2024 NFL First Round Mock Draft. Who Goes #1?
Looking ahead to the NFL Draft is always exciting, and this year's class is expected to be loaded with some of the most promising talents in recent years. Prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr, Brock Bowers, and many others are projected to be game-changers for their respective teams.
To determine the draft order, we are using Tankathon's projections, which simulate the draft based on the current NFL standings. Since it is impossible to predict trades at this point, this draft will not take them into account.
Let's get into the picks.
1) Chicago Bears (Via Carolina Panthers)
Pick - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
In what looks like the most lopsided draft trade in recent history the Panthers have gifted the Bears the #1 pick. Since Justin Fields returned from his thumb injury he's been playing an effective level of football.
Unfortunately for Fields Caleb Williams is sitting here. Williams is one of the most exciting quarterback prospects in recent history getting compared to Patrick Mahomes. It also makes sense to reset the quarterback clock financially as Fields is headed for his fifth year and would require a contract extension.
2) New England Patriots
Pick - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
New England is in a similar position as Chicago. Mac Jones is no longer the answer as he has been benched for Bailey Zappe multiple times this season.
Maye has the prototypical NFL QB frame from a physical standpoint. Can fit the ball into tight windows, and can make NFL throws with ease. Can occasionally hold onto the ball for too long and put unnecessary pressure on the offensive line.
3) Arizona Cardinals
Pick - Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
This is the ideal scenario for Arizona. Stay at three and get the best player in the entire draft while building around Kyler Murray. Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver propsect in years earning comparison to Calvin Johnson. He's an elite route runner, has great hands, and wins every 50/50 ball that comes his way. This pick gives the Cardinals a true WR1 and a threat to the league for years to come.
4) Washington Commanders
Pick - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Find me another quarterback who has been pressured more than Sam Howell. You can't. To give Howell a real chance of becoming a franchise quarterback they need to keep him upright.
Olu is an elite athlete at left tackle and is still developing. He started all 12 games this year for the Nittany Lions and on 365 pass blocking snaps allowed zero sacks. He's a grown man and exactly what this Commander's offense needs.
5) Chicago Bears
Pick - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
After drafting their signal caller in Caleb Williams Chicago should add another weapon to his disposal. Enter LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. Nabers led college football in receiving yards with 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Nabers has received comparisons to wide receivers like D.J. Moore, Stefon Diggs, and Chris Olave.
6) Las Vegas Raiders
Pick - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Jimmy Garoppolo experience in Las Vegas has not gone as hoped. Aidan O' Connell has stepped into the starting quarterback role but his play won't impact the Raiders decision here.
Jayden Daniels has been elite for LSU all year long whether it has been throwing or running the ball. Daniels has a slim frame but has added weight every year he has played. We could look back at this as being the steal of the draft like Lamar Jackson was at pick 32.
7) New York Jets
Pick - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Jets will be returning their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers after his short-lived season. The Jets have allowed the third most sacks (55) in the entire league and need to keep Rodgers clean in the pocket.
Alt is a plug-in-play left tackle who has been a staple of the Irish trenches for three years. He also has a strong football pedigree as his dad - John Alt was a first-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs and is in the Chiefs Hall of Fame.
8) New York Giants
Pick - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Giants are another team with issues on the offensive line allowing the most sacks in the league (69). Latham also has experience at right guard playing 142 snaps there his Freshman year. He then moved to right tackle in his Sophomore season and has allowed two sacks in 408 pass sets.
9) Tennessee Titans
Pick - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
This is a steal at pick 9 for the Titans. Bowers is a ready-made threat to take the NFL by storm. However, Bowers is more of a traditional tight end who is most effectively lined up by the tackle or in the slot. He also offers tools as a blocker which can help as the Titans are a run-first team.
10) LA Chargers
Pick - KoolAid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Chargers need help defensively allowed the 3rd most explosive plays in the league. Adding a corner of McKinstry's caliber can only help. He has been Alabama's strongest cover corner since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. He has the length to break up passes even when he is separated from the wide receiver.
11) Atlanta Falcons
Pick - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
I debated between a quarterback and edge rusher here but the value here with Dallas Turner is too much to pass up. Turner has exceptional get-off from the edge and has the motor to disrupt any offense. He has also the arm length to push tackles back and set the edge as a run defender.
12) New Orleans Saints
Pick - Romeo Odunze, WR, Washington
Micheal Thomas is no longer the threat he used to be only scoring one touchdown this year. Saints pair Washington wide receiver Romeo Odunze with Chris Olave to give them a dynamic one-two punch who complement each other's skill set.
13) Seattle Seahawks
Pick - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton makes much sense here as Seattle is thin on the defensive line.
Newton offers versatility to play anywhere from a 0 tech to a 5 tech. He understands hand usage and leverage as a pass rusher. His best role would be as a pass rusher having a slimmer frame and can get moved as a run defender.
14) LA Rams
Pick - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
After the loss of Jalen Ramsey the Rams have been more susceptible to big plays through the air. We see another Alabama corner go off the board here in Terrion Arnold. He led the Tide in pass breakups and interceptions.
15) Denver Broncos
Pick - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
I flipped back and forth between corner or edge rusher. I went with Wiggins as I feel Surtain needs another corner to help play across from him. Wiggins would be allowed to play more freely as Surtain would have the role of shutting down the other team's WR1.
