2024 NFL Mock Draft
Its back again, the time of year where I spend more time then I should watching film on NFL draft prospects and listening to hours of analysts analyzing said prospects. The NFL draft is a classic guys being dudes event where guys created an event to sit there for three days with their bros and get drunk while teams draft players that most of them have no clue who they are. This is all the football we get until Saturday August 24th, so lets enjoy it. Here is my official 2024 NFL draft.
DISCLAIMER: My official mock draft is based off who I would pick if I was the GM. It is not based off who I think they are going to pick or who the media says they are going to pick. I look at their roster. I look at their yearly salary breakdown. I look at how the player fits into the roster. And finally I take the guy who I would want. Also no trades in this mock draft because those are impossible to predict and could literally happen at any pick.
1) Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams QB, USC
This is a pretty easy pick here. Every mock draft is going to have Caleb Williams going one. No different here. Listen you can say its gay that he does modeling and paints his nails, but at the end of the day hes a stud. He has everything you want from a modern quarterback. Hes accurate in the pocket. He can create outside of the pocket. He can run the ball. He makes all the throws.
This should be the easiest pick since Trevor Lawrence and is a far better situation then what Lawrence went into. I think as long as he stays focused on football his ceiling is Aaron Rogers.
2) Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels QB, LSU
Now Daniels I am not fully sold on, but its him or Marcus Mariota so what the hell. Daniels had a great season this year and won the Heisman in the process much like Joe Burrow. Much unlike Joe Burrow he didnt win a National Championship and he started in 4 other very forgettable collegiate seasons. He threw for 40 touchdowns this season, mostly on slot fades to two of the best wide receivers in the country, his previous high was 17. My other issue with him is he takes hits. Not a big fan of sliding. He was once held like a toddler by Jalen Carter.
That doesnt mean that I dont like Daniels, he has a lot of positives. Id compare him to a Hendon Hooker that isnt old and isnt coming off a torn ACL. He does have a weird elbow though. Dude can sling it and is a real threat running the ball… if he learns to slide. The real question is going to be will he be RG3 or will he be Lamar Jackson. I think Washington has enough weapons to help him out… as long he learns to slide.
3) New England Patriots - Drake Maye QB, North Carolina
This is the first spot that I would want to trade out of. This would be an awful situation for Maye to walk into and I think you would have to look at his Rookie year as a mulligan by default. His WR1 would be JuJu Smith Schuster. I just am not sure you its a great situation for a guy who should probably sit the first half of the season. I guess Zappe and Brissett could hold it down until hes ready, but this team just is not good.
Now as far as Maye goes, he has the size and athleticism. He had some good games in college but was inconsistent and has some passing mechanics stuff to get under control. My gut says hes going to be a good player, but this situation is tough. He is a more mobile athlete whos been compared to Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, but to me hes like a very athletic version of Matt Ryan. The Patriots should use at least two more picks in this draft on receivers.
4) Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State
Easy pick. Were talking best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson. I would even compare him to former Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald. I hate Ohio State and I have nothing bad to say about ole “Mazarati Marv”. If you think another wide receiver is better then you are just trying to be trendy. I honestly dont have a negative on his game besides hes been a little banged up here and there it seems like. He will be fine. Now they just have to find an actual QB and they could have something in Arizona.
5) Los Angeles Chargers - Rome Odunze WR, Washington
I would say this is the first big shocker of the Mock. Not only because Jim Harbaughs first pick as coach of the Chargers isnt a lineman (which it probably will be), but I have Rome over Malik Nabers. Some people have Nabers as WR1, my gut reaction is Rome is better and his skill set translates quicker to the NFL. Hes a back shoulder machine. A 70% contested catch rate is unheard of.
I think his pro comp is a faster, better route running Deandre Hopkins, and I dont think thats overhyping him. Rome immediately comes in day 1 and is the best offensive weapon on the team.
6) New York Giants - JJ McCarthy QB, Michigan
The pick everyone is waiting for. The Vikings of course getting a lot of heat that they move up and get JJ earlier, and I like that is well. The three time Big Ten Championship and one time National Championship winner goes to the Giants here though. Let me tell you why this is a great fit. JJ can come into the Giants and sit for a full year behind Daniel “Cray Eyes” Jones and just learn. Brian Daboll is a good offensive coach, and this would be a great spot to set the Giants up for the future. Remember Daniel Jones contract had most of the guarantees built into the first two years of the deal for a reason.
