Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft

By Pat Traina

This NFL Draft is shaping up to be very intriguing, as there is a lot of uncertainty and as always, potential smoke screens being spread across the media. This draft is trending in the direction that there will be plenty of trades happening throughout the first round. There are a few critical positions such as QB, OT, EDGE, CB that feature a few 1st-round caliber prospects, but after they’re off the board, there is a big drop off in talent. Expect this to force teams to be aggressive to try and trade up to make sure they don’t miss out on one of the top guys at a position of need. 

1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams (USC): This pick does not need any explanation, Chicago will be selecting Williams No. 1 overall. 

2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels (LSU): This is another pick that unless barring something unexpected, the Commanders will be selecting last year’s Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye (UNC): The Patriots are in a very intriguing situation, especially if they are split on Maye and McCarthy. While exploring a trade back for a big haul is tempting, it ultimately could be way too risky as other teams would swoop in and select both of them. Their best bet is to play it safe and choose who they prefer most between the two, which most likely will end up being Maye.

4. TRADE: New York Giants via ARI: QB J.J. McCarthy (Michigan): This is where the first trade and surprise of the draft happens. After paying over $40M/year to Daniel Jones, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, the Giants are stuck in limbo and need to address and figure out a long-term answer at QB. McCarthy is by no means a finished product, and could face initial skepticism from fans on whether or not he is worth the gamble. McCarthy is a tough, high-character leader and proven winner that is only 21 years-old and should have no issues handling the NYC media. He definitely needs time to develop, but learning from Daboll/Kafka without having to be forced to start right away could ultimately be a great situation for both parties and worth the gamble so they’re not stuck in purgatory.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State): It seems like every mock draft for months has had the Chargers trading this pick to the Minnesota Vikings, so they could take McCarthy. While that definitely still could end up happening, there is also a high possibility that Maye/McCarthy could be selected at No. 3 and 4, which then would leave the Chargers most likely having to stay put unless someone trades up for Harrison Jr. The Chargers could be looking to trade back and beef up their OL, but there are several reasons to believe why the Chargers would take MHJ here. He’s the best wide receiver and player on the board, a position that just lost Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. With a new GM looking to make a splash with Jim Harbaugh as head coach, Harbaugh is no stranger to MHJ, coaching against him in college and he also was teammates with his father on the Colts back in the day. Selecting MHJ provides the desperate need of adding a new No. 1 target for Herbert. 

6. TRADE: Arizona Cardinals via NYG: WR Malik Nabers (LSU): In this mock draft, Arizona traded back to No. 6 knowing that either MHJ or Nabers would still be on the board. With MHJ being selected at No. 5, Arizona would still be thrilled to select Nabers here, as he would provide a new No. 1 target for Kyler Murray.

7. Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt (Notre Dame): The Titans may consider trading back here if they receive an offer, but if not, expect this pick to be the No. 1 ranked tackle in the draft, Joe Alt.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DT Byron Murphy (Texas): The Falcons have invested heavily the past few drafts on offensive weapons, and now it’s time to bolster the defense. While edge rushers Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu are good fits and may be considered here, Byron Murphy is without a doubt the top defensive tackle in the draft, and would provide an immediate upgrade to their interior pass rush.

9. TRADE: Jacksonville Jaguars via CHI: WR Rome Odunze (Washington): Here is the second surprise trade of this mock draft. The Bears could be very interested in Byron Murphy, but with him being selected the pick before, this a pick that the Bears could ultimately end up staying put and select Odunze, but they don’t have many draft picks, so they might want to trade down and recoup some. The Jaguars are looking to bounce back next year after a disappointing season and maximize their roster during Trevor Lawrence’s rookie contract. It’s essential that they are providing Trevor with a handful of dynamic weapons. While they did just go out and sign Gabe Davis in the offseason, they also lost Ridley and could still greatly benefit from adding an extremely talented starting WR to play alongside Davis and Christian Kirk. They might end up just staying put where they are at 17 and take a CB, but if they don’t wind up trading up, watch out for another team to move up to take Odunze.

10. New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State): The Jets have been linked all draft season with former Georgia TE Brock Bowers, who would fill a big need and provide Rodgers with a new weapon. While selecting Bowers is quite tempting and possible, the other critical thing to address is protecting Rodgers. They went out and signed veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but there is no guarantee that they both stay healthy. Joe Douglas loves his offensive linemen, and taking Fuaga here would be a much needed insurance pick, that could learn under future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith and could step in if he or Moses get injured.

11. TRADE: New Orleans Saints via MIN: OT Olu Fashanu (Penn State): It’s no secret that the Saints need an offensive tackle (especially with Ramczyk injury concerns) and this a team that has a history of making aggressive 1st round trades. After seeing Fuaga get selected at No. 10, the Saints could feel pressured to not want to miss out on one of the top tackles, which leads them to make the call to Minnesota to select Fashanu.

12. Denver Broncos: EDGE Dallas Turner (Alabama): The Broncos are a team that has been linked to drafting a QB. They just acquired former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson from the Jets, and while that won’t stop them from selecting a QB, don’t think that it happens here as they might feel Nix and Penix Jr. would be too much of a reach here at No. 12 overall. The Broncos instead will look to address another major need, finding an edge rusher to disrupt Mahomes & Herbert twice a year. They selected the top edge rusher on the board, Dallas Turner, who would be an immediate starter and a great fit in their scheme as 3-4 OLB.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo): The Raiders are in pretty much the exact situation as their division-rival and pick in-front of them, Denver Broncos. They will have to wrestle with the decision of whether or not it’s worth selecting Penix Jr. or Nix. While they may look to trade back and select one of them later in the round, the opportunity to take one of the top CBs of the draft might be too difficult for them to pass up, in a division that plays Mahomes/Herbert 2x/year. 

