Mock Draft: If NFL teams could only select SWFL high school players, who would they pick?
It's NFL Mock Draft season.
It's that special time of year when fans, experts, and people who think they're experts try to guess what moves pro football franchises will make over the three-day draft to bolster their rosters.
So why not do one for the deep, local talent that Southwest Florida has to offer before the real thing takes place Thursday through Saturday in Detroit?
Instead of picking college players, let's delve into a fantasy world where NFL teams are limited to just taking high school players from our coverage area.
So what exactly are the rules? Since we're already breaking the NFL Draft eligibility requirements, there won't be many.
High school freshmen will be eligible for this draft.
Teams own the picks they currently have heading into the draft. No mock trades. Sorry.
These selections are based on positional needs for each team and not the best available player. You'll notice that very quickly. Remember, this is not a ranking of the area's best players, but of the players that would fill an actual NFL team's need. Measurables and projection at the next level will come into play here.
Players are listed for the high school team they played for during the 2023 season and not where they are now or will play in 2024.
Here is the third annual NFL Mock Draft featuring only Southwest Florida locals:
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)
Carter Smith, QB, Bishop Verot
This pick is as about a sure thing as Caleb Williams going to Chicago when the real thing happens Thursday night. The Michigan commit balled out again for Bishop Verot in 2023, passing for 2,223 yards, rushing for 715 more, and posting 48 total touchdowns to lead the Vikings to an 11-2 finish. He'll take over for Justin Fields, who was sent to Pittsburgh earlier this year.
2. Washington Commanders
Niko Boyce, QB, Barron Collier
It's safe to assume the Sam Howell experiment was short-lived, as the Commanders go out and grab a dual-threat quarterback that has precision passing along with a physical, downhill running style. Boyce passed for 1,908 yards with 20 touchdowns, adding a team-leading 629 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns for a Barron team that thrived offensively with Boyce under center.
3. New England Patriots
Ethan Crossan, QB, First Baptist
Crossan is coming off a season in which he became Southwest Florida's single-season passing yardage record holder, taking the record from Carter Smith (2022). Crossan threw more than anyone locally, going 216 for 346 (62.4%) with 3,264 passing yards and 40 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. He added 7 touchdowns on the ground and is all but surely going to help New England, which sent Mac Jones to Jacksonville in the offseason.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Winston Watkins Jr., WR, First Baptist
The first wide receiver off the board goes into a spread offense that lacks a true No. 1 wideout after DeAndre Hopkins went to Tennessee. Watkins gives Arizona that stability they need, and a weapon for Kyler Murray to work with out wide. With First Baptist last season, Watkins caught 61 passes for 1,170 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 146.3 receiving yards per contest with the Lions.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Cole Cooke, OT, Riverdale
There's a big debate about whether the Chargers get receiving help or shore up the offensive line, and Los Angeles opts to go with the latter here. Cooke and his big, physical presence at 6-foot-9 will protect 6-foot-6 Justin Herbert and will be facing some talented edge rushers in the AFC West. With Riverdale, Cooke helped pave the way for a rushing attack that averaged 257.9 yards per game, including a 1,000-yard rusher in Cole Hayes (1,621 yards, 15 TDs).
6. New York Giants
Tawaski Abrams, WR, Dunbar
Abrams is a Deebo Samuel-esque playmaker, as his ability to both catch and run gives the Giants a key offensive asset following Saquon Barkley's departure to Philadelphia. With Dunbar, Abrams caught 37 passes for 622 yards with 6 touchdowns, adding 328 rushing yards and 6 more scores. If that output holds up in the NFL, the Giants might have something special in Abrams.
7. Tennessee Titans
TJ Hedrick, OT, Community School
The second lineman comes off the board here, as it makes sense for Tennessee to grab a lineman especially with Will Levis being the long-term answer in Nashville. At 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, Hedrick is poised to take the next step at left tackle with the Titans, especially after helping Community School to an 8-2 record in 2023.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Vanier Baptiste, EDGE, Dunbar
The Falcons go grab arguably Dunbar's best athlete on the defensive side, as Baptiste's physicality and quickness off the edge often result in problems for opposing offensive lines. His final season with the Tigers was productive, totaling 84 tackles (20 for loss), and an interception. He didn't get to the quarterback much with two sacks, but his 20 TFLs rank third on the defensive side. Expect him to fit right into a division that is not the most explosive offensively.
