The actual NFL Draft is just weeks away, so fans of the big event might as well get ready with a mock of the first round. While anything could happen on the day of the event, it’s safe to assume that the offensive playmakers are going to go off the board early. With the best group of quarterback prospects in recent memory paired with an insane collection of pass-catchers and offensive linemen, offensive coordinators across the league should be drooling at the potential offensive fireworks provided by the latest NFL hopefuls.
Note that this three-round NFL Mock Draft does not include trades
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1.01 – Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB
This is the easiest pick in the 2024 NFL mock draft. The Chicago Bears need a quarterback, and Caleb Williams is the best one in the class.
Caleb Williams NFL Draft Profile
1.02 – Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB
The Washington Commanders seem to be torn between Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy. While this writer would take Drake Maye, the Commanders will probably land on Jayden Daniels. The LSU product is a gifted runner and thrower, and you don’t sign Marcus Mariota to be your backup unless you plan on selecting Daniels.
Jayden Daniels NFL Draft Profile
1.03 – New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB
The Patriots will happily take whichever quarterback is left on the board. New England tried to make it work with a limited passer in Mac Jones, so now it’s time for them to go all-in on one of the most physically gifted prospects out there. While Maye is a little rough around the edges, the UNC product is young and should improve with the right coaching.
1.04 – Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
The first non-quarterback is officially off the board in this NFL mock draft, as the Arizona Cardinals land one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory. There is no such thing as a ‘can’t-miss’ prospect, but Marvin Harrison Jr. is about as close as you can get. The Ohio State product does everything well and should immediately step in as Kyler Murray’s top option.
Marvin Harrison Jr NFL Draft Profile
1.05 – Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR
The Los Angeles Chargers desperately need a wide receiver, and they get an elite one in Malik Nabers. In just about any other year, Nabers would be the unquestioned top pass-catcher in his class. While he’s not quite as good as Harrison, the LSU product will easily be the best option in Los Angeles and could easily eclipse 1,000 yards as a rookie.
Malik Nabers NFL Draft Profile
1.06 – New York Giants: J.J. McCarthy, QB
The New York Giants have buyer’s remorse with Daniel Jones, so it’s time for them to rebuild without their $40 million per year quarterback. On paper, J.J. McCarthy has all the skills required to succeed in the NFL, but one must wonder why Jim Harbaugh refused to let him throw the ball during his time at Michigan.
J.J. McCarthy NFL Draft Profile
1.07 – Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT
The Titans have done a phenomenal job building around Will Levis, and now it’s time for them to finish the job. Joe Alt is easily the best tackle in this class and should be a high-end starter for the next decade. Levis has all the tools he needs to succeed, now it’s up to the second-year pro to show what he can do.
1.08 – Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE
Dallas Turner is the first defensive player selected in this 2024 NFL mock draft. A physical freak, Turner should provide a much-needed boost to Atlanta’s stagnant pass rush. With Kirk Cousins under center, the Falcons have the offensive pieces for a deep playoff run. Now, they just need to get the defense to hold up their end of the bargain.
Dallas Turner NFL Draft Profile
1.09 – Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR
The Bears use their second pick in this mock draft to get some support for their new quarterback. Keenan Allen is still a good player, but he’s on the older side and is only under contract for one more season. Rome Odunze is a gifted route runner who can beat just about any coverage. Combining him with D.J. Moore should give the Bears all the firepower they need to compete in the NFC North for years to come.
1.10 – New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT
Tyron Smith is a fine short-term option at left tackle, but the oft-injured tackle is now entering his age-34 season. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning from a season-ending Achilles injury, the Jets need to ensure they have reliable blockers in front of the four-time NFL MVP. While he might start as a swing tackle, Olu Fashanu can play at a high level and should develop into a long-term answer to the position.
