NFL Analysis
12/18/23
12 min read
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Latest First-Round Predictions After Week 15
As we inch closer to the 2024 NFL Draft, we’re getting more of an idea of what the top picks will look like. In the top five, we continue to see quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive tackles at the top of this year's class.
A new team has entered the quarterback sweepstakes in this version, shaking up a few things in the top 10.
Latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears 
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Justin Fields continues to show some growth, but it’s hard to see the Chicago Bears passing on their pick of the litter at quarterback. Fields has improved his trade value recently, and while we should not rule out the Bears trading the pick and sticking with Fields, it’s still more likely we'll see a new quarterback, such as Caleb Williams, in Chicago in 2024.
2. New England Patriots 
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Drake Maye did not quite close out the season like I had hoped, but the traits are all there for him to be the New England Patriots' next franchise quarterback. Maye brings an athletic element to New England’s offense that it has not had in the Bill Belichick era.
3. Arizona Cardinals 
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the perfect weapon to add to the Arizona Cardinals' offense and pair alongside Trey McBride, giving quarterback Kyler Murray multiple solid options in the passing game.
4. Washington Commanders 
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Since Sam Howell’s benching in Week 15, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the Washington Commanders will be looking for their next answer at quarterback. Jayden Daniels had a massive rise with his Heisman-winning performance in 2023 for the LSU Tigers. Daniels is a dynamic athlete, and his strides as a passer in 2023 make him a serious candidate to go in the top five.
5. Chicago Bears
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Securing protection for their new franchise quarterback, Williams, is likely the best option for the Bears. The race for OT1 between Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt will be an interesting one to follow. For now, Fashanu would slide in at left tackle for Braxton Jones and give Chicago's new signal-caller two bookends at offensive tackle in Fashanu and Darnell Wright.
6. New York Jets 
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Another week, another dreadful outing for the New York Jets’ offense. With wide receiver and offensive tackle being the two likely positions of focus here, adding an explosive play-maker in Malik Nabers to pair with Garrett Wilson raises the ceiling more than a left tackle. Nabers is the most explosive receiver in this class and would give the Jets two dynamic receivers to help them get back on track.
7. New York Giants 
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The New York Giants have been in on quarterbacks in recent mock drafts, but with three going ahead of their pick, reaching for QB4 with much better players on the board is a bad idea for a Giants team with so many holes. Brock Bowers is one of the best offensive players in this class, and his play-making ability as a receiver and blocker could go a long way toward getting New York's offense back on track.
8. Los Angeles Chargers 
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Los Angeles Chargers will have to make some tough decisions this offseason. Currently sitting way over the salary cap, the Chargers will have to look into moving on from one of, or possibly both, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston has been a significant disappointment so far this season, and relying on him in 2024 would be bad for whoever takes over in Los Angeles.
9. Tennessee Titans 
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Rookie QB Will Levis has made some strides in 2023, but he’s continuing to take a beating in and out of the pocket due to poor offensive line play. Protecting Levis and getting the running game back on track should be at the top of the offseason priority list for the Tennessee Titans. Joe Alt could be the first offensive lineman drafted due to his size, athleticism and technique at the left tackle position.
10. Atlanta Falcons 
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
After the Atlanta Falcons dropped one of the most disappointing games of the season, the talk of them drafting a quarterback continues to get louder and louder. Michael Penix Jr.’s draft stock has bounced around quite a bit this year, but with so many quarterback-needy teams, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be drafted somewhere in the top 15.
11. Green Bay Packers 
Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
So far, we’ve bounced back and forth between left tackle and cornerback for the Green Bay Packers. The top two tackles are off the board at this point. Green Bay just allowed Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to move the ball through the air effortlessly, so adding to the secondary with the best cornerback in the draft, Nate Wiggins, is excellent value at a position of need for the Packers.
12. Las Vegas Raiders 
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
One of this week's most dominating performances came from the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football. Despite pummeling the Chargers, the Raiders will need to add talent on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Terrion Arnold is one of the two Alabama cornerbacks expected to go in the first round. He would have the chance to be one of the Raiders' best players in the secondary as soon as he steps into their locker room.
13. Seattle Seahawks 
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Seattle Seahawks' defense needs a big-time makeover this offseason. Adding a three-down player in Laiatu Latu is a step in the right direction. Latu’s medicals will be a significant factor in his evaluation, but if they check out, he may be the defender in this draft class with the biggest impact, regardless of position.
14. New Orleans Saints 
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints' offensive line has had issues all season. Andrus Peat has struggled at left tackle, and drafting his replacement would be wise. Derek Carr has taken a beating in 2023, and the Saints have yet to find any consistency in their run game. Due to his physical traits, Amarius Mims is one of the higher-ceiling offensive tackles in this draft class.
15. Denver Broncos 
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
We started to think the Denver Broncos' defense was back, but the unit quickly slapped back into reality after its Saturday night loss to the Lions. The Broncos have struggled to find their long-term answer at edge rusher since trading Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins. Dallas Turner has the tool belt to be the best pass rusher in this class but will need to continue to develop his consistency and play strength off the edge vs. the run to stay on the field for three downs.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers 
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Cornerback is a consistent theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many view Kool-Aid McKinstry as the top corner in this class, and he would immediately improve a struggling Pittsburgh secondary.
