The 2024 NFL Draft is mere hours away, and it is time to zero in on the final mock draft of this cycle.
The first selection of the event lacks suspense, as the Chicago Bears likely already have a contract drafted up for their upcoming No. 1 overall pick.
However, the rest of the first round truly remains a mystery. With as many as six total quarterbacks rumored to be in Day 1 consideration, it’s anyone’s best guess how they come off the board after Caleb Williams.
Furthermore, wide receiver and offensive tackle possess the most talented and deepest group of talent that I have ever personally evaluated. As many as a dozen of these players could come off the board in Round 1.
Defensively, there is no blue-chip prospect this year, but that doesn’t mean it lacks immediate difference-makers. Cornerbacks and pass rushers, especially, should see multiple players taken early.
Without further ado, let’s take a guess at what I believe will happen — not necessarily what I would do if I were the general manager. Up first, the Chicago Bears are now on the clock.
No. 1: Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
From the moment Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, this pick became all but a certainty. Caleb Williams will be the next starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
Williams displays remarkable arm talent, highlighted by his absurd array of throwing angles and his natural ability to zip passes downfield while on the move.
Sure, Williams must rein in his wilder tendencies and take what the defense gives him, but he’s the type of prospect a team will bet the house on. And that team is Chicago.
No. 2: Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The next quarterback off the board is where the 2024 NFL Draft really begins. We’ll roll with Jayden Daniels here, as I believe his deep ball ability and rushing prowess will be too much for Commanders’ OC Kliff Kingsbury to pass on.
Daniels is supremely talented, evidenced by his Heisman-winning campaign in 2023. He’s comparable to Lamar Jackson coming out, even if he’s already 23 years old as a rookie.
No. 3: New England Patriots — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Patriots resisted the temptation to trade out of this pick for a haul, and instead, they opted for a potential franchise quarterback who earned the QB2 spot on my final 2024 NFL Draft big board.
Drake Maye is deathly accurate from the pocket and possesses the requisite arm strength to hit any throw in an NFL playbook. His mechanics can get away from him sometimes, but Maye could be this year’s C.J. Stroud.
No. 4: Arizona Cardinals — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals will surely entertain trade calls, but with the most picks in the 2024 NFL Draft (11), it makes more sense to prioritize landing a high-end prospect instead.
Insert Marvin Harrison Jr. The Ohio State star is the best player in the entire class, thanks to his NFL-sized frame and some pristine route running that he inherited from his Hall of Fame father.
MHJ won’t win every foot race, but he checks the boxes everywhere else. Quarterback Kyler Murray needs a go-to target after losing Marquise’ Hollywood’ Brown this offseason.
A trade!
Chargers Send:
•No. 5 overall (2024)
Vikings Send:
•No. 11 overall (2024)
•No. 23 overall (2024)
•Future first-round pick (2025)
No. 5: Minnesota Vikings (via LAC) — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
I’ll be the first to say I’m skeptical of J.J. McCarthy as a prospect, but going to the Vikings with HC Kevin O’Connell would go a long way toward alleviating some of those concerns.
McCarthy’s physical talent has never been questioned, as he has an above-average arm and is one of the best athletes at the position in years. It’ll fall on O’Connell to bring him along at his own pace and not rush the development.
No. 6: New York Giants — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Daniel Jones will be tasked with starting for another season, which may draw the ire of Giants fans everywhere. But adding to the roster before turning it over to a new signal-caller is smart.
Rome Odunze is a bonafide No. 1 target at the next level, thanks to a Davante Adams-like release off the line of scrimmage. He’s a stellar route runner who checks the boxes in size, speed, and play strength.
No. 7: Tennessee Titans — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
After investing heavily across the depth chart, the Titans must nab a franchise left tackle at the 2024 NFL Draft — and Joe Alt fits the billing.
Alt is a towering presence on the offensive line, displaying teach-tape technique. He’s a plug-and-play starter upfront and can potentially transform the Tennessee unit upon arrival.
A trade!
