Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scrambles during the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As the season of giving begins, it is time for me to give my first 2024 NFL mock draft.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
A couple of caveats before we get started. First, I know it’s early but at this point, I feel like we have a good idea of what teams need. Obviously, all of this will change and part of the fun of this is seeing how the mock draft evolves as the draft gets closer. Second, I will not be doing any trades. It becomes too complicated and I have to keep track of too much. I will mention some possible trade candidates but will have nothing official. Here we go!
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Thank you Carolina is what Bears fans are saying. There will be much debate about Williams over the next five months. However, while people may disagree with how good Williams is, he does have talent. There are rumors that the Bears are looking to move on from head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles. If that happens, this pick is almost guaranteed. The new regime will want to get their guy in the building. Why not Drake Maye? I think the North Carolina blue gives the Bears organization PTSD thanks to Mitchell Trubisky.
I do think that this is an interesting trade candidate. Let’s say Justin Fields shows enough in the last part of the 2023 season where the Bears feel good moving forward with him. Chicago could get a king’s ransom for this pick and still get two top players at premium positions. The Bears could come away with a top offensive tackle and top wide receiver as well as a boatload of future draft capital. I wouldn’t bet on this but it is an intriguing possibility.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
I’ve liked what I have seen out of Kyler Murray in the two weeks he has been back. The Cardinals haven’t looked like the trainwreck that many thought they would be. In the last draft, the Cardinals when out and got Paris Johnson at the tackle position. Now, they are happy to grab the top wide receiver in the draft to pair with Murray. This won’t vault the Cardinals into the top of the league immediately but the future looks bright and the team doesn’t have to figure out what to do with Murray’s contract.
Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images
New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
I’m not sure what happened to Mac Jones but his fall has been one of the weirdest things to happen in the NFL. He looked competent his rookie season and now he can’t seem to make basic NFL passes. The Patriots need a reset at the position. It isn’t like this roster is void of talent. The defense is full of young pieces but they have gotten injured in 2023. There are some holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball but New England takes care of the most important position in football and takes Maye.
Chicago Bears: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
I really like what Darnell Wright is doing on the right side of the line for the Bears. Chicago gets the top tackle in the draft to try and solidify the line. The offensive line has been abysmal in Chicago for a long time and the front office makes a huge stride in fixing it. There is the temptation to take one of the top-skill position players but I don’t hate what the Bears have. D.J. Moore has looked good. The running back by committee is working. Cole Kmet has shown vast improvement after getting paid. The pick isn’t sexy but likely leads to long-term success.
New York Giants: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
The Giants cannot go into next season with Tommy DeVito as the starting quarterback. Daniel Jones will still be rehabbing at the beginning of the season and even when he comes back, I don’t think the organization wants Jones long term. They try and fix their quarterback situation in my 2024 NFL mock draft. Nix has had a great season at Oregon and I think the Giants organization takes a swing to find their quarterback of the future.
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The Titans are in full rebuild mode. The good news? Will Levis might actually be an answer at quarterback. After he fell during last year’s draft, Levis has shown some good promise. If he can continue to improve, the franchise may feel very comfortable moving forward with him at least in the short term. Giving the young quarterback some protection would do wonders. The Titans are happy to get one of the top tackles in the draft.
Washington Commanders: OT JC Latham, Alabama
The Commanders seem to be set with Sam Howell. I mean he does lead the league in passing after week 11 so I can’t totally fault them for it. Because of that, I don’t really know what to do with this team in the 2024 NFL mock draft. I went the boring route and gave them Latham out of Alabama who I really like the tape of. Howell has spent a good chunk of the season running for his life so the pick makes sense. One thing to watch with this pick. If there is a new coach and front office they could decide to get frisky and make a big splash.
Atlanta Falcons: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Has there ever been a situation where a quarterback gets benched, then unbenched, and then comes out and becomes the quarterback of the future? I can’t think of one and I don’t think Desmond Ridder starts the trend. I watched LSU’s latest game and in Arthur Smith’s offense, I think Daniels would be great. The Falcons need a great dual-threat quarterback who can actually get the ball to Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. The Falcons get a reset at the position and hope it sticks.
