The 2024 NFL Draft gets closer and closer by the day as the likes of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye maintain their high standing among draft analysts. The good news for any team picking outside the top 2 is this: There’s a real chance for a trade-up to acquire Williams or Maye.
Another positive spin is that Williams and Maye only scratch the surface of a deep quarterback class. J.J. McCarthy, Quinn Ewers, and Michael Penix Jr. all have top-five potential at next year’s event. So, any franchise searching for an answer behind center will have no shortage of options.
Offensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver are three other positions boasting considerable top-end talent and depth. There may not be many “blue chip” prospects in the upcoming class, but there are upwards of a dozen players that fall just short of that label.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft to see where these signal-callers end up. The Bears and Cardinals hold the top selections as of today; could this be the end of the Justin Fields and Kyler Murray eras, respectively? Chicago… you are now on the clock!
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Open The Event By Selecting Caleb Williams
No. 1: Chicago Bears (via CAR) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Justin Fields or Caleb Williams? That is the question. While the Bears may stick by Fields one final time, let’s entertain the idea of drafting Williams. Few prospects possess the arm talent and ingenuity of the USC signal-caller. Plus, his rookie contract lines up better with the roster than the eventual Fields extension would.
The Giants Shake Up Our Mock Draft With A Trade Up For Drake Maye!
No. 2: New York Giants — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Arizona Cardinals do the opposite and stand by their high-price quarterback, Kyler Murray. In doing so, Brian Daboll and the New York Giants jump a few spots to add UNC’s Drake Maye. The Tar Heel star boasts prototypical size and flexes ample arm strength. His development in the mental aspect is the only thing keeping Maye from being a top-five signal-caller on Sundays.
No. 3: Chicago Bears — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
What’s a new quarterback without a new, equally impressive weapon? Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver prospect in years. He possesses the height and body control for battling contested catch situations and the polished route running to create separation off the snap.
No. 4: Denver Broncos — Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
As tempting as it is to replace Russell Wilson, I suspect the Denver Broncos will stack the roster before throwing a rookie quarterback into the fire. One way to quickly overhaul the offensive line is by adding Olu Fashanu. The Penn State brawler is an elite pass protector and ascending run blocker. He has centerpiece material at left tackle.
No. 5: Arizona Cardinals — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
After acquiring multiple first and second-round picks from the Giants, the Cardinals regime brings in a pillar for its defense. Kool-Aid McKinstry is the highest-rated defender on my big board, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if an NFL franchise agreed. McKinstry is dominant in press coverage and has the skill set to be scheme versatile at the next level.
Patriots Finally Find A Legitimate Tom Brady Replacement With Quinn Ewers
No. 6: New England Patriots — Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
The Patriots are struggling in ways we haven’t witnessed since the early 2000s. The roster needs help in several areas, but with a legendary head coach who isn’t getting any younger, New England goes all in on Quinn Ewers. The Longhorn signal-caller isn’t perfect, but he can make any throw and has a leadership quality that teammates rally around.
No. 7: Green Bay Packers — J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
J.C. Latham is a grizzled veteran from Alabama who profiles as a plug-and-play option in Year 1. The Packers desperately need more reliable linemen upfront, especially if the Jordan Love experiment is to succeed.
No. 8: Los Angeles Chargers — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Chargers have holes all over the defense, but Brock Bowers is far too enticing to pass up. The Georgia product will attack the seams in the NFL and provide much better YAC ability than most assume. Size is the only true red flag.
No. 9: Tennessee Titans — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Titans are another team that seemingly wants to start over at quarterback, but let’s say they give Malik Willis and Will Levis chances to be “the guy”. In that event, a top-tier pass catcher like Malik Nabers makes sense. DeAndre Hopkins is on the wrong side of 30, while Treylon Burks is frequently injured. Nabers is the cure.
No. 10: New Orleans Saints — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
It is time to stop trying to make Trevor Penning happen. The former first-round pick has not developed at left tackle, thanks in part to injuries but also due to his trademark rawness that clouded his NFL Draft profile. Joe Alt is the inverse, boasting refined, teach-tape technique as the next in a long line of successful Notre Dame linemen.
J.J. McCarthy Heads To Vegas; Could He Bring Jim Harbaugh, Too?
No. 11: Las Vegas Raiders — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
I’m calling my shot now: A Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy pairing in Las Vegas is well within the realm of possibility. The Raiders have no direction behind center, and Josh McDaniels is nothing close to competent as a head coach. McCarthy can solve one of those issues with his coachability, deceptive arm talent, and willingness to run more pro-style sets.
No. 12: Minnesota Vikings — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
If Kirk Cousins departs in the offseason, head coach Kevin O’Connell will want a quarterback who can step in and produce immediately. Perhaps that player comes via free agency, but if Michael Penix Jr. is still available, he should be the choice. Penix Jr. has a howitzer as an arm, and his advanced age could actually be a positive on the draft grade for Minnesota.
No. 13: Indianapolis Colts — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
The Colts don’t necessarily need Keon Coleman, but the value supersedes their needs on Day 1. Coleman is built like a bonafide WR1 in the NFL, showcasing an elite size, speed, and strength combination. His hands are as sure as it gets; all the Seminole star needs is more diversity in his route tree. Anthony Richardson’s style meshes perfectly with Coleman.
No. 14: Washington Commanders — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse could come off the board in the top 10 — and the same is true for the next two pass rushers in this mock draft. However, a run on quarterbacks and linemen allows the Commanders to find a dominant defender in the wake of potentially losing Chase Young and/or Montez Sweat. Verse is a handful for any blocker with his power.
