As the 58th NFL Super Bowl has officially come to an end we all know what that means; time to start preparing for the 2024 draft. I (Justin Fields) have put together the unpopular, but correct mock draft that’s best suited for the first round of the draft based on what each team should select. As well as where each player will prosper the best in an organization. With that being said, let the games begin and the Chicago Bears are officially on the clock!
Justin Fields’ Mock Draft
Justin Fields’ Mock Draft Picks 1-10
[1] Chicago Bears: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State
This was not a typo when I believe that the Bears need to pick the best playmaker in this draft. I will be the first one to say that the Bears can win games with Justin Fields as their franchise quarterback. As Fields prepares for his third season he has only gotten better as time goes on and what he’s missing is someone who can help him make plays. As one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league he needs some help to get it done and Harrison Jr. is his guy. The Chicago Bears will continue to be a laughing stock in the NFC if they are silly enough to waste this pick and take a quarterback.
[2] Washington Commanders: Joe Alt, T Notre Dame
Again, the answer to something that isn’t working is not to restart the entire process. Washington’s issue is not their quarterback Sam Howell because if you look at the numbers Howell was statistically one of the best passers in the NFL. Their issue was that he had no protection! Joe Alt will be a great fit for a severely struggling offensive line. With playmakers like Brian Robinson Jr., Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel the Commanders are already loaded. Howell just needs time to give them the ball and Alt would be a huge addition.
[3] New England Patriots: Caleb Williams, QB USC
Now this is an organization that needs to start from the bottom. We all witnessed the Pats downfall and it started at the quarterback position. Caleb Williams is no doubt the most gifted QB in this draft class and New England should have no question taking this generational talent.
[4] Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL Illinois
The first defensive player of the draft will be taken by the Cardinals who direly need a pass rusher. After trading away former first round pick Isaiah Simmons early this season Arizona could use a powerhouse like the 6’6 300 lb DL Je’Zhan Newton pressuring opposing QBs.
[5] Los Angeles Chargers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
This pick is a pretty obvious selection for the Chargers who need someone to protect Justin Herbert. After acquiring Jim Harbaugh a few weeks ago this would be another great addition to a team could be legit contenders if healthy. Everything Harbaugh preaches starts with a great offensive line and taking Fashanu with this pick will be the core of that OL.
[6] New York Giants: Taliese Fuaga, T Oklahoma State
If any team needs someone to protect their quarterback that’s the Big Blue. Whoever the Giants decide to put behind center taking an offensive line is a must, especially when you have a player like Saquon Barkley in the backfield as well. New York’s main issue for the last decade has been their line and it’s time they take a player like Taliese Fuaga to help dominate the run game. Barkley has a chance to get back to that level he was once at, and Fuaga has to be the answer for the Giants.
[7] Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, T Alabama
It seems like offensive tackles are the theme of this draft and rightfully so. With a young star like Will Levis the Titans needed to allow him to make plays, but with poor blocking all year his playmaking abilities were cut short. If Latham isn’t picked earlier on he is bound to be taken with this pick.
[8] Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
The second quarterback I have selected in the draft is Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU. The Falcons have desperately been looking for ‘their guy’ since Matt Ryan and Daniels would be a perfect fit in Atlanta. The Falcons have a legit team, but as we all know without a quarterback that team means nothing. Keeping Taylor Heinicki on the squad to help mentor Daniels would be a great way to help him prosper in the league.
[9] Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
This pick for the bears would really turn around their offense and give real weapons for Justin Fields. Bowers has been the best tight end in college the past two years and should be a no-doubter for Chicago. The Bears lacked a real offense surrounding Fields and he would now have options to turn to with Bowers and Harrison Jr at either side.
[10] New York Jets: Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
This pick is a no-brainer in my mind. We all know the Jets struggles at quarterback this year after Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down. However, the rest of their team looked amazing and once Rodgers comes back they will be real contenders, but let’s look to the future. Drafting Drake Maye would be the smartest decision New York could make; allowing Maye to learn and grow behind one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
P.S. Let’s look at Rogers’s former team and see how that turned out for them.
Justin Fields’ Mock Draft Picks 11-20
[11] Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
It’s time for the Vikings to draft a develop a top QB and McCarthy will fit right in working behind Kirk Cousins. Minnesota’s pass heavy offense and ability to make plays will fit right in for McCarthy. The Vikings have also always missed a top quarterback to lead them to a Super Bowl, they need a winner. Winners win and McCarthy will help fill that blank space.
[12] Denver Broncos: Dallas Turner, Edge Alabama
Dallas Turners 6’4 frame has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in all of college football. His athleticism will carry over to the NFL and the Broncos are in need of a powerful body on the defensive line. I don’t see Denver passing up on Turner if he’s still on the table.
[13] Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington
With arguably the strongest arm in this draft class Penix Jr. will find a name for himself as a Raider. Antonio Pierce is looking to completely change the culture in Vegas and he’s eyeing a talented quarterback like Penix to start the structure. We all know Devante Adams is also eyeing a star QB to pass him the pig skin.
[14] New Orleans Saints: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
With one of the top defenses in the league last year, I see New Orleans going for a big offensive lineman to protect Derek Car; something they couldn’t do last year. Mims was a beast and the core of that OL at Georgia and will make a massive impact on the Saints.
[15] Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
Arnold was ranked amongst the top cornerbacks in college football and is a perfect fit for Indianapolis who struggled at the CB position last season. Colts GM, Chris Ballard, will pounce on this opportunity if able to.
[16] Seattle Seahawks: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB Clemson
Seattle has always been known for their unstoppable defense and they are looking to get back to that level after a disappointing 2023 performance. New head coach Mike Macdonald will bring his stellar defensive scheme from Michigan and would love to secure Trotter with the 16th pick.
