NEWSLETTER
Hard to believe we’re less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL’s most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all of the pro days around the country, J.J. McCarthy’s stock continues to rise. Will he surpass any of the projected top-three quarterbacks drafted? Let’s get to that and more in our latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams – USC
Barring a massive swerve, nothing will change on this front before April 25th’s 1st Round. Bears GM Ryan Poles has had nothing but great things to say about Caleb Williams over the last few days. Sure, anything can happen, but this is just about the lock of all locks. We have less than a month until Caleb Williams becomes the Chicago Bears’ new starting quarterback and steps into a pretty great situation for a rookie quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels – LSU
Throughout draft season, so many rumors get thrown out there, and it can be hard to decipher what’s real and what’s a smokescreen. I still think the Commanders will go with Jayden Daniels, as the ceiling is so high there. But the NFL Network reported from the NFL Owners Meetings that J.J. McCarthy has become a real possibility at second overall. McCarthy wowed at his pro day last week, but falling in love with a player after the pads come off is a risky venture. I still think Washington will go with Daniels, but where they go with second overall will be a storyline up until Roger Goodell announces the pick.
3. New England Patriots: QB J.J. McCarthy – Michigan
As momentum for J.J. McCarthy picks up, I think there’s a very realistic chance he ends up with New England as the third overall pick in the NFL Draft. McCarthy is now a proven winner, and he was an integral part of changing the attitude and culture of Michigan football. McCarthy is very fundamentally sound, he’s got a great work ethic, Jim Harbaugh RAVED about him at the owners’ meetings. The ceiling may seem higher for Drake Maye at times, but given McCarthy’s momentum and the intangibles that the league has been loving recently, it feels very possible we see the Michigan QB in the top three.
4. Arizona Cardinals – WR Marvin Harrison Jr – Ohio State
This is another spot where things could get very interesting. Could Arizona be a potential trade-down spot? They already have a lot of picks, so they don’t need to move back, and that’s why I don’t see them moving all the way back to 11 in a swap with Minnesota. But could the Giants come up from the sixth pick to try and jump a potential trade-up with the Chargers by either Minnesota or Denver? I still don’t think it’s likely, and if you’re Arizona, I don’t think you can pass on Marvin Harrison Jr., But there’s certainly potential for a trade-down scenario.
5. *TRADE* Minnesota Vikings (via Chargers): QB Drake Maye – North Carolina
The Vikings and Broncos could find themselves in a bidding war for this pick, but I think it’s one the Vikings will win out on having a second first-round pick in this draft. There is also a little more desperation on Minnesota’s end to get a QB, given how good the NFC North is starting to look and that their roster is a little bit more ready to win now than Denver’s. Drake Maye falls to Minnesota and enters a very good situation for a young quarterback with a big arm. If Marvin Harrison Jr falls here, I think the Chargers grab him, but if not, I think the haul is too much to pass up with their needs.
6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers – LSU
After missing out on the top four rated quarterbacks in this draft, the Giants have to pivot, so they go with the next best thing and draft an electric wide receiver in Malik Nabers. The former LSU Tiger gives New York a number one target on the outside and a playmaker that they desperately need, especially after Saquon Barkley left for Philly. They still have holes on offense and need a big bounce back from Daniel Jones, but Nabers is a great start in getting some potential star power on their offense.
7. Tennessee Titans: LT Joe Alt – Notre Dame
The Titans need help on both lines of scrimmage. Joe Alt was outstanding at Notre Dame, and he came away as one of the big winners at the NFL Combine. The farther along we get in the draft process, the more momentum Alt seems to gain. While we kind of knew he was a great athlete, his Scouting Combine performance confirmed that and then some. Tennessee grabs the former Fighting Irish standout to anchor their OL.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Dallas Turner – Alabama
The Falcons have their quarterback; now it’s time to address the other side of the ball. Kirk Cousins walks into a solid situation in Atlanta with a decent amount of weapons surrounding him. Defense is the pick here as they take the top EDGE rusher on the board. Dallas Turner is likely that guy, and he finds a new home in Atlanta.
9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze – Washington
After the addition of Keenan Allen, the Bears all of a sudden have a great 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Having said that, Allen is going to be 32 years old in Week 1 and is in the last year of his deal. He’s a great player but a shorter-term option. If Odunze is still there at the ninth pick, I still think you have to grab him. It makes your wide receiver room one of the best in the NFL, and it gives you a more secure long-term outlook at the position. Trading back will certainly be on the table, but I think the idea of adding Odunze to that offense is too tempting to pass up.
