What would the 2024 NFL Draft look like today?
Yes, it is still early for a 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Scratch that, it is never too early, haters and sad people just say it is. Let’s preface this Draft order and a few things before we start: This does not include the Thursday Night Football game that ended with the Chicago Bears dominating the Washington Commanders 40-20. This NFL Draft order below is the consensus across the community entering Week 5 of the 2023 NFL Season. The 2024 pick the Green Bay Packers received in the Aaron Rodgers deal is already counted as a 2nd rounder assuming Rodgers isn’t playing the 65 percent of snaps required to make it a 1st Round NFL Draft pick. Lastly, I have Shedeur Sanders returning to Colorado for one more year.
Let us begin.
1 – Chicago Bears (1-4)–via Carolina
Selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Team Needs: QB, EDGE, DT, WR
Main Alternate Option: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Matt Eberflus is a dead man walking and he knows it. If Chicago is picking No. 1 in the NFL Draft, Justin Fields is also about to be hiring movers. Whether it’s “right” or “wrong”, it’s true. Yes, I know Justin Fields had a big TNF night against Washington. Yes, I know he’s not the sole problem in Chicago. If Chicago is picking No. 1 with a new head coach, Fields is still in trouble. Caleb Williams is the best quarterback prospect since Trevor Lawrence, and while I don’t envision myself having him graded above Lawrence as a prospect, plenty will. Also, go ahead and toss that “go back to school” nonsense in the garbage. Williams is headed to Chicago. Can that entice Ben Johnson to come to town…..
2 – Chicago Bears (1-4)
Selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, OSU
Team Needs: QB, EDGE, DT, WR
Main Alternate Option: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
To grab this vast talent between Williams and MHJ is hard to comprehend for even the hardest NFL Draft geek. Again, can that entice Ben Johnson to come to town…..Here’s a thought, does Chicago answer the phone for those pursuing Drake Maye? Pairing Harrison Jr. with D.J. Moore is a filthy receiving duo for a fresh start QB/HC regime.
3 – Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
Selection: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Team Needs: QB, WR, DT
Main Alternate Option: N/A
Run the card in like your hair’s on fire Raiders. Nine seasons of Derek Carr are memories now and 31-year-old Jimmy Garoppolo has only participated in three games this season because of injury. A 1-2 record and 5:6 touchdown to interception ratio leaves a lot to be desired. It’s time to blow it up and start over. Josh McDaniels isn’t the answer either—new quarterback of the future in Maye, a new head coach, and new Raiders. Notice the “not applicable” above as far as other options. There is no other option here.
4 – Denver Broncos (1-3)
Selection: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Team Needs: OT, EDGE, DT, WR
Main Alternate Option: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Does Sean Payton like anyone on this Broncos team? It comes down to the board here and a lot of needs. Fashanu is too good to pass up with an aging Garrett Bolles. Fashanu could’ve possibly been the top offensive tackle taken last year, he’s that good. You don’t pass up franchise left tackles when they’re on your front doorstep.
5 – Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
Selection: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Team Needs: QB, DB, LB
Main Alternate Option: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
McCarthy is the leading candidate for “The NFL likes him more than the fans/media do.” If the Vikings are picking this high, they have no choice, they have to go quarterback and move on from the Kirk Cousins era, the question just becomes who is QB3 in the 2024 NFL Draft? McCarthy presents elite accuracy with his athletically live arm, he leads the country by completing 79.8 percent of his passes.
6 – New York Jets (1-3)
Selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Team Needs: OT, S, WR
Main Alternate Option: Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
The Jets are taking a tackle if they’re picking here. Fashanu and Alt will both come in as Top 10 caliber picks aiming to start for two-plus contracts as Tier 1 of the offensive tackle class. This is too good of an opportunity to move on from the Mekhi Becton coaster while burying the Duane Brown experiment and get some consistency to depend on when Aaron Rodgers returns. Run the NFL Draft card in on this one Jets, another weapon can wait until later. You don’t pass up franchise left tackles when they’re on your front doorstep.
7 – New England Patriots (1-3)
Selection: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Team Needs: WR, TE, OT, QB
Main Alternate Option: Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Bowers felt so right but isn’t the Belichick TE play overdone at this point? Mac’s cooked. Belichick has to take a shot here or it might be time out. Go balls to the wall and take the gunslinger who’s ready to play right now. He’s only getting better and better. His 8:1 TD/INT ratio is absurd. The fact he’s already thrown for 1,999 yards is absurd. The fact he can make throws like this is absurd. The Patriots are the team to take a risk on the injury history in this spot here for the elite upside to try and turn it around ASAP. Yes, the Patriots need receiving weapons, but what does it matter if the quarterback isn’t a good fit anyway? The clock’s ticking.
