The 2024 NFL Draft is just a few months away and while two teams are focused on the Super Bowl, we’re thinking about the draft festivities with our latest 2024 NFL mock draft.
After holding off on trades during the regular season, moving forward we will be incorporating trades into our 2024 NFL mock draft. For now, the focus is only on Round 1, but the future inclusion of Round 2 in February opens the door for more deals that could shake things up.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team
With all of that in mind, let’s dive into our 2024 NFL mock draft ahead of the Super Bowl.
2024 NFL mock draft: QBs dominate the top
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Justin Fields earned the right to be the Chicago Bears franchise quarterback when Bryce Young was the alternative. Caleb Williams is not Young. While the Heisman Trophy winner is a tad undersized, his physical tools are just one of the many reasons why he’s a generational talent. Shane Waldron can build an explosive offense around Williams, while the Bears can use his rookie contract to build one of the best NFL rosters.
Related: Caleb Williams scouting report
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Jayden Daniels is one of the best athletes in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Washington Commanders need more of a refined passer. While North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is closer to Daniel Jones purely in terms of athleticism, he’s arguably right up there with Caleb Williams as a passer. Maye will need a sharp coach to help him tone down his aggressiveness and make better decision-making, but we’re talking about a version of Justin Herbert operating in an offense with Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin.
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3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Jerod Mayo made it no secret, that the New England Patriots are going to address their biggest need with their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jayden Daniels, coming off one of the best seasons ever among Heisman Trophy winners, made outstanding leaps as a passer in 2023. While there’s still a ton of room for him to grow, Daniels’ sky-high upside and his ability to be the centerpiece of an offense makes him perfect for New England to build a team around.
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4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr
The Arizona Cardinals need to find a No. 1 wide receiver for Kyler Murray. Marvin Harrison Jr. isn’t just the best receiver prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, he might be one of the best prospects at his position in our lifetime. He has the talent to challenge for an All-Pro selection as a rookie. Simply put, you don’t pass on a talent like that and Harrison Jr. will be a special weapon who elevates Murray’s game.
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5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
This is Jim Harbaugh’s football team and that means physicality. While left tackle Rashawn Slater is a blue-chip talent and a building block for this team, Harbaugh needs the Los Angeles Chargers to play bully ball. Joe Alt brings that and he’s also not just the best offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft but arguably the best offensive line prospect in two years. Put him on the offensive line opposite of Slater and the Los Angeles Chargers will consistently win the battle in the trenches.
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6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
No matter what you think of quarterback Daniel Jones long-term, the New York Giants front office hasn’t done him any favors with this receiving corps. New York is expected to lose Saquon Barkley this offseason, making the need for a No. 1 wide receiver even more pressing. If not for Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers would be talked about as the unquestioned top wideout in the 2024 NFL Draft. He offers an All-Pro ceiling and is one of the best playmakers in the class.Â
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7. Tennessee Titans: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Strong consideration is given here to offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, but a down 2023 season and a need to get Will Levis more offensive weapons wins out. While Rome Odunze isn’t quite on the level of a Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers, he’s a bonafide No. 1 receiver who first-year head coach Brian Callahan can make a focal point of the Titans’ passing game.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
With the top wide receivers off the board and no other quarterback worthy of a top-10 pick, the Atlanta Falcons settle for the best edge rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft class. While he came from Alabama, edge rusher Dallas Turner isn’t on the level of his predecessor Will Anderson Jr, but he does have the ability to be a Pro Bowl player at his peak and we love his chances of reaching his potential with Raheem Morris.
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9. Chicago Bears: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
With the contract demands Jaylon Johnson is establishing, the Chicago Bears will have to slap him with the franchise tag. Even with Chicago’s Pro Bowl defensive back returning in 2024, there’s still plenty of room for this secondary to improve. Last season at Alabama, Arnold allowed just a 50.7 passer rating and snagged 5 interceptions. Plus, all that time spent being coached up by Nick Saban will help Arnold succeed early.
