With week one of free agency coming to a close, this year’s NFL draft has changed for multiple teams due to some unexpected signings throughout the league. The draft is 40 days away and this is how the first round is projected to go based on how free agency has played out for all teams with selections.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Picks #1-32
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
With the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will most likely select USC quarterback Caleb Williams after trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. The market for fields diminished throughout the first week of negotiations due to most teams signing a different option. However, the Bears have officially parted ways with their starter and are trending towards drafting Williams.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Following Williams, the Washington Commanders will select their quarterback for the future in Drake Maye. In his 2022 campaign as a North Carolina Tar Heel, Maye broke the school record for most passing yards in a single season with 4,321 and added 38 touchdowns. He has the prototypical build to succeed at the next level and Washington has the weapons to do some real damage on offense in the future.
The Commanders have changed their coaching staff and traded last year’s quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks. Howell threw for just under 4,000 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 2023. LSU quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels could land at this spot, but Maye has the edge according to multiple NFL insiders.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
To round out the top three, the New England Patriots will get their quarterback for the future in LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman trophy winner is the best dual-threat quarterback in this year’s draft and soared up draft boards this college football season.
There are rumors of the Patriots passing on a quarterback for top wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr, but have an opportunity to grab one of the top options in a stacked class. Daniels falling any further than 3rd overall would be a steal in my personal opinion based on his ability to extend plays with his legs.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
With the 4th pick in this year’s draft, the Arizona Cardinals will likely select the number one ranked prospect in Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison, who is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison is one of the highest ranked wide receivers to come out of the draft.
In his career at Ohio State, Harrison caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards. He also caught 31 touchdowns, which is the 3rd most in school history. He is a generational talent that Arizona hasn’t seen since Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver and Marquise Brown just signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on a 1-year deal. With Kyler Murray throwing him passes next season, he could have the opportunity to produce at a high level during his rookie season.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, LSU
With Harrison going at 4, the Los Angeles Chargers will take the next top receiver off the board in Malik Nabers. The Chargers have just released one of their outside threats in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears for a 4th-round pick. Grabbing a production monster in Nabers will give Justin Herbert a threat in the passing game for years to come.
Nabers broke the record for most receiving yards in LSU history last season with 3,003. There are plenty of different routes Los Angeles could take with this pick including trading it, but selecting Nabers is the safest option considering his future upside and proven production at a school that breeds NFL receiver talent.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
With the 6th pick, the New York Giants will upgrade their receiver room and draft Rome Odunze out of Washington. Odunze was one of college football’s best receivers last season helping lead the Huskies all the way to the National Championship game.
Odunze caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns from Michael Penix Jr in 2023 and would join a talented young receiver in Wandale Robinson if he is selected. The Giants could trade back and turn to quarterback, but they signed Drew Lock to a prove-it deal in free agency and still have Daniel Jones on roster. Odunze seems to be the likely option at this stage of free agency.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans, who ranked dead last in Pro Football Focus’s offensive line rankings will take the best lineman in the draft in Joe Alt. Alt played at Notre Dame for 3 seasons and was named a unanimous All-American in 2023.
The Titans have recently beefed up their offensive weapons with the signing of Calvin Ridley and will now look to give their quarterback some protection. Whether that be Will Levis or Mason Rudolph, who also signed a deal in free agency with Tennessee.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons have found their quarterback for the next 4 seasons in Kirk Cousins and their offense is looking strong heading into 2024. However, their defense still has some holes to fill and edge rusher Dallas Turner will likely be the start of that trend. He would also be the first defensive player taken off the board.
In his 2023 campaign for Alabama, Turner had his best statistical season combining for 53 total tackles, 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. If the Falcons select Turner, he would upgrade a defensive line front that already features 3-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett.
9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Back on the clock, the Chicago Bears will move to the defensive side of the ball and draft Byron Murphy II out of Texas. Murphy combined for 29 total tackles and 5 sacks at defensive tackle last season and made an impression at his year’s combine. Running a 40-yard dash time of 4.88 and 1.69 seconds in a 10-yard split.
