OFFICIAL 2024 NFL MOCK DRAFT
This is the Sports Done Wright official mock for the 2024 NFL Draft. Complete with projected trades and scouting reports.
1. ChICAGO BEARS
Caleb Williams, QB | USC
There was a lot of speculation as to whether or not Chicago would target a quarterback or continue to develop Justin Fields. Despite steadily improving each season, Da Bears have shipped the former 11th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The trade cemented Caleb Williams' landing spot. While some see Williams as a generational talent, and go as far as to call him the next Mahomes, I'd say his ceiling is that of a healthy Kyler Murray. Nevertheless, Williams is undoubtedly the top QB prospect of the draft and future number one pick.
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB | LSU
While some view Drake Maye as the second best quarterback in this class, I have Washington rolling the dice on Jayden Daniels. There is always an athletic marvel at quarterback coming out of college whose risk-vs-reward factor sends analysts and scouts into a tailspin. Last year it was Anthony Richardson, this year it is Daniels. The LSU product (like Williams) is akin to Arizona's Kyler Murray. With former Arizona HC Kliff Kingsburry taking over as the OC in Washington, he is sure to want Daniels in his offense.
3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB | North Carolina
Mac Jones made New England fans feel hopeful for the post-Brady era for about one season. Then his development was completely sabotaged by his own head coach trying to prove just how much smarter he is than everyone else. While I would normally stray away from North Carolina quarterbacks (looking at you Sam Howell and Mitch Trubisky), Maye has a lot of upside. While I personally think he, like most QBs in this class, is a bit overrated, he does seem to be the best passer of the crop. New England NEEDS a quarterback, and with Jerod Mayo entering his first year ever as a head coach he will need to get this pick right. I think Maye is the best QB available at number three, and certainly an improvement over what the Pats have been working with since Tom Brady departed.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr, Wr | Ohio State
This is the one pick that I would have stamped my name to before the regular season even ended. Throughout the changes to the NFL landscape and hundreds of mock revisions, this has been the one constant. Arizona IS DRAFTING Marvin Harrison Jr. They need him. Point blank. After years of service from Larry Fitzgerald, one of the greatest receivers of all-time, and among the most consistent professional athletes ever to grace our TV screens, the Cardinals need a replacement. MHJ is the best football player in this draft, in my opinion, and will serve as the Cardinals new Fitzgerald for the next decade to come.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, OT | Notre Dame
This is where things start to get interesting. With the consensus top QBs off the board, and the best overall player gone, there are quite a few ways this can play out. Will the Chargers take Georgia freak of nature Brock Bowers? Lord knows they need a tight end. Will they take a receiver given that their offensive core has been completed decimated? Or do they fortify the front lines with the best O-Lineman available? Given that the Chargers have brought in Jim Harbaugh as their head coach, and Greg Roman as their offensive coordinator, it is safe to say they will be running the ball A LOT. Roman is one of the best ever at rushing offenses, and Herbert doesn't have a lot of pass-catching playmakers at his disposal anymore. Joe Alt is the most logical pick here.
6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR | LSU
The Giants desperately need playmakers. With MHJ gone, Malik Nabers is the best available receiver. Nabers finished the 2023 season with 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, finishing 2nd & 3rd in the nation respectively. Unable to hide behind Saquon Barkley anymore, Daniel Jones will have to step it up for the G-Men, and Nabers can help him do that.
7. Minnesota Vikings (Projected trade with Tennessee)
J.J. McCarthy, QB | Michigan
Let the chaos begin! Trades are the hardest thing to factor for when making a mock draft, you never know who is going to jump the gun and start wheeling and dealing to get the player they want. While some believe the Vikings could hang tight at number 11 and still land the quarterback prospect they want, they could feel pressured to move up if they think Denver or Las Vegas might attempt to leapfrog them. With Kirk Cousins gone they definitely need a quarterback. With no picks in the second or third rounds, I see the Vikings holding their 23rd overall pick close to the chest and sending future draft capital along with the 11th pick to Tennessee to move up. All of the top QBs in this year's draft are polarizing, but McCarthy seems to be a safe option for Minnesota, who already have elite weapons on offense, and a stellar play-caller in Kevin O'Connell.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS
Dallas Turner, EDGE | ALABAMA
The Atlanta Falcons really have not had an elite talent on the edge since John Abraham. Dallas Turner is the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and would be a massive improvement over Bud Dupree and the aging Calais Campbell. With all the moves Atlanta made to bolster their offense (hello Kirk Cousins) they will no doubt turn to their defense early and often in the draft. Turner has an explosive first step and incredible speed and quickness as an edge rusher.
