserve tackle who didn’t become a starter until the 2022 playoffs. He missed most of that season with an ankle injury.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Ever since their Super Bowl loss to the Rams, the Bengals have focused on building a massive offensive line. The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Mims fits that mold.
Vikings trade up to No. 17 to get Dallas Turner
No. 17 Minnesota Vikings — OLB Dallas Turner (Alabama): Career-wise, Turner started and finished strong. He was a Freshman All-American and last season had 10 sacks and was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
The Vikings traded up to No. 17 in a deal with the Jaguars. Jacksonville received Minnesota’s 23rd overall pick, a fifth-round pick (167th) in this year’s draft, and a third- and fourth-rounder in 2025.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Vikings lost Danielle Hunter, so they need speed off the edge. Brian Flores has a new weapon, and the Vikings traded up to get him.
Seattle Seahawks select Byron Murphy II at No. 16
No. 16 Seattle Seahawks — DT Byron Murphy II (Texas): Had a breakout year as a full-time starter last season, emerging as a standout in a defensive line room loaded with pro-level talent.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Seahawks need to stop the run, and defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald didn’t want to wait to get a quick double-team splitter.
Colts makes UCLA’s Laiatu Latu the first defensive player selected
No. 15 Indianapolis Colts — DE Laiatu Latu (UCLA): Career at Washington derailed by a neck injury. Transferred to UCLA and was cleared to play before the 2022 season. Had 23 ½ sacks since joining the Bruins.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Overcame a neck injury that similar to Peyton Manning’s. Latu is the first defensive player to come off the board. Colts had 51 sacks last year, not bad.
Laiatu Latu has come a long way in his college football career, medically retiring at one point before becoming a projected first-round NFL draft pick.
New Orleans Saints pick Taliese Fuaga at No. 14
No. 14 New Orleans Saints — OT Taliese Fuaga (OT): Some scouts project Fuaga as more of a guard than a tackle, but he has the height and weight (6-6, 335) to play right tackle in the NFL.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Saints had all sorts of problems at tackle last season. They need a blindside protector for Derek Carr. Also, there are concerns at right tackle.
Raiders select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13
No. 13 Las Vegas Raiders — TE Brock Bowers (Georgia): First player to win consecutive Mackey Awards as the nation’s top tight end. Lined up everywhere for the Bulldogs, including at running back.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Raiders have a rich history of great tight ends, and Bowers could be the next one. Rookie Michael Mayer did a solid job for them last year.
Oregon QB Bo Nix drafted by Denver Broncos at No. 12
No. 12 Denver Broncos — QB Bo Nix (Oregon): Nix, who began his college career at Auburn, completed 77% of his passes last season and threw for 45 touchdowns.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The brief Russell Wilson era was a disaster. Now, Sean Payton moves on to a quarterback who started more than 60 games between his time at Auburn and Oregon.
Jets select Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu at No. 11
No. 11 New York Jets — OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State): A team captain last season who did not allow a sack in 365 pass-blocking snaps.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Jets had 13 different offensive line combinations last season. They need to provide maximum protection for Aaron Rodgers.
Vikings trade up to draft Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 10
No. 10 Minnesota Vikings — QB J.J. McCarthy (Michigan): Jim Harbaugh called this two-year starter for Michigan the best quarterback in the draft. Completed 72.3% of his passes last season.
The Vikings traded up to No. 10 in a deal with the Jets. Minnesota received the 10th overall and a sixth-round pick (203rd) in this year’s draft in exchange for the 11th pick, a fourth-round pick (129th) and a fifth-rounder (157th) in this year’s draft.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Vikings are pretty well set up at the important positions, but they needed a QB — Jim Harbaugh’s favorite — to pull it together.
Rome Odunze selected at No. 9 by the Chicago Bears
No. 9 Chicago Bears — WR Rome Odunze (Washington): Set a school record and led the nation last season with 1,640 yards receiving. Surpassed 100 yards in catches in 10 games.
Sam Farmer analysis: Exciting times in Chicago. New QB, and now a brand new receiver for the Bears. Odunze can learn the ropes from Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore.
Atlanta Falcons draft QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8
No. 8 Atlanta Falcons — QB Michael Penix Jr., (Washington): He will be a 24-year-old rookie and has endured his share of injuries. Runner-up in Heisman voting last fall behind Jayden Daniels.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: A big head-scratcher — in the wake of signing Kirk Cousins, the Falcons go back to the quarterback well. Still have a pressing need for a pass rusher.
J.C. Latham selected at No. 7 by Tennessee Titans
No. 7 Tennessee Titans — OT J.C. Latham (Alabama): A right tackle, he added 30 pounds in his final season to bulk up to 360 pounds.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Titans surrendered 64 sacks last season and were especially horrible at left tackle. They’ve got to give second-year QB Will Levis more time.
Giants draft LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6
No. 6 New York Giants — WR Malik Nabers (LSU): In three seasons he became LSU’s all-time leader in receptions (189) and yards receiving (3,003). That from a school that produced Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Odell Beckham Jr. among many others.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Giants are sticking with Daniel Jones at QB, but they need help at receiver too. They took a long look at Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.
Chargers select offensive tackle Joe Alt with No. 5 pick
No. 5 Chargers — OT Joe Alt (Notre Dame): Three-year starter at left tackle for Fighting Irish. His dad, John, was a Pro Bowl tackle for Kansas City.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Chargers need to protect their franchise, Justin Herbert. Alt played left tackle in college but can move to the right side opposite Rashawn Slater.
