The 2024 NFL Draft picture is starting to get clearer and clearer at the top. Patriots fans, it’s officially time to begin the tank for a quarterback. Approaching the end of the season, it’s time to start firing up the PFN Mock Draft Simulator and get to work fixing your team.
With head coach dominoes beginning to fall, it’s time to take another look at the 2024 NFL Draft order and plan out the future of each team.
There will be trades in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Trade values were determined using the MDS and previous draft precedents, as well as the Fitzgerald-Spielberger trade value chart, courtesy of Over The Cap. New mock-specific trades will be designated with an asterisk.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears (via CAR): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
We’ll see what the Bears eventually settle on regarding Justin Fields’ future, but for now, the plan should be to build as much talent around him as possible. Naturally, that means taking the best receiver prospect we’ve seen in years and pairing him with DJ Moore.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has all of the ability to be a top-flight wide receiver right away in the NFL. Chicago could trade down in this scenario as well, like they did in last year’s draft. But Harrison might just be too good to pass on.
2) Arizona Cardinals: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
With the Cardinals committed to building around Kyler Murray, it’s important to build around him. Left tackle DJ Humphries is out of guaranteed money following this season and could be moved for more capital.
Arizona could find a cheaper and younger replacement in Olu Fashanu, one of the best pass-protecting tackles in recent memory.
3) New England Patriots: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
While rumors swirl regarding Bill Belichick’s future with the Patriots, Mac Jones’ status as QB1 has met its end rather swiftly. The Patriots need playmakers everywhere without a doubt, but the quarterback play has been dragging the team down regardless.
This selection could change depending on who the head coach is, but the bottom line is that they need a quarterback of Caleb Williams‘ caliber to make plays on his own and bring up the rest of the roster.
4) New Orleans Saints (via CHI): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
*Trade: The New Orleans Saints receive picks 4 and 104. The Chicago Bears receive picks 12, 49, and a 2025 first-round pick.
With Chicago already nabbing the best player in the class, they turn around and trade back to gain more capital to invest in their roster.
I am of the belief it is time for New Orleans to hit the big red reset button on their roster and coaching staff and actually commit to it. They can get themselves cap-compliant, but part of that is designating Derek Carr as a post-June 1 cut.
The Saints have never been afraid to be aggressive, and with the talent already on the roster, make a blockbuster move to nab an elite quarterback like Drake Maye.
5) Washington Commanders: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Washington Commanders have gotten enough out of Sam Howell to earn another year as the starter. If they want to really see what they have out of him, they have to protect him better.
MORE: Top OTs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Joe Alt is an elite tackle prospect with some teach-tape out there at left tackle. LT Charles Leno is slated to hit free agency, and Alt could slide right into his spot.
6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
If you haven’t gotten to watch Malik Nabers‘ film, do so soon. He’s one of the most explosive receivers to hit the draft in recent years and simply glides across the field.
The Giants will need to get a quarterback at some point, but having Nabers on the field is too good to pass on.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Tampa Bay will also likely look to figure out their long-term QB situation this offseason. For now, the team has struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season and needs some help on that side of the ball.
This makes Dallas Turner, who has nine sacks and fifty pressures for the Crimson Tide and is one of the best defensive players in the country, a consideration here.
8) New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Without a doubt, the New York Jets need to get their offensive line right if they want the Aaron Rodgers trade to work out. There isn’t a situation where they can fix it all in one go, but taking JC Latham, a talented and powerful tackle, is a step in the right direction.
9) Los Angeles Chargers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Chargers could take a defensive player, and I wouldn’t bat an eye. But Justin Herbert is their most important asset, and they have to be better at protecting him.
After watching Trey Pipkins at right tackle get targeted on Sunday night, the RT spot has to get fixed. Amarius Mims is an elite athlete with serious power in his punch. He has been a dominant force for the Bulldogs this season and projects as a top prospect this year.
10) Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
We’re still trying to figure out what Will Levis is as an NFL quarterback, but for now, we’ll assume he is the Titans’ plan for next year.
Tennessee wants to live out of 12 personnel often, and putting Brock Bowers and Chigoziem Okonkwo on the field together is an easy matchup creator. The offense just needs playmakers, and there’s none better than Bowers.
