NFL Mock Draft 2024: Edition 4 (Combine Edition)

Malik Nabers, LSU to New York Giants

1. Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Even as the pre-Draft process heats up, little has changed at the top, with Caleb Williams remaining the overwhelming favorite to be the top overall selection this spring. Justin Fields remains on the Bears roster, but Williams is the type of franchise-changing quarterback that simply doesn't come along very often - it will be nearly impossible for Chicago to pass him up.

2. Washington Commanders

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Things could get interesting at pick two with Washington certain to entertain trade possibilities, but if they do stay firm, all signs point to Drake Maye at this spot. The former Tar Heel signal-caller checks just about every box, and this appears to be a good landing spot for him, teaming up with an offensive coordinator that will make the most of his skillset in Kliff Kingsbury.

3. New England Patriots

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

I'm not entirely convinced New England will go quarterback here, even if it's clear that Mac Jones is not the long-term answer. Bringing in a veteran seems like a safer move for Year One of the Jerod Mayo era, but the most likely scenario does still remain Jayden Daniels, fresh off a 2023 Heisman campaign. Daniels gives the Patriots a playmaker at the position they have been lacking, but it will be curious to see what else they do offensively, with clear needs at receiver and along the offensive line.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Arizona could be a real wild card looking ahead to next fall. The lost 2023 season aside, this remains a very talented roster top-to-bottom, and a healthy Kyler Murray makes them a spoiler who could play their way into the NFC playoff picture. But in order to do so, they need more help for Kyler on the outside, especially with Marquise Brown likely to head elsewhere. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the clear No. 1 wide out in this Draft and will open things up underneath for Trey McBride and the rest of this supporting cast.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

With the top four picks remaining steady (for the time being), LA's selection at five could be the spot where the Draft really starts to heat up. Jim Harbaugh's arrival adds an interesting layer to a team that should have been much better than they were in 2023, and there are multiple directions they could go. I like the idea of bringing in Brock Bowers, a superstar tight end who will open up the passing game and provide Justin Herbert a security blanket. Who knows, he could just be the reincarnation of Antonio Gates, and have a long and fruitful career in a Charger jersey.

6. New York Giants

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Daniel Jones seems to have an uncertain future in the Big Apple, but if the Giants are intending to stick with him, they absolutely need to upgrade the weapons around him. The organization has lacked a true No. 1 receiver for far too long, but that could change if they take Malik Nabers with this pick. The speedster put together a monster 2023 paired with Jayden Daniels, and is the type of playmaker that you can line up just about anywhere and expect production from.

7. Tennessee Titans

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

After Will Levis flashed during his rookie season, the objective is clear for the Titans: get him some protection. Levis was sacked 28 times in his nine starts, but fortunately help could be on the way in the form of Olu Fashanu, a powerful blocker out of Penn State who looks to be a Top 10 lock. Fashanu wasn't quite as dominant his 2023 season as some expected, but has still done enough to earn recognition as the likely top linemen off the board.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Turner, DE/LB, Alabama

Atlanta remains in the market for a quarterback, but my suspicion is that they'll look to a veteran for 2024 and instead use this Top 10 selection to get new head coach Raheem Morris some new toys to play with defensively. That includes edge rusher Dallas Turner, an unstoppable force off the edge who unsurprisingly had an impressive showing at the Combine.

9. Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Chicago's quarterback woes have been well-documented, but the organization has also had a frustrating time developing the receiver position, something that needs to change if Caleb Williams is to be the guy in the Windy City. Rome Odunze didn't blow away on-lookers at the Combine, but remains one of the top receivers on the board, with the downfield explosiveness to give this Bear offense some real bite.

10. New York Jets

Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State

As I've mentioned multiple times, Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga is the type of pro prospect that is going to keep steadily climbing draft boards, and it wouldn't shock me if he ends up being the first linemen taken this spring. The Jets have obvious needs to address along their O-Line, and Fuaga could be a plug-and-play right tackle for them.

11. Minnesota Vikings

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

This may be the toughest pick in the entire first round for me to call. With Kirk Cousins' future in Minnesota up in the air, the Vikings could certainly be in play for a quarterback, but do they have the ammunition to trade up for one? Something tells me Minnesota brass is fine staying here and instead filling out other holes on the roster, including corner. Terrion Arnold had a strong day at the Combine, and is in a neck-and-neck battle with Quinyon Mitchell to be the top CB off the board.

12. Denver Broncos

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Sean Payton has made it quite clear that Russell Wilson is not going to be Denver's starting quarterback in 2024, although the Broncos are at an interesting spot when it comes to taking a new franchise signal-caller. The top trio is long gone, but J.J. McCarthy will still likely be available here, giving Payton a young, well-rounded QB to mold for years to come.

13. Las Vegas Raiders

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

As impressive as Terrion Arnold was at the Combine, Quinyon Mitchell didn't disappoint, either. The Toledo product ran a blazing fast 40 and looked smooth throughout the on-field drills, likely cementing him as a Top 15 selection this cycle. He just feels like a Raiders prospect to me, particularly with a clear need on the back-end for Las Vegas.

14. New Orleans Saints

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

It would come as a bit of a surprise to see Joe Alt last on draft boards this long, but depending on how things shake out at the top, it's not completely out of the question. That would be quite a win for New Orleans, enabling them to add a valuable piece at a need position, potentially replacing Trevor Penning or the oft-injured Ryan Ramczyk.

