The countdown to the kickoff of the 2023-24 college football season is inching closer to the 30-day mark, meaning our summer scouting efforts are coming to a head. The top seniors and underclassmen will soon be household names, and the rush to find emerging gems will become the priority. Blending the value of team needs and our favorite NFL Draft prospects, we have a new 2024 NFL Mock Draft for you to digest.
Latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Using reverse Super Bowl 58 odds– and including one trade involving a recent No. 1 overall pick — here are the selections for every team in the first round of the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
1) Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It’s possible the Arizona Cardinals vastly outperform expectations this season since everyone believes they’ll be bad. Getting Kyler Murray healthy and having him look more like a franchise star would help tremendously. However, Arizona’s best long-term play is to continue tearing down for assets, taking it slow with Murray to ensure he comes back and plays as well as he can, then explore dealing him before his cap hits jump to $43+ million through 2028.
If Arizona gets the top pick, they shouldn’t pass on Caleb Williams. Some parallels will be made to Murray as a player because both can run, have strong arms, and have slighter frames. But Williams is a more impactful, enhanced passer than Murray is, comparing more favorably to where Josh Allen has been over the last three seasons.
I wouldn’t recommend simply dumping Murray for anything, especially if he bounces back from his torn ACL and trade offers are lacking. In the right situation, Arizona can escape the $230.5 million they owe Murray, upgrade with Williams, and add another top-10 pick from dealing Murray.
2) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Part of Arizona’s motivation for completely rebooting the roster is their unique ability to stack assets right away. Nabbing Houston’s 2024 first-rounder in their 2023 draft-day trade for Will Anderson Jr. may prove to be one of the defining moves of the next decade. Either it’ll look brilliant, or it could completely blow up in their face.
It works out as well as it could if Houston finishes as poorly as oddsmakers believe they will. Whoever Arizona’s QB is will need a true alpha receiver to target, and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is as good as they come. Putting All-Pro expectations on any player is unfair, but Harrison is as surefire of a prospect as there’s been since A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
3) Indianapolis Colts: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Adding a premier blocker to the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line might be a no-brainer after the 2023 season, but prioritizing pure talent makes more sense right now. The Colts have continued to pour resources into a defensive line that is good but not yet where it needs to be. Adding a true star next to DeForest Buckner would help tremendously.
Jared Verse is that prospect. The Florida State pass rusher is fast, bendy, and instinctive off the edge. It’s early, but it’ll be tough for any player in this class to dethrone his EDGE1 status on my board.
4) Tennessee Titans: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
It’s hard to blame Tennessee for taking Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 class, considering they lacked a clear long-term plan behind Ryan Tannehill. But the recent history of Day 2 quarterbacks isn’t promising, and teams are as likely to give up on a second-year passer than to continue rolling with them.
If the Titans have the chance to take Drake Maye, then their decision will be made simple. I made the early comparison of Maye to early-Oregon Justin Herbert because both have excellent athleticism with their huge frames, strong arms, and yet maddeningly miss throws they should have hit. Maye has room to go with pre-snap recognition and consistency, but his peaks project to where Herbert is now.
5) Chicago Bears (From CAR): JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
The Chicago Bears’ prize in 2024 for moving down from No. 1 to No. 9 in 2023 is a special one. Adding to the offense will be tempting, considering the lack of guaranteed talent at receiver on the roster, but Chicago’s bigger issue is their pass rush. They simply don’t have someone who is a star for head coach Matt Eberflus.
Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau is a strong candidate to rise this fall. He has elite size at 6’4″ and 277 pounds, plus a blend of strength and quickness that will endear him to evaluators like Travon Walker did in the 2022 draft class. The difference is that Tuimoloau is a better overall player on the field.
6) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
A terrific athlete with impressive raw stats, Dallas Turner has a great opportunity in front of him in 2023. With Anderson in the NFL, Turner will become Alabama’s primary pass rusher. While Turner has to do much better stringing together moves in order to keep blockers off him, his speed and quickness stand out.
At worst, Turner will be a hybrid off-ball LB and pass-rusher prospect like Micah Parsons was. Parsons was the better blitzer entering the NFL, but there’s time for Turner to improve.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
We have Kyler Murray being dealt to the AFC a few spots down, as the Cardinals would surely like to avoid playing him more often in the future. Yet, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be a good candidate to acquire him if Arizona just wants the best offer.
