The 2024 NFL Draft is mere months away, eliciting excitement from the fan bases who have already had their playoff hopes dashed. Even for the teams still in the postseason hunt, the draft offers the chance to select a franchise cornerstone. In this mock draft, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive linemen fly off the board.
Jayden Daniels, fresh off a Heisman-winning campaign, has made it a three-way conversation at the quarterback position. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are still the favorites to come off the board before Daniels, but with three potential top-five selections, the 2024 class could match the previous year's group in that regard.
Mock Draft: The Patriots Land A Franchise QB, While The Bears Form A Terrifying Pass-Rush Duo
At wide receiver, the talent is seemingly endless. Marvin Harrison Jr. receives the most fanfare, but Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers are WR1 material in nearly any other NFL Draft. The depth behind these three, including Keon Coleman and Troy Franklin, stretches well past Day 1 of the event.
In perhaps the most stacked offensive tackle class of the decade, Olu Fashanu, Joe Alt, Taliese Fuaga, J.C. Latham, and Amarius Mims headline the unit, along with Graham Barton and Cooper Beebe, who both grade out as high-end starters at guard. It’s a great year to need a quarterback, a pass catcher, or a blocker.
Without further ado, let’s get to the reason for this article: It’s mock draft time! Using the current 2024 NFL Draft order via Tankathon, the Chicago Bears are now on the clock.
Or are they?
A Trade Kicks Off Latest NFL Mock Draft
Raiders Receive:
•No. 1 Overall (2024)
Bears Receive:
•No. 6 Overall (2024)
•No. 37 Overall (2024)
•No. 74 Overall (2024)
•Future First-Rounder (2025)
•Future Second-Rounder (2026)
That reads as quite the expensive price tag for the Raiders, but if the front office — whomever that may be — is confident that there is a franchise quarterback in the class, it must do whatever is possible to secure that player. In today’s mock draft, the Bears stick with Justin Fields and allow Vegas to jump to No. 1 overall.
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI) — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Drake Maye is the “safest” bet at quarterback, given his prototypical size, elite arm strength, and ability to create plays outside the pocket. The UNC star will step into an ideal situation with the Raiders by having Davante Adams at his disposal.
Patriots Secure A New Franchise Quarterback
No. 2: New England Patriots — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Patriots may consider Jayden Daniels, but Caleb Williams is the choice in this mock draft. Acquiring better weapons will be priority No. 1, as Williams boasts remarkable arm talent and the charisma to become a household name with one of the NFL’s premier franchises.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Kyler Murray isn’t going anywhere, so surrounding the former Heisman winner with the best pass catcher in the class is a no-brainer. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a threat from Day 1, showing teach tape route running, reliable hands, and top-tier body control.
Commanders Snag A Blue-Chip Prospect In Mock Draft
No. 4: Washington Commanders — Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
If the Commanders stand firm with Sam Howell behind center, he needs protection up front. Olu Fashanu is a blue-chip prospect with already elite pass-blocking chops and an ever-improving technique in the run game.
No. 5: Chicago Bears — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Montez Sweat and Dallas Turner chasing quarterbacks for four quarters? Chicago has a chance to boost its defense from respectable to well above average with the addition of an athletic pass-rushing marvel such as Turner.
No. 6: Chicago Bears (via LV) — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Keeping Justin Fields means loading up the roster with talent — regardless of position. If one D.J. Moore is good, how about two of them? Malik Nabers mirrors Moore in several ways, but the LSU standout flexes an even higher upside — if you can imagine that.
No. 7: New York Jets — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The temptation to select a wide receiver here is enticing, but protecting the team’s 40-year-old signal-caller is the better idea. Joe Alt will have a decade-long career with his impressive length, polished technique, and mean streak as a blocker.
Jayden Daniels… You Are A New York Giant
No. 8: New York Giants — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Giants, fueled by quarterback Tommy DeVito, have won enough games to miss out on Maye and Williams. But fret not; Jayden Daniels isn’t a bad consolation prize. The reigning Heisman winner can carve defenses up with his arm and legs.
No. 9: Tennessee Titans (via ATL) — J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Will Levis has shown enough for another year at the helm in 2024, so J.C. Latham should be headed to Nashville as we speak. The Alabama product could anchor in more efficiently in passing down sets, but his strength and length cover most technical issues on tape.
No. 10: Los Angeles Chargers — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Will they? Maybe. Should they? It sure would be a lot of fun. Brock Bowers is a tad undersized, but he excels as a route runner, blocker, and after-the-catch. He’s an immediate difference-maker for the Chargers offense.
Falcons Pass On Quarterback… For Now
No. 11: Atlanta Falcons — Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
The Falcons pass on a quarterback at No. 11 in the mock draft, instead taking Jer’Zhan Newton, a defensive game wrecker out of Illinois. Newton creates consistent pressure from the interior as a pass rusher and is a bully in the ground game. He pairs well with Grady Jarrett.
No. 12: New Orleans Saints — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Cameron Jordan’s hourglass is running out of sand, leaving the Saints with a potential void to fill in the near future. Laiatu Latu presents solid value, as the UCLA defender has no shortage of pass-rushing moves in his tool belt.
No. 13: Seattle Seahawks — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
When healthy, the Seahawks have a superb offensive tackle duo in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas. Sandwiching Graham Barton between them would not only give Seattle an instant starter, but Barton is also capable of playing either tackle position if necessary.
No. 14: Los Angeles Rams — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Rams have a few other needs that could be addressed at No. 14, but seeing Kool-Aid McKinstry on the board helps make the decision. McKinstry is CB1 material at the next level, giving L.A. a pillar at cornerback.
