With the first week of free agency officially in the books, there’s much to discuss. Analysts like myself have a much clearer understanding of each team’s needs. This mock will be the most accurate one I’ve published yet. Be sure to check out my profile for even more draft-related content.
2024 Mock Draft 4.0
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina)
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
With Justin Fields off the roster, this pick becomes even clearer. There’s a slim chance Chicago trades down a spot, but that’s unlikely.
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Nothing new here. Although Washington has made upgrades at offensive line, those have been minimal. Choosing a quarterback with Daniels’ athleticism ensures that he’ll avoid more of the big hits that Drake Maye couldn’t.
3. New England Patriots TRADE w/ Minnesota Vikings
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
With Minnesota’s latest transaction, they’re primed to trade up for one of the top three quarterbacks. Maye has all the necessary traits that Kevin O’Connell is looking for and should blossom with all the talent around him.
4. Arizona Cardinals TRADE w/ Denver Broncos
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Sean Payton wastes no time here getting his quarterback of the future. McCarthy has accuracy, patience, and experience in a pro-style offense. It won’t look great at first, but Payton will develop him well.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
It’s no secret the Chargers need receivers after trading Keenan Allen and cutting Mike Williams. Jim Harbaugh has seen how great Harrison Jr. is up close and even played with Harrison Sr. in Indianapolis. The Chargers get their cornerstone WR1.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
No change at this spot. If the Giants want to get anything out of Daniel Jones and his massive contract, they need to provide him with a legit outside threat. Nabers is that and more.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, ND
The top tackle prospect falls right into Tennessee’s lap. Pairing Alt with Skoronski on the left side will keep Will Levis protected for years to come.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama
There’s not an easier pick to make with how the picks have gone off the board. Atlanta desperately needs a high-octane pass rusher like Turner. Atlanta is an up-and-coming defense and Turner should reach his superstar potential there.
9. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Even with the recent Keenan Allen acquisition, Chicago opts to bolster the receiving corps with Turner unavailable. With Allen only being on a one-year deal, Odunze and Moore could be a top pass-catching duo for years to come.
10. New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
I’m sticking with Brock Bowers here. Although the Jets did add tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses in free agency, they could draft more help at that spot later on. Bowers is too good to pass up and could become Aaron Rodgers’ safety blanket.
11. Minnesota Vikings TRADE w/ New England Patriots
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
With Trent Brown leaving New England for Cincinnati, the Patriots desperately need a right tackle. Enter J.C. Latham. The Alabama product is strong, agile, and plays best when lined up at right tackle.
12. Denver Broncos TRADE w/ Arizona Cardinals
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Arizona uses its initial first-round pick on cornerback Terrion Arnold. He exploded this last year showing dominant ball skills with the ability to play both inside and outside. He immediately becomes CB1 in Arizona.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Receivers are only getting more skilled in the modern NFL. Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs, the current starters, won’t cut it. In Mitchell, the Raiders get a corner that’s sticky in coverage and has above-average athleticism.
14. New Orleans Saints
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
The only current left tackle on the Saints roster is Trevor Penning. He’s been a disappointment, to say the least. Fautanu would be an excellent replacement, as he was selected as the Pac-12’s best left tackle in 2023 by opposing defensive lineman.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
The Colts tried to upgrade the edge spot in free agency, going after both Jonathan Greenard and Danielle Hunter. Neither decided to sign. Here, the Colts get lengthy Latu, who is likely the most pro-ready pass rusher in the draft.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
No reason to change this pick. Seattle’s roster seems to be set at nearly all positions, besides interior offensive line most notably. Powers-Johnson has the versatility offensive line coaches dream of. He could step in at right guard, center, or left guard.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley strategy completely backfired and will now have to face him twice a year. Going into the season with Gabe Davis as the top outside receiver would be a mistake. Here, the Jaguars snatch Thomas Jr., who excelled in the SEC with his size and speed.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Cincinnati has their pick of the remaining tackles. It’s a group full of upside and they decide to go with Taliese Fuaga. Although they signed Trent Brown, it would be smart to get a long-term starter at that position. Fuaga is a great fit in Zac Taylor’s offense and played right tackle in college.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The Rams will never be able to fully replace Aaron Donald, but they can try. Here, they snag Murphy II, an undersized defensive tackle who brings immense value from his interior pass-rush ability. He’s the closest thing to Aaron Donald in this class.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims, OT, UGA
With the quarterback position solved, the Steelers can now focus on the offensive line. Mims didn’t play much during his career at Georgia, but similar to Steelers right tackle Broderick Jones, Mims has crazy potential. His frame and arm length specifically gives them a much better option at left tackle than Dan Moore Jr.
21. Miami Dolphins
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins in free agency, creating a massive hole in the interior of their defensive line. Newton can step into his spot. While he won’t be as great as a run stuffer to start, Newton offers a high level of pass-rush ability.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
After a strong free agency, the Eagles have filled many of their needs. The biggest remaining one continues to be their defensive backfield. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson can play any position in the secondary. Pairing him with the versatile DeJean could kill two birds with one stone.
23. New England Patriots (via HOU, CLE)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Jerod Mayo and the Patriots start the post-Belichick era with Bo Nix. While he doesn’t have the highest ceiling, Bo is set up for success at the next level. His timing and accuracy are extremely valuable traits at that position.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Cowboys have a few problems to deal with, including their offensive line. How do you replace tackle Tyron Smith or center Tyler Biadasz? Do you move Tyler Smith from guard? Graham Barton can help solve those questions. The experienced starter is solid in protection and can play any position on the offensive line.
25. Green Bay Packers
Kool-Aid McKinistry, CB, Alabama
The Packers seem to be set at most positions, besides cornerback. Former first-round pick Eric Stokes has struggled to remain on the field. McKinstry has great value here and excels in zone coverage, which is what the Packers run most of the time.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Verse, DE, FSU
With his bull rush ability, Verse is a fantastic replacement for Shaq Barrett. Tampa Bay bolsters their pass rush and gets younger at the same time.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Even after trading down from four, Arizona secures a great receiver. With his speed and contested catch ability, Mitchell could easily go before this spot. Arizona gets their WR1 for Kyler Murray.
28. Buffalo Bills
Ladd McConkey, WR, UGA
With Gabe Davis gone, there’s an obvious hole at the receiver spot opposite Stefon Diggs. Ladd McConkey proved with his 4.34 40 that he can play on the outside. He easily creates separation and could be a much more souped-up version of Cole Beasley for Josh Allen.
29. Detroit Lions TRADE w/ Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
With how the board is fallen, there’s no reason for Detroit to reach for a player. Here, they acquire more picks in a trade down with Las Vegas, who desperately needs a quarterback. While there are concerns with his medical history, Penix’s talent is too immense to not snag him here.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
While Baltimore could go receiver here, they do run the ball almost more than any other team. Instead, they decide to go for a more pressing need at edge. The explosive Robinson profiles very similarly to Odafe Oweh and could even start opposite of him this year.
31. San Fransisco 49ers
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Poor 2023 tape has made Fashanu fall this far. The 49ers take a shot on him here, as he has much more upside than current starting right tackle Colton McKivitz.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The L’Jarius Sneed trade saga continues. Currently, it looks unlikely that he’ll return. With that, the Chiefs decide on the raw but talented Nate Wiggins. He has elite speed and with development, could turn into a quality Sneed replacement.
Main Image: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
