As we enter the week of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, several questions about prospects will be answered, and teams will start locking in their top guys for the first round. With many unknowns still to affect the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, free agency and pro days will have a major impact on where players will land. Let’s dive into how the first round could go before the Combine begins later this week.
Check out how Mock Draft 2.0 went, where the Bears decide to keep Justin Fields and draft an offensive weapon.
2024 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Quarterbacks will be the talk of the draft, with top-tier talent having filled the class. With players like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, this class has one of the most talented trio of quarterbacks that we’ve seen in recent years. Many teams need a franchise player, leaving many trades to be discussed and a potential order in which they’re selected for debate. Williams brings the All-Pro upside, while Maye gives you the pro-ready tools and a potentially safer pick, with Daniels bringing the dynamic dual-threat capabilities.
The trenches are interesting when looking at how offensive weapons could fly off the board. Many teams took a step back on the defensive side of the ball, leaving personal team needs a very important aspect to consider. Additionally, the middle of the draft is an interesting spot for teams like the Broncos, Vikings, Raiders, and Saints. Each could use weapons on offense, as well as a franchise quarterback, but they also lacked defensive talent this year. Should they attack the offensive side of the ball, or should they find a key piece for their defense? Yes.
While both sides of the trenches have top-tier talent, the depth of each position isn’t quite as deep as offensive weapons. Several teams could pass on players like JJ McCarthy, Brian Thomas Jr., Troy Franklin, or Keon Coleman to address needs on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball, leaving a massive unknown of how the first round could go.
NFL Mock Draft 2024
Let’s look at how the rest of the first round shakes up below.
RD | PK | OVR | TEAM | SELECTION |
1 | 1 | 1 |  Chicago Bears (via CAR) |  QB Drake Maye, North Carolina |
Evaluating quarterbacks is much deeper than people outside of teams truly understand. It's deeper than just overall arm talent and pure athleticism—it's much more about maturity and mental makeup and if the Bears think Maye is ahead of the rest of the quarterback class in that regard, he very well could be the first overall pick if they move on from Justin Fields. | ||
1 | 2 | 2 | Washington Commanders |  WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State |
It's hard to see the Commanders passing on Williams if he's here, but if they see the same issues that the Bears may see, they could pivot to an offensive weapon and take a chance on one of the other quarterbacks to develop. While it might be unlikely, anything is possible in the NFL Draft, and we need to take that into consideration. | ||
1 | 3 | 3 | New England Patriots |  QB Caleb Williams, USC |
If Williams falls out of the top two picks, there likely isn't a world where he gets past the Patriots at three. With a new era beginning in New England, finding their franchise quarterback should be the main priority. Williams has all the talent in the world to be a top five quarterback in the NFL and would help get the Patriots back to their winning ways. | ||
1 | 4 | 4 | Arizona Cardinals |  WR Rome Odunze, Washington |
While the class of wide receivers is extremely talented, the Cardinals need to find their WR1 and can win in various ways, and Odunze can do exactly that. Getting Kyler Murray a game-changer with versatility will be vital if they plan to find success with him under center. | ||
1 | 5 | 5 | Los Angeles Chargers |  OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame |
The Chargers are an interesting team to project in the NFL Draft because they have a talented roster and the weapons around Justin Herbert to have an explosive offense. While they have a couple of recent first round picks on the offensive line, continuing to build a strong young core of players is key to keep Herbert upright and opening running lanes for their ball carriers. | ||
1 | 6 | 6 | New York Giants |  QB Jayden Daniels, LSU |
If one of the top three quarterbacks fall to six for the Giants, they should pull the plug on Daniel Jones and begin their journey with a new franchise quarterback. Daniels has improved year after year in college and has NFL ready traits, with the mobility needed to keep defenders honest. | ||
1 | 7 | 7 | Tennessee Titans |  OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State |
The Titans offensive line was as bad as it gets last year and they need to prioritize the offensive line with their first round pick. There are several talented linemen in the 2024 class and they sit in a perfect spot to get a top tier guy like Fashanu. | ||
1 | 8 | 8 | Atlanta Falcons |  EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama |
The Falcons have failed to find a polished edge rusher over recent year and with the majority of teams above them looking for offensive talent, they should land a talented player on the defensive line. Turner is very explosive with a great first step and a plethora of pass rush moves and will immediately improve the Falcons pass rush. | ||
1 | 9 | 9 | Chicago Bears |  OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State |
When you think about the Bears, you think of powerful and strong players, which they haven't been as of late. Fuaga is a mean, nasty type of offensive linemen whose only goal is to physically dominate anyone he's across from. He'd be a massive upgrade right away and would provide protection for their new quarterback and be a huge positive in the running game. | ||
1 | 10 | 10 | New York Jets |  WR Malik Nabers, LSU |
Offensive line seems like the safe pick for the Jets in this spot, but where they sit, they could benefit from grabbing another weapon on offense and getting a linemen later in the draft. With the talent of Nabers, he'd arguably be the WR1 in any other draft class and would pair well with Garrett Wilson. | ||
1 | 11 | 11 | Minnesota Vikings |  EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State |
Outside of Danielle Hunter, the Vikings lacked a dominating presense on the defensive line and it's uncertain if he's returning next season. No matter the case, finding another young edge rusher is vital to improve they're defense from last season. | ||
1 | 12 | 12 | Denver Broncos |  EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State |
The Broncos' defensive line was among the worst in the NFL last season, making it a priority in a strong class of edge rushers. If Verse is available here, this feels like a perfect fit and would immediately improve their pass rush. | ||
1 | 13 | 13 | Las Vegas Raiders |  QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan |
