There is only about a month left until the 2024 NFL Draft. With the big offseason event getting closer and closer, and with the recent free agent additions of all 32 teams in the league, we now have a better idea of how the league's first round will play out. It became so. draft.
Today, I'll try to predict how things will play out in the first round and which players will end up where based on the current roster needs of each team in the league.
1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) – QB Caleb Williams (USC)
Chicago traded Justin Fields to the Steelers to start a new era at QB with Caleb Williams. Unless he does something to sabotage himself between now and draft day, he will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2. Commander in Washington – QB Jalen Daniels, LSU
There are rumors that Washington might be interested in trading away the No. 2 pick, but that seems unlikely after trading Sam Howell to the Seahawks. Perhaps they silently selected Jalen Daniels, whose dual-threat ability they're enamored with.
3. *Trade* Minnesota Vikings – QB Drake Maye, UNC
(1.11, 1.23, 2025 first round pick)
Minnesota traded up the No. 11 pick they acquired in the first round and the No. 23 pick they acquired from Houston to find a new QB and replacement for Kirk Cousins. Drake Maye will be reunited with his high school coach and current Vikings QB coach Josh McCowan.
4. Arizona Cardinals – WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State University
Arizona could go in a number of different directions with the No. 4 overall pick given all of the roster's needs, but it seems unlikely they'll miss out on perhaps the best player in the 2024 draft class. Marvin Harrison Jr. immediately makes Kyler Murray a much-improved QB.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Malik Nabers, LSU
The Chargers are in dire need of a pass catcher after losing Mike Williams (cap injury) and Keenan Allen (traded to the Bears) this offseason. So it's easy for them to have Malik Navas here. He would immediately become their new No. 1 WR as a rookie.
6. New York Giants – QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan State
The Giants appear to have very serious concerns about Daniel Jones' recurring injury, and for good reason. So their enthusiasm for his JJ McCarthy seems genuine. Welcome to the new QB era in New York.
7. Tennessee Titans – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
If the Titans had planned it themselves, this draft couldn't have played out more perfectly for the Titans. In Joe Alto, they get second-year QB Will Revis a blindside protector, which will strengthen the offensive line for years to come.
8. Atlanta Falcons – WR Roma Odunze (Washington)
After signing Kirk Cousins in free agency, the Falcons gave him another weapon in the passing game with the No. 8 pick. Roman Odunze and Drake Rondon should be a formidable duo and provide Atlanta's new quarterback with two big targets to throw to in the passing game.
9. Chicago Bears – EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Much to the delight of Matt Eberflus, Chicago won the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year in Dallas Turner. He's the perfect complement to Montez Sweat, acquired in a trade last year, and should help them quickly improve from 32nd in the league in sacks per attempt.
10. New York Jets – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
After signing Tyron Smith in free agency, the Jets opted to give Aaron Rodgers more weapons in the passing game rather than adding more offensive line help. Brock Bowers has the potential to be a top-five tight end as a rookie with future Hall of Famers throwing the ball to him.
11. New England Patriots (from Vikings) – OT Ol Fashanu, Pennsylvania
Without a clear starter at the position, the Patriots will begin a rebuild under new head coach Jarrod Mayo and a new blindside protector. Olu Fashanu should solidify the left tackle position and become a mainstay for years to come.
12. Denver Broncos – EDGE Jared Barth, Florida
Is it too early for Bo Nix? Maybe not. The Broncos definitely have a QB going here, but instead they stick to the draft board and select one of the best pass rushers in this year's draft class. Jared Verse is someone they can continue to grow around, as is Patrick Surtain.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Kunyon Mitchell (Toledo)
Forget all small-school creeds, Quinyon Mitchell deserves to be the first cornerback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He checked all the boxes on tape, in real life and in combine testing (4.33 40-yard dash) and immediately improved the Raiders.
14. New Orleans Saints – OT JC Latham, Alabama
It's a no-brainer for the Saints to draft J.C. Latham after swinging out on Trevor Penning two years ago and having concerns about Ryan Ramczyk's knee. He was battle-tested at Alabama and could be a plug-and-play starter at either LT or RT.
15. Indianapolis Colts – WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Anthony Richardson's rookie season was unfortunately cut short due to injury, but that won't stop Indianapolis from investing in a player that could make life easier for him. Brian Thomas is such a player, and despite being a rookie, he has the potential to become the new No. 1 WR.
16. Seattle Seahawks – OT Troy Fautanu, Washington State
Seattle has opted to reunite Troy Fautanu with his former college offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb. His positional flexibility to either kick inside and guard or stay at left tackle could prove invaluable to Seattle's O-line, which could definitely use an upgrade at either position .