Falcons Send:
•No. 8 overall (2024)
Jaguars Send:
•No. 17 overall (2024)
•No. 96 overall (2024)
•Future first-round pick (2025)
No. 8: Jacksonville Jaguars (via ATL) — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Malik Nabers is a powder keg capable of taking any catch to the end zone. He’s ultra-competitive at the catch point and can stretch defenses with his blazing top-end speed.
It will require paying a hefty demand, but landing Nabers is worth the added draft capital it takes to leap up nine spots. Jaguars fans won’t miss next year’s first-rounder if the LSU star lives up to the hype.
A trade!
Bears Send:
•No. 9 overall (2024)
Steelers Send:
•No. 20 overall (2024)
•No. 51 overall (2024)
•Future second-round pick (2025)
No. 9: Pittsburgh Steelers (via CHI) — Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Pittsburgh sees the run on offensive tackles coming so they send their second-rounder this year and next year to jump ahead of offensive line-needy teams.
They snag Taliese Fuaga, a bulldozing offensive lineman who can bookend the line with last year’s first-round pick, Broderick Jones, for the foreseeable future.
No. 10: New York Jets — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
My gut still leans toward the offensive line for New York, but the allure to take tight end Brock Bowers might be enough to force the hand of GM Joe Douglas.
The positive of drafting Bowers is that he kills two birds with one stone. He’s an extremely reliable blocker and provides the game-changing ability as a pass catcher down the seams.
Bowers pairing with Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall would give veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers the best possible chance at competing for a Super Bowl next season.
No. 11: Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) — J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Chargers fans have lobbied hard for the team to stay at No. 5 overall and take the best possible pass catcher on the board. But HC Jim Harbaugh likely has other plans.
Instead, J.C. Latham, a big body in the trenches, aligns more with Harbaugh’s team-building philosophy. He can play opposite All-Pro Rashawn Slater and keep quarterback Justin Herbert healthy after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign.
No. 12: Denver Broncos — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Dallas Turner is a remarkable athlete, and his lightning-quick first step shows up on tape time and time again. He’s still learning to rush the passer and incorporate more moves effectively, but Turner’s shown growth.
For the Broncos, he’s the first defender off the board and likely holds a top-ten grade by many teams. The offensive run allows Denver to get a potential blue-chipper on defense.
No. 13: Las Vegas Raiders — Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Byron Murphy II is the perfect centerpiece for DC Patrick Graham’s scheme, as the virtually unblockable interior defender is a handful as a pass rusher and is dominant in the ground game.
Vegas will likely consider a trade-up for a quarterback, but with multiple trades already being completed, they’re left without a dance partner and choose to settle for Murphy II — an incredible consolation prize.
No. 14: New Orleans Saints — Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
New Orleans has plenty of avenues they could venture down, but in this exercise, it’s Washington’s Troy Fautanu that arrives to the Big Easy to protect Derek Carr.
Fautanu can play anywhere on the line, which gives the Saints a versatile blocker who shines both in passing down sets and during running plays. He’s a plug-and-play starter in Year 1 for an offensive line that desperately needs a boost.
A trade!
Colts Send:
•No. 15 overall (2024)
Rams Send:
•No. 19 overall (2024)
•No. 83 overall (2024)
•No. 99 overall (2024)
No. 15: Los Angeles Rams (via IND) — Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Rams don’t want to get left out of the offensive line party, so they make a small trade up the board to land Olu Fashanu, once considered a surefire top-ten pick.
Fashanu’s a little rough around the edges in terms of technique, but he’s a superb athlete and is still only 21 years old. LA bets that his best football is still ahead of him.
No. 16: Seattle Seahawks — Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
The Seahawks cut both starting safeties this offseason and did little in the way of finding replacements during free agency. But fret not; Cooper DeJean is on the way.
DeJean is an instinctual defender who thrives at keeping the top of the unit and gobbling up every tackle possible. That is the ideal fit for Mike Macdonald’s scheme in Seattle.
He can start at either safety position immediately and even has the ability to serve as a boundary cornerback or nickel in the secondary. It may not be a sexy pick, but it fits the Seahawks’ mold.
No. 17: Atlanta Falcons (via JAX) — Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell is the highest-rated defender on my final big board, and I view him as an immediate lockdown cornerback on Sundays.
