2024 NFL Mock Draft

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Even though we’re two months away from the NFL Draft, the buzz around the 2024 rookie class is alive and well. Headlining the class are some elite quarterbacks and pass catchers — two of the most sought after positions in the league right now. The offensive side of the ball in general is the strength of this year’s group, but there are some high quality players on the other side of the ball as well — especially in the secondary.

Many teams will be looking for an upgrade at quarterback in this year’s stacked class. Don’t be surprised to see a few aggressive teams make splashy trades as they look to acquire the future of their franchise.

1. Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams, QB USC: I’m on the “trade the pick and build around Fields” camp myself, but all signs point to Chicago pressing reset with Williams. He’s a generational talent, and consensus says hitting on a guy like him is the best path to being a Super Bowl contender.
2. Washington Commanders — Drake Maye, QB North Carolina: The best consolation prize I can remember is Drake Maye out of North Carolina. He would have easily been QB1 in many of the recent classes, and he’s the best non-Williams propsect we’ve seen since Trevor Lawrence. The Justin Herbert comps feel appropriate for the big bodied passer with effortless arm talent and above average athleticism.
3. TRADE! Los Angeles Chargers — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR OSU: The Chargers give up №5, №37, № 105, a ’25 3rd, and a ’26 3rd to move up two spots to get arguably the best WR prospect of all time. Jim Harbaugh’s time at Michigan gave him an up close look at Harrison Jr. who becomes Justin Herbert’s go-to guy for the next decade.
4. TRADE! Atlanta Falcons — Jayden Daniels, QB LSU: Arizona wanted Harrison, but when the door opened for a team to jump up for Jayden Daniels, the Falcons swoop in. The cost is steep, as Atlanta gives up a 2nd this year plus a future 1st and 3rd to move up just 4 spots. Daniels possesses a sky-high ceiling and Atlanta was willing to get aggressive for the dual threat passer.
5. New England Patriots — Joe Alt, T Notre Dame: Even with Belichick out of the picture, the Patriot way lives on by trading down, grabbing value, and drafting smart not sexy. New England is a sneaky trade candidate for Justin Fields, and they spend the №5 pick on a guy who can keep him — or whoever’s under center in New England — upright for the next decade.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR LSU — Giants going pass catcher in this scenario is a no brainer. They would have considered quarterback had Daniels fallen into their laps, but they instead opt to give Daniel Jones another year and see what he can do with a legit №1 receiver. The only question in this scenario is will it be Nabers or Odunze? There’s a lot of buzz around Odunze as WR2 in this class , and he can be a day 1 alpha in this offense.
7. Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T Penn State — Tennessee faces a tough decision here between WR or OL. They ultimately go with Fashanu to add a blue chip talent to an offensive line desperately in need of some help. Expect the Titans to target a pass catcher on Day 2 given there’s a ton of depth at the position in this year’s class.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR LSU — Arizona is thrilled to walk away with a stud WR even after trading back. Nabers isn’t a Harrison-level prospect, but he’s the most explosive player in the class and will immediately change the dynamic of this Cardinals offense.
9. Chicago Bears — Brock Bowers, TE Georgia: The Bears would have loved one of the top WRs here, but Bowers is no slouch as a consolation prize. He’s a top 5 talent in the class, but positional value pushed him down the draft board. Chicago is happy to stop the slide and give their rookie QB another elite pass catcher alongside DJ Moore.
10. TRADE: Denver Broncos — JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan: Sean Payton clearly wants his quarterback of the future, and he plants his flag on McCarthy being his guy here. There’s a ton of buzz around McCarthy being a top 15 pick , and the Broncos move up to ensure they get their guy by giving up a 3rd and 4th round pick in this year’s class, plus a conditional 4th in 2025.
11. Minnesota Vikings — Jared Verse, Edge Florida State: The Vikings have been linked to quarterback in round one, but don’t love the value here. Instead, they take arguably the best defender in the class at a premium position. Jared Verse can add some disruption to a defense in need of some help across the board.
12. New York Jets — Amarius Mims, T Georgia: The Jets feel all but destined to get some OL help here, and they’re happy to get Mims even after trading down. New York surely wants a guy who can slot in to protect Aaron Rodgers on day 1, and they believe Mims can be that guy.
13. Las Vegas Raiders — Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa: DeJean might just be my favorite player in this draft. You can line him up at any position in the secondary and he’ll thrive. He’s a ball hawk who will add some serious playmaking ability to a Raiders’ defense desperately in need of a spark.
14. New Orleans Saints — JC Latham, T Alabama: The Saints would love to trade down here, but there’s not a ton of value in doing so. Instead, they stick and pick and go with the best tackle on the board in a deep tackle class.