11) Las Vegas Raiders: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
There’s been plenty of flashes out of Aidan O’Connell that I’d be willing to see him get another year with the Raiders before they seek out another quarterback. Las Vegas could invest in the offense to give him more talent to work with, but the defense needs an injection of talent as well.
Jer’Zhan Newton is the best defensive tackle in the class by a rather comfortable gap and would add a difference-maker up front for the Raiders.
12) Chicago Bears (via NO): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
With all of the drama surrounding Jaylon Johnson and his future with the team, the Bears could look to add his replacement if he hits free agency.
Nate Wiggins is an excellent blend of length and quickness who could be an instant boost to that secondary.
13) Green Bay Packers: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Green Bay could absolutely take a tackle or cornerback if one was here, but with all of the top talent off the board, they should add to the wide receiver room.
Keon Coleman is an elite alpha-style receiver who adds another dimension to the Packers’ offense to play X next to Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
14) Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Rams’ secondary has begun to turn things around in recent weeks, and the team is making a surprising playoff push. However, L.A.’s pass rush is still a work in progress trying to find non-Aaron Donald players.
Donald is the only player on that team with a double-digit win rate, and they’re having to rely on scheming guys open to get to the quarterback. Laiatu Latu is an elite technician as a pass rusher with a bag full of pass-rush moves and a constantly hot motor.
15) Cincinnati Bengals: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
We’ll see what the future holds for Tee Higgins in Cincinnati. With the potential for him and/or Tyler Boyd to depart, the Bengals should add as much talent as they can to surround Joe Burrow with. Rome Odunze is a great start.
16) Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
For the Bills, the fire has been lit underneath them quite a bit recently, and everyone in that building is feeling the heat. A frequent criticism has been the lack of receiving talent, as the last non-Day 3 pick for Buffalo’s WR room was Zay Jones.
MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Emeka Egbuka is an excellent route runner capable of getting open with ease, something the non-Diggs receivers in Buffalo have struggled with.
17) Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Arizona could go wide receiver here to replace Marquise Brown — who is currently slated to be a free agent — and continue to add players around Murray on the offense. However, it’d be prudent to add to the defense.
The Cardinals have been effective at generating sacks, but they’ve struggled to bring consistent pressure. Chop Robinson, who has 19.5 tackles for loss, including 11.5 sacks, in 29 college games, is a force to be reckoned with up front and would add plenty of juice to their pass rush.
18) Denver Broncos: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Broncos have won five in a row, but I still find myself feeling unconvinced about Russell Wilson and the offense being super sustainable. Plus, the Sean Payton-Russell Wilson marriage still seems as rocky as ever.
Wilson still has another year of guaranteed money on his deal, which could be the perfect opportunity for a quarterback to sit and learn from behind.
Opinions on J.J. McCarthy will vary from person to person, but I remain a believer in his talent and accuracy. Michigan limits a lot of his true dropbacks due to just overall team philosophy and a poor offensive line, but he’s shown the ability to make plays when the team needs it.
McCarthy and Payton could be a great combination for the future in Denver.
19) Atlanta Falcons: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Falcons corners outside of A.J. Terrell have gotten picked on routinely this season. Atlanta should find another player to add next to him, and nabbing a talent like Kool-Aid McKinstry would be a great start.
20) Minnesota Vikings: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After seeing how much he means to that team, I’m willing to bet the Vikings are going to bring Kirk Cousins back for at least one more season, though the Joshua Dobbs story has been one of the best in recent memory.
MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
While this pick could still be a quarterback, they’ll go all-in with Cousins once more in this scenario. With Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport slated for free agency, Minnesota needs to add to their pass rush, and Jared Verse is one of the best in the class.
21) Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback room is gearing up for plenty of turnover, and they need talent at the position.
Quinyon Mitchell is an elite athlete at corner who thrives in man coverage. In a division with quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud, the Colts need cornerbacks that can play man and make plays on the ball.
22) Detroit Lions (via SEA): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Trade: The Detroit Lions receive pick 22. The Seattle Seahawks receive picks 27, 162, and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Seattle has shown a willingness to move down often in the draft, while the Lions have never been afraid to make a move either.
