NEWSLETTER
Let’s get to another 2024 NFL Mock Draft! Caleb Williams’ pro day is in the books, and there was of course a large contingent present including the Bears. Provided a large unforeseen change, Williams will be a Bear by the end of April, but how else will the dominoes fall? With loaded receiver and tackle classes, how will those positions shake out? We’ll likely learn more as the pro days come and go, but for now, let’s get to the latest mock draft.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams – USC
The Justin Fields era is officially in the past and it’s almost certainly Caleb Williams time in Chicago. The Bears had their contingent at Caleb’s pro day and he’ll likely be having his visit in Chicago soon. After the additions of Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett, the offense is in a really good spot for a rookie QB to step into. Caleb Williams stepping into this Bears offense all of a sudden feels like a phenomenal situation for a rookie, let alone one as talented as Caleb.
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels – LSU
For the first time in this NFL Mock Draft series, I have Jayden Daniels making the jump over Drake Maye to the Commanders. The closer we get to the draft, the more it seems like Daniels is gaining momentum. Their pro days are next week, so we’ll learn more about them then but it seems like momentum has the reigning Heisman Trophy winner gaining some serious steam. Daniels’ dual-threat skillset feels like a perfect fit with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye – North Carolina
The name changes but the Patriots still end up with their QB of the future. I’m still of the belief that they’ll be actively listening to trade-up offers as they’ve said they’d be willing to move back in order to stockpile picks, but you never know when you’ll get a chance to take a top quarterback again. It all depends on how much they love Maye (or Jayden Daniels if Maye goes #2). We’ll probably find out more after their pro days next week. If they’re sold, they’ll take the QB, but if they’re not all in, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see them trade back.
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr – Ohio State
The Cardinals fall to the fourth overall pick but still end up with arguably the best player in this draft. So Arizona goes with the best player available to get a big-time weapon on the outside for Kyler Murray to throw to. Harrison Jr won’t work out at Ohio State’s pro day but that shouldn’t really change much. Don’t get me wrong, it could and stranger things have affected draft stock, but don’t overthink this one. Marvin Harrison Jr is the best receiver in this draft whether he works out at pro day or not.
5. *TRADE* Minnesota Vikings (via Chargers): QB J.J. McCarthy – Michigan
Kirk Cousins is out the door and officially an Atlanta Falcon. The Vikings have a really solid roster but still have a big hole at quarterback. I think we could see a real bidding war between the Vikings, Broncos, and Giants for this pick but the Vikings just can’t afford to lose it given where their roster is and how desperate they are for a QB. Minnesota even started to load up on assets by acquiring Houston’s first-round pick at 23rd overall. The Chargers need A LOT of help offensively and they could certainly hold onto this pick, but moving back and picking up assets makes a lot of sense here.
6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers – LSU
After missing out on the top four rated quarterbacks in this 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 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 Combine performance confirmed that and then some. Tennessee grabs the former Fighting Irish standout to anchor their OL.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Dallas Turner – Alabama
The Falcons have their quarterback, now it’s time to address the other side of the ball. Kirk Cousins walks into a solid situation in Atlanta with a decent amount of weapons surrounding him. Defense is the pick here for Atlanta and taking the top EDGE rusher on the board makes the most sense. Dallas Turner is likely that guy, and he finds a new home in Atlanta.
9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze – Washington
After the addition of Keenan Allen, the Bears all of a sudden have a great 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Having said that, Allen is going to be 32 years old in Week 1 and in the last year of his deal. He’s a great player, but a short-term option. If Odunze is still there at the ninth pick, I still think you have to grab 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 it too tempting to pass up.
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 10th overall pick so they pick up one of the more talented players in this draft 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: LT Olu Fashanu – Penn State
The Chargers need a lot of help, and they certainly need help at the skill positions, but with an extra first-round pick after trading back and a lot of those top names off the board, Jim Harbaugh takes his offensive line anchor at 11th overall. Fashanu is the top tackle in the draft on some people’s boards. Harbaugh likes to build his teams from the inside out. He might not get Justin Herbert his go-to target just yet, but he makes a move to try and keep him upright.
12. Denver Broncos: EDGE Jared Verse – Florida State
The Broncos still need a quarterback but instead of reaching for one with the 12th pick, Sean Payton takes the top EDGE defender left on the board to sure up his defense. It’s still uncertain what route they’ll go at quarterback, and they could try and trade back and reach for one here. But with the amount of needs they have, reaching at 12 for a question mark QB doesn’t make sense. Going the safer route with a high-ceiling EDGE does.
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 where Darnell Wright was 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 Amarius Mims – Georgia
The Saints need help on both sides of the line of scrimmage. I think they’ll go offensive line in this spot, given what’s left on the board. Amarius Mims was one of the big winners at the NFL Combine with his 40-yard dash and shuttle times to go 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 the Saints will grab him here and take that chance.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama
While Kool-Aid McKinstry was for most of the year seen as the top cornerback in this year’s NFL Draft, he now might not even be the top CB selected from his own team! Terrion Arnold is rising up draft boards quickly thanks to his tools and incredibly high ceiling. He might be a riskier pick than McKinstry, but the potential is incredibly high for Arnold, and the Colts roll the dice on 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, just feels like a matter of where.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Nate Wiggins – Clemson
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 Adonai Mitchell – Texas
I’m not sure if I’m on an island here, but I love AD Mitchell in this draft class. It’s a deep WR class, so it’s easy to get a little overlooked, but I think he’s the perfect fit to replace Tee Higgins in Cincinnati if they do indeed trade him. He’s got a big frame at 6’4 and he’s an elite athlete. He’s great at going up and getting the football, he’s a phenomenal deep threat, and I think he’s a great compliment opposite Ja’Marr Chase. If you haven’t watched the Texas vs Alabama game from last season, it will show you how high Mitchell’s ceiling is.
19. Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Laiatu Latu – UCLA
With multiple positions they could address at this spot, the Rams make the pick for an impact player at a high-value position. They still need help at cornerback and on the offensive line, but given who is left on the board I think going with Latu at 19th would be the right call. With Aaron Donald announcing his retirement, the Rams really need a playmaker on the defensive line. Latu gives them a chance at one.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
The cornerback order in this year’s draft seems to be one of the more volatile of the position groups. After his impressive performance at the combine, I think the Steelers select Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo. Mitchell was one of the top cover corners in college football last year, and now that he impressed at the combine, I think we’ll see him go off the board earlier than expected. It’s not hard to see teams selling themselves on that 4.33 40-yard dash time, plus he’s got a ton of experience and upside.
21. Miami Dolphins: C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Oregon
Miami desperately needs to add help along the offensive line. It’s been a rough offseason for the Dolphins as they’ve seen a lot of talent depart. This might not be the sexiest pick for them in the first round, but it goes a long way in starting to solidify their offensive line which has been a roller coaster over the last few seasons.
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 seen some shakeups along their defensive line as well. It still feels like the defensive backfield is the bigger need, though. Cooper DeJean can step in on day one and provide consistency as well as versatility to a position group that needs help fast.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brian Thomas Jr – LSU
After solidifying their offensive line with Olu Fashanu at the 11th overall pick, the Chargers draft a receiver to give Justin Herbert a new number-one target. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett are all gone. Brian Thomas Jr, often overlooked because of how good Malik Nabers was, is a phenomenal draft prospect. He has the size and speed to be an elite vertical threat, he’s become a very good route runner, and he had a knack for finding the endzone at LSU.
24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Jordan Morgan – Arizona
The Cowboys will have a few moving parts on their aging offensive line, so grabbing the versatile Morgan here makes a lot of sense. He can play inside or outside, and given the uncertainty of that unit for Dallas, bringing in Morgan alongside 2022 first-round NFL Draft pick Tyler Smith gives them a solid foundation on the offensive line.
25. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Chop Robinson – Penn State
Lukas Van Ness hasn’t really worked out like the Packers had hoped. Chop Robinson had a great year at Penn State and at certain points was projected to be the first EDGE off the board. While Green Bay probably still wants to add to the OL, Robinson may have too high of a ceiling to pass up on in this spot. The Packers get some serious value with him at 25th overall.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
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 some playmakers defensively as well. McKinstry is dealing with a foot injury, but he should be fine by his pro day. He was at one point the top-rated corner in this draft and he’s got an incredibly high ceiling. He presents some serious value for the Bucs here with the NFL Draft’s 26th overall pick.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): DT Byron Murphy II
The Cardinals need help just about everywhere on defense, and they get a piece they can plug in on the defensive line with Byron Murphy. Sure, it’s not the most premier position, but when you need as much help on the defensive side of the ball as the Cardinals do, it’s never a bad idea to grab the best player available. Murphy could go as high as the middle of the first round if the chips fall in a certain way, so if he makes it to Arizona here I think they grab him.
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. Stefan Diggs is likely on the way out and Gabe Davis has already signed in Jacksonville. 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: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. – Missouri
While the defense flashed at times, ultimately, that side of the ball let the Lions down in the worst way against San Francisco. When they needed stops in the NFC Championship game, they just couldn’t come up with them. Ennis Rakestraw Jr and his physical style feel like a perfect fit for an aggressive Detroit team that really needs to boost their secondary.
30. Baltimore Ravens: WR Keon Coleman – Florida State
Coleman is big, strong, fast, and can go up and get the ball with the best of them. His route tree needs a little bit of time to grow, but his physical frame and his elite ability to go up and get the ball and make the big play is a perfect fit for Baltimore. Zay Flowers is a complete receiver, and Coleman can be a really nice compliment to him on the other side and be that deep over-the-top threat for Lamar Jackson.
31. San Francisco 49ers: DL Jer’Zhan Newton – Illinois
I think I’ve had the Niners going with an offensive lineman at this spot in just about every mock draft, but it’s time to pivot. At least for now. Jer’Zhan Newton is slightly undersized, but that never really seemed to affect him at Illinois. He’s incredibly quick and is a very good interior pass rusher. After letting Arik Armstead go, San Francisco needs to add to their defensive line and Newton at the end of the first round would be a steal.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Troy Franklin – Oregon
The Chiefs have already made a move to bolster their wide receiver group with the signing of Marquise Brown, but I think they still would like to add to that position group. Franklin would walk into a perfect situation in KC that would allow him time to develop. His speed and ability to beat press coverage make him a great threat on the outside, and he would open things up for Brown and Travis Kelce. He’s a very good route runner and he’s elite at picking up YAC. Given what KC has, it’s a perfect situation for Franklin to make an impact right away without having to be the top target.
