NFL Analysis
1/16/24
6 min read
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Latest First-Round Predictions After Wild card Weekend
One of the most exciting weekends in football has come and gone, and the NFL’s Divisional Round is in our sights.
As the NFL players move on, we inch closer to the 2024 NFL Draft. With the first 24 picks locked up, we’re starting to get a better idea of how things could play out in the first round.
For the first time, we have added some trades into the mix that shake things up quite a bit.
LATEST 2024 NFL MOCK DRAFT
1. Chicago Bears
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: With rumors starting to swirl regarding Justin Fields’ trade compensation, it feels like we’re inching toward a new quarterback era for the Chicago Bears.
Caleb Williams is the better option for the Bears — as of now — given his higher ceiling, arm talent and mobility in and out of the pocket.
2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 230 pounds
Class: RS Sophomore
Fit: After initial excitement surrounding Sam Howell, the Washington Commanders will target a franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. A new coaching staff is in the works and Washington will have a pick of one of the top two quarterbacks.
In this mock, they’ll go with UNC’s Drake Maye. Maye might get viewed as a consolation prize, but he shouldn’t be at all. Pairing Maye with a solid coach could get the Commanders’ rebuild started right.
Trade Alert
Atlanta Falcons Trade: 1:8, 2:43, 2025 1st-round Pick
New England Patriots Trade: 1:3
3. Atlanta Falcons
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The New England Patriots have a need at quarterback but are hitting the reset button heading into 2024. A trade back here to accumulate more draft capital is the best move for New England.
The Atlanta Falcons are the ideal trade-up candidate given their need at quarterback and a roster still constructed to compete in 2024. Jayden Daniels needs to develop his anticipation and aggressiveness targeting the middle of the field. However, he has all the tools to take the Falcons offense to the next level with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and a quality offensive line.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: One of the easiest selections in the mock draft process is Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals. Harrison is the best offensive player in this class and fills a big need.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The lack of offensive threats in the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense made Justin Herbert’s season quite difficult. With plenty of roster decisions to make on both sides of the ball, adding premier talent is a must with their top-five selection. Brock Bowers fits the bill.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 200 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: With three quarterbacks off the board, adding a premier wide receiver talent is the next best option for the New York Giants. Malik Nabers is a legit WR1 and would step in as the Giants' best offensive play-maker in Year 1.
His big-play ability, explosiveness and ability to create all over the field will give the Giants one more year to assess their quarterback situation with Daniel Jones.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 315 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Tennessee Titans’ left tackle position was a revolving door all season. Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu are premier left tackle prospects, but Alt feels like the better fit for the Titans offense as it’s constructed.
8. New England Patriots
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Moving back five spots and adding an impact receiver is excellent value for the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have a big question at quarterback, but improving the roster for new coach Jerod Mayo should be a priority instead of reaching for another quarterback because they have so many holes throughout the roster.
Trade Alert
New Orleans Saints Trade: 1:14, 2:45
Chicago Bears Trade: 1:9, 2025 5th
9. New Orleans Saints
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 319 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The New Orleans Saints have a big need at offensive tackle and with many tackle-needy teams in front of them, a move-up is something to keep an eye on.
Olu Fashanu is as clean of a prospect as they come and would step in as a starter at left tackle with some position flexibility if need be.
10. New York Jets
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 360 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Shoring up the protection in front of Aaron Rodgers is the New York Jets’ only chance of returning to the playoffs in 2024.
The Jets possess one of the NFL's better defensive units so look for them to invest heavily in the offense this offseason. Taking advantage of a great tackle class is a great use of a top-10 pick.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Jer’Zhan Newton, iDL, Illinois
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 295 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Despite his lack of size, Jer’Zhan Newton is one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the draft. His quickness, relentlessness and productivity as a pass rusher will be heavily coveted.
Pairing Newton with Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings' defense is a match made in heaven.
12. Denver Broncos
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 265 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: The Denver Broncos had a historically bad start to the year on the defense. Even after improving in the season’s second half, adding pass-rush help is a must to get better next season.
Laiatu Latu is my top-ranked edge, with medicals being one of the few concerns in his evaluation.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 196 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Fit: The Las Vegas Raiders are a team to keep an eye on in regards to moving up for a quarterback. However, with a big question mark at cornerback, adding the top-ranked cornerback outside of the top 10 is not a bad consolation prize.
Terrion Arnold’s ball skills, cover ability and ceiling give him the inside track to be the top cornerback drafted.
14. CHICAGO BEARS
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: One of the biggest risers so far is LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. His ability to create down the field is a perfect compliment to DJ Moore, who impacts all three levels of the field consistently.
The duo of Moore and Thomas Jr. would give rookie QB Caleb Williams one of the most exciting, young receiving corps in the NFL.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Indianapolis Colts had impressive offensive results in Shane Steichen’s first year as head coach. Adding more weapons to pair with a healthy Anthony Richardson will only take the offense to the next level.
Keon Coleman’s size and catch radius pair well with Richardson, who can have some issues with ball placement and accuracy.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 260 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Seattle Seahawks have holes all over their defensive front. Despite a down year for Tariq Woolen, he and Devon Witherspoon should give the Seahawks confidence in their secondary.