15. Indianapolis Colts — Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU: This WR class really is loaded and I think Thomas is going to get drafted a lot higher than people think. The Colts could use a legitimate second option alongside Michael Pittman, and Thomas is the perfect complement.
16. Seattle Seahawks — Laiatu Latu, DE UCLA: Mike McDonald adds a stud pass rusher to a defense oozing with young talent. Seattle already has some fantastic pieces on the back end, and adding an edge defender of Latu’s caliber at 16 is a home run pick.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars — Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo: The Jags simply need more plus starters at nearly every position. Mitchell can come in and be a day 1 improvement at a premium position and help build a foundation on Jacksonville’s defense.
18. Cincinnati Bengals — Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama: The Bengals are typically good about going best player available and they do exactly that by snagging Arnold at pick 18. He adds shut-down corner potential to a defense that’s already well rounded.
19. Los Angeles Rams — Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon: A no nonsense pick from the Rams here who don’t get cute despite having been without a first for many years. Drafting a center in round 1 may not excite the fans, but Powers-Johnson can anchor the offensive line in Los Angeles for the next decade.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers — Bo Nix, QB Oregon: The Steelers haven’t been quiet about wanting to upgrade the quarterback position. They spent the 20th overall pick on Kenny Pickett just two years ago, and they roll the dice and try again with that same selection this year. Nix is a late bloomer with some serious boom/bust potential at the next level.
21. TRADE! Dallas Cowboys — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama: Dallas looks to jump their division rival to snag a high-end defensive back in McKinstry. The Cowboys had one of the better defenses in the league last year, and they keep adding to that strength with another playmaking cornerback here.
22. Philadelphia Eagles — Chop Robinson, DE Penn State: With Brandon Graham likely retiring, and both Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick on expiring contacts, the Eagles go back to where their bread is buttered by investing along the defensive line. Chop Robinson is an uber athletic edge defender with some high end pass rushing… chops
23. Houston Texans: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL Illinois — Houston’s a well rounded team who can go in just about any direction here. Ryans’ time in San Francisco taught him what stacking talent along the defensive line can do for a defense, and Newton adds a great interior complement to last year’s first round pick Will Anderson Jr.
24. Miami Dolphins: Taliese Fuaga, T Oregon State — This feels like the steal of the draft so far. Lots of good tackles in this class, and the Dolphins get to bolster an OL that was decimated by injuries in 2023. Fuaga is a plug and play day 1 starter in Miami.
25. Green Bay Packers— Bralen Trice, DE Washington: The Packers can go in any direction here, but they need the most help on the defensive side of the ball. Adding an edge rusher in round 1 is never a bad idea, and Trice has the potential to be an absolute force off the edge
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Graham Barton, OL Duke: The Bucs could use help all across the offensive line. Barton is a no nonsense pick who can play any spot along the interior and immediately improve the entire unit.
27. Arizona Cardinals — Dallas Turner, Edge Alabama: After going offense with their first pick, the Cardinals get a hyper-athletic edge rusher with their second day 1 pick. Turner has the upside to be an elite pass rusher one day, and Gannon knows exactly the type of impact a player like that can have on his defense.
28. Buffalo Bills — Byron Murphy, DL Texas: Many will want a WR here, but this class is deep and Buffalo can target a pass catcher on day 2 and still find a day 1 starter. Instead, they opt to beef up a defensive line that could use a little extra juice.
29. Detroit Lions — Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson: The Lions are a well balanced roster that can go in any direction with this pick. They clearly have no problem ignoring positional value, but in this scenario they take a talented player at a premium position to help build something in their secondary
30. TRADE! Minnesota Vikings — Michael Penix Jr. QB, Washington: The Vikings are enticed by physical the physical tools of Penix and they jump back into the first round so they can get him on a contract with a fifth year option. Minnesota is a friendly landing spot for the oft-injured Penix who can take a redshirt season in year one and start throwing to Justin Jefferson in year 2.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Keon Coleman, WR FSU: The 49ers will have a tough decision to make with Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, and ultimately I think he’s playing elsewhere in 2024. To help fill his void, San Francisco targets Coleman here who fits the mold they love at the position — an athletic freak with great YAC ability.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Guyton, T Oklahoma — NO! The Chiefs don’t go WR here. They just proved they can win a Super Bowl without spending first round picks on the position, and they opt to keep that philosophy alive here. Keeping Patrick Mahomes upright will always be the top priority for Andy Reid so the Chiefs go offensive line here and look to target a pass catcher on day 2