10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers – Georgia
The Jets have made a pair of moves adding Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses to be their tackles next season to help protect Aaron Rodgers and his repaired Achilles. This frees them up to go a different route with the NFL Draft’s 10th overall pick so they pick up one of the more talented players in this field in Brock Bowers. The Jets have some skill at wide receiver, and adding Bowers should open up that offense quite a bit and give them the potential to be dangerous.
11. Los Angeles Chargers: LT Olu Fashanu – Penn State
The Chargers need a lot of help, and they certainly need help at the skill positions, but with an extra first-round pick after trading back and a lot of those top names off the board, Jim Harbaugh takes his offensive line anchor at 11th overall. Fashanu is the top tackle in the draft on some people’s boards. Harbaugh likes to build his teams from the inside out. He might not get Justin Herbert his go-to target just yet, but he makes a move to try and keep him upright.
12. Denver Broncos: EDGE Jared Verse – Florida State
The Broncos still need a quarterback, but instead of reaching for one with the 12th pick, Sean Payton takes the top EDGE defender left on the board to sure up his defense. It seems like Payton really wants to trade up for a QB, but I’m just not sure they have the assets to beat out Minnesota, especially with a lot of holes to fill on that roster. They could try and trade back for one a QB, but I’m not sure who’s going to be chomping at the bit to get up to this pick. I think after trying to trade back, they go the safer route and take a really good EDGE.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Taliese Fuaga – Oregon State
After bringing in Gardiner Minshew on a two-year deal to be their quarterback and solidifying their defense with the massive Christian Wilkins addition, the Raiders make a pick to strengthen their offensive line, which needs some help. Taliese Fuaga is a rock-solid option at right tackle and feels very similar to Darnell Wright’s position at last year’s draft. Going that route might not be the flashy pick we’re accustomed to seeing the Raiders make, but it’s probably the right one here.
14. New Orleans Saints: OT Amarius Mims – Georgia
The Saints need help on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Given what’s left on the board, I think they’ll go offensive line in this spot. Amarius Mims was one of the big winners at the NFL Combine, with his 40-yard dash and shuttle times, along with his massive frame. He’s a bit of a risk in terms of durability, but I think with how he performed in Indy, the Saints will grab him here and take that chance.
15. *TRADE* Green Bay Packers (via Colts): T JC Latham – Alabama
With the run-on offensive line fully underway, Green Bay gets aggressive to try and add a franchise left tackle. The Packers have done a good job re-building a decent offensive line, but the missing piece is that franchise left tackle especially now that David Bakhtiari’s time in Green Bay is done. Some have Latham listed as a top-two tackle on the board. Green Bay gets aggressive to protect Jordan Love’s blind side, and the Colts move back a few picks and add some assets in the process.
16. Seattle Seahawks: OL Troy Fautanu – Washington
Fautanu has been fast-rising up NFL Draft boards so far this offseason, and his fit with the Seahawks seems too perfect. He was a tackle at Washington but probably projects more as an interior lineman at the NFL level. The Seahawks can give him a look at multiple positions and see where he fits best. Fautanu feels like a lock to be a rock-solid NFL offensive lineman; it just feels like a matter of where.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Nate Wiggins – Clemson
The Jags collapse was a brutal one down the stretch, and it really amplified their NFL Draft needs. They most certainly need a little more help on offense, but defensively, the team struggled mightily in the last few weeks. Taking a true playmaker at the cornerback position can inject some life into a defensive unit that lacked big-play ability and consistency down the stretch.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Adonai Mitchell – Texas
I’m not sure if I’m on an island here, but I love AD Mitchell in this draft class. It’s a deep WR class, so it’s easy to get a little overlooked, but I think he’s the perfect fit to replace Tee Higgins in Cincinnati if they do indeed trade him. He’s got a big frame at 6’4, and he’s an elite athlete. He’s great at going up and getting the football, he’s a phenomenal deep threat, and I think he’s a great compliment opposite Ja’Marr Chase. If you haven’t watched the Texas vs Alabama game from last season, it will show you how high Mitchell’s ceiling is.
19. Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Laiatu Latu – UCLA
With multiple positions they could address at this spot, the Rams make the pick for an impact player at a high-value position. They still need help at cornerback and on the offensive line, but given who is left on the board, I think going with Latu at 19th would be the right call. With Aaron Donald announcing his retirement, the Rams really need a playmaker on the defensive line. Latu gives them a chance at one.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
The cornerback order in this year’s draft seems to be one of the more volatile of the position groups. After his impressive performance at the combine, I think the Steelers select Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo. Mitchell was one of the top cover corners in college football last year, and now that he impressed at the combine, I think we’ll see him go off the board earlier than expected. It’s not hard to see teams selling themselves on that 4.33 40-yard dash time, plus he’s got a ton of experience and upside.
