SANTA CLARA — Compiling a mock draft remains a studious yet silly endeavor. I may never again repeat my 2018 success, when I nailed seven of nine picks to open that year’s NFL Draft, including the 49ers’ choice of Mike McGlinchey. Here’s to this year’s boom-or-bust selections:
1. Chicago Bears
QB Caleb Williams, USC
This is a way better team than Justin Fields inherited as a 2021 first-round pick. Other No. 1 overall picks from USC were Ron Yary (1968), O.J. Simpson (1969), Ricky Bell (1977), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), Carson Palmer (2003).
2. Washington Commanders
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Adam Peters, fresh off the 49ers’ farm, picks a multi-dimensional franchise quarterback for Dan Quinn’s head-coaching encore (and Kliff Kingsbury at offensive coordinator).
3. New England Patriots
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Mitchell Trubisky (2017 first round, Bears) nor Sam Howell (2022 fifth round, Commanders) offer inspiration as North Carolina quarterbacks in the NFL. Did you know the 49ers drafted one, in the 17th round in 1967 (Danny Talbott)?
4. Arizona Cardinals
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Cardinals should trade down to a quarterback-needy team, but, for this exercise, Harrison is the new target for Kyler Murray (or bust).
5. Los Angeles Chargers
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Jim Harbaugh must coach up a new receiver for Justin Herbert after trading away Keenan Allen.
6. New York Giants
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Daniel Jones might not be long for the Giants’ quarterback job, but they need more offensive weapons regardless.
7. Tennessee Titans
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
The Napa product gets his wish and can start his NFL career in Nashville.
8. Atlanta Falcons
DE Dallas Turner, Alabama
New coach Raheem Morris better tell his new pass rusher not to hit Kirk Cousins in practice.
9. Chicago Bears
DE Jared Verse, Florida State
Adding a pass rusher and a quarterback with two picks in the top 10? Smart way to do business.
10. New York Jets
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The draft’s best offensive lineman is snatched up to protect Aaron Rodgers’ repaired Achilles.
11. Minnesota Vikings
DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Sacramento native was UCLA’s first-ever winner of the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award.
12. Denver Broncos
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Other quarterbacks Denver took in the first round: Tommy Maddox (1992), Jay Cutler (2006), Tim Tebow (2010), Paxton Lynch (2016)
13. Las Vegas Raiders
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
QB is the No. 1 need, though they could pick the first cornerback, or honor Al Davis by reaching for 4.2 speedster Xavier Worthy.
14. New Orleans Saints
DT Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois
Most envision an upgraded tackle to protect Derek Carr, but the Saints really need D-line help.
15. Indianapolis Colts
OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Anthony Richardson needs a new bodyguard, otherwise 39-year-old Joe Flacco must play QB.
16. Seattle Seahawks
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
They shop local to beef up their O-line, even if they need to McCaffrey-proof their defense.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
As he did a decade ago with Jimmie Ward, GM Trent Baalke hits the MAC for a defensive back.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
OT JC Latham, Alabama
This 6-foot-6, 342-pounder can learn in the shadow of former 49ers tackle Trent Brown (6-8, 370).
19. Los Angeles Rams
OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Job description: Go block Nick Bosa’s path to Matthew Stafford (or Jimmy Garoppolo).
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
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WR Brian Thomas, LSU
Brandon Aiyuk stays with the 49ers, so it’s Thomas over Adonai Mitchell (both born Oct. 8, 2002).
21. Miami Dolphins
DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Christian Wilkins’ exit to the Raiders created a vacancy for Murphy to fill in Miami.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Eagles’ defense could have used him to thwart Brock Purdy and the 49ers last December.
23. Minnesota Vikings
CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
The Vikings’ defense can use him to practice against ex-49ers backup QB Sam Darnold.
24. Dallas Cowboys
OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Will Bill Belichick be coaching Dak Prescott and this right tackle by November?
25. Green Bay Packers
OT Tyler Gutyon, Oklahoma
Left tackle David Bakhtiari’s release keeps the Packers’ line revolving to protect Jordan Love.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
C/G Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Former Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen retired in February, so Baker Mayfield gets a new snapper.
27. Arizona Cardinals
CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Just go best-player-available with every Cardinals pick as they try to catch up in the NFC West.
28. Buffalo Bills
WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
With temperamental target Stefon Diggs off to Houston, Josh Allen gets a new receiver to target.
29. Detroit Lions
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Pro tip: Don’t let a deep pass ricochet off your facemask and into Aiyuk’s comeback-keying hands.
30. Baltimore Ravens
G Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Blocking for Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson could make Morgan look like a rookie steal.
31. 49ers
DE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Presuming they don’t trade up for an offensive tackle, their revamped D-line adds Robinson’s edge-rushing get-off rather than Darius Robinson’s versatility.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
The fastest man in NFL Combine history (4.22-second 40-yard dash) can chase what Patrick Mahomes throws.