The wait is finally over. It is draft day.

The 2024 NFL Draft will begin tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. 

And that gives me one last shot to predict how the first round will shake out. So how about one final mock draft for the road, everyone? 

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2024 NFL Draft 1st round Mock Draft

1. Chicago Bears via Panthers
Caleb Willams, QB, USC

There's not much to say here; this pick has been written in sharpie for months. The Bears are beginning a new exciting era with Caleb Williams as their QB.  

2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

I wouldn't take Jayden Daniels at two if I were the Commanders, I would run the card in for Drake Maye. But this seems like the direction they are going to go with. 

3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 

There has been a lot of chatter about the Patriots potentially trading down. But I have a hard time seeing them risk not landing their quarterback of the future by moving out of this pick. And with Maye on the board, I think they'd be happy to stay put and make him their pick. 

4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Cardinals could trade back if an enticing enough offer comes in. But with the top three QBs off the board, I don't see anyone offering what I think it would take for the Cardinals to miss out on Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, Notre Dame

I also considered going WR or even JC Latham, who has a lot of steam behind him, to be selected by the Chargers as of late. I also wouldn't rule out a trade-down for the Chargers. In the end, Alt is my top tackle in this class, and if they are passing on the top WR options here, I have a hard time seeing it for any other offensive lineman.

6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants have made it known that they would like to move up into the top three for a QB. I don't think they are going to be able to convince the Patriots to move down, so they can either take QB J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan or they can take one of the top WRs on the board. I went back and forth between LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze, but my gut feeling says Nabers' explosiveness and ability after the catch will have him higher on the Giants board.  

7. Tennessee Titans
JC Latham, OT, Alabama 

The Titans' typical pick here (Joe Alt) went off the board at five. They could trade back, but the demand for these top tackles is off the charts. And they can't afford to be left without one, in my opinion. There are multiple guys to consider, but if Alt is gone, I think Alabama's JC Latham is who they would land on. 

TRADE: 
Falcons send: Pick 8

Vikings send: Picks 11, 108 (4th), and a 2025 3rd 

8. Minnesota Vikings via Falcons 
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan 

The first trade of the first round comes later than most are expecting, but by a team everyone expects. After missing out on the top three QBs, I think the Vikings will be the most motivated to get a deal done for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. But I think they also know he isn't quite worth the trade package they floated for a top-three pick,  so a smaller trade-up like this that allows them to keep their second first but still gives the Falcons a reason to pull the trigger makes the most sense.

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9. Chicago Bears
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Bears would love for the Falcons to stay here so they could be the one to trade out for a team looking to move up for McCarthy. And the Bears would be more willing to take the top offer here no matter how far they'd drop, compared to the Falcons. But with that trade happening at 8, I think the Bears grab Caleb Williams some added protection with Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who is also Williams' high school teammate. Protecting Williams and grabbing him a teammate he's publically endorsed for the pick is a win-win for the Bears. 

TRADE: 
Jets send: Pick 10
Bills send: Picks 28, 60 (2nd), and a 2025 2nd 

10. Buffalo Bills via Jets
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Bills need to make a big swing to make up for the WR production they gave up when they traded Stefon Diggs away. And after dealing with Diggs' social media drama over the last few years, I think their front office and fans would be very interested in landing a talent like Washington's Rome Odunze, who many around the league love as a person as much as they love his skill set at WR.

11. Atlanta Falcons via Vikings
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

After trading back the Falcons take the player they likely would have taken at pick 8 in Alabama's Dallas Turner. The Falcons have needed a difference-maker off the edge for quite a while. I think they would consider the two players at the position with the highest ceiling that being Turner and Laiatu Latu. Both have their risks, but I'd bank on the Falcons betting on their ability to develop Turner rather than betting on Latu's questionable medicals. 

TRADE:

Broncos send: Pick 12

Packers send: Picks 25, 41 (2nd) and 126 (4th) 

12. Green Bay Packers via Broncos
Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State

The Packers have an abundance of picks that their roster simply doesn't need to use. So I think the best way to use them is to package some picks to trade up and land a top-tier talent in this class. I think the Broncos need and want more picks, so the two are a match made in heaven. If the Packers trade up, I think they would be targeting an offensive lineman, and they take the versatile Taliese Fuaga, who they could use at either guard or tackle. 

13. Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama 

It took a while, but we have our second defender off the board, and it's another Bama player in CB Terrion Arnold. It's truly a flip of a coin to figure out if Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell will be the first CB off the board. I lean toward Arnold due to his technical savviness, and I've been told he was multiple teams' best interview of the week at the 2024 Scouting Combine. 

14. New Orleans Saints
Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington

The Saints need help at tackle, and after a few of them come off the board, they land Washington's Troy Fautanu. Fautanu has the flexibility to play tackle or guard, but with the Saints, they'd likely have him play tackle. 

15. Indianapolis Colts
Brock Bowers, TE, Georiga 

One of the worst-kept secrets around the league is how much the Colts love Georiga TE Brock Bowers. The Colts' heavy RPO offense would be perfect for Bowers. Shane Steichen's innovative ability as an offensive play-caller would allow the Colts to utilize Bowers' full skill set from the jump. And the Colts' second-year QB Anthony Richardson's ability to extend plays with his legs and his giant arm would lead to a lot of big plays between the two. 

