What if NFL teams were drafting Florida's high school football players?
It's NFL Mock Draft season.
But instead of picking college players, let's delve into a fantasy world where NFL teams are limited to taking high school players from the state of Florida.
More: Recruiting: Drafting 2 dream teams from Florida's top 2023 football prospects
So what are the rules? Since we're already breaking the NFL Draft eligibility requirements, there won't be many.
High school players from the 2022 season are 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. This is not a ranking of the state’s best players, but a mock draft of the players that would fill an NFL team's actual need.
Got it? Ok. Here we go.
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1. Carolina Panthers: QB Colin Hurley, Trinity Christian
The Panthers traded up to get a quarterback, so we’ll give them the most polished passer in the class of 2024. Hurley, an LSU commit, helped lead Trinity to a state championship as a freshman. Hurley feels like the best combination of talent, leadership and a high floor.
More: Trinity Christian sophomore quarterback Colin Hurley commits to LSU, reclassifies to 2024
2. Houston Texans: QB Carter Smith, Bishop Verot
The Texans still are in the early stages of a rebuild and in desperate need of a quarterback. The 6-foot-4 Smith is a two-sport star and one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks in the class of 2025. He’s already rewriting the school's and county’s record books.
More: Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith toppling records and defenses as Vikings enter playoffs
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Keon Keeley, Berkeley Prep
JJ Watt retired and the Cardinals have a lot of needs in the front-seven. The 6-6 Keeley, who signed with Alabama in December, arguably was the nation’s top edge rushing recruit in Class of 2023. It’s an easy fit.
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Austin Simmons, Pahokee
The Colts have been looking for a stable solution at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. Despite having several options in the class of 2024, the Colts look to the class of 2025 and Pahokee’s lefty. Simmons, also a standout in baseball, verbally committed to Florida earlier this month.
More: Florida wins four-star with commitment from Pahokee QB Austin Simmons
5. Seattle Seahawks: DL David Stone, IMG
The Seahawks made the playoffs last season but still have plenty of needs. Stone is one of the nation’s best interior linemen in the class of 2024. He gets in the backfield quickly and will command a double team.
6. Detroit Lions: EDGE Damon Wilson, Venice
The Lions were painfully close to being a playoff team last season and could look to reinforce their defensive line to make the next step. The idea of combining Wilson, a Georgia signee, with Aidan Hutchinson would be too good to pass up.
More: Venice High's Wilson picks Georgia, other area players make college choices
7. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Francis Mauigoa, IMG
The Raiders made a commitment to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason, so doing everything they can to keep him upright and healthy will be a priority. Mauigoa, a Miami signee, was the top offensive tackle recruit in the state — and maybe the country — in 2023.
8. Atlanta Falcons: CB Cormani McClain, Lakeland
The Falcons could go a couple different ways, but cornerback definitely is a need. McClain, who signed with Colorado in February, was one of the nation’s top recruits in 2023. Atlanta picked Deion Sanders fifth overall in 1989, now it will select his future protégé.
More: Recruiting Q&A: What's next for Colorado commit Cormani McClain and Coach Prime?
9. Chicago Bears: OT Lucas Simmons, Clearwater Academy International
The Bears have their quarterback in Justin Fields, but they have to start putting pieces around him. Betting on the potential of the 6-7, 300-pound Simmons and his 82-inch wingspan is an easy pick here. Simmons signed with Florida State in December.
More: Florida State newcomers Brock Glenn, Lucas Simmons, Hykeem Williams settling in as Seminoles
10. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE/DL Rueben Bain, Miami Central
The Eagles don’t have a lot of needs, but taking a defensive lineman makes a lot of sense — especially with multiple linemen on short-term deals. Bain, who signed with Miami, would give the Eagles a hyper-productive player with a high motor who can play on the edge or inside.
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Jonathan Daniels, Pine Forest
The Titans could be in the market for a wide receiver, pass rusher or quarterback, but the 6-4, 270-pound Daniels is an outstanding run blocker and one of the top recruits in the class of 2024. Tennessee signed Andre Dillard, but Daniels would allow them to make the offensive line a strength.
More: Florida State's Mike Norvell travels in helicopter for stops at Pine Forest and Navarre
12. Houston Texans: WR Jeremiah Smith, Chaminade-Madonna
The Texans took their quarterback of the future with the second pick. Now, they pair Carter Smith with an elite receiver. Smith, an Ohio State commit, arguably is the nation’s top overall recruit in the class of 2024.
13. New York Jets: OT Jimothy Lewis, IMG
The Jets did a great job in the draft last year, and it seems all but determined that Aaron Rodgers will be their quarterback. Taking an offensive tackle seems to be a priority and Lewis, one of the state’s best linemen in 2024, would be a strong pick.
14. New England Patriots: DL Jordan Hall, Westside
The Patriots could go a couple different ways here, but Hall is too good to pass up and he definitely would fit a need. It’s easy to imagine Bill Belichick falling in love with the mobility and dominance of Hall, who signed with Georgia in December.