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Therion Arnold, Alabama
It's probably a little unlikely that Terion Arnold will slide this far, but it's a dream come true for the Jaguars. He has been a plug-and-play starter since day one as a rookie and immediately upgrades the entire secondary. They would be thrilled to add a premier outside corner.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – DT Byron Murphy, Texas
A right tackle would definitely work here, but the Bengals could find such a tackle a little later in the draft. Instead, they get the best DT in the 2024 draft class in Byron Murphy. He's a great run defender and a relentless pass rusher.
19. Los Angeles Rams – EDGE Laiatu Ratu, UCLA
With the somewhat unexpected retirement of Aaron Donald, the Rams opted to shift their pass rush focus from inside to outside with the hiring of Laiatu Latu. He is also one of the most athletic and physical edge rushers, despite some injury concerns.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Talese Fuaga, Oregon
After trading up and drafting Broderick Jones last year, the Steelers continue to commit to and upgrade their offensive line in the first round by selecting Tagliese Fuaga. With Jones and Fuaga at RT and LT, Pittsburgh has a young tackling duo in new QB Russell Wilson.
21. Miami Dolphins – OC Jackson Powers Johnson, Oregon State
Connor Williams is out and Jackson Powers-Johnson is in. The Dolphins have plenty of holes to fill at offensive line, but the former Oregon State OC is likely the top-ranked offensive lineman still on the board. He's been a plug-and-play starter since day one and is an instant upgrade.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Philadelphia's secondary was absolutely terrible last season, and it's still their biggest roster need right now. Not only will they address that need by selecting Nate Wiggins at No. 22, but they will also be adding one of the best corners in the entire 2024 draft class.
23. New England Patriots (from Vikings) – WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
No matter who plays QB for the Patriots in 2024, Adonai Mitchell is a very talented receiving weapon in the passing game and could be the Patriots' No. 1 as a rookie. This is another player they can continue to build on for the future.
24. *Trade* Baltimore Ravens – OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
(1.30, 1.24 for 3.93)
Baltimore decided to trade up to select one of the most athletic tackles in the entire 2024 draft class. Amarius Mims (6'8″, 340) made just eight career starts at Georgia, which is why he has fallen so far down the rankings, but he is an attractive player with special traits.
25. Green Bay Packers – CB/S Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Whether he ends up playing safety or cornerback, Cooper DeJean would be an immediate upgrade to the Packers' secondary. With schematic changes planned under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Dejan is an ideal candidate to fill the hybrid S/CB role as a rookie.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
After trading Carlton Davis to the Lions, the Buccaneers will use the 26th pick of the first round to find a replacement for Kool-Aid McKinstry. He should be a day-one starter on the outside with little drop-off in play.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans) – DT Jarzan, Newton
After selecting the best WR in the draft class early in the first round, Arizona will turn to the other side of the ball and select the best DT depending on who they talk to. Jarzan Newton is a nervous and disruptive player who will instantly strengthen the defense.
28. Buffalo Bills – WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
The combination of Josh Allen and Xavier Worthy is too perfect to pass up. Throwing to the NFL's biggest arm and fastest WR on record seems like a match made in heaven. Buffalo is looking for a receiver to top the defense, and the former Longhorn fits the bill.
29. Detroit Lions – EDGE Chop Robinson, Pennsylvania
The Lions want to be even more explosive off the edge. Adding Chopp Robinson opposite Aiden Hutchinson certainly looks like that goal could be achieved. Robinson is a little rough around the edges, but he's arguably one of the most physical and athletic pass rushers this year.
30. Dallas Cowboys (from Ravens) – OL Graham Burton, Duke
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25351887/2059765361.jpg)
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys took a risk in this mock draft, trading down Amarius Mims, Tyler Guyton, and Graham Burton, who were still available at No. 24, but acquiring another top-100 pick (No. 93). The risk was well worth it. And fortunately, they were able to acquire players they could have targeted before trading down.
Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton are attractive players with high upside, but Graham Burton is a more proven and pro-ready player. For the Cowboys, Burton is an immediate starter with Pro Bowl potential as a rookie at guard or center, while Mims and Guyton are projects that will have to switch from right tackle to left tackle.
As for Barton, the Cowboys will have a choice in how they deploy their starting five in 2024. Burton could replace Tyler Biadasz at OC or start at LG if he chooses to replace Tyler Smith at LT. They could also have him look at LT during camp, a position he played at a high level at Duke.
31. San Francisco 49ers – OT/G Jordan Morgan, Arizona State
Trent Williams will turn 36 this season, and Aaron Banks will be entering the final year of his rookie contract. By selecting Jordan Morgan, the 49ers will be adding a player who could potentially replace either of them. His positional flex will prove invaluable as he plays in OT/G.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State
After selecting Wanya Morris out of Oklahoma in the third round of last year's draft, Kansas City will again select Tyler Guyton. These former teammates could directly compete for the starting LT spot to guard Patrick Mahomes on the blind side.
