What is real, and what is a smokescreen? At this point in the NFL Draft lead-up cycle, you must be wary of what you hear and see.
With this latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, we attempt to lock in on the fits and use the information at our disposal to try to sift through the noise to find the real and narrow down what may happen at the end of the month.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It’s been long suspected that Caleb Williams would be the man in Chicago, and it seems to be about the only sure thing at this point. The Bears present a unique situation for a rookie quarterback, and with the addition of Keenan Allen to the mix, Chicago is loading up to help the young QB get off on the right foot.
2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Washington Commanders have been big-time players in free agency, and their approach reeks of a team ready to add a young quarterback to their roster.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter was quoted as saying he believes Jayden Daniels should be “penciled in” at the No. 2 spot. In my mind, he enters the league with a new regime in Washington that looks eager to compete from Day 1, putting him in the best position to be successful.
3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
It would be hard to look at the New England Patriots quarterback situation right now and decide to pass on one of the top-tier options that is sure to be available to them with the third overall pick.
There are no guarantees that Drake Maye will work out, but an uncertain future feels more encouraging if you have a young QB in the fold to help lead the way. The Patriots have options with this pick, but they stand pat in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft and take their quarterback.
4) Minnesota Vikings (From ARI): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Trade: The Vikings receive the fourth overall pick; the Cardinals receive the 11th and 23rd overall picks.
This is where things get wild. The Minnesota Vikings have been preparing for this move and found a willing partner in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft in the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona loses the chance at Marvin Harrison Jr. with this decision but now holds three first-round picks to build for their roster in a big way.
The Vikings make an aggressive move and get their guy. J.J. McCarthy looks to be the first eyebrow-raising move of the NFL’s annual selection event, and the Vikings take who they think can be their replacement for Kirk Cousins.
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Chargers benefit significantly by holding firm with the fifth overall pick and allowing arguably the best player in the 2024 NFL Draft to fall to them.
Los Angeles traded Allen to the Bears and released Mike Williams, but they’ll replenish the position with Harrison, who gives Justin Herbert a top-tier pass catcher to target.
6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Malik Nabers is a playmaker in every sense of the word. There are rumors that the New York Giants may try to land one of the top four quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, but adding a premium talent at the WR spot is equally likely.
If Harrison weren’t in it, Nabers would easily be the WR1 in the class, and some still believe he could be.
7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The physically gifted offensive lineman will be an immediate starter in any offense, and the Titans are the beneficiary here. With Tennessee adding outside weapons in free agency, landing Joe Alt to help Will Levis is the right move for a team looking to be well-rounded offensively.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Dallas Turner will provide a real weapon to the pass rush in Atlanta. The Falcons add a skilled edge defender with outstanding athletic traits to a team putting together a quality offseason.
MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The franchise could select a WR here or even grab some secondary help, but Turner gives them a much-needed pass rusher.
9) Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
With the selection of Williams, the Bears got their quarterback of the future. Now, they have another outside weapon alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen to help their rookie passer in his rookie campaign.
Rome Odunze is a highly productive college wide receiver nearly as explosive as the two guys who went before him. The Washington standout has a chance to make an instant impact on a team that looks to be making some exciting moves.
10) New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Jets’ offensive line is upgraded in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft with the selection of Olu Fashanu.
They already signed longtime Cowboys star Tyron Smith, and as they move forward, adding help to the line to keep Aaron Rodgers upright will be vital to the team’s success. As long as Rodgers is out there, the team has a chance to be good each week.
11) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
With the first of their three picks in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Cardinals take Terrion Arnold, who may be the best pure cover cornerback in the class.
With coverage stickiness, smooth hips, the ability to track the ball, excellent catch-point skills, and a high football IQ, Arnold is everything you want from a CB prospect.
12) Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Broncos watched the Vikings make the move of the draft, and while they do not have the chips nor the desire to be as aggressive as them, they still take a QB here that they think can build with in the future. Sean Payton gets his guy, and it is a new day in Denver, with Bo Nix looking to be the QB of the future.
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
There are many ways the Raiders could go with this pick. However, they take a much-needed tackle talent, adding a quality piece to their offensive line to protect whoever the QB may be in 2024.
Taliese Fuaga brings some tenacity to the group as they look to create running lanes and keep their QB1 upright.
14) New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
The Saints add an impact offensive lineman and get much-needed protection for Derek Carr. New Orleans looks to be physical on both sides of the ball in 2024, and inserting Troy Fautanu into the mix adds another powerful piece to that puzzle that was clearly missing in 2023.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
With his ability to play inside or out, the Colts are adding an excellent CB to their defensive backfield in Quinyon Mitchell. The Toledo talent’s rise up draft boards has been fun to watch, and while he settles in as a top-15 pick in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, it wouldn’t be a shock if he goes even higher than this.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Graham Barton, G, Duke
Graham Barton landing here at No. 16 to the Seahawks feels like a great spot based on fit.