Chicago has paid multiple players massive contracts on defense including Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson, but have not found success on the interior. Murphy could hill that hole and provide early production in 2024 as a Bear.
10. New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State
With Joe Alt going 7th overall to Tennessee, the New York Jets will select the next best offensive lineman available in Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State. Fashanu was a consensus All-American in 2023 while being selected to the Big Ten conference first team. He holds a lot of potential and will have an opportunity to learn alongside veteran Tyron Smith, who New York just signed to a 1-year deal in free agency.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
With the 11th pick, the Minnesota Vikings will select Terrion Arnold out of Alabama. While Minnesota has been linked to a quarterback in this year’s draft after letting go of Kirk Cousins, they signed Sam Darnold to a 1-year deal and have holes to fill outside of their man under center.
One of those holes is at cornerback and the Vikings secondary gave up the 8th most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks in 2023. Adding a shutdown corner in Arnold will help limit those numbers in 2024 alongside Byron Murphy Jr.
12. Denver Broncos: J.J McCarthy, QB, Michigan
While there are multiple teams that could select him ahead of number 12, the Denver Broncos are in desperate need of a quarterback since releasing Russell Wilson this off-season and will likely select J.J McCarthy if he is available. There are still multiple quarterbacks available including Michael Penix Jr and Bo Nix, but McCarthy’s first impressions give him the edge at this current stage.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Las Vegas Raiders will continue to beef up their defense and draft cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo. Mitchell is one of the best defensive backs in the draft and earned first team All-Conference two times in a row. He will join a Raiders secondary that struggled to limit opposing quarterbacks last season.
14. New Orleans Saints: Tailese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
The New Orleans Saints, who struggled to protect Derek Carr for most of the 2023 season will select Tailese Fuaga to help boost their offensive front. Fuaga was a first team All-American in 2023 while also being selected to the 2024 Senior Bowl. He has also started in every game for the past two seasons at Oregon State.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (via IND): Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
While many analysts believe there will be a trade for a quarterback within the first 12 picks, this is where I believe the first trade will happen. The Cincinnati Bengals trade up to grab their lockdown offensive lineman of the future in Washington’s Troy Fautanu.
Fautanu was first team All-Pac 12 in 2023 and received the Morris trophy, which is given to the best offensive lineman in the conference. He was a wall for Michael Penix Jr all last season and has plenty of experience in big moments.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
The Seattle Seahawks have most of their key positions filled outside of offensive line and safety. They also re-signed George Fant in free agency. So, Oregon’s center Jackson Powers-Johnson is a likely selection with the 16th overall pick. In 2023, Johnson was a unanimous All-American and won the Rimington trophy. Which is given to the best center in college football that season.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
After losing Calvin Ridley in free agency to Tennessee, the Jacksonville Jaguars will grab Brian Thomas Jr out of LSU with the 17th pick. Thomas led college football last season with 17 receiving touchdowns and received All-SEC second team honors. Thomas will add an extra threat on the outside alongside Gabe Davis, who they signed to a 3-year deal in free agency.
18. Indianapolis Colts (via CIN): Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
While Indianapolis trades down in this scenario, they still get their hands on the best tight end in Brock Bowers. He was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and a two-time recipient of the John Mackey award, which is given to the best tight end in college football. Bowers is one of the best tight end prospects to come out of the draft and could make an impact immediately alongside Michael Pittman Jr and Josh Downs.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After the news of Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Los Angeles Rams will find a new pass rusher for the future in Jared Verse. In the last two seasons at Florida State, Verse had combined for 88 total tackles, 18 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries while earning back-to-back All-American honors. While replacing a dominant force like Donald is almost impossible, Verse has potential to make an impact right away if the Rams go this way.
20. Green Bay Packers (via PIT): J.C Latham, OL, Oklahoma
With the release of David Bakhtiari happening after the 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers trade up to select offensive tackle J.C Latham to replace him. Latham is a reliable option who has a lot on snaps under his belt and could be plugged in right away.
