The 2024 NFL Draft is star-studded and has plenty of depth, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With the college football regular season officially over, we are beginning to gain a better understanding of some of the legit, first-round prospects. With that being said, here is the first addition of what will be many 2024 NFL Mocks.
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears find themselves back at the top of the draft thanks to a deal done with the Panthers during last year’s offseason. If Justin Fields plays well in the final five games of the season, I believe there is a real chance the Bears move back to obtain a never before seen haul for the top pick. However, there are no trades in this mock, so I have Chicago selecting Williams, who many consider to be the best quarterback prospect of this generation to pair with what should be a new offensive coordinator in the Windy City.
2. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Who would’ve thought that New England would be picking in the top 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft after decades of dominance? Well here we are, and the Patriots need a new quarterback after the development of Mac Jones has gone nowhere but South over the past few seasons. Drake Maye is far from a consolation prize here at number two. He operates extremely well in the pocket and has some of the best arm talent in college football. He will run the offense in the North East for years to come.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Recent rumors of Harrison Jr. staying one more year with Ohio State have begun to swirl. I don’t buy it. He is the best overall player in the class and probably the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. His body control at 6-foot-4 is otherworldly and his route running has gotten better and better every season. He becomes the alpha in Arizona.
4. Washington Commanders: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn St
Fashanu easily could’ve came out last year and been a first round pick, but he decided to postpone the league until the 2024 NFL Draft. Fashanu possesses elite athleticism and has especially excelled in his pass blocking. Sam Howell has done more than enough to show he deserves at least one more year as the starter, and the Commanders help keep him upright by selecting a tackle in the top five.
5. Chicago Bears: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
There is a legit argument that Nabers deserved the Biletnikoff Award over Harrison Jr. after ammasing more receptions and yards during this 2023 campaign. With Darnell Mooney becoming a free agent, the Bears still have a need at WR despite D.J. Moore having an incredible season so far. Nabers becomes the number two in Chicago and forms what should be a prolific duo with their new QB Caleb Williams.
6. New York Giants: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida St
The Giant’s offense has been atrocious this year and you can blame any offensive unit you want for their struggles. With the top two QBs off the board, the Giants select an absolute physical freak in Keon Coleman who had a breakout year with FSU. He brings some much needed explosiveness to an otherwise stale offense in New York.
7. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The 2024 NFL Draft has no shortage of starting caliber offensive linemen, and Joe Alt may be the most sure thing of them all. He has been a projected top ten pick for two years now and his performance this year has been more than good enough to fulfill that expectation. He steps in at LT for an inconsistent and banged up Jet’s line unit.
8. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
When it comes to size and physicality along the offensive line, you won’t find a better option than JC Latham. Standing at 6-foot-6 and over 350 pounds, Latham is an absolute unit. He is a true mauler in the run game which fits exactly what Mike Vrabel wants to do on offense with the Titans.
9. New Orleans Saints: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Saints absolutely need to become more dynamic offensively and that just isn’t going to happen with Derek Carr under center. Daniels is a real threat with his legs and can push the ball down the field in a hurry.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Surprisingly, Tampa Bay’s pass defense has been severely lacking in 2023. Both the lack of pass rush and sub-par defensive back play are to blame, but I love Turner’s explosiveness and think Shaq Barrett is on his way out. Turner fits a position of need for the Bucs and fills it very well.
11. Las Vegas Raiders: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
As much as I wanted this to be a QB for the Raiders, the board simply hasn’t fallen that way. Outside of QB, Vegas has holes to fill everywhere on defense. After selecting Tyree Wilson in the top ten last year, the Raiders elect to address their defensive back-field. McKinstry doesn’t wow with his athletic profile, but he’s a technician and always seems to be in the right place, at the right time.
12. Las Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers is absolutely worthy of a higher pick than this. But, due to positional value, he falls right into the Charger’s lap. Las Angeles will surely have a new coach next season and hopefully whoever it is dedicates significant resources to making sure the offense is as loaded around Justin Herbert as possible. Bowers is as dynamic as they come and will add a new dimension to an already talented offensive unit.
13. Buffalo Bills: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Bills haven’t had the season they hoped to say the least. To make matters worse, there’s been even more locker room problems with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis is nothing more than a field stretcher. Odunze is great at the catch point and can make the contested catches the Bills are lacking. He becomes their instant number two, and worse case scenario, their number one.
14. Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
After a midseason win streak, the Broncos have answered a lot of question marks when it comes to their roster. I still feel like they lack some talent and pass rush on the interior defensive line. Newton, the reigning B1G defensive player of the year, had 7.5 sacks in 2023 and brings some needed to juice to that unit.
15. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OG, Washington
Fautanu played tackle this year for the Huskies, but profiles best to guard at the next level. What he lacks in length, he makes up for in strength and hand placement. Seattle has a promising young tackle duo, but could use the help inside. They keep Fautanu in state.
16. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Another guy staying in state here as Latu lands with the Rams. LA has been surprising this year as they find themselves in the middle of the playoff race in the NFC. However, they have a huge need along the edge and Latu is the most productive and experienced at the position in the 2024 NFL Draft.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Cincinnati has three of their four most productive pass catchers hitting free agency in 2024. Due to his injury history, I think you let Tee Higgins walk. With his absence, the 6-foot-2 Thomas Jr. steps in as Joe Burrow‘s big body, red-zone target.
18. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida St
With their second pick here in the first round, the Cardinals elect to bolster the trenches with Jared Verse. Verse, who could’ve been a first round pick last year, took a tiny step back this year. But, he still possesses more than enough length and technical ability to be worthy of a first round selection. Especially for a team that needs pass rush desperately.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Many believe that Arnold is the better corner prospect coming out of Tuscaloosa. I’m not quite ready to board that train, but he is incredibly talented, especially in man coverage. Another team I would love to give a QB, instead takes the best player available at a position of need.
20. Green Bay Packers: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
The Packers have a big need at safety after the modest play and expiring contract of Darnell Savage. Kinchens, who has eleven interceptions in 2 years for the Canes, will step in nicely as a true ball hawk in Green Bay.
21. Minnesota Vikings: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn St
Minnesota has taken a somewhat expected step back this year, exasperated by injuries to Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. With Danielle Hunter becoming a free agent, and really no other reliable pieces at edge, the Vikings take Robinson, who is small for the position, but probably the most athletic in the class.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Another surprisingly successful team through the 2023 season so far, the Colts take Nate Wiggins, who stands at 6-foot-2 and fits exactly what Chris Ballard looks for in defensive backs.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St
After taking a tackle in the first round last year, the Steelers do it again here with Fuaga. Fuaga is a mauler in the run game and possesses the nasty demeanor Pittsburgh always seems to covet.
24. Houston Texans (via CLE): Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
The Texans take a guy in DeJean who I believe is one of the only guys who could seamlessly play safety or corner in the 2024 NFL Draft. DeJean has been productive as both a corner and kick returner for the Hawkeyes and joins a young and exciting team in Houston.
25. Kansas City Chiefs: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio St
Unfortunately, Egbuka took a large step back statistics wise in 2023, largely due to a dramatic decrease in quarterback play. I still think Egbuka profiles best as a top tier slot in the NFL and will fit nicely as a RAC weapon for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
The Jaguars have gotten a lot of production out of Tyson Campbell, so they go back to Athens and add Kamari Lassiter. Lassiter excels in Georgia’s man cover scheme and will add some needed depth for Jacksonville.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georiga
With Tyron Smith becoming a free agent, the Cowboys will likely have a hole to fill at LT. They drafted Tyler Smith to fill the spot, but his exceptional play at guard leads me to believe Dallas will keep him there. Mims’ massive frame and athleticism for his size will surely give him a chance to be picked in the first round.
28. Detroit Lions: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Both Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones will be free agents in 2024, leaving Detroit with a need for a big body, outside receiver. Mitchell, who stands at 6-foot-4, will be just that, adding to an already explosive offense.
29. San Franciso 49ers: Graham Barton, OG, Duke
For a team that has very little needs and next to none impact free agents, the 2024 NFL Draft will help the rich get richer. Barton plays tackle at Duke, but profiles best to guard in the NFL due to a lack of length. Regardless, Barton is solid in both the run and pass and will likely be an instant starter for the 49ers.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
To call Xavier Legette a late bloomer would be an understatement. He tripled his career yards and more than doubled his career touchdowns in 2023. Legette, who is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds on top of being projected to be one of the fastest players in the class. His skills need some refining, but he would be quite the weapon for Baltimore.
31. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
As much as I wanted this to be an offensive lineman, I just don’t know enough about the rest of the guys on the board to make them first rounders. So, Miami takes the first backer off the board in Trotter Jr., a true Junior who has shown flashes in pass coverage and pass rushing.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
With the last pick, the Eagles take the ninth WR in the first round. Shattering the record of seven previously set in 2004. Worthy has been productive since his true freshman year at Texas and plays much larger than his slender frame would suggest. He fits in nicely as the WR3 for Philadelphia.
TL//DR: 2024 NFL Mock Draft
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