2024 NFL mock draft: Bears land Caleb Williams, Raiders and Broncos make bold choices

By Andrew Buller-Russ

·October 5, 2023

John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports

Is it too early for a 2024 NFL mock draft? Never. Especially for those teams already looking ahead to next season after a rough start. With so many talented NFL draft prospects set to join the league once April rolls around, the excitement surrounding next year’s talent pool has arguably never been higher.

With star quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Shedeur Sanders looking to become superstars at the next level, there will be plenty of intrigue leading all the way up to the 2024 NFL Draft. While each individual draft prospect’s stock is set to change over the course of the season, along with the NFL Draft order in constant flux, here’s how Sportsnaut’s NFL mock draft looks right now.

2024 NFL mock draft

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

No one is safe in the Bears organization right now. That includes Justin Fields. The choice is obvious if the Bears land the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row. Fields may not be able to transform this pitiful franchise, but Caleb Williams does.

2. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Whether the Bears get a new QB or not, they need to add weapons to the pass-catching stable. D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney are great starts, but the Chase Claypool trade was a bust. The Bears could finally find their No. 1 wideout by taking a player who’s been pro-ready for over a year.

3. Las Vegas Raiders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Raiders added Jimmy Garoppolo to replace Derek Carr, but is he a long-term solution? There’s a reason this regime was curious about adding Aidan O’Connell, too, but if the Raiders are picking this high, you cannot ignore a QB. Adding a prospect like Maye, who can manipulate even a bad pocket while delivering strikes downfield makes too much sense.

4. Denver Broncos: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Russell Wilson was brought to Denver to be the next franchise quarterback, and he’s performing better this season, but he’s also 34. If the Broncos’ struggles continue to the point where they have a top-ten pick, a QB has to be considered here.

5. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

With Kirk Cousins set to be a 36-year-old free agent next season, it’s time for the Vikings to find a new QB. Early struggles could put them in a perfect position to do so with a deep pool of first-round QB prospects. Penix has been the most productive passer in college football over the past two seasons, and with Justin Jefferson, he’d have a strong head start at continuing his success in purple.

6. New York Jets: Oli Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Mekhi Becton hasn’t been worth the 11th pick so far, and if the Jets have plans of competing for a Super Bowl with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, who will be one year older and coming off an Achilles injury, they’ll need reinforcements in the trenches. Fashanu could be a day one starter in the Big Apple.

7. New England Patriots: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Patriots get the best offensive weapon not named Marvin Harrison, and some might even argue Bowers is better. Bowers has excellent speed for a tight end, to the point where play callers even use him as a ball carrier on gadget plays. Whoever drafts him will continue getting creative feeding him the ball, taking advantage of his otherworldly ability to gain yards after the catch, but he also has incredible hands.

8. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Orlando Brown hasn’t been the solution at left tackle the Bengals hoped he’d be. While they were wise to hold onto Jonah Williams, Joe Burrow will need more help from his blockers up front to connect on deep passes. Alt has great movement skills and is a plus pass protector who should have no issues manning Burrow’s blindside.

9. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

J.J. Watt retired, and the Cardinals have yet to find their elite pass rusher to replace him. An athletic freak, Verse can be a game-wrecker at the next level thanks to having a versatile set of moves that help him get to QBs.

10. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Giants have yet to provide Daniel Jones with a No. 1 receiver. Odunze could change that in a flash. The 6-foot-3 receiver with 4.3-4.4 speed has emerged as one of the most productive wideouts in the nation, proving to be a capable big-play threat for the Huskies. If he could bring those same traits to the Giants, this passing attack might finally take off.

11. Green Bay Packers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

David Bakhtiari’s knee issues have bothered him for the past three seasons, and at some point, the Packers need to start making contingency plans. Latham’s a former five-star recruit who has long been on the radar of NFL scouts. At 6-foot-6, with a powerful punch, it’s not hard to see why.

12. New Orleans Saints: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Michael Thomas will be 31 next season, heading into his contract year. The Saints saw the boost a young receiver like Chris Olave could provide. Why not double down, only this time, with a local product that happens to be one of the best receivers in the nation? Nabers is a complete receiver who won’t be restricted to one position.

13. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Cardinals have been hemorrhaging cornerbacks the past few seasons, losing Patrick Peterson, then Byron Murphy. It’s left them without a No. 1 corner capable of shutting down one side of the field. Kool-Aid McKinstry not only has an awesome name, but he also has an impressive game. He plays with physicality yet has the speed to run with even the best athletes.

14. Los Angeles Chargers: Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Where would this team be without Asante Samuel Jr.? Making J.C. Jackson the cornerpiece of Brandon Staley’s coverage scheme didn’t work out, and now the Chargers don’t have enough elite athletes capable of shutting down pass-catchers at cornerback. At 5-foot-11, King isn’t the biggest defender, but he makes up for it by having a nose for the football.

15. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

With DeMeco Ryans taking what he learned from the 49ers, who boasted a ferocious pass rush, don’t be surprised if the Texans try and do the same thing in Houston. They already prioritized adding to the front seven with Will Anderson last season, and now, by getting possibly the best interior defender in the draft class, the Texans’ D can develop into a force to be reckoned with.

