Now that most NFL teams have selected their new head coaches and general managers, we start to better understand how each team will devote their offseason based on offensive and defensive schemes plus clear future needs — which is what the NFL Draft is all about.
And with that, it’s time for our second installment of the 2024 NFL Mock Draft series.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
General manager Ryan Poles will continue to do his work on Caleb Williams going forward. If he believes it’s clear that the USC Trojan is a franchise type of quarterback based on all of the tape study and background information, he’ll be the selection.
First mock draft selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Pre-Draft Needs: DE, QB, CB, G
2) Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
New GM Adam Peters will make the call on this pick, and while QB Sam Howell showed good progress last season, Peters didn’t draft him, and Howell still didn’t show enough to be the clear franchise player at the position.
Drake Maye, a favorite of many in scouting around the NFL, is the call here for Peters, and Washington can address their OL issues as the draft progresses.
First mock draft selection: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Pre-Draft Needs: DE, LT, G, C, S, QB, LB
3) New England Patriots: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
With Maye going off the board right above, the New England Patriots will go with the next best player at a position of need, and that’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who would be a franchise left tackle for them for at least 10 years.
First mock draft selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, QB, CB, TE, WR
4) Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals’ major needs are clearly on the defensive side of the ball, but the best player on the board is Marvin Harrison Jr., who also fills a future and current need.
Pro Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian once told me that you “never pass up an upgrade,” which is a big reason why Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort can’t pass up Harrison here.
First mock draft selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Pre-Draft Needs: CB, OLB, G, WR, DT, C
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
We still need to see what type of defensive scheme the Los Angeles Chargers will be running this coming season, but edge rusher is a clear need for the future.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Prospects for Jim Harbaugh To Target
An NFL scouting source tells us that Jared Verse might be the strongest EDGE for this draft and could fit in various defensive fronts, so this pick will fit in for new head coach Jim Harbaugh’s defense going forward, no matter the scheme.
First mock draft selection: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Pre-Draft Needs: CB, RB, DT, OLB, TE, C, WR
6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
A pro personnel source tells Pro Football Network that the New York Giants have a bunch of WR3 and WR4 types, but they need a true No. 1 wide receiver. With this in mind, Malik Nabers will fit in nicely with the team for the future.
First mock draft selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Pre-Draft Needs: DT, G, WR, QB, RB, RT
7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
GM Ran Carthon now has full personnel control and must address Tennessee’s offensive line, arguably the worst in the NFL.
Joe Alt certainly could go even earlier to the Patriots at No. 3, so he’s solid value in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft and would be a franchise LT for the Titans for a decade-plus.
First mock draft selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, RT, C, OLB, CB, RB, DT
8) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons have a significant need for pass-rushing help for the future, so Dallas Turner is the call here. The Alabama standout should start immediately.
First mock draft selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Pre-Draft Needs: OLB, QB, CB, DT, WR
9) Chicago Bears: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
It’s very simple; if Laiatu Latu‘s neck/spine issue gets cleared medically at the NFL Combine, he’ll be a top-10 pick. The Bears, meanwhile, still have a need for an edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat.
First mock draft selection: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Pre-Draft Needs: DE, QB, CB, G
10) New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
GM Joe Douglas has done a solid job overall but hasn’t gotten it done yet at offensive tackle. JC Latham would fill an obvious current and future need at either tackle spot.
First mock draft selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, RT, S, QB, WR
11) Minnesota Vikings: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Jayden Daniels is highly respected in the scouting world and is widely expected to be selected in the upper half of Round 1.
MORE: Rumors Suggest Minnesota Might Trade Up To Grab Kirk Cousins’ Replacement
The Vikings only have only two quarterbacks under contract for next season (Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens), and neither is starter-worthy. Thus, it makes sense for Daniels to be the guy here.
First mock draft selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Pre-Draft Needs: QB, OLB, CB, DT, G, S
12) Denver Broncos: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
As much as we hear the Denver Broncos are high on CB Riley Moss, it’s still questionable what his role will be in the future. It’s possible he never ascends past a CB2 or CB3.
Terrion Arnold, meanwhile, would be a clear starter opposite Pat Surtain II, forming an Alabama tandem at the NFL level.
First mock draft selection: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Pre-Draft Needs: DT, CB, S, OLB, TE, QB
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Like Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie DT Calijah Kancey, Jer’Zhan Newton is a smaller interior lineman but has outstanding first-step quickness. He’ll be an immediate starter for a current and future need for the Las Vegas Raiders.
First mock draft selection: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Pre-Draft Needs: QB, G, C, DT, RB, CB, DE
14) New Orleans Saints: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Not only is Cooper DeJean one of the best defensive backs available for this draft, he’s also one of the best defensive players available overall. One high-level NFL scouting source said he’s one of the top five players available for this draft.
The New Orleans Saints have a current and future need at safety. DeJean, who has played several positions on defense in college (S, CB, nickel, LB), could be a multi-positional player for the Saints in head coach Dennis Allen’s defense.
First mock draft selection: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Pre-Draft Needs: DE, S, WR, DT, G, QB
15) Indianapolis Colts: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Indianapolis Colts’ current and future needs are clearly on defense. As a result, Nate Wiggins would become a starter the day he was drafted.
