Making an NFL Mock Draft using only South Shore high school football players

The NFL draft is nearly here.

On Thursday, all those mock drafts get ripped to shreds and we see how the real thing shakes out.

Around here, we do things a little differently. For the third consecutive year, we'll be taking a trip to Fantasy Football Land. What if, instead of the collegiate prospects, NFL teams were selecting from a pool of the South Shore's top high school football players.

That's the exercise we're about to embark on. So instead of picking from Alabama and Ohio State, the pros are checking out Duxbury and Marshfield High.

2023: Making an NFL Mock Draft using only South Shore high school football players

2022: Making an NFL mock draft only using South Shore high school football players

So how would the draft play out? Let's find out. The Chicago Bears are now on the clock ...

1. Chicago Bears - Tor Maas, Marshfield

In the real NFL draft, it's a foregone conclusion that Chicago selects USC's Caleb Williams, but in our universe the Bears go with a bit of a shocker. Maas, a junior, has prototypical size (6-5, 215 pounds) to hold up at the next level. Facing some really tough competition, the quarterback led the Rams on a bit of a surprise trip to the Div. 2 Super Bowl in the fall. Maas is already a really good player, but his ceiling is why he's the first QB off the draft in a loaded class.

2. Washington Commanders - Ben Scalzi, Hanover

Just like the real NFL draft, this a class loaded with QBs. The Commanders were going to be ecstatic with whichever field general they walked away with at No. 2. Scalzi has been the area's most productive QB (along with pick No. 3 coming up) as he threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 70 TDs over the last two seasons at Hanover. He has the athleticism to make plays with his feet, but accuracy is the name of his game.

3. New England Patriots - Tyler Lennox, Carver

The Patriots seem lost at sea right now, so who better to right the ship than the QB who helped turned around Carver football? Lennox did that with the Crusaders, not just with his play (nearly 3,000 yards passing and 43 total TDs in the fall), but with his attitude on and off the field. He's already familiar with Gillette Stadium, having played there in the Div. 8 state final.

More: 'A football town now': Appearance in Div. 8 Super Bowl a sign of Carver High's new era

4. Arizona Cardinals - Zach Falls, Duxbury

The Cardinals seem happy with QB Kyler Murray, so this pick is about maximizing the talent around him. Falls is a big-play receiver who averaged nearly 23 yards per catch in the fall. At 6-4, Falls is a rare receiver in this draft with that length.

5. Los Angeles Chargers - John McDonald, Hanover

McDonald can line up anywhere coach Jim Harbaugh needs him. But with the departure of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, look for him to play at receiver. Kicking woes have plagued the Chargers over the years, so McDonald can be an insurance policy there as well. He had 752 yards receiving and 14 total TDs in the fall.

6. New York Giants - Patrick Miller, Milton

So long, Daniel Jones. The Giants get an absolute steal at No. 6 in the Milton QB. Miller led the Wildcats to their first Super Bowl title in program history and threw for a program-record 33 TDs in his only year starting behind center. Milton's season was plagued with adversity and some tough battles in the postseason, so toughness is not a question here.

7. Tennessee Titans - Connor Pease, Abington

This is a draft filled with skill-position stars and QBs, so defensive linemen like Pease are at a premium in this draft. He was a game-wrecker for the Green Wave, tallying 18 tackles for a loss and 8 QB sacks in the fall. He's was a four-year starter so he'll be ready to contribute early at the next level.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Alex Barlow, Duxbury

Barlow had a legendary performance in the Dragons' Div. 4 state-title win (275 yards rushing, 5 TDs), but the Falcons selected him to lead the defense at linebacker. The Falcons have stumbled since losing to the Patriots in the Super Bowl (remember 28-3?) but Barlow is a proven winner.

9. Chicago Bears - Lawson Foley, Scituate

The Bears landed their QB of the future with Maas at No. 1, and now they're taking Foley to give him another weapon to throw to. Foley skyrocketed up mock drafts when he dominated in a quarterfinal win over Holliston (5 catches for 210 yards and 2 TDs). The junior had over 800 yards receiving in the fall and now he'll form a dynamic 1-2 punch with D.J. Moore.

