2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Bears Move on From Justin Fields

With the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling Super Bowl matchup, it’s officially the start of the 2024 NFL Draft season. With evaluations happening from the start of summer and throughout the All-Star games, it’s time to answer the questions that have come while watching the film and figuring out where these players could go in the 2024 NFL Draft.

There is still plenty of time to answer these questions, from the NFL Scouting Combine to individual school Pro Days. In the end, many of these questions will be answered only a few weeks before the clock starts.

2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Everyone’s eyes will always be on the first overall pick, and this year is no different. The Chicago Bears find themselves in an interesting spot. Do they keep Justin Fields and continue to develop what, at times, looked like a promising prospect, or do they trade him and start the rookie contract over with a player like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye? There will be plenty of time to mock draft the various scenarios, but the likely one seems that they’ll move and get a haul for the young gunslinger.

Quarterbacks are always the thrill of the NFL Draft, and this year might be even more thrilling than we’ve seen in recent drafts. There are many talented quarterbacks in the draft, from Jayden Daniels to JJ McCarthy; several teams will land their future franchise quarterback. Draft day trades are always exhilarating, and with the number of teams that need a quarterback, we’re likely to see a few by the time the draft gets underway.

Every year, we seem to get more talented wide receivers, and this year might have one of the best prospects we’ve seen. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. seems like a surefire to be the next best thing to come to the NFL and is projected to go anywhere around the top five. Look for stud players like Harrison to lead the way in our dynasty rookie ADP. However, other players like Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Brian Thomas have shown flashes of greatness and will likely be first-round picks. Not only that, players like Roman Wilson, Ladd McConkey, and Troy Franklin have emerged as potential WR1s for whatever teams draft them.

Let’s dive into the first of many NFL Mock Drafts to see what the first round could look like.