Arizona Cardinals select Marvin Harrison Jr. with No. 4 pick
No. 4 Arizona Cardinals — WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) — The son of a Hall of Famer, the younger Harrison caught 28 touchdown passes in his past 25 games.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Twenty years after drafting Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals see the same type of superstar.
Drake Maye selected No. 3 by the New England Patriots
No. 3 New England Patriots — QB Drake Maye (North Carolina): Maye’s numbers dropped off a bit last season, but he finished his career with 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions – with nine of those picks coming last fall.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The Patriots could have traded this pick to the Vikings or Giants, but they wanted to launch the Jerod Mayo coaching era with a premier prospect.
Jayden Daniels selected No. 2 by the Washington Commanders
No. 2 Washington Commanders — QB Jayden Daniels (LSU): Won the Heisman last season. Has been compared to Lamar Jackson. Ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: The way the Commanders see it, Daniels gives Washington the same type of dual-threat weapon that the neighboring Ravens enjoy in Lamar Jackson.
Caleb Williams selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears
No. 1 Chicago Bears — QB Caleb Williams, USC: The Heisman Trophy winner in 2022. Last season, he led the Trojans with 11 rushing touchdowns. Never had more than five interceptions in each of his three seasons.
Sam Farmer’s analysis: Williams joins Carson Palmer (2003) as the only USC quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall. First time since 1947 the Bears have had the top pick.
The Bears have tried and failed to secure a franchise quarterback for years, and Chicago wonders whether Caleb Williams or J.J. McCarthy is the right choice.
Detroit is embracing the 2024 NFL draft
After witnessing the Lions pull off their best season in decades, it appears Detroit is fully embracing its role as NFL draft host.
Thousands of people have gathered at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit to experience the draft first-hand, and there’s plenty of Honolulu Blue in the crowd.
Even if Chargers trade No. 5 pick, Justin Herbert is sure to receive help in deep draft
Through his first four seasons, he has thrown for 17,223 yards, the most to begin an NFL career.
Justin Herbert’s aerial antics have become quite familiar. The circumstances around the Chargers, however, have turned rather foreign.
Nearly 85% of Herbert’s yards to date have gone to players no longer on the roster, a biting reality to consider as the team prepares for the 2024 draft.
Gone from last season are wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett.
In free agency, the Chargers beefed up their backfield and signed one of the league’s top blocking tight ends as new coach Jim Harbaugh put into motion his promise to make the team more physical.
Sam Farmer’s final 2024 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks 1-2-3 after big trade?
DETROIT — This will be the first NFL draft held in the Motor City.
Fittingly, the first few teams will be looking for offensive engines.
Quarterbacks were selected No. 1 overall in seven of the last 10 drafts, and that figures to be the case again Thursday with the Chicago Bears likely to take former USC standout Caleb Williams.
And as was the case in 2021, quarterbacks could go 1-2-3.
This mock draft contemplates a trade near the top, with conjecture that the New England Patriots could swap the No. 3 pick for Minnesota’s two first-round selections at 11 and 23. Both teams are in the market for quarterbacks, so it’s perfectly reasonable that the Patriots might stay put.
Rams know they need to find pass rushers in draft
The choice, at least in terms of need, is obvious.
Even before future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald announced his retirement, the Rams required additional pass rushers.
Tackle Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young showed great promise last season as rookies. To contend for a Super Bowl, however, the Rams almost certainly require more elite players to pressure quarterbacks.
So with the Rams holding the No. 19 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday, will general manager Les Snead select a defensive lineman that can play immediately?
“It would definitely be a net positive for the Rams,” Snead said.
NFL reporters’ mock draft: 32 team reporters make their first-round picks
Here’s how reporters from across the country see how the first round of the 2024 NFL draft will unfold:
1. Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams (QB) | USC
“It’s a shot to get a franchise quarterback, a player that changes the trajectory of a team that has gone nearly 20 seasons without consecutive winning seasons.” (Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune)
2. Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels (QB) | Louisiana State
“The Commanders have cycled through 22 starting quarterbacks over the last two decades and only two of those have started full consecutive seasons. With new GM Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn now pulling the strings, Washington hopes Daniels can finally bring some stability — and wins. His accuracy, knack for big plays and dangerous running ability give Washington a dual threat and natural playmaker at the position, maybe, a star for not just this year, but years to come.” (Nicki Jhabvala, Washington Post)
3. New England Patriots — Drake Maye (QB) | North Carolina
“Maye has the size, arm strength and athleticism needed to play in the inclement weather of Foxborough. He has some areas to fix, and it may be tempting to trade down with the Bears or Vikings, but the Pats need a franchise QB, no need to overthink it.” (Ben Volin, Boston Globe)
Quarterback-starved Chicago wondering if Caleb Williams is (finally) the right answer
DETROIT — In keeping with tradition, the top prospects in the NFL draft participated in a youth football event Wednesday and then met on the field with the media.
Twelve of those future pros wore NFL-issued gray sweats.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the likely No. 1 overall pick who marches to his own drumbeat, broke ranks and wore blue.
“This one actually has a little more fur on the inside,” Williams said, turning his neckline to show the inside of his sweatshirt. “You prepare for the moment.”
Good that he’s prepared for the cold. Williams almost certainly is heading for the Chicago Bears. And the chilly breeze on an overcast April day in Detroit is nothing compared to the historical headwinds of playing quarterback in Chicago — and the icy blowback if things don’t go as planned.