With the 2024 NFL Draft less than 36 hours away, teams with first round selections are finalizing their draft boards and coming to conclusions for their future. These are final projections on how the first round will play out. This year’s draft will take place on Thursday at 8:00 PM Eastern time live on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
2024 NFL Final Mock Draft: Picks #1-32
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
With the first pick in this year’s draft, the Chicago Bears will take Caleb Williams barring any surprises. Williams is the highest-ranked quarterback prospect in the 2024 class and could completely change the drought Chicago has dealt with throughout history. Williams will have plenty of weapons around him to succeed in his first season as a Bear including D.J Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Washington Commanders will follow suit and take Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU. Daniels is the fastest quarterback in this draft and has the best ability to extend plays with his legs. It has been reported that Daniels did not have the best visit to Washington during his draft process, but it won’t stop the Commanders from taking their quarterback of the future.
3. New England Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
The New England Patriots are in a sticky situation with the 3rd overall pick. It has been reported that they want Jayden Daniels as their quarterback of the future, but will likely not have the opportunity to select him. General Manager Jonathan Kraft also said that they are open to trading the pick, but staying put and drafting the best prospect in the draft in Marvin Harrison Jr would be the safest decision to make.
New England has Jacoby Brissett on the roster and expressed that we will get an opportunity to start. There is no reason to draft a quarterback when you are just as depleted at wide receiver. Harrison is one of the best wide receiver prospects of all time and would immediately be the best option on the team.
4. Minnesota Vikings (via ARI): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
With the first trade being made in this year’s draft, the Minnesota Vikings trade up to draft their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. Maye has the prototypical build that has shown success in today’s game with incredible arm talent.
Also, Maye’s coach in high school was none other than Josh McCown. Who is the current quarterbacks coach in Minnesota. Arizona may not trade the pick and go wide receiver, but they have holes to fill throughout their entire roster. Trading back and getting more assets is the likely solution for the Cardinals.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
With the fifth pick in this year’s draft, the Los Angeles Chargers will likely draft Malik Nabers out of LSU. The Chargers have recently let go of Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen to the Bears. Which leaves them with little to no depth on the outside. Nabers has the most receiving yards in LSU history with 3,003 and the program breeds receiver talent at the next level. Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, just to name a few.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Another team in a difficult situation is the New York Giants. New York could go in multiple different directions with this selection, but picking up a talent like Rome Odunze would benefit Daniel Jones the most. The Giants have made it clear that Jones will be the starter for Week 1. So, getting him as much help as possible is the likely outcome for the 6th overall pick.
Odunze had a productive season throughout Washington’s national championship run. Totaling 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. Odunze will join a talented receiver group of Darren Waller and Wandale Robinson if he is taken by New York.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans, who made multiple moves this off-season to beef up their offense will continue that trend and take Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. Alt is the highest-rated offensive lineman in this year’s draft and will upgrade a Titans front that was far below average last season.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons will take edge rusher Dallas Turner with the eighth overall pick. Turner dropped career highs in sacks, forced fumbles, tackles, and pass defections last season at Alabama and was a huge piece for Nick Saban’s defense. Atlanta has made multiple moves this off-season to upgrade the offensive side of the ball. Grabbing one of the best defensive players in this year’s draft is the likely choice for the Falcons.
9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
While multiple insiders have Chicago trading back from the ninth overall pick, Ryan Poles and the Bears front office should stay put and select Byron Murphy II out of Texas. Murphy posted a career-high in sacks and tackles in the 2023 college football season and would fill a defensive tackle position that Chicago is missing. Adding Murphy would solidify their pass rush as one of the best in the league.
10. New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
With the 10th pick in this year’s draft, the New York Jets will plan for their future and take offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State. Fashanu is not the most “pro-ready” out of this year’s class, but holds the most upside in development. New York just signed future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith to a one-year deal and has Morgan Moses on the roster already, but both are in their mid-30s and close to retirement. Fashanu will have the chance to learn from some of the best to ever do it.
11. Arizona Cardinals (via MIN): Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oklahoma State
After trading back in the draft, the Arizona Cardinals will start their draft by taking Taliese Fuaga out of Oklahoma State. This selection gives Kyler Murray some extra protection and Fuaga can succeed at multiple positions on the offensive line. He is someone who can be plugged in right away and make an impact.
12. Denver Broncos: J.J McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Multiple NFL insiders throughout the league have J.J. McCarthy going as high as number two overall and as low as 23rd, but the Denver Broncos will likely select him if he makes it to the 12th pick. Denver just traded for former number two overall pick Zach Wilson earlier this week, which would call for a quarterback battle if McCarthy is selected.
McCarthy led the Michigan Wolverines to its first national championship in the modern era, but their offense leaned on the run game all season. McCarthy doesn’t have as much tape as other prospects, but his leadership qualities and raw talent make him a quality option at the next level.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
While Head Coach Antonio Pierce has expressed his interest in trading up for Jayden Daniels, grabbing Michael Penix Jr ten picks later is not a bad consolation prize. Penix would be going even higher in this year’s draft if he didn’t have the injury history that he unfortunately does.
Penix led Washington all the way to the National Championship last season and has one of the strongest arms in this year’s class. He will enter a quarterback battle with Gardner Minshew if he is selected to Las Vegas.
