NFL Mock Draft 2024: Edition 3 (Super Bowl Edition)
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| Jayden Daniels, LSU |
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
What Chicago decides to do with the No. 1 overall selection will set the tone for the entire 2024 NFL Draft. Will they trade away Justin Fields and use this pick on Caleb Williams? Or, do they trade down themselves and continue to accumulate draft capital? The prevailing notion appears to be the former, giving the Bears the type of game-changer at the position they have lacked for far too long.
2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell and Drake Maye ended up sitting together at the recent Duke-North Carolina game to cheer on their Tar Heels. While they were able to see the Heels come out on top, the scenario had an awkward feel to it, with Drake Maye trending in the direction of being the No. 2 overall pick. Things could change, but it's clear the new regime wants to invest in a new signal-caller and after an illustrious run in Chapel Hill, Maye looks to be the answer.
3. New England Patriots
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
It's a new day in New England, as Jerod Mayo takes the reins as head man. The first priority? Finding a quarterback that can win him football games on Sundays and evidently, Mac Jones is not that guy. Fortunately in this scenario, the reigning Heisman winner falls into their laps at pick three, giving the Patriots a player with a proven pedigree ready for this opportunity.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best player in this Draft, full stop. But with three QB-needy teams ahead of Arizona on the big board, the Cardinals come out as major winners by landing a generational talent at wide out. Harrison gives the offense much-needed playmaking on the perimeter, and could be just what Kyler Murray needs to hit another gear in 2024 and beyond.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
To me, the fifth pick is where the 2024 NFL Draft starts to get very interesting, with the new-look LA Chargers in position to go a number of different ways with this selection. There may be greater needs than receiver at the moment, but it wouldn't surprise if Keenan Allen or Mike Williams were cap casualties over the offseason. Malik Nabers gives them a cheap replacement with elite playmaking potential, fresh off a huge 2023 in Baton Rouge.
6. New York Giants
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Coming off a disappointing 2023 and set to turn 32 years of age, it doesn't feel like Darren Waller fits New York's long-term gameplan anymore. It's time to cut their losses, and fortunately, they have a chance to upgrade at the position by adding Brock Bowers in the early first. Even coming off a leg injury that cost him a big chunk of the fall, Bowers is the clear top tight end in this class, a tremendous pass-catcher who will be playing on Sundays for years to come.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
It'd be a bit of a surprise for the first offensive linemen to come off the board down at seven but you just never know how the chips may fall. Either way, that would be a win for the Titans, allowing them to draft their preferred top-blocker at this spot and continue bolstering a group that is in transition mode. Joe Alt is a proven commodity out of Notre Dame who should immediately bring run-blocking prowess to the table in Tennessee.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, DE/LB, Alabama
Atlanta has one of the most exciting young offensive cores in the league with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, but the quarterback position is an obvious need. Unfortunately with the top three options off the board, there just doesn't feel like a QB fit here, meaning the Falcons likely either wait or trade down. If that's the case, it makes sense to invest in a pass rusher if they do stay firm at eight, and Alabama's Dallas Turner offers great value.
9. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Caleb Williams is the type of franchise-altering quarterback every NFL team wants, but the reality is that he's still going to need help around him to succeed. Enter Rome Odunze, fresh off a monster season at Washington in which he finished as a Biletnikoff Award finalist. His ability to create downfield gives the Bears a weapon to take the top off defenses, subsequently opening things up for Cole Kmet and D.J. Moore underneath.
10. New York Jets
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
With the Jets set to run it back with a (hopefully) healthy Aaron Rodgers, protecting the future Hall-of-Famer will be crucial. Fortunately, Olu Fashanu offers plenty of value at the ten spot - the Nittany Lion product would have been a Top 10 pick last spring had he come out, and put together a strong 2023 campaign.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Remember when the "Williams wall" made Minnesota's defensive front one of the most imposing in the NFL? This defensive line group has slipped in recent years, but the Vikings have a chance to add a high-upside piece in Byron Murphy II, who seems to be trending up boards after playing an instrumental role in the Longhorn Playoff run this fall.
12. Denver Broncos
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
It would be genuinely shocking to see Russell Wilson under center for Denver in 2024, but what the Broncos choose to do at the position moving forward remains a mystery. More and more, it feels like they take a swing at a QB with pick 12, and J.J. McCarthy looks to be cementing himself as the "best of the rest" after the top trio goes off the board. McCarthy's a winner, and has the type skillset that Sean Payton could mold for success in the Mile High City.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
One of the big winners at the Senior Bowl, Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell hasn't just played himself into first round pick territory - he has a chance to be the first corner off the board this spring. The three-year starter is a well-rounded prospect with the size, athleticism, and experience to be a rock-solid piece for the Raider secondary for years to come.
