2024 NFL Mock Draft

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The Draft is just ten days away. Over the course of one weekend, numerous collegiate athletes will find new homes across all 32 NFL teams. There are bound to be moves that will shock everyone, as well as some that are widely anticipated. Without further ado, here is my official first-round mock draft for 2024.

1st Overall Pick: Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) - Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC

I mean, this is possibly the most no-brainer pick out of the whole draft. The Bears moved Justin Fields to the Steelers because of what a good prospect Caleb Williams is. He doesn’t need workouts or combine testing; any piece of film shows how good he is. Williams is an excellent scrambler with a great arm and the ability to throw off his back foot as if it’s nothing. The 2022 Heisman winner is the cream of the crop when it comes to quarterbacks in this class, and the Bears have already done a lot this offseason to help him succeed early in the Windy City

2nd Overall Pick: Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels ,QB, LSU

The 2023 Heisman winner is coming in as one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class, and for good reason. Daniels had a monster second season at LSU, throwing for over three thousand yards and 40 touchdowns with only four interceptions all year. Daniels is a player who can scramble and use his athleticism to outmaneuver defenders in his path. He also has a great deep ball that he can air out, combined with his excellent pocket presence and overall toughness. Daniels should thrive in a Kliff Kingsbury offense with great weapons around him

3rd Overall Pick: New England Patriots - Drake Maye, QB, UNC

Drake Maye is a prospect who has put up video game-like numbers in college and even that doesn’t do it justice. Maye had 78 touchdowns with 7,000 yards in two years as the starter for North Carolina. He checks all the boxes as a prospect with good size and frame as well a great leader in the locker room. Maye will be 22 by the time the season starts but he still has some things to clean up. Although, his arm strength is elite with amazing ball placement and he’s great with the ball in his hands as a runner. New England needs a franchise guy to get them back on track. Under new head coach Jerod Mayo, Drake Maye is a guy who can flip the script on New England’s quarterback room and maybe bring them back to the Patriot way of football we are all accustomed to seeing.

4th Overall Pick: Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

With a generational quarterback in this class, it’s only fitting that there is a generational wide receiver prospect as well, namely Marvin Harrison Jr. “Maserati Marv” is a phenomenal route runner, complemented by his swift change of direction. His ball skills are off the charts, and he can excel in all three phases of the field. Harrison may be the best receiver Kyler Murray will ever have in the NFL if selected by the Cardinals. With Murray showing promise in his return from injury last season, giving him the best receiver in this class will only aid Arizona in continuing to move in the right direction towards their goals.

5th Overall Pick: Los Angeles Chargers - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Rome Odunze was one of the favorite weapons of former Washington Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. last season. If the Chargers decide to draft Odunze with the fifth pick, he will surely become one of Justin Herbert’s favorite new weapons under Jim Harbaugh. Odunze is unique because he is a jump ball specialist who can not only win a 50/50 jump ball with his ball skills and frame, but he also has great speed. He was a high school sprinter who can outpace a defensive back with his combination of speed and route running. Harbaugh saw firsthand what kind of player Odunze was in the national championship. With a need for a true wide receiver one in the Chargers’ locker room, Odunze is a player the Chargers can develop into that role from day one.

6th Overall Pick: New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Malik Nabers’ tape shows everything you could want in a wide receiver. Nabers is a burner; he can fly past defenders and put them in a spin cycle. He can win at all three levels and possesses a great yards-after-catch ability. He also has a spectacular catching ability. LSU has produced some phenomenal wide receivers who have entered the NFL over the last couple of years. Nabers is a player who exhibits traits of both Justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase. The Giants have not had a true alpha wide receiver since another LSU wideout, Odell Beckham Jr. If Nabers develops to anywhere near the same stratosphere as the three mentioned, the G-Men will have a player who not only dominates but also becomes a defensive back’s worst nightmare