[17] Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
Nate Wiggins is coming in as one of the top ranked cornerbacks in this year’s draft. His experience covering the top wide outs in college will greatly help Jacksonville’s bottom ranked defense in need of a player like Wiggins. I have the Jaguars going defensive in this year’s draft.
[18] Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE Texas
The big physical tight end out of Texas is going to make an immediate impact with Cincinnati who has no TE under contract for the 2024 season. With a hopeful resigning of their top offensive and defensive guys, Sanders will be the hole they’ve been missing from the tight end position.
[19] Los Angeles Rams: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
The young Rams defense this year was one of the worst passing defenses in the league in 2023. I see the Rams adding more depth at the cornerback position with a talented McKinstry. Los Angeles is going to be a team to be reckoned with their stellar offense, but the other side of the ball is what’s going to hold them back. They will stick to a defensive approach throughout this draft.
[20] Pittsburgh Steelers: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT Clemson
I have the top ranked DT going the most well known defensive teams of all time. Drafting Orhorhoro will be a great pick for the Steelers and his career learning behind All-Pro Cameron Hayward. Pittsburgh’s offense is the biggest question mark for them, but I see them making offseason moves to fill some holes.
Justin Fields’ Mock Draft Picks 21-32
[21] Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, IOL Washington
The Dolphins don’t know how their offensive line will shape out before this upcoming season. Troy Fautanu is hands down the best OL in the 2024 draft class and will be a great center piece to that powerful Miami offense. I think their offensive line is the weakest part of their team and with a pick like Fautanu they will be in great shape to make a deeper run into the playoffs.
[22] Philadelphia Eagles: Edgerrin Cooper, LB Texas A&M
We all witnessed the Eagles defense downfall last season, but it defiantly wasn’t a fluke. In order for them to get back to their Super Bowl ways it’s going to take a truly impactful player in the center of that defense. Edgerrin Cooper should be Philly’s first round pick if still on the board. His on field presence and ability to drop back in coverage as well as pass rushing is who the birds need.
[23] Houston Texans: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL Oregon
What a season the young Texans squad had this year, and this draft is the best thing to happen to them. C.J. Stroud did all he could to make plays, but the offensive line gave him trouble all throughout the season. Drafting Jackson-Powers will be a huge edition to that young team and should 100% be eyeing a lineman with their first round pick.
[24] Dallas Cowboys: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best all around teams this year and there isn’t much they could improve on, but I ended up having them take a wide out in round 1. We saw all year that when teams took away their number one option in CeeDee Lamb, they don’t have many other star receivers. I could see Rome Odunze being a vital piece to that high powered offense already. He would help free up the forced tension between Dak Prescott and Lamb.
[25] Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin, S Minnesota
Nubin is staying in the North. The Packers pass defense struggled throughout the season and could use some more depth on that side of the ball. Adding the top ranked safety on the draft board is what Green Bay needs to be a power house. I expect them to get rid of current safety Adrian Ramos who extremely underperformed this year.
[26] Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
I have Malik Nabers heading to Tampa to help support Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield. Who knows what they will do with Mayfield, but either way they are going to need a new star receiver in the city as Evans enters his last legs of his career.
[27] Arizona Cardinals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU
Back-to-back LSU receivers getting selected as I have Brian Thomas Jr. headed to Arizona. The Cardinals are a struggling team on all aspects of the field and after taking Jer’Zhan Newton with their first pick they need to go offensively with this selection. Thomas Jr. has all the tools to shine bright at the next level and the Cardinals have zero star talent at the position. He has the opportunity to emerge very quickly in Arizona and this is a must pick for them if he’s still available.
[28] Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
I think we can all agree on the fact the the Buffalo Bills were a fluke this year after making it to the divisional round. They just didn’t show any serious promise especially on the offensive side. It’s clear that Stefon Diggs isn’t thriving the way everyone would’ve liked and it’s time to start looking for more options for Josh Allen. Their defense isn’t what held them back this year, it was the offense. Drafting a game changer like Coleman with their first round pick is a great selection.
[29] Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
Although the Lions had an overall great roster this year, an aspect to highlight is their passing defense. They were ranked in the bottom half in passing yards allowed so taking a cornerback is their best bet. Lassiter will add much needed depth to help make their team rock solid on all sides of the ball.
[30] Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
The Ravens need to use this pick to get a wide receiver. I have Worthy as the best playmaker on the board, but either way it should be used to get the best wideout available. Notable receivers that may not return are veteran’s Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. Also the recent news surrounding star rookie Zay Flowers about a domestic violence allegation could have him not returning for the 2024 season. Either way, Baltimore can’t rely on raining MVP Lamar Jackson to carry the squad year in and year out.
[31] San Francisco 49ers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB Missouri
After a disappointing end to an incredible team and season there aren’t many picks that can upgrade this team. However, adding another Charvarius Ward to the opposite side of the field isn’t a bad idea. Rakestraw Jr. is a great pick for San Francisco on their hunt to another Super Bowl.
[32] Kansas City Chiefs: DeWayne Carter, DT Duke
Even in a down year the Chiefs find a way to win, but it won’t hold up next year and they know that. I can see them going either side of the ball for this pick, but I I went for a DT for their first round selection. Signing a veteran receiver in the offseason is a great idea to help progress some of their younger guys. DeWayne Carter’s ability to stop the run game is something Kansas City was lacking last season. This pick will be a great addition to an already stacked defensive team overall.
And that’s a wrap on Justin Fields’ Mock Draft of the first round!
The 2024 NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated draft in recent years with the talent through the roof. April 24th can’t come soon enough to see where these stars land. Be on the look out for more NFL Mock Drafts from Dacota Haynes, Justin Fields, Jack Westphal or others.
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