14. New Orleans Saints
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
As I mentioned in my last mock, Taliese Fuaga is the type of prospect that should continue to rise up draft boards as the pre-Draft process unfolds. The former Beaver has impressive measurements who should wow at the Combine. He could end up being the first offensive linemen off the board and at this spot, he's the perfect solution for a Saints team that needs to upgrade a banged up offensive front.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Playing in a division that now includes Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud, Indianapolis has work to do to shore up a secondary that was frightfully inconsistent over the past season. They'd consider themselves major winners if Clemson's Nate Wiggins drops to them, an experienced, ball-hawking defender who could easily find himself going in the Top 10 come Draft Day.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
If the Seahawks want to be a serious threat in the NFC, upgrading a porous rush defense should be a top priority. Johnny Newton was one of the most imposing defenders anywhere in college football during his time at Illinois and has gotten better each and every season. He could give Seattle the type of physical specimen up front they've consistently lacked since Michael Bennett.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
After a disappointing conclusion to the 2023 season, the Jaguars will need to invest in their offense to get Trevor Lawrence and the entire unit back on track. Taking an impact blocker like J.C. Latham would work wonders from the very beginning, giving Jacksonville a nice bookend to pair opposite of another one-time Alabama blocker, Cam Robinson.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia
It's set to be an interesting offseason in Cincinnati, with several big names set to hit free agency. Receiver will be a place to watch, with both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd potentially moving on, but the greater need for the Bengals may be on the offensive line, with Jonah Williams hitting the market. If he does indeed walk, Cincinnati adds a possible replacement here in Amarius Mims, who can play multiple spots along the O-Line.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA
As things stand today, it looks like the Rams are gearing up for what could be their final run at a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford under center. If that's the case, the defense will need reinforcements, particularly off the edge. Enter Laiatu Latu, an impact pass rusher out of UCLA with all the necessary physical tools to be a disruptor for years to come in Los Angeles.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
Another big winner from the Senior Bowl was Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson, following up his Rimington Trophy season with a dominant showing at a crucial time in the pre-Draft process. He has now moved into first-round lock territory, and Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense. With Mason Cole set to cash in over the offseason the Steelers are almost surely set to move on, with Powers-Johnson the perfect sit to slide into the vacancy.
21. Miami Dolphins
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The run on offensive linemen continues here with the Dolphins adding a quality interior blocker in Graham Barton out of Duke. Barton doesn't seem to have the upside of other projected first-round linemen, but he's a proven commodity who will immediately upgrade Miami's ground game and stabilize a position likely to be influx over the offseason.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
This feels like a no-brainer for Philadelphia, who has a clear need at cornerback and now has a shot to add Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama. Although his draft stock seems to be slipping in recent weeks, McKinstry is still widely considered one of the top corners in this cycle, and brings an elite playmaker to the equation for the Eagles.
23. Houston Texans
T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Beyond Will Anderson Jr., the Texans are thin on proven pass rushers as they prep for the 2024 campaign. They'd love if a piece like Latu or Jer'Zhan Newton were to drop to them at 23, but T'Vondre Sweat offers quite the consolation prize. A relentless interior pass rusher, Sweat seems like the perfect type of player for head coach Demeco Ryans, and he put together a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Keep your eye on cornerback as a potential move for Dallas at this spot, but with McKinstry and others already off the board, I'm looking at offensive line instead. Tyron Smith is set to turn 33 years of age and has struggled to stay healthy in recent years - the Cowboys get a high-upside replacement here in Washington's Troy Fautanu.
25. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Yet another offensive tackle off the board? You can never be quite sure which direction Green Bay is going on any given draft day, but they have a clear need at tackle with David Bahktiari's long-term future with the franchise in doubt. The Packers could choose to find a replacement in free agency, but it may be difficult to pass up on a player with the potential of Jordan Morgan, who has all the physical gifts to be a force on Sundays.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
The Buccaneers have numerous questions on offense, even after winning the NFC South in 2023, but it feels like they'll run it back with a similar core on that side of the ball and instead focusing on adding impact defenders through the Draft. Jared Verse offers tremendous value here in the late first as one of the most NFL-ready edge rushers in this cycle.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Arizona landed a superstar wide out earlier in the first, now they work on fixing the rest of the holes on the roster. Offensive line is a notable one, even with the selection of Paris Johnson last spring, but with so many of the top options off the board, I envision them instead working on solidifying the secondary - and Cooper DeJean is too good to resist at 27.
28. Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
If the Bills have any hopes of finally overcoming Kansas City in the AFC, upgrading the offensive weapons around Josh Allen must be a top priority. Fortunately, there could be an abundance of options in the late first, and Keon Coleman has potential to be quite the steal at this juncture. Coleman is the most purely talented wide out in this Draft not named Marvin Harrison Jr., now it's about him developing consistency.
29. Detroit Lions
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Detroit asks a lot of their corners, and it's clear the perimeter defense needs to improve if this team is going to make a run at an NFC Title. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. presents quite the solution - he's long, athletic, and never seems to fatigue, making him an ideal fit in this system. He was instrumental in Missouri's major turnaround this past fall.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Back-to-back Missouri Tigers? Darius Robinson has the feels of a Baltimore Raven prospect to me, a high-upside defender with scheme versatility and a proven work ethic. Robinson played off the edge primarily in college, but looks to move inside at the next level, giving Baltimore a disruptor who can be used in multiple ways.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
San Francisco doesn't have the glaring needs of others in this first round, so why not take a swing at a boom-or-bust prospect like Tyler Guyton? Guyton is raw, starting just 15 times over four seasons in Norman, but has dazzling physical gifts and seems to be scratching the surface of what he can be long-term. If you're the Niners, what do you have to lose?
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
With the exception of Rashee Rice, Kansas City's receiver corps was horrific in 2023. While Patrick Mahomes can make things work with whatever he's dealt, this has to be a point of emphasis if the Chiefs are to maintain their standing atop the NFL. Brian Thomas Jr. is cementing himself as a first-rounder and while he doesn't quite have the big-play ability of his former LSU teammate Malik Nabers, he's got ideal NFL size.
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