I remain unconvinced that Jared Goff will do anything for the Lions when it comes time to show up and play in less-than-ideal situations. Goff has no more guaranteed money on his deal, and the Lions’ front office has shown an ability to get out in front of team needs and be aggressive.
Jayden Daniels is playing at an extremely high level and would bring a totally different style of play to the Lions’ offense.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Kenny Pickett isn’t the only problem with the Steelers’ offense…but he isn’t the solution, either.
While they did beat up on the Bengals’ defense….most offenses have this year. That experiment should be over soon, although Pittsburgh is admittedly slow to move on.
Carson Beck has been superb over the last few weeks of the season and has all the necessary traits to be a successful NFL quarterback and get the most out of Pittsburgh’s wide receivers.
24) Houston Texans: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
With Stroud playing at this level, it’s important to ensure the defense takes strides to match his offensive output so it doesn’t all fall on his shoulders. The Texans have three corners who have all played over 200 snaps this year hitting free agency and haven’t had a full season of Derek Stingley Jr. yet.
A talent like Cooper DeJean, with his ability to play corner and safety at an elite level, would be a fun boost for DeMeco Ryans to use in that secondary. DeJean’s leg injury will dock his draft stock a tad, but he should still comfortably be a first-round pick.
25) Miami Dolphins: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Miami’s offensive line will have some shuffling to figure out, with Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt, Connor Williams, Isaiah Wynn, Kendall Lamm, and Robert Jones all pending free agents.
Tyler Guyton can step right into the Dolphins’ RT spot right away and has the athletic ability to flip over and learn at left tackle if the Dolphins move on from Terron Armstead this offseason.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
The Michael Gallup saga is reaching its end in Dallas, with him drawing lower and lower snaps with too large of a contract. Dallas has to figure out how to extend CeeDee Lamb, Tyron Smith, Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and potentially Tyler Biadasz and Tony Pollard. They can’t afford to keep Gallup around.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
While they’re still trying to figure out what Jalen Tolbert can be, they should cash in on Dak playing at an elite level and continue to add playmakers around on the offense by nabbing an elite and reliable target in Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk.
27) Seattle Seahawks (via DET): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
After moving down and snagging some more picks to fill out the roster, the Seahawks take an offensive lineman to finally sort out their pass protection.
Whether Taliese Fuaga takes the right tackle spot or slides inside to guard, Seattle needs to actually invest in their line up front if they want to contend for the NFC.
28) Jacksonville Jaguars: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Adding as much talent as you can around Trevor Lawrence is never a bad idea, especially a natural talent like Adonai Mitchell. At 6’4, Mitchell provides a red-zone threat that the Jaguars desperately need, especially if they move on from Zay Jones in the offseason.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Rashee Rice has started to come on as Patrick Mahomes’ go-to target, but the Chiefs should continue to add to this room and bring in more talented weapons.
Brian Thomas Jr. is a height/weight/speed freak at 6’4″, 205 pounds and blazing explosiveness. More importantly, he rarely drops the football downfield, something the Chiefs have been hurt by repeatedly this season.
30) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
The 49ers have built an excellent roster from top to bottom, but the absence of Trent Williams is notable on that offensive line, and they don’t seem to have his eventual replacement on the roster.
Patrick Paul is another superb athlete who needs further refinement, which could be perfect for the 49ers to develop and plug behind Williams whenever he decides to hang it up.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
The Ravens have gotten a career year out of Jadeveon Clowney, but the rest of that room hasn’t taken that next step. Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo have battled injuries throughout their careers.
Bralen Trice has emerged as a force for the Washington Huskies. His 62 pressures sit second in the country on the season, and he’s a physical, disruptive pass rusher that the Huskies like to move around.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Howie Roseman only drafts trench players, wide receivers, and quarterbacks in the first round. I think we’re at the point where we can say they won’t take a quarterback here. A wide receiver would be a fun luxury, though not entirely Roseman’s M.O.
With Jason Kelce’s pending retirement, the Eagles will need some shuffling along the OL. Graham Barton is viewed as a prospect who can play all spots on the offensive line, so the Eagles could slide him in at center down the line or have him step into the right guard spot if Cam Jurgens moves over, especially with Tyler Steen’s struggles in pass protection this season.
