With the 2023 NFL season now in the books, there is nothing to do but to look forward to the next. A new year means a buttload of new talent is bound to enter the league, and judging from an astounding year of college football, there is most definitely reason to be excited about this year’s class of prospects. But without further ado, here’s the 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
- Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC
When it’s all said and done, the Bears could move on from Justin Fields and select Williams here at one, ushering themselves into a new era. The USC product has game-breaking upside and an exciting gunslinger playstyle that simply screams “Mahomes.”
- Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Simply put, Daniels is the most electric dual-threat prospect we have seen coming out since Lamar Jackson. The 2023 Heisman-winner will be a perfect fit under newly-hired offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
- New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Maye has all the tools of the prototypical NFL quarterback: a large frame, a live arm and light feet. His arm talent is by far his superpower and despite a bit of a step back in production in 2023, Maye’s upside will certainly be tough for the Patriots to pass on.
- Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio St.
The son of a Super Bowl-winning Hall of Famer, Harrison Jr. did not disappoint during his time at Columbus. Harrison Jr. looks to make an immediate impact as Kyler Murray’s top option in a young, revamped Cardinals offense.
- Los Angeles Chargers: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Jim Harbaugh makes a statement with his first pick in Los Angeles by selecting Joe Alt, a day one starter at either side of the line. Protecting franchise quarterback Justin Herbert should be priority number one moving forward, and Alt looks to be a big part of the solution.
- New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Let’s give Daniel Jones (or whoever ends up starting for Big Blue) a tough, big-bodied receiver with surefire hands to play with. Odunze led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards and had 13 receiving touchdowns to go along with in 2023.
- Tennessee Titans: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn St.
Fashanu is extremely nimble for his 6 feet 6 inches height, 300-pound frame and enters the draft as one of the most refined pass blockers in the nation. Tennessee look to rebuild their offensive line pairing him up with 2023 first-round pick, Peter Skoronski.
- Atlanta Falcons: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
If the Falcons don’t land a quarterback in the offseason, expect them to be a major trade-up candidate in this year’s draft. However, they are taking LSU’s Malik Nabers here — an explosive big-play threat who has the potential to score every time he touches the ball.
- Chicago Bears: DE Dallas Turner, Alabama
After trading for Montez Sweat at last year’s trade deadline, the Bears add to their defensive core by drafting Turner. Turner is a long, athletic edge who can affect the game in all three downs whether it be against the run or getting to the quarterback.
- New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon St.
The Jets need help up front. Fuaga is a big time mauler in the run game and has the potential to be the best tackle of this year’s class when it’s all said and done. A strong showing in the Senior Bowl makes him a lock for the top-15.
- Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Kirk Cousins will potentially return to Minnesota, but the Vikings select his protegé in McCarthy — a highly efficient playmaker with a live arm.
- Denver Broncos: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
The Broncos pair superstar Pat Surtain II with the best corner in this year’s class to form a monster tandem. Arnold reminds me a lot of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks with his strong instincts and tenacious physicality at the position.
- Las Vegas Raiders: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Wiggins is one of those guys whose stock will soar throughout the draft process. He’s a long, rangy, fluid corner who is “sticky” in coverage and has top-tier ball skills.
- New Orleans Saints: OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
Nicknamed the “Trench King,” Latham is an absolute unit who will sure-up a team’s right side for years to come. He’s dominant in the run game and has strong hands and smooth feet. Latham’s game needs some refinement, but his size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect.
- Indianapolis Colts: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Arguably the best tight end in all of college football history, Bowers can do it all. He’s a versatile threat who can line up all over the field and possesses special run-after-the-catch ability. The Colts take the best player on the board and give Anthony Richardson a new toy to play with.
- Seattle Seahawks: DE Jared Verse, Florida St.
Verse is a relentless, physical presence on the edge who has a motor that never stops going. His violent, back-breaking hands standout. He’ll add some much-needed juice to a young Seahawks defense.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Another riser post-Senior Bowl. Mitchell was a ball hawk in 2022, tallying two pick-6s, and in 2023, teams didn’t even bother throwing his way — he was “lock-down” all season (not surrendering a touchdown in 2023, per PFF). Mitchell has all the qualities of a shutdown corner.
