Diontae Johnson is on the Carolina Panthers. Tee Higgins has yet to find a home after requesting a trade from the Bengals. Danielle Hunter landed in Houston, giving the Texans one of the most terrifying edge duos in the NFL. NFL free agency hasn't disappointed, and teams are finally showing their hand at what positions they'll target early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
While my previous mock drafts included trades, this one does not. Still, this is an exercise in matching players to teams based on needs and assumptions around the league.
Thank you to Tankathon for providing the most updated draft order.
Check out all the NFL mock drafts at Footballguys:
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 2.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 4.0
Jeff Bell's Two Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams (QB - USC)
This pick is seemingly written in pen, with the team hoping to check the final boxes at Williams' pro day on March 20th. Williams is the best quarterback prospect in recent memory and gives the Bears a chance at contention for a long time.
2. Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels (QB - LSU)
The Commanders will likely take a new signal caller next month, whether it's Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy. Daniels offers the most dynamic superpower of the three - an elite rushing upside - and league chatter insinuates he's the selection.
3. New England Patriots - Drake Maye (QB - North Carolina)
With Jacoby Brissett in to act as a bridge quarterback, the Patriots are set up nicely to redshirt a toolsy quarterback who would benefit from sitting. Maye is exactly that, with mechanical questions and raw tools that suggest he could be a top-ten NFL quarterback soon.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR - Ohio State)
The Cardinals need to add to their wide receiver room, and Harrison is the best prospect at the position in recent memory. Harrison Jr. gives Kyler Murray and company some juice on the offensive side.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Taliese Fuaga (OT - Oregon State)
The Chargers are a prime trade-out candidate, with teams hoping to jump the Giants (and the market) for a quarterback. Still, selecting a nasty right tackle who can set the tone as a run blocker would follow the mold they've set early in free agency.
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6. New York Giants - Rome Odunze (WR - Washington)
While it's clear the Giants are interested in this quarterback class, there's a chance they miss out on it entirely. Insert Rome Odunze, a dynamic No. 1 receiver who checked every box during his pre-draft process. Odunze would immediately give the Giants offense life.
7. Tennessee Titans - Malik Nabers (WR - LSU)
General manager Ran Carthon spoke about adding speed and explosiveness to the offensive side of the ball at the NFL Scouting Combine. No one fits that mold better than Nabers, who possesses some of the most natural acceleration of this receiver class (and the last few).
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8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner (EDGE - Alabama)
With the Falcons adding Darnell Mooney to a contract that averages $13M per year, they don't need to reach on the second tier of receivers. Instead, they get a natural athlete with insanely long arms and some of the best film in this EDGE class.
9. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse (EDGE - Florida State)
Another long, explosive EDGE comes off the board here, as the Bears stayed quiet during free agency at the position. The Bears seemingly want to move back here, too, but if they stay put and the top three wideouts are gone, expect an edge rusher to come off the board.
10. New York Jets - Joe Alt (OT - Notre Dame)
The Jets desperately need to add to their offensive line room to keep Aaron Rodgers upright (should he choose to play football in 2024). Joe Alt is the perfect blend of size and movement skills that fit their offensive scheme.
11. Minnesota Vikings - J.J. McCarthy (QB - Michigan)
The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins and replaced him with Sam Darnold, which suggests they will attack this quarterback class aggressively. McCarthy fits everything Kevin O'Connell wants to do on offense, but he may take time to acclimate to the NFL level. Darnold can bridge until he's ready.
12. Denver Broncos - Quinyon Mitchell (CB - Toledo)
With the Broncos seemingly missing out on the quarterback market, a pivot to the most talented cornerback in the class seems wise. Mitchell, like Odunze, checked every box during his pre-draft process. He has some terrific film with high-level instincts and is exactly the type of corner who would fit opposite Pat Surtain.
13. Las Vegas Raiders - Amarius Mims (OT - Georgia)
The Raiders should add to their offensive line to protect Gardner Minshew if they choose to remain in their draft slot, and Mims has one of the highest ceilings among the group remaining. He hasn't played enough snaps or displayed consistency, but it's difficult to imagine NFL teams not loving a player with his measurables.
