The 2024 Draft is officially upon us. Soon, we will finally know what prospects NFL teams were high on, where each quarterback prospect will begin their careers, and who was willing to trade up to get the player they wanted. The Draft is one of the most fun times of the NFL season, as every fanbase can leave the draft weekend feeling as if their team won something and potentially upgraded their roster enough to improve from their 2023 season. With so many variables, there’s no way to tell how the picks will go down in Detroit on the evening of Thursday, April 25th. That also doesn’t mean we can’t try our best to predict what prospects are fits for their teams based on their talent and team needs and match what front offices historically have done on draft day.

Pick One: Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Chicago Bears have at long last ended any speculation that they might have kept Justin Fields as their starting quarterback, and can now turn their full attention to their new quarterback of the future. USC’s Caleb Williams has shown the arm strength, athleticism, and decision-making to be a star quarterback in the NFL, and no quarterback prospect has generated as much buzz since Trevor Lawrence. Head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles finally get to choose their quarterback and by doing so they give Chicago at least four more years of not having to pay their franchise quarterback a lucrative contract.

Pick Two: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

While former UNC quarterback Sam Howell did show flashes of potential to be a starting-caliber NFL quarterback with Washington Commanders in 2023, his ceiling is far lower than LSU standout Jayden Daniels. While it is a mystery if tWashington prefer Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye, it appears as the draft draws closer that the Commanders prefer the athleticism of Daniels and his ability to find success in the SEC against tougher competition. Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will get one more chance to build a successful NFL offense around a talented and athletic quarterback.

Pick Three: New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC

There should certainly be an internal discussion if they want to select the third quarterback in a row or a generational receiver talent here with the third pick. Here, New England decides to roll with the quarterback with a higher ceiling than Jayden Daniels and select Drake Maye. Maye has the size, speed, and arm you look for in a prospect. He has proven that he can deliver the ball on time and accurately and play from outside the structure of a play. A big knock on Maye is his time to throw, but that may have been due to lackluster support on offense for the Tar Heels in 2023 and plays designed for Maye to hold the ball while rolling out or waiting for routes to develop. Maye possesses the potential to develop into a Josh Allen-like talent in the NFL and should be viewed as a steal a third overall.

Pick Four: Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Arizona Cardinals should consider themselves lucky if they get Harrison Jr. at fourth overall, who is the perfect receiver to bring the best out of Kyler Murray. If it weren’t for there being three pro-ready quarterback prospects and teams with a need at the position picking ahead of them, Arizona likely would have lost out on the receiver they’ve been linked too for almost a year. Harrison is physical and dynamic with the abillity to make just about any catch as long as he can get a hand to the ball. His skillset should easily translate to the NFL and will instantly add life to Drew Petzing’s offense.

Pick Five: Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

While the Chargers appear to be a favorite to trade down in many mocks out there, they would be foolish not to stick and pick here and take Malik Nabers fifth overall. The Chargers need a receiver after losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason and given Quentin Johnston’s struggles as a rookie in 2023. Nabers has blossomed under Brian Kelly from the player who muffed two punts to open the 2022 season against Florida State to become a reliable number-one wideout who wins early and often, with drops becoming few and far between. The Chargers add talent to their offense hoping to give Justin Herbert a chance at competing with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pick Six: TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (via New York Giants): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

The debate over including trades in this mock or not was a long one, but the way the board falls, this trade seems almost inevitable. The Giants have shown the willingness to trade down for extra picks in recent history, and this move best suits their needs. The Vikings also seem to understand that they will likely get leap-frogged for McCarthy if they don’t make this move. The NFL seems to value the youth, athleticism, and ability to play well within a championship-winning offense that McCarthy possesses, and while McCarthy was not asked to do too much for the Wolverines, the few times he was called on to step up, he delivered.

Pick Seven: Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Tennessee Titans are another beneficiary of the way the board falls here, with the best player available at seventh overall being both a position of need for Tennessee and a player with the highest floor. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is a premium left tackle prospect who excels at pass protection and will be only 21 years old when the 2024 season begins. Alt has likely been on the top of the Titan’s board for months and could be a cornerstone in Tennessee for the next decade.

Pick Eight: Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Atlanta has rebuilt their offense nicely over the past few seasons. Pairing quarterback Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson with the talents of Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Darnell Mooney has a chance to bring stability and productivity to an offense that has lacked it desperately in recent years. Now it’s time for the Falcons to address defense and head coach Raheem Morris gets to add the Draft’s top pass rusher at eight overall. Dallas Turner has the bend, speed, strength, and size to succeed in the NFL. The Falcons need a pass rusher, and Dallas Turner is a perfect plug-and-play prospect.

