The 2024 NFL draft is now less than three weeks away and it’s time for Broncos Wire’s weekly first-round mock draft.
In each of our previous mock drafts, the Denver Broncos traded up for a quarterback. First for Drake Maye, then for Caleb Williams, then for Jayden Daniels. This week, we’re rounding out the quartet by having Denver trade up to the New York Giants’ spot to select J.J. McCarthy.
Those four quarterbacks (Williams, Maye, Daniels and McCarthy) go off the board in this first-round mock draft. Unless the Broncos decide to pick one of Bo Nix or Michael Penix, both of those QBs could realistically slide into the second round of the draft later this month.
The mock features 11 offensive linemen, six wide receivers, five cornerbacks, three pass rushers, two defensive linemen and one tight end. It should be noted that we have pass rushers listed as outside linebackers simply because Denver runs a base 3-4 defense.
So, let’s dive into to this week’s first round NFL mock draft!
1
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
A pick that needs no explanation. It would be a shock if the Bears select anyone other than Williams.
2
Washington Commanders: QB Drake Maye
There’s some buzz that the decision between Maye and Daniels is a tough one, but our mock still has Maye landing in DC.
3
New England Patriots: QB Jayden Daniels
Four years after Tom Brady left, the Patriots finally find their long-term answer at quarterback (presumably).
4
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Cardinals are probably going to get trade offers for pick No. 4, but they might decide that Harrison is worth more than the extra picks they’d land in a trade.
5
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Malik Nabers
After trading Keenan Allen to the Bears, the Chargers land a promising replacement in Malik Nabers.
6
Denver Broncos: QB J.J. McCarthy (via trade)
Denver might have to move up higher than this to land McCarthy, especially if the Minnesota Vikings are also attempting to trade up. If the Vikings are going after somebody else like Maye, though, the Broncos might not have to go all the way up to pick No. 4.
7
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt
After Williams landing in Chicago, Alt to Tennessee might be the second-easiest pick to mock in this year’s draft.
8
Atlanta Falcons: OLB Dallas Turner
Turner is widely considered the best pass rusher in this year’s class and he should be a good fit for Atlanta’s defense.
9
Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze
Chicago now has a stacked WR room with DJ Moore, Allen and Odunze. That’s a perfect scenario for Caleb Williams.
10
New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga
After losing Aaron Rodgers for the 2023 season, the Jets shore up their offensive line with Fuaga to help protect their QB in 2024.
11
Minnesota Vikings: TE Brock Bowers
If they can, the Vikings are probably going to trade up for a quarterback. Minnesota isn’t able to strike a deal in this mock, so they end up selecting Bowers when he falls to No. 11.
12
New York Giants: OT Troy Fautanu (via trade)
After trading down with the Broncos, the Giants land Fautanu. New York obviously still needs a QB, but this is too high to select Bo Nix or Michael Penix, QBs they can likely land later in the draft.
13
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Terrion Arnold
NFL Network has mentioned the Raiders as a possible team to trade up for a QB, but it will be tough to land any of the top-four QBs. So our mock has Las Vegas staying put and landing the top cornerback in this year’s class.
14
New Orleans Saints: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Fashanu gives the Saints some much-needed help at tackle.
15
Indianapolis Colts: CB Quinyon Mitchell
Draft pundits have varying opinions on Mitchell, but regardless of whether he’s CB1 or CB3, he’d be a good pick for Indy.
16
Seattle Seahawks: OLB Jared Verse
Verse might end up going higher than this, but the Seahawks get a good value here with the second pass rusher going off the board.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Laiatu Latu
With the top two edge defenders off the board, the Jaguars don’t want to miss out and select Latu one spot after Verse.
18
Cincinnati Bengals: OT JC Latham
A tackle reinforcement to help keep Joe Burrow upright.
19
Los Angeles Rams: DL Byron Murphy
After losing Aaron Donald to retirement, the Rams add Murphy to fill a gaping hole on their defensive line.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Brian Thomas
The Steelers add a weapon for Russell Wilson.
21
Miami Dolphins: DL Jer’Zhan Newton
Miami improves the interior of its defensive line with Newton, who is widely considered the second-best defensive lineman in the draft.
22
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins
Philly needs a cornerback and Wiggins is the best one left on the board. He might even go higher than this spot.
23
Minnesota Vikings: C Jackson Powers-Johnson
It’s very possible that the Vikings could pick Bo Nix or Michael Penix at this spot, but after signing Sam Darnold in free agency, Minnesota opts to kick the can down the road at QB while waiting for an opportunity to land a higher-profile QB prospect in the future.
24
Dallas Cowboys: OT Amarius Mims
Don’t forget that Dak Prescott is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025, so Nix or Penix could be an option for Dallas as well. In this mock, though, the Cowboys shore up their tackle spot.
25
Green Bay Packers: OT Graham Barton
Another offensive tackle going off the board in the first round as Barton lands in Green Bay.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Cooper DeJean
PFF has DeJean ranked as the No. 1 CB in this year’s draft. If they know something we don’t, DeJean could go much higher than this spot.
27
Arizona Cardinals: C Zach Frazier
Admittedly, Frazier might be a bit of a reach in the first round, but Arizona could use a center.
28
Buffalo Bills: WR Adonai Mitchell
After trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans, Buffalo might consider trading up for a receiver. If they do stay put, though, a talented option like Mitchell might fall to them.
29
Detroit Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The last cornerback picked in the first round, McKinstry lands in Detroit.
30
Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Guyton
The Ravens add new protection for Lamar Jackson.
31
San Francisco 49ers: OT Jordan Morgan
Because there are so many quality tackles in this year’s draft, there’s a pretty decent chance the 49ers will be happy with whoever falls to them at pick No. 31. Our mock has Morgan landing in San Francisco.
32
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Ladd McConkey
The Chiefs need a wide receiver, but this might be a little too high to select McConkey. KC could consider moving up or targeting another position here, but we have McConkey as the pick for now.
