With the divisional round in the rearview, we are getting increasingly closer to the end of the NFL season and moving fully into draft season. Many fan bases are already focusing on the 2024 NFL Draft as their team was eliminated or didn't make the postseason.
This class has come together nicely and there are a number of extremely talented players who will look to continue the trend of rookies making an immediate difference on their respective teams. Below is my first NFL mock draft of this cycle. Let me know what you think by interacting with me on X: @Brentley12
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina)
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
I am a Justin Fields supporter but this is an easy call. Caleb Williams is a special prospect who has all the makings of a dynamic franchise quarterback and selecting him gives the Bears financial relief. Trade Fields, draft Williams, and keep building.
2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
There's been chatter about how Drake Maye is not as entrenched as QB2 as it may seem, but I am not buying that. Maye played with a weak supporting cast this year and therefore struggled at times, but the talent is extremely easy to see. Maye has a big arm, has touch and accuracy, and is an excellent athlete. Sign me up.
3. New England Patriots
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
I have long been a fan of Jayden Daniels since his time at Arizona State, but even I was shocked at his improvement this year at LSU. While one must factor in the talent he was playing with, it is clear that Daniels has an NFL skill set and his playmaking ability both as a runner and passer will be very attractive. Daniels will give a much-needed boost of life to the Patriots franchise.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The best non-quarterback in this year's class, Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as an instant WR1 for whichever NFL team is lucky enough to draft him. He has a unique blend of size, athleticism, and polish, which allow him to win in every way imaginable.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
As someone who watches an unhealthy amount of Pac-12 football, I am incredibly high on Rome Odunze. As a matter of fact, Odunze is graded as my third overall player in the class. He has it all: Smooth, sudden, explosive and physical. He would give the Chargers an elite No. 1 option as Keenan Allen ages.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
I thought about giving the Giants a quarterback, but at the end of the day, I believe the team will run it back with Daniel Jones and look to add more pieces around him. The speedy Malik Nabers would be a great addition to an offense that is in major need of playmakers.
7. Tennessee Titans
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Titans' offensive line is one of the worst in all of football. If Will Levis has any shot at proving he is the guy next season, the Titans must fix their issues up front. Olu Fashanu is the best tackle in this class in my eyes and will give them a building block up front.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
This is another team I was extremely tempted to give a quarterback and I likely will give them one the next time I do this exercise. But for now, I'll give them the best pass rusher in this year's class. Laiatu Latu is a technically refined pass rusher who has outstanding hands, power, and motor.
9. Chicago Bears
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
This is my wild-card pick of the top 10. I know the Bears have Cole Kmet and I love him as an ascending tight end, but I also think Brock Bowers is just too good to pass up. The Bears can get very creative using 12 personnel (two-tight-end sets) and move Bowers around to exploit the defense. Bowers would be a great option for new quarterback Caleb Williams.
10. New York Jets
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Jets' offensive line has been an issue for several seasons. With a tackle class this strong, it's imperative that the team walks a way with a plug-and-play starter. Joe Alt is a terrific tackle prospect with the length, foot quickness, and balance to excel at the next level.
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
11. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Minnesota is set to lose some key pass rushers this offseason to free agency and they would be wise to replenish the cupboard early in the 2024 draft. Jared Verse is an explosive and physical edge defender who has plenty of power to collapse the pocket.
12. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The second run on quarterbacks begins here. Bo Nix will be one of the more polarizing players in this class, but if you throw out the Auburn tape and just focus on his past two years at Oregon, you'll see a franchise quarterback. He has an NFL arm, shows poise and good decision-making, and is an excellent athlete. Nix would be a great quarterback for Sean Payton to mold for his timing-based offense.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Now this is a pick that will likely be unique to my NFL mock draft. Look, I recognize Michael Penix Jr. has a lengthy injury history and is on the older side, but at some point, the tape and resume have to matter. Penix Jr. throws the prettiest and most accurate ball in this year's class and is an excellent decision-maker. His ability to layer the football all over the field is special and I have just seen him dice up too many good defenses over the years for me to overthink this. Penix Jr. would give the Raiders an immediate upgrade at quarterback.