7th Overall Pick: Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

There has been plenty of change in the Music City this offseason. The Titans are going with former second-round pick Will Levis as their starting quarterback next season. Tennessee has added new weapons in both the running back and wide receiver rooms, but the Titans still have a need at offensive tackle. Joe Alt solves that problem. Alt was a long-time captain at Notre Dame and has NFL blood, as his father was an all-pro tackle. Joe has all the traits to follow in those footsteps. Alt is technically sound and has a great right-hand stride. Overall, Alt can be a mainstay on this new Titans offensive line

8th Overall Pick: Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner is eye-catching for all the right reasons. Turner is a phenomenal athlete, which was evident during his recent combine performance. Turner’s change of direction, as well as his explosiveness off the snap, make him one of the best edge prospects in this class. Turner achieved a career high in sacks and total tackles this season for the Crimson Tide. Atlanta has spent the offseason retooling their offense. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are using their first pick of this draft to revamp a pass rush that hasn’t been at its best for the past few years. Turner is an impact player who can start from day one, exactly what the Falcons need to pressure opposing quarterbacks next season.

9th Overall Pick: Trade Minnesota Vikings (via Chicago Bears) - JJ McCarthy, QB,

Michigan

Our first and only trade in this mock draft involves the Bears and Vikings. Don’t worry, there will most definitely be more movement among teams on draft day, but in this mock, the Vikings trade up to get their franchise quarterback. McCarthy enters the NFL with a chip on his shoulder, but with more positives than negatives. For one, McCarthy has good accuracy and velocity on tight window throws. He is one of the best quarterbacks in this class when working outside of structure. Despite being in a very run-first offense at Michigan, McCarthy still passed for over 2,000 yards with over 20 touchdowns in the last two years, with single-digit interceptions. McCarthy would not only have the most experience in an under-center pro-style offense, but he would also have arguably one of the best weapons in the NFL in Justin Jefferson. Kevin O’Connell is one of the best young play-callers who could develop a great scheme to help his quarterback feel not limited, but comfortable in The Land of 1,000 Lakes.

10th Overall Pick: New York Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Brock Bowers is a generational tight end prospect, which seems fitting for a draft class like this year’s. Bowers averaged more than 10 yards per reception at Georgia and he’s a blend of the modern tight end with the old guard. Bowers is a formidable blocker who could be used as a sixth offensive lineman, as well as a great pass catcher. He doesn’t run choppy routes, but rather smooth, controlled routes with great hands, making it tough for linebackers to cover him. Bowers’ frame makes it more difficult for nickel slot corners to bring him down as well. The Jets did a great job repairing the offensive line to protect Aaron Rodgers, and by drafting Bowers, they not only add more protection but also a pass-catching tight end who was one of the most dominant tight ends in college.

11th Overall Pick: Chicago Bears (via Minnesota Vikings) - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Brian Thomas Jr. made a significant leap during his junior season at LSU. Thomas not only doubled his target numbers, but his yardage also shot up last season, breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the Tigers, along with 17 touchdowns, which were in the single digits two years ago. Thomas is one of the many speedsters in this class; he’s great vertically, not only on the outside but also from the slot. He’s the home run hitter, the field stretcher, and the guy who can take the top off a defense. Thomas’ real knock was the fact that he wasn’t asked to work the intermediate or short parts of the field at LSU and is definitely more of a raw prospect coming into the draft. All in all, Thomas’ size and speed, along with his excellent ball tracking skills, are probably the best complement to the new Bears wide receiver corps. With both Keenan Allen and DJ Moore working the short to middle of the field, Thomas could be the player who the defense has to worry about getting behind them.

12th Overall Pick: Denver Broncos - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Out of all the quarterbacks in this class, Bo Nix probably has the most collegiate games under his belt coming into the draft. Nix’s collegiate career began in 2019 at Auburn, where he was the starter. Fast forward, Nix transferred to Oregon two years ago and had his best collegiate seasons with the Ducks. In Nix’s final year in Eugene, he passed for over 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Nix has a lot of maturity, not only in his game but also in his personality, something that Sean Payton would appreciate. Combine that with the fact that Nix is a very good athlete with quick precision and accuracy with layered throws. He has an exceptional ability to work outside of structure and keep his eyes downfield. The Broncos’ quarterback room needs a reset and a player who can do everything that Payton wants for the offense to click. Nix could be everything and more that the Broncos want in their next starting quarterback.

