NFL Analysis
3/28/24
15 min read
NFL Mock Draft 2024: Latest Predictions One Month Before Round 1
We are officially four weeks away from the 2024 NFL Draft, and this is when the rumors start to fly.
Could J.J. McCarthy really go at No. 2? Will Drake Maye fall outside of the top five? These are the kinds of rumblings that are sure to happen with less than a month to go. So, with lying season in full swing, here is our updated mock draft with multiple trades inside the top five picks:
2024 NFL MOCK DRAFT
1. Chicago Bears
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It's pretty much a given the Chicago Bears will select Caleb Williams at No. 1. He is the best quarterback prospect in the draft, and his playstyle should immediately make the Bears must-see TV in 2024.
The Bears have done a fantastic job of adding talent on offense, and they could even be looking to draft another receiver at No. 9. The front office has done a fantastic job of building a positive environment for Williams to succeed in the NFL.
"[Williams] has been doing it for three years," former NFL coach Jay Gruden said. "What intrigues you the most about Williams is his ability to step up in the pocket. When plays break down, he's able to step up, keep two hands on the ball and find big plays downfield."
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: In the last few days, we’ve heard more rumblings about J.J. McCarthy potentially going at No. 2, but Jayden Daniels is the better prospect and better fits Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
Daniels is a dynamic weapon who can instantly make the Washington Commanders offense respectable.
"When you look at Jayden, he's more of a gifted pocket passer than you think," former NFL QB Chase Daniel said. "Obviously, he's an extremely gifted athlete. He's a unique combination of pocket passer and runner. He can sit on his back foot to get through progressions."
Trade Alert
Vikings Receive: No. 3 and No. 137
Patriots Receive: No. 11, No. 23 and 2025 1st
3. Minnesota Vikings (Trade With NE)
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 233 pounds
Class: RS Sophomore
Fit: It's no secret the Minnesota Vikings are trying to get a quarterback, which is why they've already acquired an extra first-round pick. While the Patriots need a quarterback, they are also entering Stage 1 of their rebuild. They need more draft capital and multiple Round 1 picks.
The Vikings have added one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the nation. Drake Maye has fantastic size and a great arm, but don’t underestimate his athleticism.
He needs to speed up his release and improve his decision-making, but he couldn’t ask for a better situation than being paired with Kevin O’Connell. In terms of fit, this is probably the best of the top three quarterbacks.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrsion Jr., WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: There are some rumblings the Arizona Cardinals would trade out of the No. 4 pick if they received the right package. However, it isn't easy to trade away from an elite receiver prospect, especially when the Cardinals have a need at that spot.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the last 30 years and is exactly what the Cardinals are missing on offense.
Trade Alert
Broncos Receive: No. 5
Chargers Receive: No. 12, No. 136, and 2025 1st
5. Denver Broncos (Trade With LAC)
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 219 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Trading inside your own division can be tricky, but the Chargers have no choice but to trade down here. With the Denver Broncos offering multiple first-round picks for No. 5, this allows Jim Harbaugh to rebuild the roster the way that he wants it.
Sean Payton gets his next franchise quarterback (J.J. McCarthy), and this move finally gives the Broncos something to be excited about.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 200 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Malik Nabers would have been the first wide receiver drafted in at least six of the previous eight drafts, but that's not the case here because of Marvin Harrison Jr.
The New York Giants hit a home run with Nabers falling to No. 6, finally giving Daniel Jones a bonafide No. 1 receiver.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 321 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Tennessee Titans have done an excellent job rebuilding their roster this season after acquiring L’Jarius Snead, Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley and Lloyd Cushenberry.
But the roster’s biggest weakness remains at left tackle. This draft couldn’t have fallen any better, as the top offensive tackle in the class falls to the Titans at No. 7.
Adding Joe Alt to their offensive line instantly improves the unit and gives them a long-term answer at left tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 247 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: This is the first spot where we could see a defensive player come off the board. Dallas Turner is widely regarded as the best defensive player in the class and would fill a need for the Atlanta Falcons.
However, don’t be surprised if the Falcons get a little wild and go offense to build around Kirk Cousins. As for now, we are sticking with Turner to the Falcons.
