2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.01

By: Aaron Silcoff

It’s safe to say that this year’s NFL draft is a bit more exciting than years past. It feels like we have heard names such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Brock Bowers for years just to highlight some of the elite talent in this year’s class. To go along with that, we see marquee franchises picking near the top of the draft with teams like the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Chargers with new coach Jim Harbaugh currently rounding out 3 of the top 5 selections in this draft.  

With that in mind, I will try to project where this skilled class lands in my first of two mocks before Roger Goodell steps to the podium on April 25th in Detroit.  

1. Chicago Bears (Via Carolina Panthers)- Caleb WIlliams, QB, USC: 

• Once the Bears decided they were moving on from Justin Fields in March, they essentially confirmed the inevitable. Chicago resets the rookie scale contract clock with arguably the most talented quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012.  

2. Washington Commanders- Drake Maye, QB, UNC: 

• It’s been fascinating to hear the discussion surrounding Maye vs Daniels in this spot for the Commanders. I’ll take the pedigree of Maye in this mock who has been touted as the #2 QB in this class for years. New GM Adams Peters, as well as new head coach Dan Quinn, have ties to the Shannan offense that values the pocket passer over the dual-threat athlete.  

3. New England Patriots- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: 

• The Patriots take a shot on the Heisman Trophy winner in 2023 who I hope sits all of 2024 behind veteran QB Jacoby Brissett. Frankly, the Patriots do not have the talent to support a young quarterback. To keep it respectful, they have below average line and weapons. With that said, Daniels would be my QB1 in the 2025 class, so why not secure the future now? Not to mention, Patriots fans need hope under center after a disastrous last two seasons with Mac Jones. 

4. Arizona Cardinals- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State: 

• If it weren't for recent trade rumors, this pick feels as safe as Caleb to Chicago at #1. I’m not buying the pre-draft smoke that one of Nabers or Odunze could be taken ahead of Harrison, and if the Cardinals keep the pick, they take Harrison to form a dynamic duo with QB Kyler Murray which could be scary for years to come in the NFC West.  

5. Minnesota Vikings (Via Los Angeles Chargers)- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: 

• Trade Details: Vikings Send 11, 23 & 2025 3rd to Chargers for 5 & 105 

• The trade that all signs are pointing to gets done in this situation. The Vikings move up to snag McCarthy before the Giants, where the national championship QB has also been linked to throughout this process. The Vikings quickly find a replacement for Kirk Cousins, and I am confident McCarthy would succeed with great offensive mind Kevin O'Connell calling the plays and the talent around him on that side of the ball with the likes of Justin Jefferson & Jordan Addison. 

6. New York Giants- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: 

• After losing RB Saquon Barkley to the division rival Eagles in free agency, the Giants are in a situation where they need talent on offense. Big Blue takes the best skilled player available with Nabers where they hope he can provide the same spark the last first-round WR from LSU they took in 2014 in Odell Beckham Jr.

7. Tennessee Titans- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: 

• Another pick that looks chalk, but the Titans seem to believe in Will Levis as their future QB based on their moves this offseason. New coach Brian Callahan comes from a family that we know very much values the offensive line where the Titans will do all they can to support Levis by leaving no stone unturned.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: 

• After focusing on the offensive side for most of the offseason, Raheem Morris gets help on his side of the ball by acquiring the best edge rusher in the class to help fortify his defense.  

9. Indianapolis Colts (Via Chicago Bears)- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: 

• Trade Details: Colts Send 15 & 46 to Bears for 9 & 122 

• I’m sure it would be tempting for Bears GM Ryan Poles to snag Odunze to go along with offseason addition Kennan Allen and last year’s big in D.J. Moore in the WR room. Chicago does not have much draft capital to work with after this selection and should value adding a 2nd round pick which the Colts would provide here. 

• Indy adds Odunze to their offense that could be considered somewhat scary with Jonathan Taylor & Anthony Richardson returning for a full season under 2nd year coach Shane Steichen who impressed in year 1.

10. New York Jets- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State: 

• Dare I say the New York Jets have had a smart offseason? Although it would be Jet-like to take a Bowers or Thomas Jr. In this spot, they saw last year how disastrous a season can go if they cannot protect the quarterback, if his input does matter, Aaron Rodgers should support taking a tackle over a skilled position player at this stage of his career, especially when he already has young studs Breece Hall, and Garrett Wilson to work with along with newly acquired veteran Mike Williams. 

11. Los Angeles Chargers (Via Minnesota Vikings)- Tailese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State: 

• After trading down with the Vikings, the Jim Harbaugh era begins with the safe pick of the first of their two first-round selections. Harbaugh values the trenches and takes Fuaga to protect his franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.  

12. Denver Broncos- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: 

• There’s been smoke surrounding Bo Nix to the Broncos as he seems to be a good fit in a Sean Payton offense, but I do not see him as a top prospect in this class. If Denver can trade down and acquire more lottery tickets, I can see them taking Nix later in round 1 or trading into the early 2nd, but, given their current status, Denver selects Arnold, who is the best corner in the draft to pair up with Patrick Surtain, or eventually replace as Payton continues his tear down of this roster.

13. Las Vegas Raiders- Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington: 

• After a dazzling pro day, I believe Penix has established himself as a first-round pick. The question with Penix has not been his play, it has been health. Penix has managed to stay healthy the past two years, and the Raiders have the offensive weapons with a solid enough line to support him. Las Vegas also signed Gardner Minshew this spring, therefore, they do not have to rush him onto the field if they do not feel confident in their protection going into 2024.
  

