2024 Round One NFL Mock Draft: A QB Frenzy and Offensive Explosion Underline the First
Free agency has turned the corner and along comes the 2024 NFL draft. Excitement is rising and rumors are spreading and I am here to do my best to sort through the rumors and figure out where the NFL’s future stars will start their careers. In this 1st round mock draft, I will be doing my best to figure out the intense QB situation around the league, and provide insight into my reasoning for each pick.
The NFL draft is one of the hardest things to predict, with constant false rumors, some of which are spread by the teams, and a lot of secrets being kept. My picks may not be entirely popular, but I made them with confidence and research to back them. Without further adieu, the Chicago Bears will be kicking it off with the 1st overall pick.
1.) Chicago Bears (via Carolina)
USC QB Caleb Williams
With the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will likely be selecting USC QB Caleb Williams. When the Bears sent Justin Fields to the Steelers they made it obvious that they are searching for a new QB, and Caleb Williams is the almost unanimous choice.
2.) Washington Commanders
LSU QB Jayden Daniels
The Commanders are in obvious need of a new QB. Especially after they sent Sam Howell to the Seahawks. While it is more than likely that they will be selecting a QB with the 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft, who that QB will be is largely up in the air. However, The Commanders have visited and interviewed LSU QB Jayden Daniels twice already, while only meeting with and interviewing other QBs once. Additionally, Daniels is a scrambler, which is something that Washington has favored in their QB play over the past two decades.
3.) New England Patriots
UNC QB Drake Maye
The Patriots have lost their six-time Super Bowl Champion and longtime head coach Bill Belichick. Now they are hoping that their defense will continue its dominance without Belichick as they try to fill in their offensive holes. North Carolina QB Drake Maye would be the perfect fit for this offense. The Patriots’ new Patriots offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, has had a history of coaching good QBs with a strong pocket presence, such as Andy Dalton and Aaron Rodgers. While Maye needs some improvement on his footwork, his pocket presence is strong. He has a sturdy arm, good accuracy, as well as many other traits that will make him a good fit in New England.
4.) Arizona Cardinals
OSU WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Cardinals will likely be faced with a lot of opportunities to trade back in the draft for the many QB hungry teams. However, the chance to draft OSU WR Marvin Harrison Jr. may be too much to pass up. The Cardinals’ offense is in desperate need of a kickstart as Kyler Murray’s tenure in Arizona is in question along with a lack of support around him. Harrison may be one of the top WR draft prospects in a while, and he might be exactly what the Cardinals need.
5.) Minnesota Vikings (Trade via LAC)
The Vikings will likely be looking to trade up to find their future franchise QB and the Chargers have a few big holes that will be better filled with more picks. My mock trade has the Vikings sending the 11th and 23rd overall picks to the Chargers for the 5th and 110th overall picks.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
After letting Kirk Cousins walk during free agency, the team is in desperate need for a new QB. They have one of the best left and right tackle duos in the league, and some great weapons in RB Aaron Jones and WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Now a QB is the last remaining piece to the puzzle. QB J.J. McCarthy just earned Michigan’s first national championship and now he is looking to bring his skills to the NFL. Cousins wasn’t enough to push the Vikings into true contention for the Super Bowl, but maybe all they needed was a little youth and athleticism.
6.) New York Giants
LSU WR Malik Nabers
With the 6th overall pick, the Giants have a few options. They could take a QB; although, the best QBs are already off the board, or they could take a weapon for their current QB, Daniel Jones. While Daniel Jones is not expected to be the long term solution for the Giants, they did sign him to a four year contract extension last offseason. LSU WR Malik Nabers would be a great weapon and he fits the typical physical profile of Giants’ WRs.
7.) Tennessee Titans
Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
The Titans haven’t been able to find a solid replacement for LT Taylor Lewan since he was cut by the team due to injury in 2022. Now the Titans think they have found their franchise QB in Will Levis, and they have given him some weapons in WRs Deandre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. Now the missing piece in the pass game is on the offensive line, and Notre Dame OT Joe Alt is the best man for the job.
8.) Atlanta Falcons
Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
The Falcons have primarily completed their offensive group this offseason by Acquiring QB Kirk Cousins. Now their needs are on defense. Last season they ranked 27th in the pass rush, and Dallas Turner is a more than solid option to fill that hole. The Falcons have already met with him the most among all edge rushing prospects.
