2024 NFL Mock Draft: Wild-card round losers
Six more teams have joined the dreaded offseason club after their wildcard round losses. To me, there is no better way to welcome them than an updated mock draft, including only teams whose seasons have ended. Eliminated NFL Teams Mock Draft 1. Chicago Bears Via Carolina Panthers: Caleb Williams, QB, USC The farther away from […]
Six more teams have joined the dreaded offseason club after their wildcard round losses.
To me, there is no better way to welcome them than an updated mock draft, including only teams whose seasons have ended.
Eliminated NFL Teams Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears Via Carolina Panthers:
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The farther away from the end of the season we get, the more I believe that the Bears will use the 1st pick this year on a QB. While Justin Fields has shown improvement, resetting their five-year window with a QB of Caleb Williams' caliber is too good of an opportunity to pass up.
2. Washington Commanders:
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Commanders have been trying to find their next franchise QB ever since they lost Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. This offseason, they will be undergoing a full franchise reset, as they already hired Adam Peters as their new general manager, are in the process of hiring their next head coach, and hold the number two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, prime and ready to draft a QB like North Carolina's Drake Maye.
3. New England Patriots:
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
QBs going 1-2-3 would be a wild start to the draft, but based on how the draft order fell, I'm starting to think it's the most likely outcome. With Williams and Maye off the board, the new-look Patriots grab a new QB to replace Mac Jones in the reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU.
4. Arizona Cardinals:
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Landing a blue-chip prospect like Marvin Harrison Jr. without having to trade up would be the dream for the Cardinals. And all they need for it to come true is for three QBs to come off the board in the top 3.
5. Los Angeles Chargers:
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
It's hard to predict what the Chargers will do here. They are in the process of hiring a new general manager and head coach, and those two hires will dictate the move they make at five. The safest selection is grabbing Notre Dame's Joe Alt to pair with Rashawn Slater to form one of the best young tackle duos in the NFL to protect Justin Herbert going forward.
6. New York Giants:
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Giants would have loved for one of the top three QBs to fall to them here, but with all off the board, they grab a much-needed offensive weapon in Malik Nabers out of LSU. They likely regret paying Daniel Jones, but with no way to undo it now, they can try to get the most out of him that they can, and that starts with getting better weapons on the offensive side of the ball.
7. Tennessee Titans:
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Titans have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, and they have to address it this offseason. But giving Titans QB Will Levis a QB who loves to take shots downfield, one of the best contested catch WRs in college football last season, seems like a perfect fit.
8. Atlanta Falcons:
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The Falcons are another team that would love to go QB here, but with the top three all off the board, I have them filling a different need. They are still searching for a top pass rusher to add to their defense, and my top edge in this class is Dallas Turner out of Alabama
9. Chicago Bears:
Brock Bowers, TE, Georiga
In most mocks, we see the Bears take a QB at one and then grab a WR here at nine. But with the top three WRs in the top seven in this mock, I took a slightly different approach. I grab the next best thing with Georiga's Brock Bowers. If the Bears walk out of the first round with two of the highest-graded prospects in this class, they should be pleased.
10. New York Jets:
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Jets will act like last year didn't happen, with next year being the actual start of the Aaron Rodgers era in New York. After only getting one snap due to injury last year, adding a blue-chip prospect to their questionable-at-best offensive line seems like their best bet.
11. Minnesota Vikings:
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
With Danielle Hunter's future in Minnesota in doubt, finding an impactful pass rusher is a high priority for the Vikings this offseason. With my top edge already drafted, I went with the next guy on my board, which is UCLA's Laiatu Latu. If a team can get a good grasp on his medicals from throughout his college career, they could believe Latu is the best edge in the class.
12. Denver Broncos:
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Broncos have multiple holes on their roster, and it sounds like they may be creating some more via trades or releases this offseason. So they could go just about any position here, but grabbing an impactful DT to man the middle of their line would be a nice addition for Denver. My top DT is Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton, who I believe can start day one at the pro level.
