The 2024 NFL Draft is set to take place on Thursday and I am bringing you a full first-round mock draft with projected trades.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It is important to note that this mock draft is determined by what I believe will happen based on recent reports, off-season moves, team needs, and fit, not what I would personally do in that team’s position.
Without further ado, here is my full 32-pick first-round 2024 NFL mock draft:
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This selection has been locked up for months now as the Chicago Bears traded away former 11th-overall pick Justin Fields to Pittsburgh and will now bring in one of the greatest quarterback prospects in recent history. Williams is as talented as any QB prospect we have seen and has traits eerily similar to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After spending three seasons at Arizona State, Daniels transferred to LSU and took off. The 23-year-old dominated for the Tigers in 2023, throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also added 1,134 yards and 10 TDs on the ground, ultimately being named the 2023 Heisman winner. Washington’s off-season signing of Marcus Mariota and hire of Kliff Kingsbury makes it clear what direction they want this offense to go in. The Commanders get their franchise QB here.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
This should be a relatively easy choice for New England. They stay at No. 3 and land one of Daniels or Maye. While he does have inconsistencies with accuracy and decision-making on throws, the UNC product’s ceiling can be as high as any prospect in this draft.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Arizona has received several inquiries for their pick and GM Monti Ossenfort has expressed interest in trading back at the right cost. However, the package doesn’t seem quite right to pass up on one of the greatest wide receiver prospects we have ever seen. Pairing Harrison Jr. up with Kyler Murray will trend this offense in the right direction.
5. Minnesota Vikings (Projected trade with Chargers): JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Personally, I don’t believe that McCarthy is worthy of a top-15 selection. However, reports say that teams around the league love him and view the National Champion as an NFL-ready prospect with a stable floor. The Vikings are one of the few teams that need to draft an early quarterback regardless of the cost. The Chargers trade down here and receive both of Minnesota’s first-round picks.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
My favorite prospect in this year’s draft. The Giants have a couple of different options here, including trading down and taking a shot at Michael Penix Jr. However, Nabers is a prototypical WR1 who reminds me plenty of fellow LSU product Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers would help transform Brian Daboll’s offense instantly.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Tennesse has done a great job in building around Will Levis this offseason. New head coach Brian Callahan wants to bring that Bengals-style offense to the Titans and now has the personnel to do so. Alt will slide into the left tackle spot instantly for them, protecting Levis’ blindside.
8. Los Angeles Chargers (Projected trade with Falcons): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Chargers trade back up here and get a much-needed weapon for Justin Herbert. The team parted ways with both Keenan Allena and Mike Willaims this offseason. Despite Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman wanting to win on the ground, they will still need to throw the football a ton considering their depleted defense. The 6-foot-3 receiver clocked in at a 4.45 40-yard dash and possesses all the traits of an NFL WR1. Could also see them passing on receiver for now and selecting Alabama’s JC Latham.
9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Chicago may very well decide to trade down and acquire more draft capital considering the team possesses just four total picks this year. Caleb Williams’ high school teammate Olu Fashanu is also a realistic option. However, GM Ryan Poles would have his choice at the first defensive player off the board here. Edge rushers Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, and Jared Verse are options as well but Murphy continues to skyrocket up draft boards. He can slide in as a day-one starting tackle and three-down disruptor for Chicago’s rising defense.
10. New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
While the Jets have made offensive line acquisitions this offseason, I have a very hard time believing that Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses will hold up at tackle for the entire season. Latham is the most powerful tackle in the draft and proved he can play in multiple positions on the line while dominating against the toughest competition in college football.
11. Atlanta Falcons (Projected trade with Chargers): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Atlanta has bolstered its offense around Kirk Cousins and now sits as the NFC South favorite. The defense impressed last season but still lacks reliable outside pass rushers. Turner possesses great quickness and power off the edge. He totaled 22.5 sacks and 32.5 TFL at Alabama, while recently crushing his NFL Combine workout.
12. Denver Broncos: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Could very well see Denver trading down and taking Oregon QB Bo Nix. I think it’s also possible that they address quarterback a little later following their Zach Wilson acquisition. Sean Payton and the Broncos desperately need a consistent pass rush. Latu is a lengthy defender who can set the edge and totaled 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Reminds me a lot of Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
I believe Penix is the No. 4 QB in this class behind Williams, Daniels, and Maye. The Raiders need stability at the position and he can start right away for Las Vegas. Despite past injury concerns, Penix proved to overcome that over the last two years. He has plenty of experience on the big stage and arguably has the best deep ball in this class.
14. New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
New Orleans stays at 14 and lands a much-needed offensive tackle. It would be nearly impossible to pass up on Fashanu if he falls. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 300+ pounds, the athletic tackle has potential to be the most dominant at his position from this draft class.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers has a wide range of where he could be drafted and I see this as his floor. Outside of Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, Entering his second season, Indianapolis has little to no receiving help for QB Anthony Richardson. Bowers is a complete tight-end prospect with his frame being his only real critic. I see the former Bulldog becoming a full-time receiving threat and making Richardson’s life much easier.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (Projected trade with Seahawks): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Eagles were statistically the second-worst pass defense last season. Arnold just turned 21 and has the potential to be an elite NFL cornerback when fully developed. He was tied for the most interceptions in the SEC last season as just a sophomore. Trading up ahead of Jacksonville to select their choice of the first corner seems like the Howie Roseman way. I could see Philadelphia getting offensive/defensive line depth here but the team has two second-round draft picks to address that.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Jacksonville does have a need at wide receiver but I don’t see them passing on Mitchell or Arnold here. Mitchell ran a 4.33 at the combine, is versatile in the secondary, and has great ball skills.
