Who will be the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft? The arrival of April means it’s the month of the NFL Draft with the announcement of the first pick just weeks away. With the countdown on, it’s time for another 2024 NFL mock draft.
As we do every offseason, our 2024 NFL mock draft includes trades. It will obviously be a part of the actual 2024 NFL Draft, so we try to incorporate a few deals based on recent rumors and buzz. Let’s dive in.
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC Trojans
It’s a simple decision for the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams is the best player in the 2024 NFL Draft, offering elite physical talent that can carry an NFL offense and personal traits that make him a quality face of the franchise. Williams will be walking into a Bears offense with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet and likely another piece added with the ninth overall pick. This is one of the best situations a rookie quarterback has ever walked into.
Related: Chicago Bears mock draft 2024
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Tar Heels
While there’s some debate over whether Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels is the second-best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, we believe it’s the player with prototypical size and a higher upside. Maye didn’t replicate his performance from 2022 this past season with North Carolina, but that doesn’t take away from his sky-high ceiling. He’s much closer to Justin Herbert as a prospect than Mitch Trubisky and he can fit very nicely in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Plus, the Washington Commanders’ offensive weapons provide Maye with a great supporting cast as a rookie.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Tigers
Unlike his peers atop our 2024 NFL mock draft, Jayden Daniels would not be heading into a great environment with the New England Patriots. While we like play-caller Alex Van Pelt, New England’s offensive line and receiving corps leaves a lot to be desired. That’s why it makes a ton of sense for the Patriots to trade down, but there are enough signs to believe Daniels will be the Patriots’ quarterback in 2024. At the very least, he can be a very good starter at his peak because of his high floor.
Related: New England Patriots mock draft 2024
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Arizona Cardinals are open to trading down with a team like the Minnesota Vikings, but sometimes an elite talent is too much to pass up. Marvin Harrison Jr. has the ability to be a perennial All-Pro wide receiver and he was phenomenal last season even with a below-average college quarterback. At the highest level, Harrison Jr. will elevate Murray’s game and make the entire Cardinals’ offense better for years to come.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft WR Rankings
5. Minnesota Vikings*: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan Wolverines
TRADE: Minnesota Vikings trade 11th, 23rd overall picks and 2025 3rd for the 5th overall pick
J.J. McCarthy isn’t a top-10 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft in our evaluation, but positional value and upside push him up. What’s critical for McCarthy to play up to his potential at the next level is being in an environment where he can execute a great system, allow the playmakers around him to make explosive plays and be taught by a great coach. The Minnesota Vikings are a perfect fit for McCarthy. He’ll execute Kevin O’Connell’s offense as instructed, playing like a point guard with the ability to create a little more. It worked for Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan, this can have the same effect.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft QB Rankings
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Tigers
While quarterback is clearly under consideration for the New York Giants, there isn’t anyone worth taking at this spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. So, general manager Joe Schoen gives Daniel Jones another year and finally provides him with a potential All-Pro offensive weapon. Nabers could challenge for a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie and it won’t be long before he’s one of the 10 best wide receivers in the National Football League.
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7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Calvin Ridley contract made it pretty clear what the Tennessee Titans will do with their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This offense has been brought down in recent years by one of the league’s worst offensive lines and that’s no way to evaluate a quarterback. Joe Alt can be an above-average starter at left tackle in his rookie season, especially with the legend Bill Callahan coaching him up. With Alt at left tackle and Peter Skoronski on the interior, Will Levis will have a perfect chance to prove himself.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft RB rankings
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama Crimson Tide
The signing of Kirk Cousins allows the Atlanta Falcons to take the best defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft. While the Falcons’ pass rush improved from 2022 to ’23, it still wasn’t anywhere close to even being league average. Dallas Turner, who has received some NFL comparisons to Brian Burns, can be the edge defender that takes this Falcons’ pass defense to another level.
Related: Atlanta Falcons mock draft 2024
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington Huskies
The Chicago Bears could certainly consider taking a defensive tackle or offensive tackle here, but the focus should be on providing Caleb Williams with a phenomenal cast of pass-catchers. Rome Odunze can immediately be the No. 1 receiver in Chicago, even with the receiving corps featuring Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore. All three wideouts offer complementary skill sets, but Odunze is the player who can take this from a good passing offense to one of the most efficient attacks in the NFC.