21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Been awhile but let’s check out some Graham Barton at center⤵️ pic.twitter.com/oCan0luQWA
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 31, 2024
The Miami Dolphins will grab the next best interior lineman off the board in Duke’s Graham Barton. Barton is a two-time member of the All-ACC first team and received All-American honors in 2023 for his play. Miami has most of the key positions filled outside of their interior line and Barton can fill that hole.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma
With the third offensive line selection in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles will plan ahead and draft Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma. Lane Johnson, who is the current right tackle for Philadelphia is coming towards the end of his career. Drafting Guyton gives the Eagles options moving forward and General Manager Howie Roseman has made moves like this in the past.
23. Minnesota Vikings (via CLE, HOU): Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
While the Minnesota Vikings have signed Sam Darnold to a prove it deal for one season, they could still draft a quarterback for the future and select Michael Penix Jr out if Washington. In 2023, Penix led a Washington program on offense to the National Championship game and was selected as a finalist for the Heisman trophy.
Lefty quarterbacks are uncommon in today’s NFL, but he has the arm talent and decision-making skills to do some damage with some elite weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson if he is selected.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Johnny Newton, DL, Illinois
With the 24th pick in this year’s draft, the Dallas Cowboys will beef their defensive front and take Johnny Newton out of Illinois. Dallas struggled to stop the run towards the end of the season and drafting Newton would eliminate some of those problems. In 2023, he combined for 52 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (via GB): Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia
The Pittsburgh Steelers land offensive tackle Amarius Mims out of Georgia after trading back with the Packers. Mims has not received as many snaps as some of the guys selected above him, but is a two-time National Champion with a lot of raw talent that can be developed. He could be a long-time starter if selected to the right fit.
26. Buffalo Bills (via TB): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Buffalo Bills will trade up in this year’s draft to select Nate Wiggins after moving on from star cornerback Tre’Davious White this off-season. Wiggins gives the Bills an extra flexible option and has proven to make plays in big moments. Last season at Clemson, he combined for 28 total tackles, 6 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles. He also caught 2 interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
With their second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals will upgrade their secondary room by selecting Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. DeJean was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and received the Tatum-Woodson award which is given to the best defensive back in the Big 10 conference.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via BUF): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
After trading down in this year’s draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still get a pass rusher in Laiatu Latu out of UCLA. Latu is one of the most polished in terms of getting to the quarterback out of this year’s draft and can be plugged into a Buccaneers front that lost a few pieces this off-season including long-time edge rusher Shaquil Barett.
29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
The Detroit Lions, who revived their franchise last season after reaching the NFC Championship will receive a boost on their defensive front by drafting edge rusher Darius Robinson out of Missouri. Robinson was productive in 2023, combining for 43 total tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble on a Missouri Tigers team that was ranked in the top 20 all season.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
News Joshua L Jones
With the 30th pick of this year’s draft, the Baltimore Ravens will select Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama. The Ravens are missing a defensive back after Geno Stone signed with Cincinnati in free agency and McKinstry could provide support next to Marlon Humphrey. In the last two seasons at Alabama, Mckinstry has combined for 67 total tackles and 22 pass deflections. He also has experience on special teams as a returner.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Frazier, OL, West Virginia
The San Francisco 49ers will look to upgrade their interior offensive line by selecting Zach Frazier out of West Virginia. Frazier was first team All-Big 12 last season and has the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line. However, he is best plugged in at center and only allowed one sack in 2022 while starting all 12 games.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Nubin, Safety, Minnesota
The Kansas City Chiefs, who are back-to-back Super Bowl Champions will add to their shutdown secondary by selecting Tyler Nubin out of Minnesota. Nubin is a physical safety that can complement L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie in the pass game. Kansas City was trending towards drafting another wide receiver to pair with Rashee Rice, but have done so in free agency by signing Marquise Brown to deal.
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