The former Blue Devils left tackle projects to move inside in the NFL and should be able to do so smoothly. Yet, some think he can play tackle, and that shouldn’t be ruled out. Either way, Barton will help the Seahawks’ offensive line from Day 1 — wherever he lines up.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Jaguars welcome Brian Thomas Jr. and instantly add another weapon for Trevor Lawrence, making up for the loss of Calvin Ridley. Landing an intriguing playmaker for their QB, who is at a pivotal point in his career, seems like an excellent move for the Jags’ offense.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The tight end position is an interesting one. Brock Bowers is a top-five talent who could slip down the 2024 NFL Draft order based solely on perceived positional value.
MORE: Top TEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Bengals take the best player available here, adding an elite weapon to the mix for Joe Burrow. Bowers helps round out an already quality Cincinnati passing game.
19) Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The productive pass rusher brings dynamic ability off the edge for any defense, and for Laiatu Latu to fall to pick No. 19, it feels like a steal that the Rams will gladly take advantage of.
With Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Rams will look for other ways to generate pressure on the quarterback, and adding Latu is a good start to replacing that production.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Offensive tackle help for the Steelers is going to be pivotal to their success. With Russell Wilson to build around, Justin Fields in the fold as an option, and a solid core of offensive weapons, fortifying the protection up front appears to be the next priority.
Amarius Mims can be that piece right away as the Steelers look to ring in the Russ/Fields era in the Steel City.
21) Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Dolphins get their center of the future in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Physical, nasty, and intelligent are the best ways to describe Jackson Powers-Johnson, and the standout Oregon Duck helps solidify the interior of the Dolphins’ offensive line.
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Nate Wiggins could (and probably should) go sooner than this, and he may even be viewed as better than some of the cornerback picks that have gone before him. However, in this first-round scenario, he goes to the Eagles and adds big-play ability to their aging secondary.
23) Arizona Cardinals (From CLE via HOU via MIN): Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
The Cardinals took their next star CB, then came back around toward the end of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft and selected a disruptor for the interior of their defense.
Johnny Newton is a versatile playmaking DT with the strength and athleticism to be a force from any alignment. He will be an excellent piece in the middle of the Cardinals’ defensive line and only the second of a transformational day for the franchise.
24) Dallas Cowboys: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Protecting the quarterback is crucial to offensive success. It’s something that the Cowboys will need to be better at next year after losing significant elements from the line this offseason.
Insert Alabama OT JC Latham into the mix, and this Cowboys team feels they may have a piece they can move over to the left side and be the Tyron Smith replacement for the next decade.
25) Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Some consider Cooper DeJean a safety, but I think he can be a cornerback and do it all in between. While some are slowly shifting him to being a back-end roamer, I think it’s important not to pigeonhole him. He adds supreme athletic ability to a Packers team that can use his ability in the secondary.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse could easily go in the top 15 of the 2024 NFL Draft, although his stock has been sliding, at least publicly, lately. However, The Buccaneers recognize a talent here and capitalize on it by replenishing their pass rush with a powerful pass-rushing piece.
27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Keon Coleman is big and physical and attacks the football. Adding the FSU wide receiver to Kyler Murray’s arsenal will be a big deal. The productive pass catcher should fit right into their offensive style and add a dangerous weapon after adding two defensive game-changers earlier.
28) Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Adding Adonai Mitchell to this Josh Allen-led offense after trading away Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis feels necessary. It’s a great situation for Mitchell, as he can immediately come in and be one of the primary weapons for an excellent quarterback.
29) Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Chop Robinson’s ability and experience at Penn State should translate well to the Lions’ defensive style, and he can be an instant upgrade to Detroit’s pass-rush group.
The Lions could go with a few different options here, but you can never have enough pass-rush help.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Xavier Worthy exploded onto the draft scene after his 4.21-second 40-yard dash time broke the NFL Combine record.
MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The blazing-fast former Longhorn would provide another much-needed weapon for Lamar Jackson as they look to reload, attack the AFC, and return to the Conference Championship Game.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Smooth, productive, and high-level athlete are all accurate ways to describe former Bama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. The 49ers add a productive CB to their secondary and more young talent to a team already loaded with it. This is a great fit for the young cornerback.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Although the Kansas City Chiefs added Marquise Brown this offseason, the situation surrounding Rashee Rice and a lack of depth at the receiver position could see the franchise strike for a pass catcher at the end of the first round.
However, they also have to upgrade their offensive line, and the selection of Tyler Guyton in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft gives them a talented playmaker who still has room to grow and develop.
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