NEWSLETTER
Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to be answered. Let’s get to that and more in our latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams – USC
As mentioned above, nothing will likely change on this front before April 25th’s 1st Round. Sure, anything can happen, but this is just about the lock of all locks. We have one week until Caleb Williams becomes the Chicago Bears’ new starting quarterback and steps into a pretty great situation for a rookie quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels – LSU
Throughout NFL Draft season, so many rumors get thrown out there, and it can be hard to decipher what’s real and what’s a smokescreen. I still think the Commanders will go with Jayden Daniels, as the ceiling is so high there. That said, Washington hosted four quarterbacks together over the last few days, so they’re doing their research and keeping their options open. It’s likely Daniels, but nothing is certain until Roger Goodell announces the pick.
3. New England Patriots: QB J.J. McCarthy – Michigan
As momentum for J.J. McCarthy picks up, I think there’s a very realistic chance he ends up with New England as the third overall pick in the NFL Draft. McCarthy is now a proven winner, and he was an integral part of changing the attitude and culture of Michigan football. McCarthy is very fundamentally sound, and he’s got a great work ethic, Jim Harbaugh RAVED about him at the owners’ meetings. The ceiling may seem higher for Drake Maye, but given McCarthy’s momentum and the intangibles that the league has been loving recently, it feels very possible we see the Michigan QB in the top three.
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. – Ohio State
This pick feels like it will keep people guessing until the Cardinals – or whoever is picking fourth – has the selection announced at the NFL Draft podium. I’m still leaning toward the Cards taking Harrison, but the closer we get to the draft, the more realistic a trade-back feels. The teams to watch feel like the Broncos and Vikings, but the 5th pick will likely be up for sale as well. Could the Giants jump up two spots for a QB? So many different scenarios at this pick. Right now I still think Arizona will make it, but things can change fast.
5. *TRADE* Minnesota Vikings (via Chargers): QB Drake Maye – North Carolina
It feels like a two-horse race between the Vikings and Broncos to try and trade up for a quarterback if Maye or McCarthy do fall to five. I’ve had the Broncos here the last few weeks, but the closer we get to Draft night, the more it feels like momentum is starting to sway toward Minnesota. The Vikings have two first-round picks, and they might have to get desperate and overpay, but I think they’ll go all-in for a quarterback.
6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers – LSU
After missing out on the top four rated quarterbacks in the NFL Draft, the Giants have to pivot, so they go with the next best thing and draft an electric wide receiver in Malik Nabers. The former LSU Tiger gives New York a number one target on the outside and a playmaker that they desperately need, especially after Saquon Barkley left for Philly. They still have holes on offense and need a big bounce back from Daniel Jones, but Nabers is a great start in getting some potential star power on their offense.
7. Tennessee Titans: LT Joe Alt – Notre Dame
The Titans need help on both lines of scrimmage. Joe Alt was outstanding at Notre Dame, and he came away as one of the big winners at the NFL Combine. The farther along we get in the draft process, the more momentum Alt seems to gain. While we kind of knew he was a great athlete, his Scouting Combine performance confirmed that and then some. Tennessee grabs the former Fighting Irish standout to anchor their OL.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Laiatu Latu – UCLA
The Falcons have their quarterback; now it’s time to address the other side of the ball. Defense is the pick for them here in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, but I have them going with a different EDGE. Latu is gaining steam and rising back up draft boards, plus he has a connection with Falcons DC Jimmy Lake from college. I’d be interested to see if any team tries to come up and get ahead of the Bears for Rome Odunze. Right now though, I think they keep the pick and go EDGE.
9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze – Washington
The Keenan Allen addition is a great one, but it might be more of a shorter-term solution. If Odunze is still there at the ninth pick, take him. It makes your wide receiver room one of the best in the NFL, and it gives you a more secure long-term outlook at the position. Trading back will certainly be on the table, but I think the idea of adding Odunze to that offense is too tempting to pass up. Could the Bears also be in the market to trade up if Marvin Harrison Jr. slides or the Cardinals trade back? Plenty to keep an eye on here.
