Travis May First Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft heading into the Combine features six wide receiver prospects
The NFL Draft order is set and the NFL Combine is upon us! It's time for one last look at this incoming 2024 NFL Draft class before everyone overreacts to some forty-yard dash times run in spandex. For this mock we'll be going through the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This mock will […]
The NFL Draft order is set and the NFL Combine is upon us! It's time for one last look at this incoming 2024 NFL Draft class before everyone overreacts to some forty-yard dash times run in spandex.
For this mock we'll be going through the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This mock will not include any trades. It will be influenced by my own rankings, but it is also heavily informed via 100+ mock drafts over the last month and conversations with league sources.
Yes, many things will change (even this week at the NFL Combine) between now and the real NFL Draft, but this mock draft should help highlight all the top players who will most likely hear their name called on opening night this April. Be looking for another three-round mock draft following the NFL Combine too.
Round 1
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB USC
Caleb Williams is going to be the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The only question will be is whether or not that team selecting him will be the Bears. Williams posted back to back to back elite seasons by the numbers that matter despite some empty narratives to the contrary. When you combine his analytical profile with unstoppable off-schedule playmaking prowess you get the easy first overall pick.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
Jayden Daniels led the nation last fall in EPA per play, QBR, yards per play, touchdown percentage, and overall pass efficiency. When you mix that in with over 1200 rushing yards you get one of the greatest college football seasons of all-time from a production standpoint. Daniels needs to clean up the sack issues, but he's going inside the first three picks of the draft.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
Drake Maye had a "down" year by his standards due to some huge offensive system and personnel changes heading into his final season, but his arm talent and underrated mobility make him an easy selection here as the Patriots QB of the future.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State
It's a shame that we won't get to see Marvin Harrison Jr. dominate the NFL Combine, and he would. But there's still no doubt. He is the WR1 in this draft class and has been so for more than a year. The Cardinals will certainly take him here if he's still available.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Brock Bowers has the best production profile of any tight end in college football history. New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to utilize tight ends in the passing game. Bowers would be the ultimate weapon that could function as the team's de facto WR1 from day one as Keenan Allen will age out soon.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The Giants' leading wide receiver last year was Darius Slayton. They could use the help of an explosive wide receiver like Malik Nabers. No other wide receiver was more efficient on a per team pass attempt basis last fall and Nabers can score on any play. If the Giants are stuck with Daniel Jones for a bit longer they might as well get him some real weapons.
7. Tennessee Titans: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
The Titans are in desperate need of an elite pass catcher to build the offense around to assist in the development of Will Levis. Rome Odunze should test like an elite alpha wide receiver with wheels to burn defensive backs here at the NFL Combine this week. And as mentioned in the post below, Odunze added significant nuance to his game this past season. He wins in so many ways.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
The best combination of youth, physical tools, and pass rush rate stats in the entire 2024 NFL Draft class. Dallas Turner is the perfect scheme fit for the Falcons and should make a huge impact immediately.
9. Chicago Bears: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
The Bears need to continue fortifying their offensive line if they want to have any hope in keeping their quarterback of the future alive. In this mock that quarterback is Caleb Williams, but who knows what they're going to do with their pick(s) via trade. Olumuyiwa Fashanua brings both stability and dominant upside.
10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
The Jets would likely be ecstatic to select a monstrous offensive tackle like Joe Alt. At 6'8", 320+ pounds Alt is perhaps the best and most consistent tackle in the draft even though some believe he lacks some truly elite traits.
11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
Pick 11 may seem early, but the Vikings have been heavily linked to J.J. McCarthy for weeks already. If McCarthy shows out at the NFL Combine his stock could continue to rise, ultimately being selected in the early first round by the Vikings.
12. Denver Broncos: Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State
Jared Verse successfully added significant weight this past year and still maintained solid burst and bend. He might be the most complete and versatile edge rusher prospect with the least amount of questions in this draft class. Plus he plays with incredible strength like this post below demonstrates.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
If teams are looking for a phenomenal right tackle in this draft it's a battle between Taliese Fuaga and JC Latham of Alabama. Fuaga's play strength and down-to-down dominance is a sight to behold. This would be the perfect building block for the Raiders as they figure out their quarterback situation.
