NFL Mock Draft 2024: Edition 5 (Final Edition)

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

1. Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

It's not every year you see a prospect cemented with such little doubt as Caleb Williams going No. 1 overall, but Williams isn't your everyday quarterback. He's built on an impressive three-year collegiate career at Oklahoma and USC with a strong pre-Draft process, making this selection about as sure of a thing as you can get in the NFL Draft. In fact, the greater questions are what Chicago does the rest of this Draft to surround Williams with the pieces he needs to succeed at this level.

Previous Selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Other Possibility: N/A

2. Washington Commanders

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

There's not quite as much consensus with the No. 2 selection as there is with the top pick, but North Carolina's Drake Maye still feels like the most likely possibility for Washington as they begin the Dan Quinn era. Maye's gaudy college stats speak for themselves, but I actually think he projects better to the NFL with his skillset - that is, if he lands in the right situation.

Previous Selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Other Possibility: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

3. New England Patriots

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

If there was any question how pass-centric a league the NFL has become, quarterbacks going 1-2-3 are yet another reminder. With that being said, the Patriots have always been an organization willing to swerve come Draft Night, so we could see some fireworks here. Jayden Daniels is the best prospect available and New England clearly needs a quarterback, but keep your eye on a potential trade here.

Previous Selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Other Possibility: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

4. Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Arizona could come away as the big winners of this Draft, at least through the first round. Not only do they have multiple selections to play around with, they are in prime position to land the top prize of the cycle, Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. The legacy wide out is an elite prospect who will be terrorizing NFL defensive backs for years to come on the perimeter - he could be just what Kyler Murray needs to get his career back on track.

Previous Selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Other Possibility: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

5. Los Angeles Chargers

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Solidifying the offensive line in front of Justin Herbert would be a very Jim Harbaugh-esque move in his first draft back in the NFL, but following an offseason that saw the Chargers move on from both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, receiver has to be the play. Malik Nabers isn't Marvin Harrison Jr., but he's quite the consolation prize, and gives Herbert a versatile weapon for the long haul.

Previous Selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Other Possibility: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

6. New York Giants

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

While Williams, Maye, and Daniels look to be the first quarterbacks off the board, J.J. McCarthy could make things interesting. He didn't up the numbers of the other three while in college, but came away with the ultimate prize, a National Title, and NFL folks seem to love his skillset. I'd be shocked if he's available for long and with the Giants looking ready to move on from Daniel Jones, this feels right.

Previous Selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Other Possibility: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

7. Tennessee Titans

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Tennessee absolutely must improve on the offensive line, especially with a young quarterback under center, but they weren't very active in addressing the need in free agency. That likely indicates they are looking at the Draft to fill holes, and Joe Alt is a well-rounded prospect set to have a long and productive career in the pros.

Previous Selection: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Other Possibility: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

8. Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Turner, DE/LB, Alabama

I've had Dallas Turner mocked to Atlanta here for awhile, and I remain firmly under the belief he's the direction the Falcons go in. The edge rusher was an instant impact player in Tuscaloosa, but I believe he's still scratching the surface of what he can be. Turner adds a defensive playmaker to an Atlanta team that now looks like a contender following the Kirk Cousins signing.

Previous Selection: Dallas Turner, DE/LB, Alabama

Other Possibility: Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA

9. Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

One would assume the Bears will look to trade to add draft capital and bolster their roster, but Rome Odunze may be too tempting to pass up at nine. His explosiveness down the field would help Chicago take the top off opposing defenses, particularly with Caleb Williams arm. That type of downfield threat has been missing in Chicago for far too long, and needs to change if this team wants to be a threat in the NFC North.

Previous Selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Other Possibility: Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA

10. New York Jets

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Offensive line looked to be the direction the Jets were heading in, but their moves during free agency seem to have changed the narrative. It's not surprising that they decided to strengthen the unit through veteran pieces considering they are in win now mode, and opens them up to look elsewhere with pick ten. Enter Brock Bowers, an elite tight end prospect who is a lock to go in the early to middle first despite suffering through injuries this past fall. He's an immediate upgrade at a position where the Jets have lacked proven production for some time now.