9. CHICAGO BEARS
Rome Odunze, WR | Washington
Chicago could look to trade this pick given that they don't have very many in this year's draft to begin with. Assuming they stay put, they will likely take the old "get your franchise QB then get him a number 1 receiver" route. Odunze led the FBS with 1,644 receiving yards in 2023. While Washington came up short against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs Championship Game, I attribute that mostly to Michael Penix's short-comings, as Odunze played out of his mind against Oregon and Texas to get them there.
10. New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE | Georgia
There's a few avenues the Jets could take. With Aaron Rodgers returning as the starting QB after being lost to the team for the entire '23 season, they will likely look to get him as much help as possible. The clock is ticking on Rodgers, and with Garrett Wilson at receiver and Breece Hall in the backfield, the Jets could take Brock Bowers. One of the greatest tight end prospects of all time, Bowers gives Rodgers a big target.
11. Tennessee Titans (PROJECTED TRADE WITH Minnesota)
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT | Penn State
Tennessee is entering a new era. With Will Levis taking the reigns as the new signal-caller, and Tony Pollard featuring in the backfield instead of mainstay Derrick Henry, the Titans need to put pieces around them. The Titans have added Calvin Ridley to a receiving corps consisting of Treylon Burks and a 31-year-old DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans will need to revamp the O-Line. Fashanu, much like Levis, is a high upside player who will need a year or two to develop into what the team is hoping he can be.
12. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix, QB | Oregon
The Broncos have cut ties with Russell Wilson, and traded for Zach Wilson. This leaves the younger Wilson along with XFL star Ben DiNucci and former Auburn signal-caller Jarrett Stidham...yikes. Denver will likely draft another former Auburn QB in Bo Nix. While Nix has dazzled at Oregon, it is important to remember the start of his collegiate career. During his unspectacular 3-year stint as a Tiger, Nix completed only 59.4% of his passes for 39 touchdowns. He was viewed as a massive bust coming out of high school. Then he transferred to Oregon, was paired with Dan Lanning, and in two seasons he completed 74.9% of his passes for 74 TDs vs 10 interceptions. The narrative on Nix took a complete 180 as he was viewed as a Heisman candidate. This goes to show that in the right environment Nix can produce. But the short-comings we saw at Auburn should not be completely swept under the rug. Nix is big, athletic, good arm talent, good throw on the run ability, but like many young QBs his decision making isn't the best. When looking at Nix you have to wonder, will you get Auburn Bo Nix, or Oregon Bo Nix? That largely comes down to how you develop him and build around him, but I trust Sean Payton to do right by the kid.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Taliese Fuaga, OT | Oregon State
There is a lot to like about Taliese Fuaga, and any O-Line needy fan base should be excited about this prospect. While it isn't the sexiest position, there are no more QBs worth spending a first round pick on (that's right Michael Penix Jr is NOT a first round QB, Nix barely is), and the top receivers are already gone. After the injuries sustained to Raiders QBs in 2023, Fuaga would be a much needed addition to the silver and black. The Raiders could still look at a DB but I think Fuaga is the smart play here. He is skilled at hand-to-hand combat on the line but will need to work on his posture and mechanics.
14. New Orleans Saints
Troy Fautanu, OT | Washington
NOLA needs help on the O-Line. Much like the Raiders, the Saints have a veteran QB that they should probably look to move on from but aren't in a position to do so, so bolstering the protection is the way to go. There's nothing pretty about what this brute does. He is not the biggest or the most technically sound, but he is gritty and can play inside and out. It remains to be seen if his game will work on the NFL level, but with good coaching he should develop into a consistent NFL starter, and possible Pro Bowler.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Quinyon Mitchell, DB | Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell is the Jayden Daniels of the '24 DB class. He is the athletic marvel with huge upside, but with much less risk than the QB. Mitchell can be a stronger and faster Marcus Peters with similar size and skillsets. Mitchell's 4.33 40-yard dash time has had DB-needy teams drooling.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy II, DL | Texas
Pete Carroll may not be the shot-caller in Seattle anymore, but the former Super Bowl winning head coach still holds a position in Seattle's front office, and this feels like his kind of pick. Byron Murphy II has been compared by scouts to a prime Ed Oliver, and don't kid yourself, you would take an Ed Oliver at 15th overall. Murphy II doesn't have great size, but he is athletic and would fit right in to a young Seattle defense that is inching its way towards L.O.B. status.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Terrion Arnold, DB | Alabama
The Jaguars have options at 17th overall if GM Trent Baalke doesn't look to trade back like he did last year. The Jaguars could take a receiver like Brian Thomas to replace Calvin Ridley. They could take an edge rusher to create a terrifying trio with Josh Allen and Travon Walker. They could go with the intriguing Iowa product Cooper DeJean. But if Terrion Arnold really falls this far in the draft then it is hard to see a team passing on him. DB is the most pressing need for the Jags, and Arnold is an athletic hard-nosed All-American prospect. Arnold has a high motor but needs to work on sharpening his coverage skills.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
J.C. Latham, OT | Alabama
Protecting Joe Burrow has to be the Bengals top priority. Adding Alabama's J.C. Latham to the front lines is the most logical move for a team that has seen it's franchise QB sustain multiple injuries in his short tenure.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Laiatu Latu, EDGE | UCLA
Laiatu Latu has an alarming injury history that could see him fall in the draft, but he would be a steal at 19th overall. With Aaron Donald retiring, the Rams will need a pass rusher, and Latu is by far the best player available and arguably the best pass rusher in the draft in general. Latu is imposing, instinctive, and has all the tools to develop into a top 10 edge player in the league in years to come.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL | Oregon
The Rimington Award winner would fill a position of need on the Steelers offensive line.