15. Indianapolis Colts

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold are beginning to separate themselves, but Clemson's Nate Wiggins should not be overlooked even after leaving the Combine with a hip injury. Wiggins had a long and productive career with the Tigers, and has the physical traits to be a steady corner for the long haul. He'll be a welcome addition to a Colt secondary that has struggled in recent years and now must contend with C.J. Stroud inside the division.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

Seattle absolutely needs to bolster their pass rush if they have any hopes of staying competitive in the loaded NFC West, and there are an abundance of options available to them at the 16 spot. Jared Verse was one of the big winners from the Combine and looks to have cemented himself as a Top 20 selection - he'd be a great pickup for the Seahawks here.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

There are three obvious needs for Jacksonville this offseason: O-Line, D-Line, and cornerback. With the top three tackles off the board and the top three corners gone, that leaves defensive line the most likely route in this mock. Enter Byron Murphy II, a disruptive force out of Texas who didn't exactly wow at the Combine, but offers significant value in the mid-first.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

For as impressive as the first several years of Joe Burrow's NFL career have been, the injury concerns surrounding the former No. 1 pick are clear. The Bengals need to do whatever possible to keep their franchise quarterback healthy and thriving, and that will take further investment along the offensive line. J.C. Latham is a brick wall who should be a staple for years to come at one of the tackle spots in Cincy.

19. Los Angeles Rams

Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA

Much like division foe Seattle, the Rams need to upgrade their defensive line, which has underwhelmed for years beyond Aaron Donald. They have a chance to stay local and add a high-upside piece in Laiatu Latu, who doesn't test as well as the other premier pass rushers in this Draft, but offers ample schematic versatility at a key position.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon

It's never flashy to take an interior linemen in the first round, but this would be a home run selection for Pittsburgh. Mason Cole is officially gone, and the Steelers have a chance to replace him with a well-rounded blocker like Jackson Powers-Johnson, who put together a marvelous career at Oregon and has only helped himself in the pre-Draft process.

21. Miami Dolphins

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Kool-Aid McKinstry hasn't exactly wowed through the pre-Draft process and now looks like the likely fourth or fifth corner off the board, but the Alabama product remains an elite athlete who could help numerous NFL teams in a variety of ways. With the Dolphins moving on from Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey not getting any younger, this makes plenty of sense.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The steal of the Draft? Cooper DeJean is a much better prospect than this selection may indicate but with so many quality corners set to go in the first, he could slide a bit. That would be a major win for Philadelphia, adding a game-changer at a need position who can also help out on special teams.

23. Houston Texans

Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Beyond Will Anderson Jr., Houston's pass rush is lacking and there's a particular need on the interior, with Sheldon Rankins set to become a free agent. The Texans would love if Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton were available to them at pick 23, adding a player who was one of the most dominant defenders anywhere in the country over the last several seasons.

24. Dallas Cowboys

Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Tyron Smith is set to hit the open market and even if Dallas does bring him back, it's time to start thinking about the future at the position. Troy Fautanu was highly productive throughout his time at Washington, and his ability to play either tackle or interior offensive line makes him quite valuable. A permanent move to guard could soon be on the horizon, but the Cowboys can use him however they see fit with this selection.

25. Green Bay Packers

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

12 of Green Bay's last 13 first-round selections have been on the defensive side of the ball, a trend I don't see ending in 2024. Even with most of the big name corners off the board, the Packers have a clear need at this spot and have a chance for a high-upside in Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a well-rounded defender who was a key cog in the Missouri secondary for years.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

More and more, you get the sense that Mike Evans will be sporting a different jersey color than Tampa red in 2024. As tough as it will be to lose a franchise staple like him, the Buccaneers should use this as an opportunity to get younger and more athletic at the position. Fresh off breaking the Combine 40 record, Xavier Worthy is unsurprisingly ascending draft boards, and would certainly add much-needed explosiveness on the perimeter.

27. Arizona Cardinals

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Arizona got their offensive difference-maker earlier in Marvin Harrison Jr., now it's time to drill down and address needs along their offensive line. Graham Barton can play just about anywhere along the offensive front and is the type of proven, steady blocker that is going to have a long, fruitful NFL career.

28. Buffalo Bills

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Gabe Davis is just about a lock to head elsewhere in free agency, so the Bills snag a new No. 2 to pair opposite of Stefon Diggs in LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas isn't quite the versatile weapon former Tiger teammate Malik Nabers is, but he's got ideal size and the skillset to be an elite deep threat, opening plenty of doors for this Buffalo offense.

29. Detroit Lions

Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State

I love the idea of Detroit investing in another ferocious pass rusher to add much-needed bite to this front seven. Chop Robinson, who began his career at Maryland before transferring to Penn State, has all the physical gifts that translate to the NFL and flashed repeatedly with the Nittany Lions. With Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn, he has the opportunity to become something special.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia

This is about as Baltimore of a first-round selection as you can get, landing a talented prospect who just happens to slide in this particular mock. Amarius Mims could be the long-term replacement for Ronnie Stanley, a likely cap casualty over the offseason, with a staggering cap hit of over $26 million.

31. San Francisco 49ers

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

As opposed to many of the other big-name blockers this cycle like Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt, Tyler Guyton doesn't bring ample starting experience to the table, starting just one season at Oklahoma. Despite that, the 6'7" behemoth has all the physical traits to be a dominant linemen in the pros, and a team like San Francisco has the depth to gamble on a boom-or-bust prospect like him.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

It remains amazing to me that on a roster full of blue-chippers, Ladd McConkey was the most consistent offensive weapon for Georgia over the last two seasons, with the obvious exception of Brock Bowers. The former Bulldog doesn't wow physically, but he's sound all-around and can line up just about anywhere. He'll add consistency, reliability, and versatility to a Kansas City receiver corps that lacked all three in 2023.