First mock draft selection: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (FL)
Pre-Draft Needs: DT, DE, WR, CB, G, S
16) Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
With Newton off the board, the underrated Byron Murphy II is the selection for executive VP/GM John Schneider, who now has full personnel control for the first time in his career with head coach Pete Carroll out of the picture.
First mock draft selection: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Pre-Draft Needs: DT, QB, ILB, S, G, OLB
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Jacksonville has some challenges on the outside at this position. Therefore, Rome Odunze — who has the prototypical size and speed that teams look for — is the call in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
MORE: Top Wide Receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft
From talking to people who have worked with him over the years, GM Trent Baalke loves size at wide receiver.
First mock draft selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Pre-Draft Needs: WR, OLB, G, DT, CB
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Cincinnati Bengals simply haven’t gotten it right at tight end in years. The extremely talented Brock Bowers, one of the top pass catchers available at any skill position, is the selection for the offensive-minded Bengals.
First mock draft selection: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Pre-Draft Needs: WR, RB, TE, RT, DT, CB
19) Los Angeles Rams: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Los Angeles Rams are in dire need of tackles at both ends. Amarius Mims — who possesses a ton of upside — would shore up either side.
First mock draft selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Pre-Draft Needs: OLB, CB, QB, S, WR, G, RB, OT
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
With Broderick Jones seemingly entrenched at RT, Taliese Fuaga would help Pittsburgh potentially form their next tackle tandem for the next decade.
First mock draft selection: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Pre-Draft Needs: OT, CB, G, C, DT, S
21) Miami Dolphins: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
With starting LT Terron Armstead carrying a salary cap hit of over $20 million for 2024, the future of the position must be addressed.
The athletic Jordan Morgan would be a solid value here and is a clear future starter.
First mock draft selection: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, G, S, TE, DT, ILB
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
New DC Vic Fangio runs a ton of zone-match coverage, which would be a good fit for Kool-Aid McKinstry at the next level. The Eagles’ biggest position of need for the future is this one, especially considering the age of both starting cornerbacks (30+).
MORE: Which Draft Prospects Could Potentially Replace Jason Kelce in Philadelphia?
First mock draft selection: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State (Note: He announced recently that he’s returning to the Buckeyes for his final season.)
Pre-Draft Needs: CB, S, DE, ILB, RB
23) Houston Texans (From CLE): Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (Fl.)
This position needs a major influx of youth, and Leonard Taylor III would push for starting time immediately, becoming a clear starter for years to come.
First mock draft selection: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Pre-Draft Needs: DT, DE, G, CB, TE
24) Dallas Cowboys: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
The guard position is one where the Cowboys need to look toward the future, considering right guard Zack Martin turns 34 in November. Troy Fautanu played left tackle for the Washington Huskies in the CFB Playoff run, but many consider him a guard convert at the next level.
People can say what they want, but the Cowboys are one of the better drafting teams in recent years.
First mock draft selection: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
Pre-Draft Needs: RB, LT, G, DE, ILB, CB
25) Green Bay Packers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
While QB Jordan Love improved over the second half of the season, the front office has to continue to build around him with quality offensive linemen.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Graham Barton, who projects to play tackle or guard at the next level, is the call with their first-rounder in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
First mock draft selection: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, CB, G, RB, S, DL
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Keep in mind that Tampa Bay declined to extend Mike Evans’ contract, so Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman would be a ready-made replacement from this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
First mock draft selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Pre-Draft Needs: QB, WR, TE, S, ILB, G
27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Cardinals are in dire need of edge rushers, and Chop Robinson is the best one left on the board in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. The Penn State product is a great fit for head coach Jonathan Gannon’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
First mock draft selection: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Pre-Draft Needs: CB, OLB, G, WR, DT
28) Buffalo Bills: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
With two starting safeties over 30, the selection of Kamren Kinchens in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft is made with the future in mind.
First mock draft selection: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
Pre-Draft Needs: S, DE, DT, WR, CB
29) Detroit Lions: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
For Detroit to make another deep playoff run, they must address the cornerback position, one of the top needs for the short and long-term future. The underrated Quinyon Mitchell would be a solid value here.
First mock draft selection: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Pre-Draft Needs: OLB, CB, G, WR, DT
30) Baltimore Ravens: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
This is right around the area Kamari Lassiter should go off the board, from what we’re told. The Georgia standout would be a future starter opposite veteran CB Marlon Humphrey.
First mock draft selection: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Pre-Draft Needs: RB, DT, WR, CB, LT, RT, G
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Brian Thomas Jr. left LSU after a breakout season and possesses tremendous size for the position.
The Chiefs need to find someone to start opposite WR Rashee Rice for future seasons, and Thomas would be that guy if he makes it to them here.
First mock draft selection: Graham Barton, LT, Duke
Pre-Draft Needs: LT, DT, WR, RB, TE, CB
32) San Francisco 49ers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a competitive and physical DB out of Missouri, should go off the board anywhere from 20 to 32, a scouting source said. The former Tiger would immediately compete for a prominent role if the 49ers selected him here.
First mock draft selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Pre-Draft Needs: CB, DE, RT, DT, TE
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!