Pick Nine: Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Acquiring Keenan Allen may add experience to Chicago’s receiving and could be great opposite DJ Moore. However, Allen has a history of injury, and his future with the Bears and in the NFL is in question beyond 2024. The Bears need a young receiver who they can develop alongside Caleb Williams on a rookie contract, and with Rome Odunze still on the board, Chicago finds that early in the 2024 Draft. Odunze could easily be off the board before this pick, as he can play from the inside or the outside, run just about every route, and catch nearly everything regardless of where the defender is. Odunze being the third receiver picked in this class speaks volumes about just how deep this class is at the position, and the Bears hit a home run with this pick for their new franchise quarterback.

Pick Ten: New York Jets: Brock Bowers TE, Georgia

Aaron Rodgers was sorely missed all season long for the New York Jets, but it was clear that their offensive flaws were not all because of Zach Wilson. The Jets entered the offseason needing offensive line help and receivers for their future hall-of-fame quarterback when Rodgers returns. Signing tackle Tyron Smith and receiver Mike Williams and trading for tackle Morgan Moses have done a lot to fill those needs. The Jets need a big splash with this pick to show they are serious about contending in the AFC, and Brock Bowers is the perfect player to take this offense to the next level. Bowers is an elite tight end who can line up anywhere, outrun defenders, break tackles without slowing down, and use his strength to make impressive catches consistently. He is undoubtedly the most pro-ready tight end since Kyle Pitts and could be like George Kittle or Jimmy Graham in this Jets offense.

Pick 11: New York Giants (via Minnesota Vikings): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Giants are stuck with Daniel Jones and his $69 million dead cap hit if he were to leave the Giants in 2024, so they should at least have Jones be their unquestioned starter for 2024. For the Giants, picking the fourth quarterback in the draft at sixth overall or trading back to get picks 11 and 23 should be a no-brainer. With this pick, Big Blue gets a tackle who can hopefully stop the bleeding for a team that was the most sacked in the NFL by a margin of 20 sacks. With the strength and size of Fuaga at tackle opposite Andrew Thomas, the Giants can slide 2022 seventh-overall pick Evan Neal inside to guard and try to develop the 23-year-old into a serviceable NFL starter on the interior of the offensive line.

Pick 12: Denver Broncos: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The Denver Broncos are in no man’s land at the quarterback position. They only have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on their roster and failed to add an available quarterback such as Kirk Cousins or Justin Fields earlier in the offseason. Denver’s draft position means they will likely miss out on the Draft’s top four quarterbacks. However, they will find themselves in the lead to land Bo Nix, who possesses accuracy and pocket presence that can translate to the NFL, and who I prefer to J.J. McCarthy. However, Nix is someone the Broncos can get late in round one or early in round two by trading some 2025 draft capital, and they have a desperate need for an explosive edge rusher. Enter Florida State’s Jared Verse. Verse began his collegiate career at the University of Albany and continued to show off his strength and disruptiveness after rising to a starting role on the top team in the ACC in 2023. Verse had the top bench press performance with 31 reps, and he can downright harass opposing blockers. His combination of aggressiveness and strength could quickly remind Broncos fans of a young Von Miller.

Pick 13: Las Vegas Raiders: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Las Vegas Raiders are another team that could be in the market to select Bo Nix at this point in the Draft, but the upside that comes with securing the right side of their offensive line cannot overlooked. Much like the Broncos, the Raiders are sharing a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, and neither team will be able to get a quarterback that can compete at that level here, so building up the rest of their roster makes far more sense for the Raiders here. JC Latham was a stud at right tackle with Alabama. Latham constantly moves his hands to stunt pass rushers, excels at protecting the edge, and has a strong base that makes him an anchor at right tackle. The IMG Academy and Alabama product stands at six-foot-six, weighs 342 pounds, and is a beast of a tackle who is a blue-chip NFL prospect.

Pick 14: New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The 2024 Draft is deep at both wide receiver and offensive tackle, with many talented prospects at each position. However, offensive tackle is historically valued much higher in the Draft than receiver, and we see this trend continue here with the Saints selecting Penn State’s Olu Fashanu. Fashanu could be the top tackle prospect in any Draft, including 2024, but falls here due to small circumstances like suffering a thigh injury at the scouting combine or teams with needs on the right side of the line preferring to draft players with experience playing right tackle in their college careers. Fashanu showed off his ability to utilize his size to move defenders at will at times as a Nittany Lion and has the raw size and strength to develop into a solid NFL left tackle.

