Now that the bulk of the college football season is over, it’s time to look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft. For fans of teams outside of the playoff race, looking at 2024 NFL mock drafts is where it’s at this time of year. Even though we’re still months away from the actual event, or even the NFL Scouting Combine, there’s plenty of excitement about this year’s prospect pool.
Here’s a look at Sportsnaut’s latest 2024 NFL mock draft in December.
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1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
It’s a controversial pick, taking a receiver No. 1 overall. I get that. In a perfect world, the Bears would auction off this pick to the highest bidder. In this scenario, we’re not projecting trades, but we envision the Bears sliding back to add an extra first-round pick and much more draft capital as teams target their next franchise QB. As for the Bears? I’m not giving up on Justin Fields just yet. Let’s build this roster before putting another young QB in a tough spot. With Harrison, who may be the best prospect in the class, the Bears get a bonafide WR1 for Fields or whoever they draft to replace him next year if they experience more trouble. – Andrew Buller-Russ
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2. New England Patriots: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Bill Belichick would spill his coffee if Caleb Williams were still on the board after the first pick. In this hypothetical no-trades NFL mock draft, Williams is the first quarterback off the board, landing on a Patriots team that hasn’t had anything resembling an offense since TB12 left for Tampa Bay. Williams can help mask offensive lien inefficiencies and make his own play if receivers can’t get open. That’s exactly what’s needed in New England. – ABR
3. Arizona Cardinals: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Cardinals are praying to the football gods that Harrison drops to them here, but if the draft’s top receiver isn’t available, getting the best pass rusher in the class is a fine alternative. We’re not ready to throw in the towel on Kyler Murray just yet, but it’s possible the team’s new decision-makers are, if so, Drake Maye is the obvious choice if he’s available. Otherwise just take Latu and let him wreak havoc for the next decade-plus. – ABR
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4. Washington Commanders: Olu Fashanu, Penn State, OT
For most of the season, Sam Howell was on track to set a new NFL record for being sacked more than any other QB in league history. Sure, the Commanders could get a different QB here, but Howell hasn’t necessarily shown a reason to move on yet. How about getting him more help so he’s not under constant duress? Fashanu has great feet and thrives in pass protection, but he also impresses as a run blocker. He’d be a day-one starter at left tackle. – ABR
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5. Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
What an odd draft for the Bears. A receiver and an edge rusher? These are two of the most important positions on an NFL team, and the Bears haven’t found enough high-level contributors through the draft. Pieces have been added at every level of the defense, including trading for Montez Sweat, but more help is needed in the front seven. Turner brings a lot of explosiveness off the edge and should be able to make an immediate impact. – ABR
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6. New York Jets: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
What in the world? Yeah, the Jets have a four-time NFL MVP at QB, with Aaron Rodgers. But he’s also 40 years old and will be coming off a serious Achilles injury next year. We’re not saying Rodgers can’t return to his All-Pro form in 2024, but how many more years can the Jets expect to rely on his aging golden arm? They learned first-hand how tough life gets when you don’t have a high-level backup capable of leading an effective offense. Zach Wilson isn’t the savior, but Drake Maye could be every bit of the player the Jets thought they had with the former No. 2 pick. – ABR
7. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Giants fans may not want to hear it, but Daniel Jones is not the problem in the Big Apple. He’s never had an elite receiver to throw to, and when he was in the lineup this season, the Giants couldn’t field an effective protection scheme without Andrew Thomas. Malik Nabers can be that game-breaking receiver who can win one-on-one battles, making life easier for Tommy Cutlets or whoever’s healthy enough to play QB at MetLife next year. – ABR
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8. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
It’s really difficult not taking another offensive lineman here, but players like Brock Bowers don’t come around often. A top-five prospect who only slips down the board due to the position he plays, Bowers is not your typical tight end. He really should be listed as a weapon, not a tight end, because Bowers just needs the ball in his hands to make plays. Treylon Burks may or may not develop into a reliable No. 1 option, but Bowers could become Will Levis’s best friend from the moment he arrives in Nashville. – ABR