14. New Orleans Saints - Byron Murphy II (DT - Texas)
The Saints used a high selection on Bryan Bresee last year, and there isn't a better defensive tackle prospect to pair with him for the future of their defensive line. Murphy will generate pressure from the interior, has a ton of power, and has an All-Pro-level ceiling.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Brock Bowers (TE - Georgia)
While the Colts have needs, a dynamic playmaker like Brock Bowers seems to be high on their list of preferences. The young core of Bowers, Michael Pittman Jr, and Josh Downs would be enough to give Anthony Richardson a chance at success in a tough division.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Jackson Powers-Johnson (C - Oregon)
The Seahawks have multiple needs on the interior of their offensive line, even after the first wave of free agency. Powers-Johnson has positional versatility to justify selecting him with a top-20 pick. He's a day-one starter with immense upside.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold (CB - Alabama)
Many, including me, have slotted a wideout here for the last few months, but the Jaguars signed Gabriel Davis and are still in on Calvin Ridley. Their receiving corps is set (albeit slightly underwhelming), meaning a pivot to another positional need is on the table. Arnold is a high-level ball producer with good length and physicality and would slot in as the No. 2 corner in Jacksonville.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Troy Fautanu (OT - Washington)
Many will be shocked at the order in which the tackles go off the board, and it's clear that the NFL is enamored with Troy Fautanu. Fautanu is a great athlete with acceptable length and could excel at both tackle and guard at the next level. The Bengals need to protect their star quarterback.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Olu Fashanu (OT - Penn State)
The Rams drastically improved their offensive line this week when they signed Jonah Jackson, but they still have questions at both offensive tackle spots. With the team poised for another deep postseason run, shoring up one of those spots with a high-ceiling player like Fashanu is smart.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - LSU)
With the Diontae Johnson trade, the Steelers have a massive need at wideout. Thomas gives them another big athlete with unique movement skills who would give Russell Wilson another reliable target to complement George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth.
21. Miami Dolphins - Laiatu Latu (EDGE - UCLA)
With Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips on the mend, the Dolphins need more depth in the edge room. Latu is similar to Phillips - an underrated athlete with unrivaled technical skills and injury concerns. The team found success with Phillips and could strengthen the room with a similarly molded player.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - JC Latham (OT - Alabama)
The Eagles draft offensive and defensive line in the first round, and Latham is the perfect redshirt tackle (and potential starting guard) for their scheme. He's an elite mover with powerful hands and excellent grip strength and would be an ideal replacement for Lane Johnson when he hands it up.
23. Houston Texans - Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB - Alabama)
The Texans have very few needs, but cornerback is one of them following the first wave of free agency when the team only added Jeff Okudah on a flier contract. McKinstry is an under-discussed prospect who moves fluidly and has excellent man coverage skills.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Guyton (OT - Oklahoma)
The "all-in" Dallas Cowboys have been anything but during the tampering period, and they will lose two starting offensive linemen this offseason. While this could be Zach Frazier, they choose the toolsy, athletic tackle who needs some development.
25. Green Bay Packers - Cooper DeJean (CB - Iowa)
The Packers have been active in the free-agent market but still need to add a cornerback. DeJean gives them an athletic option with excellent zone coverage skills and high upside.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Nate Wiggins (CB - Clemson)
The Bucs traded Carlton Davis to the Lions earlier this week and now must fill the No. 2 cornerback spot. Wiggins profiles similarly, with elite speed, a wiry frame, and high upside. His weight is concerning, but his athleticism should give the Bucs hope.
27. Arizona Cardinals - Johnny Newton (DT - Illinois)
The Cardinals staying in both spots would be shocking, but if they do stay, they should add a trench player. Newton has injury concerns that arose this pre-draft cycle, but when he's on the field, he's an explosive pass-rusher with powerful hands and more ability against the run than expected.
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28. Buffalo Bills - Adonai Mitchell (WR - Texas)
The Bills lost Gabe Davis to the Jaguars, and Stefon Diggs looked like a shell of himself down the stretch last season. Mitchell had an outstanding NFL Scouting Combine and is checking the boxes of a high-level NFL producer, despite how the analytics community feels about him.
29. Detroit Lions - Darius Robinson (EDGE - Missouri)
The Lions added Marcus Davenport this week, but they still need depth. With the top corner prospects off the board, Robinson is the best option, giving them a strong player against the run and massive upside as a pocket-collapser opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
30. Baltimore Ravens - Chop Robinson (EDGE - Penn State)
The Ravens always luck into elite athletes who shouldn't be available, and Robinson fits that mold. His NFL Combine performance was remarkable, with his sub-4.50 forty-yard dash becoming a record for a player over 250 pounds. Robinson needs to add to his toolbox, but the raw traits are there.
31. San Francisco 49ers - T.J. Tampa (CB - Iowa State)
Tampa is a forgotten corner, at least among media members, in this class, and his buzz should return following the joint Big 12 pro day later this month. The 49ers missed the top group of tackles, a position they need, but add to the cornerback room that punched above its weight last year.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Xavier Worthy (WR - Texas)
The speedy wideout from Texas gives the Chiefs a dynamic option to continue building a more reliable pass-catching room for Patrick Mahomes II. Worthy has three-level ability and elite route-running skills and should probably come off the board earlier than this.