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10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Ordinarily, a left tackle like Olu Fashanu would be our pick for the New York Jets in this 2024 NFL mock draft. However, the Green Bay Packers will be cutting David Bakhtiari this offseason and you know Aaron Rodgers will demand the Jets sign him. Assuming Bakhtiari to New York happens, Brock Bowers would provide Rodgers with by far the best tight end he’s ever played with in his Hall of Fame career.
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2024 NFL Draft mock: Round 1 predictions
11. Minnesota Vikings: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Brian Flores did phenomenal work turning around the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. However, late in the year, opponents slowed down Minnesota’s pass rush and relentlessly attacked their cornerbacks. While Cooper DeJean didn’t have the strongest final season at Iowa, he’s a phenomenal athlete and under Flores’ tutelage, he could become a surefire No. 1 cornerback in the Vikings secondary.
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12. Denver Broncos: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Denver Broncos finished last season 29th in pressure rate and 20th in sack rate. Enter Jared Verse. While the Florida State Seminoles edge rusher doesn’t offer much in the form of run defense, he had one of the highest pass-rush win rates last season (21.8 percent) with 11 sacks, per Pro Football Focus. Add him to Denver’s front seven and this secondary will look even better.
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13. Green Bay Packers*: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
- TRADE: Green Bay Packers trade 25th, 57th, 135th pick to Las Vegas Raiders for 13th, 112th picks
With David Bakhtiari unlikely to be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2024, there’s a clear need at left tackle. With a pair of second- and third-round picks, Green Bay can afford to package one of them to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fashanu didn’t look like a generational talent at left tackle this past season, but the track record of the Packers’ coaching staff suggests this is the perfect landing spot for him.
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14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Former first-round pick Trevor Penning was a disaster in 2023, allowing 19 pressures and being called for 7 sacks in just 417 snaps before a season-ending injury. Poor play and injuries have defined his career and the odds of him developing at this point aren’t promising. Taliese Fuaga was one of the most dominant offensive tackles in college football last season and while he matches Penning’s physicality, he’s a far more polished player for New Orleans.
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15. Indianapolis Colts: Jer’Zhan Newton, iDL, Illinois
The Indianapolis Colts would’ve loved it if one of the top receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft fell to them. Instead, Gus Bradley’s defense gets a boost with defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton. He’s a three-down player who can create havoc on passing downs (28 hurries) and be a menace against the run.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers*: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
- TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers trade 20th, 84th overall picks to Seattle Seahawks for 16th overall pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have to address the offensive line and jumping up to the 16th pick prevents the Cincinnati Bengals from nabbing JC Latham, a double win. Broderick Jones should be ready to transition over to left tackle in 2024, opening up right tackle for Latham as a plug-and-play starter. With the two cornerstones at both spots, the Steelers’ offensive line will vastly improve.
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17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The disastrous decision to draft Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson has hurt this Jacksonville Jaguars defense for years now. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will improve this unit, but he needs more help. Laiatu Latu was one of the best pass rushers in the Power 5 and Nielsen’s back ground in developing edge defenders and linebackers makes this a dream landing spot for Latu, especially opposite Josh Allen.
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18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarus Mims, OT, Georgia
With Jonah Williams likely departing in free agency, there’s an obvious void at right tackle. Amarius Mims might have the size and athleticism to eventually move over to the left side, but he was Georgia’s right tackle in 2023. He could remain at that position for Cincinnati next season, working with the coaching staff to develop into the Bengals’ long-term left tackle.Â
19. Los Angeles Rams: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
With defensive coordinator Raheem Morris leaving the team, the Los Angeles Rams now need more talent on defense. There are young standouts in the front seven, but this Rams’ secondary is a work in progress. Nate Wiggins still needs to demonstrate that he can stay on the field, but the 6-foot-2 defensive back has all the tools to become a high-end starter for Los Angeles.
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2024 NFL mock draft: Ravens, Raiders, Bills address big needs
20. Seattle Seahawks*: Troy Fashanu, OL, Washington
The Seattle Seahawks have the offensive firepower to earn a playoff spot, but the inability to protect Geno Smith was a major problem over the past two seasons. While Troy Fashanu played tackle for the Washington Huskies, he’s going to kick inside at the next level and he’d be an immediate upgrade for the Seahawks’ interior offensive line.