Previous Selection: Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State

Other Possibility: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

11. Minnesota Vikings

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

I have little idea which direction Minnesota will go in come Thursday night. Trading up seems like a possibility, but they'll be hard-pressed to move up from the 11 spot and still be in position to draft one of the top quarterbacks in this class. Instead, I suspect they stick firm here and instead add a high impact piece in their secondary, like Alabama's Terrion Arnold.

Previous Selection: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Other Possibility: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

12. Denver Broncos

Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

Denver is in a similar position to the Vikings - they want a quarterback, but it's almost a certainty all the big names will be long gone by pick 12 and this feels like a stretch for Bo Nix or Michael Penix. Instead, they go with the best player available in Jared Verse, a player who was overlooked coming out of high school but proved he belonged with his play over the last two seasons in Tallahassee.

Previous Selection: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Other Possibility: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

13. Las Vegas Raiders

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Another team that could be eyeing a quarterback, it wouldn't surprise me if the Raiders instead move forward with Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew and wait on the position. I've had Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell mocked here for awhile, and I like the fit. It gives Las Vegas a high-upside corner to immediately improve a secondary that plays in the same division as Pat Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Previous Selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Other Possibility: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

14. New Orleans Saints

Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State

New Orleans has invested plenty of draft capital in the offensive line over the years, but it still remains one of the weakest groups in the NFL. Taliese Fuaga may not be a flashy pick by any means, but the Oregon State behemoth would help right away, whether it be at tackle or guard at the next level.

Previous Selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Other Possibility: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

15. Indianapolis Colts

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Indianapolis is banking on a big year from a healthy Anthony Richardson in 2024 but in order to harness his unique talents, the receiver corps around him must improve. Ideally, the Colts are hoping a Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze drops, but that seems unlikely. Instead, Brian Thomas Jr. gives them a big-bodied, well-rounded weapon for Richardson in the mid-first.

Previous Selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Other Possibility: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

16. Seattle Seahawks

Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA

Either offensive line or defensive line feels like the direction Seattle goes in Thursday night, and there are an abundance of options available for both at this spot. Interior defensive line is the greater need, but Laiatu Latu offers great value here and could pair nicely with the other young edge rusher the Seahawks boast, Boye Mafe.

Previous Selection: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

Other Possibility: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

With Stefon Diggs now in the AFC South and pairing up with C.J. Stroud, just about every team in the division could use some reinforcements in the secondary. Cooper DeJean would be a fine pickup at this spot for the Jaguars, offering a playmaking defensive back who could realistically play either corner or safety at the next level.

Previous Selection: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Other Possibility: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

18. Cincinnati Bengals

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

It's hard to pinpoint where Olu Fashanu is going to go in the first round. He could end up landing somewhere in the Top 10 or slide based on team need, but it's hard to imagine him lasting much longer than 18. Cincinnati is looking to bolster their offensive line and although Fashanu's 2023 campaign was slightly disappointing, he's still a first round lock.

Previous Selection: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

Other Possibility: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

19. Los Angeles Rams

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

After an illustrious career with the Rams, Aaron Donald has officially called it a career. If you're Los Angeles, why not draft an immediate replacement here in Byron Murphy II from Texas? Murphy's freakish athleticism is enough to make any NFL team drool, and he'd be quite the steal here at pick 19.

Previous Selection: Laiatu Latu, DE/LB, UCLA

Other Possibility: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Remember when the Pittsburgh Steelers used to feature one of the most consistently strong offensive lines in the NFL? The unit has fallen off significantly in recent years, and now has clear needs at both tackle and center. Graham Barton offers the best of both worlds, a college tackle who is likely to kick inside in the NFL.

Previous Selection: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon

Other Possibility: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

21. Miami Dolphins

Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Troy Fautanu is a prospect that seems to be trending up at the right time, and could move up as high as the Top 15 depending on how things fall. But if he is still available for Miami at 21, the Dolphins have a chance to invest at a need position and help keep Tua Tagovailoa upright and healthy.

