INDIANAPOLIS — Now that the 2024 scouting combine is in the proverbial barn, those NFL personnel people who are still here (not to mention those who didn’t even come in the first place) will both confirm their priors about all the draft prospects in Indy, and take the new information they’ve gleaned to redefine their boards to whatever degree.
There’s also time and room here to discuss impending free agents with the new league year just 10 days away…
…NOT THAT ANY NFL TEAMS IN THE FINE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS ARE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL TAMPERING BECAUSE THAT NEVER HAPPENS…
…in an entirely hypothetical sense, of course.
The point is, a lot of things change after this week, and all boards and mocks should reflect that in some form or fashion. In this post-combine mock, we have some stuff based on things we’ve heard, and stuff we’re just spitballing because it would be cool if it happened.
- The Commanders trade with the Bears for Justin Fields, and decide in the shocker of the draft to take LSU receiver Malik Nabers over Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. as the first receiver. Harrison goes to the Cardinals with the fourth overall pick, and with the Bears taking Brian Thomas Jr. ninth overall, that’s quite a day for LSU!
- The Raiders move up with the Patriots and take LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the third overall pick. The Patriots still get their next franchise quarterback a bit later with Michael Penix Jr.
- With Fields in the nation’s capital, the Broncos trade for Sam Howell, and go EDGE with their 12th overall pick after designating Russell Wilson as a post-June 1 cut to manage his massive dead cap hit.
- Yes, Texas’ Xavier Worthy broke the combine scouting record with a 4.21 40-yard dash, and yes, it shows up on tape, but focus drops are a problem, so I don’t think this elevates him as much as people may think — especially in a receiver class that is absolutely prosperously deep.
With all that out of the way, here’s my two-round post-combine mock draft, published just in time to head to the airport.