Pick 15: Indianapolis Colts: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Indianapolis Colts retained their number one receiver in Michael Pittman Jr., as he signed a new three-year $70 million deal with the team to begin Free Agency for Indy. While it was huge to keep Pittman in town, the Colts still have work to do in their receiver room to give Anthony Richardson a chance to show off what he can do in year two and beyond. Brian Thomas Jr. is a premier deep threat who can get open downfield, catch jump balls, and win the race to the endzone after the catch. While the Colts may need their secondary, the talent of Thomas Jr. teaming up with the arm of Anthony Richardson is too great to pass on.

Pick 16: Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

We have seen teams in recent history not wanting talented prospects to leave their part of the country. We saw the Detroit Lions select Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson in 2022 and the Pittsburgh Steelers take Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. in 2023. Organizations may feel best about the players their brass can naturally keep a close eye on. Troy Fautanu is an aggressive tackle who can get leverage on defenders in both pass blocking and run blocking, with the versatility to play on both the outside and the interior of the offensive line. Fautanu perfectly fits a Seattle offense that lacks an interior offensive line to give Geno Smith a pocket to throw in, and Kenneth Walker III rushing lanes, and Fautanu could slide outside in a pinch.

Pick 17: Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

This Draft has several talented cornerbacks who could each be taken before the 17th overall pick. However, the historically undervalued position falls in this mock due to the need for offensive weapons around the NFL and the number of talented offensive prospects. Nate Wiggins turned heads at the combine when he clocked a 4.28-second 40-yard dash, but the Jacksonville Jaguars may have had their eye on the Clemson cornerback long before the combine. Wiggins has the height and length he utilized to defend 24 passes with three interceptions across 18 starts in college and succeed in all types of coverage, traits that Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke is known to value in prospects. 4.28 speed is the edge that gives Wiggins the potential to become the most dynamic cornerback from this class as he becomes the first defensive back off the board in this mock at pick 17.

Pick 18: Cincinnati Bengals: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Bengals addressed one of their offensive line needs by adding tackle Trent Brown during the second week of Free Agency. Now they can address their need at receiver after losing Tyler Boyd and with the future of Tee Higgins being uncertain. While they could still use a guard, the upside of adding Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell to this offense is tremendous. Mitchell has shown the raw potential to be a successful wide receiver with flashes of strength, speed, and phenomenal hands with the long horns. He needs to develop his deep routes, but working with Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense gives Mitchell a perfect situation to develop into an outstanding NFL receiver.

Pick 19: Los Angeles Rams: Byron Murphy II, DI, Texas

After losing Aaron Donald to retirement, the Los Angeles Rams have an increased need for help for their thin defensive front. Luckily for the Rams, the best interior defensive lineman in this Draft falls right into their lap in this scenario. Byron Murphy II has an ideal combination of strength, agility, and explosiveness to be a disruptive defensive tackle and can beat double teams using his strength and shiftiness. While no prospect can be a one-to-one replacement for Aaron Donald, Murphy is a high-floor prospect with pro-ready traits that the Rams should covet highly at a position of need while sticking at 19th overall.

Pick 20: Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Pittsburgh Steelers could go a variety of ways with this pick. They could opt to go with a receiver or whoever they believe is the best defensive player remaining. However, adding Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson has the potential to be the biggest difference-maker for this team. They do not have a true center on the roster, and this move benefits both the pass and run games in Arthur Smith’s offense. Having a quality starting center will pay dividends as Russell Wilson and Justin Fields battle for quarterback reps and Najee Harris competes with Jaylen Warren for reps at running back, and that’s what Powers-Johnson can be as a relentless and polished collegiate center.

Pick 21: Miami Dolphins: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

An offensive tackle talent of Amarius Mims is rarely available so far down the board. The former Georgia Bulldog measured in at the combine at a height of six-foot-eight and a weight of 340 pounds. While he only made eight starts at Georgia, Mims did play over 600 snaps in his college career and did not allow any sacks. Mims also played exclusively on the right side of the offensive line and can be a monster blind side blocker of Tua Tagovailoa. Mims falls this far due to a lack of experience as a starter and needs some development in run blocking. However, Mims also has the ceiling to develop into a freakishly large and powerful blindside tackle similar to Eagles’ left tackle Jordan Mailata.

