2024 NFL Mock Draft – Chicago Clinches 1st Overall Pick
Welcome to the year of 2024. As you can expect, I’m back with another 2024 NFL mock draft. Recently, the Chicago Bears locked up the 1st overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Following the 1st pick, the Washington Commanders now move into the 2nd overall spot and the New England Patriots move up to the 3rd overall pick.
Soon, the top 18 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft will be solidified. With that, it’s time to jump into another mock draft following the Week 17 action in the NFL.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1.) New York Giants (via CHI): Caleb Williams QB, USC
NYG send: No. 5 pick, 2024 2nd, 2024 2nd (via SEA), 2025 1st
CHI send: No. 1 pick, 2024 5th
The Giants would most likely look to trade up in front of the Commanders if the draft were today. Caleb Williams is a generational talent who can extend plays for the better. Drake Maye could also be the pick as he’s built just like Josh Allen and we all saw how Brian Daboll used Josh Allen. As for why the Bears would do this trade, Chicago can still land a weapon for Fields at 5 or potentially further build the offensive trenches.
2.) Washington Commanders: Drake Maye QB, UNC
I think Sam Howell could be a great quarterback in this league. However, with Ron Rivera most likely being fired, alongside new ownership, a quarterback has to be the move here.
3.) New England Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State
Is taking a wide receiver with a top 3 pick a good move? When you have a player caliber of Marvin Harrison Jr, you should think about selecting him No. 1 overall if you have that pick. As for the quarterback situation, I could see the Pats in the market for a new signal-caller like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins.
4.) Arizona Cardinals: Olu Fashanu OT, Penn State
Trading back could be an option here for the Cardinals. However, drafting a franchise tackle to solidify the blind side for your franchise quarterback is more important than drafting a weapon or trading back.
5.) Chicago Bears (via NYG): Malik Nabers WR, LSU
If the Bears do run it back with Justin Fields then they need to do everything in their power to build around him. Otherwise, they’ll be selecting in the top 10 in 2025. Malik Nabers is a huge reason why LSU’s offense was so good. An offense consisting of DJ Moore, Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet would battle to be the top in the NFC North.
6.) Chicago Bears (via LAC): Joe Alt OT, Notre Dame
CHI send: No. 10 pick, 2024 2nd (NYG), 2024 3rd
LAC send: No. 6 pick
This is an example of how trading back benefits an organization. The Bears in this mock traded from the No. 1 pick and landed my No. 2 ranked players at their respective positions. Chargers will be linked heavily to Malik Nabers due to injury concerns in their receiver room, so if the Bears select Malik Nabers at 5, LA in this case, has to make a deal for the better of their team. If Chicago doesn’t do this, Nabers is a Charger and Joe Alt is a Titan.
7.) Tennessee Titans: Amarius Mims OT, UGA
Will Levis showed flashes this season. Protection and weapons are a need for Levis to continue to show his potential. In this case, Tennessee selects an offensive lineman because tackles aren’t deep in this class. Titans will need to look towards the middle rounds to fill out their arsenal.
8.) New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga OT, Oregon State
Aaron Rodgers returning in 2024 means one thing, the Jets will continue to build the trenches. I expect the Jets to be linked to David Bakhtiari and Davante Adams all offseason. Plugging in Fuaga on the right side while Bakhtiari takes over the left is what I’m doing here.
9.) Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels QB, LSU
The Falcons have to change their signal caller. To me, Jayden Daniels is their best option. Kirk Cousins could be another option but that still wouldn’t rule out Atlanta taking a younger quarterback to develop. Daniels could be a day 1 starter and should rejuvenate the Falcons’ franchise.
10.) Los Angeles Chargers (via CHI): Brock Bowers TE, UGA
I’m not sure why but Herbert to Bowers just seems inevitable. All the great quarterbacks have a great tight end to pair with them. Mahomes/Kelce, Purdy/Kittle, Hurts/Goedert. Bowers seems to be a match made in heaven for the Chargers.
11.) Las Vegas Raiders: Rome Odunze WR, Washington
Earlier I said I believe that the Jets will look to trade for Davante Adams. As expected, this means the wide receiver position would be a crucial need for the Raiders. Odunze put up incredible numbers this season and helped lead them to the College Football Playoffs.
12.) Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu EDGE, UCLA
The first defensive prospect comes off the board after 11 picks. Which is crazy because it’s something that could happen. Minnesota pairing Danielle Hunter with an explosive pass rusher like Laiatu Latu would be incredible to see.
13.) New Orleans Saints: Jer’Zhan Newton IDL, Illinois
Newton could very well be a top 10 pick come April. It’s just a matter of who’s picking where. In this case, the Saints need interior help and that’s what they’re getting.