13th Overall Pick: Las Vegas Raiders - Terrion Arnold, DB, Alabama

Terrion Arnold only spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa, and that was all he needed to become the best corner in this class. Arnold is a physical, fluid cornerback with great explosiveness and speed. Arnold isn’t afraid to get involved, with a forced fumble to go along with five interceptions and a sack. He’s the kind of player the Raiders need in the secondary. He can be a lockdown guy or someone who can come off the blitz to sack the quarterback.

14th Overall Pick: New Orleans Saints - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Taliese Fuaga is what every NFL team would want in a tackle. He is exceptional in the run game and always aims to take defenders for a ride. He has an ideal size for a successful NFL tackle at 6’6” and over 300 pounds. Despite his size, he remains a phenomenal athlete with great footwork and speed. The tackle position has been a weak point on the Saints’ offensive line for some time now, with former first-round pick Trevor Penning not working out as the Saints had hoped. Fuaga could be a mainstay on the Saints’ offensive line for quite some time.

15th Overall Pick: Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell, DB, Toledo

Mitchell significantly improved his draft stock in every possible way at the combine. He demonstrated his exceptional athleticism, given his size and speed. While cornerback is not necessarily a need for the Colts, Mitchell could be a great complement to Kenny Moore, who is already in his early thirties. Mitchell has excellent vision in zone coverage, with impressive play and route recognition. Mitchell is not afraid to be physical and could serve as a strong number two cornerback for the Colts in the long run.

16th Overall Pick: Seattle Seahawks - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Laiatu Latu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington. Latu suffered a serious neck injury that led to his medical retirement. However, in 2022, Latu made a full recovery and transferred to UCLA, where he had a breakout performance over the next two years. Latu achieved double-digit sacks with the Bruins and over 30 total tackles, along with multiple forced fumbles over two seasons. Latu possesses a great combination of speed and power, active hands, and a large athletic frame. With his performance at the combine and on-field play, he may have positioned himself as one of the top two edge rushers in the conversation. For Seattle, the presence on the edge has been lacking. Latu could be a great complement to Boye Mafe. In a division like the NFC West, a top-tier edge player is necessary, making Seattle’s selection of Latu crucial.

17th Overall Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars - Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson

Nate Wiggins was another player whose draft stock benefited from the combine. Wiggins ran a blistering 4.28 forty-yard dash, which really helped him rise up in this draft class that is full of talented corners. Wiggins is not a ball hawk, but he does have great length and plays with good vision in both press and zone coverage. Wiggins isn’t afraid of contact. He can blitz when needed, and his frame will definitely be something to watch since he weighs 173 pounds, but overall, he’s still a solid prospect. The Jaguars haven’t had a lockdown corner since Jalen Ramsey, but help is needed in the secondary. Wiggins could very well develop into one of the speediest corners in the NFL. Wiggins is definitely more of a project but has huge upside and potential.

18th Overall Pick: Cincinnati Bengals - Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Jer’Zhan Newton had a steadily improving collegiate career, meaning each year he was becoming more and more impressive. Newton achieved a career high in sacks this season with 7.5. Newton has excellent hands and a strong drive, despite being undersized by NFL standards. Newton is still a force in the trenches that will not be easily stopped. Cincinnati lost their best DT, DJ Reader, to the Lions in free agency. This is not necessarily a plug-and-play situation for Bengals’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, but Newton could be an impact player for the Bengals. Anarumo knows how to get the best out of all the players on his defense.

19th Overall Pick: Los Angeles Rams - Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas

For the Rams, there is no replacing Aaron Donald, as he is truly one-of-a-kind. Byron Murphy is probably the closest solution to that problem on paper. Murphy is a smaller defensive tackle but still has a solid build and a quick get-off. Murphy also has a very good arsenal of moves to win in pass rushing against guards. Murphy had his best year for Texas last season, achieving a career high in sacks and total tackles. The Rams have a great young pass rush, and Murphy can only enhance that with a strong presence on the interior defensive line.