- Cincinnati Bengals: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Big. Fast. Scores a ton of touchdowns. Thomas Jr. is a speed demon who makes the opposing secondary lose sleep at night. His route tree remains a bit limited, but the 6 feet 4 inch pass-catcher is a special weapon to have in any offense.
- Los Angeles Rams: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
One of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft class, DeJean is a top-flight athlete who possesses unique versatility to play multiple roles in the secondary. He’s tenacious in the run game and often makes big plays as a disruptor.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
After hitting a home run on Broderick Jones last draft, the Steelers draft another enormous tackle with freakish athleticism out of Georgia to keep Kenny Pickett protected moving forward.
- Miami Dolphins: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu possesses rare versatility for a prospect, as he can play at all five positions on the offensive line. Fautanu will likely end up slotting inside for the ‘Fins especially if Robert Hunt and Connor Williams aren’t retained.
- Philadelphia Eagles: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
If it weren’t for some medical concerns, Latu would be a surefire top-20 pick. Latu is the most skilled pass rusher in this year’s class. The Eagles know a thing or two about defensive line prospects, and at twenty-two, there’s a big chance Latu can end up being the steal of the first round.
- Houston Texans: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
There is a lot of Calijah Kancey in Murphy II — undersized, but twitchy and skilled in the pass rush. Houston could go in many different directions here at 23, but Murphy II would be a fun addition for defensive-guru Demeco Ryans to pair up with reigning Defensive Rookie of Year, Will Anderson.
- Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
When it comes to the big boys up front, Dallas just doesn’t seem to miss. However, the unit is aging and set to have many holes to fill this offseason. Jerry Jones and Co. take a chance on Guyton, an inexperienced prospect, but arguably the most athletic tackle in this year’s class.
- Green Bay Packers: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
An absolute bully up front, Powers-Jackson plays an aggressive style of football making him an anchor on the offensive line. Green Bay find a stud to keep rising-phenom Jordan Love protected, as well as an absolute difference maker in the run game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Chop Robinson, Penn St.
The sky’s the limit for Robinson who possesses other-worldly athleticism and juice off the edge. However, his sack production at Penn St. was a bit underwhelming (11.5 sacks in three seasons). Tampa Bay add Robinson to a defensive unit that has an interesting mix of vets and young talent.
- Arizona Cardinals: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
Unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult to name a single difference maker on defense for the Cardinals. Newton is a stout and slippery presence on the interior defensive line who can also set the tone against the run. Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, Newton shows shades of Pro Bowler Geno Atkins.
- Buffalo Bills: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Most people will expect the Bills to go with a pass-catcher since Gabe Davis is set to leave in free agency, however, McKinstry would be a great fit here. He has prototypical size and great instincts, and could fill in for the oft-injured Tre’ White and work nicely with 2022 first-rounder Kaiir Elam.
- Detroit Lions: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Rakestraw Jr. is the type of player to bite your kneecaps on the way up, much like the monologue coach Dan Campbell had at his introductory press conference. Rakestraw Jr. is a straight “dog” at the corner position, despite being a bit undersized. He’ll be a perfect fit in Detroit while also filling a positional need.
- Baltimore Ravens: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
In Mitchell, they give CeeDee Lamb vibes. He’s a smooth operator in-and-out of his routes and at 6 feet 4 inches, Mitchell possesses crazy jump-ball ability (See: his touchdown grab in CFP game against Washington). Pair him up with Zay Flowers, and now Baltimore has one of the best young receiving corps in the league.
- San Francisco 49ers: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
A raw prospect, who has yet to play his best football, Morgan has shown flashes to become a strong starter at the left tackle position. Trent Williams remains one of the best at the position, but he’s nearing the end of his career. The 49ers take a flyer on someone who has all the tools to one day fill his shoes.
- Kansas City Chiefs: DT Darius Robinson
Robinson lined up everywhere for Missouri on the defensive line. He’s extremely strong and has a natural ability to disengage blockers with an array of pass rushing moves. Many scouts liken his ability to that of Arik Armstead’s. Add this beast to a front with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. Jesus.
