2024 NFL Mock Draft
Last Updated: April 24, 2024 8:00 p.m. EDT (Final Version)
Lou Pickney (2023: tied for the sixth-highest score from The Huddle Report)
2024 NFL Mock Draft
The Bears traded incumbent starting QB Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's widely believed that the Bears are set to draft Williams at #1 overall.
The Commanders need a fresh start at quarterback. Daniels had a spectacular 2023 season at LSU.
This will be the first draft for the Patriots in the post Bill Belichick era. Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy might also be a consideration here.
I'm sticking with the idea that the Cards won't trade the pick. They already have another selection in the first round of this draft.
Harrison would be an outstanding fit for the Cardinals.
This anticipates a trade-back for the rebuilding Chargers. There's an interesting scenario where four QBs go in the first four spots and suddenly the Chargers don't have the expected demand for a trade.
But in this case, I see the Chargers trading back and going with Latham, perhaps at #11 if they work a deal with Minnesota.
The Giants should be in good position to land a top wide receiver here.
While the Titans have been aggressive in free agency, offensive tackle remains as a major need. Alt is the top offensive lineman on most boards at this point, notable in a year with a strong class at OT.
You can tell how things have changed since my first mock in 2003, with DE/OLB as an unwieldy-to-write hybrid. Now it's just EDGE, as in Edge Rusher. It's all about the passing game in the modern NFL, especially on night one of the draft.
This presumes the Bears go with a quarterback at #1 overall. Offensive line and EDGE rusher are also potential considerations here for Chicago.
Even if they miss out on the first wave of wide receivers, a unicorn tight end would be a solid addition for a Jets team looking to make a run with Aaron Rodgers in 2024.
This projects Minnesota trading up to select McCarthy. It appears highly unlikely that McCarthy would still be on the board at this spot.
It will be tough for anyone to work a deal with the Commanders at #2 or the Patriots at #3, as they also both need a quarterback. Trading with Arizona means convincing the Cards to not take Harrison or Nabers at #4, likely an expensive proposition.
Denver lacks the picks to compete with Minnesota in a trade-up bidding battle. Trading back might be tempting, but it's a huge risk to take if you believe in Nix enough to use a first-round selection on him. That's especially so with the Raiders looming one pick below.
It's possible that Mitchell will end up being the first defensive back drafted in 2024.
This is a deep draft at offensive tackle. Fashanu is exceptionally good at pass-blocking.
Arnold would fill a need in the Colts secondary.
Seattle should have a number of high-end defensive line prospects to choose from at this spot.
The Jaguars could use help at corner, and there should be several strong options for Jacksonville at this point.
If the Bengals opt to go with an offensive tackle here, they'll have a number of viable possibilities.
The retirement of Aaron Donald created a major need at defensive tackle for the Rams. But in this scenario the Rams go with Latu, a tremendous pass rusher who would give L.A. a big boost at EDGE.
There is considerable speculation that the Steelers will draft a center here. Oregon iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson is another possibility.
As noted, this is a stacked draft at offensive tackle. Fautanu has the versatility to fill a variety of roles.
There are a number of viable options at corner for the Eagles to consider. DeJean is a dynamic athlete.
Might the Vikings be planning to use this pick as trade currency to move up from #11 overall?
Even if there is a run on offensive tackles prior to this spot, Dallas will have a number of OT options here to consider.
The Packers would benefit from focusing on their offensive line early in the draft.
Bit of a slide here for Verse compared with some projections, and a nice pick-up for the Bucs at this point in the first round.
This presumes that the Cardinals will select a wide receiver at #4, freeing up Arizona to fill another need here.
Mitchell is exceptionally fast, and the NFL puts a premium on ultra high-end speed.
Wiggins ran a 4.28 40 at the NFL Combine, the fastest performance by any defensive player this year.
It seems quite likely that there will be a run on wide receivers during the back-half of the first round, likely extending into the early-mid section of round two.
Offensive line and cornerback are two other potential need spots here for the 49ers.
Several options here for the Chiefs, but the late word that Kansas City is targeting Suamataia is too loud for me to ignore.
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