21. Miami Dolphins: C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Oregon
Miami desperately needs to add help along the offensive line. It’s been a rough offseason for the Dolphins as they’ve seen a lot of talent depart. This might not be the sexiest pick for them in the first round, but it goes a long way in starting to solidify their offensive line, which has been a roller coaster over the last few seasons.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama
The Eagles’ collapse down the stretch of the season was certainly something to behold. I still think they have a very talented roster. However, defensively, their glaring need for help in the secondary got exposed. Unfortunately, the offseason has also seen some shakeups along their defensive line. It still feels like the defensive backfield is the bigger need, though. Terrion Arnold’s draft stock has skyrocketed throughout the year, and he would be a great fit to start in Philly on day one.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brian Thomas Jr – LSU
After solidifying their offensive line with Olu Fashanu at the 11th overall pick, the Chargers draft a receiver to give Justin Herbert a new number-one target. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett are all gone. Brian Thomas Jr, often overlooked because of how good Malik Nabers was, is a phenomenal draft prospect. He has the size and speed to be an elite vertical threat, he’s become a very good route runner, and he had a knack for finding the endzone at LSU.
24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Jordan Morgan – Arizona
The Cowboys’ aging offensive line will have a few moving parts, so grabbing the versatile Morgan here makes a lot of sense. He can play inside or outside, and given Dallas’ uncertainty about that unit, bringing in Morgan alongside 2022 first-round NFL Draft pick Tyler Smith gives them a solid foundation on the offensive line.
25. Indianapolis Colts: CB Cooper DeJean – Iowa
The Colts trade back and still get a very solid cornerback prospect who’s also very versatile. DeJean was one of the top cornerbacks in college football, returned punts, and can probably play some safety as well if that’s the better fit. Gathering assets from Green Bay and still ending up with a high-ceiling player in a position of need is a big win for Indianapolis in the NFL Draft.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chop Robinson – Penn State
The Bucs have their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, back in the fold. Mike Evans was brought back with a brand new deal as well. Tampa could go with some OL help here, but they need impact players at premier positions on defense and Chop Robinson gives them just that. Robinson had a great year at Penn State and had, at times, been projected as the top EDGE in this draft. He’d be a great fit at Tampa as the EDGE rusher they really need to complement a very strong interior defensive line.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): DT Byron Murphy II
The Cardinals need help just about everywhere on defense, and they get a piece they can plug in on the defensive line with Byron Murphy II. Sure, it’s not the most premier position, but when you need as much help on the defensive side of the ball as the Cardinals do, it’s never a bad idea to grab the best player available. Murphy could go as high as the middle of the first round if the chips fall in a certain way, so if he makes it to Arizona here I think they grab him.
28. Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy – Texas
Xavier Worthy’s record-setting 40-yard dash time will more than likely get him picked in the first round; it’s just a matter of where. Stefon Diggs is likely on the way out and Gabe Davis has already signed in Jacksonville. The Bills need to add an explosive playmaker. Xavier Worthy is the definition of that. He clearly has elite speed, he can beat anyone over the top, and he feels like a perfect match for Josh Allen and his gunslinger mentality.
29. Detroit Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama
While the defense flashed at times, ultimately, that side of the ball let the Lions down in the worst way against San Francisco. When they needed stops in the NFC Championship game, they just couldn’t come up with them. Kool-Aid McKinstry has such a high ceiling and was, at one point, the top CB prospect in this draft. He could be a big-time steal for a Detroit team that really needs to boost their secondary.
30. Baltimore Ravens: WR Keon Coleman – Florida State
Coleman is big, strong, and fast, and can go up and get the ball with the best of them. His route tree needs a little bit of time to grow, but his physical frame and elite ability to make the big play make him a perfect fit for Baltimore. Zay Flowers is a complete receiver, and Coleman can complement him on the other side and be that deep, over-the-top threat for Lamar Jackson.
31. San Francisco 49ers: DL Jer’Zhan Newton – Illinois
I think I’ve had the Niners going with an offensive lineman at this spot in just about every mock draft, but it’s time to pivot. At least for now. Jer’Zhan Newton is slightly undersized, but that never really seemed to affect him at Illinois. He’s incredibly quick and is a very good interior pass rusher. After letting Arik Armstead go, San Francisco needs to add to their defensive line, and Newton at the end of the first round would be a fantastic pick.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Troy Franklin – Oregon
The Chiefs have already made a move to bolster their wide receiver group with the signing of Marquise Brown, but I think they still would like to add to that position group. Franklin would walk into a perfect situation in KC that would allow him time to develop. His speed and ability to beat press coverage make him a great threat on the outside, and he would open things up for Brown and Travis Kelce. He’s a very good route runner, and he’s elite at picking up YAC. Given what KC has, it’s a perfect situation for Franklin to make an impact right away without having to be the top target.
