2024 NFL Mock Draft: More Offensive Stars On The Way

We are only two weeks into the NFL season and we’ve already seen some offseason additions paying off huge dividends for teams. We all know that the best way to improve your team is through the NFL draft and it’s never too early for a 2024 NFL mock draft. Check out my first mock draft of the season below and stay tuned to see what changes over the course of the season.

Reminder: The draft order for this 2024 NFL Mock Draft is determined by current Super Bowl odds when Week 2 began, adjusted to represent the proper amount of AFC and NFC teams for each playoff round (i.e. how the real draft order is determined at season’s end).

2024 NFL Mock Draft

1. Arizona Cardinals

Caleb Williams QB, USC

The Cardinals have a franchise quarterback already in the building with Kyler Murray, but the opportunity to get younger and less expensive at the position and potentially have a greater talent in Caleb Williams is too much to pass up. The opportunity to trade Murray for a first-round pick and more, plus bringing in one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks we’ve seen over the last year can help catapult the Cardinals in the right direction and allow them to quickly overturn this roster.

2. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)

Jared Verse EDGE, Florida State

As important as it is for the Cardinals to find a true identity offensively, it is equally important for them to do so defensively. With this pick, the Cardinals select arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft in Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse. The Cardinals look to do exactly what the Texans did this past draft and draft their leader sof the offense and defense in the same draft.

3. Indianapolis Colts

Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State

The stars simply align here as Marvin Harrison Jr. heads to the Colts in this NFL mock draft. Name aside, the Colts are drafting one of the best wide receiver prospects to come out of college over the last few years and he will be an immediate impact player. Right now, the Colts’ receiver room is good, but drafting Harrison Jr. makes them one of the best rooms in the NFL. Having a talent like Harrison Jr. will definitely make Anthony Richardson’s development easier.

4. Los Angeles Rams

Olu Fashanu OT, Penn State

After being all in and winning a Super Bowl a couple years ago, the Los Angeles Rams appear to be in between on what direction they want to go—especially at the quarterback position as Matthew Stafford gets older. But the one thing that they are aware of is that they need to protect whoever that quarterback is. Olu Fashanu possesses all of the tools to be a premier OT in the NFL and will be a key pillar as the Rams rebuild into NFC competitors.

5. Chicago Bears (via CAR)

Drake Maye QB, North Carolina

This pick comes with the expectation that things in Chicago continue to look as they do offensively. I expect the front office and a new head coach will want to go with a new quarterback. I do believe that Justin Fields is a talented quarterback, but if 2023 is another season of inconsistent production from the quarterback position, I expect there to be a new coaching staff and simply a situation of both sides needing to part ways.

In that case, the Bears draft Drake Maye—the talent is too much for them to pass up. Maye has proven results as a passer in college and has the upside to be a franchise quarterback, exactly what the Bears and their fans need.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Quinn Ewers QB, Texas

The Quinn Ewers hype started with the win against Alabama and I think it carries itself all the way to the 2024 NFL Draft. Ewers’ best traits are his ability to anticipate throws, accuracy, and his high IQ, along with the more than adequate arm talent. Those appear to be the exact skill set Josh McDaniels wants in his quarterback and this should be a good coach-quarterback pairing moving into the future for the Raiders.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

J.T. Tuimoloau EDGE, Ohio State

The Buccaneers have consistently tried to address this position in the draft and have had mixed results. I think they take another swing by drafting Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau. Tuimoloau possesses great athleticism and size. He appears to have the natural instincts it takes to get consistent sack production in the NFL.

8. Washington Commanders

Brock Bowers TE, Georgia

The Commanders have one of the most dangerous 1-2 combinations in the NFL at the wide receiver position, but we know offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is well known for his usage of Travis Kelce at the TE position from his time in Kansas City. With this pick, I believe the Commanders go with a Bieniemy-influenced selection and draft Brock Bowers. Bowers is one of the most talented TE prospects that college football has seen and checks every box at being a complete TE. Bowers has the skills to dominate a game from the TE position and should give Bieniemy a great weapon to use in multiple different alignments.

9. New York Giants

Keon Coleman WR, Florida State

The Giants got faster at the wide receiver position in the offseason, but they still lack a true No. 1. Keon Coleman is listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds and still has great athleticism. This selection should give the Giants a No. 1 receiver option to pair with TE Darren Waller while allowing the rest of the receivers on the roster to fall into roles that fit their skill sets.