Green Bay Packers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Do you really think the Packers are going to pick an offensive player? In all seriousness, I think this is the right pick. The top offensive tackles are off the board and the Packers do have some need at the cornerback position. Eric Stokes has been injured. Jaire Alexander has been in and out of the lineup. I like what I’ve seen out of Carrington Valentine but adding one of the top cornerbacks will help this defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Mike Evans is likely gone after this season. He didn’t seem happy that the team didn’t extend him and I think he goes and tries to find a place to chase another ring. The Bucs replace him right away by bringing in one of the top receivers in college football. Odunze hasn’t just had one great season but multiple great seasons as a Huskie. I could see them going defense here as well but I think the upside of Odunze is too good to pass up.
New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Aaron Rodgers will be back for the 2024 season. The number one priority is to protect him. The Jets are hoping that one of the top tackles falls to them but if not, they will happily take Fuaga. Offensively, the Jets aren’t void of talent except on the offensive line. I think Joe Douglas does a combination of free agency and the draft to fix the offensive line.
Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Chargers defense is old. Khalil Mack is having a great season but the stats are deceptive. He has had some huge sack games to inflate his total. There needs to be an infusion of young talent and Latu is the perfect pick. He is an NFL-ready prospect who can come in and play on day one. If Latu is still on the board, this pick is a no-brainer for the Chargers front office.
Los Angeles Rams: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Of all the picks in my 2024 NFL mock draft, this is the one that I hope happens. Tyler Higbee is great but he is nowhere near a top tight end in the league. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have the wide receiver position locked down. Now, the Rams add Bowers to give Matthew Stafford another weapon on offense. It is tempting to look at a quarterback here but I think the value of Bowers is better than the fourth quarterback off the board.
Las Vegas Raiders: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
The Raiders are in a little bit of no man’s land here in the draft. Trying to figure out what to do in my 2024 NFL mock draft at this position was difficult. However, I think the Raiders go quarterback here and take McCarthy out of Michigan. Aidan O’Connell is alright but probably isn’t the long-term answer. Unless a veteran quarterback all of a sudden becomes available, I expect the Raiders to go young and try and reset for the future.
Indianapolis Colts: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The Colts need to get some talent in the secondary. They need a lockdown corner who can take on the best receiver on the other side of the ball. Wiggins has that potential and he is too good to pass up here. I could see the Colts thinking wide receiver here as well as Anthony Richardson needs some weapons to throw to. However, I think they wait until later in the draft and take a top corner here.
Denver Broncos: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
The Broncos need some pass-rush help. They ranked 30th in sacks currently. It is hard to win in this league if you cannot pressure the quarterback. Robinson is still a little raw but his ceiling is one of the highest in this draft. His length and quickness off the edge are too good to pass up. After spending a lot of money in free agency last season, the Broncos look to capitalize on cheap talent in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Indications are that Tee Higgins is likely in his last season in Cincinnati. Especially since he has been injured, the team is already learning to play without him. With that said, the Bengals see the importance of another high-level receiver opposite Ja’Marr Chase. Coleman has had a great season for the Seminoles and will get plenty of great looks in Cincinnati. While there are defensive questions for the Bengals, the team decides to augment what they do best.
Buffalo Bills: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Von Miller isn’t getting any younger and the Bills need help on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills need a better pass rush. There are a lot of quarterbacks in the AFC that they need to make uncomfortable. Fortifying the front on either side of the ball is usually a sound draft strategy. The Bills are likely upset that Coleman didn’t fall one spot but Turner is by no means a consolation prize.
New Orleans Saints: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
The Saints always seem to be good on the defensive side of the ball. However, Cameron Jordan is 34 and his best days are likely behind him. Getting Verse in the building will give him at least one year of learning under the veteran and then hopefully taking his spot. Pass rushers are a premium and the Saints decide to try and solidify their defensive line.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Kalen King, Penn State
What Brian Flores has been able to do with this defense is truly remarkable. Imagine what he can do with more talent on the roster. King has lockdown corner potential which is something the Vikings have lacked for years. Many have put a quarterback to the Vikings but I don’t see it right now. I think they try and either bring back Kirk Cousins or find another veteran. This roster has a lot of great pieces to win now and shoring up the defense would do wonders to help their ultra-talented offense.