20th Overall Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Steelers have a new quarterback in Russell Wilson, and he is famously more effective behind a good offensive line rather than a poor one. Pittsburgh has spent the last few seasons rebuilding their front five, and Olu Fashanu is the missing piece at tackle. He has good footwork and fundamentals, along with great speed and power in the run game. The Steelers also have a one-two punch with Najee Harris and Jalen Warren in the running back room. Fashanu would be a welcome addition to a Steelers offense that starts with a strong run game at its core.

21st Overall Pick: Miami Dolphins - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Miami’s top pass rushers, Bradley Chubb and Jalen Phillips, suffered major season-ending injuries towards the tail end of the season. This, combined with the fact that Andrew Van Ginkel and Christian Wilkins left in free agency, leaves Miami with an opportunity to select a top-five edge rusher in Jared Verse. Verse has good use of his hands, along with a strong combination of speed and power, enabling him to get off the line in a flash. Verse would be a welcome addition to a defensive line room set to miss key pieces for a while, or at least to start the year. Plus, it’s never a bad thing to have too much elite edge help in the AFC, which is loaded with great quarterback play.

22nd Overall Pick: Philadelphia Eagles - Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Cooper DeJean is an intriguing prospect. He is versatile, not only as a punt returner on special teams with top-end speed, but he also has great vision. This is evident when he recognizes routes for optimal space and leverage. DeJean did suffer a season-ending injury at the end of the year, so it’s unknown how that will affect him going into the new season, but he still had a solid showing at his pro day. Additionally, the Eagles could have DeJean transition to safety or nickel. DeJean would be an excellent addition in terms of depth, serving as a Swiss army knife in Philadelphia.

23rd Overall Pick: Minnesota Vikings (via Houston Texans) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB,

Alabama

Back-to-back defensive backs with Kool-Aid McKinstry going to the Vikings here. The big selling point with McKinstry is his versatility; he can play well in both man and zone coverage. That being said, he’s a good-sized corner with great length for breaking up passes. Another positive trait of McKinstry is his toughness; he played the majority of the season with a fracture in his foot and still performed at a high level. McKinstry even worked out at his pro day with the said fracture, undergoing surgery this month. McKinstry is not afraid of contact, stepping up to support the run; he sometimes has a high tackle rate, but that can be adjusted over time. Overall, Minnesota hasn’t had someone like him in their secondary since Patrick Peterson. McKinstry would be a welcome addition in Minnesota.

24th Overall Pick: Dallas Cowboys - J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

We start the run of offensive linemen with J.C. Latham going to Big D. The Cowboys lost a number of pieces on the offensive line, the most significant being Tyron Smith leaving for the New York Jets. Overall, the Cowboys need a new tackle who could start immediately, and Latham fits that bill. He has strong physicality and coordination. Latham could be a plug-and-play starter for the Cowboys if drafted.

25th Overall Pick: Green Bay Packers - Amaruis Mims, OT, Georgia

Amarius Mims is a beast, standing at 6’8” and weighing 340 pounds. The Packers lost David Bakhtiari, who was released by the team earlier in the offseason. Mims is essentially an offensive line coach’s dream at tackle, with his size and length combined with his fluidity and power, which allows him to move defensive players as if it’s nothing.

26th Overall Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Fautanu might transition to guard due to his size, but he remains a skilled run blocker with pin-and-pull concepts, and zone schemes in a multi-run scheme offense at Washington. He was a two-year starter for the Huskies and demonstrated a lot of talent, especially with his long arms and high motor. According to Pro Football Focus, the Buccaneers had some of the lowest guard grades. If Fautanu makes the move to guard, he would be an instant upgrade on the offensive line for the Buccaneers.

27th Overall Pick: Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

Despite Powers-Johnson only being a one-year starter at Oregon this past season, his combination of size and athletic ability not only made him a good prospect, but also helped him dominate those across from him. Powers-Johnson is a project, but if he works out for the Cardinals, who need help in the interior, he could be a long-term starter.