14.) Denver Broncos: Keon Coleman WR, Florida State
Will the Broncos re-sign Jerry Jeudy? Will Courtland Sutton and Jeudy remain healthy? That’s the big question mark for next season. Which is why Keon Coleman is the selection here. Also, be on the lookout for Sean Payton to make a run for Kirk Cousins.
15.) Seattle Seahawks: Chop Robinson EDGE, Penn State
Seattle has drafted well the previous 2 years. I expect that to continue this year as they’re close to being an actual threat to the league. Adding Chop Robinson to an already scary defense is the thing to do here.
16.) Cincinnati Bengals: Kool-Aid McKinstry CB, Alabama
Another disappointing season for the Bengals. It’s a shame they’re not in the playoffs this year. Don’t worry though Bengal fans! Cincinnati now adds an elite corner in this mock in Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry.
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17.) Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Jared Verse EDGE, FSU
A pre-season top 5 prospect slid down boards and he did for me as well. To be a dominant pass rusher like Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux, you need to contribute each week. Verse was nowhere to be seen in some games but I still expect to see his name in the 1st-round.
18.) Pittsburgh Steelers: JC Latham OT, Alabama
Pittsburgh is another team that I have no idea what they’ll do. In this case, I mocked them the best available player. Maybe building the trenches is the correct thing to do here. Don’t rule out a potential cornerback being selected here.
19.) Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia OT, BYU
With question marks surrounding the Packers’ offensive line, I decided to mock them as a pre-season 1st-rounder in BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia. He won’t be a Day 1 elite tackle, however, he has the traits to develop into the next best Packer blindside protector.
20.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyler Nubin SAF, Minnesota
Playmaker is what the Bucs defense is all about. As you can guess, Nubin is indeed a playmaker. Alongside Antoine Winfield Jr., Nubin would be a nightmare to game plan against.
21.) Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Turner EDGE, Alabama
Turner could increase his stock into top-15 consideration. Additionally, the Indianapolis Colts are in desperate need of pass rush help. Needless to say, Turner would bring exactly that to Indianapolis.
22.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold CB, Alabama
The Jaguars have the front 7 pretty much figured out. Now’s the time to invest in a corner that might develop into a top-10 corner in the league. Ultimately, Arnold has the potential to be that guy.
23.) Los Angeles Rams: Cooper DeJean CB, Iowa
Rams have absolutely hit their previous drafts out of the ballpark! Cooper DeJean is a player who can play outside, inside, heck you can even put him at punt returner.
24.) Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell WR, Texas
Adonai Mitchell has a chance to win a 3rd straight National Championship. He’s a winner, and a winner is what the Bills need on their team. With Stefon Diggs getting up there in age and uncertainties around who the WR2 is in Buffalo, don’t be shocked if they take another weapon for Josh Allen to work with.
25.) Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Thomas Jr. WR, LSU
Speaking of needing a wide receiver, the Kansas City Chiefs need one in the worst way. Thomas Jr.’s teammate was selected by the Bears earlier in the mock. Mahomes needs someone who can catch, and that’s exactly what this LSU receiver can do.
26.) Philadelphia Eagles: Kamren Kinchens SAF, Miami
Ballhawk, a big hitter, and a great open-field tackler. Remind you of anyone? Eagles fans would be calling Kinchens the next Brian Dawkins within a few years if he winds up in Philly.
27.) Detroit Lions: Kalen King CB, Penn State
Detroit is in desperate need of a corner. While King was playing, Penn State was the #1 defense in the nation. Consequently, he opts out of their bowl game and Penn State allows nearly 400 pass yards. There’s a reason King will be a first-rounder.
28.) Houston Texans (via CLE): Troy Franklin WR, Oregon
A vertical threat is what the Texans will look for this offseason. That’s what Franklin brings to the table. While we saw breakout seasons from Nico Collins and Tank Dell, the Texans need more weapons for CJ Stroud to work with. This offense could be very exciting to watch over the next few seasons.
29.) Miami Dolphins: Leonard Taylor IDL, Miami
Miami could go offensive line here but I think it’d be a reach. However, we do see a lot near the end of the first round. In the end, don’t rule out an offensive lineman being picked here. However, for value, Leonard Taylor would help bolster the run defense in Miami.
30.) Dallas Cowboys: Nate Wiggins CB, Clemson
The simple explanation here… Trevon Diggs is coming off of ACL surgery and Stephon Gilmore is getting up there in age. Dallas should look to add another piece on the defensive side here. This would make this elite defense even scarier.
31.) San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Burke CB, Ohio State
San Francisco could honestly go front 7 here and I wouldn’t be upset. Their defense is so stacked. However, corner is a big need and Burke is my next best available.
32.) Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Legette WR, South Carolina
Legette reminds me a lot of DK Metcalf when he came out of Ole Miss. His catch radius is absolutely insane! In the end, he might run in the 4.3s at the NFL Combine. Once the Combine is over, Legette might draw top 15 consideration. Oh, and he’s 6’3, he’s an absolute demon.
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