Arizona Cardinals: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
The Cardinals were hoping that their pick from the Texans would be a little higher. However, getting Newton here would make the team very happy. Newton is one of the best interior pass rushers in the draft and it is a huge position of need for the Cardinals. After picking up an offensive weapon with their first pick, the team follows it up with a potential defensive star.
Seattle Seahawks: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
This is my biggest zag in the 2024 NFL mock draft. Quarterback isn’t the biggest need but the team isn’t committed to Geno Smith long term. This season has seen Smith struggle at times and remind fans why he bounced around the league for a while. Penix Jr. has 41 college starts under his belt making him a seasoned starter. He would be a good hometown player story as well and if he could spend a year sitting behind Smith, the Seahawks could transition seamlessly from one quarterback to another.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Steelers need some help in their cornerback room. While the front seven is dominant, the back end is susceptible to giving up big plays. He can line up anywhere in the secondary making him a great Swiss army knife for the team. Better coverage will increase the effectiveness of T.J. Watt. There are many questions at the quarterback position but DeJean is too good to pass up here.
Houston Texans: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
It is great that C.J. Stroud is having this kind of rookie season. Now the team has to protect the franchise quarterback. What is very attractive about Fautanu is that he can play either guard or tackle. While he is likely going to be a better guard than tackle, the versatility is great for a team to have. If Laremy Tunsil can come back healthy and Fautanu can slide in at guard, the Texans could have the makings of a top offensive line.
Miami Dolphins: OL Graham Barton, Duke
Similar to Houston, the Dolphins take a versatile offensive lineman. Barton can play anywhere on the line though is likely better in the interior. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa and allowing him to get the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is essential to the offense. The Dolphins have the firepower on offense but they need to fortify the line in order to deal with some of the premier pass-rushers in the AFC.
Dallas Cowboys: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka has had some injuries but make no mistake, he is still a great wide receiver. The Cowboys need to solidify the WR2 role. Brandin Cooks is nice but Ceedee Lamb needs someone who will take some real pressure off of him. Dak Prescott gets another weapon and hopefully will take their offense to another level.
San Francisco 49ers: S Kamren Kitchens, Miami
I love the tape on Kitchens. He will likely sneak up the board in my future 2024 NFL mock draft. Given the recent injury news to Tal Hufanga, the 49ers need to have some help on the backend. The 49ers are in win-now mode and Kitchens would be able to come in and succeed on a defense with so much talent.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
I’m not sold on Calvin Ridley being the top wide receiver. This could change in the final third of the season but as of this moment, I think the Jaguars look for another weapon for Trevor Lawrence. At 6-foot-3, Legette is a great weapon on the outside and even if Ridley is your top receiver, Legette on the other side isn’t bad by any means.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Chiefs need wide receiver help. Unless they swing big for Mike Evans, the Chiefs are going to have to go back to the draft. Thomas Jr. is big, fast, physical, and athletic. More importantly, he has good hands. The Chiefs lead the league in drops which is not what you want from a Patrick Mahomes-led team. I like the Chiefs to try and find their WR1 for Mahomes in the first round.
Detroit Lions: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Aidan Hutchinson is a star. He has looked even better in his second year. However, he needs help. Teams can easily double-team Hutchinson and leave the other players one-on-one. Tuimoloau has some very similar traits to Hutchinson. His relentless motor would make him perfect for this team and give the Lions another premium pass-rusher.
Baltimore Ravens: WR Tony Franklin, Oregon
Zay Flowers was a hit and the Ravens go back to the well again. Odell Beckham Jr. is on a one-year deal and Rashod Bateman hasn’t taken the next step. The team continues to try and bring in young talent for Lamar Jackson. Franklin has been involved in one of the best offenses in college football and should fit really well in Baltimore.
Philadelphia Eagles: S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
There are very few weaknesses on this Eagles team. One of them is the back end of this defense. After losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles opted to run with what they had. The front four is dominant but if an offense can block long enough, there are yards to be gained. Nubin is a three-down safety who will fit in perfectly in Philadelphia.
There it is! The first version of my 2024 NFL mock draft. Stay tuned to The Forkball for more mock drafts coming throughout the year.
