2024 NFL Mock Draft: Exciting first-round selections for each NFC West team

The NFL Season is coming into its final stretch. The playoff teams will soon be locking in the berths, and elimination faces others, turning their focus to the draft. We are way ahead of them in our divisional midseason mock drafts. In Week 12, we are turning our attention to the NFC West. The Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers are up on the clock today in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West. 

The Cardinals hold two picks in the first round after acquiring the Texans first-rounder in the Will Anderson Jr. trade. At times early in the season, it looked possible for the Cardinals to have two top-five picks and even the 1 and 2, but CJ Stroud and Kyler Murry have different plans. The Cardinals have the No.2 and the No. 17 and a slew of Day 2 picks: 34, 66, 72, 82.

The Rams are up at No. 14 but accept a trade with the Falcons for the No. 19 and 51. The Falcons select JJ McCarthy at 13. Early last week, we looked at some potential Rams draft picks; all seem great options, so the Rams trading down and taking the one that's still there five picks later is a cunning move. 

Seattle has some needs on the O-line and backfield to address in the draft and has the 22nd, 80th and 88th to do that. It's also likely they will take a Gino Smith contingency plan to start developing in a deep QB class.

The 49ers have the most complete roster in the NFL; it seems with Brock Purdy turning into Joe Montana they have no immediate need. They will use the 30th, 61st and 97th picks to draft for depth.

The Bears drafted at No.1 and selected Drake Maye, so the Cardinals are on the clock.

The Arizona Cardinals use the second overall pick in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West to select WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State. Staying with Murray and getting him an immediate WR threat and ultimate weapon is a big win for Murray and the Cardinals. Show tremendous faith in Murray by getting him the best WR prospect we have seen since Calvin Johnson and passing on Caleb Williams. 

The Buckeye wideout is a standout prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., is a Hall-of-Famer, and Jr. has inherited his talent. He has been showing off his skill on the field and making quite a name for himself. 

Harrison Jr. is 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, making him the ideal size for a WR1. His precision and calculated approach to the game are evident through his hands and footwork, plus his contested catch percentage of 60.0 percent last season was impressive. 

Also, he led all wide receivers in the FBS with 36 explosive plays. His stat sheet in 2022 was impressive, with 77 catches, 1,263 yards, and 14 touchdowns. However, he wasn't satisfied and said to watch his 2023 season for a better all-around showing. He finished 2023 with 11-1 Buckeyes, missing the CFB Playoffs but hauled in 52 catches, 1,211 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the complete package and one of the top receivers in recent college football history.

The Cardinals offense just became a must-watch team in 2024, and a healthy Murray and Harrison Jr. will make for exciting Sundays in Phoenix. They have many more picks to build around this duo; a solid RB may add to their potency.

Back up with the No.17 pick in the first round of the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West Cardinals select Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St. If Marvin Harrison is available at No.2, it was likely the Cardinals would have gone with Dallas Turner. I like the way this mock draft played out better for the Cardinals.

Verse's performance in the FCS opened up an NFL audition with Florida State, and he found success in the ACC in 2022, achieving nine sacks and 17 TFLs while being named to the first-team All-ACC. 

Had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he would have been a likely first-round pick to the Raiders instead of Tyree Wilson. 

Nevertheless, he chose to stay with the Seminoles and compete for the EDGE1 title in 2024. He has them ranked No.4 in the Nation and headed to the BCS playoffs with 4.5 sacks. 

Despite his downtick on the stat sheet, Verse has a lightning-fast snap, high-energy athleticism, and the ability to put tackles in a bind with his unpredictability. He also has a well-sized frame and length and can sustain power exertions and corners underneath extensions.

Verse is the best EDGE rusher the Cardinals need to build a defense around; add a big run-stopping DT to that line, and Verse will be very effective for years. Verse will be a Jevon Kerse-like freak and a cornerstone of a new Cardinals era. 

The Los Angeles Rams select Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn St, with the 19th overall pick. The top option for the Rams is still available at 19, and they got their guy and an extra second-round pick. You have to love a freebie. 

