2024 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals tank for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye heads to Tampa
By Hunter Haas
Will Kyle Shanahan Finally Get It Right With Quinn Ewers?
28. San Francisco 49ers – Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers is a polarizing figure amongst the NFL Draft community. He entered the college football season as my QB4, and his performance last weekend vs. Alabama only cemented that. However, inconsistency is a glaring red flag in Ewers’ profile, even with his superb arm talent and ball placement.
Enter Kyle Shanahan. Yes, I know. The Niners clearly have an affinity for Brock Purdy. But the former Mr. Irrelevant should not stop the franchise from aiming for some higher upside at quarterback. After all, one could argue that average-at-best QB play has been San Fran’s downfall.
29. Cincinnati Bengals – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Bengals will likely lose Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to free agency next offseason, and although I like Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones, the front office will surely look for a higher-upside option. Emeka Egbuka might be long gone by this point in April, but after a subpar opening to 2023, he is still available in this mock draft.
30. Buffalo Bills – Tyler Nubin, SAF, Minnesota
The Bills are on the brink of becoming Super Bowl champions but just can’t seem to get over the hump. I toyed around with a running back here, but ultimately, Tyler Nubin was too good to ignore. The playmaking safety can line up anywhere in the secondary and force turnovers in Year 1.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Lane Johnson’s hourglass is running out of sand, meaning the Eagles must prioritize finding a replacement for him. General manager Howie Roseman continues to pilfer talent from the Georgia Bulldogs by taking Amarius Mims as the penultimate pick of this mock draft.
Mims is rawer than gas station sushi, but if any team can afford to exhibit patience and bring him along slowly, it is Philadelphia. The rich get richer, a common theme for the Roseman era in the City of Brotherly Love.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Maason Smith, DL, LSU
The Chiefs have dealt with a Chris Jones holdout all offseason, which has followed them into the regular season. Whether Jones returns to KC or not, the team would be wise to invest in a potential replacement. Maason Smith has top-10 traits but hasn’t put any tape on display since 2021. He is still worth tabbing at the end of Round 1, assuming the Chiefs can keep him healthy and productive.