Pick 22: Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

It would be shocking if the Philadelphia Eagles stayed at the 22nd overall pick. The Eagles have made a draft day trade in five of the last six drafts and made a draft day trade a few picks up the board in four of the previous five drafts, but stay put because no team within five picks above them should value a trade down more than the player they picked. It still would not be a surprise if Howie Roseman makes another trade to land his guy, but there’s no reason that shouldn’t be Quinyon Mitchell. The Toledo defensive back is a player who should be at the top of Philly’s board and has real potential to fall due to not attending a school from a Power Five conference. Despite being from the Mid-American Conference, Mitchell proved he should be a highly-ranked prospect. He set a school record with 46 career pass breakups, was named AP second-team All-American in 2023, and intercepted six passes in his 36 consecutive starts across three seasons at Toledo. Mitchell has speed, size, and a knack for defending the football in the air that transcends college football’s conferences and can fit perfectly with what the Eagles’ defense needs.

Pick 23: New York Giants (via Cleveland Browns by Minnesota Vikings): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Giants get both of the Vikings’ first-round picks as a result of trading down from the sixth overall pick. Even if New York does need to give up a mid-round pick or two to get both first-rounders, I don’t see Minnesota getting the deal done without giving up the 11th and 23rd overall picks. The Giants take this opportunity to add to the one position of need on offense they have left to address. Adding the new 40-yard dash champion to this offense gives the Giants a burner downfield and an explosive playmaker who can get open on nearly every route. While Xavier Worthy may not have outstanding size or physicality, developing into a reliable receiver during his last year at Texas and upper-echelon speed make him worth a first-round pick. 2024 will be a make-or-break season for Daniel Jones, and if he can’t recapture the magic that led the Giants to a playoff berth in 2022, then the team will likely be searching for his replacement next offseason.

Pick 24: Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, OT, Duke

Free Agency has left the Cowboys with holes at wide receiver, running back, and all over their offensive line. Dallas has put themselves in a position where they must hit on their draft picks as they only have approximately $5 million in cap space as we enter April. They get off to a great start in this scenario with Duke’s Graham Barton. Barton gets off the line of scrimmage fast and ferociously and excels at creating rushing lanes. He is also a player who can play well at guard and tackle on either side of the line as well as at center. Barton would be a perfect fit for the Cowboys as his flexibility opens up the team’s options for filling their remaining holes on their offensive line, and the former Blue Devil will make life easier for whoever Dallas has at running back.

Pick 25: Green Bay Packers: Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma

The Green Bay Packers were a pleasant surprise to watch in 2023. Jordan Love developed into a quality NFL starting quarterback before our eyes, and the Packers had themselves an impressive playoff run. The team now has five picks in the top 100 overall to help their squad take the next step. The Packers start by addressing their offensive line, adding talent and youth in the form of Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. Guyton is another large tackle who is a talented pass blocker with limited experience as a starter at the collegiate level. Guyton stands at six-foot-seven and weighs 327 pounds. As a Sooner, he primarily played on the right side of the line but also got a few opportunities to play at left tackle. He could develop into a franchise tackle for Green Bay, which is extremely rare to find this late in the first round.

Pick 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers likely would have been looking to add to their pass rush in the draft before they released Shaquil Barrett to begin their offseason. Barrett started in 70 games for Tampa, recording 45 sacks and winning Super Bowl LV with the team. Now Tampa begins rebuilding their pass rush with the former UCLA Bruin Laiatu Latu. Latu’s college football career started at the University of Washington, where he saw playing time as a true freshman. His time as a Husky would be cut short due to a neck injury that kept him out for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, with Washington doctors advising him to retire from football. Latu then transferred from Washington to go to UCLA, and after working with their medical staff, Latu returned to football in 2022. Latu would be named First-Team All-Pac 12 in 2022 and 2023 and a unanimous All-American in 2023. Laiatu Latu is a force coming off the edge. He can overpower and outmaneuver blockers and stay in his technique at a remarkable playing speed with a six-foot-five 265 pounds frame scouts dream of. He is the most pro-ready and polished pass rusher in this draft and would likely be a top 10 or 15 pick if not for his injury history, a story very reminiscent of Miami Dolphins’ pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.

Pick 27: TRADE: Kansas City Chiefs (via Houston Texans by Arizona Cardinals): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The second trade in this mock does not come until the 27th overall pick, and while we will almost certainly see more trades than this on April 25th, it feels like every team past fifth overall would be better off picking the player they selected than they would with a trade down. Here, the Cardinals make a move with the Chiefs that makes sense for both teams. Three of the four teams Kansas City jumps are teams they beat in the playoffs, and some hard feelings could make it difficult for the Chiefs to trade with one of them. They select a player that any of the teams below them could have in Alabama’s Terrion Arnold. Arnold is one of the four cornerbacks who could be the first player selected at their position, and the Chiefs waste no time getting their replacement for L’Jarius Sneed as they land a player who showed off the ability to lock down receivers and be a shutdown defensive back at one of the best programs in the nation. With six interceptions, 26 passes defended, and over 100 total tackles in just 25 games for the Crimson Tide, Arnold may be the most pro-ready cornerback in this draft.