16) Arizona Cardinals (Via Houston Texans)
Pick - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean is as competitive as a guy gets at the corner position. He plays the game with a physical edge getting off blockers and making tackles. He is comfortable playing in a zone defense and follows the ball with his eyes. He also offers the versatility as a punt returner having over 400 return yards in his career at Iowa.
17) Buffalo Bills
Pick - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Gabe Davis is in the last year of his contract and I'm going to assume they don't resign him. Coleman has the prototypical NFL WR frame at 6'4, 215. He has great acceleration and the ability to separate from DBs and has strong hands at the catch point.
18) Cincinnati Bengals
Pick - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Bengals will be losing either Tee Higgins or Tyler Boyd, maybe both. The Bengals find their replacement here in Mitchell. He's shown the ability to elevate and high-point the football. Has long arms which gives the quarterback a bigger area of target to place it.
19) Green Bay Packers
Pick - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
If Green Bay wants to keep Jordan Love they need to surround him with all the weapons possible. Thomas Jr. was a part of the LSU duo that tormented the SEC secondaries all year. He has shown the ability to create separation across the middle of the field and make physical catches in traffic.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick - Micheal Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Baker Mayfield played above his expectations but isn't the long-term answer in Tampa. Penix has shown the ability to read defenses pre-snap and know exactly where the ball needs to go. Has shown touch on the deep ball and fitting the ball into tight windows. The only major concern is his injury history.
21) Indianapolis Colts
Pick - Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Anytime you have a young quarterback It's best to pair him with talent that he can grow and develop alongside. Legette offers that as a big play threat averaging 17.7 yards per catch. He also comes in 6'3, 227 which is a prototypical NFL wide receiver frame. Needs to develop his ability to create separation. Would rather go up for the 50/50 ball than separate.
22) Minnesota Vikings
Pick - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
I will assume that the Vikings don't bring back Kirk Cousins. Nix has improved not only as a passer but also with his pocket presence and play speed. Nix is in contention as the most cerebral quarterback in this class. His lack of arm talent can lead to sloppy footwork at times.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Steelers need to sure up the offensive line and Mims is a step in the right direction. Mims plays with intelligence and instincts to seal the edge. He also has the athleticism to move to the next level as a run blocker. Once he has his hands on you you’re done.
24) Houston Texans (Via Cleveland Browns)
Pick - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
This would be a dream scenario for the Texans. The Texans need another edge rusher across from rookie Will Anderson and adding a guy like Verse is unbelievably huge for this young team. Verse has an explosive first step and has a high motor. He can overshoot as a pass rusher occasionally but that's a coachable issue.
25) Kansas City Chiefs
Pick - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
If you have watched any Chiefs game this year it is clear that they need help at wide receiver. Egbuka is your prototypical slot wide receiver. A smooth route runner, quick out of his breaks, and can reach his top speed with ease. He has struggled with drops and isn't great when it comes to winning 50/50 balls.
26) Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Jaguars need another pass rusher outside of Josh Allen and Travon Walker. Latu has a strong set of pass rush moves along with agility to bend at the edge. Has a high motor to pursue the quarterback. Limited athleticism compared to other edge rushers which can limit his ceiling at the next level.
27) Detriot Lions
Pick - Kalen King, CB, Penn State
The Lions' cornerback room has been a weakness all season long. With guys like Justin Jefferson and D.J. Moore in their division, you need to try and limit those guys. King has an innate ability to play zone coverage while keeping his eyes on the quarterback and making plays on the ball. He also plays with a physical edge even as a smaller framed corner. Can play too handsy at times resulting in penalties.
28) Philadelphia Eagles
Pick - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Another first-round Georgia player to the Eagles. Where have we seen this before? The Eagles' secondary is aging and needs youth injected into that room. Lassiter offers elite quickness to react to the route. He's also a reliable tackler having experience not only on defense but special teams as well. Has a lean physique that may struggle against bigger wide receivers.
29) Miami Dolphins
Pick - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Dolphins can have more freedom with their picks and draft for upside. Suamataia has strong footwork and technique along with usage of hand placement. The major concern is dealing with edge rushers who rely on speed more than the bullrush.
30) Dallas Cowboys
Pick - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
The Cowboys don't have any glaring needs similar to the Dolphins. Chop Robinson's value is too good here to pass up. Pairing Parsons makes a scary pass-rush duo in Dallas. Robinson's speed off the edge puts the majority of the offensive linemen at a huge disadvantage. He could use it to develop more moves in his arsenal.
31) San Francisco 49ers
Pick - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The 49ers need to sure up the right side of their offensive line. Fuaga is exactly that. He reminds me of a less refined Darnell Wright. He has a lot of the same traits as Wright as a mauler in the run game and a mean streak. He is just a violent football player. His only major concern is dealing with speedy edge rushers.
32) Baltimore Ravens
Pick - J.T. Tuimoloau
This feels like an average Ravens pick. A smart defender with a high football motor. J.T. is a high-effort pass rusher who has quickness on the edge. He also offers the versatility to play snaps in between the guards and put pressure up the middle. Could add more moves to his pass rush inventory.
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