HQ Spotlight: Caleb Williams NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Mock Trade from: CHI

Who knows what fate awaits Bill Belichick, but what seems much more certain is that the 2024 Patriots starting quarterback currently isn't on the roster. If the organization has two (or three) quarterbacks graded in a similar range, it could remain at No. 2. That said, if New England thinks Caleb Williams is special -- and a head above the other passers in this class -- then trading up could be on the table.

Mock Trade from: NE

The Giants are on the hook for at least one more year with Daniel Jones, who tore his ACL and is done for the season. But even if they bring him back in 2024, Drake Maye should be the heir apparent.

Kyler Murray has looked sharp since returning from his ACL injury and it's tough to envision any of the rookie QBs in this class coming into Arizona and performing better in Year 1. And while losing out on Marvin Harrison Jr. stings, solidifying the offensive line (last year, the team took RT Paris Johnson Jr. in Round 1), rolling with Murray and building on Jonathan Gannon's first season all feel like steps in the right direction.

I know that Sam Howell is the Commanders QB and that he's had a solid Year 2 while showing signs of real growth. But there's also a pretty good chance new ownership is looking for a new coach, and often new coaches like to have "their" quarterback too. No player improved more this fall than Daniels, whose game reminds me a lot of Lamar Jackson.

Yes, LT Joe Alt is still on the board but the Bears are happy with their young offensive tackles, and instead, they continue to rebuild the defense. Montez Sweat was acquired during the trade deadline and he's bookended by Dallas Turner. Last month, Will Anderson Jr. told me on the With the First Pick Podcast that Turner, his former Alabama teammate, has a better understanding of the game at this point in his college career than Anderson did.

Here's how I like to describe Maye: his NFL comp is on a spectrum, where Trevor Lawrence is best case and Daniel Jones is, well, something less than that. For the Giants -- or whoever drafts him -- they have to figure out how to set him up for success because he has a chance to be special. He just can't do it alone (see his '23 season).

Best-case scenario for the Jets, assuming they're not in the market for a quarterback. Alt is coming off an impressive season in which he answered any questions about whether he can play left tackle in the league (because he can).

Latham had a dominant '23 for the Crimson Tide and while he's only played right tackle the last two years in college, in Tennessee he helps rebuild an offense line that has done Will Levis few favors this season.

The Saints may give serious consideration to life after Derek Carr this offseason, but his contract could complicate things. Instead, I have them bolstering their wide receiver room with Nabers, who had a breakout campaign for the Tigers this fall.

Tampa Bay is another team that could be in the QB market since Baker Mayfield is on a one-year deal, but assuming Mayfield re-signs, adding wide receiver depth will be a priority. And there are a handful of players who will be in the WR2 conversation, including Odunze.

HQ Spotlight: Michael Penix Jr. NFL Draft Prospect Preview

This WR class is insanely deep, so Nabers lasting until the No. 12 pick feels like stealing.

The Chargers hate to pass on Brock Bowers here but they absolutely have to improve the defense. Yes, Tuli Tuipulotu has had a great rookie season, but Joey Bosa is out with a foot injury and Khalil Mack, whose contract expires in 2025, will be 35 next year.

Odunze has had a breakout season for the Huskies, and the Broncos need to add some juice to the WR room.

The Michigan State transfer hit the ground running in Tallahassee, and his combination of size, speed and catch radius -- not to mention return ability -- has firmly put him in the running for WR2 in a deep receiver class.

The biggest issues facing Latu will be if he's cleared medically after a neck injury sidelined his career a few years ago. Because on the field, he has been unstoppable this season.

No player has done more for his draft stock than Jayden Daniels; we all knew he could run, but he's shown continued improvement as a passer and has a legit case to be QB3 in this class.

Newton played on an Illini defense last season that included No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon and Day 2 selections Quan Martin and Sydney Brown. The defensive lineman will be the next in line to hear his name called early in the draft.

Egbuka's numbers are down this season, in part because of injury and in part because that's what happens when C.J. Stroud leaves for the NFL.

You will not find a player with a higher motor, and when you couple that with Tuimoloau's twitch, speed and power, he's going to be a problem at the next level for NFL offensive tackles.

The biggest issues facing Latu will be if he's cleared medically after a neck injury sidelined his career a few years ago. On the field, he has been unstoppable all season.

Newton played on an Illini defense last season that included No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon, and Day 2 selections Quan Martin and Sydney Brown. The defensive linemen will be the next in line to hear his name called early in the draft.

Lassiter feels like a Dan Quinn cornerback -- he's long and he's physical, both in coverage and in run support. The ball production isn't there yet, but that'll come.

Alabama thinks Kool-Aid has legit NFL cover skills -- the only question will be his deep speed, and that would be the only reason he'd still be available here. Otherwise, there's a lot to love about his game. Added bonus: he can be an asset in the return game, too.

The Texans traded up for Will Anderson Jr. in the spring and he's been as advertised. This time, they stay put and land another edge rusher in Chop Robinson, who is as active a pass rusher as you'll find in college football.

Donovan Smith's contract expires after the season and while Paul is raw, his athleticism will put him firmly in the first-round conversation.

Trice is a proven commodity who has come on as of late; he's a high-motor player who needs to expand his pass-rush arsenal, but he's a designated pass rusher from Day 1.

Lassiter feels like a Dan Quinn cornerback -- he's long and he's physical, both in coverage and in run support. The ball production isn't there yet but that'll come.

Trice only had five sacks this season but he led FBS pass rushers in pressuring the quarterback. He's active off the edge and would be a nice bookend to Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit.

