NFL Mock Draft: Bears hit home run with Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr.
By Hunter Haas
7. New England Patriots - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots are another team that might consider a quarterback, but ultimately, Joe Alt presents too much value to pass. Bill Belichick has been dealing with patchwork offensive tackles for years. With the addition of Alt to the fold, the veteran head coach will have one less position to worry about.
Bengals Get More Weapons For Joe Burrow
8. Cincinnati Bengals - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Brock Bowers is a top-five talent in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, after a run on quarterbacks and offensive tackles, the superstar tight end falls directly in the lap of the Bengals. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are impending free agents, and Cincinnati does not have a long-term answer at tight end. Bowers kills two birds with one stone.
9. Arizona Cardinals - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Cardinals deserve credit for being as competitive as they’ve been in 2023. Many, myself included, counted Arizona out before the season even began. Now, with the No. 9 selection in this mock draft, the front office decides to build around Kyler Murray by adding more to the defense.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a defensive specialist, making pass rusher Dallas Turner the selection. Cornerbacks like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Kalen King would be potential choices for Gannon, but the upside of a star edge rusher is worth swinging at in the top ten.
10. New York Giants - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Malik Nabers and Keon Coleman are becoming popular names for the WR2 mantle behind Marvin Harrison Jr. But not so fast, my friends. Rome Odunze has been — and will continue to be — the second-best wideout in the class. Odunze comes off the board to Brian Daboll and the Giants, bringing something to the table that no other New York receiver does.
11. Green Bay Packers - J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The Packers cannot rely on their current stable of linemen to remain healthy. J.C. Latham is a reliable option out of Alabama, having only allowed one sack in 1,331 career snaps for the Crimson Tide. He is a natural right tackle but has the traits to line up wherever Green Bay needs him.
12. New Orleans Saints - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Saints could go a number of different ways at this point of the mock draft, but let’s add a premier defender to the secondary. Kool-Aid McKinstry, the third Alabama player in the top 12, heads to New Orleans, combining with Marshon Lattimore as one of the best cornerback pairings in the NFL.
13. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Amarius Mims is a projection. He is still raw in technique, and he’s never played an entire season of starter reps. But Mims’ potential speaks for itself. He stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs nearly 350 pounds with remarkable length to boot. Adding the Bulldog product gives Kyler Murray protection from both ends of the offensive line.