Related: NFL defense rankings 2024
10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State Nittany Lions
The all-in moves by the New York Jets this offseason suggest this pick is likelier to be someone like Brock Bowers. However, all it takes to unravel the Jets’ Super Bowl hopes and injure Aaron Rodgers would be Tyron Smith going down with an injury of his own. Olu Fashanu provides New York with a phenomenal insurance plan at left tackle for next season. Long-term, given time to develop, he can easily become a 10-year starter and one of the best players to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Related: New York Jets mock draft 2024
11. Los Angeles Chargers*: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State Beavers
TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers receive 11th, 23rd overall picks and 2025 3rd for 5th overall pick
Trading down is a popular choice in nearly every consensus 2024 NFL mock draft for the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s because there are a lot of holes on this roster and as it stands, there aren’t enough draft picks for Los Angeles to address them. By moving down, Los Angeles snags the perfect right tackle for its scheme with Taliese Fuaga. Plus, the other first-round pick will be used to fill a void at another position on Jim Harbaugh’s team.
Related: Los Angeles Chargers mock draft 2024
12. Denver Broncos: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA Bruins
The Denver Broncos seem likely to punt on the quarterback position in 2024, just letting Jarrett Stidham ride it out for a year. So, Sean Payton uses his top pick to start making defensive improvements. If not for a neck injury that briefly ended his college career, Laiatu Latu might be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, he falls to the Broncos and Denver gets someone with a Pro Bowl ceiling at a position of need.
Related: Denver Broncos HC reveals ‘realistic’ big move team could make for QB
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo Rockets
There’s a lot of buzz tying Michael Penix Jr. to the Las Vegas Raiders, but this still feels early for an older rookie quarterback (24) with two ACL tears in his college career. So, Las Vegas takes the best cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft. Quinyon Mitchell proved at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine that his production at Toledo is because of physical skills and instincts, not a byproduct of facing lesser competition. He can be a No. 1 cornerback in Las Vegas, making this Raiders’ defense even better.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders mock draft 2024
14. New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington Huskies
Former first-round pick Trevor Penning is shaping up to be a bust and the New Orleans Saints are now concerned that Ryan Ramczyk won’t be able to play football next year. That level of uncertainty at two of the most important positions on an offense gives New Orleans very little choice in Round 1. Fortunately, Troy Fautanu isn’t a reach by any means. He offers outstanding athleticism and versatility, which the Saints desperately need moving forward.
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15. Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia Bulldogs
Cornerback is a bigger need for the Indianapolis Colts and there’s even an argument to be made for taking a wide receiver. However, sometimes talent wins out. Brock Bowers is the best player available in this spot and Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen is the perfect play-caller to unlock Bowers, quickly helping him become one of the best tight ends in the NFL with a career trajectory similar to George Kittle. That’s a fantastic piece to give Anthony Richardson.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State Seminoles
Offensive line and defensive tackle come under consideration here for the Seattle Seahawks, but we have to give Mike Macdonald a top edge rusher. Jared Verse was one of the best pass rushers in college football last season and he has the skill set to become a perennial double-digit sack player. Put him in Seattle’s front seven and it will make the talent already in the secondary look even better.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s either cornerback or wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the BPA approach makes the decision. Terrion Arnold went from fighting for a starting spot at Alabama to establishing himself as a shutdown corner. There will obviously be growing pains for Arnold in his first NFL season, but his instincts and athleticism should allow him to become excellent in man coverage.
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18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide
Plenty of Cincinnati Bengals fans will want to see another position selected, but this franchise must build a more dependable offensive line around Joe Burrow. With Trent Brown at right tackle, JC Latham can play guard as a rookie then kick back outside in 2025 or at some point this fall if Brown goes down with an injury.
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19. Los Angeles Rams: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas Longhorns
The retirement. of Aaron Donald not only left a massive void at defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, it also served as a huge blow following an NFL free agency period that saw Les Snead add a lot of talent on this side of the ball. Fortunately, Byron Murphy II is the dream pick for the Rams. Murphy certainly doesn’t offer a Hall of Fame ceiling, but his skills as an interior pass rusher can help Los Angeles maintain a top-14 defense next season. Plus, he can mature into becoming one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in football.
Related: Los Angeles Rams mock draft 2024
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia Bulldogs
The plan should be pretty clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. Slide over Broderick Jones to left tackle and bring in his former Georgia Bulldogs teammate. Mims certainly isn’t polished, but his combination of size, length and athleticism provides him with one of the highest upsides among all offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Related: Mike Tomlin reveals Pittsburgh Steelers QB heading into summer
21. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma Sooners
The biggest weakness on the Miami Dolphins roster right now is the offensive line and it will become an even bigger weak spot either when Terron Armstead retires or gets hurt. Tyler Guyton isn’t a pro-ready offensive tackle, but the bag of tools he offers is a dream for an offensive line coach.
