The 2024 NFL Combine is this week and members from all 32 NFL teams will head to Indianapolis to dive into evaluating the 2024 class of prospects. This class features a really good group of players and teams will really be able to help themselves in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here is my latest 2024 NFL mock draft and my best guess of how things will shake out in April.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The 2024 NFL Draft should kick off with very little drama. The Bears will select Caleb Williams and turn the franchise over to the young passer. In Williams, the Bears are getting a playmaking quarterback with rare arm talent and instincts.
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
I have Drake Maye above Jayden Daniels by a decent margin but in this mock, I am trying to make predictions based on not just my personal rankings. I believe Daniels could be a better fit in Kliff Kingsbury's spread offense. Daniels is a special runner with the football and has very good touch and ball placement down the field.
3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
This would be a dream come true for the Patriots. Drake Maye has all the makings of a future NFL star and this team desperately needs some life under center. There would be quite a bit of work to do to build around Maye, but you do not pass on a talent like him.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Pretty boring here but again, no drama. If Marvin Harrison Jr. is here at No. 4, he will be the pick. The Cardinals need a true No. 1 WR to pair with Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr. checks all the boxes.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
I am not doing trades in this mock, but I am sure the Chargers wouldn't mind moving down a few slots. With that said, this is a three-horse race between Joe Alt, Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. I ultimately gave them Alt, who would play right tackle, because we know Jim Harbaugh values toughness, physicality, and running the football.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Giants are likely going to be interested in some of the top quarterbacks but none of them fall to No. 6. Instead, they take one of the most explosive playmakers in this class in Malik Nabers. Nabers offers outstanding deep speed and playmaking ability.
7. Tennessee Titans
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Tennessee is almost certain to take an offensive tackle high and, lucky for them, one of the best ones falls to their lap. Olu Fashanu is underrated at this point among draft media and he has the length, athleticism, and power to develop into a high-end offensive tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Similar to the Giants, I fully expect Atlanta to attempt to take a quarterback with this pick. I thought about giving them Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy but opted to go another route and address their biggest need on defense. Dallas Turner would give the Falcons some much-needed juice off the edge.
9. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
I'll probably say this in every mock I write: Rome Odunze is the closest thing to a slam dunk in this class. The guy has little to no holes and has a ton of upside. I believe he can be a Pro Bowler early in his career and would give Caleb Williams another weapon opposite of D.J. Moore to work with.
10. New York Jets
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The Jets have a massive need at tackle and this feels like a spot where need meets the best player available. Taliese Fuaga is a powerful bully who would set the tone for the Jets in both phases of the game.
11. Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Look, I have been on record that there is no denying J.J. McCarthy's physical tools. He is athletic, has a big arm, and has good overall size. There's no question about his flashes because when he dials it up, it sure looks pretty. With that said, I do think it's fair to question why Michigan seemed to limit his exposure and treat him with kid gloves. This is a risk for the Vikings, but I think it's one they can afford to take.
12. Denver Broncos
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Denver will strongly consider Bo Nix here and likely would have had interest in McCarthy but instead opt to take Terrion Arnold to pair with fellow Crimson Tide CB Patrick Surtain II. Together, Arnold and Surtain II would form one of the best corner duos in the league.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Head coach Antonio Pierce has been on record saying that they will add to their QB room and that it is one of their biggest priorities. Bo Nix would give the Raiders a playmaker who can also distribute the ball accurately and on time.