No. 15: Los Angeles Rams — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA]
Medicals will determine how high or low Laiatu Latu goes next Spring. Assuming there aren’t any hiccups, the UCLA standout is the best pure pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft. He gets to stay in Los Angeles in this mock draft and will form a fearsome edge-rushing duo with 2023 third-rounder Byron Young.
No. 16: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
A third of a triumvirate of pass rushers, Dallas Turner, is putting together the best campaign of his collegiate career. Serving as a focal point of a vaunted Crimson Tide defense, Turner is a fixture in the backfield. He even shows some potential dropping back in coverage, giving him legitimate every-down prowess.
If Aaron Rodgers Returns, The Jets Need To Protect Him
No. 17: New York Jets — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Jets ignored the offensive line on Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft; they don’t make that same mistake in this mock draft. Amarius Mims stands at 6-foot-7 and is in the ballpark of 350 pounds. The Georgia star bullies his assignments with exceptional hand strength, but perhaps his most impressive trait is the agility with which he moves. Finally, a suitable left tackle in New York.
No. 18: Cincinnati Bengals — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
With each passing day, an eventual breakup between the Bengals and Tee Higgins feels inevitable. If Higgins leaves, I cannot imagine a better replacement than Rome Odunze. The Washington wideout flexes the same jump-ball chops as Higgins, with even more athleticism after the catch. It makes too much sense not to happen.
No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Graham Barton is an easy first-round grade on my big board, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers likely view him the same way. Barton can line up anywhere across the line and provides an above-average starter immediately.
No. 20: Atlanta Falcons — Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton easily could come off the board 10-12 picks earlier, but in this mock draft, he finds a new home in Atlanta. Newton can learn from Grady Jarrett and Calais Campbell while also logging a high snap count in Year 1.
No. 21: Buffalo Bills — Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Both of the starting safeties in Buffalo are older than 30, plus the cornerback room is nothing short of a disaster week in and week out. Cooper DeJean is a talented athlete who can play anywhere in the defensive backfield.
No. 22: Dallas Cowboys — Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Kalen King got cooked by Marvin Harrison Jr. this past weekend, but who doesn’t get cooked by MHJ? King is still a legitimate Day 1 player and would give the Cowboys a special duo at cornerback when Trevon Diggs returns from injury in 2024.
No. 23: Pittsburgh Steelers — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The run on defensive backs continues! Nate Wiggins has been a “my guy” throughout the offseason and 2023 campaign. He is sticky in coverage and has the mentality to go stride-for-stride with the best of the best at wide receiver. Joey Porter Jr. and Nate Wiggins? Sign me up.
A Reunion In Houston As Texans Add Emeka Egbuka To The High-Powered C.J. Stroud Offense
No. 24: Houston Texans (via CLE) — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Reunited, and it feels so good! C.J. Stroud and Emeka Egbuka developed strong chemistry during their time together at Ohio State. Although Nico Collins and Tank Dell are solid pieces to the passing attack, Egbuka is the ideal final piece of the puzzle.
No. 25: Seattle Seahawks — Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Most draft boards have linebackers and running backs ranked relatively low in 2024. However, Barrett Carter and the Seahawks are a match made in Heaven. Carter can glide from sideline to sideline with ease and is one of the best in the country at taking away the middle of the field.
No. 26: San Francisco 49ers — J.T. Tuimoloau, DL, Ohio State
Why wouldn’t the Niners take a chance on a top-10 talent this late in the mock draft? When J.T. Tuimoloau is locked in, few in the nation can match his disruptive nature. San Fran must smooth out the rough edges and add more consistency to JTT’s game. He’s worth the risk.
The Ohio State Run Continues At The End Of Our Latest Mock Draft
No. 27: Detroit Lions — Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Another Buckeye! But this time in the secondary. Denzel Burke has witnessed a resurgence after a disappointing 2022 campaign. The Lions' defense is close to being a finished product, but the lockdown capabilities of Burke present a nice cherry on top of the unit.
No. 28: Jacksonville Jaguars — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Jaguars have not extended superstar pass rusher Josh Allen. On pace for a career year, it would be surprising if Jacksonville lets him walk in free agency. But until that extension hits, the edge rushing group consists of Travon Walker — and that’s it. Chop Robinson boasts a red-hot motor and arguably the best first step in the class.
No. 29: Baltimore Ravens — Princely Umanmielen, DL, Florida
A player quietly rising up NFL Draft boards everywhere is Princely Umanmielen. The Florida defender flexes one of the best pass-rush win rates in college football, highlighting how much of a game-wrecker he can be on Sundays. This feels like a Ravens selection.
No. 30: Miami Dolphins — Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami
Let’s keep Leonard Taylor III in South Beach by sending him to the Dolphins at No. 30 in this mock draft. Miami has a formidable front, but Taylor showcases elite upside and droves of untapped potential. He is the ideal flyer option this late.
No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs — Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Chiefs tried and failed to replace both starting offensive tackles with Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. Kingsley Suamataia is the long-term answer that Andy Reid covets at left tackle. The BYU product is a freaky athlete who uses his length to thwart oncoming pass rushers.
No. 32: Philadelphia Eagles — Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Lane Johnson is most likely on his final leg as an NFL player. Patrick Paul has the polish, including remarkable footwork and hand usage, to be an instant starter. All the Houston alum needs is to leverage his core strength more effectively. The Eagles will bring out the best of Paul, making this final selection of the mock draft a steal. Howie Roseman wins again.