Instead of reaching on a quarterback who hasn’t yet proven their ability to be an excellent prospect, Tampa Bay opts to bolster their offensive line with Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Fashanu isn’t quite a refined technician yet, but he’s also not struggling to deal with the vast majority of defenders he faces. The technique will eventually catch up to his physical traits.
8 ) Washington Commanders: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Washington is another franchise that might be looking for a quarterback next spring, but Sam Howell has the arm talent to fein interest in forcing a pick here. Time will tell if the Commanders’ new ownership agrees. In this mock, Howell has shown enough to pass on reaching for a QB and instead steadies a position of need.
Like Patrick Surtain II was before him, Kool-Aid McKinstry has lockdown traits and size to challenge pass catchers. We’ll see if he can prove to be more of a ball hawk in 2023, but the rest of his game is hard to question.
9) Arizona Cardinals (From NE for QB Kyler Murray): McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
The lone trade of this mock is a blockbuster one. The New England Patriots trading the ninth overall pick for Murray would certainly send shockwaves across the NFL, but it’s a deal that makes sense for both parties.
For Arizona, getting another asset to build their new regime with while shedding Murray’s massive contract is a win. Head coach Jonathan Gannon would surely love a foundational pass rusher to define the middle of his defense. Texas A&M’s McKinnley Jackson is a mammoth at 6’1″ and 325 pounds but moves more like a smaller tackle, putting immense pressure on his blockers to contain him.
New England would certainly be taking a risk, but the Bill Belichick era might hinge on being bold. With the AFC loaded up on playmaking quarterbacks, relying on Mac Jones to win always had a ceiling well below their peers. Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien would surely enjoy creating an offense around Murray’s talent more than Jones’ as well.
10) Los Angeles Rams: Maason Smith, DT, LSU
At his best, Maason Smith will be hard to overthrow as the top defensive tackle in the 2024 draft class. Smith tore his ACL in the first game of 2022, quickly ending his sophomore campaign after a tremendous freshman season. As we saw with Bryan Bresee in the 2023 draft class, teams will take a risk on a talented player even with a major injury in their recent history.
Smith’s ability to get into the backfield and disrupt the passing game projects at a high level to the NFL. His size, speed, and strength looked far beyond his age in 2021. The Rams, who may be entering a rebuild sooner than later, can shape their future around Smith.
11) Green Bay Packers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Moving from right tackle to left tackle this fall, JC Latham is the most physically impressive mauler of the draft’s top four OTs. Just a freshman in 2022, Latham immediately used his 6’6″, 335-pound frame to bully defenders and box them out. His lateral movement is surprising for someone with such mass.
There are areas to improve with Latham’s hand placement and even his nastiness. I’d love to see more pulverizing finishes in the run game and cleaner inside placement of his hands in pass protection. Nevertheless, Latham could absolutely vault to being the OT1 with those areas of growth.
12) Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
After adding a star pass rusher to define the defense, the Bears quickly snatch up another premier playmaker at No. 12. Choosing between Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and Ohio State’s Emeke Egbuka isn’t easy since both are fantastic pass catchers. But with Bowers possessing more positional flexibility and Chicago yet to extend Cole Kmet, Bowers wins out.
Bowers and Kmet could coexist on the roster thanks to Bowers’ rare athleticism and coordination for his build. A smart offensive coordinator will use him all over the place, including lining him up as an outside receiver.
13) Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Pittsburgh did well to extend edge rusher Alex Highsmith, knocking out a potential area of need for next offseason. Instead of reaching for someone who might upgrade a less-important position, the Steelers can sit tight and add a premium playmaker. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka would be a perfect pairing with quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Pickett is at his best when throwing to playmakers who can make plays after the catch. Egbuka is a dynamic route runner who can play both inside and out, but his speed and spatial awareness would help take this passing game to the next level more than any other prospect on the board.
14) Minnesota Vikings: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Kirk Cousins era will be ending soon, and the Minnesota Vikings should be looking to augment their offense with someone who can create with his legs as well as his arm. Their young duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make this an attractive situation for any rookie QB. The best on the board here is Bo Nix.
Nix has a tremendous skill set that quickly came together in 2022. He boasts good mobility on rollouts and scrambles while still threatening defenses with a strong arm that makes almost any throw possible. Even a slightly upward trajectory this fall will be enough to get him in the top-10 conversation.
