NFL Analysis
12/26/23
15 min read
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Latest First-Round Predictions After Week 16
There are not many things better than football on Christmas.
There also are not many things better than mock drafts the day after Christmas. I mean, who doesn’t like getting gifts the day after Christmas? That’s how a lot of these teams feel as we inch closer to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Christmas weekend football brought us many changes to this week's mock draft series. Let’s dive into them.
LATEST 2024 NFL MOCK DRAFT
1. Chicago Bears
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: No change here with the No. 1 overall pick. Even with Justin Fields showing some promising signs, the Chicago Bears’ best bet is trading Fields while his value is high and drafting his replacement in Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
The Bears' upside is capped with Fields. Even with some of Williams’ consistency concerns, his ceiling is much higher.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Arizona Cardinals continue to play themselves into the quarterback conversation, but building around Kyler Murray is the better option.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the closest thing we’ve seen to a generational wide receiver prospect. Arizona will immediately feel his impact due to his ability to dominate all three levels of the field.
3. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 230 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Fit: Any hope left in the Sam Howell era likely died this weekend when Ron Rivera turned to Jacoby Brissett again against the New York Jets. Brissett led the Washington Commanders back with what should have been a winning drive.
While Howell has shown some impressive signs in his first two years, passing up on a potential franchise quarterback such as Maye with a top-five pick would be a massive mistake for Washington.
4. New England Patriots
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: I’m begging the New England Patriots to please stop winning meaningless games toward the end of the season and playing themselves out of the quarterback sweepstakes. Luckily for them, Jayden Daniels' dominant year at LSU pushed him up draft boards at a rapid rate.
New England’s defense can still do some damage, but the offense needs to start a heavy rebuild. It starts at the top with a franchise quarterback who can create on- and off-script.
5. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 200 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The New York Giants have played themselves out of the Williams, Maye and Daniels sweepstakes with a few recent wins. While quarterback is the position they need to address the most, adding an explosive and dynamic weapon in Malik Nabers is not a bad consolation prize.
Nabers will give the Giants one more look at Daniel Jones with a legit WR1 to see if he can be their quarterback in 2025 and beyond.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The 2024 Los Angeles Chargers' roster will look a lot different than the 2023 Chargers' roster. With a ton of cap casualties and a new coaching staff, it’s tough to predict which way the Chargers will go with their first-round pick.
One thing is for sure, they need new, young talent. TE Brock Bowers is a versatile offensive weapon who can make an immediate impact for Justin Herbert and Los Angeles' offense.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 315 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The OT1 race won’t be decided anytime soon. Joe Alt feels like a better fit for some, and Olu Fashanu feels like a better fit for others. Alt and the Tennessee Titans seem like a match made in heaven.
If Tennessee wants to return to being an AFC contender, it will need to build its offensive line to keep Will Levis upright and get the running game back to what it used to be.
8. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Rome Odunze in Chicago just makes too much sense. While many want the Bears to take a wide receiver with their first selection in the first round, drafting their new franchise quarterback and still getting a dynamic receiver in Rome Odunze to add to the mix with D.J. Moore is the best of both worlds.
Odunze is one of the best route runners in this class, and he plays with excellent fluidity for a bigger wideout.
9. New York Jets
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 319 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It seems like the New York Jets’ first-round selection will be a wide receiver, offensive tackle or quarterback if one of the top three guys falls. The value of Fashanu falling to them makes this pick an easy one.
Aaron Rodgers is coming back in 2024, so keeping him protected and opening more holes in the running game should be a top priority for Joe Douglas with his first-round pick.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 213 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Atlanta Falcons continue to win games and move further from the top quarterback prospects. Still, the position is a massive blinking light heading into 2024.
While this seems a bit early for Michael Penix Jr., teams outside of the top five always pay a quarterback tax whether it’s trading up or taking the first guy out of the next tier.
11. New Orleans Saints
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 265 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: We’ve seen some regression from the New Orleans Saints defense in 2023. Cam Jordan is aging, so adding to the defensive end room with a three-down player could get the Saints’ defense back to the unit we’ve been used to the last few seasons.
Laiatu Latu can help New Orleans' run defense issues while also providing instant impact as a pass rusher on all three downs.
12. Green Bay Packers
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 196 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Fit: The Green Bay Packers have had issues stopping opposing passing games for much of the season. Terrion Arnold is a young but high-ceiling cornerback with high-level coverage skills and instincts for such a young player.
Arnold would pair nicely with Jaire Alexander and give the Packers two dynamic cover corners to set them up for the foreseeable future.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: One of the biggest surprises on Christmas was the Las Vegas Raiders' defense dominating the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders' pass rush overwhelmed Patrick Mahomes all game and forced him to make bad decisions consistently.
If Las Vegas adds to its defense — and finds a veteran option at quarterback — it has the offensive and defensive pieces to compete sooner rather than later.
Nate Wiggins is the best corner in this draft class and would allow Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ front four to dominate even more with better coverage on the back end.
14. Denver Broncos
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 202 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Russell Wilson era in Denver seems to be over. While things with his contract get a bit sticky, I will be stunned if Sean Payton doesn’t look to draft Wilson’s replacement.
J.J. McCarthy has not announced his decision to enter the draft or return to school, but he has a lot of the tools coveted for highly drafted quarterbacks. He’s just figuring out how to tap into them more consistently.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 295 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Minnesota Vikings need to rebuild the interior of their defensive line, and Jer’Zhan Newton would be a big step in the right direction.