TRADE: 
Seahawks send: Pick 16

Steelers send: Pick 20, and 98 (3rd)

16. Pittsburgh Steelers via Seahawks
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo 

The Steelers see multiple CB-needy teams ahead of them at 20, so they choose to cut the line by sending a third to the Seahawks. And they land Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell to pair with Joey Porter Jr, forming one of the best young CB duos in the entire NFL. 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Jaguars watched Calvin Ridley walk to the Titans this offseason and had the top two CBs come off the board ahead of them here. They have a lot of speed in their WR room already but don't have a clear option to be their X WR for this season or the future. So I had them take a shot on a high-upside WR, Adonai Mitchell, even if there are some safer options on the board. GM Trent Baalke has shown he is not scared to take the risker option and he stays true to that notion here.  

18. Cincinnati Bengals
Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton, DT, Illinois

The Bengals land one of the top players in this class here in Illinois, DT Johnny Newton. Newton is a true disrupter on the inside and is impactful against both the run and the pass. Some may be shocked to see Newton go before Murphy, but I think the two are viewed as closer prospects around the league than people realize, with multiple teams preferring Newton as well. 

19. Los Angeles Rams
Amarius Mims, OT, Georiga 

I went back and forth between offenisie line or DT like Byron Murphy II to replace future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.  I ended up going with OL; the Rams need to protect Matthew Stafford or any chance of contending goes out the window. They land Amarius Mims out of Georiga, a player who, this time last year, was projected to be a top-10 pick before his injury.

20. Seattle Seahawks 
Graham Barton, G/OT, Duke

After the trade back, the Seahawks added to their offensive line with Duke's Graham Barton. One of the biggest draft risers during this process which would fill the Seahawk's needs at guard immediately. 

21. Miami Dolphins
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Dolphins lost star DT Christian Wilkins to the Raiders this offseason, and replacing him is easier said than done. Luckily for them, though, one of the top DTs in this class falls in their lap here with Byron Murphy II still on the board. If he's there I think Miami would stop his fall once and for all. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

One of the best fits in this first round for Iowa DB Cooper DeJean is in Philadelphia. The Eagles secondary struggled tremendously last year, and DeJean can compete at multiple spots when training camp kicks off, but if I had to guess, he probably lines up as their starting slot CB as a rookie. 

23. Minnesota Vikings
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

If medicals weren't a problem, UCLA's Laiatu Latu would hear his name significantly higher. He is as pro-ready of a pass rusher as you will see, with the deepest bag of pass rush moves in this year's class. If Latu ended up with the Vikings, I think he should be one of the favorites to win this year's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 

TRADE:
Cowboys send: Pick 24

Ravens send: Picks 30, 93 (3rd), 250 (7th) 

24. Baltimore Ravens via Cowboys
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Cowboys have played it safe this offseason and they continue that by trading back with the Ravens to land some extra draft capital. And the Ravens see a talented WR slipping a bit and pull the trigger to land LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. This would form quite the young duo at WR with Thomas Jr. and Zay Flowers for the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.

25. Denver Broncos via Packers
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

After the trade back, I have the Broncos passing on the third tier of QBs (Michael Penix/Bo Nix) to attack a different need: edge rusher. With Jared Verse still on the board, I think the value is too good for the Broncos to pass up. And with them now owning a 2nd round pick thanks to their trade with the Packers, they can potentially target a QB on day two. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama 

The Buccaneers' secondary struggled last season, and they traded away their top CB in Carlton Davis to the Lions this offseason. So if one of the top CBs are on the board for them here at 26, I expect them to seriously consider them. And with Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry still here I have them adding the talented corner as they work to rebuild their CB room. 

27. Arizona Cardinals via Texans
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon 

The Cardinals added Marvin Harrison with their top pick, and now I have them adding some protection for Kyler Murray. They need a starting center and the best chance for them to land that is by using this pick on Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson. 

28. New York Jets via Bills
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma 

After the trade back, the Jets attack the offensive line, a spot they very well could have taken if they stayed put at pick 10. But now, at 28, they take Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton, who is believed to have one of the highest ceilings of any tackle in this year's class. 

29. Detroit Lions
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson 

The Lions added Carlton Davis this offseason and signed Amik Robertson who can play on the outside but I think is better suited in the slot. So, I have them finishing up their CB room with Clemson's Nate Wiggins. Wiggins' speed on the outside would pair well with Davis, who has struggled against speedsters for quite some time. 

30. Dallas Cowboys via Ravens
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

After trading back, the Cowboys get help on the offensive line in Arizona's Jordan Morgan. I think Morgan is a player that fits them well, and they could even consider him at pick 24, though many would view that as a reach. So, if they could land Morgan and extra picks in this draft, I think that's a win for Dallas. 

Trade: 
49ers send: Pick 31

Giants send: Picks 47 (2nd), 70 (3rd) and a 2025 3rd

31. New York Giants via 49ers
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

One more trade in a crazy first round as the 49ers trade out of the first and the Giants come up to land their potential QB of the future. They pair Nabers, who they took at pick six, with Michael Penix Jr.'s big arm. They could start Daniel Joens this season and let Penix Jr. sit a year. Or they could go ahead and bench Jones and begin the first step of their future. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Chiefs missed out on some of the top tackles in this class and could reach a bit still on a player not projected to go in the first round. Instead, I have them taking Florida Staes' Keon Coleman. They added Hollywood Brown, who can be the team's starting Z WR, and a deep threat for Patrick Mahomes. But I think a big-bodied WR like Keon Coleman, who can slide into the team's X WR role and at one point was viewed as a top 10 pick in this class, would be an incredible fit for the Chiefs. This would give the Chiefs a WR trio of Coleman, Brown, and Rashee Rice if his legal situation gets him cleared to play next season.