The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Detroit.
Multiple trades are inevitable, of course. But this mock provides what I feel are the most realistic picks for franchises looking to improve their rosters.
So here is how I’m projecting things could shake out:
1. Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams. He has been the overwhelming favorite to get selected by general manager Ryan Poles since the draft process began. Are there prop bets for how long it will take for Chicago to turn in its card?
2. Washington Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner lands in the nation’s capital, with new general manager-head coach combo Adam Peters and Dan Quinn selecting a new face of the offense.
3. New England Patriots: UNC QB Drake Maye. Will director of scouting Eliot Wolf trade out of this pick for a nice haul of draft capital? Ultimately I think the Pats select their future QB for new head coach Jerod Mayo. Maye didn’t have the standout ‘23 season with the Tar Heels that many expected, but he has good size, athleticism and a big arm.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Arguably the best player in the draft, boasting great speed and exceptional body control, the son of a legend steps in and immediately becomes Kyler Murray’s top target.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt. This is where the Vikings—who acquired pick No. 23 from Houston less than two months ago—could make a move up to take a QB. But if the Chargers stay put, new head coach Jim Harbaugh makes the offensive line a priority in the draft to support his commitment to the run.
6. New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers. No matter who is under center, the G-Men need more playmakers, and Nabers offers plenty of speed and explosiveness. Is QB or OT also in play here after the team gave up a league-leading 85 sacks (!!!) last season?
7. Tennessee Titans: Alabama OT JC Latham. The Crimson Tide star possesses the size, strength and power to step in and contribute right away. GM Ran Carthon could look to move down, but Latham gives new OL coach Bill Callahan a really nice new toy after the team allowed 64 sacks last season.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alabama DE Dallas Turner. The Falcons need an explosive edge rusher and could potentially trade down and still get one, but Turner is an ideal fit in the 3-4 that Jimmy Lake will run.
9. Chicago Bears: Washington WR Rome Odunze. With DJ Moore and Keenan Allen providing a veteran presence, Odunze provides yet another weapon in the receiving corps for Caleb Williams to work with in Year 1 after leading the nation in receiving last season (1,640 yards).
10. New York Jets: Georgia TE Brock Bowers. GM Joe Douglas needs to ensure QB Aaron Rodgers consistently stays upright, but the play here is to add a pass catcher that can be explosive across the middle of the field.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. Will he be here at No. 11? Either way, expect the Vikes to get their guy. While he didn’t need to carry the load in Ann Arbor, he certainly possesses the talent to do so at the next level.
12. Denver Broncos: FSU DE Jared Verse. The Broncos have a lot of needs, but Sean Payton gets a premier pass rusher to add athleticism up front before exploring potential QB options.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga. This is another slot in which a QB has been linked, but improving the offensive line is a priority Vegas. A rugged edge blocker, Fuaga’s combination of size, speed and explosiveness could allow him to start immediately on the right side.
14. New Orleans Saints: Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu. The Saints need to better protect Derek Carr, and Fashanu has a chance to develop into a critical piece up front. He allowed just one sack in his last two years in Happy Valley.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. GM Chris Ballard lands a physical, technically sound corner that fills a big hole in the defensive backfield.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Washington OL Troy Fautanu. A report surfaced that the versatile blocker may be dealing with a knee issue, but it may be too tough for the local team to pass on the tackle, who likely will move to guard under his college OC and O-Line coach.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell. The Jags may have missed out on Terrion Arnold, but they add a position-flexible ballhawk who broke up 32 passes and picked off six over the past two years. A real athletic freak.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. He has ideal size, speed and ball skills, bolstering a receiving corps that could eventually lose Tee Higgins and has Tyler Boyd in free agency.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Texas DT Byron Murphy II. With Aaron Donald retiring, the Rams need to replace that sack production. Murphy is an explosive interior defender and could complement Kobie Turner.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia OT Amarius Mims. With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith putting an emphasis on the run, the Steelers go with the massive Georgia product who started just eight games in Athens but has the traits to play on either the left or right side.
21. Miami Dolphins: Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton. The Dolphins struggled against physical defensive fronts last year, so upgrading across the O-Line is a priority. But adding a versatile defender with a great motor and very good first-step quickness after losing DT Christian Wilkins in free agency is a shrewd move.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gets a big yet speedy corner to help with his overall unit on that side of the ball.
23. Minnesota Vikings: UCLA DE Laiatu Latu. The Vikes add another piece for Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme. Latu is perhaps the most NFL-ready pass rusher in this draft and softens the blow of losing Danielle Hunter a little.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Duke OL Graham Barton. The former Blue Devil is very versatile. While he made his mark in college at left tackle, he’s projected to move to the interior at the next level.
25. Green Bay Packers: Iowa DB Cooper DeJean. The Pack bring in another key defensive piece to add to safety Xavier McKinney to work under new DC Jeff Hafley. DeJean is athletic, versatile and has very good ball skills.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Penn State DE Chop Robinson. Todd Bowles adds another key defensive piece with good quickness, explosiveness and the potential to evolve into a premier pass rusher. Graham Barton could be in play, too, if he’s available.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Missouri DL Darius Robinson. The Cardinals have to address their pass-rushing needs, and Robinson could play both inside and outside under DC Nick Rallis. Cornerback could also be in play here.
28. Buffalo Bills: Texas WR Xavier Worthy. The Bills get great value in landing the speedy receiver at No. 28, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they moved up from here to get a threat to replace Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
29. Detroit Lions: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Lions unquestionably need to improve their defensive backfield, and they should be elated if the instinctual McKinstry is available at this spot despite his foot surgery.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton. GM Eric DeCosta needs to address the tackle situation, and the former tight end could be ready to step in on the right side immediately but ultimately could end up at LT.
31. San Francisco 49ers: South Carolina WR Xavier Legette. This could be where Arizona OT Jordan Morgan lands, but what if the team trades Brandon Aiyuk? The second-team All-SEC selection is explosive and an elite player after the catch.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell. The Chiefs go with a playmaker to give Patrick Mahomes another weapon. He was productive both outside and in the slot for the Longhorns and is a true deep threat with great after-the-catch ability.
Enjoy all seven rounds of the draft! Here’s hoping it will take my mind off of that awful NFC Championship game. #AllGrit #OnePride
Follow me on X @Miller_Dave & email me at david.matthew.miller@gmail.com
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