2024 Mock Draft Caleb Williams Drake Maye Marvin Harrison Jr. An Awful Announcing rendering of Marvin Harrison Jr., Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
FeaturedNFLOriginalsBy Ben Axelrod on

We may only be just under one-fourth of the way through the 2023 NFL season, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.

With that in mind, here are predictions for all 32 picks in next year’s first round (draft order provided by Tankathon):

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Caleb Williams entered the 2023 season the presumptive favorite to be the 2024 No. 1 pick and there’s nothing that’s happened since then to change that. If the Bears possess the No. 1 overall pick for the second straight year, they will have no choice but to end the Justin Fields era and start fresh with a new franchise quarterback.

2.  Bears (via Panthers) – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

If the Panthers’ slow start is any indication, Chicago could have not one, but two high picks. While the Bears would ideally walk away with cornerstones on both offense and defense, the opportunity to pair Williams with a top level prospect like Marvin Harrison Jr. is too good to pass up on.

3. Las Vegas Raiders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Jimmy Garoppolo era in Las Vegas is off to an underwhelming start. If anyone is going to threaten Williams’ status as the top prospect in this class, it could very well be Drake Maye, who’s a top quarterback prospect in his own right.

4. Denver Broncos – Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

After making the surprising decision to waive Randy Gregory, the Broncos are all in on youth. While the offense might still be stuck with Russell Wilson for at least two more years, Jared Verse could provide Denver’s defense with another nice building block.

5. Minnesota Vikings – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Kirk Cousins is in the final year of his Vikings contract and the way this season has gone thus far, it’s tough to imagine him coming back. Having spent six seasons at the college level, Michael Penix Jr. could step right into an offense that already includes Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

6. New York Jets – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The smallest silver lining of Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury is that the Jets will keep their 2024 first-round pick. Here, they use that to take the top left tackle in draft, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, to replace the inconsistent Mekhi Becton.

7. New England Patriots – Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

If the Patriots are picking this high, it’s a safe bet they’ll be in the market for a quarterback. This season has seen Quinn Ewers begin to live up to his considerable high school hype.

8. Cincinnati Bengals – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

It’s not often the Bengals will have a top-10 pick with Joe Burrow, but his already injury-plagued 2023 campaign could provide an exception. With Tee Higgins’ future in Cincinnati uncertain, it would make sense for the Bengals use the opportunity to nab a top level playmaker like Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

9. Arizona Cardinals – Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

It’s a safe bet that the Cardinals will have a defensive focus under head coach Jonathan Gannon. Chop Robinson could provide Arizona with the type of top level pass-rusher it currently lacks.

10. New York Giants – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Despite recent efforts in the draft and free agency, the Giants’ wide receiving corps leaves a lot to be desired. If not for his college teammate, Harrison, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could be the top receiver prospect in this year’s class.

11. Green Bay Packers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The 2024 season is the final year on David Bakhtiari’s current contract and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the veteran be an offseason salary cap casualty. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt could step right in as the new protector of Jordan Love’s blindside.

12. New Orleans Saints – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Saints have one of football’s top cornerbacks in Marshon Lattimore but otherwise lack depth in their secondary. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry stands out in a deep cornerback class.

13. Cardinals (via Texans) – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

After grabbing a piece for the front-seven earlier in the draft, the Cardinals turn their attention to the back end of their defense. Nate Wiggins is the type of long and rangy corner that would appeal to Arizona’s brain trust.

14. Los Angeles Chargers – Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Regardless of whether Khalil Mack is an offseason cap casualty, Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton’s versatility would help bring a new dynamic to the Chargers’ defense.

15. Houston Texans (via Browns) – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Texans appear to have their quarterback of the future — and present — in C.J. Stroud. With left tackle Laremy Tunsil locked up through 2026, Amarius Mims could anchor the right side of Houston’s offensive line.

16. Washington Commanders – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

The Commanders’ decision to decline the fifth-year option on Chase Young’s rookie contract leaves the former No. 2 overall pick’s future with the franchise in doubt. If he can overcome questions about his health, Laiatu Latu possesses the potential to be one of the top edge defenders in this class.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Darious Williams and Tyson Campbell are one of the league’s more underrated cornerback tandems, but both will be entering the final years of their contracts in 2024. You can never have too many talented cornerbacks and Penn State’s Kalen King fits the bill.

18. Los Angeles Rams – JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Rams haven’t made a first-round selection since taking Jared Goff first overall in 2016. If this pick stands, it would make sense for the team to address its glaring offensive line issues with a high upside prospect like Alabama’s JC Latham.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Deion Sanders has insisted that Shedeur Sanders isn’t a lock to enter the 2024 draft. But until he officially announces he’s returning to Colorado for his senior season, the prospect of the same team that drafted his dad drafting him is too fun to pass on.

20. Indianapolis Colts – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Colts have their quarterback of the future in Anthony Richardson, but they desperately need to get him some weapons. Malik Nabers would add some juice to an otherwise pedestrian receiving corps.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Even if the Steelers wind up picking in the 20s, it appears that it will be in spite of Kenny Pickett, not because of him. J.J. McCarthy could ultimately be a better version of Pittsburgh’s current quarterback.

22. Tennessee Titans – Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

The Titans’ pass defense has been a mess for years. Adding a productive pass-rusher like Dallas Turner could help change that.

23. Seattle Seahawks – Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (Fla.)

The Seahawks have one of the best young cornerback rooms in the NFL, but their safeties could use a boost. Kamren Kinchens could add some more versatility to the unit and allow Seattle to get even more creative with Jamal Adams.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Tyron Smith has been a staple of the of the Cowboys offensive line for the past decade but is currently in the final year of his contract. Patrick Paul is a strong pass blocker who could help keep Dak Prescott upright.

25. Detroit Lions – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

There’s never any telling what Detroit — who used two first-round picks on a running back and a linebacker in 2023 — will do. The addition of Rome Odunze could give the Lions one of the best young wide receiver rooms in the league.

26. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Dolphins don’t have much depth behind stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Xavier Worthy would add another explosive playmaker to Miami’s arsenal.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas

If the Buccaneers are picking 27th, then Baker Mayfield might have a long-term quarterback in Baker Mayfield. The top running back in this year’s draft, Raheim Sanders could provide him with an ideal security blanket.

28. Buffalo Bills – J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

J.T. Tuimoloau hasn’t lived up to the hype as a five-star prospect but has shown flashes of being dominant. The Bills are the type of franchise willing to invest in that type of talent.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Baltimore’s secondary could use a boost. Cooper DeJean would provide the Ravens with a versatile playmaker.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Brandon Aiyuk will be entering the final year of his contract in 2024 and San Francisco doesn’t have much depth in its receivers room. Oregon’s Troy Franklin would give Kyle Shanahan another weapon to play with.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Travis Kelce is a star, but he’s also 35. Another talented tight end like Ja’Tavion Sanders could play along Kelce before succeeding him.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State

The Eagles love to generate a pass-rush up the middle. Michael Hill Jr. is one of the best at doing just that.

[Tankathon]

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.

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