16. Washington Commanders: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Sam Howell’s been boosted by a superb group of pass-catchers thus far, and he’s been able to elevate the Commanders’ offense, but they could soon find out he’s not quite enough to bring Washington back to a Super Bowl. Ewers is one of the most accurate passers in the class, routinely putting the ball where only his receivers can get it.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Calvin Ridley’s been a nice addition to a group that lacks a dominant No. 1 receiver, but Lawrence needs more help. A freakish 6-foot-4 receiver with 4.4 speed, Coleman won’t have any issues coming away with 50-50 balls in the red zone.

18. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Gone are the days of Leonard Floyd or Von Miller rushing off the edge, adding to the chaos Aaron Donald brings from the interior. It’s no surprise to see the Rams struggling to get home, averaging the fourth-fewest sacks per game. While Latu is an edge rusher who displays great instincts, he also has the athletic ability to break off in coverage too, providing more versatility at the next level.

Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024

19. Atlanta Falcons: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

The Falcons are realizing how Desmond Ridder can hold back even a heavy run-based offensive attack. Meanwhile, McCarthy has been one of the most efficient passers in the nation while displaying above-average mobility and enough arm strength to make all the throws at the next level. He’d be a great fit for Arthur Smith’s offense.

Related: NFL offense rankings 2023

20. Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

We’ve seen the Colts create more pressure this season, but you can never have too many capable pass-rushers. They also benefit from having added versatility from Dayo Odeyingbo, who is capable of playing snaps along the interior too. Turner’s the latest impressive pass-rushing athlete to emerge from Alabama, showing his ability to win his battles off the edge, and he’ll look to continue that carnage in the NFL.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

George Pickens may be a legit No. 1 wideout, but even the best of the best need a partner in crime to help draw attention away from the bad guys. Egbuka already knows what that’s like, playing second fiddle to Marvin Harrison, but he’d give Kenny Pickett another much-needed threat capable of creating separation at the next level.

22. Tennessee Titans: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Peter Skoronski can do whatever the Titans ask of him, whether that’s playing tackle or guard. He remains a wise pick, but the work reinforcing the trenches isn’t done in Tennessee. Adding Suamataia gives this offense a higher floor, helping both the run game and passing attack find more consistency.

23. Seattle Seahawks: Maason Smith, DL, LSU

The Seahawks have added several athletes to the front seven vie the draft in past seasons, but now it’s time to get some beef up front. Smith can play multiple positions along the defensive line, and he plays the run just as well as he chases after QBs.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

CeeDee Lamb is Dak Prescott’s best weapon, but the Cowboys have surrounded him with complementary pieces who don’t steal the show. If Dallas wants to ensure they’ll have a top-five offense for several seasons, they’d be wise to add another speed threat like Worthy.

25. Detroit Lions: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Penei Sewell might be the long-term left tackle, but either way, the Lions would benefit from adding another tackle with high-end starter potential in the near future. Mims is built like a Lion at 6-foot-7, and his strength makes him play like one too.

26. Miami Dolphins: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Jalen Ramsey remains a top shutdown option when healthy, but the Dolphins will want to keep adding playmakers to the secondary, especially with several expected playoff matchups against the likes of Burrow, Allen, and Mahomes. Adding a player like DeJean, who is always a threat to come away with an interception makes the Dolphins scary on both sides of the ball.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

The Buccaneers have proven to be a team that values adding to the trenches, and that continues here with Robinson. The initial burst is what stands out when watching Robinson rush off the edge, but he’s not a one-trick pony. Robinson also has a potent bull rush but could stand to improve against the run. Yet, with Vita Vea clogging lanes, the Bucs could be a good fit.

28. Buffalo Bills: Graham Barton, OT, Duke

Despite having a franchise quarterback, the Bills haven’t done much to invest in protecting him. Sure, they tell Josh Allen, but how about getting him some athletes with the potential to develop into All-Pros? Barton can play guard and tackle, giving the Bills the option to roll with their best five blockers any way they see fit.

29. Baltimore Ravens: J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

A historically great defense that doesn’t currently have a dominant pass rusher. Something just isn’t right about that. Tuimoloau is a powerful pass rusher who also holds his own as a run defender and would provide an immediate boost in Baltimore.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

Nick Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and the 49ers have one of the best defensive lines in football, but we’ve seen how dominant this unit can be with a deep stable of dangerous pass-rushers. Trice has an excellent motor and may thrive more in a rotational role to begin his career.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami

The Chiefs continue building their trenches here by getting Chris Jones some help on the defensive line. Taylor has one of the most explosive first steps among interior prospects in this draft class, but his power allows him to push the pocket and make stops in run defense too.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

When do the Eagles really have any glaring needs? Howie Roseman has done a remarkable job assembling the roster, but there’s a case to be made to add another playmaker to the secondary. Nubin’s an instinctive player who plays with physicality, much like another former safety out of Minnesota by the name of Antoine Winfield Jr.