The 2024 NFL draft is going to be an interesting one.
Three quarterbacks are almost certain to go in the top 10 but the total amount that go in the first round is a major question mark. Plus, you have the offensive tackle class being really strong and the wide receiver group could have upward of 10 different prospect being selected in the first 32 picks.
With Senior Bowl practice being in full swing, our latest mock draft has things shaken up in the first round.
1. Chicago Bears: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
If the Bears end up staying at the pick and not going quarterback, it’s almost certainly going to be Harrison. Arguably the best player in the class and possibly the best wide receiver prospect of all-time, Harrison would take the offense to a different level and continue the development of Justin Fields.
2. Washington Commanders: USC QB Caleb Williams
The Commanders get lucky here and the pick of all the quarterbacks. They get tempted by both Daniels and Maye but ultimately take the hometown boy in Williams. A dynamic playmaker outside of structure, Williams will need some patient coaching to help him win consistently from the pocket to be truly great but all the tools are there.
3. New England Patriots: UNC QB Drake Maye
The Patriots are looking to branch out their offensive philosophy to the Shanahan tree and there isn’t a better option than Maye to pursue that style of offense. He is a talented player with a big arm and the ability to throw on the move. He likely won’t ever reach the levels of Tom Brady but should immediately be an improvement over Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Washington WR Rome Odunze
The Cardinals missed out on Harrison but they get an excellent receiver prospect in Odunze. With how much Kyler Murray loves to throw the ball down the field, he is the perfect fit as he was 17/24 in contested catches this past year.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Tight end is going to be a big focus for the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh taking over at head coach and he loved using both Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker with the San Francisco 49ers back in the day. Bowers gives you some of those elite level traits and then some to help Justin Herbert attack down the field.
6. New York Giants: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
This is viewed by most a draft with three great quarterbacks and the Giants luck out with Daniels falling to number three. A true dual-threat, Daniels would be massively helped being under the tutelage of Brian Daboll, who did an excellent job helping another dual-threat thrive in Josh Allen.
7. Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
Alt is projected to be a great left tackle in the NFL and his size, athleticism and strength combination is something you don’t often see. The Titans need to protect Will Levis and Alt will go a long way in doing so.
8. Atlanta Falcons: LSU WR Malik Nabers
Should the Falcons take another weapon in the top 10? You could argue that it’s not the wisest move but the receiving corps is essentially just Drake London. Nabers would be a great complement to what London brings and help set up whoever starts at quarterback for a better baseline of success.
9. Chicago Bears: Illinois DL Jer'Zhan Newton
Should the Bears take Newton just a year after taking both Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens? It might not be the smartest move but Newton could be a true game wrecker for them in the middle with the ability to shift out on the edge.
10. New York Jets: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
Right now, it’s all about helping Aaron Rodgers win a Super Bowl. With him coming off of a torn Achilles tendon, protecting him needs to be the focus. Fashanu being available here is a huge win for the Jets as he has the potential to start for the next decade on the left side.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
Should McCarthy go this high? That is a good question but it really doesn’t matter how high a player goes if it ends up being a hit. McCarthy has all the tools to be a great quarterback but there are questions that need to be answered.
12. Denver Broncos: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
The Broncos need talent at multiple spots but they get one of the better cornerbacks in the draft in DeJean to pair with Pat Surtain II.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
The Raiders need to find a way to protect the quarterback and getting talented offensive linemen is the best way to do that. After his dominant performance during day 1 of Senior Bowl practice, Fuaga showed that he can wow on the outside against great competition.
14. New Orleans Saints: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
The Saints whiffed on Trevor Penning and are in need of a left tackle. Mims is a massive human at 6’7″ and 340 lbs with the athleticism and power to thrive at that spot for years to come.
15. Indiapolis Colts: Alabama OT JC Latham
The Colts love their maulers on the offensive line and Latham would be a great add. He could play RT or slide inside to guard in helping to protect Anthony Richardson.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
If you want a hyper-athletic edge that needs some development to maximize his tools, draft Turner. He is far from a finished product, but he can be great after his tools develop.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Pair verse with Josh Allen and just let them be physical monsters to every offensive tackle over the next decade.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
The Bengals are likely to lose Tee Higgins leaving them a hole on the outside. Thomas could fill that while projecting to be a better deep receiver than what Higgins was.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
The Rams have players like Russ Yeast playing in the secondary and need to add talent on the back end. Arnold is an elite CB that would step in and play whatever scheme the Rams run next season well.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
The Steelers are a team that could go in multiple directions but the secondary needs help.Wiggins has the size and athleticism to thrive in Pittsburgh, plus the ability to learn from Patrick Peterson.
21. Miami Dolphins: Duke OT Graham Barton
The Dolphins dealt with so many injuries on the offensive line and getting a guy who can play all five spots would be a great benefit for their unit. Barton played LT at Duke but could play any of the five positions at the next level in a similar way to Zach Tom.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
The Eagles take trench players in the first round more often than just about anyone and Latu is the best player on the board. His power and technical savvy are next level.
23. Houston Texans: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
The Texans need to add talent at premium positions and getting another weapon for C.J. Stroud would help take the Texans to another level. Mitchell can work all levels of the field and be a great complement to both Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Texans DT Byron Murphy II
Death
Taxes
Cowboys take a trench player
25. Green Bay Packers: Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
The Packers need safety help and Nubin is the best of the bunch. The instincts and athleticism to play single-high will make an impact early and often in Green Bay.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The Buccaneers need cornerbacks and McKinstry played at a high level for the Crimson Tide the past three years.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
The first day of Senior Bowl practice had Mitchell looking like a first-round pick. Getting day one starters at wide receiver and cornerback will go a long way to helping the Cardinals’ rebuild.
28. Buffalo Bills: Oregon WR Troy Franklin
The Bills struggle to drive the ball down the field with their wide receivers being better in short areas. Franklin is a true difference maker in that area and could transform the Bills passing game.
29. Detroit Lions: Washington OT Troy Fautanu
The Lions have made their identity on the offensive line and they are facing a few free agents from that group. Take Fautanu who has the ability to play guard or tackle and continue to build up that unit.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk
The Ravens need an alpha to both attack deep and bring some size and Polk can do all of that and then some.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
McConkey is the best wide receiver at the Senior Bowl and would be a phenomenal add to the Chiefs roster.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The 49ers need help at the cornerback position and Rakestraw has the attitude and talent to thrive on either the outside or in the slot.