Mitchell’s skillset and mental approach to the game is a breath of fresh air. He can terrorize receivers with blazing speed and the best ball skills in the class. The Falcons could use that opposite A.J. Terrell.
No. 18: Cincinnati Bengals — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Bengals missed out on the offensive line run, but they get a chance to add a long-term Tee Higgins replacement, which could free them up to trade Higgins still this summer.
Joe Burrow needs protection, but it’s also worth mentioning that he’s had a stacked receiving core since high school. Adding Brian Thomas Jr. makes sense on all fronts.
No. 19: Indianapolis Colts (via LAR) — Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Colts traded down, as Chris Ballard so frequently does, and can still draft a starting cornerback at No. 19 overall.
Terrion Arnold is feisty and wins by imposing his will on any receiver unlucky enough to line up across from him. Arnold has an Alabama pedigree and should be one of the best rookie defenders from this class in 2024.
No. 20: Chicago Bears (via PIT) — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Bears hit a lick after acquiring a future first-round selection and still selecting a player they might have chosen if they hadn’t traded down.
Jared Verse boasts the most power in the class off the edge, and his impressive athletic performance at the Combine boosted his stock. He’s a great choice after a savvy trade-down.
No. 21: Miami Dolphins — Johnny Newton, DL, Illinois
Miami lost its heart and soul of the defense when Christian Wilkins departed for Las Vegas. Luckily for them, Johnny Newton is the ideal successor to Wilkins in South Beach.
Newton is an impossible assignment one-on-one, and when he’s commanding double teams, it opens up the pass rushers and cornerbacks to play more freely.
No. 22: Philadelphia Eagles — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Amarius Mims has less than ten career starts under his belt, and he’s also dealt with a couple of major lower-body injuries — which can be extra problematic for a player of his stature.
The 6-foot-7, 340-pound mountain has a giant wingspan and showcases athleticism that players half his size would give anything for. It’s all about turning that potential into consistency. If this pick hits, Philadelphia looks genius.
No. 23: Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) — Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The debate around the Chargers taking a wide receiver or taking an offensive tackle has been rampant since Harbaugh took the job. After a trade down, LA can do both in this mock draft.
The Bolts brought in Latham earlier, and now it’s time to get Justin Herbert a weapon. Adonai Mitchell is another freaky athlete at receiver, and he would step in as the unquestioned No. 1 option in the passing game.
No. 24: Dallas Cowboys — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
No one fits the definition of a “traitsy defender” better than Chop Robinson. The next in a long line of freaky athletes from Penn State, Robinson hopes to find the same success as Micah Parsons.
But he has a long way to go. Robinson isn’t as bendy as you might expect and he has virtually no pass-rushing moves outside of relying solely on speed to turn the corner.
With the Parsons and the Cowboys, he’d join a championship-level unit with leaders scattered across the depth chart. They would hold him accountable while also giving him the space to grow at his own rate.
No. 25: Green Bay Packers — Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
I wouldn’t personally select a linebacker on Day 1 in this class, but this sure feels like a move the Packers have made in the past and would likely make again, doesn’t it?
If any linebacker makes sense for Green Bay, it’s Texas A&M superstar Edgerrin Cooper. He’s a gifted defender capable of covering ground from sideline to sideline.
He brings juice to the middle of the defense and could even be a sneaky blitzer. Cooper isn’t a pick that feels like a win in April, but it is the glue piece that the Packers lack.
No. 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Buccaneers need a reliable pass rusher that can spearhead the unit, and Laiatu Latu is the man for the job. After being forced to medically retire early in his career, Latu posted a healthy stint at UCLA.B
He’s the most polished of all the pass rushers with an endless bag of tricks and the motor to consistently chase down the quarterback even later into the matchup. He’d go even higher without the still-existing injury concerns.
No. 27: Arizona Cardinals — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
After drafting arguably the best prospect in the class with Marvin Harrison Jr., HC Jonathan Gannon finally gets a cornerback worth building the secondary around in Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry.
McKinstry can provide above-average play instantly with his safe floor and Alabama background. How high his ceiling is will remain a question, but for a franchise still rebuilding, it’s a wise decision to draft Kool-Aid.