9. Chicago Bears
Jayden Petit, WR, First Baptist
The Bears go out and get a big, physical receiver for Carter Smith in Petit. The sophomore had an impressive campaign, posting 1,141 yards receiving on 66 receptions with 16 touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per catch. Petit was one of just two 1,000-yard receivers in the area, proving he can handle a high percentage of the target share when called on. With Smith, Petit, Keenan Allen, and DJ Moore all in the same offense, this Bears team might be able to call themselves NFC North champions by season's end.
10. New York Jets
Timmy Lawson, TE, Bishop Verot
There isn't a ton of ways for the Jets to go here, but they go out and grab Lawson, who is sure-handed, big, and physical. It'll give Aaron Rodgers another offensive piece to work with, as he often incorporated tight ends throughout his time in Green Bay. Lawson's last full season in 2022 saw him catch 32 passes for 469 yards with a touchdown, averaging 14.7 yards per reception.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Tanner Helton, QB, Evangelical Christian
The best available quarterback remaining is none other than Helton, who should mold right into what the Vikings are trying to do offensively. Helton owned a 66 percent completion percentage a season ago, throwing for 2,229 yards with 24 touchdowns against 5 interceptions, adding 297 rushing yards and a pair of scores. The 6-foot-5 signal caller can make the short, intermediate, and deep throws, something that'll bode well with Aaron Jones in the backfield, along with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson out wide.
12. Denver Broncos
Luke Walker, EDGE, Naples
The Broncos shore up the defensive side of the ball here, as Walker's ability to come off the edge or play linebacker is enticing to many teams. Walker's play resulted in 86 tackles, 16 for loss, 5 sacks, and 24 quarterback hurries for Naples, which went 10-2.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Woody Celucien, OT, Lely
Celucien helped Lely's rushing attack average 5.7 yards per carry for 10 games last season, something that the Raiders will like with Zamir White set to take the starting job following Josh Jacobs' departure to Green Bay. The junior saw Lely's ground game go for well north of 1,500 yards on the year under first-year coach Ben Hammer, and protecting Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew should be of priority for Las Vegas. Celucien transferred to Miami Central earlier this spring.
14. New Orleans Saints
Sam Kelley, OT, Naples
Another team that gets offensive line help is New Orleans, as Kelley is headed to the bayou. With Naples, Kelley helped produce a 2,000-yard rusher in Shawn Simeon, all while playing a big role at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. Kelley can play both inside at guard or outside at tackle, giving the Saints plenty of options with a deep group on the front already.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Kensley Faustin, DB, Naples
The most dynamic defensive back is the first off the board at 15, as the Colts get a bona-fide No. 1 that can play virtually any position in the secondary. He posted a five-interception season for the second straight year, adding 65 tackles (56 solo), and a fumble recovery. Jonathan Gannon's secondary takes a big leap with the addition of Faustin, who will slide right into a starting role immediately.
16. Seattle Seahawks
George Haseotes, OL, Community School
The first interior lineman to go off the board is the one with the most potential, as Haseotes should be able to start immediately with his high IQ. Haseotes was a strong interior lineman for the Seahawks this year, helping the program average 5.6 yards per carry with two running backs over 500 yards on the season. With the skill positions covered, Seattle strengthens their offense with a piece that will help them contend for an NFC West title alongside San Francisco.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Gadson, DB, Bishop Verot
It was only a matter of time before Gadson's name got called, as the defensive back is staying in state and headed to Jacksonville. Gadson proved time and again he's capable of locking down each team's No. 1 receiver, giving up under 150 yards receiving on the year. He posted 35 tackles, 5.5 for loss, adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Kendall Guervil, DL, Fort Myers
The interior defensive lineman for the Greenies was tough to guard, as he posted 49 tackles (8 for loss), 5.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries for Fort Myers. Cincinnati gets some youth up front, as Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill are 30 and 29 years old, respectively.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Micah Fils-Aime, EDGE, Golden Gate
Fils-Aime heads out west to Los Angeles, helping replace retired defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Fils-Aime finished with 90 tackles and 30 tackles for loss. In his sophomore season, Fils-Aime added a team-high 12 sacks along with two fumble recoveries to help the Golden Gate defense allow just under 16 points per game.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Fletcher, WR, Dunbar
This pick just feels like a fit from the beginning, as the Steelers sent Diontae Johnson to Carolina in the offseason. Fletcher's speed should be good for Justin Fields, as Fletcher led Dunbar with 762 yards receiving on 45 receptions with 12 touchdowns. The release on Fletcher is one of the better skillsets to his game, along with his ability to create in space and burn past defensive backs when asked.