9.) Chicago Bears
Washington WR Rome Odunze
Despite the Bears’ many defensive and offensive line needs, they have been stacking up their offensive weapons throughout the last two seasons. With the likely acquisition of Caleb Williams, they are giving him what most QBs would ask for, more weapons. The Bears have primarily spent their offseason meetings with offensive weapons and Washington WR Rome Odunze is the best one left on the board.
10.) New York Jets
Georgia TE Brock Bowers
The New York Jets are in need of multiple offensive pieces. They need more weapons for QB Aaron Rodgers and the team needs more protection for him on the offensive line. So, who better to pick up than Georgia TE Brock Bowers. Bowers is a great receiver and an above average blocking TE. While he may not be an extra lineman– like some TEs can be, he will definitely be reliable.
11.) Los Angeles Chargers (Trade via Minnesota)
Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
The Chargers allowed the 13th most sacks last season with 43. While they may have bigger needs on other parts of their team, most other offensive weapons are predicted to go later in the first, allowing the Chargers to pick Penn State OT Olu Fashanu, the probable best tackle left in this mock draft.
12.) Denver Broncos
Oregon QB Bo Nix
After cutting QB Russell Wilson, the Broncos are in desperate need of his replacement with the lack of stability in their current QB room. Oregon QB Bo Nix would be a nice addition to the Broncos offense and he plays similarly to Drew Brees in terms of strong accuracy and questionable arm strength, which would be familiar to head coach Sean Payton.
13.) Las Vegas Raiders
Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
Many fans may want and expect the Raiders to draft their new franchise QB, but in the team’s recent history, they often don’t draft a QB early, and when they do, it doesn’t turn out for the best. Remember JaMarcus Russell? They also signed QB Gardner Minshew for an amount that suggests he is more than a backup. For those reasons, I believe the Raiders will be bringing in protection for Gardner Minshew in the form of Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga, who will be an anchor on the right side of their offensive line.
14.) New Orleans Saints
Alabama OT J.C. Latham
The Saints are in need of improving their game in the trenches. Since 2000, the Saints have used 14 of their first round picks on trench players, and they will likely continue that trend this upcoming draft. They have a few young pieces on their defensive line from last year’s draft, and now they have signed edge rusher Chase Young. This year, their best option at this point in the draft would be Alabama OT J.C. Latham.
15.) Indianapolis Colts
Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
Last season, the Colts had one of the worst coverage units in the league, ranking among the last five. Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell would give the Colts the ability to strengthen coverage on the outside of the hashes, where they have been most vulnerable. He would likely be an immediate starter and impact player.
16.) Seattle Seahawks
Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Last season, the Seahawks had only one player, Boye Mafe, record 30+ pressures, and no player that stood out as a true pass rushing threat. Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse, who was, for a time, predicted to go in the top five of the 2024 draft, will be a great addition to that defensive unit.
17.) Jacksonville Jaguars
LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
With the loss of Calvin Ridley, and no shortage of attempts to get him back, the Jaguars are in need of a new receiver. They did add some depth at WR with the addition of Gabe Davis, but their overall receiving unit will be much of a threat to opposing secondaries. LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. will be a great addition as he is bigger and faster than Calvin Ridley. He might not be an immediate number one, but he will definitely have the potential to be once he gets some coaching.
18.) Cincinnati Bengals
Texas DT Byron Murphy II
Now that the Bengals have signed OT Trent Brown in free agency, and lost two key defensive players, DT D.J. Reader and CB Chidobe Awuzie, they are very likely to be spending their 1st round pick on defensive help. Texas DT Byron Murphy will be a great help in Cincinnati in both the pass and run games, while also being the best projected DT in this year’s draft.
19.) Los Angeles Rams
UCLA Edge Laiatu Latu
Last season, the Rams pass rush unit was ranked 30th in the league, and now they lost future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to retirement. Soon to be 2nd year player, Kobie Turner, will continue to progress and be able to take on some of the role that Aaron Donald had. UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu would be the next addition that could be used to take some of Aaron Donald’s responsibilities in the pass rush game.
20.) Pittsburgh Steelers
Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
The Steelers have some gaping holes on their roster on both sides of the ball, one of those holes being on the offensive line. Picking up Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson would be a great help in the run game. He provides a very physical and powerful type of play that’s typical in Pittsburgh. He would also allow their new QB room to feel much more comfortable with their protection.