Suamataia played out of position at right tackle in 2022 and played every snap at left tackle this season. NFL teams love his size and potential.

NFL teams are intrigued by Isaac, who has the length, juice and production that translates to the next level. He has 14.5 career sacks at Penn State, including 7.5 in 2023.

Barton has played only left tackle his last three seasons at Duke, and he was the anchor of that unit, but his NFL future will be inside, either at guard or center.

Mitchell, a Georgia transfer, is another in a long line of big, physical, fast, twitched-up WRs in this draft class. He plays mostly outside, but did work in the the slot more this season, and the thought of a WR room of A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and Mitchell is fun to think about unless you're one of the other three teams in the NFC East.

After the Fields trade, the Bears have their sights set on the quarterback market in the draft and land on Maye, a polished, multiple-year starter with mobility and a strong arm.

The Cardinals get Murray a serious No. 1 on the perimeter with Harrison Jr.

HQ Spotlight: Caleb Williams NFL Draft Prospect Preview

This is about as good as the Patriots could've hoped for the draft to fall. Williams has franchise-quarterback capabilities.

Latu is the most NFL-ready rusher in the class. Strong, bendy, explosive. Perfect addition to the Bears defensive front.

Fashanu has All-Pro tackle upside and building the offensive line is imperative entering Sam Howell's second full season as Washington's starter.

Daniels is my pick for largest riser during the pre-draft process. Big recruit, super athletic, strong arm, two big seasons in the SEC. Yeah, it checks out.

Robinson is a special athlete at a premium position, and the Buccaneers need to get younger at that spot.

Alt may not have All-Pro upside but he's pro-ready which is exactly what the Jets should be looking for at tackle entering 2024.

It feels like Newton is going to test through the roof at the combine, and he's quite easily the best interior pass rusher in the class.

Nabers is an explosive three-level weapon, which is precisely what this Titans offense needs.

McKinstry is the exact cornerback the Raiders need in the secondary. Physical, alpha mentality on the perimeter.

The Saints are desperately in need of more electricity on offense. And Bowers would bring that at the tight end position.

Fuaga is a massive human being who moves other human beings with amazing ease. He feels like a future Packer.

Wiggins is another explosive, playmaking cornerback from Clemson. The Rams have to add more athleticism to the secondary.

The Bengals get the top big-bodied wideout in the class after Harrison Jr.

Kinchens is the premier three-down safety, and he's an athletic specimen to be selected this high. Buffalo will be in the safety market early in the draft.

After getting a top-tier offensive playmaker in Harrison Jr., the Cardinals get a dynamic, powerful, flexible edge rusher in Verse.

Latham will be one of the cleanest blocking prospects in the class, and the Broncos could use more reinforcement up front.

DeJean is a big play waiting to happen in the secondary, and the Falcons need more of that at cornerback.

HQ Spotlight: Bo Nix NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Nix's athleticism would be accentuated by Kevin O'Connell's boot-action system.

The Colts get an advanced and explosive edge rusher to help anchor the defensive front.

Barton would bring polish and grittiness up front in Seattle.

It's a Penn State reunion in the Steelers secondary. Joey Porter Jr. and King usher in a new, lockdown era at cornerback in Pittsburgh.

Trice is an ultra-refined pass-rush move karate master with his hands who'd generate a fun pairing with Will Anderson on the edge in Houston.

Morgan is a sizable, athletic pass-pro specialist who could be worked seamlessly into Miami's offense.

Taylor is too naturally talented for the Cowboys to pass on him here. Would be a fun addition inside defensively for Dallas.

Nubin is a do-everything safety prospect who has pieced together another fine season at Minnesota.

Egbuka would add more advanced wideout talent to the Jacksonville offense.

Legette is the gritty YAC monster the Chiefs would love in their offense.

Mims is a Project Y-type tackle prospect with the length and athleticism Kyle Shanahan will like for the future of a vital position.

Tuimoloau is the sizable defensive end the Ravens typically gravitate toward in the draft.

Elliss is an emerging edge rusher in this class and the Eagles will want to continue to prepare for the future at that position.

HQ Spotlight: Caleb Williams NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Justin Fields is expected to return to the field this week, but is it too little, too late? Chicago will have a chance to take a quarterback No. 1 overall and it may be too much to pass up a second consecutive year.

There was doubt about Daniel Jones ' viability as a long-term starter when he signed his extension. Following his ACL injury, there is no less concern. New York will have to eat a grandiose amount of dead salary cap but it is a small price to pay if Drake Maye ends up being the quarterback many expect he could be.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best talent available in the 2024 NFL Draft, but does that matter if he is catching passes from Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe? The Patriots have to be hopeful that they find themselves in a position to draft one of the two top quarterback prospects.

When a new homeowner moves in, they often have a different vision of how to decorate the space. Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort are the new homeowners and they could move on from D.J. Humphries and save money toward the salary cap while likely upgrading at the position.

Chicago traded for and signed Montez Sweat to a lucrative contract extension but Yannick Ngakoue has given them nothing. The addition of Dallas Turner allows them to have a potentially dynamic duo.

The David Bakhtiari experience may be over in Green Bay but there is a tantalizing off-ramp with the addition of Joe Alt.

Los Angeles' offensive tackles have had two of the highest beaten rates in the NFL this season, according to TruMedia. JC Latham allows them to upgrade on one side of the line.

Brock Bowers is the lone remaining blue-chip talent. If Will Levis is the future then they need to surround him with the skill talent that may give him a chance to succeed.