21. Buffalo Bills (Projected trade with Miami)
Brian Thomas Jr, WR | LSU
Trade Alert! After shipping the troublesome Stefon Diggs off to the Houston Texans, Buffalo trades up to snag his replacement. LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. had the most receiving touchdowns (17) in all of the FBS in 2023 even with Nabers commanding targets from Jayden Daniels. With a dangerous combination of 6'3" height and 4.33 speed, Thomas would give Josh Allen a much needed weapon following the departures of Diggs and Gabe Davis.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean, DB | Iowa
Philly's secondary got scorched repeatedly in 2023. The solution? A white corner! Yes you read that right. DeJean is set to be the first white cornerback in the NFL since Jason Sehorn in 2002! Iowa has been producing a plethora of gritty hard-nosed NFL talent lately, and DeJean is no different. DeJean is a jack of all trades on defense as he can play safety, DB, and return kicks on special teams (in fact he was Return Specialist of the Year).
23. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Jared Verse, EDGE | FSU
If Jared Vrse is still on the board, then Minnesota will be very glad they didn't ship off the 23rd overall pick to move up for J.J. McCarthy. With the pick they acquired earlier in the year from Houston, the Vikings select Jared Verse. 6'4" north of 250 pounds, and with a 4.58 forty time, Verse is an explosive plug and play prospect.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Amarius Mims, OT | Georgia
Georgia's Mims is the best player available, and fills a position of need for the Dallas Cowboys. While they could look at some intriguing receiver options or help on defense, I have the Cowboys taking the massive 6'8" offensive tackle.
25. Green Bay Packers
Nate Wiggins, DB | Clemson
Green Bay is unpredictable when it comes to the NFL draft, but one thing you can count on is them NOT getting a receiver for their young QB. Wiggins is a bit of a project with a lot of upside. He could add some muscle and work on fine tuning his off-man coverage, but he has blazing speeds (4.28 forty) and impeccable footwork.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Graham Barton, IOL | Duke
Tampa re-signed Baker Mayfield at quarterback, now they will look to protect their investment.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Dameioun Robinson, Edge | Penn State
With similar size and speed to Jared Verse, Dameioun "Chop" Robinson is much more of a boom-or-bust prospect. Robinson has garnered many comparisons to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parson, which would certainly be the ceiling for this potential franchise player. While it remains to be seen if he will develop into the kind of world-beater that Parsons is, Arizona will certainly be happy to slide him into the slot once held down by J.J. Watt.
28. Miami Dolphins (Projected Trade with Buffalo)
Tyler Guyton, OT | Oklahoma
With experience protecting the blindside of a left handed passer in college, Guyton would be a welcome addition to an O-Line looking to keep Tua upright. Guyton can play on either side of the line, and has a massive frame at 6'8" 322 lbs. He likely won't set the world on fire right away, but will develop into a mainstay on the Miami offensive line.
29. Detroit Lions
Kool-Aid McKinstry. DB | Alabama
Detroit needs a DB, and Kool-Aid McKinstry is the best option. Nick Saban has developed a lot of defensive stars during his time at Alabama, and McKinstry is no different. He is a smart coverage corner who rarely gets caught napping.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Morgan, OT | Arizona
Morgan has been getting better each season as a blocker. He is a consistent player and likely a safe pick for the Ravens.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Adonai Mitchell, WR | TExas
The Niners will put weapons around Brock Purdy as they continue to try to get over that Super Bowl hump. Mitchell has a good combination of speed and size, and would be a menace paired up with Deebo Samuel.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Ladd McConkey, WR | Georgia
McConkey is a stud route-runner and will be a welcome addition to a pedestrian receiver room in Kansas City.