8 – Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
Selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Team Needs: OT, TE, EDGE
Main Alternate Option: OT3
They have to, right? Bowers is not falling out of the Top 10. This is too much fun with Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase. This is too much good insurance in the offensive weapon department heading into Tee Higgins’s free agency. This feels a hair high for OT3, the value is in Bowers being arguably a Top 3 player in this class. He’s the best college football tight end ever for a reason. The fact he’s hell on wheels as a blocker doesn’t hurt either for a quarterback hungry for extra protection. We’re talking about an inline blocker who allowed one pressure and zero sacks as a true freshman on a CFP run.
9 – Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
Selection: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Team Needs: CB, WR, IOL, EDGE
Main Alternate Option: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Cornerback and line of scrimmage feel repetitive these last few sequences writing about the Cardinals. Let’s get the corner here and get the pick of the litter while we’re at it. The line of scrimmage will be there at No. 13. A three-year starter for Nick Saban, yeah, Kool-Aid’ll be ready to go. Take the punt return abilities as a nice added bonus. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been impressed with Jonathan Gannon’s efforts thus far this year and going back to some of his NFL Draft moves in 2023 after mocking him. Excited to see what he brings to 2024.
10 – New York Giants (1-3)
Selection: Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Team Needs: WR, EDGE, OG
Main Alternate Option: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Daniel Jones is not going anywhere for now. Might as well make the best of that contract. Wide receiver feels like repetition writing about the Giants’ draft needs the last few years. Coleman is a big, physical freak who is only climbing boards. The interior offensive line is a reach here and we’re preferring the defensive line depth later on versus receiver. The Giants need the highest upside there right now.
11 – Green Bay Packers (2-2)
Selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Team Needs: OT, DL, S
Main Alternate Option: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The value feels right at offensive tackle here. Dane Brugler had Amarius Mims as his fifth overall NFL Draft prospect before his recent ankle injury. Mims will be back this year and ready for the CFP stretch to show he is healthy. If for no other reason, Mims gets the nod over Latham here because the Packers love drafting Dawgs.
12 – New Orleans Saints (2-2)
Selection: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Team Needs: DL, CB, WR
Main Alternate Option: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Latu and his 6-foot-4, 265-pound lengthy frame and high-burning motor fit the Saints defensive line prototype mold. Saints legend Cam Jordan can’t play forever, keep adding to this room. Through five games Latu already has 18 pressures, four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. The fifth-year senior’s 26.1 pressure percentage is the highest in the Power Five and the second highest in the FBS. If he clears medicals with his neck history, he’s a lock for the Top 15.
13 – Arizona Cardinals (1-3)–via Houston
Selection: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Team Needs: CB, WR, IOL, EDGE
Main Alternate Option: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Line of scrimmage now. The Cardinals went to the offensive line in Paris Johnson in the 2023 NFL Draft, time for defense. The discussion over who ranks in the top few Edges in this class will consume the Draft community over the next few months. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound developing Verse could have been a first-round pick last year versus returning to Florida State. PFF credited Verse with a 24.4 pass-rush win rate, ranking fourth among Power Five EDGE defenders in 2022.
14 – Houston Texans (2-2)–via Cleveland
Selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Team Needs: DT, WR, OG
Main Alternate Option: Jer ‘Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Get C.J. Stroud weapons. This is a very deep defensive interior class, address that the other top two need next time. Nabers could arguably be WR1 in this class, the value is too good here for the incredibly wiry and elusive Nabers. A nice addition to a room featuring the burner (Tank Dell) and the long strider (Nico Collins).
15 – Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Selection: Jer ‘Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Team Needs: DT, CB, S
Main Alternate Option: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
This big man can’t fall any farther. The defensive interior feels like an NFL Draft broken record with the Chargers the last few cycles. That defensive interior room is hollow, the Chargers can’t kick the fan down the road any longer, it’s time to invest in some young talent. Jordan Davis to Los Angeles was the popular mock pick of the season last year. Now it is time to get DT1. Would totally understand taking DeJean or King after the failed J.C. Jackson experiment.
16 – Washington Commanders (2-3)
Selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Team Needs: LB, OT, TE
Main Alternate Option: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Washington has evidently known they need offensive line help with the free-agent additions of G/C Nick Gates and RT Andrew Wylie. One step further, Washington added C Ricky Stromberg and offensive lineman Braeden Daniels in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now time for a young tackle with years ahead. Charles Leno Jr. is 32 and not getting younger or better. Sam Howell is on pace to be sacked 99 times this season. The NFL record is 76 by David Carr in 2002. Picking no higher than this, Sam Howell gets another year at the helm.