10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers – Georgia
The Jets have made a pair of moves adding Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses to be their tackles next season to help protect Aaron Rodgers and his repaired Achilles. This frees them up to go a different route with the NFL Draft’s 10th overall pick so they pick up one of the more talented players in this field in Brock Bowers. The Jets have some skill at wide receiver, and adding Bowers should open up that offense quite a bit and give them the potential to be dangerous.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (via Vikings): OT JC Latham – Alabama
I think the Chargers go tackle here if they trade back, but which one is the question. Olu Fashanu, JC Latham, and Taliese Fuaga are probably all in play for them here, but it’ll be a matter of who Jim Harbaugh believes in most. I’m going to go with Latham, though none of the three would surprise me. Latham has insane strength, was recruited by Harbaugh out of high school, and can be a franchise left tackle from day one.
12. Denver Broncos: EDGE Dallas Turner – Alabama
The second consecutive Alabama player is off the NFL Draft board as Sean Payton grabs one of the top EDGE prospects after missing out on trading up for a quarterback. While Denver does need a QB, they really need to start rebuilding that defense and they need help getting to the quarterback. Turner can do that and then some, and he gives the Broncos a legitimate building block defensively.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Taliese Fuaga – Oregon State
After bringing in Gardiner Minshew on a two-year deal to be their quarterback and solidifying their defense with the massive Christian Wilkins addition, the Raiders make a pick to strengthen their offensive line, which needs some help. Taliese Fuaga is a rock-solid option at right tackle and feels very similar to Darnell Wright’s position at last year’s draft. Going that route might not be the flashy pick we’re accustomed to seeing the Raiders make, but it’s probably the right one here.
14. New Orleans Saints: OT Olu Fashanu – Penn State
The Saints need help on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Given what’s left on the board, I think they’ll go offensive line in this spot. Fashanu is a rock-solid option to jump in at left tackle and could easily be the first or second tackle off the board. Several teams would love to add him, and New Orleans does that with the 14th pick.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama
The Colts need help in the secondary, specifically at the cornerback position. Terrion Arnold gives them a young, talented option who can slot in and be a shutdown corner from day one. He’s lightning-fast, has elite ball skills, is very good at getting off blocks, and doesn’t have a ton of glaring weaknesses. The Colts would be thrilled to select him here.
16. Seattle Seahawks: OL Troy Fautanu – Washington
Fautanu has been fast-rising up NFL Draft boards so far this offseason, and his fit with the Seahawks seems too perfect. He was a tackle at Washington but probably projects more as an interior lineman at the NFL level. The Seahawks can give him a look at multiple positions and see where he fits best. Fautanu feels like a lock to be a rock-solid NFL offensive lineman; it just feels like a matter of where.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
The Jags collapse was a brutal one down the stretch, and it really amplified their NFL Draft needs. They most certainly need a little more help on offense, but defensively, the team struggled mightily in the last few weeks. Taking a true playmaker at the cornerback position can inject some life into a defensive unit that lacked big-play ability and consistency down the stretch.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Brian Thomas Jr. – LSU
There are a few different routes the Bengals can go here, but with the uncertainty surrounding Tee Higgins, I think they go with a receiver here. Brian Thomas Jr. is the total package and would be a great compliment opposite Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals have never been hesitant to surround Joe Burrow with the best weapons possible, and I think they follow that trend here.
19. Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Jared Verse – Florida State
The Rams need help rebuilding their defense, and with plenty of options at EDGE in this first round, they grab Jared Verse out of Florida State. They could go the cornerback or offensive line route, but if Verse were to fall back to them here I think his ceiling at this valuable of a position is too much to pass up on for a team that needs help in a lot of areas. If you can get to the passer, it makes everything easier on the rest of your defense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OL Graham Barton – Duke
I’ve had Pittsburgh going cornerback here for awhile now, but momentum seems to be trending toward them addressing the offensive line. Graham Barton was a rock-solid lineman at Duke and he will provide whatever team he lands with a ton of positon versatility. That makes him a perfect fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they will likely look to improve the protection in front of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.
