Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Detroit, MI - The 2024 NFL Draft is officially less than one week away, and I anticipate this draft class to be one of the best in recent years. This will be my final mock draft before we see Commissioner, Roger Goodell step on stage to commence the countdown. I have included some anticipated trades in this that could or could not play out. With that being said, here’s my final projection for how Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft will play out.
#1 Chicago Bears (via CAR) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
There is no surprise here as all signs point to the Bear picking him first overall. If Williams plays to his expectations, he will become the new king of Chicago.
#2 Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has a buzz about him that makes him worthy of the second overall pick. If the Commanders can draft some more talent, watch out for them to vastly improve in the NFC.
#3 New England Patriots - Drake Maye, QB, UNC
The Patriots are in desperate need of a franchise QB and Maye has the potential to fill that role. It’s going to take some time for Maye to evolve into this role, but he has the tools to lead this team back on top of the AFC.
#4 Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, OSU
While the option to trade this pick is tempting, I believe that Harrison Jr. is the most NFL-ready prospect in the 2024 class. The Cardinals simply can’t let him slip away as he is an essential weapon for Kyler Murray and the rest of the offense.
#5 Minnesota Vikings (Trade via LAC) - JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
I do not believe that McCarthy is an elite quarterback, but the Vikings feel his physical tools look appealing enough to trade up to get him. He has never been asked to carry the load with his arm as Michigan was a run-first team. The Vikings could see something that a majority of the population is struggling to view.
#6 New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Giants are in desperate need of an elite playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. Malik Nabers is just the guy they are looking for. His explosive traits will be welcomed into the Giant’s organization.
#7 Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
Alt is without question the best offensive lineman in the draft. While it might be “boring” for the Titans to draft offensive linemen in the first round in back-to-back drafts, it is a necessity if they want to protect their quarterback.
#8 Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The Falcons are in desperate need of an elite edge rusher. Turner, 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is the perfect fit in this new Raheem Morris defense. This is an absolute no-brainer for the Falcons.
#9 Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Bears are doing exactly what they need to be doing, getting elite-level talent to surround Caleb Williams with. With the signing of Keenan Allen and D.J Moore already there, Adunze will become the last body of what is a promising three-headed monster.
#10 New York Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, UGA
Bowers is a special playmaker at the TE position. Outside of his smaller frame, you have an ultimate offensive weapon with All-Pro potential. Garrett Wilson will love having the defense focus on someone else besides him.
#11 Los Angeles Chargers (Trade via MIN) - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State
Fashanu has only allowed one sack and eight total pressures in all 21 of his career starts for Penn State. Justin Herbert will welcome Fashanu to LA as the Chargers need help protecting their star quarterback.
#12 Denver Broncos - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell was a stand-out at the NFL Combine, crushing the Senior Bowl as well. Having another guy across from Pat Surtain II is a welcome sight for Broncos faithful.
#13 Las Vegas Raiders - Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
This was a very difficult pick to make as the Raiders have a lot of holes they need filled. This is the prime example of picking the best player available and Fautanu is that guy.
#14 New Orleans Saints - Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Fuaga is the epitome of toughness, which is something the Saints offensive line struggles with. He also has great footwork and agility to keep up with speedy edge rushers. This is the guy the Saints need desperately.
#15 Indianapolis Colts - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Colts biggest need is the cornerback position. Arnold has the speed and skill to become a starter right away. He is the best combination of their needs and the best prospect available for the Colts.
#16 Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The Seahawks are in need of a bruiser, who can stop the run and rush the passer up the middle. Murphy is the best defensive tackle in the draft and will be leaned on to stop opposing offenses.
#17 Jacksonville Jaguars - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Thomas will be the second WR selected in the first round to come out of LSU. With the subtraction of Calvin Ridley, the Jaguars will need someone to replace his production. Coming out of an air-raid offense, Thomas will be able to handle the target share and production.
#18 Cincinnati Bengals - Amarius Mims, OL, UGA
Mims is the exact type of player that the Bengals need. Joe Burrow has taken a beating during his NFL career and they need someone who can shutdown edge rushers to protect Burrow in the backfield. The 6’7, 340-pound behemoth of a man, will be their future starting tackle.
#19 Los Angeles Rams - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Rams are in need of defensive help. With their defensive coordinator leaving for the Falcons and Aaron Donald officially retiring, they need an upgrade to this side of the ball. Wiggins is a lock-down corner and will give you everything he’s got to help the team win, just review the tape.
#20 Pittsburgh Steelers - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson is coming off of a stellar senior season, winning the Rimington Award for the best center in the country. The Steelers have a need in this position and Powers-Johnson will be able to slide into this role with ease.
#21 Miami Dolphins - Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Barton has the flexibility to play multiple positions along the offensive line. He mostly played left tackle but can fill in at the guard and center positions as well. You don’t typically see offensive linemen labeled as a “Swiss army knife”, but Barton is one of the few.
#22 Philadelphia Eagles - Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Wilson is the exact type of player that the Eagles need. The 2023 Butkus Award winner will fill a void the Eagles need to fill. Pairing him with Devin White and allowing Wilson to learn from him, will only lead to good things.
#23 Los Angeles Chargers (Trade via MIN through CLE/HOU) - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Mitchell is a sure-handed WR with elite speed. He ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the combine and has the potential to get targets right away. With both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departing the Chargers, Mitchell will need to step up to replace their production.
#24 Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma
Guyton is one of those guys that you know has an extreme amount of potential but just doesn’t have the necessary experience yet. Luckily, the Cowboys have a loaded offensive line for him to learn from. Given the necessary time and reps, Guyton could be a star for the Cowboys O-line in the future.
#25 Green Bay Packers - JC Latham, OL, Alabama
Latham is a huge difference-maker in the run game and can move his feet to deal with edge rushers in the passing game. If David Bakhtiari is unable to stay healthy, Latham can be inserted right away.
#26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean can become the top corner for any team in the NFL. The Bucs need lots of help in the secondary and DeJean will be able to carve out a role right away. I think he would be drafted much higher if it wasn’t the concern of coming off of a broken leg, back in November.
#27 Arizona Cardinals (VIA HOU) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Cardinals need major help on the defensive side of the ball. They have not drafted a CB in the first round since Patrick Peterson in 2011. McKinstry excels in man coverage as he has exceptional speed and agility.
#28 Buffalo Bills - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
With Stefon Diggs now with the Texans and Gabriel Davis with the Jaguars, the Bills are in need of a big-time receiver. Worthy broke the NFL combine 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21 seconds. He will be one of the fastest players in the NFL but also has elite route running.
#29 Detroit Lions - T.J Tampa, CB, Iowa State
The Lions secondary got torched last season, finishing 30th in passing yards allowed to receivers (3,081). Tampa has great technique for a guy his size (6’2, 200) and will compete for a starting job.
#30 Baltimore Ravens - Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Franklin is another prototypical receiver that the Ravens stash on their roster. The 6’3 187 receiver is incredible with the ball in his hands and has the ability to make defenders miss. With only four WRs on the current roster, Franklin has the opportunity to compete for a starting spot.
#31 San Francisco 49ers - Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Morgan has tons of experience playing college football at the left tackle position but will most likely switch over to right tackle. The 49ers could use the help as they have struggled to find reliable offensive live help besides Trent Williams.
#32 Kansas City Chiefs - Ladd McConkey, WR, UGA
The Chiefs suffered from a ton of dropped passes last year. It’s no secret that they need to improve the WR core and McConkey will be a big upgrade. He just knows how to get open and seems to always catch the football, regardless of coverage.
