49ers fill their biggest need in this 1st-round mock NFL Draft
. Offensive Tackle . Joe Alt. 7. 35. . Joe Alt. player. 7. Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans need more protection for young quarterback Will Levis. Joe Alt is the top tackle prospect in what is a very deep class for the possession.
Alt is a prototypical left tackle, possessing the right size at 6-foot-9 and 321 pounds. Converted from tight end, the progress Alt has made as a tackle has been evident every year he's been on the field for Notre Dame. He possesses an excellent blend of power and speed, rarely getting beaten by either speed or power pass-rushers.
Alt has excellent technique as well. He uses his length to intiate first contact with defenders and push them around, and his lateral mobility is staggering for someone his size, and he moves like someone much smaller than him.
Alt will be a Day 1 starter and a franchise left tackle for a decade or more in the NFL, and he's the perfect addition to help a potential franchise quarterback.
Dallas Turner. 44. EDGE. Dallas Turner. . player. . Alabama. 8. 8
This isn't a draft that's going to feature many defensive players in the top 10 or so picks, but the Atlanta Falcons simply need to improve their pass rush with their top two leaders in sacks (Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree) not returning to the team for 2024.
Dallas Turner is not an elite prospect, but he's a solid pick to be a good player for the NFL.
Turner recorded 53 tackles, 11 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for Alabama in 2023. A speed rusher who's scheme-versatile and measures in at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Turner isn't quite the finished product but packs a lot of potential.
Turner's athleticism is apparent but he needs to be taught more pass-rush moves as well as how to play more intelligently for the next level with his technique. New head coach Raheem Morris would have time to develop him, as the team will be looking for the defense to step up as the team looks to make a run for the division in 2024.
Turner will also need to be a better run defender for the next level, but that's more a matter of coaching than desire on his part. With his physical skills, he should be capable of 10-plus sacks a year with his athletic potential.
9. Rome Odunze. player. . Rome Odunze. Washington. 57. . Wide Receiver. 9
I see this as a premium trade-down spot for the Chicago Bears. Chicago could fleece a team looking for a quarterback again, given there's no defensive linemen worth a top-10 pick with Turner off the board.
No trades here, though, so the Bears could instead get a potent receiver trio going for their rookie quarterback.
The Bears have done excellently to provide Caleb Williams with weapons when he comes as the No. 1 pick, and part of that was the cheap acquisition of Keenen Allen to pair with D.J. Moore. This wouldn't necessarily preclude them from Rome Odunze, however, the third in an elite receiving trio for this class.
Odunze had 87 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns for Washington this season. While he hasn't quite had the same fanfare as Harrison or Nabers, he's a worthy top 10 pick in this draft with his dazzling speed and his route running.
A good size at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Odunze would shine with such talented teammates next to him taking the attention, should Chicago decide to go this route.