21.) Miami Dolphins
Washington OT Troy Fautanu
The Dolphins are a pass heavy team with a strong run game. They have had to restructure a lot of their offensive line during free agency as their salary cap would permit. Now they have holes throughout their offensive line and Washington OT Troy Fautanu would be a great fit. He could play interior if needed, and he would be a great help in both the pass and run game.
22.) Baltimore Ravens (Trade via Philadelphia)
The Ravens will likely be trying to draft a WR or OT, both of which positions are heavy needs of many of the last teams in the draft. My mock trade has the Ravens sending the 30th and 93rd overall picks to the Eagles for the 22nd pick.
Georgia OT Amarius Mims
The Ravens lost three starting offensive linemen in free agency and while they have some backups that could start for them, they don’t have anyone extremely reliable. Georgia OT Amarius Mims would be a great man to take over a starting role on their offensive line, and he fills the size expectation of a Ravens offensive lineman.
23.) Los Angeles Chargers (Trade via Minnesota, via Cleveland)
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
This offseason, the Chargers cut WR Mike Williams and traded WR Keenan Allen to the Bears. Now their next man up is Quentin Johnston, a soon to be second year WR who had a very disappointing rookie season. Texas WR Adonai Mitchell is the best WR left and he provides size like Mike Williams in addition to a lot of speed and skill.
24.) Dallas Cowboys
Duke OT Graham Barton
The Cowboys lost long time Pro Bowler and All Pro LT Tyron Smith. Duke OT Graham Barton will be a great addition to take the LT position, and he will also provide a lot of versatility, which is common among other Cowboys’ offensive linemen.
25.) Green Bay Packers
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
The Packers have lost a few major pieces on their defense this past year. They lost safeties Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens, and CB Rasul Douglas. Iowa CB Cooper Dejean has the ability to fill both of those needs. While he only played at CB for Iowa, he put in a decent amount of practice time as a safety. He is also a great special teamer, which may be important to the Packers special teams unit, which hasn’t been one of the best over the past few years, even with All Pro returner Keisean Nixon.
26.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
During the offseason, the Buccaneers traded CB Carleton Davis to the Lions. Now their depth at corner is very short, and Jamel Dean is the last starting caliber player. Additionally, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is playing on a franchise tag deal and may not be around for much longer. The team needs to find a new face for their secondary and Alabama CB Terrion Arnold is a great option for them.
27.) Arizona Cardinals (Trade via Houston)
Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
The Arizona Cardinals are in desperate need of help in the secondary as their cornerbacks ranked 32nd last season. Clemson CB Nate Wiggins will provide speed and skill, which will allow him to be a crucial player for the Cardinals as they try to change the trajectory of their secondary.
28.) Buffalo Bills
Texas WR Xavier Worthy
The Bills have been trying to suppress rumors about WR Stefon Diggs trades during the offseason. They also lost Gabe Davis to free agency, who they replaced with Curtis Samuel. That likely is not enough to make their passing game a true threat. Drafting Texas WR Xavier Worthy would be a perfect fit, expanding their offense downfield and allowing QB Josh Allen to show off his arm strength to the NFL Combine 40-time record holder.
29.) Detroit Lions
Penn State Edge Demeioun (Chop) Robinson
The Lions have spent a lot of draft stock on their defensive line since Dan Campbell took over as head coach. They have also signed a few new players to their interior defensive line during free agency. By drafting a 2nd edge rusher to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson, they would find a lot more success. The Lions will likely continue to add to the defensive line group, as they visited with a lot of defensive linemen this offseason. Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson would be a great fit for the team, and his speed would pair nicely with Aidan Hutchinson’s.
30.) Philadelphia Eagles (Trade via Baltimore)
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The Eagles do not have many big holes within their roster at the moment, but they are affected by age all around. Their current secondary is one of those places, as CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry head into their 30s. Adding some youth to that group in the form of Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry would be a great chance to mentor an already great player.
31.) San Francisco 49ers
Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
The 49ers spent most of the off season addressing their defensive line, which has been a large focus for a long time. That is why the 49ers have lost a lot of depth on their offensive line this off season. Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton would be a great start to addressing that need by taking a starting role across from LT Trent Williams.
32.) Kansas City Chiefs
Arizona OT Jordan Morgan
Despite the Chiefs overall success last season, they were sub par at defending edge rushers. Drafting a new tackle to take over for one of their current players would be extremely helpful to a team that doesn’t have the best options at receiver, even if they do have Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes in the pocket. Arizona OT Jordan Morgan would be a great player to help block for Mahomes.
