Mocking the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Doing my best at predicting the entire first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

We have finally made it to the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Weeks of speculation are now over and teams will make selections that could change the future of their franchise for better or for worse. The Denver Broncos currently own the 12th overall selection and are in the market for a quarterback. Will they trade up to get their guy or trade back, add extra picks, and still get their quarterback?

Let’s find out! Chicago, you’re on the clock.

1: Chicago Bears – USC QB, Caleb Williams

This pick was decided the second the Bears secured the number one overall pick. Since then, they traded away former 1st round pick Justin Fields and added Keenan Allen. Now, they get their hopeful franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams.

2: Washington Commanders – LSU QB, Jayden Daniels

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels takes his talents to the Commanders with a brand new ownership group/regime who are looking to make a splash in their first draft. They get the dual-threat quarterback in Daniels who instantly steps in as their starter and should threaten for the rookie of the year.

3: New England Patriots – UNC QB, Drake Maye

The Patriots will mull some trade offers but at the end of the day, they settle on getting the talented Drake Maye. The toolsy quarterback can sit behind veteran Jacoby Brissett and develop for a bit before eventually taking over.

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

The first non-quarterback is off the board and it is Marvin Harrison Jr. The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison lands in Arizona and gives their offense a legitimate number-one receiver right away

5: Minnesota Vikings via Chargers – Michigan QB, J.J. McCarthy

TRADE ALERT

The Minnesota Vikings had to get aggressive with three quarterbacks off the board and will trade away multiple first-round picks to get J.J. McCarthy. He can sit behind Sam Darnold and learn and eventually take over for an offense loaded with weapons.

6: New York Giants – LSU WR, Malik Nabers

The Giants flirted with the quarterback prospect but ultimately they decided to get the explosive Malik Nabers. He will give them a plug-and-play number one receiver who can stretch the field and take it to the house whenever the ball is in his hands.

7: Tennessee Titans – Notre Dame LT, Joe Alt

The Titans have no left tackle on the roster so they have to take the massive Joe Alt here who is a day one starter for them. He will protect QB Will Levis’s blindside and should be their franchise LT for the next decade.

8: New Orleans Saints via Falcons – Penn State LT, Olumuyiwa Fashanu

TRADE ALERT

A rare division trade has the Saints making a jump to get a tackle which they desperately need. Trevor Penning has struggled and Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a career-threatening knee injury so the Saints get aggressive and trade up for the massive Olu Fashanu.

9: Chicago Bears – Washington WR, Rome Odunze

The Bears could trade back, take the top defensive player, add a blocker, or add another playmaker for Caleb Williams here. Well, I have them selecting wide receiver Rome Odunze here with their 9th overall pick. He can pair with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen and give the Bears and Williams a dangerous offense.

10: New York Jets – Georgia TE, Brock Bowers

Aaron Rodgers is coming off an achilles injury and looking to have a bounce-back season. One way to do that is to give him a talented receiving threat in the draft and that’s why I have them selecting tight end Brock Bowers. He is a mismatch on the field and could flourish with a creative offensive coordinator. Too bad they have Nathaniel Hackett.

11: Los Angeles Chargers via Vikings – Alabama RT, JC Latham

Jim Harbaugh trades back but still gets his guy at 11th overall. Latham is a mauler at right tackle and is a plug-and-play linemen who still start at right tackle for the Chargers and their run-heavy offense.

12: Philadelphia Eagles via Broncos – Toledo CB, Quinyon Mitchell

TRADE ALERT

The hot rumor is that the Eagles want to move up while the Broncos want to move back so, this is a perfect match for both sides. The Eagles get some much-needed secondary help with Quinyon Mitchell who is the top corner in the draft while the Broncos get some extra draft capital which they desperately need.

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

It sounds like the Raiders plan to come out of the first round with Michael Penix Jr. one way or another. Here, I have them selecting their quarterback at 13th overall. Penix Jr. is a talented QB who can really spin and should start right away with the Raiders.

14: Atlanta Falcons via Saints – Alabama EDGE, Dallas Turner

The Falcons trade back and still get the guy they probably would have selected at 8th overall in Dallas Turner. The athletic edge rusher is quick off the edge and should instantly improve a struggling Falcons pass rush unit.

15: Indianapolis Colts – Texas WR, Xavier Worthy

History tells us that, if you break the Combine 40 record, you get drafted high. Well, Texas’s Xavier Worthy did just that and now will join Anthony Richardson in Indy and give them an explosive speed threat at wide receiver.

16: Seattle Seahawks – Alabama CB, Terrion Arnold

The Seahawks hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald this offseason and in his first draft, he addresses his secondary. Arnold is a plug-and-play corner who can start outside opposite of Tariq Woolen while Devon Witherspoon mans the slot. This will give the Seahawks one of the best and youngest secondaries in the NFL.