28th Overall Pick: Buffalo Bills: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

McConkey’s numbers are not off the charts, but given his size, McConkey’s ability to win not only outside but also in the slot is what is truly intriguing. McConkey is one of the best route runners in this class, along with having great hands, and he gains tough yards after the catch with his ability to see the ball through traffic. He can definitely be an impact player in the NFL. McConkey’s size is a slight drawback, but there is no doubt that the tape does a lot of the talking. With the Bills losing Stefon Diggs, they need someone who can run routes and get open. McConkey has the rare ability to win everywhere and add some strength with physicality at the next level. McConkey could be as dominant as he was for the Bulldogs. Another reliable target for Josh Allen would do wonders for the Bills’ offense post-Stefon Diggs.

29th Overall Pick: Detroit Lions - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Detroit has done a great job adding to what they already have, bringing in both DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport to help on the edge. There is no harm in getting even more playmakers on the edge, thus the selection of Chop Robinson out of Penn State. Chop can fly off the line, and he is at the top tier of athleticism with sky-high potential. Robinson is considered more of a project according to NFL scouts, but if he can reach his potential, being a running mate with one of the game’s best young edges in Aidan Hutchinson, that combination coming off the edge could be lethal. It has just the right amount of attitude that Dan Campbell loves his players to have.

30th Overall Pick: Baltimore Ravens - Adonai “AD” Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Ravens had a phenomenal season, but one key area of need was still the wide receiver position. With the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Devin Duvernay leaving in free agency, the Ravens need someone to complement first-round rookie Zay Flowers. Enter AD Mitchell from Texas, who is a great vertical route runner with a wide catch radius, impressive speed, and change of direction. Mitchell’s numbers in college don’t fully paint the picture. He has the potential to excel on the outside and develop into a long-term asset for the Ravens with time on the field.

31st Overall Pick: San Francisco 49ers - Graham Barton, OT, Duke

The 49ers possess a unique trait in football: the challenge lies in enhancing a team that is already well-constructed. There are numerous potential players this pick could be on draft day. In this mock draft, the selection of Graham Barton is tentative. Trent Williams is statistically the best left tackle in football, but unfortunately, he is nearing the twilight of his career as he heads into his 14th year. Barton is akin to a Swiss army knife, capable of starting not only at tackle but also at guard or center. This versatility could position him to compete for the left guard spot with Aaron Banks. Overall, Barton could assist the 49ers in numerous ways, offering depth and versatility. As a passer, he is a tenacious blocker with quickness and strength. The transition for Barton isn’t a leap of faith; he possesses the traits to ascend to the next level with ease.

32nd Overall Pick: Kansas City Chiefs - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Guyton might be one of the more intriguing stories among the entire tackle group in this class. He began his career as a defensive lineman before transitioning to tackle in college. According to Pro Football Focus, Guyton is more of a pusher than a blocker, but his size and length are his main selling points. Despite needing to improve his strike, Guyton can launch off the ball with a solid punch. The Chiefs’ tackles this season received grades in the lower 50s and 40s, as per Pro Football Focus. If the Chiefs are to achieve a three-peat, Patrick Mahomes cannot solely rely on working out of structure every snap. Kansas City needs additional support up front, and Guyton could provide that. If all his niches are addressed, he could be a long-term starter up front, much like another Oklahoma Sooner, Creed Humphrey, for Chiefs Kingdom.

Conclusion:

Across the board, it’s uncertain which players will be selected at the start of the draft. The odds of correctly predicting a full round are quite low, with plenty of movement expected due to trades on draft day and throughout the entire weekend. However, one thing is certain: the beauty of the draft isn’t about where or how a player pans out, but rather about witnessing each player who walks on stage take the first steps towards fulfilling their dream. It’s the one opportunity cameras have to capture a glimpse of a young child whose only dream was to play in the NFL. With draft weekend nearly upon us, we’ll just have to wait and see who ends up where and why.