Facebook Pixel

Josiah Caswell’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Commanders Add Jayden Daniels, Vikings Make Huge Move for J.J. McCarthy

The 2024 NFL Draft is just one month away. In the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, some players fall, and some find their way to the top.

It’s official: the 2024 NFL Draft is one month away. Free agency has slowed down, and teams are shifting their focus almost entirely to the draft.

As a result, we have a better idea of what different teams might target. My last 2024 NFL Mock Draft was based strictly on what I would do. This time, I’ve designed it based on what I feel each team will or could do.

2024 NFL Mock Draft

1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

I think this pick is the most obvious one in the entire draft. The Bears haven’t hidden it; it’s been Caleb Williams or Justin Fields. Ultimately, Fields got traded, and that leaves this pick as all but a lock to be Williams’ landing spot.

While things didn’t work out with Fields, especially considering his supporting cast, the Bears will get an opportunity to reset the rookie contract window and adequately support their guy this time. They’ve already traded for Keenan Allen to pair with DJ Moore, and they aren’t done yet.

2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

File this 2024 NFL Mock Draft selection under “I don’t think they should do, but ultimately will.” Jayden Daniels had a fantastic 2023 season that saw him win the Heisman Trophy. A big reason for that success was his incredible development, which has also fueled his ascension as an NFL prospect.

Rumors have been flowing that the Commanders love Daniels and — barring a trade — they get their guy in this scenario. If they aren’t taking Daniels, it would likely be Drake Maye as their other suitor.

3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC

While many are down on Drake Maye, I’m not, and neither are NFL teams. If he doesn’t go to the Commanders, the Patriots should run to the podium to turn in their ticket. Maye has the ceiling and floor to be a special player for a long, long time.

While it was already clear the Patriots were likely moving on, trading Mac Jones confirmed that. They could still take Daniels if he’s here, but I think New England prefers Maye and would be ecstatic to have him run their franchise for the foreseeable future.

4) Minnesota Vikings (From ARI): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Trade: The Cardinals receive picks 11, 23, 129, 230; The Vikings receive the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

I’m only doing one trade in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and it’s right here. The Vikings have been gathering the tools to trade up and get their quarterback, and they do it by moving up to fourth overall to get J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy has been a polarizing player this cycle. Still, I think he’s got the talent to be a game-changer at the next level, and now he’ll be throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and potentially even more.

5) Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

This is a match made in heaven, and the Chargers should be ecstatic that the draft fell this way because they get arguably the best player in the class. On top of getting the best player, Los Angeles gets arguably its most significant position of need.

This offseason, LA let go of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, with Allen being traded and Williams being cut. As a result, their current top receiver is Quentin Johnston, who struggled heavily as a rookie. Marvin Harrison Jr. would immediately become a top duo with quarterback Justin Herbert.

6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Let the run of wide receivers commence, with the Giants grabbing their new WR1. The Giants have struggled at the position ever since Odell Beckham Jr. left, and Malik Nabers is a high-upside player who’s almost as “can’t miss” as you can get.

The Giants will still have a question mark at quarterback, but no matter who it is, Nabers will be a reliable target from Day 1. That said, if McCarthy or Daniels does somehow slide to the sixth selection, New York is a potential destination for either.

7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

This is another pick that, unless they trade back, I’m very confident will happen. The Titans have hit free agency hard, filling positions of need at wide receiver, cornerback, center, running back, and more. However, they still need help on the offensive line.

Joe Alt would start Day 1 at left tackle for Tennessee, creating a very strong left side of the offensive line. He would be playing next to 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski at left guard and free agency signing Lloyd Cushenberry III at center.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Falcons could go in a few directions, but EDGE makes the most sense. Atlanta has struggled to rush the passer well for years, and now they have an opportunity to get arguably the best pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Dallas Turner isn’t as good as his former teammate Will Anderson Jr. just yet, but he arguably has more talent and upside while being an outstanding talent immediately for Atlanta.

9) Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Yes, the Bears already traded for Allen and Moore. However, if they want to give Williams the best chance to succeed, they can load that WR room from top to bottom. If this does come to fruition, the USC quarterback should have weapons galore, so long as Chicago has enough protection on its offensive line.

Rome Odunze is a future star. While he doesn’t need to be the top target for the Bears immediately, he could be and will likely develop into it over time.

10) New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

This pick was a tough one for me. The Jets need help pretty much everywhere on offense, but their free agent moves look like they’re going all-in on 2024. That means, while Tyron Smith and Mike Williams aren’t long-term solutions, they’re enough to fill the need for one year.