10. New York Jets - Mikey Galligan, North Quincy

By the time he graduates, Galligan might own every passing record in program history at North Quincy. The Jets have a lot of needs, but this is a pick for the future. When Aaron Rodgers went down in the first game of the season last year with a torn Achilles, New York's playoff hopes went caput. Having a backup like Galligan gives the Jets some depth at QB and a player to develop for the future.

11. Minnesota Vikings - James Curry, Braintree

Between Dalvin Cook and Adrian Peterson, the Vikings have been led by some of the best running backs in the league. Without a true workhorse back, Minnesota struggled and was ranked 29th in rushing yards per game last season. Curry, who stands at 6-1 and 230 pounds, can fix that problem. He's coming off a record-setting season with 1,750 yards and 23 TDs.

More: 'Number 15 is a beast': Back from injury, Braintree's James Curry making up for lost time

12. Denver Broncos - Jackson Belsan, Scituate

This is a draft loaded with QBs and QB-needy teams. The Broncos have been searching for a franchise leader since Peyton Manning's retirement, and Belsan might be that answer. The multi-sport standout led the Sailors to Gillette Stadium for the Div. 4 state final by throwing for 2,400 yards and 27 TDs.

13. Las Vegas Raiders - Tyler Nordstrom, Weymouth

Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew bring some depth to the Raiders' QB room, but neither feels like a long-term solution. One of the best QBs in Weymouth High's history might be, though. Nordstrom led the Wildcats to their first-ever playoff win in the fall. He sliced and diced Braintree's defense to the tune of 295 yards and 5 TDs in the fall.

14. New Orleans Saints - James Harris, West Bridgewater

For the second time in our draft, we've got three consecutive QBs coming off the board. The Saints have had a ton of success using Taysom Hill in a variety of ways, and Harris fits more into that mold than as a prototypical QB. He ran for 1,245 yards at WB in the fall while throwing for 590. He's a hard-nosed runner who does not shy away from contact.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Liam Appleton, Cohasset

Appleton doesn't have a true position. On offense, he's a weapon that tallied 1,222 yards of offense (480 rushing, 742 receiving) and even took some reps at QB. On defense, he was stellar in pass coverage at linebacker and cornerback. He could contribute on either side of the ball for the Colts.

16. Seattle Seahawks - Ben Caledonia, Milton

Defensive struggles kept Seattle out of the playoffs last season, so that's why Caledonia is the right pick here. The linebacker was a tackling machine, as he led the Wildcats with 87 stops. He was a playmaker with three forced fumbles and nine tackles for a loss.

More: State champs and record breakers: South Shore High School Football All-Scholastic Team

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin LaChance, Plymouth South

LaChance was a big-play specialist in all three phases. He led the Panthers in tackles, sacks and interceptions on defense. On offense, he averaged over 10 yards per carry and had 13 TDs. He also finished with over 500 yards on kick and punt returns. He can help the Jaguars in a lot of different ways.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Davin True, Marshfield

With the departure of Joe Mixon, the Bengals have a void in the backfield. Enter True. As a junior, True rushed for over 1,179 yards and scored 23 TDs. Marshfield has usually spread out its offensive touches, but True has been too good to not use him as a workhorse back.

19. Los Angeles Rams - Jackson Adams, Norwell

Adams was ballhawk in the fall, collecting a school-record nine interceptions. He's a skilled athlete who has a knack for forcing turnovers. The Rams had 10 interceptions as a team last season. Adams is a pick that makes Los Angeles's defense more dynamic.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Amin Abassi, Bridgewater-Raynham

Abassi could be the next great Pittsburgh linebacker. Abassi was the MVP of the Southeast Conference last fall after tallying over 100 tackles in nine games. He also could get to the QB, and had nine sacks.

