Thanksgiving is just around the bend, which means that NFL teams will soon ramp up their studies of 2024 NFL draft prospects as we approach college football bowl season. 

Several clubs are running dry on hope during the 2023 NFL season, with practically no chance of making the playoffs. Soon teams will be eliminated from contention and fans will have nothing to turn to other than the future. Mock drafts are the perfect way to bring some solace to those fans.

Our team of writers at A to Z Sports will eventually provide in-depth evaluations of prospects as we get deeper into the NFL draft season. For now, we've got some way-too-early projections for the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. A few caveats: We didn't allow any mock trades (this time around) and the draft order is based on the latest NFL standings upon the completion of Week 9. 

With all of that in mind, let's get to the mock draft:

Arizona Cardinals – Round 1, Pick 1 – USC QB Caleb Williams

"Even with USC fumbling their college football playoff chances, the Cardinals aren’t going to pass up what many consider a generational talent at quarterback should he declare for the draft. Williams has the potential to be a really special player in the NFL, but he’s going to need some coaching and refinement to reach his potential truly. He needs to take better care of the football, and he certainly can’t be having three-interception performances in the NFL as he did against Notre Dame. In the right situation, he’ll make plays that only Patrick Mahomes could dream of."
– Charles Goldman

Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Round 1, Pick 2 – UNC QB Drake Maye

"This pick entirely depends on how general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears’ potential new head coach feel about quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears could easily go with an offensive tackle with this pick if they feel that Fields can be the guy long-term. If they don’t feel that way anymore, the Bears can’t afford to pass up on a new quarterback once again with a top selection. Drake Maye has made fair arguments toward being the top quarterback in the class depending on the style of quarterback you’re looking to run your offense. This pick will signal the Bears are willing to change up their offensive philosophy while putting full faith in yet another UNC quarterback."
– Kole Noble

Chicago Bears – Round 1, Pick 3 – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

"The selection really just comes down to taking the best player available and choosing between giving your new quarterback another weapon or added protection up-front. For me, I believe it’s impossible to pass up on a slam dunk prospect like Marvin Harrison Jr. Having Harrison lineup on offense with DJ Moore gives the Bears a dominant one-two punch at the wide receiver position that the Bears have desperately been searching for this season. Harrison is potentially the best overall prospect in the class, regardless of position, and is a true generational talent at the wide receiver position."
– Kole Noble

New York Giants – Round 1, Pick 4 – Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

"A lot of people would pick quarterback here, but I think the Giants need to build the roster up around Daniel Jones before they go hunting for a franchise QB. The offensive line has been an abject failure in New York, despite adding some high-value draft picks at the position lately. Perhaps adding a player like Fashanu would allow Evan Neal to kick inside where he could potentially thrive as playing right tackle has been a struggle for him this season. Either way, I don’t think you can pass up the top offensive tackle prospect here with the top QBs and the top WR off the board."
– Charles Goldman

New England Patriots – Round 1, Pick 5 – Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

 "While the Patriots could look to add an offensive tackle, Mac Jones has proven that he doesn’t have what it takes to take this team to the level they need and want to go. So because of that, they need to look for a quarterback they can bring in that can grow in the organization. J.J. McCarthy has won two Big Ten Championships during his time with Michigan, also being named to the Second-team All-Big Ten last season. He has a completion percentage of 75.7 percent this year along with throwing 18 touchdowns. The Patriots need to plan for the future and McCarthy could help them with that."
– Sophie Weller

Los Angeles Rams – Round 1, Pick 6 – Joe Alt OT Notre Dame

"The Rams miss out on the top two QB prospects, so they grab an offensive tackle with All-Pro upside. Alt and Fashanu, the fourth overall pick in this scenario, would both be OT1 in most draft classes. Alt is pro-ready and would step in to start immediately for the Rams. Massive get in the trenches for LA."
– Adam Holt

Green Bay Packers – Round 1, Pick 7 – Florida State WR Keon Coleman

"If the Packers don't have the capital to get a top quarterback prospect, they must provide Jordan Love with the best opportunity for success. With the two best offensive tackles off the board, Green Bay hopes that David Bakhtiari comes back and then takes a potentially great wide receiver. Recently transferred from Michigan State to Florida State, Coleman is a big-bodied, athletic player who fits the profile of what the Packers typically seek — even though getting a receiver so early would be an outlier for the franchise." 
– Wendell Ferreira

