The 2024 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 25-27, is more balanced position-wise than the top picks last year. With the College Football regular season over, the draft order is starting to take its shape, making it the perfect time to unveil the first version of my 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Understandably, most readers will be interested to see where their favorite QB lands. The real storyline to this years draft will be in the trenches, with nine offensive lineman being featured.
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Its without question, that the Bears need to draft a new quarterback. The Justin Fields experiment has been rocky and it’ll be under the microscope over the final month of the season. The biggest question that the front office needs to answer is if they believe Fields is worth an extension of $100-plus million. If the answer is no, then its time to turn the page at quarterback.
Williams would provide a more promising option for the Bears. Coming off a heisman season in 2022, he followed that up 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Less than last season, but nonetheless a great season.
2. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
There is a chance that the Cardinals move off Kyler Murray. The biggest problem that the Cardinals face… is the contract that Murray signed last season. No other teams are going to want to trade for that contract. A trade could make sense after another season. So why not stick with him for another year?
A season ago, the Cardinals drafted an offensive lineman from Ohio State. This season they could back to Columbus and draft a replacement at WR. Over the past decade, the Cardinals have been used to having an elite receiver with both Larry Fitzgerald and DeAndre Hopkins. In fact, this pick would come on the 20-year anniversary of Arizona selecting Larry Fitzgerald at No. 3 in 2004.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The quarterback situation in New England has been in shambles since Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay. In 24 years, as a head coach Bill Belichick has never drafted in the top five. The season is certainly trending in that direction. If any year was a good year for Belichick to have a top pick, it would be this one. It’s a great draft for a quarterback-needy team. Maye is young, but promising.
4. Chicago Bears: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
This is a great year for the Bears to have two top five picks. They can draft two franchise cornerstones. One could be a QB, the other could be from the trenches. There are a lot of blue-chip lineman available in 2024. The offensive line is a position that the Bears could use an upgrade.
Alt possesses all the skills that an NFL coach raves about. He stands out in both pass protecting and run blocking. His feet are coordinated and he has rare recovery skills.
5. Washington Commanders: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The offensive line is certainly not a need fot the Commanders, but they haven’t been strong their in the past couple seasons. It would tough to pass on a potential cornerstone at the tackle. Fashanu needs to continue developing in run blocking.
6. New York Giants: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The Giants offense appears to be taken care of with the combination of Daniel Jones and Saquan Barkeley. That is if they end up signing the latter to a new deal. Nonetheless, they don’t need a QB. Drafting Turner here they would create a dominant force on the defensive line.
The combination of Turner, Kayvon Thibodeuax and Dexter Lawrence. Turner is a freak-show on defense who defends well against both the rush and the pass.
7. Tampa Bay Buccanners: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
No matter who the Bucs choose to draft, they literally can’t go wrong. They’re a middle of the pack team both offensively and defensively. They have some tough roster decisions to make. One of those decisions includes who they select to be the QB3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, in my first mock I have them taking Daniels. He has the dynamic skillset to create explosive plays both through the air and on the ground.
8. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Assuming that Aaron Rodgers ins the QB in New York next season, the Jets need an offensive player who can contribute from Day 1. Bowers can lineup at either TE, WR or in a hybrid role. He could emerge as one Rodgers’ go-to options.
9. Los Angeles Chargers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Chargers need to do a better job of protecting Justin Herbert. That’s been the case for several years now. Trey Pipkins III has not looked good at right tackle. Latham is one the strongest lineman in all of college football. He has the movements and skill set to hold up in space.
10. Tennessee Titans: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Titans have the QB of their future in Will Levis. Which helps out the front office. They can now shift their focus to the offensive line, adding more weapons and strengthening their defense. The Titans are a middle of the pack team when it comes to pass defense. They certainly don’t have the strongest secondary in the league.
Adding a guy like McKinstry wouldn’t hurt.
11. Las Vegas Raiders: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Many believe that the Raiders could go QB here, which they definitely could. If they don’t think Aidan O’Connell will work out. I think there defense needs some strengthening though. They could go with any position and any player on the defensive side here as well, but Robinson has been surprising. His explosiveness off the edge would be answer to many of the Raiders’ defensive issues.
I honestly wouldn’t doubt it if the Raiders traded up for a QB.
12. New Orleans Saints: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Saints love flashy new toys like a kid on Christmas Day. At 6 foot and 200 pounds, Nabers is a ferocious receiver. He sperated himself from the recievers by a long shot. The only FBS pass catcher with 1,500-plus receiving yards in 2023, he also leads the country with 34 receptions of 20-plus yards.