RD | PK | OVR	TEAM	SELECTION
1 | 1 | 1	Chicago Bears (via CAR)	QB Caleb Williams, USC
ANALYSIS: Moving on from Justin Fields would reset the rookie contract for their franchise quarterback, leaving the Bears likely to get a haul of draft picks. Williams has the potential to be a star in the NFL and would allow Chicago to get more playmakers in a talented 2024 class.			Add New	ANALYSIS: Moving on from Justin Fields would reset the rookie contract for their franchise-quarterback, leaving the Bears likely to get a haul of draft picks. Williams has potential to be a star in the NFL and would allow Chicago to get more playmakers in a talented 2024 class.
1 | 2 | 2	Washington Commanders	QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
ANALYSIS: Sam Howell started the year well but came back down to earth in dramatic fashion. Maye has the talent to be QB1 in many other classes and will compete for that title throughout the rest of the evaluation process and would immediately bring new life to a team that desperately needs it.			Add New	ANALYSIS: Sam Howell started the year well, but came back down to earth in dramatic fashion. Maye has the talent to be QB1 in many other classes and will compete for that title throughout the rest of the evaluation process and would immediately lift bring new life to a team that desperately needs it.
1 | 3 | 3	New England Patriots	WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
ANALYSIS: While the Patriots could select a quarterback here, the lack of offensive weapons was evident last season. Mac Jones might not be the final answer to rebuilding the dynasty, but getting one of the best receiving prospects we've seen come out of college in recent years will be a telling sign of what they have under center.			Add New	Add New
1 | 4 | 4	Arizona Cardinals	OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
ANALYSIS: The Cardinals seem content with Kyler Murray, which means they must add to the offensive line to protect him. Their offensive line was at the bottom half of the league, and Fashanu was one of the best offensive linemen in the country. He immediately upgrades the trenches.			Add New	Add New
1 | 5 | 5	Los Angeles Chargers	EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
ANALYSIS: At the Senior Bowl, Latu showed why he's one of the best edge rushing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. His size and length, paired with his pass-rush arsenal, make him a problem for offensive linemen. The Chargers need to start building youthful depth on the edge, which Latu would immediately provide in tremendous fashion.			Add New	Add New
1 | 6 | 6	New York Giants	WR Rome Odunze, Washington
ANALYSIS: Like many teams, the Giants are in an interesting spot at the most important position. Their decision of who they are deploying under center is in question, whether they try to trade Daniel Jones or roll with him for another year will be a development to keep an eye on, but it'll be important for them to find offensive weapons. Odunze was a top-tier receiver this season, helping lead the Huskies to a National Championship birth. He'll immediately upgrade the passing game, no matter who's throwing passes.			Add New	Add New
1 | 7 | 7	Tennessee Titans	OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
ANALYSIS: The Titans had one of the worst-performing offensive lines last season, making this selection an important one. Alt is an imposing lineman who was consistent in pass protection and run blocking for Notre Dame, giving the Titans exactly what they were missing.			Add New	Add New
1 | 8 | 8	Atlanta Falcons	QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
ANALYSIS: The Desmond Ridder experiment didn't pan out, and with all the weapons the Falcons have on offense, addressing the quarterback position should be their top priority. Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy, has quickly risen into the top-10 range for the NFL Draft, and if he's here for the Falcons, they should pull the trigger quickly.			Add New	Add New
1 | 9 | 9	Chicago Bears	WR Malik Nabers, LSU
ANALYSIS: If the Bears decide to take Williams and move on from Fields, they should equip their new franchise quarterback with top-level weapons, as the Texans did with CJ Stroud. As the third receiver off the board, the Bars could get value with the pick, as Nabers showed the potential of being a game-changing player. With the plethora of picks they could end up with, we could see Chicago start to turn it around in the near future.			Add New	Add New
1 | 10 | 10	New York Jets	OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
ANALYSIS: The Jets have tried to add pieces through the draft to address their offensive line issues, but it hasn't panned out with their past selections. While it's never a "sure thing," Fuaga showed at the Senior Bowl why he's one of the best offensive linemen in the country. He's technically refined, has a ton of strength behind his frame, and is consistent in both the run and pass game.			Add New	Add New
1 | 11 | 11	Minnesota Vikings	EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
ANALYSIS: Before making his decision to return to school last season, Verse was considered a top 15 pick, and after producing another solid season, he's one of the best defensive linemen in the class. The Vikings have found themselves in an interesting situation. Depending on their quarterback situation, they could look at a few options with this pick. They spent much of their time at the Senior Bowl getting a good look at the quarterbacks, but they should focus on their defensive line.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 12 | 12	Denver Broncos	EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
ANALYSIS: The Broncos need to establish a pass-rushing presence, and with a loaded class of edge rushers, Turner is one of the best options at this point in the draft. He would immediately flip things around, bringing the Broncos' defensive line from a bottom of the league group back to where we're used to seeing them.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 13 | 13	Las Vegas Raiders	CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
ANALYSIS: There are several ways the Raiders could attack the draft this year. The versatility of DeJean is too appealing to pass up for them at this point. His ability to play different positions on defense and his punt return capabilities make him an intriguing weapon.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 14 | 14	New Orleans Saints	EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
ANALYSIS: Another team that was at the bottom of the league in defensive line production was the Saints. With a plethora of talented edge rushers in the class of 2024, they should have their choice of dominating pass rushers. Robinson has the potential to be one of the best in any class and would immediately elevate the Saints defensive line.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 15 | 15	Indianapolis Colts	CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
ANALYSIS: The Colts are missing a lockdown outside corner, and after the season Wiggins had at Clemson, he's the piece that they've been missing on defense. Many have him ranked as the top corner on their board and if the Colts could land him in the middle of the draft, he could end up being a huge steal for them.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 16 | 16	Seattle Seahawks	iDL Darius Robinson, Missouri