Newton will require the right scheme fit to reach his full potential. I trust Brian Flores to get the most out of the undersize Illinois defensive lineman.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 260 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Cardinals' defense needs an influx of talented, smart players to add to Jonathan Gannon’s unit. Florida State DE Jared Verse fits the bill on both fronts.
Verse adds pass rush and run defense value to a defensive unit that lacks top-end ability across the board.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 360 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It feels like the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft a cornerback or offensive lineman with their first-round pick. They should be in the market for a quarterback, but their record takes them out of the running for the first- and second-tier guys.
J.C. Latham would slide in as a starting right tackle, allowing the Steelers to move Broderick Jones to left tackle, the position he excelled at in college.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 340 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It’s been tough to watch the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line during the last few seasons. Jonah Williams, La’el Collins and Orlando Brown have had their struggles. Getting a young, franchise-caliber left tackle in the building is too good to pass up.
Amarius Mims is a bit inexperienced but shows all the traits to develop into a franchise left tackle for Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
19. Indianapolis Colts
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Michael Pittman Jr. is injured and set to hit free agency at the end of the season. So the Indianapolis Colts need reinforcements at wide receiver (even if Pittman re-signs).
Brian Thomas Jr. has the size, speed and reliable hands to develop into a true WR1 or WR2 for Anthony Richardson.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 207 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to make an NFC playoff push, we are reminded how volatile their secondary can be. Cooper DeJean is an excellent addition to a defense that needs a slight rebuild in their back seven.
DeJean can play all over the field for the Buccaneers’ defense. His toughness, athleticism and versatility make him one of the more valuable defenders in this draft class.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 274 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Seattle Seahawks' defense is one of the more disappointing units in the NFL. Bralen Trice is the consistent presence the Seahawks need on their defensive line to complement some of the volatile players they have already.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 317 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: There’s no denying Trevor Lawrence’s natural talent, and there’s also no denying he needs better surroundings to be the caliber of player he was drafted to be out of Clemson.
Troy Fautanu is one of the most versatile offensive linemen in this draft class and can play up and down the line.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ also defense needs a lot of help. The Jaguars’ only chance of competing in the AFC is with Lawrence and the offense outplaying opposing defenses more consistently than they are now.
23. Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 242 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Los Angeles Rams may be one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC. The one big concern for them in the playoffs is whether their defense can hold up against more explosive offenses.
The Rams have a nice defensive core, but adding a talent like Dallas Turner raises the ceiling much higher.
24. Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Adding size to the Buffalo Bills' wide receiver room feels like a must. Keon Coleman would address that need perfectly.
His willingness as a blocker and ability to make tough catches all over the field are a perfect fit for Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 187 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Another week, another disappointing outing for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. This unit lacks size, speed and reliability throughout the depth chart.
Troy Franklin brings reliability, college production and the ability to affect all three levels of the field for Mahomes.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 314 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: With Tyron Smith continuing to struggle to stay healthy and Tyler Biadasz expected to hit free agency, adding a versatile lineman in Graham Barton would be a home run for the Dallas Cowboys.
Barton has played the last three years at left tackle for the Blue Devils. He started his career at center and is expected to make the switch inside in the NFL.
27. Houston Texans
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 206 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Noah Brown have exceeded expectations in 2023, but the Houston Texans' passing game has been less effective since Dell was injured. Adding more top-end talent to the wide receiver room should be a priority in a loaded wide receiver class.
Emeka Egbuka instantly upgrades the room and provides much needed depth for C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense.
28. Detroit Lions
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 195 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It’s not a secret which positions the Detroit Lions need to target this offseason, and cornerback is near the top of that list.
The Lions remain a playoff threat in the NFC, but teams can move the football through the air with relative ease, putting a cap on Detroit's ceiling in an NFC playoff race with plenty of explosive passing games.
Kool-Aid McKinstry has played well for several seasons under Nick Saban at Alabama. He’d help the Lions pass defense immediately.
29. Miami Dolphins
Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYU
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 325 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Fit: The Miami Dolphins’ offensive line has been banged up all season. It has some aging veterans and injuries spread throughout, so adding quality depth this offseason is a must for the Dolphins.
BYU OL Kingsley Suamataia has played on both sides of the offensive line and has some inside-out versatility on his resume, too.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 180 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: There’s no easy way to say it, but the Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary is a disaster. Cornerbacks James Bradberry and Darius Slay have regressed. Also, the Eagles haven’t seen much from young cornerbacks Eli Ricks, Keele Ringo and Josh Jobe.
The Eagles love their Georgia players, and CB Kamari Lassiter is a much cleaner prospect than Ringo was at Georgia last year.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 334 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: One of the more consistent themes in this mock draft series is the San Francisco 49ers adding Taliese Fuaga with their first-round pick. Fuaga fits the 49ers’ identity, mentality and scheme.
Fuaga can be a Year 1 upgrade over Colton McKivitz and make San Francisco's offense even scarier.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 196 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It will be interesting to see what direction the Baltimore Ravens go in the first round. With them needing help at wide receiver, offensive line and multiple areas on their defense, the options are wide open.
For me, the fit with Baltimore and Quinyon Mitchell is still one of my favorites in this whole draft class. Mitchell is one of the more athletic cornerbacks in this class and would pair nicely with Marlon Humphrey on the outside.