The Raiders are in an interesting spot in the middle of the first round. They can opt to improve their defense, and even though they drafted Aidan O'Connell in the 4th round last year, finding their franchise guy should be the focus. | ||
1 | 14 | 14 | New Orleans Saints |  TE Brock Bowers, Georgia |
Since prime Jimmy Graham, the Saints haven't found that playmaker and safety net at tight end. With Bowers the best player available in this position, they can build around their current quarterback situation and get another weapon to help out the passing game. | ||
1 | 15 | 15 | Indianapolis Colts |  EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA |
Interviews and medicals will be vastly important for Latu, who is arguably the best pass rusher in the class. With an injury that forced him to retire earlier in his career, he will need to clear any potential questions teams have with him. He's a first-rounder regardless, and if he's here for the Colts, this pick would go a long way to improving their defense. | ||
1 | 16 | 16 | Seattle Seahawks |  OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma |
Guyton has the potential of being the best tackle in the class, but overall, he lacks the playing time compared to others. After restructuring Geno Smith's contract, the Seahawks appear to be riding their quarterback situation out, meaning they have to protect him to allow him to get the ball to all the weapons they have on their offense. | ||
1 | 17 | 17 | Jacksonville Jaguars |  CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson |
The Jaguars should do their due diligence on the class of corners, as this seems like a perfect spot to grab their CB1. Wiggins has all the tangibles of being a lockdown guy on the outside and they should have their pick of the litter in this spot. | ||
1 | 18 | 18 | Cincinnati Bengals |  OT JC Latham, Alabama |
With a young franchise quarterback who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, the Bengals need to find a way to protect him better than they have. They've went to the Alabama-well before, and if Latham is there with this pick, they should hit that well again. | ||
1 | 19 | 19 | Los Angeles Rams |  CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo |
The Rams have a plethora of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and with offensive linemen flying off the board, grabbing a defender to strengthen their defense should be the focus. Mitchell can be the CB1 for them and improve their secondary from day one. | ||
1 | 20 | 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers |  iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon |
Plug in an offensive lineman here and let Mike Tomlin do the rest. Powers-Johnson can slide into the middle of this line and immediately impact the running game and improve their pass protection. | ||
1 | 21 | 21 | Miami Dolphins |  iDL Darius Robinson, Missouri |
With the top linemen coming off the board, the Dolphins should look to improve their defensive line. With Robinson bringing position versatility, he can fill many holes that the Dolphins currently have. | ||
1 | 22 | 22 | Philadelphia Eagles |  CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa |
Darius Slay isn't getting any younger and with James Bradberry declining, grabbing a versatile defender is vital to getting the Eagles back to the winning ways. DeJean can play all five positions in the secondary, while providing help in the return game. | ||
1 | 23 | 23 | Houston Texans (via CLE) |  WR Troy Franklin, Oregon |
After finding their franchise quarterback in last year's draft, getting him more weapons needs to be the main focus. They currently have decent weapons, but none that matchup with what Franklin can bring to an offense. | ||
1 | 24 | 24 | Dallas Cowboys |  OT Amarius Mims, Georgia |
The Cowboys offensive line was decent last year, but they need to keep finding good players to replace aging veterans. Mims brings a ton of positives to both the run and pass game and could slot in at either tackle position. | ||
1 | 25 | 25 | Green Bay Packers |  CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri |
Rakestraw has become a massive riser throughout the evaluation process, and with the lack of overall depth in the secondary, he would pair well with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. The Packers are in a great spot to grab the best player available and build the opposite side of the ball from their franchise quarterback. | ||
1 | 26 | 26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |  WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU |
With questions about Mike Evans, the Buccaneers will need to find another receiver no matter the outcome. Thomas Jr. was a major part of Daniels' Heisman run, and with his size and speed, he would seamlessly replace Evans or pair nicely with him on the opposite side. | ||
1 | 27 | 27 | Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) |  CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama |
After getting an offensive weapon with their earlier pick, the Cardinals will need to look at improving their defense. Arnold can be that CB1 guy that they're currently lacking and transform that defense to help compete with a tough NFC West. | ||
1 | 28 | 28 | Buffalo Bills |  iDL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois |
Outside of a few pieces, the Bills are lacking top-end talent on the defensive line and don't have the depth needed to dominate the trenches. Newton would be a great piece to add while addressing other issues on offense later in the draft. | ||
1 | 29 | 29 | Detroit Lions |  iOL Graham Barton, Duke |
The Lions have transformed from one of the bottom half teams, to a Super Bowl contender. Finding a versatile piece to add to an offensive line doesn't come around often, which is exactly what Barton can provide. | ||
1 | 30 | 30 | Baltimore Ravens |  WR Keon Coleman, Florida State |
While Zay Flowers had a solid rookie season, finding a true outside WR1 and giving Lamar Jackson another weapon will be vital to bringing their offense to the next level. Coleman has the size, speed, and athleticism to dominate at the next level, making the Ravens offense one of the most dangerous in the NFL. | ||
1 | 31 | 31 | San Francisco 49ers |  CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama |
There's no doubting the talent the 49ers have on offense, and after watching Patrick Mahomes dice up their defense with the last drive of the Super Bowl, there's no doubt they need to improve their secondary. McKinstry has the potential of being that top guy on the outside and would be the start to rebuilding their third-level. | ||
1 | 32 | 32 | Kansas City Chiefs |  iDL Byron Murphy II, Texas |
While finding a weapon for Mahomes and their offense should be a priority, the depth of the class of receivers allows them to take what they consider the best player available. In this case, Murphy II would bring their defensive line some versatility and strength across multiple positions. | ||
2024 NFL Draft Quick Links
- Senior Bowl Standout Players
- 2024 NFL Draft Eligible Prospects Returning to School
- 2024 NFL Draft Tracker: Underclassman Who Have Declared
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