2024 NFL first-round mock draft: QBs taken 1-2-3
As we head into the NFL playoffs, the 2024 NFL draft order is becoming clearer. Here's a look at our first round mock draft, as of January 9, 2024.
1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Despite some struggles during 2023, Williams remains the likely first-overall draft choice as a generational quarterback prospect. While his total production declined from his 2022 Heisman season with fewer pass attempts, Williams improved with 9.4 yards per pass attempt and 11 rushing touchdowns. The Bears can reset the quarterback contract clock by drafting Williams and trading Justin Fields.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
It would be fitting for the Commanders to replace Howell with the man who replaced him at North Carolina. Maye showed off his dynamic ability over the last two seasons, including 24 touchdown passes and nine rushing touchdowns in 2023. He has the size and arm strength of a top overall pick.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels' emergence puts him squarely in the top five conversation after winning the Heisman Trophy with a brilliant year. He's flashed impeccable accuracy and become a proven playmaker in the LSU offense, completing over 72% of his passes and rushing for more than 1,100 yards. The Pats will almost surely be in the market for a quarterback after benching Mac Jones.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison Jr. continued to establish himself as a generational wide receiver prospect, gaining over 18 yards per reception with more than 1,200 receiving yards in 2023. He's a perfect fit in Arizona, potentially replacing pending free agent Marquise Brown.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Chargers should always be in the market for more receiver help to build around Justin Herbert, and it's hard to do better than Bowers. He's been given Gronk-like comparisons for his dominant receiving ability and size, while current starter Gerald Everett is a free agent.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers was a fringe first-round prospect before blowing the roof off the SEC in 2023 with over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. New York has remained desperate for receiver help, especially after Darren Waller's disappointing season.
7. Tennessee Titans: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Tennessee's addition of Andre Dillard hasn't gone as hoped, so they should be in the market for a tackle in the deep class. Fashanu has the potential to be a brick wall and has performed well at Penn State.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama
The Falcons could get younger on the defensive line last year, with veteran Calais Campbell's status unclear. Turner is coming off an outstanding season, recording 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss for Bama.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
D.J. Moore had a terrific season for the Bears, but they struggled to find a reliable second wideout. Odunze brings size and elite speed as a great deep threat, with 17.9 yards per reception heading into the National Championship.
10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The offensive line has continued to be an issue for the Jets, despite former first-round pick Mekhi Becton's health this season. Alt has the pedigree as the son of former first-round tackle John Alt, and plenty of size at 6-foot-7.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Minnesota has made due on the defensive line, but Danielle Hunter's age and pending free agency makes edge rusher a need. Latu has established himself as one of the top edge rushers in the class after recording 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
12. Denver Broncos: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
Zach Allen's addition greatly helped the Broncos defensive line this season, but they could use more help after turning the page on multiple veterans. Robinson fits the mold as long, projectable edge rusher.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The offensive line seems to be an annual need for the Raiders, and the 2024 class is excellent. Latham could plug in immediately at right tackle.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Colts have a very young secondary with multiple rookies seeing significant snaps, and Arnold could help next season. He showed a nose for the ball in 2023, with five interceptions and 63 tackles.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Seattle could look to get bigger on the interior after addressing the edge last offseason. Newton is a potentially dominant interior rusher after recording 7.5 sacks for the Illini in 2023, and the Seahawks had recent success with the school from 2023 first-round corner Devon Witherspoon.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Jags could lose much of their cornerback in free agency, including Tre Herndon. Mitchell has become a potential first-round corner prospect after back-to-back excellent seasons.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
With wideouts Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd pending free agents, it's clear Cincinnati has to look at wide receivers. At 6-foot-4, Coleman resembles Higgins as a major Red Zone threat.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Rams have survived this season with one of the youngest secondaries in the league. DeJean remains a fine first-round prospect despite some injury issues in 2023, showing an eye for the ball with seven picks over the last two years.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
With the inconsistent play of wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, Pittsburgh could look to add another wideout. Thomas has elite physical traits at 6-foot-5 with an incredible 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023.
21. Miami Dolphins: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami (FL)
The massive 300-plus pound Taylor could move up the street to help the Dolphins on the defensive line. He was highly productive over three seasons for the Hurricanes.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Darius Slay has started to show his age this season, so the Eagles could address their secondary. Lassiter is an excellent cornerback prospect, and could join multiple former Georgia teammates in Philly.
23. Houston Texans (via Browns): Bralen Trice, DE, Washington
The Texans got a building block at defensive end last year with Will Anderson Jr., and could get another elite youngster on the opposite end with Trice. He had seven sacks heading into the National Championship.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
The potential need to replace veteran Tyron Smith echoes each offseason. Fautanu has proven himself an elite tackle for the Huskies this season.
25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The inability of tackle David Bakhtiari to get over the hump has left a void at tackle for the Packers. Mims could be the answer as a mauling 6-foot-7 tackle prospect.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Texans): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Arizona has taken their lumps at cornerback this season, and it could be a major area to address in the draft. Wiggins has ample size and showed takeaway ability with two picks in 10 games in 2023 for Clemson.
28. Buffalo Bills: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
Buffalo needs more youth at corner with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer starting to show their ages. Kinchens has been the heart and soul of Miami's defense with 11 picks over the last two seasons.
29. Detroit Lions: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The struggles of left tackle Taylor Decker are a concern for the Lions. Tuaga would give the Lions two of the biggest tackles in the league opposite former first-round pick Penei Sewell.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Baltimore drafted Zay Flowers this season, but could be in the market again with Odell Beckham's free agency. Polk had a breakout season with 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns heading into the National Championship.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
KC's need for more receivers this season has been glaring. Legette has the potential to answer the bell after a breakout season with 71 catches for 1,255 yards in 12 games.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, OT, Duke
Offensive line play has been key to San Francisco's excellent offense in recent seasons. Barton proved himself more than stable at Duke, and could play the right side or potentially move to the left side if veteran Trent Williams calls it quits.
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