JJ can probably come in and start some games down the line year one if the team isnt doing too hot, but this is a long term investment. JJ is not just a handoff QB. If you dont think he can throw the ball and he just had a great team around him youre just wrong. He did what was asked of him and became the winningest QB in modern college football. You dont do that by getting lucky, you do that by being good at football. JJ is going to win you games. I like the pro comp of Alex Smith but I think hes much farther along then Alex Smith when he came out and I think the NFL favors the way he plays much more then it did when Alex Smith comes out.
7) Tennessee Titans - Olu Fashanu OT, Penn State
Another potential shocker of a pick. I do like Fashanu over Alt because of the athleticism and the run blocking. I think with Fashanu youre looking at a top Left Tackle for a long time in the NFL and gives the Titans one of the best left sides of the line in the NFL next to Peter Skoronski.
8) Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner EDGE, Alabama
Gotta be a good feeling as a Falcons fan that its very possible you just sit there at 8 and get the best pass rusher in the draft. Atlanta is a very real position where they can be a contender in the NFC next season. They now have a QB to throw to all of their offensive weapons. They hopefully have a new coaching staff that will use said weapons correctly. They are in a division in the NFC that is very winnable.
Now their defense last year wasnt bad. They have some guys on defense. Dallas Turner will be a 10-15 sack guy in year one I think. I think he has the same kind of impact this year as Will Anderson had last year for the Texans
9) Chicago Bears - Malik Nabors WR, LSU
What a day for the Bears. They get their QB of the future and they get an explosive playmaker to pair with him. I just couldnt justify having Nabors fall any farther, and no this isnt a knock on Nabors. I just think his role is going to be a little more restricted to start his career. At LSU he really only ran slot fades, curls, and crossing routes. Dont get me wrong he was fucking sick at it, and guy is an absolute dog. He just needs a little more nuance.
I think getting to be in a room with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore would be very beneficial for him. DJ Moore was very similar to Nabors coming out of college and Keenan Allen is one of the best route runners in the past decade. If Caleb Williams cant succeed with these weapons I am afraid a QB with painted nails may never be picked again.
10) New York Jets - Brock Bowers TE, Georgia
Lets be real. The Jets are in it to win it now. Brock Bowers has the potential to really make this offense. Hes a weapon that you can move around all over the field and I think it wont take long for him to become Rogers favorite target not named Garrett Wilson. If this is the pick hes going to be a top 5 fantasy TE year 1. Jets are gonna be a problem this year and probably should be the favorite to win their division.
11) Minnesota Vikings - Michael Penix Jr. QB, Washington
Woah were getting crazy here. I will say that I have the next guy rated higher then this guy but in the same Tier of QBs. I just like this guys fit better here and the next guys fit better there. What Penix does good is navigate the pocket and throw the deep ball. The Vikings have two of the best tackles in the league and three really talented receivers to throw to. That includes one of the best overall players in Justin Jefferson (Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson also confirmed good pass catchers). As far as pro comparison I want to say Dante Culpepper but I am going to say hes a taller Russell Wilson.
12) Denver Broncos - Bo Nix QB, Oregon
Again this fit is just too perfect. The Broncos finally get a break and dont have to use a bunch of draft capital to try and get a QB. Bo Nix was built for Sean Paytons offense and my pro comparison for him would be a Drew Brees who can run the ball. This to me is a perfect situation for him and a perfect fit for his skillset. Hes an accurate passer with a quick release. Now the Broncos still have a ways to go to be competitive, but this could be a huge step.
13) Las Vegas Raiders - Joe Alt OT, Notre Dame
Alt right here feels like a steal, but in reality this is the range he should go in. I think hes probably a day one starter at RT with the potential to move over to LT in the future. In my opinion this roster is a mess and the team is probably going to be picking towards the top of the draft again next year. I think it would be a great season to get rid of bad contracts, and get whatever kind of value you can out of veteran pieces and start building for the future. That starts on the offensive line.