10. Chicago Bears

Chop Robinson EDGE, Penn State

The Bears have traded away to key defensive players in Roquan Smith and Khalil Mack and it shows. They need a new defensive identity and, furthermore, they need a dominant edge rusher. Penn State’s Chop Robinson has first-step explosiveness that is second to none and could easily become the best edge rusher on the Bears’ roster right away, filling a key need.

11. Tennessee Titans

JC Latham OT, Alabama

It feels like the Titans’ quarterback drama is just starting to build and is a long way from over. Currently on the roster, they have veteran Ryan Tannehill, 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis, and 2023 second-round pick WIll Levis. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the coaching staff is 100% confident in any of them. One thing I am confident in is that no matter the quarterback, they’re going to need to protect him. After drafting Peter Skoronski in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they go back to the offensive line and draft Alabama OT JC Latham to play on the right side of the line.

12. New England Patriots

Emeka Egbuka WR, Ohio State

I believe the duo of Bill O’Brien and Mac Jones will prove over the course of the season to be a successful combination. But the Patriots still need to address the receiver room with high-level talent. I like the addition of Kayshon Boutte to the mix, but they are simply going to need more. Emeka Egbuka has a well-rounded skill set and he and Boutte complement each other well.

13. New York Jets

Joe Alt OT, Notre Dame

This is the layup pick of this 2024 NFL mock draft. With Aaron Rodgers making it known that he is coming back, the Jets will absolutely draft one of these talented OTs in the 2024 NFL Draft. In this case, it is Notre Dame OT Joe Alt. Alt is listed at 6-foot-8. While his height may actually be a concern to some people when it comes to playing with leverage, over the years at Notre Dame, Alt has shown to be effective at what he does and is a dependable player. That’s exactly what the Jets need.

14. Denver Broncos

Malik Nabers WR, LSU

The receiver room that was in place when Sean Payton took over the Broncos is not the same room due to injuries. I expect Payton to want to address that position and he does so by drafting LSU WR Malik Nabers. Nabers is a great run-after-the-catch player, showing the strength to run through initial contact with big-play ability to beat defensive backs over the top. That’s exactly what the Broncos need offensively.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB, Clemson

The Steelers overhauled this linebacker room in the offseason by bringing in veteran players, but I believe they need to continue to work to find long-term solutions. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is a true MIKE lInebacker who plays physical and appears to have that Steelers grit and toughness to his play style.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Michael Hall Jr. IDL, Ohio State

Seattle has strung together great drafts back to back and looks to make it a three-peat. With this pick, they go after Ohio State IDL Michael Hall Jr. to help inject this position group with some youth. Hall Jr. not only has the ability to play great against the run, but he also has the athleticism to rush the passer and be a three-down impact interior defensive lineman.

17. Green Bay Packers

Kalen King CB, Penn State

The Packers once again go defense in the first round. But this year it’s understandable after they spent so much draft capital in the 2023 NFL Draft on offensive skill positions. Kalen King is a scheme-versatile corner who appears to have high-level instincts. The Packers have All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander at one of the corner positions and adding King could give the Packers a great 1-2 punch at the position.

18. Los Angeles Chargers

Jer’Zhan Newton IDL, Illinois

The Chargers finally address the defensive line position. As talented as the Chargers are offensively until they shore up this defense in the trenches, they are going to continue to see themselves in shootout, toss-up games. Given the offenses in the AFC, this is not a great spot to be. Jer’Zhan Newton is big, physical, and versatile in alignment and should instantly make the Chargers better up front.

19. Minnesota Vikings

Denzel Burke CB, Ohio State

The Vikings seem to always need to address the cornerback position. As quick as the Vikings offense can score points, the defense can give them right back. Denzel Burke is a smooth man-to-man corner that should make a great pairing with Byron Murphy Jr.

20. Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. QB, Washington

Desmond Ridder will prove to be a solid quarterback, but I believe that there is still a ceiling for his ability to be a high-level passer in the NFL. With Michael Penix Jr. on the board, the Falcons regime pulls the trigger and drafts a player who has proven to be a high-level thrower of the football throughout his collegiate career. He can get the football to all of the high-level athletes Atlanta has drafted over the past couple of years. Penix Jr. is very talented and if not for a few injuries early on in his collegiate career, he would have easily been drafted in the top 10.