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9. New Orleans Saints: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Something is off with the New Orleans Saints’ offense. There’s no excuse for barely averaging 20 PPG while boasting a Pro Bowl QB, RB, and multiple receivers capable of making plays. Some might argue the QB play could improve, and that’s fair, but the running game isn’t any better. One way to improve both aspects of the scoring attack would be adding a franchise left tackle like Joe Alt. – ABR
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10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Buccaneers have a lot of team needs. We anticipate Baker Mayfield being invited back after a respectable season, and he could use another weapon like Rome Odunze here, yet a third receiver can be found later on. Adding a No. 1 cornerback is much tougher to do, and Kool-Aid McKinstry is capable of growing into the role. – ABR
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11. Las Vegas Raiders: Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB
In our opinion, Aidan O’Connell doesn’t have enough potential to stick with at QB. Jayden Daniels, on the other hand, does. He has plenty of questions to answer about his inconsistent college career, one that lasted five seasons. Still, Daniels also comes with plenty of experience and his dual-threat ability will be a welcome sight for an offense that cannot execute when the play breaks down. – ABR
12. Los Angeles Chargers: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The trenches have long been a problem for the Chargers, who have ranked in the bottom tier of rush defense for each of the past three seasons. You don’t typically see defensive tackles selected this high, but Newton is a rare talent who can make an impact on all three downs, whether it’s helping plug gaps or rush the passer. – ABR
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13. Buffalo Bills: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
It may not be the most pressing need, but we’re enamored by the idea of building a nearly unstoppable offense in Buffalo, where Josh Allen has no shortage of weapons to pick from. Ideally, having more playmakers can help Allen make his reads quicker instead of looking to run as often. Odunze has the talent to push Gabe Davis for the WR2 role opposite Stefon Diggs, and he has enough quickness and size to excel in all areas of the field, much like No. 14. – ABR
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14. Denver Broncos: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Broncos already have arguably the best cover corner in the NFL with Patrick Surtain, but they haven’t found a way to clone him yet. However, by adding Nate Wiggins, Vance Joseph, or whoever will be calling plays defensively, will have a much easier time scheming up exotic blitzes and creating pressure without having to worry about leaving his secondary in dire straits. – ABR
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15. Seattle Seahawks: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
While the Seahawks have drafted several edge defenders over the past few years, they still haven’t developed into game-wreckers. Seattle hasn’t struggled to sack quarterbacks this season, mostly thanks to Boye Mafe’s breakout year, but having another rusher capable of ruining the opponent’s day could be a massive boost to Pete Carroll’s crew. – ABR
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16. Los Angeles Rams: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Years of trading draft picks for top talent has left the Rams’ roster light on depth and, ironically, light on star talent too. They got their Super Bowl, but now it’s time to replenish the frontlines. Matthew Stafford isn’t getting any younger, and he was never too mobile to begin with. Combine that with an ineffective rushing offense, and it should come as no surprise to see the Rams invest in the trenches come April. – ABR
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17. Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Moving Jonah Williams to right tackle didn’t solve any of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line problems. Injuries to Joe Burrow are also a reminder of what happens with poor pass protection. Taliese Fuaga can start immediately, plugging a hole on the right side. — Matt J
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18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Patrick Peterson experiment didn’t work out, but Joey Porter Jr. is coming along nicely. It still leaves a void in the secondary at outside cornerback. Not only is Cooper Dejean coming from one of the best development programs in the nation, he’s also one of the best athletes in the 2024 NFL Draft. – MJ
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19. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Atlanta Falcons improved their pass rush this past offseason and it’s still one of the least-productive units in the NFL. While Jared Verse might not be a reliable defender against the run, he’s one of the best in the 2024 NFL Draft class at creating pressure and bringing down the quarterback. – MJ
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20. Green Bay Packers: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
Safety play has been the primary thing dragging down the Green Bay Packers’ defense for years. Kamren Kinchens has been one of the top run-stuffing safeties in the nation this past season and he played at an All-American level the season prior. With quality coaching and great corners around him, Kinchens will thrive in Green Bay. — MJ