14. New Orleans Saints- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU: 

• After cutting ties with former All-Pro Michael Thomas this offseason, as well as star back Alvin Kamara getting another year older, the Saints cannot simply depend on Chris Olave to help elevate QB Derek Carr in 2024. New Orleans keeps the LSU product in Louisiana where Thomas Jr. already feels at home.  

15. Chicago Bears (Via Indianapolis Colts)- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State: 

• Much like the Falcons after focusing on offense throughout most of the offseason, the Bears add another pass rusher to Matt Eberflus’ defense that vastly improved after the acquisition of Montez Sweat at last season’s trade deadline.  

16. Seattle Seahawks- Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington: 

• The offensive line has been an issue in Seattle for nearly a decade since the Max Unger for Jimmy Graham swap in 2015. In the last couple of season's the Seahawks have shown improvement at tackle with Charles Cross & Abe Lucas, Fautanu would bring the ability to play outside or slide inside to guard while already being familiar with new OC Ryan Grubb’s offense.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia:  

• Truthfully, it is unlikely that Bowers falls this far, but man, would this be fun! Jacksonville doesn't essentially need a Tight End, as Evan Engram has resurrected his career over the past two seasons with the Jags. The Jaguars replacing Gabe Davis for Calvin Ridley doesn't move the needle for me in the loaded AFC. Jacksonville takes the best player available in Bowers to pair with Trevor Lawrence, who could be a great connection for years.

18. Cincinnati Bengals- J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama: 

• I would take a healthy Joe Burrow over every quarterback in the NFL besides Patrick Mahomes. Burrow was the last quarterback to beat Mahomes in the post-season, when he took the Bengals to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Rams. Even throughout the run that run, Burrow took a beating due to poor offensive line play, and nearly two-and-a-half years later, not much has changed on that front. The Bengals add Latham to help address that need to keep their star upright after inking his mega-deal before the 2023 season. 19. Los Angeles Rams- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: 

• After shocking the NFL in 2023 by returning to the post-season, the Rams lost their franchise cornerstone and arguably the greatest defensive player in the history of the sport in Aaron Donald due to retirement in March. Of course, you cannot replace the first-ballot hall of famer’s pass rush ability with one draft pick, the Rams add some talent to the defense by keeping Latu, the product out of UCLA in Southern California.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: 

• You may be starting to notice a trend in this first round... A lot of teams need help at the offensive line, although I am not a believer in either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields as the long-term answer in Pittsburgh, but if the black and gold want either of their new additions in the QB room to work, the Steelers will have to keep them upright. Mims lands in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers take a tackle out of Georgia for the second straight draft.

21. Miami Dolphins- Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois: 

• The Dolphins defense was already horrible last season and losing their best player on that unit in Christian Wilkins to the Raiders was no help. Newton goes to Miami where he can at least try to fill in some of the lost production from Wilkins on the defensive line.  

22. Philadelphia Eagles- Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa: 

• Months removed; I am still confused as to what happened to the Philadelphia Eagles during the back half of the 2023 season. At 10-1, riding high, the Eagles were my Super Bowl favorites and then went on to lose 6 of their last 7 games, where they lost to Baker Mayfield & his Buccaneers on National TV in the Wildcard round. Much of the Eagles downfall had to do with their awful secondary, adding DeJean would bring the versatility to move him around safety and corner to help shore up the secondary.

23. Los Angeles Chargers (Via Minnesota Vikings)-Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas: 

• With their second pick in round 1, the Chargers add a much-needed weapon after cutting ties with Kennan Allen & Mike Williams. Mitchell excels in the deep ball game and should have an instant connection with big-armed quarterback Justin Herbert.  

24. Dallas Cowboys- Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon: 

• Is it the sexy pick? Probably not, but Dallas’s Oline continues to get older and sees cornerstone players on that unit depart every year. Powers-Johnson would help provide stability for Dak Prescott, or whoever is the Cowboys QB in 2025.   25. Green Bay Packers- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: 

• Jaire Alexander is a walking trade rumor, and divorce seems inevitable over the next couple of seasons. Green Bay takes his eventual replacement with Mitchell late in the first round.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State: 

• Todd Bowles loves to get his hands on pass rushers with potential in his blitz-heavy scheme. Robinson joins Tampa who looks to replace Shaq Barrett.  

27. Arizona Cardinals (Via Houston Texans)- Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas: 

• Perhaps the steal of round 1. The Cardinals defense was terrible last season, and after getting Marvin Harrison earlier, Jonathan Gannon finally gets to draft a defensive player in round 1 for the first time in his Cardinals tenure.  

28. Buffalo Bills- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: 

• The Bills said goodbye this off-season to key veterans in their secondary such as; Jordan Poyer, and Tre’Davious White. Buffalo desperately needs bodies and McKinstry is the pick, not to mention he might have the best name in this draft class. 

29. Detroit Lions- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: 

• The Lions are so close to the Super Bowl, and part of what held them back last season was their poor secondary. I do like the addition of Carlton Davis to this defense, but I do not expect it to be a long-term answer. I trust DC Aaron Glenn to help mold Wiggins into a starting-caliber NFL corner.

30. Baltimore Ravens- Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma: 

• After trading starting tackle Morgan Moses to the Jets, Baltimore finds his replacement and gets younger with Guyton sliding into his spot. 

31. San Francisco 49ers- Graham Barton, OG, Duke: 

• The 49ers don’t have many holes on their roster, but I would say the line is not one of their strengths. Barton helps shore up the inside of this unit to keep the run game alive and well.

32. Kansas City Chiefs- Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia: 

• At the time of writing this wide receiver Rashee Rice’s availability for the first part of the season is at least uncertain. McConkey fills a need in the slot for the two-time Super Bowl Champs who need depth at wideout despite adding Hollywood Brown.