As a result, Brock Bowers is the best option to win now. He would replace Tyler Conklin as the Jets’ starting TE and become a potential top target for Aaron Rodgers.

11) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Cardinals have so many needs, with pass rusher being one of them. With Turner off the board, Laiatu Latu is the best available and a perfect fit. Even if Turner was on the board, the UCLA talent is arguably the more complete prospect right now.

Latu’s deep pass-rush bag, combined with his ability to survive in the run game, should become a scary presence early in his career.

12) Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

This could be surprising, but the Broncos have shown a clear interest in the quarterback market, and Bo Nix is the best one left. It also helps that Nix fits the type of quarterback Sean Payton wants to run his offense.

MORE: You Can Add Broncos to List of Potential NFL Draft Trade-Up Teams

While he’s a bit older and had some early struggles, Nix saved his career at Oregon and proved he can play at a high level in structure, not turning the ball over. Nix can minimize mistakes and still distribute the ball, making him a good fit.

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Olu Fashanu has had an interesting draft process. On one hand, he’s one of the best pass protectors in the draft. On the other hand, he has historically small hands at the position and isn’t free of any concerns on tape either, specifically in the run-blocking realm.

However, he’s still a fantastic player and falls right into the Raiders’ lap at 13. Las Vegas still has Kolton Miller at left tackle, but Thayer Munford Jr. could be replaced at right tackle.

14) New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

This one is simple to me. The Saints need OL help, and Taliese Fuaga is arguably the best overall offensive lineman in the draft. He could play tackle at a high level or play guard at an even higher level; it’s up to the Saints.

Currently, New Orleans has Trevor Penning at LT and James Hurst at LG. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fuaga ended up at either of those two spots.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Cooper DeJean and the Colts is arguably my favorite fit in the draft. While DeJean can play in the nickel, outside, or at safety, he’d be the perfect outside corner in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s scheme.

Bradley loves running a heavy Cover 3 scheme, and DeJean is the perfect player to utilize. Additionally, the Colts struggled to cover receivers in 2023, with Dallis Flowers, JuJu Brents, and Jaylon Jones as their outside corners. The Iowa standout would be able to find himself a starting job pretty quickly.

16) Seattle Seahawks: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The first Alabama corner to go off the board is Terrion Arnold, with the Seattle Seahawks landing a player at a significant position of need. While rookie Devon Witherspoon shined at nickel, Tariq Woolen struggled. Additionally, Michael Jackson had his struggles playing across from Woolen.

Arnold, who can play nickel and outside, would give the Seahawks an outstanding player outside and add some flexibility for how they use Witherspoon.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Jaguars could go a handful of ways, but it’s likely they snag a wide receiver or cornerback in Round 1. Ultimately, though, Jacksonville has Tyson Campbell, who struggled in 2023 and is a free agent next year, and Ronald Darby, who is 30, as their starting outside corners.

Quinyon Mitchell passes the eye test and the measurables test. He would give the Jaguars a high-level starting corner and immediately improve their depth.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Bengals’ priority the last few years has been to protect Joe Burrow and keep him healthy. They signed Trent Brown in free agency, but he doesn’t serve as a long-term option and could be replaced.

JC Latham is one of the strongest tackles the NFL Draft has seen in a long time, and he would become a cornerstone of the Bengals’ offensive line, something they’ve been looking for.

19) Los Angeles Rams: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

One of the biggest stories this offseason has been the shocking retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. As a result, that leaves a gaping hole at the position for the Rams. While Los Angeles still has Kobie Turner, who shined as a rookie, they need another.

That’s where Johnny Newton comes in. Newton is the best defensive tackle in the draft and brings a pass-rush presence that the Rams lose without Donald. Also, similar to the departed superstar, Newton’s biggest knock is that he’s undersized.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Another pick that just makes so much sense is Amarius Mims to Pittsburgh. Just a year after taking Broderick Jones — another Georgia product — the Steelers could have the two Bulldogs as their tackles for a long time.

Drafting Mims would allow Jones to return to left tackle, with Mims slotting in on the right. A fun fact, however, is that the two did not start opposite of each other at Georgia despite being drafted in back-to-back years.

21) Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Dolphins have quite a few needs, but center is a glaring one. They signed Aaron Brewer in free agency, but he doesn’t serve as a long-term answer, nor could he even serve as an immediate answer.

MORE: Top iOL in the 2024 NFL Draft

Jackson Powers-Johnson is the best center in the draft and has an excellent chance to be one of the better ones early in his career. The Dolphins could use that, especially in a year where they’re looking to contend for a Super Bowl.