17: San Francisco 49ers via Jaguars – LSU WR, Brian Thomas Jr.

TRADE ALERT

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been mentioned in trade rumors recently and in this mock, I have the Jaguars sending their first-round pick to the 49ers for him. The Niners use this pick to select the big, athletic, and speedy Brian Thomas Jr. who will replace Aiyuk in their offense.

18: Cincinnati Bengals – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

With talented pass rusher Trey Hendrickson demanding a trade, I have the Bengals addressing their pass rush by adding the talented pass rusher, Laiatu Latu. He has some medical concerns but is probably the most talented pass rusher in the draft and should instantly help the Bengals’ defense.

19: Los Angeles Rams – Texas IDL, Byron Murphy II

In what might be the steal of the first round, the Rams replace the retired Aaron Donald with defensive lineman, Byron Murphy II. He is a plug-and-player who can stuff the run, push the pocket, and rush the passer.

20: Pittsburgh Steelers – Oregon State OL, Taliese Fuaga

The Steelers add to their offensive line by adding Taliese Fuaga. He can be a plug-and-play right tackle for the Steelers while also giving them the versatility to kick him inside at guard. He has the potential to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player wherever he plays.

21: Miami Dolphins – Duke C, Graham Barton

Another plug-and-play offensive lineman is selected here by the Miami Dolphins. Graham Barton can start at center or guard for the Dolphins and help protect Tu’a and open up running lanes for their dangerous running game.

22: Denver Broncos via Eagles – Oregon QB, Bo Nix

Even after trading back, the Broncos get their guy at quarterback. A trade-up for one of the top four ended up being too expensive and they could not outbid the Vikings, so they decided to go with Oregon’s Bo Nix. He is an excellent fit for Sean Payton’s offense and could start week one for the Broncos. With this trade, the Broncos add some extra picks which they can use to add some much-needed depth and talent to their roster.

23: Los Angeles Chargers via Vikings – Illinois IDL, Johnny Newton

With the second pick the Chargers received from the Vikings, Harbaugh uses it to address the trenches once again, but this time on the defensive side of the ball. Here I have the Chargers selecting Johnny Newton. He is an explosive interior defensive tackle who can provide some pass rush right in the quarterback’s face.

24: Dallas Cowboys – Georgia OT, Amarius Mims

With Tyron Smith with the Jets now, the Cowboys add the large but athletic Amarius Mims to their offensive line. He comes with some injury questions, the size, talent, and athleticism are hard to ignore.

25: Green Bay Packers – Iowa DB, Cooper DeJean

The Packers play in a division that suddenly is loaded with explosive offense so now that they have the offensive side of the ball figured out, they can continue to address their defense. Cooper DeJean can play outside, slot, some safety and just be a chess piece for their defense.

26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Florida State EDGE, Jared Verse

The Bucs get a great value pick here with Jared Verse. He could easily be a top 15 pick but I have him sliding down the board a bit and landing with Todd Bowles in Tampa. Bowles loves to rush the passer and Verse gives him a talented edge rusher to do just that with.

27: Arizona Cardinals – Penn State EDGE, Chop Robinson

The Cardinals need help rushing the passer and Penn State’s Chop Robinson might have the quickest first step in the draft. He might just be a pass rush specialist, but he can do that, and do it very well.

28: Buffalo Bills – Texas WR, Adonai Mitchell

The Bills traded away Stefon Diggs and let Gabe Davis walk in free agency so they used their first-round pick to give quarterback Josh Allen so more weapons to throw too. Mitchell is a playmaking slasher at receiver who can step in and contribute right away for this Bills offense.

29: Detroit Lions – Alabama CB, Kool-Aid McKinstry

The Lions need help in their secondary and address that need here with Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. He can start right away for the Lions and fit right in with this ascending team.

30: Baltimore Ravens – Clemson CB, Nate Wiggins

The Ravens always end up drafting good players and they get another here with the speedy corner Nate Wiggins. He adds some depth and size to the Ravens secondary and figures to contribute a good bit in his rookie year.

31: San Francisco 49ers – Oklahoma OT, Tyler Guyton

With the 49ers second first-round pick, I have them addressing their offensive line and adding the massive Tyler Guyton. Trent Williams is not getting any younger and Guyton can push for the right tackle job and eventually take over on the left side for Williams.

32: Kansas City Chiefs – Houston OT, Patrick Paul

One name that is getting first-round hype that many did not expect is Houston offensive tackle, Patrick Paul. He has 36-inch arms and stands at 6-7 and 331 pounds and now will be tasked with protecting Patrick Mahomes blindside.