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21. Minnesota Vikings: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
With Danielle Hunter eligible for NFL free agency in 2024, edge rusher becomes a need for the Minnesota Vikings. This past season at Washington, Bralen Trice racked up his second consecutive season with 45-plus hurries and six-plus sacks. If Brian Flores sticks around in Minnesota, he’d love having Trice as a pass rusher for his aggressive defense. — MJ
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22. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Even if the Arizona Cardinals re-sign Marquise Brown, they are in desperate need of reliable offensive weapons. on Coleman was a phenomenal target for Jordan Travis this season at Florida State, displaying the ability to get open downfield and make contested catches. — MJ
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23. Indianapolis Colts: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Getting Anthony Richardson back in 2024 will already be a boost for the Indianapolis Colts offense. However, this team’s dependence on Michael Pittman Jr. just shows how badly more explosive playmakers are needed. Emeka Egbuka might not be the flashiest receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he knows how to get open. — MJ
24. Houston Texans (via CLE): JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
DeMeco Ryans witnessed the importance of having a lot of pass rushers with the San Francisco 49ers. While Will Anderson Jr. remains the guy on the Houston Texans’ defense, there’s always room to improve the consistency of a pass rush. Pair Tuimolau with Anderson Jr. in Ryans’ scheme and you could have a top-10 defense in 2024. — MJ
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25. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
While Adonai Mitchell isn’t the fastest player in the 2024 NFL Draft, his cut-ups with the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs demonstrate his playmaking ability. Patrick Mahomes needs a wide receiver he can trust besides Rashee Rice and Mitchell would thrive in the Chiefs’ offense. — MJ
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26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Troy Fautanu, iOL, Washington
With Brandon Scherff carrying a $24 million cap hit in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars might determine it’s time to move on. Troy Fautanu, viewed by many as the best interior lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft, is a plug-and-play starter who would help protect Trevor Lawrence and create some running lanes for Travis Etienne. — MJ
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27. Dallas Cowboys: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami (FL)
DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons carry the Dallas Cowboys pass rush, but the interior defensive line is a bit of an issue for Dallas. Heading into 2024, Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III would provide the Cowboys with one of the best interior pass-rushing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class. — MJ
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28. Detroit Lions: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
The Detroit Lions pass rush and secondary have become alarming problems since Week 7. So, the choice in our 2024 NFL mock draft comes down to cornerback or edge rusher. Kalen King is the best player available and he fits a mentality that Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn will love. — MJ
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29. San Francisco 49ers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The right side of the San Francisco 49ers offensive line has been one of their biggest issues this season. Georgia Bulldogs tackle Amarius Mims has spent his entire career at right tackle and could step in and be an above-average starter in pass protection for San Francisco. — MJ
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30. Baltimore Ravens: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Baltimore Ravens love drafting defenders who’ve been mentored and developed by Nick Saban. Terrion Arnold, one of the standouts on Alabama’s defense, earned a stellar 91.1 PFF grade in run defense this season while holding opponents to a 52.5 QB rating when targeted. That’s the kind of cornerback Baltimore loves. MJ.
31. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Terron Armstead is still one of the most reliable left tackles in the NFL, but his body is quickly breaking down. With Austin Jackson extended and holding down the right side, the Miami Dolphins need an insurance plan at left tackle. Barton can use 2024 as a development year and start when Armstead misses time. – MJ
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32. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
In 2023 with Minnesota, Tyler Nubin posted an absurd 21.1 percent forced incompletion rate (PFF) with a 90.3 PFF grade, becoming an All-American safety. That’s also a position that has really hurt the Eagles’ pass defense this year. While Nubin won’t replicate the 17.5 QB rating he allowed this season, he’s a nice piece for the Eagles’ secondary. — MJ.