14. New Orleans Saints
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
I am not as high on Dallas Turner as others, but I do recognize his immense upside. Turner would give the Saints a young edge defender to prepare themselves for the inevitable post-Cam Jordan world.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Similarly to Penix Jr., it appears Keon Coleman is losing momentum with other draft analysts and folks in the media. All I know is when I watch Coleman, I see a physically imposing receiver with outstanding ball skills and movement ability for a player his size. I believe Coleman will be a high-volume receiver at the next level and someone the Colts can feature in their offense.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Jer'Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois
Jer'Zhan Newton is one of my favorite players in this class as he flashes very good first-step quickness and flexibility rushing inside. He would provide Seattle a much-needed disruptive presence in the middle of the defense.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Jacksonville must find a way to keep Trevor Lawrence upright and adding more talent up front is paramount. Troy Fautanu is an outstanding prospect who has the athleticism and play strength to be an impact tackle or guard at the next level.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Bengals have needed to invest some high capital in the tackle position for quite some time and they finally do so here with the addition of Alabama's JC Latham. Latham is a powerful tackle who will fit in perfectly on the right side of their offensive line.
19. Los Angeles Rams
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
J.J. McCarthy will likely be the most polarizing player in this class. He has an NFL skill set—there is no doubt about that. The issue is he played in an offense that didn't ask him to throw a ton and even when he was forced into throwing situations, the offensive coaches seemed scared to cut him loose. With that said, there are flashes of high-end NFL throws and he is a heck of an athlete. I personally wouldn't draft him here, but I could see NFL decision-makers wanting to mold him.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Steelers hit gold with their pick last year in Joey Porter Jr. but there still is a need opposite of him moving forward. Terrion Arnold is the most complete corner in this class and would be a great addition to this secondary.
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
21. Miami Dolphins
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
Jackson Powers-Johnson is the best interior offensive lineman in this class who has the size, strength, and movement skills to be a difference-making blocker in the NFL. The Dolphins need help in the interior of their offensive line and Powers-Johnson would be an immediate upgrade over their current players.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The demise of Philadelphia's secondary was a site to see toward the backstretch of the season. The play of both Darius Slay—who, to be fair, dealt with injuries—and James Bradberry was truly awful and they need to upgrade immediately if they have any chance to fix their defense. Cooper DeJean is an explosive athlete with outstanding instincts. He would fit in well within this Eagles defense.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Houston has been one of the best stories of the season and their turnaround from being one of the league's worst teams to winning a playoff game is nothing short of sensational. There is still work to be done and adding to their secondary is key. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a well-built corner with very good overall athleticism. He would be a nice player to pair alongside Derek Stingley Jr.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
It's abundantly clear that Dallas needs more horses on defense to alleviate some pressure off of Micah Parsons. Chop Robinson is the most explosive pass rusher in this class and boasts an outstanding first step. He would give the Cowboys much-needed juice rushing opposite of Parsons.
25. Green Bay Packers
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Jordan Love's emergence has been one of the best things to happen this NFL season and the team must surround him with enough resources to succeed long-term. I believe that starts with investing upfront and Taliese Fuaga is one of the draft's best pass protectors.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell is a high-upside corner with excellent foot quickness and fluidity. He had tremendous production last year and will be a riser throughout the draft process.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Arizona must continue to build around Kyler Murray and giving him a weapon like Marvin Harrison Jr. with their first pick and then coming back and adding an elite blocker in Graham Barton certainly does the trick. Barton can play anywhere on the offensive line and will certainly carve out a role as a rookie.
28. Buffalo Bills
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Brian Thomas Jr. is a riser of late and some evaluators believe he will go much higher than this. Thomas Jr. is a height-weight-speed receiver who is excellent down the field. He would give Buffalo another explosive threat.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
The Chiefs' pass-catchers left a lot to be desired this year. The emergence of rookie Rashee Rice was a nice development but there is still work to be done. Troy Franklin is one of the best deep threats in this class but also has a well-rounded game, is an excellent route-runner, and can create after the catch. He would be a big-play machine with Patrick Mahomes.
30. Detroit Lions
Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas
Detroit's defensive line is led mainly by their edge rushers and they need to get better in the middle of their front. Texas' Byron Murphy II would give them an impact player to really take this defense to the next level.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
This may be my favorite pick of this NFL mock draft. Amarius Mims is a high-upside player who hasn't played a ton of football at Georgia. His traits are very high end and a team will be tempted to take a chance on him even with his inexperience on the field. The 49ers would be wise to add Mims, who could start at right tackle right away and then transition to the left side once Trent Williams retires.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Patrick Queen is a pending free agent and in the event he walks, the Ravens would look to find his replacement in the draft. Edgerrin Cooper is a long and fluid mover and flashes aggressive downhill playmaking ability.