*even if you bumped up Washington after the TNF loss, they’re still leaving with an OT.
17 – Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Selection: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Team Needs: CB, EDGE, OG
Main Alternate Option: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Beyond young star Tyson Campbell and vet Darious Williams (29 years old), this cornerback room is bleak in terms of long-term future upside. King will be in that battle for CB1 down the stretch heading into April. People who keep mentioning Joey Porter Jr., King, and his smooth hips and feet are respectfully a better prospect.
18 – Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
Selection: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Team Needs: LOS, DB, LB
Main Alternate Option: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Dallas Turner can’t fall any further than this. The scheme fit is there and disregards people wanting his play weight up (242). Turner’s explosiveness and bend are built for Sean McVay’s Rams. 12.5 sacks in his first two years in Tuscaloosa has always had Turner in first-round discussions.
19 – Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Selection: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Team Needs: CB, DL, WR
Main Alternate Option: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
You’ve taken Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson in the last three first rounds as an Arthur Smith/Terry Fontenot regime. The board tells you it’s time for some defense here. Some defensive interior youth in Taylor would be a fantastic option here for an aging Falcons room (Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata 30+), DeJean is higher on your board though and Terry Fontenot has shown you he’s sticking to the best player available. At 6-foot-1, 209 pounds, DeJean is a bowling ball Iowa can’t take off the field, whether it’s at safety, linebacker, nickel, perimeter corner or returning punts and kicks. How often do Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot harp on their “positionless football” philosophy? Philosophy, meet Cooper DeJean. A.J. Terrell finds his No. 2 who offers Jessie Bates III even more freedom and Jeff Okudah insurance/depth.
20 – Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
Selection: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Team Needs: OG, OT, EDGE, WR
Main Alternate Option: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Get Anthony Richardson weapons. It isn’t complicated. Egbuka is the technician of this class. Silky smooth high-end change of direction, no mistakes, smart, accelerated football player. All these Brian Hartline Ohio State receivers are studs. Anything you order off the menu is going to be a good dinner. Forget the need, this is a good ol’ classic Best Player Available as well.
21 – Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Selection: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Team Needs: DB, EDGE, IOL
Main Alternate Option: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Barton is the Peter Skoronski this year in terms of he’s the “offensive lineman.” Barton is an upgrade for you at any offensive line spot you need, and the Steelers quite simply could use a high-caliber athlete in that offensive line room, whether it be interior or outside. This is just a “you can’t screw this up” pick taking a punishing finisher with positional versatility for days.
22 – Tennessee Titans (2-2)
Selection: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Team Needs: WR, C, CB
Main Alternate Option: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The risky Caleb Farley pick did not land on the tarmac. Lassiter is the high floor, safe play. Beautiful footwork, consistent physical tackler who loves contact, proven press man ability, Championship starting experience, the list goes on why this is a good fit. Through four games Lassiter allowed two catches for 6 yards. The Titans do not have a 3rd round NFL Draft pick, so they have the 1st and 2nd rounds to try and find a starting caliber cornerback to add to a rotation featuring Sean Murphy-Bunting, Roger McCreary and Kristian Fulton. This was a tough call between WR and CB, come back for the WR in Round 2 or later.
23 – Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
Selection: Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Team Needs: IOL, DL, S, LB
Main Alternate Option: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
In 2022, Taylor’s 19.5 pass-rush win rate and 16.2% pressure rate trailed only Calijah Kancey among Power Five interior defensive linemen. This kid screams Seattle Seahawk and their culture. That starting Seahawks defensive line is creeping up on averaging 30 years of age. Get some youth in that rotation with a high-floor/ceiling bowling ball.
24 – Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Team Needs: CB, LB, RB, DL
Main Alternate Option: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The window is now. Win now. Star WR CeeDee Lamb is the in-out, Brandin Cooks is the productive underrated vet, Gallup is the accessory piece–let’s just add a big, long bulky body in that rotation in Odunze. The 6-foot-3, 217-pounder went off for career highs in 2022, totaling 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. This big, strong upper body control gives Dak a boost on Day one with a guy who shouldn’t fall much further and is BPA. Corner will have to wait with Odunze higher on your board than Nate Wiggins.