17. Arizona Cardinals
*From Houston
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Despite the Arizona Cardinals' lack of defensive talent, they've had some gritty performances in 2023. It has been quite impressive. Adding talent to Jonathan Gannon’s defense with one of their two first-round picks is a must. Jared Verse and Jonathan Gannon are the perfect pairing, and Verse would likely walk in as a starter for Arizona with position flexibility.
18. Buffalo Bills 
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Despite a dominant win from the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Josh Allen only completed passes to one wide receiver. The Bills’ passing game relies heavily on Stefon Diggs, Dalton Kincaid and their running backs. Buffalo needs to add another reliable play-maker to the offense to make deeper playoff runs.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Adding to the secondary is a must for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Adding the talent and versatility of Iowa DB Cooper DeJean immediately upgrades a Tampa Bay defense that has struggled to stop opposing passing games all season. DeJean’s athletic profile and position flexibility will allow him to play all over the field for Tampa Bay's defense.
20. Minnesota Vikings 
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Minnesota Vikings will be in the market for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. J.J. McCarthy is raw but has the traits to develop into a starter if drafted into the right situation. The Vikings can offer that — they have a quality head coach and play-caller, one of the best receivers in the NFL and a safety net tight end to help take some of the pressure off a young quarterback’s shoulders.
21. Los Angeles Rams 
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Los Angeles Rams continue to impress in 2023. What doesn't impress is the Rams' defensive roster heading into 2024. Despite some impressive performances from a few young defenders this season, the need for impact players heading into 2024 is clear. Chop Robinson is undersized and struggles to hold up against the run, but his value lies in what he offers as a pass rusher.
22. Indianapolis Colts 
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Whether Michael Pittman Jr. returns to the Indianapolis Colts is yet to be determined. Either way, adding to the receiver room would be an excellent investment for the Colts. Keon Coleman has yet to declare, but his size, catch radius and ability to win on all three levels of the field would make the Colts’ offense even more quarterback-friendly for Anthony Richardson in 2024.
23. Cincinnati Bengals 
J. C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The Cincinnati Bengals ignoring Joe Burrow’s protection and spending premium draft picks elsewhere has been going on long enough. While they have tried going the veteran route, it’s time the Bengals finally address the right position with a long-term answer. Alabama’s J.C. Latham is a monster run blocker who impresses as a pass blocker for a man of his size.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars 
Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
While defense could be the move here, Brandon Scheriff’s contract and injury concerns could force the Jacksonville Jaguars to add the offensive line. Troy Fautanu possesses the versatility and experience to play inside-out in the NFL, and keeping Trevor Lawrence upright will be a must if the Jaguars want to continue to compete in the AFC.
25. Kansas City Chiefs 
Troy Franklin., WR, Oregon
The Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore experiment is all but over for the Kansas City Chiefs. Even with Rashee Rice breaking out, the Chiefs still need to add to a wide receiver room lacking top-end talent and depth. Troy Franklin was one of the top wide receivers in college football in 2023 and would provide Patrick Mahomes with a consistent, reliable, big-play threat at receiver to pair with Rice and Travis Kelce.
26. Houston Texans 
*From Cleveland
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Houston Texans' offense has struggled mightily since Tank Dell went down with an injury. Emeka Egbuka is a quarterback-friendly option for C.J. Stroud who helps raise the ceiling of a Houston wide receiver room exceeding expectations this season.
27. Dallas Cowboys 
Graham Barton, OT, Duke
The Dallas Cowboys were dominated in the trenches Sunday against the Bills. With Tyler Biadasz expected to hit free agency and needing swing tackle depth, Graham Barton makes too much sense for the Dallas offense. Barton is expected to move inside in the NFL but has plenty of starting experience at tackle to serve as a quality swing tackle option.
28. Detroit Lions 
Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
The Detroit Lions' defense has had issues stopping quality offenses all season. Washington’s EDGE/DL Bralen Trice is one of the more underrated defenders in this draft class and fits in perfectly with the culture Dan Campbell is building in Detroit.
29. Miami Dolphins 
Jer'Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois
With multiple pending free agents along the interior of the defensive line this offseason, restocking the defensive tackle room with the best interior defensive lineman in the draft is a win for the Miami Dolphins. Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton is getting dinged due to his lack of size, but he’ll provide an immediate impact in the pass rush as he continues to develop his play strength and versatility as a run defender.
30. Philadelphia Eagles 
Kamari Lassister, CB, Georgia
A continued concern for the Philadelphia Eagles' defense is their secondary. Darius Slay had his knee scoped recently and will miss some time. But with the regression of James Bradberry, and with Eli Ricks, Bradley Roby and Keele Ringo yet to show much in 2023, adding to the cornerback room will be a must for Philadelphia this offseason. We know how much Howie Roseman likes going to the Georgia well for his defensive play-makers, so it should not shock anyone if he does it again at the back end of the first round with CB Kamari Lassister.
31. Baltimore Ravens 
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
One of the few weaknesses on the Baltimore Ravens' defense is their depth at cornerback. Marlon Humphrey has had bad injury luck recently, and the quality depth behind him is a concern. Quinyon Mitchell is one of the best cover corners in this class; he has an elite athletic profile. This would make one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFL even scarier heading into 2024.
32. San Francisco 49ers 
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
One of the more consistent themes in this mock draft series is the San Francisco 49ers adding Taliese Fuaga to their offensive line at the back end of the first round. Colton McKivitz has zero guaranteed money left on his contract at the end of the 2023 season and is currently the weak link on the 49ers’ offensive line. This pairing is a perfect one for the 49ers and Fuaga.