Chop Robinson is a name that has been making waves in college football. His impact on the field as a dominant defensive player is hard to ignore. With his imposing physical presence and exceptional athleticism, Robinson has consistently shown the ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His versatility allows him to excel in both run defense and pass coverage, making him an invaluable asset for any team.

Robinson is a highly skilled and powerful edge rusher, ready to compete for a spot in a competitive group of prospects this year. His ability to burst into the B-gap or to rush up the field as a speed rusher is a definite plus. He has excellent agility and can corner with speed. He can reduce angles quickly, pressure the QB, and create turnovers. He has a lot of room to gain more mass and could refine his game with added weight. He also can drop in coverage and take throwing windows away from the QB in pressure situations.

The Rams have long prided themselves on their strong defense, and selecting Chop Robinson would only bolster their already formidable unit. With his skill set and versatility, Robinson has the potential to make an immediate impact on the team's performance, and the Rams are perfect for him. Robinson's speed is worthy of a Hollywood movie, so LA is a great spot. Robinson and Donald on the line are a threat and nightmare to QBs everywhere. Kyler Murray is trembling at this very moment.

I can't not wait to see what the Rams do with the free 51st pick in round two.

The Seahawks are up at No.22 and will select Kalen King, CB Penn St. We thought they would go backfield, and this is an excellent addition to the Seahawks. 

Kaleb King stands out in the Big Ten as an aggressive defender, excelling in passes defensed. His agility and speed allow him to move to the ball rapidly, and his tenacity and willingness to engage physically beyond his size make him a difficult opponent in the short field. He is excellent at shadowing receivers and has a great sense of route recognition in zone coverage.

King's competitive nature makes his presence felt throughout the game, and he often can outmaneuver receivers with his football IQ. His run defense is characterized by good pursuit angles and a willingness to confront larger opponents, though he sometimes struggles to disengage them.

As Porter Jr. made a name for himself in the 2022 season and gathered much attention for the 2023 NFL Draft, King quietly produced an even more impressive this season. It's easy to overlook how powerful Penn State's 2022 cornerback group was. Porter Jr. was avoided by quarterbacks just from his presence, while King, on the other side, amassed three interceptions, 18 deflections, and three tackles for loss when targeted. 

The same thing will happen in Seattle opposite Devon Witherspoon. Combining Witherspoon and King with Jamal Adams, they are just a hard-hitting FS away from the Legion of Boom II, and the 12th Men are all here for it. 

With the 30th pick after a devastating loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, The San Francisco 49ers take Kingsley Suamataia OT BYU. Getting more protection is vital, and Suamatia can fit everywhere and will extend the career of Trent Williams. 

He is a rare athlete this year, evidenced by his ranking on Bruce Feldman's freaks list, and his age and experience in a respected program make him even more appealing. He certainly has the athleticism to protect the edge in the passing game, but he could use some coaching to refine his technique. Nevertheless, well-coached teams should be interested in seeing how he can develop as a player.

Suamataia of BYU boasts an ideal physique for playing offensive tackle in the NFL. His size, strength, and athleticism give him much room to improve and reach his maximum potential. Despite his 5-star recruit status, he still needs more playing time to gain experience. Still, there is no doubt that he has the qualities necessary to be a successful lineman. Recent drafts have demonstrated that the NFL is focused on such characteristics when it comes to offensive tackles, making it difficult for them to overlook the potential of Suamataia.

He is a thickly built athlete with experience playing both tackle positions. He has a mean streak that the 49ers like to see in linemen, and he has the power to knock opponents off-balance when making contact. His explosiveness is noteworthy, and his ability to move defenders out of the way in the running game is a plus. He is comfortable with zone-blocking schemes, and his agility and quickness in short areas allow him to climb and work in space quickly. He knows how to use his body to block in congested areas, while his flexibility and skill let him defend against quicker defensive ends. 

He will develop without having to be a day-one starter in San Francisco while learning from one of the best to ever protect a QB in Williams—a match made in NFL Draft heaven.

We will be following up with Day 2 of our mock draft. Will the Seahawks complete the Legion of Boom II? Will the Rams or Cardinals get a game-changing running back? Follow us at NFLMocks.com to find out.