15) Las Vegas Raiders: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
It’s hard to imagine this season going well for the Las Vegas Raiders considering their overall roster, disastrous performance in close games in 2022, and signing injury-prone quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Finding a real long-term answer has to become a priority if the Raiders don’t buck expectations. Texas’ Quinn Ewers might be that player.
Ewers must improve his consistency with using his lower body in his throwing motion, but he’s tremendously gifted as a passer. He has fantastic touch on his passes, and combined with his ability to process what defenses are doing, gives him a strong baseline of talent to build on. Ewers will have to show he can grow into a star pocket passer in 2023, though, as he’s unable to create as a runner.
16) Houston Texans (From CLE): Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami (FL)
Penetrating defensive tackles are all the rage in the NFL for good reason. We should expect to see pass-rushing tackles continue to be drafted highly in coming years as the cost for high-end veterans has risen tremendously. Players like Miami’s Leonard Taylor will benefit.
The 6’3″, 305-pounder has five sacks over the last two seasons but 19 tackles for loss. Taylor’s growth as a disruptive presence throughout the 2022 season bodes well for how his game will continue to develop this fall. Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans would surely love to add another game-changing lineman next to Will Anderson.
17) Denver Broncos: Riley Leonard, QB, Duke
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has already stated that Russell Wilson’s contract won’t play a part in the team keeping the veteran passer. Wilson will likely perform better this fall, but getting to even a Pro Bowl level seems farfetched given his struggles in 2022. But Payton can’t accept anything less if he’s going to compete with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the AFC West.
Our fifth first-round quarterback is Riley Leonard. The highly athletic presence showed off good arm talent in his first full season as a starter. With more consistent ball placement and quicker reads, Leonard can give evaluators confidence he’s ready to make the jump to the NFL.
18) Los Angeles Chargers: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
A quicker-than-fast CB who’s a good fit to cover shiftier receivers in the modern NFL, Kalen King was extremely effective in coverage last year. I have questions about his overall explosiveness and ability to be more than a solid second corner, but he’ll be given every chance to thrive without Joey Porter Jr. across from him. If he succeeds, King would give the Chargers some versatility at a position they also lack depth.
19) Seattle Seahawks: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
While most of the NFL doesn’t view off-ball linebackers as a premium position, the Seattle Seahawks are still a team that does. Even after bringing Bobby Wagner back and signing Devin Bush to help ease Jordyn Brooks’ return from a torn ACL, the Seahawks lack a long-term fit next to Brooks. Clemson’s Barrett Carter is the best option available to fill that role.
Like Brooks, Carter does well at about everything the position calls for. He’s fast, big, and can cover receivers in space.
20) New York Giants: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
Both Cooper Beebe and Donovan Jackson will be fighting for the top guard spot in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Beebe is a better fit for the Giants, who are hoping either Ben Bredeson or Joshua Ezeudu are effective this year. Forget just being effective, adding a very good starter can help New York’s offense recover more if they lose Saquon Barkley in free agency.
Beebe is both an excellent pass protector and run blocker. Though he’s not the athlete that someone like Zack Martin is, Beebe is incredibly effective and has few bad reps throughout his tape.
21) New Orleans Saints: Calen Bullock, S, USC
Few teams have prioritized having a deep secondary like the New Orleans Saints have, so continuing to pump talent into the unit makes sense. Tyrann Mathieu isn’t getting younger, and Marcus Maye was somewhat ineffective in 2022 after tearing his ACL during the 2021 season.
USC’s Calen Bullock is a playmaking ball hawk who can be the future of the position for the Saints.
22) Miami Dolphins: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Miami Dolphins’ future cap situation is murky, so decisions on key veterans will need to be made sooner than later. However, passing on an athletic, talented OT to finally fix the RT spot would be difficult. And Miami gets fortunate with Joe Alt still on the board.
Alt has a mammoth 6’8″ frame but is lighter in the pants at 315 pounds. He’s as sharp identifying blitzes as any blocker I’ve evaluated, giving him even more value for young quarterbacks who may struggle with pre-snap reads.
23) Jacksonville Jaguars: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
The Jacksonville Jaguars have earned the right to be hyped for this season, but some tough decisions could be coming. Pass rushers Josh Allen and Travon Walker have to step up in 2023, or else the franchise will have to look for a more impactful option. That could be Washington’s Bralen Trice.
Trice isn’t as explosive as some of his counterparts who are vying to land as a first-rounder, but he’s rock solid. With his 6’4″, 256-pound frame, Trice generates solid power as a run defender and has enough juice off the line to cause issues for quarterbacks.