18. Dallas Cowboys (Projected trade with Bengals): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
I would not be surprised if Fuaga went in the top 12. However, this draft is filled with top offensive linemen and unfortunately, someone has to drop down the draft board. Fuaga is a day-one starter and can play both inside and outside. If available this late, Dallas would need to trade up to secure a potential franchise o-lineman.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Verse could go anywhere from #8-25 and it wouldn’t surprise me. After being unranked coming out of high school, he has shown why that was a mistake and dominated at the collegiate level. After losing the franchise’s all-time top defensive player Aaron Donald, the Rams get an oppurtunity to draft a falling Verse and beef up the front seven.
20. Buffalo Bills (Projected trade with Steelers): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
I personally believe Thomas Jr. should be locked in as a top-15 selection. The 6-foot-4 receiver ran a 4.33 at the combine and completely crushed all tests. Despite playing alongside Malik Nabers, Thomas Jr. led the FBS with 17 receiving TDs. Yet, he has been flagged by teams in the pre-draft process because of a reported shoulder injury. I still could see him going much earlier, but if Buffalo can trade up and land the LSU product, that is a huge win for Josh Allen and the Bills.
21. Miami Dolphins: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
After losing former first-round pick Christian Wilkins to Las Vegas, the interior of Miami’s defensive line is in desperate need of help. Newton’s stock has continued to rise in the pre-draft process and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went even earlier than this.
22. Seattle Seahawks (Projected trade with Eagles): Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
After trading down and acquiring more draft capital, Seattle is still able to get their guy. Fautanu can play in multiple positions across the offensive line and is already an exceptional pass blocker. If not for him reportedly being flagged for medical concerns during pre-draft visits, I would have him going much higher.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (Projected trade with Vikings): Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Chargers can secure their WR1 and still walk out the first round with an offensive tackle that fits their scheme. Standing at 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, Mims allowed zero sacks in his college football career. As long as he stays on the field, I can easily see him becoming a top-three offensive lineman from this class.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (Projected Trade with Cowboys): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Cincinnati has multiple positions of need but none greater than cornerback in my opinion. After losing Chidobe Awuzie to Tennessee, the Bengals’ secondary is even weaker than it already was. DeJean can play anywhere in the secondary and would be a starter for Cincy immediately.
25. Carolina Panthers (Projected trade with Packers): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Possessing two early second-round picks, Carolina can smoothly trade into the first round and fill a massive need at receiver. Worthy is the fastest player in NFL Combine history, clocking in at an official 4.21. I believe that he’s worthy of a top-15 selection but could see him dropping. A receiver room consisting of Worthy, Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Jonathan Mingo, along with the upgrades at the offensive line gives Bryce Young something to cook with entering his second season.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins ran a ridiculous 4.28 at the combine and had a 10-foot-7 broad jump. His speed and athleticism, mixed with his incredible cover skills, make him one of my favorite prospects this year. The only knock on him is his size and inability to match up physically with bigger receivers. Todd Bowles can replace Carlton Davis here and pick up a cornerback with uncapped potential.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
After selecting the draft’s top receiver at No. 4, Arizona picks up a much-needed cornerback here. At this point, they should be going for the best available player considering how weak the roster is. McKinstry has a ton of experience in the SEC and is a pro-ready starter. He can immediately start alongside Sean Murphy-Bunting.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers (Projected trade with Bills): Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
The Steelers acquired two QBs this offseason but now need to ensure that they’re protected. While I think a receiver might be the smarter play here, I don’t see Pittsburgh passing up on Powers-Johnson after trading down. The Oregon product can start at center from day one.
29. Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
If I was Brad Holmes, I would without a doubt trade up and select one of the top four cornerbacks. However, staying put and landing Robinson is a more than great consolation prize. Robinson crushed the NFL Combine and has no real weaknesses in his game. Great as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
After losing Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses, and John Simpson this offseason, Baltimore needs to retool its offensive line. Guyton is a force to be reckoned with on the 0-line and would start immediately as the team’s right tackle.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Barton is one of the most versatile offensive linemen in this class and can realistically be moved anywhere and still produce. Teams not knowing where he’s best at actually may cause him to fall on draft boards. The Niners need to prioritize offensive line and corner in this draft. Selecting Barton is a great way to begin that process.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Mitchell is another one of my favorite prospects in this draft. The 6-foot-4 receiver ran a 4.34 at the combine and had an 11-foot-4 broad jump. He’s already an incredible route runner and has a game that will easily translate to the next level. Kansas City will also be looking at taking an o-lineman here, but considering the recent controversy with Rashee Rice, I don’t see them letting Mitchell get past.
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Saleh Awwad is a writer/reporter covering the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State Sun Devils, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
