NFL Analysis
4/11/24
15 min read
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Marvin Harrison Jr. Falls Outside Top 5
Only a few weeks remain until the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway. The Stefon Diggs trade threw the league for a loop, and the fallout will be significant as the first round unfolds. This playmaker-heavy class can help contenders revamp their roster, but several teams lack assets to maneuver around.
Something has to give, and trades are surely coming as quarterbacks and receivers fall. Our latest mock draft tries to project the perfect landing spots for the top names.
2024 NFL MOCK DRAFT
1. Chicago Bears
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 214 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Despite push from some media analysts for a different top quarterback for the Chicago Bears, it'd be shocking if Caleb Williams wasn't the best of this loaded group. He has the best physical tools and pairs his raw talent with an innate ability to push the ball down the field.
It's his high football IQ that is most promising, though, as he carefully blends being an explosive yet efficient playmaker.
2. Washington Commanders
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Washington Commanders have to decide on their identity for the next decade with this pick.
Jayden Daniels has some warts as a late bloomer, but his downfield throwing prowess and explosive running could eventually offer the Commanders the chance to compete in a vulnerable NFC. Plus, ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reiterated that "signs point" toward Daniels being the guy for Washington, so this pick feels like it has all the momentum needed to happen.
3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 223 pounds
Class: R. Sophomore
Fit: The New England Patriots could justify taking Minnesota's boatload of picks to move down, but the easiest solution to the Patrios' recent drought is swinging big on a quarterback.
Going with Drake Maye is the more traditional option, as he looks the part and plays in a more projectable fashion. He's a bit of a big-game hunter, but his ability to nickel and dime a defense is underrated.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 247 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: While Marvin Harrison Jr. or a trade is the chalk value at No. 4, there's always a draft-day shocker that happens. The Arizona Cardinals' roster is desperate for a defensive playmaker after passing on Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter last year. Dallas Turner is raw in comparison, but he's a fantastic athlete who can develop into a star for Jonathan Gannon.
Arizona can easily fill its need at receiver with a quality prospect later in the round, but the team can't find a potential No. 1 rusher outside of the top 10.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 321 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Going with a receiver will also be tempting for Jim Harbaugh, but we know he's a trench guy. Joe Alt is the most pro-ready player along the line and can plug into either tackle spot for the Los Angeles Chargers. He is reminiscent of Joe Thomas, who was as steady as anyone throughout his NFL tenure.
6. New York Giants
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 209 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The smoke around J.J. McCarthy going this high almost seems too convenient for the Cardinals and Chargers. Both teams want to trade down, but quarterbacks usually slide as teams opt for higher-end talents elsewhere.
The New York Giants should want to get off the Daniel Jones train, but taking McCarthy over Marvin Harrison Jr. seems short-sighted given how dominant of a prospect Harrison is.
7. Tennessee Titans
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 312 pounds
Class: R. Junior
Fit: The benefit of hiring the father-son combination of Bill and Brian Callahan is the boost the Tennessee Titans' offensive line will get from elite positional coaching.
The elder line coach can work magic with raw tools, so giving him a top-tier piece of clay is preferred. Olumuyiwa Fashanu can be Callahan's magnum opus given his blend of size, quickness and balance.
Trade Alert
Raiders Receive: No. 8
Falcons Receive: No. 13 and No. 77; 2025 fifth-round pick
8. Las Vegas Raiders (via ATL)
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 219 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Being stuck in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert means the Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos might have to get creative to find their solutions at the position.
Las Vegas doesn't have to act completely desperate because it has Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell on the roster, but being within range of a move for J.J. McCarthy makes them trading up possible. McCarthy offers a much better physical skill set to develop than his peers on the roster.
9. Chicago Bears
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 200 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Giving up only a fourth-round pick for Keenan Allen was a massive win for the Bears, but he's yet to extend his contract beyond this season. Malik Nabers is too explosive and gifted to pass on.