Upgrading the front seven should be the focus, and Jared Verse is one of the more pro-ready defensive linemen in this class.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 242 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of work to do on their roster. With holes on offense and defense, there will be plenty of tough decisions for Trent Baalke and company.
The Jaguars had a terrible year on defense, and one of their best players, Josh Allen, is expected to hit free agency. Dallas Turner is a perfect successor to Allen if he leaves in free agency.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 334 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Protecting the Cincinnati Bengals’ investment in Joe Burrow is the top priority moving forward.
Taliese Fuaga is one of the top right tackles in this class and will drastically improve the Bengals' offensive line, which has struggled mightily for most of Burrow’s career.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: Despite an exciting season in Los Angeles, the Rams will need to address their defense with valuable assets.
Nate Wiggins may be the highest-floor cornerback in this class, but his lack of size and play strength could have him fall a little further than his coverage skills would suggest.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 328 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Pittsburgh Steelers found a gem in rookie OT Broderick Jones but have had issues opposite of him for most of the season. Tyler Guyton, a former tight end, is an athletic, but physical offensive lineman that feels like a perfect fit into the Steelers offense.
Guyton’s success at right tackle would allow Jones to move to his natural position at left tackle and give the Steelers two franchise tackles to build around.
21. Miami Dolphins
Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 274 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: After seeing the defensive dropoff once Jalen Phillips went down, adding depth to the defensive line is a must for the Miami Dolphins.
Bralen Trice has starting upside at edge but his ability to play up and down the defensive line provides Vic Fangio with plenty of value.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Kamari Lassister, CB, Georgia
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 180 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: One of the biggest disappointments in 2023 was the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary. Veterans James Bradberry and Darius Slay had their fair share of struggles and young CBs Keele Ringo and Eli Ricks did not produce to the level expected.
Going back to the “Georgia Well” for Kamari Lassiter, who will play early and often for Philadelphia, should drastically improve a unit that was severely disappointing in 2023.
23. Houston Texans
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 187 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: C.J. Stroud is taking the playoffs by storm. After dominating one of the league's best defenses in the wild-card round, the sky's the limit for Stroud and the Houston Texans offense.
Nico Collins has had a breakout season, but if the Texans can upgrade their WR2 spot with Tank Dell recovering from injury and Noah Brown hitting free agency, they could be scarier in 2024.
Trade Alert
Detroit Lions Trade: 1:30, 3:93
Dallas Cowboys Trade: 1:24
24. Detroit Lions
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 195 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: We’ve seen the Detroit Lions be one of the more aggressive teams in 2023. That aggressiveness translating to the front office should surprise no one with the NFC wide open and the Lions in a nice spot with their roster.
One of their major weaknesses is the secondary, and Kool-Aid McKinstry falling into the 20’s makes an aggressive trade-up easy to imagine.
25. Green Bay Packers
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 317 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: The Green Bay Packers are in one of the hottest stretches of any NFL team. Jordan Love is playing like a top-five quarterback, Aaron Jones looks to be in prime form and Matt LaFleur is pushing all the right buttons.
Still, the Packers have some holes on their offensive line to address this offseason. Troy Fauatanu has inside-out versatility and could fill the David Bakhtiari void with two years of starting left tackle experience for Washington.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 203
Class: Junior
Fit: Even after a quality season from Baker Mayfield, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not have a long-term option at quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy is not ready to play right away, which makes his fit in Tampa Bay so strong. They have a solid roster and cap space to sign a veteran option if needed.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 264
Class: Junior
Fit: The rumors about where Chop Robinson could go in the draft are all over the place. Regardless, there’s no denying the upside Robinson offers, given his first-step quickness and explosiveness off the edge.
Robinson is likely a pass rush specialist early in his career until he develops better play strength against the run. Still, Jonathan Gannon has plenty of experience using undersized pass rushers to get home.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 196 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: It’s no secret the Kansas City Chiefs offense needs to improve. Outside of Rashee Rice, the Chiefs have received little help from their pass catchers in 2023.
Adonai Mitchell is a high-upside, reliable outside option who would slide in nicely in Andy Reid’s offense to make life easier on Patrick Mahomes in the passing game.
29. Buffalo Bills
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 227 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Wide receiver is one of the biggest holes for the Buffalo Bills. heading into the offseason. Adding another passing game outlet can make Josh Allen, James Cook, Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kincaid even more dangerous moving forward.
Joe Brady would get great use out of Xavier Legette’s size and ball skills as a big-body and athletic WR2.
30. Dallas Cowboys
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 340 pounds
Class: Junior
Fit: With holes along the offensive line and all the defense, the Dallas Cowboys are a prime trade-back candidate to pick up draft capital.
Amarius Mims has not played a ton of football over his career at Georgia but has all the traits to develop into a franchise offensive tackle, given his size, strength and athleticism.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 315 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: With few holes on the roster, adding a starting caliber right tackle and offensive line depth will be key for the San Francisco 49ers.
Patrick Paul has played his last three seasons at left tackle but should have no issue filling a swing-tackle role if need be.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Graham Barton, OT, Duke
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 314 pounds
Class: Senior
Fit: Building in the trenches is something general manager Eric DeCosta does well for the Baltimore Ravens.
Given Ronnie Stanley’s injury history and long-term questions at guard, adding a versatile lineman in Graham Barton could fill multiple needs for the NFL’s Super Bowl favorite.