Previous Selection: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Other Possibility: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia

I've had a corner mocked to Philadelphia for some time now but with all the top prospects off the board, they instead look to the future and snag a potential replacement for Lane Johnson at tackle. Amarius Mims continues the Eagles-Georgia connection, and prolongs the ongoing run of offensive linemen in this range.

Previous Selection: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Other Possibility: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

23. Minnesota Vikings

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

It's hard for me to imagine not a single quarterback going in the first round beyond pick No. 6, and this move makes a lot of sense for Minnesota if they do indeed pass at the position at the 11 spot. Bo Nix has been linked to the Vikings for awhile and offers value here - he's certainly not at the level of the four quarterbacks taken before him, but has the tools to have a long and productive pro career.

Previous Selection: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois (to Houston)

Other Possibility: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

24. Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

With both Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith wearing different threads in 2024, offensive line is the most obvious direction the Cowboys go in come Thursday night. Even with plenty of linemen off the board by this point, Tyler Guyton's vast potential make him quite the boom-or-bust option in the late first round.

Previous Selection: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Other Possibility: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

25. Green Bay Packers

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Trying to handicap which direction Green Bay goes each draft night is often a lost cause, but if you're going to bet on someone, Clemson's Nate Wiggins makes sense. He's slipped a bit down boards but still looks like a first-rounder, and he strengthens a corner position of need, giving new coordinator Jeff Hafley something new to toy with.

Previous Selection: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

Other Possibility: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State

Another team that could end up going in a multitude of different directions, Tampa has been linked to O-Line, edge rusher, and corner. With so many of the top options on the line and cornerback gone, edge rusher makes the most logical sense and Chop Robinson has an incredibly high ceiling, if an NFL team is able to harness his unique skillset.

Previous Selection: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Other Possibility: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

27. Arizona Cardinals

Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

Arizona got their offensive superstar earlier in the first, now it's time to bolster their defensive line, which has struggled in recent years. Darius Robinson might not have had the college production of other likely first-round defensive linemen, but he checks a lot of boxes and projects favorably to the pros, with the ability to help out on the inside or outside.

Previous Selection: Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Other Possibility: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

28. Buffalo Bills

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Receiver was already on the radar for Buffalo before they dealt away Stefon Diggs, now it feels like a foregone conclusion they'll use one of their earlier selections on the position. The big names will certainly be long gone, but there is real value here in the late first, particularly with a player like Adonai Mitchell. The one-time Georgia transfer emerged as a bonafide playmaker this past fall and is now likely to go before his Longhorn teammate, Xavier Worthy.

Previous Selection: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Other Possibility: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

29. Detroit Lions

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Once considered a first-round lock, Kool-Aid McKinstry has steadily slid down draft boards, but it's hard to imagine him lasting into Day 2. Detroit could use a quality No. 2 corner with Cam Sutton gone and McKinstry's body of work speaks for itself coming out of college, as he was an immediate starter for Nick Saban and the Tide.

Previous Selection: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State

Other Possibility: Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan

30. Baltimore Ravens

J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

There's a host of potential offensive linemen that could go in this range in the late first, but if available, it'll be hard for Baltimore to pass up a talent like J.C. Latham. The Alabama product offers plenty of versatility, built like an NFL guard (6'6", 350 pounds) but with the pass blocking abilities of a tackle. That's awfully attractive to a team like the Ravens, who could use reinforcements at several spots along the front.

Previous Selection: Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia

Other Possibility: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

31. San Francisco 49ers

Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Jer'Zhan Newton is far too good of a prospect to last into the second round - somebody will snag him in the late first, and my money is on San Francisco. He'd be a steal at this point, and bolsters a unit that took a hit over the offseason with the losses of Arik Armstead and Chase Young.

Previous Selection: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Other Possibility: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon

32.  Kansas City Chiefs

Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

Considering how frustrating Kansas City's receiver corps was to watch this past fall, the consensus is that receiver is going to be the play at this spot. However, tackle is the spot I'm watching, as they'll be able to squeeze out more value here from the O-Line and then wait on receiver. Jordan Morgan is healthy and has impressed through the pre-Draft process, likely cementing himself as a first-rounder.

Previous Selection: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

Other Possibility: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia