Playoffs for both the NFL and college inch closer and closer, and many teams have their eyes on players looking for new beginnings. This 2024 NFL Mock Draft looks at eliminated teams and contenders to address their needs for next year.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
If Justin Fields continues showing signs of improvement, then Chicago will look at other positions in the offseason. In this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Bears give their franchise quarterback a big-time playmaker to help the offense become even more explosive.
Pairing Marvin Harrison Jr. with D.J. Moore gives Chicago a dynamic duo, and tight end Cole Kmet gives them a trio that will be tough to stop. Harrison was as clutch as they come for Ohio State, and he’ll do the same for another former Buckeye in Fields.
2) Arizona Cardinals: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
I fully expect Arizona to field calls for this pick to move down and get more draft capital if they decide that Kyler Murray is their guy going forward. But here, they add another weapon for him to utilize.
Keon Coleman has freakish athleticism that will stand out even in the NFL. His ability to make difficult catches increases Murray’s room for error on throws, and the Cardinals need someone who can be a safety net downfield.
3) Washington Commanders: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
It’s tough to see the Commanders not take a defensive end here. After trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat, the EDGE position needs an upgrade. This could also be an offensive lineman, but the Commanders go defense in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Dallas Turner gives Washington a menace on the edge, and he can be a tone-setter for a defense that still has some nice pieces on this side of the ball. Turner has worked to develop even more as a pass rusher, and his power has given offensive tackles trouble all year in college.
4) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
New England’s win this weekend hurts them regarding the draft order, but they get lucky as no one trades over them for a quarterback. Drake Maye remains available when New England picks, and they can take a deep breath with their future star on the roster.
Bailey Zappe could still challenge Maye early in 2024, but the talent gap should eventually sort itself out. Maye has an incredible arm, and he’s shown that he can make insane throws under pressure too. While the Patriots continue rebuilding, his ability to make plays under pressure will be his biggest weapon.
5) New York Giants: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Even with the Tommy DeVito craze going, drafting a quarterback wasn’t out of the question for the Giants. There’s not a quarterback on the roster that the fanbase is 100% sold on, so the draft will be a place where they can fix that.
Fortunately, New York doesn’t have to trade up to get a guy like Caleb Williams in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Regardless of how people feel about Williams as a person, the kid can make plays. Whether it’s avoiding pressure or making tight window throws deep downfield, Williams is a baller who will give the New York fanbase a jolt of energy.
6) Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
It’s no secret that the Chargers need help stopping the pass, but free agency could help them address those issues. So, with that in mind, Los Angeles gives Justin Herbert a new weapon when he returns in 2024.
Brock Bowers makes the Chargers offense better in many ways. He’s a fierce competitor who can also line up in multiple positions. Georgia has done a great job of getting him the ball in space and letting him work, something the Chargers will do plenty too. If they can add some pieces on defense through free agency, the draft becomes more open for this team.
7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
If Joe Alt remains on the board as he does in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Titans shouldn’t waste time making their pick. Alt is a massive player who excels at pass blocking, something Tennessee needs to help Will Levis. Alt has a few things to clean up in his game, but not much. He’ll be an instant-impact player for a team needing help up front.
8) Chicago Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Chicago addressed one of their needs earlier in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and now they add to the defense with a big-time player at defensive end. Jared Verse is a beast at his peak, but he also brings good leadership for the Bears. His maturity, combined with his skill set, should fit well in this defense, and that should help the Bears improve immediately.
9) New York Jets: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Garrett Wilson needs help. Plain and simple. Now that we know Aaron Rodgers isn’t returning in 2023, the Jets turn their attention to 2024. With Rome Odunze still on the board here, they ensure their passing attack will be tough to stop.
Garrett Wilson gives New York a vertical threat downfield, but he needs a running mate. Teams give Wilson extra attention partly because the Jets don’t have anyone else to threaten the defense. Odunze is a 6’3″ receiver who moves like a much smaller player, but he also can dominate smaller defensive backs with his size.
10) Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Even though the Falcons are in the playoff race, they still need to draft a franchise quarterback. Desmond Ridder got benched, and Taylor Heinicke isn’t the long-term answer, so Atlanta looks to the draft to address that problem.
Jayden Daniels helped his draft stock more than any other quarterback in this class with a Heisman Trophy performance this year. His development as a passer made him a first-round pick, and his dual-threat skillset gives the Falcons a scary player at a key position.