14) New Orleans Saints - Taliese Fuaga OG, Oregon State
The Saints love using first round picks on offensive lineman, and Fuaga I think is a day one starter inside. Hes a mauler that I would compare to a Mike Iupati who also moved inside in the NFL. Saints are going to want to run the ball. Fuaga is going to help them do that.
15) Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell CB, Toledo
This is another one of those picks that would just be a sick fit. Mitchell just fits this defense as a shut down guy theyve needed since they lost Stephon Gilmore. Mitchell is a dawg, and he gets his hands on the ball a lot. He proved he has the physical ability at the combine, and he proved he can keep up with talent from bigger programs at the Senior Bowl.
16) Seattle Seahawks - Jared Verse EDGE, Florida State
The Seahawks have crushed the past couple of drafts. Jared Verse would be a huge help for the defense. Hes also a great scheme fit. I think he plays very much like Brandon Graham. Hes a wide body on the edge that may never be the NFL sack leader, but I think he can be a leader on the team that gets you 10+ sacks. Hes going to set the edge a bring consistency to a defense that hasnt had that on the edge since Martellus Bennet and Cliff Avril.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars - Troy Fautanu OG, Washington
Wow Jacksonville tries to get some help for Trevor Lawrence up front. Fautanu is a great athlete that I think can play Tackle or Guard. I have him starting off as a Guard. Hes a great athlete. Im not sure where he plays this year but hes one of your 5 best linemen.
18) Cincinnati Bengals - Johnny Newton DT, Illinois
Another kind of a shocker of a pick, but I think Johnny Newton is DT one. A lot bas been put on him not being a huge DT, but that is where the league is headed and the guy hes being compared to is an inch shorter and 10 pounds lighter. Were talking about a guy who plays a lot of snaps, is very productive, and has shown consistency. Hes had increased sack production year over year even while playing hurt this year. This would be a huge piece to a defense that lost DJ Reader.
19) Los Angeles Rams - Laiatu Latu EDGE, UCLA
Match made in heaven here. Latu is the best technical pass rusher in this group, but I think his athletic profile may limit him and I have no clue what his medical reports are like. He did retire from football already because of injury so this is a risk. If it works out though Latu is going to get sacks. Dude lives in the backfield and uses his hands well, but I think his role is purely as a pass rusher at the next level.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, LSU
I will admit that I dont love this pick. The Steelers do need receivers other then George Pickens though. Kind of like Malik Nabors my concern is that he is just a physical freak. Nabors ran more routes then Thomas though. He was almost exclusively slot fades and curls. That makes me think he will primarily be a deep threat in year one. He does have the physical tools to become a very good player though.
21) Miami Dolphins - Byron Murphy DT, Texas
I do like Byron Murphy I just think people are giving too much “prospect” hype because of what he could be when Johnny Newton is already that. Also the size thing I have heard several times for Newton but never for Murphy and Newton is bigger so Im not sure whats up with that. Murphy is a physical player though that can make plays. I think he will be a solid piece and he could replace what Christian Wilkins brought down the line.
22) Philadelphia Eagles - Kool Aid McKinstry CB, Alabama
Kool Aid was one of my biggest fallers going into draft season and then became one of my biggest risers towards the end here. I do have him as my third ranked CB but this fit is perfect for him. I do think he struggled at times because of the foot injury this year. You just gotta trust the tape though. Besides Texas he wasnt thrown on a lot. He comes up and tackles. If you watch the Kentucky game he was coming up on the goal line making tackles. I think with Kool Aid we fell into the trap of guys just didnt throw at him a whole lot because hes really fucking good.
23) Minnesota Vikings - Cooper Dejean CB, Iowa
Again I dont expect the Vikings to be picking here, but they get my number two DB in the draft. I see Dejean as a guy that can play basically anywhere in the secondary and is a solid tackler. The Vikings secondary has been awful for a long time. They bolstered their pass rush (kind of) by signing Greenard and Van Ginkel in free agency. Now they improve the secondary a little bit. They still are a ways away from being a contender, unless Sam Darnold becomes a Pro Bowler, but its a step in the right direction.