New QB Williams should buy GM Ryan Poles the finest steak in Chicago if Nabers ends up on the roster.
10. New York Jets
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Height: 6-feet-3
Weight: 209 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Rome Odunze was a superstar at Washington, but teams have to consider what's best at the next level. Brian Thomas Jr. creates more separation than Odunze and teams might get tricked into selling themselves on the vertical aspect Thomas brings to an offense.
The New York Jets can't afford to use this pick on a backup blocker, so they make a risky decision here to aid Aaron Rodgers.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 214 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Most expected the Minnesota Vikings to quickly execute a second trade up after acquiring the 23rd overall pick from Houston, but it's taken so long that it's fair to wonder if the Vikings misplayed their hand.
Further mortgaging several picks to move up for McCarthy seems unwise if they can just sit tight at No. 11 and nab Bo Nix. Nix has similar tools to his Michigan counterpart but more experience.
Trade Alert
Jaguars Receive: No. 12
Broncos Receive: No. 17, No. 96 and No. 114
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via DEN)
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 212 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Missing out on Nix means Denver can slide down in the first round to recoup assets. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have to feel the heat to add a star playmaker. Moving a few picks to grab Rome Odunze is an easy decision for a team with few major holes on the roster.
Odunze can give Trevor Lawrence the efficient downfield threat Calvin Ridley failed to be.
13. Atlanta Falcons (Via LV)
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 195 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Atlanta Falcons can gather additional assets while still getting the top cornerback on the board. Atlanta might have to reach to fill a defensive need at No. 8 if they can't move down.
This is the best-case scenario, as Quinyon Mitchell is a freak athlete who could usurp A.J. Terrell as the team's top corner.
Trade Alert
Panthers Receive: No. 14
Saints Receive: No. 33 and No. 39
14. Carolina Panthers (Via NO)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 243 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: How shocking would this intradivisional trade be? The New Orleans Saints probably wouldn't love how the board has played out to this point, while the Carolina Panthers have two ripe second-round picks that almost perfectly equal the value of the 14th overall pick. The Panthers desperately need another playmaker but have otherwise filled most needs through free agency.
Brock Bowers is worth adding for this cost and would immediately headline a lacking tight end group.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 189 pounds
Class: R. Sophomore
Fit: Few teams have an offense as young as the Indianapolis Colts. Instead of adding a rookie to the mix, the Colts can finally solve their need for a stud cornerback. Terrion Arnold did it all at Alabama, proving to be a Swiss Army knife who can create high-impact plays from any spot where he lines up.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 304 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: New Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald thrived in Michigan and Baltimore with a deep rotation of defensive linemen. The Seahawks adding a guard to replace Damien Lewis might be a possibility, but the value isn't great here.
Instead, Jer'Zhan Newton will complement Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones on one of the fiercest lines in the league.
17. Denver Broncos (VIA JAX)
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 216 pounds
Class: R. Senior
Fit: Trading down once is a win for the Denver Broncos, but they could benefit from another if an opportunity presents itself.
Unfortunately, they're stuck here as the back half of teams fail to find a must-get talent. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that Michael Penix Jr. has boosted his stock in meetings with coaches, and it's not hard to imagine that Sean Payton would love Penix's vertical passing ability.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 342 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Cincinnati Bengals will naturally be drawn to another massive tackle in JC Latham. He brings incredible strength to the trenches, so he'd complement Cincinnati's veteran pair of Trent Brown and Orlando Brown Jr.
Brown is only on a one-year deal, so Latham can potentially battle for the right tackle job in 2024 and relegate Brown to being a backup.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 297 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Some scouts have Byron Murphy II, broke out in 2023 on one of the most impressive units in the nation at Texas, as the top interior defender in the class ahead of Newton. Murphy is lower to the ground and more of a pass-rusher, so the Los Angeles Rams don’t have to sell themselves hard on him being a viable heir to Aaron Donald.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 317 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The order in which the second-tier linemen go will be fascinating because each player has different strengths. Troy Fautanu can play tackle or guard but has earned the right to start on the edge first.