21. Miami Dolphins
Jack Benaitis, OL, Bishop Verot
The offensive line kept coming up in the offseason for the Dolphins, who have to do something different to protect Tua Tagovailoa while creating a run game. Miami does that here, taking Benaitis. Verot's offense posted more than 200 rushing yards per game and produced 43 rushing touchdowns last season, something that'll work well with DeVon Achane entering his second season and Raheem Mostert entering his 10th season in the league.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Leroy Roker, DB, Bishop Verot
Arguably the freak athlete in this draft class, Roker heads to Philadelphia to join Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and James Bradberry in the secondary. Roker's 2023 season on the defensive side was historic, posting 7 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and adding 54 tackles. If the Eagles get the output and physicality out of Roker that he displayed at Verot, this Eagles defense could be a true No Fly Zone.
23. Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland via Houston)
Will Brockmeier, EDGE, Gulf Coast
Brockmeier passed the eye test with ease, as his length off the edge should be considered attractive for many teams. He finished with 72 tackles, 15 for loss, 9 sacks, 27 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles for Gulf Coast, and should slide right into Danielle Hunter's spot on the line.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Treaden Henry, OL, Community School
Henry to Dallas is a pick that makes almost too much sense. The Cowboys need help on the offensive line, and Rico Dowdle needs to be able to be productive. Henry gives Dallas both of those, having helped the CSN offense produce a pair of 500-yard rushers. The Cowboys could've gone running back here with Shawn Simeon, Trayvon Jean, Deshon Jenkins, or Sam Sparacio, but should be able to find at least one of them available in the second round.
25. Green Bay Packers
Logan Bartley, DB, First Baptist
Looking for someone who is versatile and can make plays, Bartley checks those boxes. Whether it be at nickel or at corner, the First Baptist defensive back finished with 101 tackles, a team-high 17.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt, and a blocked field goal. That type of production on the defensive side will be needed, especially against receivers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Jayden Petit, TJ Hockenson, and others.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyeran Garcia, LB, Dunbar
The lone linebacker to come off the board in the first round is headed up I-75 to Tampa, replacing Devin White. Garcia was beyond productive his senior season as the Colorado signee finished with 140 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two fumble recoveries for the Tigers.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston)
Bradley Martino, DB, Golden Gate
Adding length to a secondary that desperately needs it is the right move here for Arizona. Last year's Broxson Trophy winner, Martino had three interceptions and a fumble recovery in the secondary for Golden Gate, adding 35 tackles. Martino also had 24 offensive touches for 470 yards and 11 touchdowns. The potential is there for Martino to make a splash right away in the league.
28. Buffalo Bills
Madrid Tucker, WR, Fort Myers
The Bills didn't have to look far to fill the void in their wide receiver room after Stefon Diggs was traded. Tucker gives Buffalo a solid No. 2 option behind Gabe Davis, having caught 33 passes for 722 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 120 rushing yards and five rushing scores.
29. Detroit Lions
Jayce Cora, S, Lely
The length and size of Cora at safety is beyond enticing potential-wise, as his 6-foot-4 frame is coveted by programs at the college level. His junior season was plagued by injury, but picked off four passes as a sophomore for Lely in 2022.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Kelby Tyre, DB, Dunbar
Tyre's scrappiness and physical play at corner is something the Ravens surely will take in their secondary, which has not started and finished as the same unit due to injuries. Tyre ended with 61 tackles, and 5 interceptions as Baltimore will look to utilize his playmaking ability alongside Marlon Humphrey on the other side and with Kyle Hamilton at safety.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Jaydon Harris, OT, Golden Gate
With an old offensive tackle in Trent Williams, it's time for San Francisco to grab an offensive tackle for their future. Harris gives them that, having been part of an elite Golden Gate offensive line that saw its ground game average 7.2 yards per attempt with 2,653 rushing yards on the season. Harris helped lead the Titans up front to a season in which the program had eight 200-plus yard rushing efforts.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Matthew Turner, WR, Bishop Verot
The wide receiver room has experienced a lot of turnover over the year with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Mahomes gets a burner here in Turner, who carved opponents up in the slot. He finished with a team-leading 962 receiving yards on 50 receptions, posting 15 touchdowns as Carter Smith's top target. Kansas City's usage with Turner should be exclusive to the slot, while guys like Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and others work their way into specific schemes.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: NFL Mock Draft: Which Naples, Fort Myers high school football players would be picked?