25 – Detroit Lions (3-1)
Selection: Kris Jenkins Jr., DT, Michigan
Team Needs: CB, DL, OG
Main Alternate Option: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
This was so tough. Is Corner the biggest need? Probably so. Is Nate Wiggins an appropriate pick? Yes. I just can’t stop myself from Jenkins and projecting what he can accomplish down this CFP stretch for Michigan. Strong as a bill similar to former teammate and last year 1st rounder Mazi Smith, Jenkins fits right into solidifying this defensive line room headlined by Aiden Hutchinson. Jenkins started all 14 games at Michigan a season ago and led the defensive line with 54 tackles and is the son of former All-Pro DT Kris Jenkins Sr. All the makings are there to be plugged into this Dan Campbell system and bite someone’s knee off.
26 – Miami Dolphins (3-1)
Selection: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Team Needs: Offensive Line
Main Alternate Option: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
The position group is a Captain Obvious here. Take the best offensive lineman available in your eyes and be happy to have him in Miami. I can’t think of an NFL quarterback who needs and deserves more protection than Tua Tagavaloia. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Morgan’s technical footwork and twisting and bending ability are ready to upgrade Miami.
27 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Selection: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Team Needs: OL, LB, QB?, Pass Catcher
Main Alternate Option: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
If I get to pick one NFL Draft spot that was the hardest for me, it was oddly Tampa Bay here at No. 27. Quinn Ewers and Bo Nix are potentially staring me in the face, but you can’t knock a 3-1 Baker Mayfield right now that has everyone in Tampa believing. Baker’s only 28-years-old. We’ll see down the stretch. The wide receiver value isn’t there at this point. Linebacker can wait. That leaves us at the offensive line and Kingsley Suamataia’s the first guy off the bus at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds at 20 years of age, and all the time and development ahead of him. At the bottom of Round One, take a shot on the upside.
28 – Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Selection: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
Team Needs: WR, DB, LB
Main Alternate Option: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Bills are cool enough at this point to take a safety in the first round. Imagine Kinchens on that defense right now…..Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are both 32 and running out of time. Poyer in particular seems destined for the golf course sooner than later. Kinchen’s six interceptions last season were tied for the most in Power Five. Ball hawk. Kinchens and his physical 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame is solid and ready to be a Day One starter in the NFL.
29 – Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
Selection: Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Team Needs: CB, DL, RB
Main Alternate Option: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Maason Smith just seems like a big tough Baltimore Ravens defender. 6-foot-5, 300 pounds with 34-inch arms and explosive athleticism to match? Yes, please. This defensive interior class this year really does have a multitude of good talent, and Baltimore could stand to get their hands on some of it with Smith’s alignment versatility and their complete lack of depth on the defensive line.
30 – San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
Selection: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Team Needs: OL, CB
Main Alternate Option: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
This offensive tackle class is stacked with some nice top-end talent and depth. Paul and his beautiful 6-foot-7, 315-pound prototype frame is only going to climb boards down the stretch. Having a brother already in the league (Chris Paul of the Washington Commanders) is a cool note to add having seen his brother take a similar path drafted out of Tulsa. A two-time all-conference choice, Paul has starts under his belt and the tape to show he’s so comfortable with his big body. Trent Williams is possibly the most athletic freak we have seen this decade, but even he can’t play forever and he’s 35. Colton McKivitz at RT and virtually no depth beyond those two have the tackle room needing a young, athletic talent. This is a perfect NFL Draft scenario for everyone involved.
31 – Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
Selection: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Team Needs: DT, WR
Main Alternate Option: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
How did I let Chop Robinson fall this far? Other mocks you’ll see won’t most likely. That’s the way she goes sometimes with a Draft. Some fall, some reach, and to be honest, I probably should have Ruke Orhorhoro here in terms of needs and planning for the future beyond just Chris Jones on the interior, but the best player available mindset has crept back in and you can’t say no to Robinson’s potential here. Speedy pass rushers with bend don’t go out of style and don’t lose jobs ever. The defensive interior class is the best unit this year in terms of depth, come back later. It’d be just like the Chiefs to get the “steal.”
32 – Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
Selection: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Team Needs: LB, DB
Main Alternate Option: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The Eagles are cool enough at this point to take a safety in the first round. The other easily identifiable need is linebacker and we all know Howie Roseman and Philly are not going to take an off-ball backer like Barrett Carter. Sydney Brown is a nice rookie prospect to watch develop. Between Justin Evans and Reed Blankenship, there’s an opportunity to upgrade and get a young starting caliber safety in the room for a team with virtually no holes.
Closing Statement
Honorable mentions who could have found themselves in this 1st Round: Barrett Carter, Nate Wiggins, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ruke Orhorhoro, Andrew Mukuba (Clemson, Clemson, Clemson, Clemson, Clemson), Javon Bullard, Bralen Trice, Bo Nix, Quinn Ewers, Cooper Beebe, etc.
More to come.
