After a year of anticipation, the 2024 NFL Draft is finally here.
With that in mind, let’s take one last try at projecting all 32 first-round picks with a final 2024 mock draft.
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It’s hard to remember the last prospect who went coast to coast as the consensus top player in a class. Was it Jadeveon Clowney in 2014? Jameis Winston in 2015? Either way, Caleb Williams will break that trend when the Bears officially make him this year’s No. 1 pick as Chicago looks to finally land a franchise quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Despite Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye largely being viewed as on an even playing field as prospects, the consensus has seemingly been that Washington will take the former with the No. 2 pick. I’ll stick with that here, as it’s easy to envision the reigning Heisman Trophy winner finding instant success in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, USC
This might be the easiest pick in the draft. Unless the Patriots trade down, one would imagine they’ll be taking whoever’s still available between Daniels and Drake Maye. In this instance, that happens to be Maye as New England takes its second swing on a first-round quarterback in the post-Tom Brady era.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Arizona is well positioned as the Cardinals can either deal the pick to a team looking to trade up for a quarterback or simply stay put and take a stud like Marvin Harrison Jr. Since I don’t project trades, I’ll go with the latter, with Arizona securing one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
It might seem unlikely that Jim Harbaugh would use his first pick in Los Angeles on a wide receiver, but the Chargers are in desperate need of one. Some teams and analysts believe that Malik Nabers is the best player at his position in this year’s draft.
6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Much like the Chargers, the Giants are in dire need of a reliable pass-catcher. Rome Odunze’s downfield speed would be a welcome addition for both Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll.
7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
As Will Levis enters his second season at quarterback, offensive tackle stands out as the most glaring needs on the Titans’ roster. The top player at his position in this class, Joe Alt would be a perfect fit for offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The Falcons have used each of their past three first-round picks on offensive skill players. Dallas Turner could give Atlanta the type of pass-rusher and defensive cornerstone its roster currently lacks.
9. Chicago Bears – Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
With two picks in the top-10, the Bears can afford to get creative. One of this year’s biggest risers, Byron Murphy II would add another playmaker to a promising Chicago defense.
10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Considering this pick is somewhat of a bonus — the Jets would have owed it to Green Bay if not for Aaron Rodgers’ injury — it would make sense for New York to take a big swing. Brock Bowers is just a top-level talent, but tight end is also a need for New York.
11. Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Vikings may need to trade up to make this happen, but if he gets past the Giants, the idea of J.J. McCarthy sliding isn’t far fetched. One way or another, it’s hard to imagine Minnesota entering 2024 with Sam Darnold as its top quarterback.
12. Denver Broncos – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Broncos are kind of in no man’s land — in desperate need of a quarterback but not selecting high enough to get one of the top-four. This seems like a good spot to bet on talent and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu has some of the most upside in this year’s class.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Raiders desperately need a difference-maker in their secondary. Terrion Arnold has seemingly solidified himself as the top corner in this year’s class.
14. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
There isn’t a bigger need on New Orleans’ roster than offensive tackle. Once considered a potential top-five pick, Olu Fashanu has only slid due to the rise of multiple quarterbacks and wide receivers.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Colts could stand to add a playmaker in their secondary. Quinyon Mitchell has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class.
16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
While offensive line is already one of Seattle’s strengths, the Seahawks need to upgrade their guard play. Troy Fautanu isn’t just a local product, but also potentially the best offensive guard in this year’s class.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Keeping Trevor Lawrence upright remains paramount to Jacksonville’s success. Taliese Fuaga could both contribute right away and provide the Jaguars with flexibility heading into the final year of Cam Robinson’s contract.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Tyler Boyd’s time in Cincinnati has come to an end and Tee Higgins’ future remains uncertain. Adding a big-bodied receiver like Brian Thomas Jr. could help ensure that Joe Burrow doesn’t run out of weapons.
19. Los Angeles Rams – JC Latham, OL, Alabama
If they don’t trade back, this would mark the Rams’ first first-round pick since selecting Jared Goff first overall in 2016. JC Latham has both the talent and versatility to be potential cornerstone on Los Angeles’ offensive line.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Regardless of who winds up being their long-term quarterback, the Steelers need to improve their offensive line. Adding a talent like Amarius Mims would provide an immediate upgrade.
21. Miami Dolphins – Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Between injuries and offseason departures, the Dolphins’ front-seven is looking thin. Jared Verse’s pass rushing prowess would help remedy that.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
The Eagles’ secondary is getting up there in age. Cooper DeJean’s ability and versatility would both be welcome additions.
23. Minnesota Vikings (via Houston via Cleveland) – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Vikings possess arguably one of the worst cornerback rooms in the NFL. Clemson’s Nate Wiggins could immediately become Minnesota’s top player at the position.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
If the Cowboys are truly “all in” for 2024, they need to add weapons. The fastest prospect in this year’s class, Xavier Worthy qualifies as just that.
25. Green Bay Packers – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Eric Stokes has yet to solidify himself as an NFL-caliber starter and Jaire Alexander could be a cap casualty a year from now. Once thought to be the top corner in this year’s class, Kool-Aid McKinstry could help fill an immediate and long-term need.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
If Baker Mayfield is going to repeat the success he found in 2023, the Buccaneers are going to have to keep him upright. Graham Barton can help make that happen.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston) – Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon found success in Philadelphia cycling through pass-rushers. Chop Robinson has the type of athletic upside that would likely appeal to the second-year head coach.
28. Buffalo Bills – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Bills have typically passed on first-round receivers but that was before they lost Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis in the same offseason. Adonai Mitchell’s size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) could make him an instant favorite of Josh Allen’s.
29. Detroit Lions – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond are currently slated to start alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown. Troy Franklin would give Jared Goff — and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — another weapon to play with.
30. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Sainristil, DB, Michigan
Baltimore could stand to inject some youth into its secondary. Mike Sainristil is a tough and versatile player who already has plenty of experience playing for a Harbaugh.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
With or without Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers’ wide receiver room lacks depth. One of the biggest risers in this year’s draft process, Ladd McConkey would be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
The Chiefs’ wide receiver situation is such that they need to keep taking swings. At 6-foot-4, Keon Coleman would provide a big target for Patrick Mahomes next to Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice.