24) Baltimore Ravens: Decorian Patterson, CB, UCF
The 2024 cornerback class has room for a riser to make big waves. And after reviewing Decorian Patterson’s stellar 2022 season with Middle Tennessee State, where he totaled seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups, he certainly fits the profile of someone way too under the radar.
Patterson is a baller. He’s transferred to UCF for this season and will benefit from playing against Big 12 competition. Patterson has excellent patience in coverage, and his knack for finding the ball is reminiscent of former Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters.
25) Detroit Lions: Jason Marshall, CB, Florida
Detroit opted against adding an outside cornerback in the 2023 draft, and that looks like a mistake based on their roster. Emmanuel Moseley was a sharp low-cost pickup, but there’s not an obvious long-term starter across from him. For a franchise with playoff aspirations, cornerback might be a massive hole by the time the season ends.
Jason Marshall would fit nicely in Detroit’s physical, zone-heavy unit. He’s not quite as polished as he’ll need to be, but the 2023 season can help him get the valuable experience needed to improve.
26) Green Bay Packers (From NYJ): Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
This pick will likely be Green Bay’s as it conveys if Aaron Rogers plays 65% of snaps this coming season for the New York Jets.
The Packers have had tremendous success drafting and developing offensive linemen, prioritizing athleticism and length whenever possible. Green Bay can continue that tradition as they prepare for life after David Bakhtiari. Houston’s Patrick Paul is one of the top blockers in the nation and is going too far under the radar entering the season.
27) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Dallas has a stellar roster, so planning for the future makes some sense. With LT Tyron Smith aging and RT Terence Steele coming off a torn ACL, adding another tackle is a possibility.
Arizona’s Jordan Morgan was on track to be a first-round pick in 2023 before tearing his ACL in November. An incredibly smooth athlete who can survive on an island, Morgan has to prove he’s healthy throughout this campaign. If he is, it’s hard to imagine he’s anything but a first-round lock.
28) Buffalo Bills: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
While the Buffalo Bills opted to overhaul the depth of their WR room and against adding another clear-cut starting candidate, the latest situation with Stefon Diggs is a reminder that stars can quickly come and go. Adding Malik Nabers would give Buffalo a near-clone of Diggs as a speedster who also boasts polished routes and a knack for producing in the clutch.
Nabers, 6’1″ and 188 pounds, has averaged 14.3 yards per catch through his first two seasons. As a sophomore in 2022, he broke out with 72 receptions, 1,017 yards, and three touchdowns.
29) Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton only started five games in 2022, but it didn’t take long to see that he has high NFL potential. A right tackle, Guyton has stellar movement ability for someone who stands almost 6’7″ and 320 pounds. He has all the athleticism needed to become a perennial Pro Bowler.
The Bengals will have to make some tough choices along their offensive line after this season. Jonah Williams has already requested a trade, and La’el Collins’ performance post-injury will be even more questionable. Replacing both options with Guyton can be a big upgrade at a low cost.
30) Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The best playmaking cornerback in the 2024 class is Cooper DeJean. Able to play in the slot, as a boundary man who specializes in zone, or even as a box safety, DeJean has the versatility and football IQ that will cause him to rise throughout the pre-draft process. DeJean plays the ball as if he’s a receiver, which is why he picked off five passes last year.
The Eagles must continue to add talent to the CB room as James Bradberry and Darius Slay age. DeJean would benefit from their excellent pass rush and comfortable scheme.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
The San Francisco 49ers may have a difficult situation to navigate through next offseason as Brandon Aiyuk enters his fifth-year option and Deebo Samuel’s cap hit swells. It’s possible the team opts to move away from one of them. The shrewd move would be to replace Samuel with Malachi Corley, who plays a very similar game.
Corley is a phenomenal playmaker with the ball in his hands, possessing rare contact balance and play strength. The senior will hopefully be given the chance to expand his game before entering the league, but the 49ers can make the most out of his current skill set.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
While the Kansas City Chiefs don’t seem to care about adding a star at receiver, they’ll have to face the reality that Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger. They don’t need to replace Kelce anytime soon, but finding someone who complements him and can be counted on as a major threat early on would be helpful to the offense. Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders can be that player.
Sanders projects perfectly into the modern NFL. He’s a smooth route runner with strong hands and terrific concentration through contact. Stylistically, he reminds me a lot of Gerald Everett.