14. New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
The New Orleans Saints will also draft a guy out of Washington in Troy Fautanu. The Saints are in need of protection up front and Fautanu is another guy you can plug in right away. He has a lot of snaps under his belt and can move down to guard if necessary.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
The Indianapolis Colts will fill a position of need and select the best cornerback in the draft in Terrion Arnold. He combined for 63 total tackles and caught 5 interceptions at Alabama last season. Arnold can line up outside or in the slot and still succeed as a cover corner.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
While the Seattle Seahawks are in desperate need of a safety, the options in this year’s draft are limited. So, taking the best available in Brock Bowers is the likely solution. Bowers is one of the best tight ends in college football history and was the main attraction at Georgia throughout his career. Grabbing Bowers to pair with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett would make up a productive receiver group.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
With the 17th pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars will add a shutdown cornerback in Quinyon Mitchell. While it’s rare to see a first-round selection out of the Mid-American Conference, Mitchell possesses the ball-tracking skills to succeed at the next level. He would immediately make an impact in Jacksonville under new Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OL, Alabama
The Cincinnati Bengals will likely give Joe Burrow more protection in this year’s draft and Alabama’s JC Latham is the best available. He is a skilled run blocker and has the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
With the 19th pick in this year’s draft, the Los Angeles Rams will beef up their defensive once again and take Jared Verse. In his last 2 years at Florida State, Verse combined for 18 sacks, 88 total tackles and a forced fumble. He will join a Rams front that just lost future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to retirement.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to replace Diontae Johnson in this year’s draft by taking Texas standout Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell has flown up draft boards since the college football season ended. He is one of the bigger receivers in the 2024 class and great at creating separation in his routes. Pairing him with George Pickens would make for an explosive duo on the outside.
21. Miami Dolphins: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
After losing Christian Wilkins to free agency, the Miami Dolphins will look to replace him with Johnny Newton out of Illinois with the 21st pick. Newton posted a career-high in sacks last season with 7.5 to go with 52 total tackles. While losing Wilkins does not help their defense heading into next season, selecting Newton will take some of that pressure away.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
After the announcement of Jason Kelce’s retirement, the Philadelphia Eagles will grab the best center in the draft in Jackson Powers-Johnson. Johnson is a recipient of the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the best center in college football for the season. He will join a loaded Eagles front replacing a future Hall of Famer.
23. Arizona Cardinals (via MIN): Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
The Arizona Cardinals will finally take their receiver in Brian Thomas Jr with the 23rd pick. While Nabers was Jayden Daniels’ main target at LSU, Thomas was still productive and led all of college football with the most receiving touchdowns (17) this past season. Thomas is a red zone machine with the ability to take the top off the defense. He would replace Marquise Brown, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Omarius Mims, OT, Georgia
After losing Tyron Smith to free agency, the Dallas Cowboys will add another offensive tackle in Amarius Mims. Mims only started for one season at Georgia and has a history of injuries, but he has the potential to be the best lineman in his class based on raw talent. He also has the versatility to lineup at both tackle positions.
25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
With the 25th pick in this year’s draft, the Green Bay Packers will continue to stack their defense by adding Cooper DeJean out if Iowa. He is listed as a cornerback, but has the versatility to lineup anywhere in the secondary. DeJean was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and received the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award for his performances.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will fill a position of need and take edge rusher Laiatu Latu with the 26th pick. Latu is another player who is going later in the draft than his talent says due to injury history. He is one of the best pass rushers in the 2024 class and has said that Florida is his preferred destination. He may get his wish if Tampa Bay selects him at 26.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
With the top 3 cornerbacks off the board, the Arizona Cardinals will take the next best available in Nate Wiggins out of Clemson. Wiggins is great in man coverage and plays with attitude. He is also one of the taller defensive backs in the 2024 class with a six-foot-two frame. Drafting Wiggins would give Arizona depth to a secondary that was below average last season.
28. Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
The Buffalo Bills, who recently traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and let Gabe Davis walk in free agency will add another wide receiver in Troy Franklin. Franklin dominated at Oregon last season, catching 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Bills have been linked to trading back in the draft for secondary help, but wide receiver is just as depleted. Adding Franklin will give Josh Allen another weapon to throw the ball to.
29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
With the 29th pick, the Detroit Lions will grab the best defensive lineman available in Darius Robinson. This past season, Robinson notched career highs in sacks with 8.5, total tackles and forced fumbles. He would make an immediate impact chasing the quarterback next to Aiden Hutchinson.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Baltimore Ravens will grab another offensive lineman in Tyler Guyton with the 30th pick. Guyton is another player who only started for one season, but has plenty of upside in development. He would be the 8th offensive lineman selected in the first round of this year’s draft.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
With the 31st pick, the San Francisco 49ers will select the speedster out of Penn State in Chop Robinson. Robinson ran an official 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds as a 254-pound edge rusher. His 1.54 10-yard split broke a record amongst edge rushers at this year’s NFL Combine. Robinson is clearly an explosive option that San Francisco can develop behind multiple All-Pros.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, DB, Missouri
After losing L’Jarius Sneed and Mike Edwards during this year’s free agency period, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to replace some of those losses with Ennis Rakestraw Jr out of Missouri. Rakestraw has the tools to excel at the next level and could bring a spark to Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme despite having a smaller frame.
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