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21. Miami Dolphins: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Even if Terron Armstead returns in 2024, the 32-year-old hasn’t proven that he can stay healthy all year and the Miami Dolphins need to think about the future. Jordan Morgan could kick inside to guard as a rookie then transition back to left tackle when Armstead is ready to hang up his cleats or is injured.
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22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Hiring Vic Fangio is a step toward improving the Philadelphia Eagles defense, but Darius Slay and James Bradberry both proved they can’t be trusted for very long. While Kool-Aid McKinstry was overtaken by Terrion Arnold at Alabama, this is still a 6-foot-1 cornerback with the length, athleticism and mindset to live up to the Marshon Lattimore comparisons.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE): Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
One of the biggest reasons DeMeco Ryans’ defense was so successful with the San Francisco 49ers is because of all the pass rushers he could throw at teams. Will Anderson Jr. is the driving force in Houston’s front seven, but the Texans need a lot more. Chris Baswell can be the speed rusher who helps the Texans’ defense reach that next level in 2024.
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24. Dallas Cowboys: Byron Murphy, iDL, Texas
While the Dallas Cowboys have one of the most exciting edge rushes in the NFL, there’s roo to improve on the inside. Keeping Byron Murphy in the state of Texas, Dallas would be landing a defensive tackle who posted a stellar 9.5% run-stop win rate with 36 hurries last season
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25. Las Vegas Raiders*: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Once the top three quarterbacks are off the board, there isn’t a signal-caller worth taking inside the top-20 picks. Fortunately, a trade-down opportunity allows the Las Vegas Raiders to land their new quarterback at a much more reasonable spot. Beyond Bo Nix’s excellent athleticism, he provides high-end arm strength and has shown the ability to fit the football into tight windows thanks to his velocity. If Las Vegas ends up hiring Kliff Kingsbury as its offensive coordinator, Nix’s arm and athleticism could make him a strong fit.
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26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Once a strength of this Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, this pass rush has taken multiple steps backward in consecutive seasons. Between aging players and a lack of development, a lot more juice is needed. Bralen Trice (6-foot-4, 275 pounds) will provide Tampa Bay with a physical edge rusher who wins with power and instincts.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri
After landing their playmaker for the offense, now the Arizona Cardinals turn their focus to the other side of the ball. At Missouri, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. showed a phenomenal ability to make plays on the football (21 pass breakups). He also pairs those instincts with above-average athleticism and elite length tacked onto his 6-foot frame. This would just be the first step towards upgrading one of the worst NFL defenses last season.
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28. Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
It’s a dream scenario in our 2024 NFL mock draft for the Buffalo Bills. Stefon Diggs seems to be in decline while Gabe Davis never became the No. 2 receiver Josh Allen needed. Fear not Buffalo, Brian Thomas Jr. is the solution. While he was overshadowed by his LSU teammate, Thomas Jr. has the talent to immediately become the Bills No. 2 target and he’ll eventually overtake Diggs as Allen’s go-to guy.
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29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah
The Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in sacks during the regular season, but that says a lot more about defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. If he leaves for Seattle, Baltimore’s need for edge rushers multiply. Jona Eliss is coming off a breakout season at Utah, recording 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
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30. Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Since the second half of the season, it’s been obvious that the Detroit Lions have needed a lot more help in the secondary. While Kamari Lassiter is a bit undersized, he brings a lot of physicality and that stands out to the Lions’ organization. Lassiter could be a solid starter for Detroit in 2024.Â
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31. Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Rashee Rice’s emergence is massive for the Kansas City Chiefs offensive moving forward, but he isn’t remotely enough for a team poised to lose one of its top defenders (L’Jarius Sneed, Chris Jones) thus leading to defensive regression. Troy Franklin, 6-foot-3, had the 14th-most deep catches (14) this past season, averaging 17.3 yards per reception. A viable deep threat with Rice working underneath helps this Chiefs’ offense return to glory.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Let the NFC Championship Game tell you everything you need to know about the San Francisco 49ers defense. There are problems all over, but a run-stuffing defensive lineman isn’t available here. Instead, San Francisco addresses a glaring weakness in its secondary with one of the true athletic marvels at cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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