The Saints would be able to use Nabers however they’d like.
13. Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Packers would be filling one of their biggest needs with one of the best defensive backs here. Wiggins needs to continue getting stronger but his combination of speed and and length allow him to stay with his receiver.
14. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Some rushers just have a knack for pressuring the QB, Latu is one of them. He ranked No. 1 in college football with 64 pressures. Add him into a pass-rush duo with Byron Young and every quarterback will be having nightmares when they face the Rams.
15. Cincinatti Bengals: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he is a large target, but there is nothing lumbering about the way Coleman moves. Pairing him with Ja’Marr Chase would give Joe Burrow two elite offensive weapons.
16. Buffalo Bills: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Bills only have their starting offensive tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, under contract for one more season. The front office could look to the draft to find replacements and develop them before next season.
Mims is raw, but has the traits to grow.
17. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU): Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
The Cardinals have had a decent pass-rush this season. There’s always room for more however. Verse would fit in perfectly.
18. Denver Broncos: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze is one of the fastest route runners in college football. He’s a guy that Russell Wilson would love to have either in the slot or at an outer wing position. He can create his own space mid-route.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Some teams believe that Newton will fall to the second round, due to his lack of size. I think the Falcons could take a gamble here though. They aren’t really in a desperate need at any position. They could use a QB, but I think they would prefer to take someone like Spencer Rattler later in the draft. Unfortunately, the first version of my 2024 NFL Mock Draft only goes through the first round.
20. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Kirk Cousins is not a long term answer for the Vikings. Neither is Josh Dobbs, in fact his shine is already wearing off. McCarhty had some really bright moments for Michigan this season, but still his full potential hasn’t been released.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Morgan, OT, Alabama
The Colts need a lot, but adding a tackle here would help protect Anthony Richardson up front.
22. Seattle Seahawks: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Let’s be realistic here, Geno Smith is not the long term answer in Seattle. The Seahawks need to draft a QB that they can allow Smith to mentor. Drew Lock has not really been given an expanded opportunity but he’s failed in every opportunity he has gotten. Some people don’t have Nix going in the first round which is crazy, he’s a heisman candidate.
Nix would perfectly in Seattle. He completes passes at a high rate and already has weapons in Seattle. He can also scramble out of sacks before losing yardage. Now is the time for GM John Schneider and HC Pete Carroll to draft a QB to develop.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga is the best run-blocking lineman in this draft cycle. He needs to continue working on the pass protection, at times his feet get caught up. Wit Broderick Jones at right tackle, its likely that the Steelers would move Fuaga to the left.
24. Houston Texans (From CLE): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The stock has been rising for this kid due to his athleticism, tackling skills and defensive versatility. DeMeco Ryans is going to love this kid, he’ll help rebuild a secondary that struggles on third down.
25. Miami Dolphins: Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
The Dolphins don’t need much, they’ve struggled with the injury bug this season. Drafting a defensive lineman would allow them some flexibility. He likely wouldn’t start but could be in the rotation.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Cowboys could move Nubin to corner which is their biggest need. The future is unknown for Trevon Diggs. He might not be as strong of a CB coming off of an ACL tear.
27. Detroit Lions: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
A college left tackle, Fautanu will be moved inside as he transitions into the NFL. He has the play style and aesthetics of a guard but the feet and arm length that can keep him at tackle. The flexibility would answer a need for te Lions.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Trevor Lawrence needs another weapon on the outside. Thomas provides outstanding size (6-4, 205), speed and tracking skills. The Jaguars do have Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, but adding Thomas into the mix would create a problem for defenses.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsely Suamataia, OL, BYU
The Chiefs got rid of all their veteran lineman and rebuilt up front. They need to continue adding in the trenches. Although, I wouldn’t doubt it if the Chiefs add a receiver here if one falls.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Barton will be moved to the inside at the NFL level. The 49ers have struggled with the offensive line this season. The Duke OT could be answer to some issues.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
The Ravens desperately need help in their secondary. His lean frame with great length can cause problems for many receivers. Burke is a high-energy guy that can help motivate his teammates.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
King has elite ball-hawking skills and the Eagles need that. The secondary is probably the worst part of the Eagles roster. King’s football IQ could be beneficial to the Eagles defense.
TL//DR: 2024 NFL Mock Draft
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