"Most of his great pass rushes are just because he's got bend," former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He has the explosiveness to close on the quarterback or running back like very few guys can."
9. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: There might not be a cleaner prospect in the draft than Rome Odunze. He checks every box, from athleticism to production and size. Pairing him with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen would give the Bears three elite receivers for Caleb Williams to throw to as a rookie.
If the draft falls this way, it’s likely the Bears could be a playoff team in 2024.
10. New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The New York Jets would have loved to see Odunze fall to No. 10, but they opt for the next-best playmaker on the board.
Brock Bowers would be a top-five pick in most drafts, but he falls to No. 10 after four quarterbacks and three receivers go inside the top-nine picks.
Bowers should have a big impact right away as a move-tight end in the mold of Sam LaPorta, with even more athleticism. He could function as Aaron Rodgers’ No. 2 passing target next season.
11. New England Patriots (Trade With MIN)
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 312 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: With Trent Brown leaving in free agency for the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots need a long-term left tackle. Missing out on a high-end quarterback prospect is difficult, but adding Olu Fashanu and multiple other first-round picks helps soften the blow.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (Trade With DEN)
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 324 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Los Angeles Chargers slide down from No. 5 to No. 12 and still pick up some quality offensive line help. Taliese Fuaga is the best right tackle in the class and would give Jim Harbaugh two outstanding tackles to rebuild his offensive line.
Fuaga could even more inside to guard if the Chargers wanted to get creative.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 189 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: New Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce has been searching for a No. 1 cornerback for his defense all offseason. Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs are good players, but not the type of players who can match up with No. 1 receivers.
Enter Terrion Arnold, who is the most polished cornerback in the draft. He doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he can match the physicality of top-end wide receivers.
14. New Orleans Saints
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 342 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: With the recent news that Ryan Ramczyk’s health is in question for the 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints cover themselves by selecting JC Latham at No. 14.
Latham is a 340-pound right tackle who can move people in the run game. Although there are some questions about his overall quickness, he would be a plug-and-play starter for the Saints.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 195 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Cornerback has been a problem spot for the Indianapolis Colts for a while now, especially after moving on from Stephon Gilmore after the 2022 season.
Quinyon Mitchell might be the best pure cover cornerback in the class, and it wouldn't be a shock if he were the first defensive player off the board. He falls a bit in this draft, but the Colts couldn’t be happier to see him available at No. 15.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 317 pounds
Class: 5-Year Junior
Fit: The Seattle Seahawks have had major turnover on their interior offensive line, and that position needs to be upgraded during the draft. Troy Fautanu was a tackle at Washington, but he has the size and power to be a Pro Bowl guard in the NFL.
He would also be an option at right tackle if Abraham Lucas can’t stay healthy. But this would be a home-run selection for Seattle should he fall to No. 16.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 209 pounds
Class: 3-Year Junior
Fit: The Jacksonville Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley in free agency and replaced him with Gabriel Davis. That is a clear downgrade, and the Jaguars have to find someone who can make plays down the field.
Brian Thomas Jr. has elite size and speed, which is hard to come by. It will take him a bit to get used to being an outside receiver in the NFL, but he is the type of receiver that Trevor Lawrence needs.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 297 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Cincinnati Bengals would love for one of the top four receivers or Brock Bowers to fall to them at No. 18, but that didn’t happen in this mock. Instead, they grab the top interior defensive lineman in the class.
Byron Murphy won’t replace D.J. Reader, as they are much different players. But Murphy gives the Bengals more of an interior pass-rush presence. Pairing him with Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and Myles Murphy provides the Bengals with a ton of pass-rush upside.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 254 pounds
Class: 5-Year Junior
Fit: Rather than panic and overdraft a defensive tackle because of Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Los Angeles Rams take the best defensive player available.
Jared Verse is a do-it-all EDGE who could immediately start for Los Angeles. Paring him with Byron Young would give the Rams two athletic rushers who are still ascending.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 340 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to move Broderick Jones to left tackle this offseason, but the roster doesn’t have a suitable replacement at right tackle.
Could the Steelers go back to the well in Athens to find their next right tackle? Amarius Mims is one of the riskier players in the draft, but the Steelers are showing a lot of interest in him.