More: Westside defensive lineman Jordan Hall signs with the Georgia Bulldogs
15. Green Bay Packers: WR Brandon Inniss, American Heritage
Unless something strange happens, Jordan Love will be the Packers starting quarterback in 2023 and he’ll need a security blanket. How about Inniss? The Ohio State signee is an outstanding playmaker and route runner with strong hands.
More: Recruiting: Ohio State WR commit Inniss flexing muscle on defense
16. Washington Commanders: CB Ellis Robinson IV, IMG
If the Commanders decide to upgrade their secondary, it’s hard to imagine them doing much better at this spot than Robinson. The Georgia commit is one of the nation’s premier cornerbacks in the class of 2024.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Desmond Ricks, IMG
Offensive tackle and wide receiver also are options here, but the Steelers could use defensive back help and Ricks, an Alabama signee, would be very enticing. Ricks’ length (6-1) and ability give him the nod.
18. Detroit Lions: DL Armondo Blount, Miami Central
Another defensive line piece for the Lions. Blount, who stood out at Dillard the past few seasons, is one of the nation’s top interior linemen in the class of 2025. Blount can get in the backfield in a hurry and suddenly the Lions defensive front looks scary,
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB James Resar, Bishop Kenny
Think the Bucs feel good riding with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask this season? Resar, an Iowa commit, is an intriguing prospect in the class of 2024. He’s a legit dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and prototypical height.
More: State of Florida Recruiting H.Q.: James Resar, Michael Wright III, Eric Pinellas
20. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Booker Pickett Jr., Wharton
The Seahawks went with an interior lineman at No. 5 and now they go with an edge rusher to continue to strengthen the front seven. Pickett, a 2024 recruit, certainly fits the mold teams are looking for. He’s long, fast, twitchy and gets to the quarterback.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Carnell Tate, IMG
The main thing with the Chargers is continuing to find players to put around franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Tate, an Ohio State signee, would certainly do that. He’s the total package with speed, route running and strong hands.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Hykeem Williams, Stranahan
Doesn’t feel like it’s been a great offseason for the Ravens, so it’s tough to predict what they’ll decide to do in the draft. They signed Odell Beckham in the offseason, but Lamar Jackson - if he returns - has lacked an elite receiver for a while. You can never have enough targets in the passing game, so taking a swing on the physically gifted Florida State signee makes a lot of sense.
23. Minnesota Vikings: DL/EDGE Ernest Willor Jr., IMG
The Vikings could go wide receiver or cornerback, but Willor’s ability to come off the edge or line up inside should answer some of Minnesota’s defensive line issues. Willor, one of the top recruits in the class of 2024, does a great job of getting into the backfield and being disruptive.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Charles Lester III, Riverside
The Jaguars offense appears to be in good shape with Trevor Lawrence and coach Doug Pederson, but they have needs on defense. The 6-1 Lester — one of the premier cornerbacks in the nation in 2024 — is a long and a dynamic playmaker in the secondary.
More: Meet the Herald-Tribune All-Area Football Defense for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
25. New York Giants: WR Joshisa Trader, Chaminade-Madonna
The Giants could use another playmaker on offense and Trader is one of the nation’s best in the class of 2024. Pairing Trader, a constant big-play threat, with a creative, offensive-minded coach like Brian Daboll would be special.
26. Dallas Cowboys: DL John Walker, Osceola
From the Kowboys to the Cowboys? Why not. Dallas could go with a wide receiver or interior offensive lineman, but the Cowboys also need defensive line depth. Walker, one of the two biggest signees in UCF history, was an unstoppable force inside for Osceola.
27. Buffalo Bills: RB Cedric Baxter Jr., Edgewater
Baxter, a Texas signee, is the perfect fit for the Bills offense which could use a couple more playmakers around Josh Allen. Baxter was a workhorse for Edgewater and offers a lot as a pass catcher, too.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Ja’Keem Jackson, Osceola
The Bengals, just one year removed from a Super Bowl appearance, could use another cornerback and take a swing on Jackson. The long, talented Osceola cornerback, who signed with Florida in December, hasn’t played defensive back for long but has a ton of upside.
29. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Samuel M’Pemba, IMG
M’Pemba was one of the nation’s premier athletes in the class of 2023 and played multiple positions in high school, but projects as an edge rusher. The Georgia signee has a quick first step and makes plays in the backfield.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Jerrick Gibson, IMG
The Eagles don’t have a lot of needs, so this a rich-get-richer situation. Gibson, one of the country’s top running backs in the class of 2024, is a complete back with good speed who can make guys miss and is a threat in the passing game.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Winston Watkins Jr., IMG
Watkins, a Colorado commit, is one of the top skill players in the class of 2025. He would give the Chiefs an explosive weapon out of the slot and coach Andy Reid would certainly scheme ways to get him the ball all over the field.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What if NFL teams were drafting Florida high school football players?