Pick 28: Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

The Buffalo Bills could have used another wide receiver before they traded Stephon Diggs to Houston, but now it seems Buffalo will draft no choice but a wideout here. Unfortunately for Buffalo, six receivers have already been taken off the board here. Luckily, this draft class has no shortage of talented receivers. Here, the Bills add a player who can stretch the field, play both on the outside and in the slot and has reliable hands in Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Franklin has been a phenomenal number-one wide receiver for the Ducks over the past two seasons, hauling in 23 touchdowns with over 2,000 receiving yards, and quarterbacks also had a passer rating of 147.8 when targeting Franklin in 2023. Standing at six-foot-two and weighing 176 pounds, Troy Franklin is just two inches taller and a few pounds heavier than DeVonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles. Franklin also ran a significantly faster 40-yard dash with a time of 4.41 seconds. With Josh Allen as his quarterback, Franklin should have no issues taking his game to the NFL level.

Pick 29: Detroit Lions: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is the aforementioned fourth cornerback who could be the first cornerback drafted. However, DeJean is the one who falls to a team where he may find his best fit. While DeJean may be close with Alabama’s Terrion Arnold in terms of being a polished and pro-ready corner, he does not have the freakish athletic upside that Clemson’s Nate Wiggins or Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell has. DeJean is a versatile football player who is as fearless at defending the run as he is at attacking the ball in the air. DeJean could be a cornerback, a safety, and even a punt returner at the NFL level. Overall, DeJean has the perfect combination of grit and ability that will mesh perfectly with Dan Campbell’s Lions.

Pick 30: Baltimore Ravens: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

The Baltimore Ravens have everything in place to have one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks in 2024 following the addition of running back Derrick Henry in free agency. The best way the Ravens can capitalize on the Henry signing is to sure up the right side of their offensive line following the departure of tackle Morgan Moses. Enter BYU’s Kingsley Suamatia. The 21-year-old tackle played over 1,300 snaps in two seasons for BYU, transitioning from the right to the left side of the offensive line for the 2023 season, and is a large and aggressive tackle who can pancake defenders often but is also prone to leaving his inside open against the blitz. The Ravens have a history of drafting offensive linemen in the first round, and here they add a player with all the physical tools and instincts to clean up his game and develop into a quality starting offensive tackle in a few years.

Pick 31: San Francisco 49ers: Jer’Zhan Newton, DI, Illinois

The San Francisco 49ers value depth on their defensive line, and rightfully so. Teams that can both stop the run and rush the passer are usually the teams we see playing in January and February. Following the departure of Chase Young, Arik Armstead, and other rotational players from their defensive line, the Niners were able to sign edge rusher Leonard Floyd and trade for interior lineman Maliek Collins. Despite these additions, the 49ers continue to address their defensive line as they get a steal in Illinois Jer’Zhan Newton. Newton’s six-foot-one, 304-pound frame, coupled with one of the shortest wingspans among defensive linemen, has given him the label of undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his on-field abilities. Newton plays fast and explosive off the defensive line, and he has done so from multiple spots for the Fighting Illini. With a high motor, great instincts, and the ability to produce sacks and tackles for loss from the interior defensive line, Newton is the perfect infusion of talent and youth that can rejuvenate the 49ers’ interior defensive line.

Pick 32: Arizona Cardinals (via Kansas City Chiefs): Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

The Cardinals trade down to get the 32nd overall pick here and should be viewed as big winners from the first round of this draft for doing so. They leave the draft with a generational receiver prospect, a top-four edge rusher in the class, and whatever draft picks they gain from trading down to add to their nine remaining selections over the next six rounds. Penn State’s Chop Robinson is a ferocious and athletic edge rusher with a size and speed combination consistent with what we’ve seen out of first-round edge rushers for years. His speed, jump, and explosiveness give Robinson a high floor as an NFL pass rusher, and he has a similar size and playing speed to fellow former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons. Head coach Jonathan Gannon should have no issues fitting the freakishly athletic Robinson into his defense. With NFL-level coaching surrounding him, Chop Robinson could become a wrecking ball on the defensive line for the Cardinals and their franchise pass rusher.