No. 15: Denver Broncos — Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Sean Payton typically invests in premium positions on Day 1, making Taliese Fuaga a realistic target. The Oregon State lineman offers raw power, effective hand usage, and steady footwork to a Broncos line that could use it.
Cardinals Pair Jared Verse With Marvin Harrison Jr. In Round 1 Of Latest Mock Draft
No. 16: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Cardinals snagged Marvin Harrison Jr. earlier in the mock draft; now, it’s time for head coach Jonathan Gannon to get a building block on defense. Jared Verse is the strongest pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft and shows up regularly as a run defender.
No. 17: Buffalo Bills — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Josh Allen needs another threat on the outside, and Rome Odunze fits that description to a t. He boasts a WR1 frame, sure hands, underrated route running, and otherworldly body control. Odunze will be a star in short order.
A Tee Higgins Replacement Arrives To Cincinnati Via NFL Draft
No. 18: Cincinnati Bengals — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
There’s a decent chance Tee Higgins departs from Cincinnati in the offseason. Keon Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound specimen shares many of the same traits. Coleman does well in contested catch situations and is a threat with the ball in his hands.
No. 19: Green Bay Packers — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Packers cannot bet on David Bakhtiari’s health any longer. Drafting Amarius Mims, a physical freak still learning the nuances of the position, will allow Green Bay to ease him in as Bakhtiari finishes out his contract, which is set to expire in 2025.
No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Tampa Bay isn’t quite the defense it once was, mostly due to spotty play in the secondary. Terrion Arnold, a fast-rising prospect from Alabama, will fix that. Arnold should start as a rookie thanks to an advanced skillset and natural instincts at cornerback.
No. 21: Indianapolis Colts — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Colts have already invested a lot in their current secondary, but Nate Wiggins presents the perfect “cherry on top”. Wiggins will team up with JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Kenny Moore II to create a No Fly Zone in Indianapolis.
No. 22: Minnesota Vikings — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Vikings must begin thinking about life after Kirk Cousins. But if the veteran returns on a one-year deal, he can serve as a nice bridge to J.J. McCarthy, the Michigan signal-caller who still needs work on the technical side of things. Trust Kevin O’Connell to develop the physically gifted passer.
Quinyon Mitchell Continues Climbing The Draft Board
No. 23: Pittsburgh Steelers — Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell has gone from a sleeper in the 2024 NFL Draft to a full-blown top-25 pick in NFLMocks’ latest mock draft. Mitchell is sticky in coverage, a willing tackler, and has the competitive nature necessary to thrive on Sundays.
No. 24: Houston Texans (via CLE) — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Will Anderson Jr. needs some help off the edge, and Chop Robinson can be his partner-in-crime. Robinson has a knack for penetrating the pocket, although he must finish plays at a higher rate at the next level.
Patrick Mahomes Gains Another Weapon
No. 25: Kansas City Chiefs — Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
The Chiefs should draft a wide receiver in every class for as long as Patrick Mahomes is on the roster. Rashee Rice looks like a hit for the front office, but it won’t dissuade them from grabbing Troy Franklin in this mock draft. Franklin flashes the best release package of any college wideout and would take off in an Andy Reid scheme.
No. 26: Jacksonville Jaguars — Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
The Jaguars get a potential top-10 talent, partially due to his injury and also because of runs at other positions. Cooper DeJean can play safety or cornerback and even spent time on offense for Iowa in 2023.
No. 27: Detroit Lions — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Amon-Ra St. Brown is as good as they come from the slot, but Brian Thomas Jr. is the big-bodied pass catcher Detroit currently lacks. The “other” LSU receiver can come down with any 50/50 ball and will score touchdown after touchdown for the Lions.
No. 28: Philadelphia Eagles — Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Patrick Paul is a legitimate Day 1 prospect from Houston. The lanky, athletic lineman excels as a blocker in space and shows the footwork necessary for thriving in both phases of the offense. Lane Johnson needs a successor eventually.
Another Trade Shakes Up Mock Draft!
Falcons Receive:
•No. 29 Overall (2024)
Dolphins Receive:
•No. 46 Overall (2024)
•No. 77 Overall (2024)
Without a clear target at No. 29 overall in this mock draft, the Dolphins choose to trade down with a quarterback-needy team while adding an extra pick on Day 2. With that, the Atlanta Falcons climb back into the first round and complete a coup at the 2024 NFL Draft.
Falcons Move On From Desmond Ridder
No. 29: Atlanta Falcons (via MIA) — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
While Michael Penix Jr. has a few obvious flaws, the arm strength he possesses in that left arm is special. He will be a 25-year-old rookie, but for a roster ready to compete like Atlanta, that shouldn’t be viewed as a red flag. The Falcons come away with two highly-touted prospects.
No. 30: Dallas Cowboys — J.T. Tuimoloau, DL, Ohio State
The Cowboys are a franchise willing to take shots at the NFL Draft. J.T. Tuimoloau, when locked in, is a terrifying defender from Ohio State. With Dallas, JTT can slide up and down the defensive line and hunt quarterbacks beside Micah Parsons.
No. 31: San Francisco 49ers — Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
What do you get a franchise that has waves of top-end talent? Another offensive lineman never hurts. Troy Fautanu plays the blindside at Washington, but he has the traits to line up across from franchise left tackle Trent Williams for the Niners.
No. 32: Baltimore Ravens — Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Zay Flowers was the correct choice for the Ravens last Spring. But the pass-catching corps could use another weapon with Odell Beckham Jr. aging and Rashod Bateman’s future unclear in Baltimore. Xavier Legette is an A.J. Brown type of target, showing an ability to shred defenses after the catch.