In an offseason already full of twists and turns, this latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft will officially have some significant changes, including in the top five picks.
While some past projections remain the same, other prospects have earned a rise based on either NFL Combine performance or how specific teams suddenly have new needs following some pivotal free agency moves. Ready? It’s time to dive in.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears (from CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It’s long been speculated that Caleb Williams will be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the trade of Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday only solidified that opinion.
Chicago has made way for its next quarterback, and the Bears helped support the future face of the franchise by trading for Keenan Allen. It’s becoming evident that the replacement is the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Williams.
2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Washington is another team that all but assured that a quarterback is heading there come Draft Night, trading 2023 starter Sam Howell away earlier this month.
Jayden Daniels has a chance to galvanize a long-suffering fan base with his dynamic skill set. A collaboration between the LSU quarterback and Commanders WR Terry McLaurin should terrify opposing defenses.
3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
After missing out on landing Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, or Gardner Minshew II to bolster their quarterback room via free agency, the New England Patriots must make up for it with the third overall pick.
After trading away Mac Jones, New England turns to former North Carolina Tar Heel Drake Maye with the third overall pick of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, giving new head coach Jared Mayo a talented signal-caller to begin the new era of Patriots football.
4) Cincinnati Bengals (from ARI): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Trade: The Bengals receive the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Cardinals receive WR Tee Higgins, the 18th overall pick, and the Bengals’ 2025 first-round pick.
Our first blockbuster trade of the night creates this scenario: Tee Higgins gets his much-awaited chance to become a No. 1 wide receiver in the league by heading to the desert, where Kyler Murray awaits him. Arizona sacrifices the fourth overall pick to get Higgins.
After the Cincinnati Bengals officially grant Higgins’ wish to be traded, they upgrade with the top WR in the 2024 NFL Draft, Marvin Harrison Jr.; imagine Harrison paired with Ja’Marr Chase and a healthy Joe Burrow feeding them the ball!
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Norte Dame
Yes, wide receiver is a significant need following the Allen trade. However, judging by the signing of running back Gus Edwards and the much-debated trade deal involving the six-time Pro Bowl WR, new head coach Jim Harbaugh looks set to roll out a physical attack.
He’ll need a tone-setter on the offensive line to make that happen. That’s where the physically imposing Joe Alt comes in. He has many strengths, including his power, but his field IQ and quick reaction to oncoming rushes are equally alluring.
6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Brian Burns fills a significant need in the trenches, which rules out an EDGE find here. While the New York Giants could still turn to tackle at this spot, they did miss on landing a marquee wide receiver during the free agency period.
Regardless of the QB situation (more on that later), Malik Nabers helps fill the WR needs early in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
7) Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Titans could still consider WR here, especially if they strike out on reuniting new coach Brian Callahan with his former wide receiver Higgins.
However, with Calvin Ridley now locked in, I believe Tennessee will turn to the later rounds to add to WR. Callahan can now focus on grabbing protection for Will Levis. Olumuyiwa Fashanu is the best option and a gift for the Titans.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Talk of drafting a quarterback can finally cease in Atlanta now that Kirk Cousins was handed $180 million. Raheem Morris can officially turn his attention to defense with this selection.
With Morris and new defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake being defensive back experts, they’ll need a Jalen Ramsey-type for this defensive scheme they’re bringing over from the Los Angeles Rams. Terrion Arnold is the perfect guy for that role, following an impressive 2023 and a breakout 2024 Combine.
9) Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Even with the D.J. Moore and Allen pairing, why not one more explosive element in the Windy City?
Brock Bowers becomes a versatile chess piece for Williams and the Bears who can punish defenders with his blocking and then frustrate coverages with his speed and red-zone ability. Adding Bowers gives Chicago a needed presence inside the 20-yard line.
10) New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
While the New York Jets addressed offensive tackle in a big way by signing perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith and trading for Morgan Moses, that only addressed a short-term tackle need. There’s the long-term to address.
Taliese Fuaga is a massive mauler who can set an angry tone in the Jets trenches –- which should be to the liking of QB Aaron Rodgers and RB Breece Hall.
11) Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Now that the Minnesota Vikings have added an extra first-round selection, they can address quarterback at one of those spots. However, Laiatu Latu gives Minnesota the needed motor and versatility that Danielle Hunter provided before his departure.
12) New York Giants (from DEN): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Trade: The Giants receive the 12th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Broncos receive Daniel Jones, the 47th pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The only other high-profile quarterback to not be traded is Daniel Jones, but that ends here as Denver takes him in. The Giants then swoop up J.J. McCarthy as their new face of the franchise.
While some Denver fans may scoff at this move, remember: Sean Payton once traded for a QB with his own injury history in Drew Brees. That partnership ended up working out perfectly in New Orleans.
The biggest issue here would be cap space with Denver already on the hook for Wilson’s contract and Jones being due $35 million in salary this year.
The trade would save the Giants $13.8 million in cap space this season, so you may even see them willing to eat a little bit of the salary due this year in order to make a deal work.
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Las Vegas Raiders addressed interior defensive help in a big way by signing Christian Wilkins, eliminating the thought of selecting a defensive tackle here. However, now they need to solidify the cornerback position.
