NFL Mock Draft 2024: Edition 2 (End-of-Year Edition)
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| Caleb Williams, USC |
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears have a chance to be the NFL's ultimate wild card this offseason, with ample money to throw around and two selections likely to land in the Top 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Justin Fields has played better since his return from injury, but it still feels like the organization will have a difficult time passing up the allure of Caleb Williams, who would give them the game-changer they've lacked at the position for years.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Are Kyler Murray and Arizona in for a divorce this offseason? Neither this Arizona front office or head coach Jonathan Gannon were part of the group that originally drafted Murray, or signed him to a hefty extension, and they could be looking to start anew. But unless they find a creative way to manuaver out of his contract, it's likely they'll have to rock with him for at least one more season. So, why not give him a special talent to work with, like Marvin Harrison Jr.? The former Buckeye could be the Larry Fitzgerald of a new era in the desert.
3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
More and more, 2023 has the feeling of Bill Belichick's final run in New England, and it just feels right for the Patriots to begin a new direction by drafting a difference-maker under center. Drake Maye would be the clear top quarterback off the board in just about every other draft class, but offers tremendous value for the Pats down here at third overall.
4. Washington Commanders
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Is Sam Howell really the guy in the nation's capital? The jury is most definitely still out, particularly as the Commanders fall to the cellar of the NFC East, but it wouldn't shock me if Howell is the taking Day One snaps in 2024. Assuming that is the case, it makes sense for Washington to complement him by adding a stalwart at tackle in the form of Olu Fashanu, who will be reminding fans of Trent Williams in short order.
5. Chicago Bears
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Chicago hopes that Caleb Williams is the answer to their quarterback woes, but this second first-rounder is all about surrounding him with the right supporting cast. Receiver would be an obvious solution but with MHJ gone, it's hard to find a pass-catcher that wouldn't be a stretch at five. Instead, they stay in the Midwest and land a rapidly improving blocker in Joe Alt, who has been a contributor for the Irish since the moment he stepped on campus.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA
The Chargers are going to be in for massive changes over the offseason, with ample changes throughout the coaching staff and front office. That makes mocking this selection particularly difficult, but it feels like adding a disruptive pass rusher never goes out of style. Laiatu Latu, who put together monster numbers over his UCLA career, has the skillset and scheme versatility to make an immediate impact on a needy defense.
7. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Tommy DeVito's magical run seemed to come to its inevitable conclusion on Christmas night, and the G-Men could very well be drafting in the Top 5 come next spring. Quarterback remains a real possibility, but my belief is that they'll trot out Daniel Jones for one more year, while adding a flashy piece on the perimeter to bolster the offense. Enter Malik Nabers, who finished as a Biletnikoff Award finalist after a dominant 2023 with LSU.
8. New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
It's been a rough season for the Jets, but the hope is that an Aaron Rodgers' return will flip the narrative in New York. Adding another pass-catcher could be just as important, especially one as talented as Brock Bowers, who has put together three superb seasons in Athens. If not for an injury that cost him a big chunk of the year, I don't think it's a stretch at all to say that Bowers would have earned serious Heisman consideration this fall.
9. Tennessee Titans
Kool Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
There are several needs the Titans will look to address this offseason as they build around Will Levis for the foreseeable future. Both lines could use some reinforcements and it feels like Tennessee could always use another wide out, but I'm circling the defensive backfield if I'm the Titans. Quarterback play in the AFC South keeps on improving, and adding a shutdown corner like Kool Aid McKinstry feels like a necessity.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After a record-setting season with LSU, it's going to be fascinating to watch how NFL folks evaluate Jayden Daniels. Before this year, it never felt like he was much of a pro-ready quarterback, but now appears like he could rise into the Top 5. Atlanta is certainly in need of a quarterback and this feels like a nice spot to add a mature, well-rounded signal-caller.
11. New Orleans Saints
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
New Orleans has attempted to keep their championship window open by leaning on an aerial attack featuring Derek Carr and an underwhelming cast of characters, but the results have been less-than-stellar. It's time the organization invests in the pass offense and adds a talent like Keon Coleman, who has been a bit inconsistent throughout his collegiate career, but absolutely dominant when he's "on."
12. Green Bay Packers
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Predicting which direction Green Bay goes in with this front office often feels like you're throwing darts at the wall, but there's an obvious need along the offensive line here and a prospect that slides in perfectly in J.C. Latham. The 6'6", 360-pounder is a freak of nature and Green Bay could arrange for a homecoming of sorts, as Latham hailing from Oak Creek, Wisconsin originally.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Cornerback has been circled as an obvious need position for the Raiders, and something tells me they will be investing in the position early on this offseason. Clemson's Nate Wiggins may not have the ceiling of Kool-Aid McKinstry, but he's a lengthy, well-rounded corner with a proven pedigree, making him well worth this selection.
14. Denver Broncos
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
It feels like we could we see a shuffling of Denver's receiver room this offseason, regardless of how they finish the regular season. Jerry Jeudy feels like he's gone and despite his production, Courtland Sutton could also be a casualty of the times as this team builds for the future. The Broncos would be just fine taking a dynamic weapon like Rome Odunze as a replacement, a deep threat they've been missing all season.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Another team that has some decisions to make this offseason, as Minnesota evaluates their quarterback situation. Fortunately, the rest of the roster is still built to compete and by plugging holes, this team could certainly be in the hunt in the NFC. Adding a disruptive force like Jer'Zhan Newton, who has unstoppable while at Illinois, feels like a no-brainer at this spot for the front office.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
With Tee Higgins potentially set to walk in free agency and a clear need at tight end, we should be watching pass-catcher in the first round for the Bengals. Yet, with all the big names off the board at this point, Cincinnati goes in a different direction by upgrading along the O-Line. Taliese Fuaga, a behemoth out of Oregon State, is the type of prospect that should climb steadily up boards throughout the pre-Draft process.
17. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston)
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Cardinals added the flashy new offensive piece with their earlier first-rounder - this selection is all about addressing their top need, cornerback. Certainly they would love if Kool-Aid McKinstry were to drop deeper into the first, but his defensive backfield mate Terrion Arnold, is a fine consolation. Arnold can be inconsistent, but has all the physical gifts necessary to be a plus defender in the pros.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Turner, DE/LB, Alabama
Dallas Turner is likely to land much higher than this but based on the way things turn out, anybody can slide come draft night. Expect the Steelers to jump on this opportunity if it were to happen, adding a relentless pass rusher off the edge who can complement T.J. Watt for the long haul.
19. Indianapolis Colts
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
The Colts have been a pleasant surprise, even with Anthony Richardson sidelined most of the year, but if they want to be serious threats in the AFC they need to shore up the defense. All three levels could use reinforcements and although corner seems to be a more pressing need, I love the idea of Indy adding a ferocious pass rusher like Chop Robinson out of Penn State.
20. Los Angeles Rams
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
It's been an up-and-down year in LA, but the Rams appear to still have a championship window open if they can fix a few of the holes that have persisted throughout this fall. That includes a secondary that has taken a notable step-back, and would benefit from adding a weapon like Iowa's Cooper DeJean. DeJean is the type of playmaker at the position you don't get every day, a ball hawk who can also make things happen on special teams.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
Tampa has been a pleasant surprise under the leadership of Baker Mayfield, but you still have to be monitoring quarterback with their first-rounder this year. Both Michael Penix and Bo Nix should get a look here, and both could end up going higher than anticipated, but it feels like the Buccaneers may be content going best player available and waiting to find the right fit for their next franchise signal-caller.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
There are obvious holes on both lines of scrimmage for Jacksonville, with the defense underperforming at crucial points during the year and shaky protection in front of Trevor Lawrence. The defense will need work, but I suspect adding a young blocker will be at the top of the priority list, and the Jags get nice value here with Patrick Paul in the early 20s.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Bralen Trice, DE, Washington
Seattle's pass rush has been lifeless most of the season, and the organization needs to invest draft capital if they hope to flip the script in 2024. Fortunately, they may not have to go very far to do so, as they can stay in the city and snag Bralen Trice out of Washington. The polished end has been a force for the undefeated Huskies all season, and has the measurables that translate very well to the pro game.
24. Buffalo Bills
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Regardless of how the season finishes in Buffalo, the Bills have things to figure out offensively, most notably at receiver. Gabe Davis has been a steady No. 2 but is set to hit free agency and will likely be looking for a pay day, meaning Buffalo could soon be looking for new blood alongside Stefon Diggs. Emeka Egbuka makes plenty of sense if that is indeed the case - although he played second fiddle to Harrison Jr. at Ohio State, the former Buckeye is a special talent.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Patrick Mahomes may be the most talented quarterback in the NFL, but it's become clear this year that he can't do it all alone. The Chiefs have not done a great job surrounding him with the right pieces at receiver, resulting in a staggering amount of drops that have fed an underlying sense of frustration around the team throughout the fall. Adonai Mitchell is an instant impact receiver who seemed to get better each and every week for Texas in 2023 after coming over from Georgia.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Don't be surprised if Graham Barton begins steadily climbing up draft boards as the pre-Draft process ramps up. The Duke product is a well-rounded, versatile blocker who is the type of prospect that could have a coming out party at the Senior Bowl in early February. For right now, he slides in comfortably to Dallas at 26, a team that should use further help along the O-Line.
27. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)
J.T. Tuimoloau, DL, Ohio State
With their third first-rounder, this feels like the perfect spot for Houston to snatch up a disruptive pass rusher, especially considering there's usually one or two that slide into the late first. In this case it's J.T. Tuimoloau, a physical freak who has quite the range he could end up going - anywhere from the mid-first round to late second feels in play at the moment.
28. Detroit Lions
Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami (FL)
Aidan Hutchinson may be a talented young pass rusher, but he's faced constant double teams all season long. It's clear Detroit needs to further bolster their defensive line this offseason, and Leonard Taylor could do just that. He's going to play on the inside in the pros, but can still get after the quarterback, and he feels like one of those prospects that projects better to the NFL than his college production suggests.
29. Miami Dolphins
Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia
The injury bug has struck in Miami but amazingly, Tua Tagovailoa has managed to stay healthy throughout the fall. Instead, it's been the O-Line that has been hit hard, exposing the lack of depth throughout the unit. The Dolphins can change that by taking a piece like Amarius Mims this next spring, a powerful blocker who can fill in at multiple spots.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Cornerback was already considered a need for Philadelphia heading into 2023, and the events of the last month have made it clear that the Eagles need to invest in the position this upcoming offseason. Fortunately, this is a really solid corner draft, even if there isn't an elite No. 1, and they have a chance for a real value play here in Kalen King.
31. Baltimore Ravens
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
You can always count on Baltimore to find value wherever they're drafting, and Kamari Lassiter would be quite the get at the 31 spot. The former Georgia Bulldog has been overshadowed at times by all the NFL talent on that side of the ball, but he's a sturdy, refined cornerback who still has a high enough ceiling to imagine another leap in the pros.
32. San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
It's often said that just about any quarterback could run Kyle Shanahan's scheme, but San Francisco shouldn't be too eager to find out - they need to keep Brock Purdy healthy. Fortunately there are plenty of options to do so in the late first round, with Arizona's Jordan Morgan jumping out as a high upside guy with room to grow.
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