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Round 1, Pick 8 – Georgia TE Brock Bowers

"This is a very conditional pick, all things considered, and 98% depends on whether or not Dave Canales is still the offensive coordinator in 2024. Regardless, Canales’ offense needs a true dog at TE (with all due respect to the Bucs’ current TEs) and Bowers is a matchup nightmare. He’ll give Canales’ offense the versatility and foundation it needs to truly get everything humming. Baker Mayfield, though flawed, has done enough, so far, for the team to pass up on one of the rookie QBs. But if Canales is gone, expect the new regime to get their guy in hopes that he’s the franchise QB the Bucs have never had. In an organic sense, of course." 
– Evan Winter

Denver Broncos – Round 1, Pick 9 – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

"The Broncos got off to a historically bad start on the defensive side of the ball, even after having a more than competent defense in 2022. But they no longer have most of the edge rushers they had a year ago. They are looking at a group of Nik Bonitto, John Cooper, Baron Browning, and Aaron Patrick. So, why not get a guy who could be the best edge rusher in this draft?"
– Justin Churchill

Tennessee Titans – Round 1, Pick 10 – Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

"While it would certainly make sense for the Titans to target an offensive lineman in the first round, GM Ran Carthon and Mike Vrabel are stubborn when it comes to their draft board and player values. With Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu both coming off the board early, Tennessee pivots to another big need in the secondary. The Titans’ cornerback play has been a weakness in 2023 and the lack of depth at the position is concerning. To make matters worse, both Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting (the team’s top corners) are unrestricted free agents this offseason. McKinstry is widely considered the top defensive back in the 2024 draft class. He has the length, speed, and ball skills to be a shutdown corner at the next level and he would give Tennessee some much-needed stability in the secondary."
– Sam Phalen

Atlanta Falcons – Round 1, Pick 11 – Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

"There was some solid talent left on the board, but sadly the Falcons have to bypass them to take a QB here after benching Desmond Ridder. They have too much talent on that side of the ball to not attempt to solve their QB issue. With three QBs taken in front of them, I was between a few options but ultimately landed on Penix Jr., who has had quite the resurgence with Washington after his time at Indiana. He's thrown for 3,201 yards and 26 touchdowns and has led Washington to a 9-0 start to the season. His willingness to attack defenses vertically and give his best players a chance to make big plays would be an answered prayer for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts."
– Destin Adams

Washington Commanders – Round 1, Pick 12 – Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau

"It might seem a bit silly for Washington to trade away their book-end pass rushers only to draft another in the first round of the draft. J.T. Tuimoloau has all the makings of being one of the best players in this class. He boasts a large pass rush repertoire, winning with a variety of different moves and rush styles. His games against Notre Dame and Penn State this season are a scout’s wet dream. If the Commanders can’t trade up for a quarterback and the top guys are all gone by this pick, it's hard to complain about grabbing a position of need on defense."
– Charles Goldman

Indianapolis Colts – Round 1, Pick 13 – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

"Dallas Turner is a true game-wrecker. And that is something the Colts have been looking for since Robert Mathis. Adding a pass rusher like Turner opposite of a player like Kwity Paye could be a match made in heaven for the Colts' defensive line. Turner will certainly meet GM Chris Ballard’s trait minimums for the edge position, without being labeled a raw prospect, because Turner is ready to play day 1. Dane Brugler of The Athletic shared the perfect stat to prove this."

“Turner is currently the only FBS player ranked top five nationally in sacks (7.0), pressures, pass-rush win este and pass-rush win percentage” 

– Destin Adams

Las Vegas Raiders – Round 1, Pick 14 – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

"At this point, the Raiders have to go best available, mainly because we simply don’t know what they will need at that time, but we do know the defense will always be a need for the silver and black. Yes, they just drafted Tyree Wilson, but a lot of teams nowadays are using a rotation in certain circumstances, and always having those fresh legs to sub in for pass rush plays is vital. Verse has the potential to be elite, and the fact he is available at 14 is too good for the Raiders to pass on."
– Justin Churchill

Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) – Round 1, Pick 15 – Alabama OT JC Latham