13. Las Vegas Raiders:
Amarius Mims, OT, Georiga
With the Raiders not in range for the top three QBs, I would watch out for them on day 2 to target the next wave in this class. But for the first round, I think they need to target one of the many offensive tackles worth a first-round pick in this class. After the top two come off the board, I think teams will have different rankings across the board at the position. I went with Amarius Mims out of Georiga, before the injury many viewed him as a top 10 lock, so I could see him still having a lot of fans across the league.
14. New Orleans Saints:
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Cameron Jordan isn't getting any younger, and they've missed Trey Hendrickson since letting him walk in free agency. Grabbing an edge rusher for Jordan to mentor during the last stretch of his career would be wise, and I think Florida State's Jared Verse is a really good fit.
15. Indianapolis Colts:
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Colts have to add talent to their CB room this offseason, and Clemson's Nate Wiggins checks a lot of Chris Ballard's boxes at the position. Long arms, superb athelte, and is coming off a really strong season. Adding Wiggins to the youth already in the room could make for a really fun CB rotation in Indy.
16. Seattle Seahawks:
Demeioun "Chop" Robinson, Edge, Penn State
"Chop" Robinson is the definition of a high-risk high-reward prospect. He doesn't have the stellar college stats some teams will covet, but his traits at the edge position will excite many. The Seahawks would have loved a bit safer of a prospect to add here, but with the top three gone, I think taking the gamble on Robinson could be worth the risk.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
The Jaguars offense struggled down the stretch, ultimately costing them the AFC South and the playoffs. Adding a weapon like Keon Coleman out of Florida State, whether they extend Calvin Ridley or not, would give Trevor Lawerence a productive college WR. One who had proved himself to be Jordan Travis' most reliable weapon prior to his season being ended due to injury.
18. Cincinnati Bengals:
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
After losing Joe Burrow for the season, the Bengals have to do everything in their power to add to their offensive line this offseason. Luckily for them, this is a really nice class to do just that. I have them going to Alabama's JC Latham, who can play either tackle spot and projects as a day-one starter.
19. Los Angeles Rams:
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Rams' secondary was a mess this season, and it was put on full display during their playoff loss to the Lions. They still have a lot of talent on this roster, and they will look to make another run to the playoffs next season. Adding a CB like Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama would be an immediate upgrade, with plenty of space to grow as a player.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers:
Troy Fautanu, G/OT, Washington
The Steelers need a franchise QB, but with the top three gone, they have to look elsewhere here. And their offensive line still needs a ton of work. Troy Fautanu out of Washington can play either tackle spot or either guard position. This would allow the Steelers some flexibility entering training camp to help field the best offensive line possible for next season.
21. Miami Dolphins:
Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State
The Dolphins went from looking like a Super Bowl favorite early in 2023 to losing their division and being bounced from the playoffs during wildcard weekend. Some are beginning to question Tua Tagovailoa, but without a clear path to upgrade, the team can look to improve its offensive line with Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State.
22. Philadelphia Eagles:
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Eagles' collapse might just be a 30 for 30 one day. But with their season now over, they have a lot to figure out for the future. This means that the best player available is likely their best bet. Terrion Arnold, out of Alabama, will be the top CB on some team's boards and could produce right away for an Eagles team that will be looking to get back on track next season.
23. Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns:
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
One of the best stories of the 2023 season is the Houston Texans, who, unlike every other team in this mock, are still alive in the NFL playoffs. But their first-round pick from the Browns is officially slated for 23. Grabbing an impactful player for the interior of their defensive line for DeMeco Ryans will be one of the areas of importance once they reach the offseason. My second-highest-ranked DT in this class is Byron Murphy II, out of Texas.
24. Dallas Cowboys:
Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
The Cowboys could have some major changes coming after being blown out of the playoffs by the Green Bay Packers. Dak Prescott had a really good season but ended it as poorly as he could with a disastrous performance during wildcard weekend. Some may ask for a QB change, but I just don't see a clear path to an upgrade at that spot, so I decided to add a WR to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Brian Thomas out of LSU isn't the next highest-ranked WR on my board, but I love the fit between him and Lamb. Thomas on the outside, with his size and basketball background paired with Lamb's ability after the catch, could be an incredible duo for the Cowboys.
