As we enter the final week of the college football regular season, we grow closer to the 2024 NFL Draft. There are a number of players who have solidified themselves as first-round picks, but this mock features a number of new faces too.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
It’s tough to see Marvin Harrison Jr. falling out of the top five, and at times it’s tough for anyone to say the Chicago Bears won’t take him. He’s that good. Harrison’s been the savior in many of Ohio State’s games this year, and he’d instantly upgrade the Bears passing attack.
Pair him with DJ Moore and Justin Fields, and the offense suddenly looks dangerous. If Chicago is willing to stick with Fields and let him develop, then drafting Harrison becomes a no-brainer (unless someone gives them an incredible offer to trade down).
2) Arizona Cardinals: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
There are many options at tackle, and Joe Alt could be a riser in this class. At 6’8″, his size stands out among the rest, and his dominant play with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish translates well to the next level.
Arizona hasn’t ruled out a future with Kyler Murray, so they might go a non-quarterback route with this pick. Trading back is also an option, given the talent at the Cardinals’ positions of need. Alt gives Murray comfort in the pocket, and the Arizona offense improves because of his presence.
3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The noise surrounding Caleb Williams continues to increase, which only means good things for Drake Maye. The quieter prospect continues making insane throws on a regular basis, and you can bet teams are paying attention.
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New England needs a restart, especially at quarterback. Maye gives them a boost at the position even if he’s a rookie, and the offense is in better hands with his arm talent. Tom Brady might think that college players aren’t as prepared for the NFL as they used to be, but his former team will be pleased with Maye’s preparation.
4) Chicago Bears: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
While he’s not the most polished prospect at his position, Chop Robinson’s going to get plenty of attention from many teams. With the Bears deciding to stick with Justin Fields in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, they add a disruptive pass rusher to their defense.
5) New York Giants: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Say what you want about Caleb Williams, but the man is pure entertainment. You can bash his personality or off-field decisions, but you can’t question the talent. Williams is perfect for a big city. He’s already a superstar and an icon in the college football ranks, and he has SportsCenter Top 10 talent to infuse life into the Giants offense.
6) Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Olumuyiwa Fashanu hasn’t done enough to be the undisputed top tackle prospect, but he’s also not free-falling. Tennessee needs a difference maker up front, and Fashanu gives them an athletic tackle who’s yet to hit his ceiling. There’s still room to grow, but that’s not a bad thing.
7) Washington Commanders: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Two trades essentially signaled that the Washington Commanders would be addressing the edge position in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Drafting a defensive end seems obvious for this team, and they’ll have multiple players to select.
Jared Verse made his way from Albany to Tallahassee, and he’s not looking at becoming a Top 10 pick in the draft. His length and power will make him a great pro, and the Commanders restock the position by taking him here.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
One thing’s for sure: Dallas Turner plays the game hard. It may come with some penalties, but it’s hard for him to turn the motor off. His competitive nature kicks in when the ball is snapped, and the Falcons can use his attitude to improve their defense.
9) Green Bay Packers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Taliese Fuaga’s inserted himself into the first-round conversation, and now he enters the top 10 in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. He’s done a great job of being a brick wall for the Beavers’ offense, and his anchor will help him when he’s a pro.
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If Green Bay wants to help Jordan Love build toward the future, he’ll need time to throw. The running backs will also love having Fuaga up front, as he’s been instrumental in an Oregon State offense that loves being physical and running the football.
10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
If you watched Laiatu Latu this weekend against USC, you saw the dominance that he brings to the table. He’s been a productive edge player for the Bruins, and USC struggled mightily keeping him away from Caleb Williams.
His hands are exceptional. Williams is an escape artist, but Latu made it impossible for him to get away with how quickly he was in the backfield. USC’s offensive line needs work, but Latu made them look like high school kids with how quickly he got past them.
11) New York Jets: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Keon Coleman‘s a freak athlete with tremendous upside, and he’ll be a problem for defensive backfields for a long time if he can keep developing. The basketball skill set stands out, and his athleticism would be a huge addition for the Jets’ offense.
Garrett Wilson’s already giving cornerbacks fits this year, but imagine the damage he could do if Coleman joins the roster. Assuming Aaron Rodgers comes back too, the Jets’ offense has a ton of potential in 2024 thanks to this pick.
12) Los Angeles Chargers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
One thing we’ve learned about Kool-Aid McKinstry is he’s one of the most poised players in football. The moment isn’t too big for him, and the spotlight isn’t too bright. His focus on his job gives him peace before the snap, and you can see it with his play.
McKinstry learned a lot from Nick Saban, and his intelligence has turned him into a first-round pick. The learning curve ahead won’t be steep, and we know that he’ll be ready to compete thanks to his poise.
13) Los Angeles Rams: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
He hasn’t been the most consistent, but Kalen King has shown enough upside to keep him in the first round of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. The one game that many teams will point to is against Ohio State. His work against Marvin Harrison Jr. showed what he’s capable of doing, and that will be enough for a team to take him early.
14) Las Vegas Raiders: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
This final stretch of games is vitally important for Amarius Mims. With the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff ahead, Mims will face a number of talented defenders. His talent makes him a first-round pick, but his future performances determine how high he’ll rise.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Once Anthony Richardson is back to full health, the Colts better have a deep threat that can be a reliable target for him. Michael Pittman’s been solid this, as has Josh Downs, but they need another player to step up.
Rome Odunze has the size and quickness to be a big-time player in the NFL. He’s shown good lateral agility to get off press coverage, and he also uses it to shake defenders during his routes. Throw in his 6’3″, 215-pound frame, and the Colts might not take long to snatch him up.
16) Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Denver’s defense plays hard, and the energy they bring is infectious to the entire team. They fly around the field and make plays, and drafting a guy like Jer’Zhan Newton would be a great addition. Newton’s a menace on the interior defensive line, something the Broncos need for their defense.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Take away the traits for a second. Nate Wiggins showed teams that he will do anything to help his team win, including chasing down a running back and forcing a fumble just before he crossed the goal line. Wiggins wants to win, and that showed this weekend.
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So not only is he a talented corner, but he’s willing to do the little things. That essentially solidifies him as a first-round pick, and Cincinnati adds him to their secondary.
18) Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Buffalo’s offense took a step back this year, but they can fix that in the offseason. Troy Franklin may not be a first-round pick to many, but he has the talent to thrive in the NFL. He’s shown an elite ability to get off press corners, and he’s developed well as a route runner over the years.
19) New Orleans Saints: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
New Orleans shouldn’t have trouble finding a wide receiver to add to their roster. All they have to do is stay within the state of Louisiana. Malik Nabers came into the 2023 season with high hopes, and all he’s done is elevate his game.
Pairing Nabers with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas gives the Saints a great trio of receivers, and the LSU star is just beginning to play his best ball too. He’s another great deep threat who’s proven that he can create after the catch, so he’d bring multi-level excellence to this offense.
20) Minnesota Vikings: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
No matter what the Vikings do at the quarterback position, it feels like they’ll take one in the draft. Bo Nix might not be the most exciting pick, but you can’t deny how well he’s playing lately.
The best thing Nix did was transfer to Oregon, and he’s seen his stock skyrocket during the 2023 season. He’s a mature quarterback who’s learned how to take care of the football, and it’s fun to think about what he can do with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
21) Arizona Cardinals: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
While everyone’s talking about Kool-Aid McKinstry, his teammate’s been working to make a name for himself too. Terrion Arnold‘s played well towards the end of the season, and he sneaks into the first round of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Arnold’s a competitor when the ball’s in the air, and his play speed stands out the most in his game. He’s a high-energy player who’s not afraid to make his presence known. After the Cardinals traded Byron Murphy, it was only a matter of time before they found his replacement.
22) Seattle Seahawks: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
If the Seahawks decide to move on from Bobby Wagner, they can find his replacement in the draft. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. can continue his family legacy in the NFL, but he also gives Seattle a continuation of Wagner’s game.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
With the Steelers moving on from Matt Canada, the offense will look different in 2024. They also must add some weapons to their offense, starting with the line. Kingsley Suamataia has the size and talent to be a great Steeler.
The skill-position talent has plenty of potential, but the line needs to find ways to protect the quarterback better. Suamataia gives them an upgrade at the tackle position, and his mentality will win over fans quickly.
24) Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell continue taking the NFL by storm, and there’s no better way to continue that than by adding Stroud’s former teammate. Emeka Egbuka lives in Marvin Harrison Jr.’s shadow, but he’s a first-round talent himself.
Emeka Egbuka can help stretch the field vertically, which gives Dell more room to operate in the short game. Dell’s presence also challenges defenses to keep him in check, meaning Egbuka sees favorable matchups out wide. If you thought Stroud was good now, wait until that happens.
25) Miami Dolphins: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
With the number of free agents the Dolphins potentially have up front, it seems obvious that they’ll take a tackle. Latham has experience at multiple positions with Alabama, something that will help him see the field early with Miami.
It’s not the most exciting pick, but Miami’s offense is set at the skill positions. It will be hard for them to move the ball if Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t have time to throw, so Latham gives them a chance to keep the explosive offense going.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Clemson has multiple defenders worth drafting, and they also have multiple first-round picks on that side of the ball. Many focus on Jeremiah Trotter Jr when they talk about the Tigers, but Barrett Carter deserves just as much love.
He’s an athletic defender capable of hurdling blockers, but he’s shown that he can be a great playmaker. With Leighton Vander Esch gone for the season, the Cowboys might need to start thinking about the future of the position.
27) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
If you’re looking for Trent Williams Lite, look no further than Houston’s Patrick Paul. He has all of the same tools as Williams, but he needs some refining to get him to an All-Pro level. Paul brings the same attitude to blocking that Williams does, and he can learn from the 49ers star about certain things like controlling his aggression.
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Paul wants to drive every opponent into the ground, which is great until it goes too far. Williams is a nasty blocker who can help the young guy harness that energy. Paul also has great size and length to be a dominant pro. Everything’s there for Paul to be great, but he just needs some guidance.
28) Jacksonville Jaguars: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Even despite the injury, Cooper DeJean deserves to go in the first round. He’s a competitive corner with underrated tools, and he’s also an above-average returner. The Jaguars are looking for a corner, and they’ll get an added bonus by adding DeJean to their roster.
29) Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Any help for Lamar Jackson is good help, and the Ravens give him another talented receiver in the first round of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Adonai Mitchell’s been thriving lately, and he might have done enough to get him into the first-round conversation.
30) Detroit Lions: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Aidan Hutchinson and JT Tuimoloau may not have liked each other in college due to their rivalry, but they’re teaming up to give the Lions a lethal tandem. Hutchinson needs someone opposite of him to wreak havoc, and Tuimoloau has proven that he can be that guy.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
It seems lazy to just give the Chiefs another fast wide receiver, but how can you not love the idea of Patrick Mahomes throwing to one of the fastest receivers in football? Xavier Worthy can cook anyone, and it will be easy for many to make Tyreek Hill comparisons when they watch Worthy play.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
As if the Eagles need any help, they add another big receiver with freakish talent. Xavier Legette came out of left field with his production this year, but it’s a big reason why he’s a potential first-round pick. His size and speed combination makes him a big-time threat, and Philadelphia’s offense gets yet another weapon for Jalen Hurts.