14. New Orleans Saints
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Trevor Penning was drafted a few years back, but he has yet to prove that he is capable of being trusted as a full-time starter. Additionally, Ryan Ramczyk is getting up there in age and has durability concerns. Adding a high-upside tackle like JC Latham makes a lot of sense in round one.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Brock Bowers is the hardest player to find a home for in this mock draft. From a pure talent perspective, Bowers should be taken much higher, but there just simply isn't a team that is desperate for a tight end. The Colts can certainly use some playmaking at the tight end position and would be wise to continue to surround Anthony Richardson with young pass-catching talent.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
I am an Oregon Duck, yet two of my favorite players in this class are Huskies. Who would have thought? In all seriousness, I love everything about Troy Fautanu. From his versatility to his athleticism and his physicality, I think he has it all and will be an impact player wherever he lines up. For the Seahawks, he would slide inside at guard and provide a much-needed upgrade in the middle of their offensive line.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
The Jaguars need to solidify their offensive line in front of Trevor Lawrence. Jackson Powers-Johnson is arguably the best interior offensive lineman in this class and will be a high-end starting center the minute he steps on the field.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Johnny Newton, IDL, Illinois
Most mocks will have the Bengals taking an offensive tackle, but I am going to go a different route and give them a penetrating defensive tackle to complement their outstanding edge rushers. Johnny Newton has excellent first step and hand use and will be a force opposite of DJ Reader, should they re-sign him.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
This is the first time in years that the Rams have a first-round pick so I would bet the house of them taking a player along either the offensive or defensive line. I'll give them the best pass rusher available in UCLA's Laiatu Latu. Latu is a technically refined rusher who has a nice blend of speed and power.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Steelers could look to address their offensive line here, but with a talent like Quinyon Mitchell on the board, they elect to shore up their secondary. Mitchell is a long and explosive corner who has outstanding ball skills.
21. Miami Dolphins
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Miami would sprint this card into the podium. Jared Verse is likely a long shot to fall this far, but in the event he does, this would be a home run pick. Verse is an explosive and powerful edge defender who would fit in nicely alongside Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Eagles' secondary really hurt the team down the stretch of the season. They desperately need help at corner with Darius Slay and James Bradberry both getting up there in age. Nate Wiggins is a highly gifted cover man with excellent foot quickness and instincts.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
I am higher on Keon Coleman than most at this point. He is a long athlete with outstanding play strength and ball skills. While Coleman may not be a true burner, he does have excellent movement skills and short-area quickness for a player his size. He would give C.J. Stroud another big target opposite Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Cowboys need more playmakers—CeeDee Lamb can't do it all himself like he did this past year. Adonai Mitchell is a loose athlete with incredible ball-tracking ability. He would give Dak Prescott another down-the-field target.
25. Green Bay Packers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Jordan Love appears to be a legit franchise quarterback and the Packers now must do everything in their power to build a solid foundation around him. Amarius Mims is a high-upside player whose lack of snaps is the only reason he is still available. He'd give the Packers a foundational player up front.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zach Frazier, OC, West Virginia
I considered a receiver here as I fully expect Mike Evans to walk in free agency, but the need on Tampa Bay's offensive line is too great. Zach Frazier is a plug-and-play starting NFL center and can be the anchor of this offensive line for quite some time.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Talk about a haul for the Cardinals. They get a star receiver with their first pick and then come around and take Graham Barton, a player who can play all five positions along the offensive line. Barton would likely be a day-one starter at guard for Arizona.
28. Buffalo Bills
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
It is quite clear that Buffalo needs a bit more juice in their offense and must add another playmaker for Josh Allen. Brian Thomas Jr. is a long receiver with outstanding vertical speed. He is arguably the best deep threat in this class and would immediately open things up down the field.
29. Detroit Lions
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Chop Robinson is a quick-twitch firecracker off the edge and would be a great fit opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Those two together would give the Lions a formidable pass-rushing duo for years to come.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Death, taxes, the Ravens drafting a steal. Jordan Morgan is a long and strong left tackle who excels in the run game. While some project him as a guard at the next level, I believe he has the talent to play tackle as well. Regardless of where he lines up, he will upgrade the Ravens' offensive line.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
There's a good chance the 49ers lose Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, which would make receiver a huge need for this offense. Quite honestly, even if they keep Aiyuk, I still think a field-stretching third receiver would be a wise add. Troy Franklin is a down-the-field threat who would complement Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk very nicely.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas
The Chiefs elect to pass on a receiver here to continue to build their defense. Byron Murphy II is a twitchy interior rusher who would wreak havoc playing alongside Chris Jones, if the Chiefs bring him back.
