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Tyler Forness

2024 NFL mock draft: Vikings make big move to get QB

The NFL draft is 64 days away and things are starting to heat up, especially with the Minnesota Vikings. It’s fascinating to watch how some things will change and others will stay the same. Stocks will shift throughout the process due to information coming out about players and opinions will shift with analysts getting eyes on a player for the first time.

These mock drafts won’t be accurate come April but they aren’t necessarily designed to be. Mock drafts are designed to be informative based on the current information at the time. It’s also good to take a look at how things change through the process to see why the opinions shifted.

This mock draft is my third of the cycle and the first time that I’ve done trades. Outside of quarterback, it’s hard to predict trades right now, as there will be more than two, both of those into the top five for their quarterback of the future.

1. Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams


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The Bears earn the top pick for the second year in a row but they stay this time and take the top quarterback on the consensus board. Williams has excellent arm talent and incredible ability to create outside of structure to help the Bears take the next steps.

2. Washington Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels


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The top three quarterbacks are going to be hotly debated over the next two months. Daniels goes to a place with established receiver talent that can handle not having the greatest offensive line right away.

3. Minnesota Vikings: UNC QB Drake Maye

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Tyler’s Scouting Report

Vikings trade picks 11, 2025 first round pick and 2026 first round pick to the Patriots for pick 3

The Vikings need to make a move for a quarterback and Maye could easily be at the top of their board with his ability to attack down the field and create outside of structure. This would be a home run, yet expensive move for the Vikings.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

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Tyler’s Scouting Report

The Cardinals are keeping Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback and he needs an alpha on the outside. Harrison is arguably the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and having that level of player on a rookie deal could be just what helps take the Cardinals out of the baselents.

5. Atlanta Falcons: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy


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Falcons trade picks 8, 43 and 79 to the Chargers for pick 5

McCarthy has been rising up draft boards and if you need a quarterback, you might have to get up into the top five to get him. He needs some time to truly grow and develop but the dual-threat ability paired with how successful he is in difficult situations is worth betting on.

6. New York Giants: Washington WR Rome Odunze


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The Giants don’t have much at wide receiver. They need an alpha who can win in difficult situations. Enter Odunze who was college football’s best receiver in contested situations with plus size and athleticism.

7. Tennessee Titans: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

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The Titans still need a lot of help on the offensive line, even after selecting Peter Skoronski last year. Fashanu is young, athletic and impressive in both pass and run blocking.

8. Los Angeles Chargers: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

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The big question here is going to be whether or not it’s a good idea to move Alt to the right side with Rashawn Slater entrenched at left tackle. Regardless, Alt is a really talented player with the size and length to be a force for a long time.

9. Chicago Bears: LSU WR Malik Nabers


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Outside of D.J. Moore, the Bears don’t have any quality weapons with Darnell Mooney hitting free agency. Nabers is comped by many to Moore and would be an excellent addition in Chicago with his ability to win after the catch.

10. New York Jets: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

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This offseason needs to be about maximizing Aaron Rodgers’ short window. Fuaga would provide more stability on the offensive line for 2024 and the future.

11. New England Patriots: OT J.C. Latham

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The Patriots need a lot more than a quarterback to be successful so trading down was their best bet to truly fortify the roster. Latham can play either guard or tackle allowing the Patriots to build their best five easier.

12. Denver Broncos: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

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Tyler’s Scouting Report

Would you like to have a secondary with both Arnold and Patrick Surtain II? The Broncos strike out on getting a top four quarterback so they get the best defender in the draft.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Illinois DT Johnny Newton

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Can you imagine how much better Maxx Crosby would be with an explosive 3T next to him? That’s exactly what Newton would be for the Raiders and would immediately transform their defensive line.

14. New Orleans Saints: Georgia OT Amarius Mims

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The Saints love athletic tackles and Mims isn’t just a great athlete, he’s a mammoth of a man at 6’7″ and 340 lbs. If he can stay healthy, the Saints might have a good offensive line this season.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

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This might be a little bit early for Mitchell but he’s a fantastic receiver. He’s a traditional X receiver that can do a little bit of everything you need. He would fit in really nicely with Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson


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For my money, Robinson is the best edge rusher in this class. He can do a little bit of everything for you and would be a great asset to what Mike MacDonald likes to do.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

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Tyler’s Scouting Report

The Jaguars could go a few different directions here but they take a cornerback with both high athleticism and great size. Wiggins can be an alpha on the outside in time and he has all the speed you could want at the position.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

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Sometimes, one of the best players in the draft ends up falling because of positional value. Bowers is one of the best tight ends to come out in some time and would give Joe Burrow another great weapon to throw to.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse


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Sometimes, fits in the NFL draft just work. Verse just screams Los Angeles Ram with his physical play and would be a great complement to Aaron Donald.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

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Whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Steelers, they need to be protected. Powers-Johnson is an excellent prospect who would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh.

21. Miami Dolphins: Washington OL Troy Fautanu

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The Dolphins’ offensive line was battered with injuries last year and getting both a versatile and talented player should be a priority. Fautanu thrived at LT for the Huskies but has the skill set to thrive inside at guard.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

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The size and athleticism that Guyton possesses just fits how they both draft and build their teams. This feels like the biggest no brainer in the draft.

23. Houston Texans: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey

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With both Tank Dell and Nico Collins on the roster, getting a complement to those players should be a priority. McConkey can play both in the slot and as the Z receiver and should be able to get open consistently for the Texans.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Texas DT Byron Murphy II

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Mike Zimmer’s defense thrives when they have a dominant force at 3T. Murphy can do that for Zimmer in the same style that Geno Atkins did it with the Bengals years ago.

25. Green Bay Packers: S Tyler Nubin

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This isn’t a sexy pick for the Packers but they need safety help. Nubin is the best of the bunch and would provide some improved help on the back end.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

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After a tremendous Senior Bowl week, Mitchell’s stock went through the roof. His ability to play off coverage was matched by proving he could thrive in press man. He’s likely to go before this point, but he would thrive under Todd Bowles.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner


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The rest of NFL draft media seems to be higher on Turner than I am and that’s due to his power and athleticism. He is a developmental player that has a sky high ceiling. This is the perfect spot for him to grow.

28. Buffalo Bills: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

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The Bills desperately need a deep threat on the outside. Stefon Diggs is really good but not having a running mate is hindering the Bills in a major way. Thomas has the size and speed to be a next-level difference maker down the field.

29. Detroit Lions: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

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Like Turner, I’m lower on DeJean than consensus but this is a really good spot for him to land. He thrives being aggressive and attacking downhill. DeJean might be better suited as a nickel or a safety down the line but he has the ability to develop.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk

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The Ravens need to upgrade the offensive line but getting a big bodied weapon for Lamar Jackson is tantalizing. Polk reminds me of Tee Higgins in how he moves and attacks the football in the air.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

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The 49ers need help at cornerback and they get a good one in McKinstry. He plays at his best in bail technique where he does a fantastic job stopping on a dime.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Texas WR Xavier Worthy

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The Chiefs need something more at wide receiver. With Rashee Rice having turned into the short yardage and intermediate threat, they get a field stretcher in Worthy, who has incredible speed.

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