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22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa Hawkeyes
The Philadelphia Eagles need to take a cornerback. James Bradberry and Darius Slay took steps back in 2023 and they can’t be relied upon to keep playing at a consistent level. Cooper DeJean offers the versatility to play safety and he could be a weapon for the Eagles as a returner. However, DeJean deserves to start his career at cornerback because he could be excellent there.
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23. Los Angeles Chargers*: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide
With the other first-round pick acquired from Minnesota, the Los Angeles Chargers address their need at cornerback. Chargers’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter needs defensive backs he can rely on and Kool-Aid McKinstry fits the bill. He’s also a three-year starter from Alabama with instincts, intelligence, technique and athleticism that all suggest he can become a No. 2 cornerback.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon Ducks
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t giving any great hint about what they will do at left tackle, but it seems likely that Tyler Smith will move over to that spot this summer. So, Dallas takes the best interior offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jackson Powers-Johnson is an immediate starter at center and he might prove to be an even better player next season than Tyler Biadasz would’ve if the Cowboys kept him around.
Related: NFL insider refutes recent news on Dak Prescott’s future with Dallas Cowboys
25. Green Bay Packers: Graham Barton, OT, Duke Blue Devils
The Green Bay Packers are well-positioned heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. There’s no glaring need on the roster, so general manager Brian Gutekunst can stay true to his board and background. Graham Barton, the most versatile lineman in the class, checks every box the Packers have. Green Bay wants offensive line depth and Barton can play just about any position well, similar to Elgton Jenkins.
Related: Green Bay Packers mock draft 2024
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson Tigers
It was either going to be edge rusher or cornerback here for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Nate Wiggins is BPA. He lit up the NFL Combine with a 4.28 40-yard dash, but he was very thin. It turns out, that was health-related. At Clemson’s Pro Day, Wiggins crossed the 180-pound threshold. With that box checked, Wiggins’ talent lands him back in Round 1.
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27. Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois Fighting Illini
It’s time to provide Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon with some help for his defense. Jer’Zhan Newton is arguably a top-15 talent in the 2024 NFL Draft, but surgery (partial Jones fracture) kept him from participating in the pre-draft process. That’s to Arizona’s benefit here as Newton will be an excellent interior disruptor for Gannon’s defense.
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28. Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU Tigers
Imagine a better version of Gabe Davis, that’s what Brian Thomas Jr. can do for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. He lit up the pre-draft process, proving that his numbers last season at LSU weren’t just a product of playing with Nabers and Daniels. Put opposite of Stefon Diggs, with Curtis Samuel working underneath, Thomas Jr. can become a consistent big-play threat in the Bills’ offense.
Related: NFL QB rankings 2024
29. Las Vegas Raiders*: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington Huskies
TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders trade 44th overall pick and 2025 3rd to Detroit Lions for 29th overall
Las Vegas gets its man near the end of our 2024 NFL mock draft. An outstanding Pro Day solidified that Michael Penix Jr. should go in the first round, but teams are still likely to be a bit hesitant due to his age and medical history. Penix Jr. can absolutely beat Gardner Minshew in a quarterback battle, providing Davante Adams with the reliable passer he missed in 2023 and helping the Raiders’ offense be closer to league average next season.
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30. Baltimore Ravens: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia Bulldogs
Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t coming back and Rashod Bateman hasn’t proven he can consistently produce over a full season. While Ladd McConkey isn’t the flashiest receiver, he can make some plays downfield. Far more importantly, he can be a quarterback’s best friend thanks to his ability to get open in the short and intermediate areas. An offense with McConkey, Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews when combined with Derrick Henry in the backfield can help Lamar Jackson challenge for a third NFL MVP.
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31. San Francisco 49ers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia Bulldogs
Wide receiver will become a need for the San Francisco 49ers if Brandon Aiyuk is traded, but we’re focused on cornerback for now. Kamari Lassiter could play on the inside or on the perimeter for San Francisco, providing the defense with some much-needed depth in the secondary.
Related: San Francisco 49ers mock draft 2024
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas Longhorns
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown only signed a one-year deal and Travis Kelce might retire after 2025. That means the Kansas City Chiefs need more offensive weapons long-term and a player like Adonai Mitchell can also provide help right away. In 2024, Mitchell could operate as the No. 3 receiver who makes the occasional splash play every few weeks. If he develops with the help of NFL coaching, he’ll become the bonafide No. 1 wideout in Kansas City.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs mock draft 2024