21. Miami Dolphins - Jordan DePina, Rockland

Although DePina played QB for Rockland, he was more of an offensive weapon. He starred in the ground game, rushing for 1,234 yards and 20 TDs. For the Dolphins, he could be insurance option for Tua Tagovailoa or be another cog in a loaded offensive group.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Will St. Pierre, Hingham

The Eagles already made one splashy addition at running back bringing in Saquon Barkley and now they add another in St. Pierre. The Patriot League Keenan Division MVP tallied over 1,700 all-purpose yards as a senior and scored 15 TDs. He was also dangerous in the return game.

23. Minnesota Vikings - Jarred Daughtry, Stoughton

Daughtry is one of the most dynamic players in this draft. He graduates as Stoughton's all-time leader in passing TDs and also intercepted five passes as a senior. That versatility makes him a perfect pick for Minnesota. The Vikings are looking for their QB of the future, plus need help in the secondary.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Jack Johnson, Duxbury

There aren't a ton of offensive lineman in this pool, so the Cowboys have to love this pick, landing one of the best linemen this late in the first round. The two-time state champion played both ways for one of the state's premier programs.

25. Green Bay Packers - Todd Egan, South Shore Tech

The Packers seem to have their QB of the future in Jordan Love, so the goal now is to continue to build around him. Egan is one of the most prolific offensive players to come out of South Shore Tech. He rushed for over 2,400 yards in his career and broke the single-season program record with 24 TDs (17 rushing, 7 passing).

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Cameron Monteiro, Brockton

This might be the steal of the draft. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin being closer to the end of their careers than the start, Monteiro brings an infusion of youth to the receiver group. In real life, Monteiro is headed to the University of Pittsburgh. He might be the best athlete on this whole board.

27. Arizona Cardinals - James Bennett, Blue Hills

James Connor is one of the most physical runners in the league, so he'll love the addition of Bennett. At Blue Hills, the left tackle paved the way for three 1,000-yard rushers in the fall. He has versatility upfront, having played center as a sophomore and junior.

28. Buffalo Bills - Will McNamara, Pembroke

With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone, the Bills desperately need some help at receiver. The best receiver in Pembroke High history seems like the perfect fit. McNamara, who has NFL size at 6-4 and 210 pounds, had 36 receptions for 754 yards and 6 TDs in the fall despite missing 2 games.

29. Detroit Lions - Gio Joseph, Marshfield

The Lions have struggled on the defensive side, so Joseph is a smart selection as a ball-hawking cornerback. He had 4 interceptions as a junior, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns. He's also an adept kick returner, so the new kickoff rules in the NFL add a little extra value to his game.

30. Baltimore Ravens - Jacob Bierenbroodspot, BC High

The Ravens have been riddled with injuries at the running back spot over the years, so Bierenbroodspot is a smart addition to an already talented offense. He brings a versatile skillset to the backfield alongside Lamar Jackson. He's even a three-year starter at defensive back.

31. San Franciso 49ers - Matt O'Donnell, Cardinal Spellman

O'Donnell's position for the Cardinals was ... well, all of them. The quarterback also ran for over 1,000 yards and was a hard-hitting safety. The 49ers seem to be a team that gets the most out of versatile players who don't have a defined position. Given San Francisco's needs, we anticipate O'Donnell lining up in the secondary.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Will Bostrom, Norwell

Somehow, the defending Super Bowl champs will end up with one of the South Shore's most productive backs with the last pick of the first round. It just feels unfair. Bostrom is coming off a junior season in which he ran for 1,400 yards and 12 TDs. Isiah Pacheco, who has two years left on his rookie deal, paired with Bostrom will make for one of the hardest-running duos in the NFL.

Best available heading into Day 2: Caiden Montas (Blue Hills), Robbie Peterson (Carver), Jordan Cioffi (Holbrook/Avon), Cam Beltramini (Whitman-Hanson), Dayton Costa (Plymouth North), Nathanyel Gomes-Correia (Randolph), Declan Lee (Cohasset), Gabriel Rodrigues (Quincy), Shane Wright (Archbishop Williams), Christian Pike (Weymouth), Mehki Bryan (Hanover)

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Picking South Shore high school football players in an NFL mock draft