ANALYSIS: The Seahawks had one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL last season and with the performance Robinson had throughout the year, specifically at the Senior Bowl, he's worked his way into the middle portion of the NFL Draft. With his measurables and versatility around the defensive line, he will be a great fit for the Seahawks' defense.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 17 | 17	Jacksonville Jaguars	CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
ANALYSIS: Mitchell had one of the best seasons at the cornerback position, proving his talent and potential at the Senior Bowl, locking up the best receivers there and proving he's one of the best in the class. If he stays on his projection, he'll be the best defensive back the Jaguars have had since trading Jalen Ramsey.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 18 | 18	Cincinnati Bengals	TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
ANALYSIS: With how supremely talented he is, it would be surprising to see Bowers to fall out of the top 15, but with positional need, anything could happen. Adding Bowers to the arsenal for Joe Burrow to throw to would bring this offense near the level we've seen with the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Maybe then they could claim the name of Burrowhead.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 19 | 19	Los Angeles Rams	OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
ANALYSIS: Despite being a better offensive line than many thought they would be, the Rams would benefit from bringing in a high-potential guy like Guyton. He doesn't have a ton of playing time under his belt, but has all the tools you look for in a tackle.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 20 | 20	Pittsburgh Steelers	CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
ANALYSIS: The cornerback position continues to grow with talented depth as we get deeper in the evaluation process. Arnold was a major riser throughout the season, and while the Steelers have a top-tier corner in Joey Porter Jr., taking arguably the best player available to pair on the outside is the best move.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 21 | 21	Miami Dolphins	OT JC Latham, Alabama
ANALYSIS: Many thought the Dolphins offensive line was going to better than it was last season, and they should be looking for an upgrade in the draft and free agency. Latham should be considered one of the better tackles available, making this an easy pick for them upgrade the protection for Tua Tagovailoa.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 22 | 22	Philadelphia Eagles	CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
ANALYSIS: The Eagles secondary was in rough shape to end the year. Grabbing a defensive back early in the first round will be a necessity if they want to get back to where they're projected to be. Rakestraw has proven to be one of the best corners in the draft and should immediately upgrade their secondary.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 23 | 23	Houston Texans (via CLE)	iDL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
ANALYSIS: The Texans did a great job turning their offense around last year, and while they could look to upgrade their weapons, building their defensive line will help them become more well rounded. They were towards the bottom in defensive line rankings last season, but if they can find a strong interior presense to pair with Will Anderson, the Texans' defensive line could be nasty next year.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 24 | 24	Dallas Cowboys	iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
ANALYSIS: While the Cowboys offensive line wasn't as bad as others, we're used to seeing this unit stacked with prime talent. Those players are starting to age out, meaning they need to begin finding new, young stars. Powers-Johnson has come on as one of the best offensive linemen in the class and get Dallas back to what they're used to — dominating the trenches.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 25 | 25	Green Bay Packers	OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
ANALYSIS: The Packers appear to have found another franchise quarterback and have several weapons to take this team a long way. They're possibly one piece away from having a tremendous offensive line to help get them to dominating the North. Mims could slot in day-one and help protect the quarterback and open up running lanes on the boundary.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 26 | 26	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
ANALYSIS: With several teams needing a quarterback, it's going to be interesting to see where McCarthy goes. He could go as high as the tenth pick and unlikely he falls past 26. The Bucs found a ton of success with Baker Mayfield, but getting a young player to develop will go a long way to helping their future success.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 27 | 27	Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)	WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
ANALYSIS: The Cardinals are lacking playmakers to surround their apparent franchise-quarterback Kyler Murray. If they want him to succeed, grabbing a receiver like Franklin should be their top priority. He can step in right away and be your number one target next to a young tight end and other speedy receivers.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 28 | 28	Buffalo Bills	WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Add New	ANALYSIS: With back-to-back receivers coming off of the board, the Bills are just a few pieces away from competing for the Super Bowl. Thomas had an amazing season and is finally being talked about as a first-round prospect. As long as Stefon Diggs is still in the building, this duo could be dangerous for Josh Allen to throw to.			ANALYSIS:
1 | 29 | 29	Detroit Lions	EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
ANALYSIS: While the Lions have Aidan Hutchinson on the edge, pairing him with another stellar pass rusher will patch perfectly in a Dan Campbell-led team. Braswell played strong all year, proving to be a solid pass rusher and relentless run defender.			Add New	Add New
1 | 30 | 30	Baltimore Ravens	CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
ANALYSIS: The Ravens were arguably the best team in the NFL last year and are loaded with depth. This feels like a spot where they go best player available, and with a loaded class of cornerbacks, it's a great time to load up the secondary. Pairing Lassiter with Marlon Humphrey on the other side with Kyle Hamilton all over the defense would be a lethal combination.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 31 | 31	San Francisco 49ers	CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
ANALYSIS: After coming up short in the Super Bowl, the 49ers are as close as it gets to being the best team in the NFL. They're offensive is loaded with talent, while their defense has one of the best linebacker groups along with a tremendous defensive line. Their secondary is solid, but building depth is key at this point. McKinstry and Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenior would be a dominating trio.			Add New	ANALYSIS:
1 | 32 | 32	Kansas City Chiefs	iDL Byron Murphy II, Texas
ANALYSIS: The Chiefs did it again, winning the Super Bowl for the second straight year. There's no doubt they're lacking talent at the receiver position, but with the depth of the class and emergence of Rashee Rice, they can address other needs to continue dominating the rest of the league. A big need throughout the year was improving their defensive line, which Murphy II would immediately bring to the team.			ANALYSIS:	Add New