We’re just days away from the start of NFL free agency, and while team needs are sure to change in some significant ways as a result of upcoming veteran additions, it’s still fun to take a look at how the first round of the 2024 NFL draft could turn out.
This year’s class is loaded with talent on offense, to the point where we could easily go without a defensive prospect until after the top 10 picks are already off the board. It’s a great year to need a top quarterback, wide receiver, or offensive lineman, and there’s even an elite tight end prospect at the top of the class.
There are some promising edge rushers and defensive line prospects, as well as a fairly deep corner class. There might not be any linebackers or safeties worthy of the first round, but there are some gems who could be had on Day 2 and beyond.
Keeping all that in mind, here’s one way the first round of this year’s draft could turn out:
Chicago Bears (from CAR): QB Caleb Williams, USC
While it’s still possible they could keep Justin Fields and trade this pick, it seems more likely that Fields gets dealt and the Bears reset at quarterback with a rare prospect in Williams.
Washington Commanders: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Washington gets to choose between two elite prospects here, and while Jayden Daniels is worthy of this spot, we’ll give the nod to Maye.
New England Patriots: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Regardless of which top QB prospect falls to this spot, that player will be a massive upgrade for the Pats, and should be the easy pick here.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Kyler Murray needs a true No. 1 receiver, and Harrison is arguably the best overall player in the entire draft, regardless of position.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are expensive and getting older, which could lead the Chargers to pair Nabers with 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston.
New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Quarterback is a possibility here, but if the Giants want to give Daniel Jones another year, they could help him out with an elite pass-catcher in Odunze.
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The Titans need a franchise left tackle to protect Will Levis’ blind side, and Alt (whose dad was a Pro Bowl tackle) has the polish to play at a Pro Bowl level from Day 1.
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
If the Falcons address the quarterback situation with a veteran (via trade or free agency), they’ll be free to spend their top draft pick on the dynamic edge rusher they desperately need.
Chicago Bears: WR Brian Thomas, LSU
After grabbing their new franchise quarterback, the Bears give Caleb Williams an explosive pass-catcher with a rare size/speed combo to pair with D.J. Moore.
New York Jets: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
If Aaron Rodgers wants to avoid another serious injury next year, the Jets need to make big upgrades to the offensive line, starting with a high-upside left tackle.
Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Even if Kirk Cousins is re-signed, the Vikings would be wise to still take their quarterback of the future in McCarthy, and let him learn behind the veteran before taking over.
Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
If the Broncos can’t sign a quality starter in free agency, they could be forced to reach for a second-tier quarterback prospect here, hoping Nix’s experience can make an immediate impact.
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The desperate run on quarterbacks continues, as the Raiders grab the last of this year’s passers worthy of a first-round pick in Penix, who just got a clean bill of health at the combine.
New Orleans Saints: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
The Saints desperately need to improve the protection around Derek Carr, and Fuaga was one of the most dominant tackles in all of college football last season.
Indianapolis Colts: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
There are some talented pass rushers worth considering here, but if an elite prospect like Bowers is still on the board, it might be too much for the Colts to pass up.
Seattle Seahawks: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu was a dominant tackle for the Huskies, but the Seahawks desperately need help along the interior, and this crosstown prospect might be an even better fit there.
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
We finally have a corner off the board, as the Jags grab one of this year’s fastest-rising prospects in the entire class after Mitchell dominated both the Senior Bowl and the combine.
Cincinnati Bengals: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Protecting Joe Burrow needs to be the Bengals’ top priority, and Latham brings a rare blend of size, athleticism and power that would make him an upgrade over Jonah Williams.
Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
This defense has missed impact edge defenders like Von Miller and Leonard Floyd, so they grab a polished and pro-ready rusher to line up next to Aaron Donald.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Offensive line would make sense here, but if the board falls this way, the Steelers could opt for impressive value and steal one of this year’s most complete corner prospects.
Miami Dolphins: DL Johnny Newton, Illinois
Letting Christian Wilkins walk in free agency will leave the Dolphins in need of a fearsome interior presence for the defensive line, and Newton would be the perfect fit.
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Philly needs more youth and upside among their edge-rushing group, and while Robinson isn’t the best run defender, he might be the most explosive pass rusher in this draft.
Houston Texans (from CLE): DL Byron Murphy II, Texas
Will Anderson Jr. is a dominant pass rusher off the edge, but Houston’s defense needs a player like Murphy who can make a similar impact along the interior.
Dallas Cowboys: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
It looks like longtime starter Tyron Smith is moving on, so the Cowboys will need to find a long-term solution at left tackle, and Mims has limitless upside with his size and physical tools.
Green Bay Packers: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Green Bay needs help at both corner and safety, so a versatile playmaker like DeJean would be an ideal fit, given his ability to line up anywhere in the secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Bucs have missed Ryan Jensen’s dominant presence and punishing playing style at the heart of the offensive line, and Powers-Johnson would be a worthy successor.
Arizona Cardinals (from HOU): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
The Cards need a true shutdown corner, and in this scenario, they’re able to land a high-upside prospect with ideal size, length and athleticism for the position.
Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
After breaking the 40-yard dash record at the combine, Worthy’s elite speed could be taken full advantage of by Josh Allen’s big arm, giving the Bills another big-play receiver.
Detroit Lions: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The Lions’ secondary needs a boost at corner after injuries exposed their lack of depth last season, and Wiggins brings elite speed and playmaking ability to the position.
Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
A pure value pick for the Ravens, who haven’t been afraid to invest in top prospects with injury concerns in the past, as they bank on the high upside of Latu’s dominant play.
San Francisco 49ers: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
The perfect match of need and value, San Francisco fills their gaping hole at right tackle with an experienced blocker who brings rare athleticism for his size.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Patrick Mahomes needs more reliable playmakers in the passing game, and Mitchell brings tons of speed, as well as a blend of height and leaping ability that makes him dangerous in the red zone.