1.11 – Minnesota Vikings: Quinyon Mitchell, CB
It’s too early in the NFL mock draft for the quarterback-needy Vikings to select someone like Michael Penix, so they go after the best cornerback on the board. Quinyon Mitchell is a physical freak with the strength of a safety and the build of a cornerback. Blessed with elite ball skills, the Toledo product should be a perfect fit for Brian Flores and his aggressive defense.
Quinyon Mitchell NFL Draft Profile
1.12 – Denver Broncos: Taliese Fuaga, OT
The 2024 season will be a rebuilding year for the Denver Broncos. After taking a record-setting amount of dead money to release Russell Wilson, this team should be focused on 2025. Garett Bolles is entering the final year of his contract and will be 33 when he hits the open market. Seeing as he’s getting up there in age, Denver could select Taliese Fuaga to be the left tackle of the future.
Taliese Fuaga NFL Draft Profile
1.13 – Las Vegas Raiders: Jared Verse, EDGE
Last year, Maxx Crosby was the only above-average member of the Raiders defensive line. After adding Christian Wilkins in free agency, Vegas can create an unblockable trio with Jared Verse. Blessed with elite athleticism and unmatched power, the Florida State product could easily be a 10-sack player from Day 1.
1.14 – New Orleans Saints: JC Latham, OT
The Saints have to draft a tackle, and JC Latham is the best one left on the board in this NFL mock draft. While the Alabama product played on the right side in college, he should be capable of switching over to the left side. If Ryan Ramczyk can play, then these two can form an adequate tackle duo. However, if Ramczyk never recovers from his knee injury, then Latham can secure the right side of the offensive line.
1.15 – Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE
Brock Bowers’ long fall in this NFL mock draft is finally over. Tight ends have one of the lowest hit rates of any position, but Bowers is easily the most talented in this class. Blessed with the ball skills and fluid movement of a wide receiver, the Georgia product should make life quite a bit easier for Anthony Richardson.
Brock Bowers NFL Draft Profile
1.16 – Seattle Seahawks: Terrion Arnold, CB
First-year head coach Mike Macdonald is a defensive-minded coach who should welcome the opportunity to pair Devon Witherspoon with Terrion Arnold. The NFC West has some of the best receivers in football, and the duo of Witherspoon and Arnold should be able to match up against any of them.
Terrion Arnold NFL Draft Profile
1.17 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Laiatu Latu, EDGE
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the fewest sacks in the league last year despite Josh Allen recording 17.5 on his own. Laiatu Latu lacks Allen’s elite ceiling, but the NFL Draft hopeful is a master of his craft and should get after the quarterback consistently.
1.18 – Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy, DI
The Cincinnati Bengals land the top interior defensive lineman in this NFL mock draft. Capable of creating interior pressure while holding his own in the run game, the Texas product should make an immediate impact for a team looking to win it all with a healthy Joe Burrow.
Byron Murphy NFL Draft Profile
1.19 – Los Angeles Rams: Troy Fautanu, OT
The Rams will be competitive as long as Matthew Stafford is healthy, so keeping him upright should be their top priority. Troy Fautanu is the best tackle left on the board and should compete to start over Alaric Jackson as a rookie.
Troy Fautanu NFL Draft Profile
1.20 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, OL
Graham Barton played tackle in college, but he’ll probably have to move to guard in the NFL. Regardless of where he ends up, he should be able to help the Pittsburgh Steelers in this mock draft. Pittsburgh’s offensive line needs some reinforcements, especially since the sack-heavy Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be fighting for the starting job in 2024.
Graham Barton NFL Draft Profile
1.21 – Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, EDGE
In terms of raw potential, Chop Robinson could end up being as good as anyone in this class. While his relatively unpolished nature keeps him out of the top 20, Miami can’t afford to pass on a player with this much upside.
Chop Robinson NFL Draft Profile
1.22 – Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Thomas, WR
Even in the NFL mock draft, Howie Roseman still finds a way to land great prospects that have no business still being around when his team is on the clock. The Eagles don’t need another wide receiver, but Brian Thomas is too good to pass up. Pairing the speedster with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will give the Eagles the best receiver trio in football and should instill fear into every single defensive coordinator in the league.