Don’t be surprised if it’s Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin who gamble on the 340-pound right tackle from Georgia.
21. Miami Dolphins
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 203 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Miami Dolphins have rebuilt their secondary after moving on from Xavien Howard and signing Kendall Fuller. But they still need more depth on that side of the ball.
Cooper DeJean can play multiple positions, including safety and slot cornerback, giving the Dolphins the defensive backs to match up with teams like the Bills, Chiefs and Ravens.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 173 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Philadelphia Eagles have addressed multiple needs this offseason, but cornerback remains a weak spot. They have to get more athletic, and there isn't a cornerback in this class with more speed.
Nate Wiggins needs to add some weight and get stronger, but he's got the speed and quickness to be a stud outside cornerback.
23. New England Patriots (Trade With Min)
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 254 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: After trading down from No. 3 to acquire multiple first-round picks, the Patriots select another Penn State alum at No. 23.
Chop Robinson is one of the quickest and most explosive EDGE rushers in the class. With Josh Uche on a one-year deal, New England would have some insurance if he leaves in 2025.
Robinson has more size and is a better athlete, and his best football is still ahead of him.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 322 pounds
Class: 4-Year Junior
Fit: The Dallas Cowboys would like to keep Tyler Smith at left guard after his All-Pro season there in Year 2. But that means they might have to reach for an offensive tackle to replace Tyron Smith.
Tyler Guyton played right tackle exclusively at Oklahoma, but he’s got the size, length and athleticism to be a left tackle. He is still a few years away from being a refined player, but the Cowboys take a gamble here on another gifted offensive line prospect.
25. Green Bay Packers
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 313 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Graham Barton is listed as an interior offensive lineman, but he was Duke's starting left tackle during the previous two seasons.
But with his shorter arms, he projects as a guard or a center in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers lost Jon Runyan this offseason, so they could use more depth at that spot.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 328 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It’s no secret the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to upgrade their interior offensive line. Replacing Ryan Jensen has proved difficult for the team.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is the top center in the class and would be an instant upgrade in the middle for Tampa Bay.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Zach Fraizer, IOL, West Virginia
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The third center off the board in Round 1 is Zach Frazier, a zone-blocking offensive lineman with a lot of toughness. The Cardinals don’t have a huge need for this, but upgrading the interior offensive line is a must this offseason.
28. Buffalo Bills
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Buffalo Bills need help at wide receiver, and Adonai Mitchell falls right into their laps at No. 28. Mitchell isn't the most consistent receiver, but he has size, athleticism and ball skills.
That’s enough for Josh Allen. Pairing him with Stefon Diggs, Curtis Samuel, Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir would give Allen sufficient weapons to make a real run in 2024.
29. Detroit Lions
Mike Sainristill, CB, Michigan
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 192 pounds
Class: 5-Year Senior
Fit: The Detroit Lions just lost their starting slot cornerback after releasing Cameron Sutton following an arrest warrant.
Mike Sainristill is the best nickel cornerback in the class, and his supreme athleticism should allow him to immediately become an impact player.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 285 pounds
Class: 5-Year Senior
Fit: The Baltimore Ravens could go in several directions, but they take one of the best overall football players in the class. Darius Robinson is a bit of a tweener in a good way.
He can play as a base defensive end, but his best football comes from rushing inside. He can play in a 4-3 or 3-4, which is critical in Baltimore. Robinson would help the Ravens beef up their trenches heading into the 2024 season.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 165 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Do the San Francisco 49ers need offensive line help? Of course. Could they use more cornerback depth? Yes. But can Kyle Shanahan ignore Xavier Worthy's speed? Probably not.
Getting him in an offense that can utilize his YAC could make the 49ers even more dangerous on offense. Plus, it offers some insurance if the team moves on from Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk in 2025.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 311 pounds
Class: 5-Year Senior
Fit: The Kansas City Chiefs could take a wide receiver, but they opt for the offensive lineman instead. Jordan Morgan has a lot of experience at left tackle, and his athleticism could keep him there in the NFL.
But he could also slide to guard if the Chiefs move on from Trey Smith in 2025. Morgan is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft and would be a fantastic fit in Kansas City’s offense.