14. New Orleans Saints: Byron Murphy DL, Texas
Byron Murphy has ascended quickly to become the consensus number one defensive lineman in this class over the last month or so. People began to realize that he brought more pressure last fall than any other defensive lineman in the draft class. Murphy is a bit short, but there aren't many questions with his profile.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
Terrion Arnold led the SEC in interceptions last fall and dominated opposing receivers. He barely allowed a 50% catch rate and less than 11 yards per reception. On top of posting elite production he's still just 20 years old with plenty room to grow. Top cornerback in the class.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
If it weren't for his medical retirement before he inevitably transferred to UCLA Laiatu Latu would likely be considered the best defender in this draft class. He still may be exactly that given his deep arsenal of pass rush moves and class-leading pass rush pressure rate. The medical exams at the NFL Combine likely decide his future.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell continues to answer any questions on his skill set with every opportunity this draft cycle (especially at the Senior Bowl). If he lights up the NFL Combine he may go even earlier than this, but the Jaguars seem like a great fit at this point.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT Alabama
Yes, JC Latham lost a few key reps in big moments for Alabama this past season in nationally televised games. However, he was largely one of the best offensive tackles in the country two years in a row. The Bengals desperately need to figure out how to keep Joe Burrow upright and this move would do it.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
Cooper DeJean has been special for a long time. He was a four-sport athlete in high school with state champion track speed. Now he's an elite punt returner and shut down cornerback coming off a season with five interceptions and two defensive scores. If he tests well at the NFL Combine, he may even go earlier than this pick.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
Jackson Powers-Johnson was the anchor to the best pass blocking offensive line in college football last fall and is the best center prospect in years. He seemingly eats defensive lineman up right off the snap with his imposing frame and pro-ready technique.
21. Miami Dolphins: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
There might not be a bigger human in this NFL Draft class than Amarius Mims. At 6'7", 340+ pounds he is a mountain of a man. He isn't the most experienced lineman due to injuries, but he has the best blocking numbers of the class in true passing sets without any play action or RPOs according to PFF. Plus he destroys defenders in run blocking situations (as you can see below).
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
The Eagles need to get younger at cornerback quickly. Nate Wiggins offers youth, length, athleticism, and consistent shut down coverage on the outside. He would be a foundational defensive player for the Eagles to build around for years.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jer'Zhan "Johnny Newton, DL Illinois
It's hard to tell if Johnny Newton's drop among consensus mock draft data is well-founded or if it's simply that he's been too good for too long and the victim of over-analysis. He did see his pass rush efficiency drop off last fall when teams keyed on him specifically and does have size questions. However, Newton still projects to be a great fit in the first round for a handful of teams picking late in the first round like the Texans here.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Darius Robinson, EDGE/DL Missouri
The Cowboys did just pick Mazi Smith in the first last year, but Darius Robinson is a different kind of player. Robinson spent significant time at both edge rusher and interior defensive line at Missouri due to his elite mix of size, strength, and speed. Robinson could stay on the field for every down lining up on the inside and out for Dallas.
25. Green Bay Packers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU
The Packers seemingly had a different leading receiver every single week last season. Brian Thomas Jr. is just like Christian Watson, except he's actually good. At 6'4" (or taller) he led the nation in touchdowns last season as one of the premier deep threats in the game. Thomas would immediately garner the most targets of any Packers receiver on a consistent basis.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
The Buccaneers could go a number of different directions in the first round, but Kool-Aid McKinstry would perfectly round out their secondary. His NFL Combine testing will be critical, given some questions with his speed, but McKinstry is smooth in coverage.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
Tyler Guyton is one of the least experienced players at any position in this NFL Draft, but his elite physical tools are undeniable. He's a converted defensive lineman so it's likely there is still plenty of room for growth and development as he gets more reps on the offensive line.
28. Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
It's impossible to let Troy Franklin drop beyond the Buffalo Bills' pick. He is exactly what the Bills have been trying to make Gabriel Davis become over the last couple seasons. Franklin consistently breaks 22 miles per hour on the field. He is one of the best deep threats in the class. And he always adds YAC on short yardage targets as well.
29. Detroit Lions: Troy Fautanu, OL Washington
Troy Fautanu could play tackle for the Lions, or shift inside to the interior where the Lions could use some help immediately. Fautanu had a couple inconsistent games this past season where most of his detractors formed a few doubts, but he's still a top offensive line prospect in this class.
30. Baltimore Ravens: T'Vondre Sweat, DL Texas
Picking T'Vondre Sweat would give the Ravens perhaps the deadliest interior defensive line in the league paired up with Justin Madubuike (if he comes back). Sweat is one of the most dominant run stoppers in football and can collapse a pocket quickly as demonstrated in this rep below from the Senior Bowl.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona
There isn't a more improved pass blocker in this draft class than Jordan Morgan. Back in 2021 he surrendered nearly 30 pressures and five sacks. This past season he allowed just 14 pressures despite an additional 50 more pass blocking snaps compared to his dismal 2021 showing. The 49ers could use a physical tackle to build around after Trent Williams departs soon.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
The Chiefs need another young wide receiver to pair with Rashee Rice as Travis Kelce continues to age and the rest of the receivers in Kansas City remain terrible. Worthy posted the earliest breakout season in this NFL Draft class and creates separation with ease. Rather than Andy Reid having to call the same "corn dog" pre-snap motion play every time the Chiefs get close to the end zone Patrick Mahomes would finally have a real receiver that creates space on his own.
And that's all folks! We'll be back with another three-round mock draft following the NFL Combine. You can expect more like this from A to Z as NFL Draft season continues heating up. Follow me @FF_TravisM on X for NFL Combine updates this week too!