Brian Thomas NFL Draft Profile
1.23 – Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix, QB
The Vikings stay patient and land their quarterback of the future with the 23rd overall pick in this NFL mock draft. Michael Penix is a massive injury risk with inconsistent plays, but the good parts of his tape are simply fantastic. Pairing him with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson should also help ease him into the NFL.
Michael Penix NFL Draft Profile
1.24 – Dallas Cowboys: Nate Wiggins, CB
The Philadelphia Eagles have three great receivers in this NFL mock draft, so the Dallas Cowboys counter with three great cornerbacks. Nate Wiggins has a natural nose for the ball and swift hips that allow him to go stride-for-stride with just about any wideout in the game. With Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland also on the field, every other team in the league will struggle to throw on this defense.
Nate Wiggins NFL Draft Profile
1.25 – Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims, OT
David Bakhtiari is officially gone, which means the Packers need to find a blindside protector for Jordan Love. While Mims is still a little rough around the edges, he has the ideal build and traits for the position. A good coaching staff like Matt LaFleur’s should be able to get the most out of a prospect like him.
Amarius Mims NFL Draft Profile
1.26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cooper DeJean, CB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Carlton Davis, and they nap his replacement with their first pick in this NFL mock draft. Cooper DeJean is healthy again, so the playmaking cornerback should be ready to go for the start of the 2024 season.
Cooper DeJean NFL Draft Profile
1.27 – Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB
The Arizona Cardinals are back on the clock and address the defensive side of the ball. Kool-Aid McKinstry is an aggressive cornerback with the attitude required to thrive at the professional level. He should be a welcome addition for defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Kool-Aid McKinstry NFL Draft Profile
1.28 – Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR
The Buffalo Bills need somebody to replace Stefon Diggs, and Adonai Mitchell is the perfect choice for the job. An athletic freak, the Texas product can do a little bit of everything at a high level. While he still needs to iron out his overall game, he and Josh Allen have the potential to be an unstoppable duo.
Adonai Mitchell NFL Draft Profile
1.29 – Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, EDGE
The Lions have the offense to win a Super Bowl, now they need to get a complementary defense. Darius Robinson should pair well with star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, while the presence of Marcus Davenport should ease expectations for the Missouri product.
Darius Robinson NFL Draft Profile
1.30 – Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT
The Baltimore Ravens lost three starters on the offensive line, and they replace one of them in the first round of this NFL mock draft. When healthy, Tyler Guyton has shown the ability to be one of the best all-around tackles in college football. However, he’ll need to stay healthy, and the Ravens medical staff will need to give their seal of approval before selecting him.
Tyler Guyton NFL Draft Profile
1.31 – San Francisco 49ers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C
There are not 31 more talented prospects than Jackson Powers-Johnson. However, due to the relative unimportance of the center position, the Oregon product falls to the 49ers in this NFL mock draft. Kyle Shanahan loves to run the football, and his ground-oriented scheme works best when there’s an elite center clearing rushing lanes. Powers-Johnson should be able to start from Day 1 and turn an already dangerous rushing attack into the best ground game in the league.
Jackson Powers-Johnson NFL Draft Profile
1.32 – Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR
The Chiefs wrap up the first round of this NFL mock draft with Xavier Worthy. Blessed with unmatched speed, the Houston product will never be as good as Tyreek Hill, but he could be the NFL’s next great deep threat. When paired with Marquise Brown, these two would form the fastest wide receiver duo in the league.
Xavier Worthy NFL Draft Profile
Bonus Pick: 2.01 – Carolina Panthers: Ladd McConkey, WR
The Panthers don’t have a first-round pick, so we’ll close this NFL mock draft with the first pick in the second round. Carolina doesn’t have a long-term answer at wide receiver, and Ladd McConkey could be the answer to that problem. While he doesn’t have elite physical tools, he meets all analytical thresholds and knows how to create separation from just about any type of coverage.
Main Photo: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