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Ever since they lost Super Bowl 57, the Eagles have struggled at outside corner. Darius Slay has been good, but he’s aging. Outside of him, though, it’s been a bare cupboard.

Adding one of the best corners in the draft is a pretty good solution to that problem.

Kool-Aid McKinstry doesn’t have the ball production teammate Arnold does, but he’s targeted significantly less and gives up less separation. That’s exactly what the Eagles need to improve their defense.

23) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Cardinals, in my opinion, get one of the steals of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. They need a corner and land Nate Wiggins, who has a case for the best coverage corner in the entire draft. He would likely slot in as Arizona’s top corner immediately.

The biggest knock for Wiggins is his frail frame and light weight, but it doesn’t hinder him as much as it could. The Cardinals now have their EDGE1 and CB1 from this class.

24) Dallas Cowboys: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Like many teams this year, the Cowboys need help on the offensive line. They lost long-time starting LT Tyron Smith to free agency and now have a gaping hole. As of now, Tyler Smith has kicked out from left guard to left tackle, but that still leaves a hole.

MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

Troy Fautanu can play both guard and tackle, giving Dallas the choice to do whatever they want with Smith and still be able to start Fautanu and get high-level play out of their rookie.

25) Green Bay Packers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

I feel like a broken record at this point, but the Packers are another team that needs OT help. Green Bay cut David Bakhtiari earlier this offseason as a cap casualty after spending the last few years struggling with injury.

Tyler Guyton is a raw prospect but with incredible upside. If the Packers can handle his rookie-season woes, there’s a good chance they’ll have a new long-term tackle from this 2024 NFL Mock Draft selection.

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU

Jared Verse could go much higher, but in this case, he stays in the state with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay lost Shaq Barrett to free agency, leaving pass rusher as their most significant need. Luckily for them, the highest-floor edge rusher in the draft falls right to them in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

For Verse, he’s a bit older and lacks bend and change of direction, but he has incredible hands and power. He has a good chance to start immediately for Tampa Bay.

27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Cardinals have spent this 2024 NFL Mock Draft filling needs with great players. With EDGE and cornerback both down, that leaves wide receiver. Although they didn’t get Harrison due to their trade down, Arizona still grabs one of the best X wide receivers available in Brian Thomas Jr.

MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft

Thomas had 17 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards in 2023, and there was plenty more on the table. He could quickly become Kyler Murray’s top target and a dominant X at the next level.

28) Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Even though the Bills don’t get Thomas, Adonai Mitchell is no consolation prize. The Texas standout is a spectacular route runner and can go up and get the football.

Getting Mitchell would give Josh Allen another weapon, keeping Stefon Diggs to Z and moving Khalil Shakir back into the slot where he belongs.

Mitchell will fill in the role of Gabe Davis, who played the X before leaving in free agency. Considering Davis’ disappointment in 2023, there’s a good chance Mitchell could be an upgrade quite quickly.

29) Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

The Lions will focus on improving their defense this season. While cornerback was their most significant need, they made moves in free agency to fill those shoes. Additionally, all of the top options are off the board in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

That leaves pass rusher as Detroit’s next biggest need. They need another presence alongside Aidan Hutchinson.

Chop Robinson is the best pure pass rusher in this draft and would immediately improve the Lions’ pass rush. He does, however, need to improve in run defense.

30) Baltimore Ravens: Graham Barton, G, Duke

The Ravens are one of the most complete teams in football, and that’s why they went as far as they did in 2023. However, they lost guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency and must fill that hole. As a result, they can get an offensive line chess piece, Graham Barton.

Barton played left tackle for Duke but projects best as either a center or guard. He’d likely fill in Zeitler’s shoes but could play tackle or center if needed.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

The 49ers love pass rushers, but they love something else even more — chess pieces. San Francisco lost Chase Young and Javon Kinlaw, among others, to free agency. As a result, they’ll draft Darius Robinson, someone who can play both inside and out.

The 49ers are one of the best defensive linemen developers in the league, and Robinson would be a perfect fit. They can develop him wherever they want and move him around for whatever matchup they want to take advantage of.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Finally, Byron Murphy II‘s fall ends. Yet, it’s another fantastic player falling right into the hands of the Super Bowl champions. Murphy is the best pure pass-rushing DT in the draft, but he’s quite undersized.

GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades

This Chiefs’ selection pairs him with Chris Jones, giving Kansas City one of the best defensive tackle pass-rushing duos in the entire NFL. Despite losing L’Jarius Sneed, KC improves its pass rush and looks to run it back as one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2024.

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!

Related Stories