11) New Orleans Saints: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
If Derek Carr is the answer at quarterback for New Orleans, they’ll look to add pieces around him. Chris Olave has a bright future but can’t do it alone. Fortunately for the Saints, they don’t have to look far to add a player to their passing attack.
Malik Nabers just needs the ball in space, and he typically knows what to do from there. LSU’s star receiver was on the NFL’s radar for a while, but he ensured that he’ll be a first-round pick with a big year to help Jayden Daniels win the Heisman in 2023.
12) Green Bay Packers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Jordan Love shows great promise for the Packers’ future at quarterback, and now they turn their attention to helping him develop. Green Bay has needs at multiple positions up front, and they address one by drafting an Alabama stud.
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JC Latham has experience across the entire line from his time with the Crimson Tide, which helps his draft stock. While he’ll primarily play tackle in the NFL, the Packers know they get depth at guard with him on the roster, too.
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
While it was tough to watch Aidan O’Connell throw 10 straight incompletions, the Raiders likely have to trade up if they want to address their need at quarterback. Since they can’t, they do the next best thing and draft a tackle.
Olu Fashanu brings a high ceiling to the Raiders’ offense, but he must develop at the next level to reach it. He has an athletic frame and the tools to be a great tackle. Las Vegas could find a quarterback later in the draft, but taking Fashanu here gives them some peace of mind offensively.
14) Denver Broncos: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
It felt like Denver was giving up quarterback pressure whenever you looked up in Week 16. A weak performance against a bad New England team reminded fans that the Broncos need help up front to protect Russell Wilson.
Insert Amarius Mims, an instant-impact player who elevates this offense immediately. When healthy, he’s been one of the most dominant tackles in college football, and he has the tools to do the same thing at the next level.
15) Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Minnesota’s pass rush needs a new star with Danielle Hunter hitting free agency in the offseason, and they can find a new star to replace him in the draft. Laitau Latu brings plenty of talent to the Vikings’ defense, and Minnesota could have a new threat on the edge in no time.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The battle between Keon Coleman and Terrion Arnold in practice has the potential to be incredible.
Arnold’s stock skyrocketed this year, and he should be a fun player in the Cardinals’ defense. He’s an aggressive player with a knack for making plays on the ball, and Arizona’s secondary could use someone like him from Day 1.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Blocking has been a big topic of conversation with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization over the last couple of weeks, so we add to it here. Taliese Fuaga won’t be questioned about his desire to block for his teammates, and his arrival gives Pittsburgh an anchor on the edge.
He has great play strength and balance that helps him against power moves, and his wide frame makes it difficult for edge players to get around him, too.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
If the Bengals want to go a cheaper route to get a big-time receiver, then they’ll do so in the draft. Adonai Mitchell gives Cincinnati a clutch receiver with a knack for making huge plays under the brightest spotlights.
Texas needed several plays late in games this year, and it felt like Mitchell was the one making them every time. He’s cool in the clutch and focuses on the fundamentals of route running and catching. He can be that and more for a Bengals offense that already features Ja’Marr Chase.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Troy Fautanu, OG, Washington
Don’t look now, but the Bucs have won 4 straight games. Baker Mayfield appears to be the answer at quarterback for Tampa, and now the Bucs can turn their attention elsewhere in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
While most in college football paid attention to the skill positions of the Washington offense, the Husky’s offensive line deserves a ton of credit, too. Troy Fautanu is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career. Until the offseason begins, he’ll fly under the radar.
20) Indianapolis Colts: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Indianapolis already has a special player with huge potential at quarterback in Anthony Richardson, and now they add someone who can be the same for the defense. Chop Robinson is still growing as a defensive end, but the explosiveness cannot be denied. He’ll need to improve against the run, but all the tools are available to make him great.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Kool-Aid McKinstry sometimes flies under the radar because he’s not the boldest player in making plays. It’s all business for him, and many times, he’s moved on to the next play as soon as he makes one. His quiet demeanor on the field will be met with a raucous fanbase in Seattle. He’ll make the plays, they’ll make the noise. It’s a perfect combination.
22) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Jacksonville’s secondary needs an upgrade at the corner, and they’ll get that in Nate Wiggins. The Clemson star is an extreme competitor, and it shows on film. He has great tools to make him an elite corner, but his effort sets him apart. Wiggins doesn’t give up on any play, which will keep him in the league for a long time.
23) Los Angeles Rams: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Rams have done a decent job of keeping Matthew Stafford upright, but they need a younger and more improved tackle to continue that trend next year. Kingsley Suamataia has a ton of great football ahead of him, and the Rams are lucky that he’s on the board still in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Hidden on a BYU team that struggled offensively, Suamataia hasn’t been under the spotlight as much this year. Once the college football season is over, however, fans will begin to see what he brings to the next level. His big frame and his desire to punish the opposing defender make him a first-round pick, and the Rams get a great value here.
24) Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Stefon Diggs is in a rut, and the Bills hope he can get out soon. That will be tougher to do if they don’t add another weapon to relieve some of that pressure. Brian Thomas Jr. is used to living in the shadow of someone else’s spotlight, thanks to his time at LSU. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a star too.
A big reason why Jayden Daniels won the Heisman this year was because Thomas took huge strides as a pass catcher. While most of the attention was on Nabers, Thomas exploded for a career season. He used that to catapult him into the first round, and now he gets to help another star in Diggs.
25) Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Watching the Chiefs this weekend made it obvious they need an alpha at receiver. Maybe they can add one in free agency or via trade, but more than likely, they’ll look to the draft to help.
In this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, they add a big receiver in Xavier Legette (6’3″ and 227 pounds), who brings blazing speed to this offense. While he still needs to develop more as a receiver, all of the tools he brings to the NFL make him an intriguing fit in this offense.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Dallas’ offense continues to thrive, thanks largely to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but adding another player to the mix wouldn’t hurt. Lamb continues to live up to expectations, but he needs someone else to step up.
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Enter Xavier Worthy, a blazing-fast player already in Texas who can take plenty of attention away from Lamb. The trio of Lamb, Worthy, and Gallup gives Prescott peace of mind for the future, and the offense would terrorize the NFC East for a while with them running the show.
27) Houston Texans: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Houston misses Tank Dell, that’s for sure. The star receiver went down with an injury, and the passing attack hasn’t been the same since then. While Ladd McConkey doesn’t bring face-value excitement, the film says otherwise. He’s a great route runner who pays attention to the details, and that will help a Texans passing attack that needs it.
28) Detroit Lions: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Detroit is riding high after winning the NFC North, but they’re not done yet. They’re also not going to stop in the offseason, and this 2024 NFL Draft gives them an underrated player with great upside.
Cooper DeJean shouldn’t see too much of a dip in his draft stock due to his injury. His film shows a versatile weapon that can make an impact in multiple ways. Whether it’s as a defensive back or a returner, DeJean knows how to make plays. He’s a ballhawk at corner and is crafty as a returner, too.
29) Miami Dolphins: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
There are plenty of options for Miami here, and adding a weapon to this explosive offense should excite the fanbase. While Ja’Tavion Sanders isn’t a consensus first-round pick, he has first-round talent. He’s a great pass catcher who’s also a competitor in blocking, which will help him see the field early in his career.
30) Philadelphia Eagles: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
Philadelphia ended a three-game losing streak in Week 16, allowing fans to take a breath. While the Super Bowl is their goal, the Eagles also must think about the more distant future. Improving their secondary will be high on their priority list, which they address in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
Kamren Kinchens made play after play for the Miami Hurricanes, and he quickly put his name on everyone’s radar in the NFL. He followed a career year in 2022 with another great one in 2023, and now he’s one of the best safety prospects in this class.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Despite a loss to the Ravens, the 49ers are still a Super Bowl contender. Next year, though, they’ll need to consider bringing some younger players into the mix at certain positions.
Patrick Paul will remind fans of Trent Williams in some ways, and that addition has the potential to be great for this team. Paul plays the game like the 49ers star but must find ways to harness that energy to become just like Williams.
32) Baltimore Ravens: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Baltimore is in a great position to improve their defense through the draft. They have veterans in the secondary who can help a young rookie like Kalen King develop, which aids an extremely talented defense.
King continues to see his draft stock slip, but it’s not because he didn’t play well. He didn’t play enough NFL talent for teams to feel comfortable taking him this early. The ceiling is obvious, so the Ravens add him to their secondary.