24) Dallas Cowboys - Jackson Powers-Johnson C, Oregon
I feel like what happened to Creed Humphrey is kind of happening to Powers-Johnson. I thought Creed Humphrey was for sure worth a first round pick when he came out and I was right. Im not sure why Powers-Johnson went from for sure first rounder to probably a second rounder, but sometimes its best to just go off the original grade. I think this is a huge need for the Cowboys after losing Tyler Biadsz. I just think theres a good chance youre drafting a Pro Bowl center, and thats too big of an opportunity for a team without a center to pass up.
25) Green Bay Packers - Amarius Mims OT, Georgia
Im not sure why but the Packers are one of those teams that the right guy just always happens to fall to. Im a Lions fan so I hate that. Here it is again though. Mims has a very high ceiling at left tackle. Hes gigantic and he is long. He did not play a whole lot at Georgia, but physically has all the tools. Im not worried about the playing time thing because he was a top 10 high school prospect that played at Georgia. He wont be a stud at first but it wont take long. Fuck you Green Bay.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Terrion Arnold CB, Alabama
Ok heres a hot take. I think Arnold as a pure outside corner has some bust potential. He gives me a lot of Jeff Okudah vibes. Both Arnold and Okudah were highly rated high school safteys. They both made the move to corner for big time programs. They both looked like studs coming out of college. Okudah was a little bigger and a little faster. I dont know I just have a bad feeling he may go too high to the wrong situation. I think this is about where he should go an a good situation. Todd Bowles is a good defensive coach and Jamel Dean will take a lot of the pressure off of him. He is a very good tackler and gets his hands on the ball. I just think he may be closer to a nickel/safety then we think.
27) Arizona Cardinals - Graham Barton IOL, Duke
Barton can come in and play anywhere on the offensive line. I think for the Cardinals hes the starting center. I have no faith that Kyler Murray is the QB of the future, but whoever is now has a solid LT in Paris Johnson a generational receiver in Harrison Jr. and plug and play center in Barton. Not a bad day for Arizona.
28) Buffalo Bills - Adonai Mitchell WR, Texas
The Bills continue reloading the pass game here with AD Mitchell. I think Khalil Shakir is a better receiver then people think and I think Dalton Kincaid is becomes more of a big slot in year 2. Throw in Mitchell who is a big body on the outside that is faster then you think and the Bills are in not that bad of a situation. With QBs like Josh Allen, if youre going to pay them, they need to elevate the rest of the roster. I think if the Bills come out of this draft with Mitchell and a big RB like I dont know a Braelon Allen then they are cooking with fire.
29) Detroit Lions - Darius Robinson EDGE, Missouri
What a great moment this would be on draft night for a Detroit kid in Detroit to be drafted by Detroit and play across from another guy from Detroit. Robinson has been a late riser this year and hes earned it. Hes got a lot of Deforest Buckner in him. I think this is a guy that you can put on the edge in early downs and he will have no issue stopping the run, and then you can move him inside on pass rushing downs and he will have no issue getting 10+ sacks. This would be a draft moment that this things all about.
30) Baltimore Ravens - JC Latham OT, Alabama
I think theres almost no chance Latham falls this far, but thats just the way it worked out this time. Ravens are another one of those teams where their guy is just there when they pick. I dont know how it works. They would love this though. Latham is probably the best run blocking tackle in the draft and goes to the team that loves to run the ball the most. This is going to be a scary team getting off the bus.
31) San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Guyton OT, Oklahoma
I think the 49ers need to start coming up with contingency plans for a Trent Williams retirement. I think Guyton is a great option to play at RT or even G in year one but when Williams retires could kick out and start. Not only that but hes a great athlete and would fit perfectly for how the 49ers play.
32) Kansas City Chiefs - Ladd McConkey WR, Georgia
I think what the Chiefs really need, with Travis Kelce close to retirement and a receiving core that catch the ball and their best receiver pending suspension for drag racing, is a reliable receiver. Ladds just such a good route runner, hes faster then you think, and he just makes plays. He hardly made contested catches at Georgia because he never had to, he was just open. I think Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid were looking at 100+ catch rookie season for Ladd McConkey who is basically a Shane Gillis bit. Just a white guy making smart heads up plays.