21. New Orleans Saints

Kingsley Suamataia OT, BYU

Trevor Penning is struggling at the OT position and it is affecting the Saints’ pass offense. While I believe that Penning has all of the tools to be a good OT, a position move may be needed while he develops. With that being the case, the Saints go after BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia. Suamataia has all of the size needed in an OT combined with good film. He would be a solid pick for the future of the Saints’ offensive line.

22. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Maason Smith IDL, LSU

The Texans are sticking to the script and draft yet another high-level athlete from a big-time program. Maason Smith has great size and length but is also a plus-level athlete—he aligned at the defensive end position also. Ultimately, I believe that Smith finds a home at the IDL position and benefits from playing in this DeMeco Ryans attack-style defense.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

Graham Barton OL, Duke

Trevor Lawrence is continuing to live up to the draft hype and appears to be well on his way to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Like every great quarterback, he needs a strong offensive line to protect him. The Jaguars have done a good job addressing the skill positions but need to address the offensive line. Graham Barton is the perfect selection here because he has positional versatility and will allow the coaches to shuffle this offensive line around. He can fill whatever void is left over, allowing the Jaguars to put their best five out there.

24. Miami Dolphins

Jordan Morgan OT, Arizona

The Dolphins have the most explosive offense in the NFL with their weapons on the outside and a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Keeping Tagovailoa healthy needs to be a continued effort and I believe the Dolphins help that effort by drafting Arizona OT Jordan Morgan. Morgan helps address the offensive line position, which has been an issue for the Dolphins for a few years.

25. Detroit Lions

Kool-Aid McKinstry CB, Alabama

The Lions are getting returns on their investments of acquiring defensive talent and this Lions defense looks much improved. They continue this momentum and address the corner position by drafting Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. McKinstry is scheme-versatile and has the skill set to play some nickel. McKinstry would be another versatile defensive back for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to use.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Javon Bullard CB, Georgia

The Ravens’ secondary has been an issue for a couple years now due to injuries and age. Javon Bullard is a versatile secondary player who can play corner and nickel. The Ravens need young playmakers and Bullard is exactly that.

27. Cincinnati Bengals

Amarius Mims OT, Georgia

This seems like a recurring theme for the Bengals. But the current version of the offensive line appears to be struggling still. In this NFL mock draft, the Bengals make yet another attempt to get better up front and draft OT Amarius Mims. Mims has elite measurables and is already off to a dominant start playing the OT position for the Georgia Bulldogs.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Barrett Carter LB, Clemson

The Cowboys’ defense is showing to be a dominant group. But if there is one position group that needs some improvement, it would be the LB position when Micah Parsons plays the true edge position. Barrett Carter is an athletic LB who can cover, but he also shows well against the run. Adding Carter to this defense gives the Cowboys yet another young, talented player who can do unique things in the Dan Quinn defense.

29. Buffalo Bills

Troy Franklin WR, Oregon

This pick is simple. The success of the Bills’ offense can not solely rely on the Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs connection if they want to win a Super Bowl. With this pick, they get Allen a viable No. 2 receiving option. When teams are keyed in on Diggs, they have Troy Franklin who can consistently win his matchups. In the extremely talented AFC, you always have to be looking to make improvements year over year, and this move should help the Bills balance the field offensively.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Andrew Mukuba SAF, Clemson

The 49ers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so this pick is simply a matter of the rich getting richer. Andrew Mukuba is proven to have some of the best range as a safety in this draft class along with a natural ability to always find the football. Pairing Mukuba with Talanoa Hufanga is a great complementary duo and should instantly become one of the best safety pairings in the NFL.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Xavier Worthy WR, Texas

This Eagles’ offense has talent across the depth chart, but if there was one position that needs more depth it’s the receiver position. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith carry the passing offense but there needs to be a key contributor from the WR3 position. Here, the Eagles draft arguably the most explosive receiver in the draft to be their third guy. Xavier Worthy will add a unique dynamic to this offense as he can be the big-play vertical threat.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Ja’Tavion Sanders TE, Texas

Come draft time, I don’t believe the Chiefs will forget what this offense looked like without Travis Kelce. And with Kelce aging, they need to start grooming another playmaker who can work the middle of the field and that’s Ja’Tavion Sanders. From an athleticism standpoint, Sanders is very comparable and has already shown an ability to make big plays. Whenever Kelce decides to hang the cleats up, Sanders could be a great option to be that go-to guy for Patrick Mahomes.

 

What did you think of Keith Sanchez’s latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think about this or any of our NFL Mock Drafts on Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned for the next edition of TDN’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft series.