21. Miami Dolphins: DT Byron Murphy II – Texas
Miami needs help on both lines of scrimmage pretty badly. I think the ceiling for Byron Murphy II combined with the loss of Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency diverts them down this path. Murphy had an outstanding year for Texas and is a problem in the interior of the defensive line. He had five sacks last season, but is also a force against the run and will help free things up for the rest of the defense.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Cooper DeJean – Iowa
The Eagles’ collapse down the stretch of the season was certainly something to behold. I still think they have a very talented roster. However, defensively, their glaring need for help in the secondary got exposed. Unfortunately, the offseason has also seen some shakeups along their defensive line. It still feels like the defensive backfield is the bigger need, though. Cooper DeJean is a very skilled, complete cornerback and projects to be able to play safety if needed. The Eagles would love to grab him here.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (via Vikings): WR Adonai Mitchell – Texas
The Chargers need a ton of help with this roster still. I’m sure Jim Harbaugh would consider going with another offensive lineman here, but the offense is pretty barren in terms of weapons and they need to get Justin Herbert some help. Mitchell has a great all-around skill set and would be a fantastic deep threat for Justin Herbert and his big arm.
24. Dallas Cowboys: T Amarius Mims – Georgia
Amarius Mims was one of the big winners at the NFL Combine, with his 40-yard dash and shuttle times, along with his massive frame. He’s a bit of a risk in terms of durability, but I think with how he performed in Indy he’s exactly the type of player Jerry Jones would fall in love with. Huge frame, athletic, and can get a shot at either tackle. Dallas would love to take him here.
25. Green Bay Packers: T Jordan Morgan – Arizona
The Packers have done a good job re-building a decent offensive line, but the missing piece is that franchise left tackle especially now that David Bakhtiari’s time in Green Bay is done. Jordan Morgan has the chance to be that, and he would come into a situation that would be very friendly for a rookie tackle. It’s an already strong offensive line and it’s a very well-coached offense. There are some things to work on, but given the situation in Green Bay, I love the fit.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chop Robinson – Penn State
The Bucs have their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, back in the fold. Mike Evans was brought back with a brand new deal as well. Tampa could go with some OL help here, but they need impact players at premier positions on defense and Chop Robinson gives them just that. Robinson had a great year at Penn State and had, at times, been projected as the top EDGE in this draft. He’d be a great fit at Tampa as the EDGE rusher they really need to complement a very strong interior defensive line.
27. Arizona Cardinals: CB Nate Wiggins – Clemson
EDGE could also be the pick here for Arizona, but at this point, they might be reaching for one. Nate Wiggins is a big-time playmaker at the cornerback position and the Cardinals need help all over that defense. While they still need to address their pass rush, taking Wiggins here given his high ceiling would be a big win.
28. Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy – Texas
Xavier Worthy’s record-setting 40-yard dash time will more than likely get him picked in the first round; it’s just a matter of where. Stefon Diggs is officially on his way out of Buffalo, and Gabe Davis signed with Jacksonville. That means the Bills need to add an explosive playmaker. Xavier Worthy is the definition of that. He clearly has elite speed, he can beat anyone over the top, and he feels like a perfect match for Josh Allen and his gunslinger mentality.
29. Detroit Lions: DT Jer’Zhan Newton – Illinois
Detroit needs some help defensively as we saw from the NFC Championship game. They could go the cornerback route here, but Newton’s high ceiling would be too much for the Lions to pass on here, especially with how we saw them draft last year. They’re going to take whoever they think is the best player on the board, premier position or not. Newton if he makes it here I think would be that player.
30. *TRADE* Las Vegas Raiders (via Ravens): QB Michael Penix Jr – Washington
No matter how many quarterbacks people seem to project to go in the first round, so often it ends up being even more than expected. The Raiders signed Gardiner Minshew to a two-year deal, but their future is far from set at QB. They have the draft capital to trade back into the first round, and Penix has several traits that a team can fall in love with. Would anyone be shocked to see the Raiders make a bold move for a QB?
31. San Francisco 49ers: WR Ladd McConkey – Georgia
I believe this is the first time I’ve had him going in the first round. With the Brandon Aiyuk uncertainty in San Francisco, a receiver is certainly an option for the Niners here. McConkey has impressed teams during the draft process, he’s got great hands, and he feels like a fit in the 49ers offense. Not a lot would surprise me here – including a trade back – but for now I think they could go the WR route.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Troy Franklin Jr. – Oregon
This is a tricky spot for Kansas City. L’Jarius Sneed is off to Tennessee which means they could go try and pick his replacement in this spot. But they still need help at receiver. Rashee Rice’s status is in limbo as he deals with legal issues following a car wreck. Franklin was a touchdown machine for Oregon last year and has great YAC potential. Being a secondary option to Travis Kelce feels like a great fit for Franklin.