He's strong, technically sound and reliable enough to plug into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ left tackle opening across from Broderick Jones.
21. Miami Dolphins
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 165 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It might seem strange for the Miami Dolphins to add another receiver so early, but is there really another option if the fastest player in combine history is available for Mike McDaniel? Tyreek Hill has zero guaranteed dollars after this season, and Jaylen Waddle needs an extension soon.
Xavier Worthy might end up being a future replacement for one of them and a tremendous complementary player right away.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 173 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Philadelphia Eagles can't ignore their slow, expensive and aging cornerback room.
Nate Wiggins weighed in as the lightest corner in the class at the combine but promptly added nine pounds by his pro day. That's promising enough to boost the speedster back into the first round, given his weight was his biggest question after he stood at 173 pounds in February.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 254 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Swapping out Danielle Hunter for Jonathan Greenard should prove to be a shrewd move. Now, Minnesota has to find a strong complementary piece so that Andrew Van Ginkel isn't asked to do too much.
Florida State's Jared Verse has an NFL-ready body, is a stout run defender and has the athleticism needed to be a solid No. 2 option.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 313 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The holes at left tackle or guard are pressing for the Dallas Cowboys, depending on where they want Tyler Smith to play moving forward.
Taking one of those positions makes sense, but we can't rule out a center here, either. Graham Barton offers the versatility to play any of those positions, which is an exclusive perk he offers.
25. Green Bay Packers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 340 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: If players were taken on raw talent alone, Amarius Mims would be a top-seven pick in almost every draft over the last decade; his tape is that dominant. But he's played only 802 career snaps, so he's a risky option given the small sample size.
The Green Bay Packers have been phenomenal at drafting and developing, so giving them such an immensely gifted individual is especially enticing.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 199 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a better, deeper roster than given credit for, so the trade of Carlton Davis opened a notable hole. Seeing Kool-Aid McKinstry drop this offseason isn't shocking because he's not the best athlete at the position, but he's a reliable technician who will be effective right away.
Given the NFC South's status, Tampa Bay should be thrilled to add an immediate impact starter.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 176 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Taking a pass-rusher early frees Arizona to play the board with a bevy of picks. Troy Franklin hasn't gotten as much of a spotlight as his peers this offseason, but his tape doesn't lie.
The lanky speedster can win as an outside or inside receiver and is a dynamic presence despite weighing 176 pounds.
28. Buffalo Bills
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Most expected the Buffalo Bills to look at receivers before the Stefon Diggs trade, and now it seems inevitable they'll swing big here. There's no need to trade up given the depth in the class.
Landing Adonai Mitchell is a steal this late because he's a fantastic route-runner who was nearly impossible to guard without safety help.
29. Detroit Lions
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 259 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Detroit Lions will hit the clock without an obvious position of need to fill, which is every team's dream scenario.
Even after adding Marcus Davenport in free agency, there's room to improve the edge position across from Aidan Hutchinson. Laiatu Latu doesn't quite have the high-end power and athleticism Hutchinson had as a prospect, but Latu's deep move set and creativity are similar.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 340 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Morgan Moses trade cleared playing time for either Patrick Mekari or Daniel Faalele to step in as the Baltimore Ravens' full-time starter at right tackle. But neither should see the field in this scenario, especially given that the former allowed five sacks in 2023.
Instead, the Ravens get a massive value in the colossal Taliese Fuaga, who is a punishing road grader at right tackle.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: A first-round center is not out of the question in this class.
Zach Frazier played guard and center in college, and he has the top billing of the interior line class despite competition from Jackson Powers-Johnson. With the San Francisco 49ers, Frazier could take over at right guard for Jon Feliciano, in particular.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 221 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: This is a perfect match to close out the first round. The Kansas City Chiefs still need to find a pure vertical threat alongside Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown. Xavier Legette broke out late in his career but has the deep speed, ball-tracking and strength to complement what the Chiefs do on offense.