No. 28: Buffalo Bills — Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Xavier Worthy famously broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in Combine history. While it isn’t enough to catapult him toward the top ten, he’s firmly on the radar in the later portion of Day 1.
The Bills take the speedster who can easily separate from defenders and turns into a shifty running back with the ball in tow. Following the Stefon Diggs trade, Josh Allen needs more juice at wide receiver.
No. 29: Detroit Lions — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Given his slender frame, it wouldn’t surprise me if Nate Wiggins is still on the board at No. 29 overall. In a draft that promises considerable runs at other positions, his sky-high ceiling is worth betting on for Detroit.
The Lions added starting cornerback Carlton Davis this offseason, but could still opt to sure up the position going forward. Wiggins has some Darius Slay similarities, and he’d get the chance to log a heavy snap count early in Year 1.
No. 30: Baltimore Ravens — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Baltimore boasts arguably the best roster in the NFL, which gives the team the freedom to take whoever it deems to be the best available player when Pick 30 comes up.
Slotting the versatile Graham Barton into the Ravens offensive line in this mock draft feels like the optimal approach. He can fill in for any injured player or settle in as a starting guard from Day 1.
A trade!
49ers Send:
•No. 31 overall (2024)
Raiders Send:
•No. 44 overall (2024)
•No. 77 overall (2024)
•Future second-round pick (2025)
No. 31: Las Vegas Raiders (via SF) — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Raiders come up at the end of Round 1 to secure a potential starting quarterback of the future. Michael Penix Jr. brings too much risk at No. 13, but with a small trade-up from their second-round pick, it makes sense for the fringe playoff roster.
Penix Jr. would walk into an impressive compilation of weapons with a defense that played exceptionally well down the stretch last season, too. Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew aren’t enough to get Vegas over the hump.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs — Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is the final pick in this first-round mock draft. If you think the Chiefs are difficult to defend with Travis Kelce patrolling the middle of the field — wait until McConkey joins the fold.
The teach-tape route runner displays perfect footwork when working downfield, and his short-area agility ranks amongst the best pass catchers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He’s also a phenomenal athlete. Although straight-line speed isn’t his greatest asset, McConkey has a high gear that still exceeds most of his peers. I can’t imagine a better fit for both sides.
Teams Without A First-Round Pick
No. 33: Carolina Panthers — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Let’s call a spade a spade — the Carolina Panthers completely and utterly failed quarterback Bryce Young during his rookie season.
This offseason, the front office has made a concerted effort to improve the offense, but it still lacks a wide receiver to make life easier on Young.
Keon Coleman is a now-underrated prospect getting unfairly knocked for his 40-yard dash time — which wasn’t even bad! He’s a threat after the catch and should give Young a big target capable of churning out first downs.
No. 43: Houston Texans — Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
The Texans made a shocking playoff run in C.J. Stroud’s first season at the helm. While the offense is in great shape with the addition of Stefon Diggs, the defense still needs some help.
Payton Wilson could be the quarterback of the defense alongside rising star Christian Harris in the middle of the Houston unit. Wilson is a magnificent athlete with some of the best tape I’ve ever evaluated.
His injury history likely pushes the NC State product out of Day 1, but the Texans would be wise to scoop Wilson up if he’s still available at No. 43 overall.
No. 44: San Francisco 49ers (via LV) — Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
One way to ensure that the 49ers train keeps chugging along is by adding to the element of the roster that makes them difficult to beat — the trenches.
Kingsley Suamataia is a polarizing offensive line prospect, but one thing nobody questions is his sheer talent. He’s a twitched-up blocker who can go stride for stride with anyone when he’s dialed in.
San Francisco must keep Suamataia initiated in practice and continue ironing out some of the technical issues that pop up on tape. He’s a diamond in the rough if the Niners can bring him along slowly.
No. 54: Cleveland Browns — Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State
The Browns are a well-oiled machine, but the interior defensive line could stand to improve. In-state product Michael Hall Jr. can stay close to Ohio State and bolster the run defense in Cleveland as a rookie.
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