"As much as I’d like to pair a weapon with Williams, shoring up the offensive line in Arizona will be the best move for long-term success. Latham can play right tackle for Arizona, which would allow the team to move Paris Johnson Jr. to left tackle in place of an aging and oft-injured veteran like DJ Humphries. Remember, the Cards can get $16 million in salary cap space by making Humphries a post-June 1 cut."
– Charles Goldman

New York Jets – Round 1, Pick 16 – Georgia OT Amarius Mims

"If the Jets are serious about trying to win a Super Bowl with a 41-year-old QB coming off a torn Achilles then they better fix the offensive line first. I’m not sure the starting tackle on either side is currently on the Jets roster. Jets might look to move up for a better tackle than Mims who has all the raw talent but very few starts in college. He moves great for a 330-pounder but he has a dynamic and powerful punch."
– Mike Antoniou

Los Angeles Chargers – Round 1, Pick 17 – Penn State CB Kalen King

"The selection of King is the Chargers doubling down that their J.C. Jackson was a mistake. The Chargers secondary has shown impressive flashes this year, but they need more consistency on the outside. King has the prototypical size and speed to be a potential NFL CB1. He’s undoubtedly a top 3 DB in this year’s draft class."
– Adam Holt

Buffalo Bills – Round 1, Pick 18 – Iowa S Cooper DeJean

"The Buffalo Bills need to find an answer for their aging S room. With Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde not getting any younger, and Hyde being a free agent, the team needs to bring in some immediate reinforcements. With no other team taking a Safety in the early round picks, Buffalo gets their guy, and the number one safety in the draft."
– Adam Zientek

New Orleans Saints – Round 1, Pick 19 – Washington WR Rome Odunze

"The Saints get a bit unlucky in this scenario after an EDGE & OT run happening right before their selection. Alas, they settled for a consensus top 4 WR in the class. Odunze has the size (6-foot-3) and route running ability to become a key to the Saints offense, alongside Chris Olave & Alvin Kamara. He provides a unique skill set to Olave & the emerging Rashid Shaheed, too."
– Adam Holt

Minnesota Vikings – Round 1, Pick 20 – Washington State QB Cameron Ward

"With Kirk Cousins officially being out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, the Vikings season is in limbo. They pulled off a surprising win in Week 9, thanks to the effort of newly acquired QB Joshua Dobbs. And while that win was amazing for the team and the locker room, I believe the Vikings should look to target a QB in this upcoming class. In this mock four QBs have gone before the Vikings selection so I decided to swing for a high upside prospect in Washington State QB Cameron Ward. Ward's ability to extend plays out of the pocket and use his big arm to attack defenses down the field would be just the type of QB to give their talented WR duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison long-term to build a potentially scary offense."
– Destin Adams

Dallas Cowboys – Round 1, Pick 21 – Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

"It seems like we say this every year but it’s never been truer: It’s time for the Cowboys to think of life after Tyron Smith. They brought him back on a reworked deal which is heavy on incentives. He’s missed three games this season with multiple injuries. Guyton is a beast at 6-6 that looks comfortable in pass protection. He plays right tackle, which could be a question mark though." 
– Mauricio Rodriguez

Pittsburgh Steelers – Round 1, Pick 22 – LSU WR Malik Nabers

"The Steelers will likely hire a new OC in the offseason as Kenny Pickett approaches year three. With continuity in the backfield and along the offensive line, it makes sense to add another dynamic weapon to the perimeter to see if Kenny Pickett is truly a franchise QB." 
– Rob Gregson

Houston Texans (via CLE) – Round 1, Pick 23 – OSU WR Emeka Egbuka

"The Texans now have their franchise quarterback so it is time to continue building around him. Insert his former college teammate who recorded over 1,100 receiving yards with Stroud throwing to him in 2022. It’s a deep wide receiver class but Egbuka is no doubt a top-5 receiver in it. The talented wideout has dealt with injuries this season. Egbuka can win at all three levels and is a big threat after the catch, which hints at why he’s a viable returner too. Nico Collins is having a breakout year and Tank Dell is impressing as a rookie. Egbuka would give them another wideout that would make them an intriguing unit for the future."
– Brandon Little

Cincinnati Bengals – Round 1, Pick 24 – Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton

"Bit of a BPA situation that also fills an underrated need. The Bengals are likely to lose nose tackle DJ Reader, who’s not just a phenomenal run stuffer, but somehow their best interior pass rusher as well. Newton will not take Reader’s starting spot, but he can be a long-term replacement for 3-technique B.J. Hill and provide an immediate pass-rushing boost from the interior."
– John Sheeran

Seattle Seahawks – Round 1, Pick 25 – Penn State EDGE Demeioun “Chop” Robinson

"Frank Clark is just a temporary patch to a big problem that is the Seahawks’ edge-rusher situation. Even with back-to-back years with additions like Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, it’d serve Seattle well to sure up their pass rush rotation with Robinson. He’s got the ideal build at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. He had production in 2022, but injuries have derailed his 2023 campaign just a bit. Still, getting one of the top pass rushers in the draft at this juncture would be a steal."
– Charles Goldman

San Francisco 49ers – Round 1, Pick 26 – Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

"The 49ers will likely be picking between two positions come the draft – tackle and cornerback. San Francisco definitely needs more cornerback depth and a better option in the slot than Isaiah Oliver. However, a long-term starting right tackle is a more pressing requirement that the underrated Fuaga can fill. Colton McKivitz’s performances this season have been passable but inconsistent, and San Francisco should relish the chance to get Brock Purdy a young lineman who can quickly improve his protection."
– Nicholas McGee

Miami Dolphins – Round 1, Pick 27 – Duke IOL Graham Barton

"Miami has major issues beyond 2023 at IOL, as none of their week 1 starters are under contract beyond this season, not to mention all have missed time this season with injury. Barton is a tackle but projects to slide inside on Sundays. He’s played center at Duke, so a shift shouldn’t be a major issue for him. Besides, with the Dolphins’ dreadful rash of injuries across the offensive line the last two years, having someone who can play inside and out doesn’t hurt at all."
– Craig Smith

Jacksonville Jaguars – Round 1, Pick 28 – Miami S Kamren Kinchens

The Jaguars' boundary corner duo of Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams have had an excellent year, which leaves their biggest need on that side of the ball at the safety position. Kinchens would give them a hybrid type that can play the slot corner position or drop back as a safety. A player of his versatility would allow the Jaguars multiple options when deploying personnel. He's been strong in both the passing and run game at Miami, which will help him be a three-down player at the pro level. 
– Destin Adams

Detroit Lions – Round 1, Pick 29 – Florida State WR Johnny Wilson

"The Lions have a pretty good offense, but the one thing they don’t have is that big-bodied X receiver. There is no bigger body than 6-foot-7 Johnny Wilson. He’s not just a big body though, Wilson runs a solid 4.42 and can jump out of the building. Wilson makes the Lions that much more dangerous." 
– Mike Payton

Baltimore Ravens – Round 1, Pick 30 – Texas WR Xavier Worthy

"As was the case earlier this year, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is expected to head into the offseason on the lookout for wide receive reinforcements. The Ravens have a mere three wideouts under contract for next season, including Rashod Bateman, who is yet to live up to his potential. A wide receiver like Texas standout Xavier Worthy could fit in just well with the Ravens. Worthy’s world-class speed could very well add another dimension to the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens offense."
– Steve Zavala

Kansas City Chiefs – Round 1, Pick 31 – Texas WR Adonai “AD” Mitchell

"Everyone knows that the Chiefs have a wide receiver problem. They desperately need a player who can get open in 1-on-1 situations. Mitchell has a ton of experience lining up wide for the Texas Longhorns, and he can run a variety of routes from that alignment. He’s a size/speed combo at 6-foot-4 and 196 pounds. He also is a touchdown machine, especially in the red zone. Brett Veach will almost surely fall in love with Xavier Worthy, but landing his teammate might be the more prudent move given what Kansas City needs at the position."
– Charles Goldman

Philadelphia Eagles – Round 1, Pick 32 – Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

"The Eagles don't have many weaknesses at the moment so when there is one, it sticks out like a sore thumb and right now it's at middle linebacker. Philly has not selected a linebacker in the first round of the draft since 1979. However, now could be a good time to change that by taking Jeremiah Trotter Jr. with their first pick. It would also be a happy homecoming for the versatile Clemson product whose dad, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., spent several seasons with the Birds dating back to 1998. We know general manager Howie Roseman loves to bring people home, so why not do it again?"
– Kelsey Kramer

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