Toledo standout Quinyon Mitchell has skyrocketed on draft boards with a huge Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, resulting in his selection in the first half of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
14) New Orleans Saints: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Chase Young, even on a one-year deal, helps convince the New Orleans Saints to hold off on getting edge rusher help. With Michael Thomas out, they turn to WR help next to Chris Olave. The big-bodied and hyper-explosive Rome Odunze lands here.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Indianapolis Colts have a very underrated embarrassment of riches on the EDGE. Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Dayo Odeyingbo combined for 26 sacks.
Still, adding the freakishly athletic Dallas Turner puts them in the early conversation for best EDGE depth here. Looking at past Colts picks, they covet freak athletic machines, and Turner fits that bill.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Mike Macdonald needs a tone-setter and a Justin Madubuike-type for his first Seattle Seahawks defense. Johnny Newton has the snap explosion and alignment versatility to ignite his first unit.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Former WR Ridley landing with a fierce rival of the Jacksonville Jaguars powers this 2024 NFL Mock Draft selection. Trevor Lawrence could end up fawning over the height, hyperactive foot speed, and lateral twitch Keon Coleman possesses.
18) Arizona Cardinals (from CIN): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse comes equipped with top-10 talent yet has lately been falling toward the end of the top 20 in mock drafts. Regardless of that perception, he’s a gift selection for a team without a single six-sack player last fall.
Head coach and former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon gets his Hasson Reddick in the desert through Verse.
19) Los Angeles Rams: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Aaron Donald’s retirement brings forth this selection for the Los Angeles Rams. Byron Murphy II has the pass-rushing upside needed to make up for Donald’s departure, plus he pairs nicely with 2023 breakthrough rookie interior defender Kobie Turner.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
JC Latham is another with top 10 potential who unfortunately falls. However, he’s a pivotal need for a Pittsburgh Steelers team that can now address the offensive line, especially after making their two swift moves to land QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
21) Miami Dolphins: Nate Wiggins CB, Clemson
The Miami Dolphins looked too cash-strapped to land Jaylon Johnson or even Carlton Davis III to replace Xavien Howard during the initial wave of free agency. The next best option is the 2024 NFL Draft, where Nate Wiggins gives Miami a dynamic man corner next to Jalen Ramsey.
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon
This would be a no-brainer pick if Jackson Powers-Johnson falls to the Eagles. The immediate replacement for Jason Kelce is in the form of the intelligent and tenacious Oregon Duck.
23) Minnesota Vikings (from HOU): Bo Nix, QB Oregon
Oregon players go back to back at Nos. 22 and 23 as the Vikings top off their QB room with Bo Nix. As much as All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson may have wanted Fields, Nix can create out of structure and engineer explosive plays that could prove alluring for the Vikings WR1.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
While tackle is a high need, Jerry Jones isn’t shy about adding firepower to the offense. With Michael Gallup gone and Brandin Cooks having one year left on his deal, Jones and the Dallas Cowboys go for a potential volcanic pairing between the fastest man in NFL Combine history, Xavier Worthy, and the Cowboys’ All-Pro CeeDee Lamb.
25) Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Cooper DeJean has the chance to become an absolute fan favorite for the Green Bay Packers. He has excellent positional versatility to bounce between CB and safety. But it’s the latter position where DeJean could best fill in Green Bay.
26) San Francisco 49ers (From Tampa Bay): Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Trade: The 49ers receive pick 26 in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Bucs receive picks 31 and 63.
With Young off to the Saints and Clelin Ferrell heading to the Commanders, help opposite of Nick Bosa becomes the motive here. Chop Robinson hasn’t had the best production, and some believe he could’ve been more stellar.
However, he’s got the physical tools, and he’ll go to a place known for getting the best out of defensive ends needing a spark — à la Young, Ferrell, and Arden Key.
27) Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Kool-Aid McKinstry could’ve gone higher in the draft if he had been more consistent with his long speed and reaction to releases when facing stouter wideouts on Alabama’s schedule. But he’s as physical as they come and is a strong zone coverage communicator who Gannon could love.
28) Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Curtis Samuel isn’t a bad signing. Yet, he’s not going to strike fear into defenses as a red-zone threat — not at 5’11”. That’s where the more imposing 6’4” Brian Thomas Jr. comes in. With blazing 4.33-second 40-yard dash speed, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen gets a much-needed threat to blow the top off defenses next to Samuel and Stefon Diggs.
29) Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
The Detroit Lions’ secondary got torched throughout the playoffs –- even in the wins over the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Puka Nacua and Mike Evans, respectively, shredding this unit. Despite his lean frame, Kamari Lassiter has the long-strider speed and acceleration to limit route separation, which the Lions need at cornerback.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Zay Flowers, despite his combustible AFC title game performance, gave this offense an explosive downfield threat. Adonai Mitchell provides the AFC runners-up — and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson — with the same element but adds needed height to the room at 6’4”.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from SF): Graham Barton, Center, Duke
Trade: The Bucs receive picks 31 and 63; the 49ers receive pick 26 in the 2024 NFL Draft;
If the playoff loss in Detroit was any indication, the Bucs didn’t have anyone to alert the rest of the line that blitzes were coming. The Lions got three of their four sacks on blitz calls. Graham Barton can add a needed signal-caller to relay adjustments while bringing his versatility, power, smarts, and first-snap explosion all in tow.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
There are members of the Chiefs Kingdom hoping to see Worthy drop all the way here. While it could still happen, K.C. must have a contingency plan at WR, with the Texas wide receiver boosting his draft stock following Indy.
In the case of Ja’Lynn Polk, he brings high-point strength and has the speed to create sudden late separation. His fluid feet are perfect for this fast-paced offense.
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!