14. TRADE: Minnesota Vikings via NO: DE Jared Verse (Florida State): After trading back from No. 11 with the Saints, this is another team that will have to determine whether or not they would be reaching on a QB here. Their ultimate goal seems to be moving up in the Top 5 for Maye or McCarthy, but if that is unable to happen, then they may look to add a replacement for Danielle Hunter here with former Florida State edge-rusher Jared Verse. 

15. Indianapolis Colts: TE Brock Bowers (Georgia): It might be a bit of a surprise that such a talented player like Bowers falls here, but the need for OT, edge-rushers and CB has him falling right in the Colts lap here at No. 15 overall. Bowers would provide Richardson with a much-needed safety blanket, and would be a nice upgrade to their passing game.

16. TRADE: Philadelphia Eagles via SEA: CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama): It’s no secret that Howie Roseman loves to be aggressive on draft day, and he does it here with a team that has a history of trading back a lot, the Seattle Seahawks. The former Crimson Tide CB is the top cornerback available and would fill a major need for Philadelphia.

17. TRADE: Chicago Bears via JAX: OL Troy Fatuanu (Washington): The Bears traded back in this mock draft to recoup picks and more importantly, still add one of the top offensive linemen in the draft to help protect their rookie QB. Fatuanu is a versatile linemen that can play either tackle or guard, which will be a huge help to their front.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: OT J.C. Latham (Alabama): Protecting Joe Burrow should always be the Bengals top priority, adding one of the top offensive tackles is crucial, and they do that here by adding former Alabama tackle, J.C. Latham.

19. Los Angeles Rams: OT Amarius Mims (Georgia): Barring a trade, the Rams will be making their first selection ever in Sean McVay’s tenure as head coach. Their last first round pick was Jared Goff, so you really never know what GM Les Snead will do. They may consider a QB here, but adding an offensive tackle would fill a major need and help provide protection for Stafford.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: C Graham Barton (Duke): The run on offensive linemen continues, with the 4th-straight pick, the Steelers bolster their front and select the top center in the draft, Graham Barton.

21. (TRADE): Green Bay Packers via MIA: CB Cooper DeJean (Iowa): The Packers love drafting extremely athletic players and they trade up and add another one here with Cooper DeJean. DeJean is a versatile defensive back that could be the missing piece the Green Bay secondary has been searching for.

22. Seattle Seahawks via PHI: EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA): After trading back with Philadelphia, the Seahawks usually target their top player on the board and have a history of taking disruptive edge-rushers. Latu is arguably one of the most talented defensive players in the draft, he could go as high as 8th overall to the Falcons, but with some medical concerns he falls right in Seattle’s lap here.

23. TRADE: Buffalo Bills via MIN: WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU): After trading Stefon Diggs to Houston, expect Buffalo to be aggressive to land whoever is the top wideout on their board after Odunze is selected. Thomas Jr. has all the potential to be a superstar in the NFL and going to a pass-heavy offense with Josh Allen could lead to immediate success.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma): After the departure of future HOF OT Tyron Smith, the Cowboys will be searching to find a replacement. Guyton is the top tackle left on the board, and fills a void on Dallas’s front.

25. TRADE: Miami Dolphins via GB: WR Xavier Worthy (Texas): After trading back with the Packers, the Dolphins are sitting here with the fastest player ever recorded at the NFL combine still on the board. There is no secret that Mike McDaniel loves speed, with already some of the fastest players in the league on their roster in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, the Dolphins could easily be the scariest offense in the NFL if they add Worthy.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State): The Buccaneers won a Super Bowl a few years ago and while they did have Tom Brady as their QB, one of the biggest reasons that led them to victory was their pass rush, especially from Shaq Barrett. With Barrett no longer on the roster, Tampa is in need of adding an explosive edge-rusher, and they do that here by selecting the athletically gifted Chop Robinson.

27. Arizona Cardinals: CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson): With Arizona already presumably selecting a wide receiver earlier in the round with their first pick, their second pick will most likely be on the opposite side of the ball. They have a major need at corner, they address it here with former Clemson CB Nate Wiggins.

28. TRADE: Minnesota Vikings via BUF: QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington): After trading back two times in the first round, the Vikings add a potential franchise QB with the selection of former Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. It’s quite possible that the Vikings package their two picks together to move into the Top 5 to select either Maye or McCarthy. If that doesn’t happen, the Vikings could still end up with Penix Jr. who has a lethal arm and if he stays healthy he could end up being in a very nice situation with Jefferson, Addison and Hockenson as his weapons.

29. Detroit Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama): The Lions love adding versatile defensive backs to their secondary, selecting the former Crimson Tide DB would be a very nice addition to their defense.

30. TRADE: Carolina Panthers via BAL: WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina): The Panthers desperately need to provide Bryce Young with as many weapons as possible. Carolina needs to add an explosive playmaker that could develop into a potential No. 1 target for Bryce. Acquiring Diontae Johnson in the offseason from Pittsburgh was a nice start, but adding Legette would provide them with a starter on the outside that could develop into a very dynamic weapon.

31. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Darius Robinson (Missouri): The 49ers love their edge-rushers, and they add another one here who would be a nice fit in their 4-3 scheme on the opposite side of Nick Bosa.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas): With the final pick of the first round, the Super Bowl champions add an explosive new weapon for Mahomes. Kansas City added Marquise Brown in the offseason, and with questions around Rashee Rice’s legal status, GM Brett Veach ensures there won’t be any setbacks by adding the former Texas Longhorn wideout to their group.

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