It’s finally draft week! The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night with what is expected to be an action-packed first round. There are many quarterback-needy teams and a great group of quarterback prospects. As a result, there are many 2024 NFL Mock Drafts that are expecting trades up and down. It is clear that Thursday will be an exciting night.
Check out our rankings of the best NFL Draft hats for this year, and see who is projected to go where in the first round NFL Mock Draft below! We are projecting some trades below, so buckle up! We won’t go into too much detail with these players, but you can click their names to check out their draft profiles.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25, beginning at 8 p.m. ET in Detroit, MI. Only Round 1 will take place on Thursday. Rounds 2-3 will take place on April 26th, with the remaining four rounds wrapping up on Sunday, April 27th. There will be 257 players selected across the seven rounds, with many more getting phone calls immediately afterward.
NFL Mock Draft 2024
1 — Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This one has been locked in for some time. Caleb Williams is the superstar-like quarterback that is needed to revitalize this Chicago Bears team. It remains to be seen if he can continue to play his type of game in the NFL, but if the Bears fortify their offensive line, we could see the Bears return to relevance.
2 — Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
There has been a little drama with this second pick, but Jayden Daniels has said he doesn’t care where he is drafted. Daniels can be a better version of what Kliff Kingsbury had to work with in Arizona, and he looks to be the type of star this new ownership can hang their hat on. After seeing what the Eagles did with a dual-threat QB, the Commanders make it a point to get one of their own.
3 — Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The New England Patriots stay put to draft their quarterback of the future. Drake Maye can learn alongside Jacoby Brissett, as the Patriots look to lay the foundation of the new regime this season. They won’t be able to compete in a stacked division anyway. So, they are happy to pick Maye and be patient.
4 — Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals received plenty of calls, but ultimately they decided to draft a stud receiver to play with Kyler Murray. Marvin Harrison Jr. has the goods to immediately become the No. 1 receiver in this offense, and he has the work ethic to become one of the league’s best. After letting Marquise Brown go this offseason, WR is a top priority for the Cardinals.
PROJECTED TRADE: 5 — Vikings (via LAC): JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Minnesota Vikings use their two first-round draft picks to move up and draft their quarterback. JJ McCarthy is a winner who has shown the ability to play in cold weather, for when the Vikings need to play in Chicago and Green Bay. He’s a smart player who can deliver the ball on time. We have seen what Kevin O’Connell can do with scrubs, and now he gets to select his guy.
6 — Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The New York Giants continue to swing and miss at wide receiver early in drafts, but they look to finally lockdown a go-to guy. Malik Nabers can stretch the field and dominate NFC East corners with his route-running ability. He also gives the vibe that he could bring some theatrics (as we’ll call it) in a big market, which feels like the Giants will once again have.
7 — Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The top offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Mock Draft here is Joe Alt, and the Tennessee Titans would be fools to pass him up. The Titans’ OL has been atrocious in recent seasons, and Alt is a unicorn. He is so big and athletic, and he will lock down a side for Tennessee. If they believe Will Levis is the guy, then they better protect him and also be capable of establishing the run. Joe Alt helps with both.
PROJECTED TRADE: 8 — Colts (via ATL): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Indianapolis Colts have major needs at wide receiver and cornerback, but they can address the latter in the second round. Here, Rome Odunze slides in as a true go-to option for Anthony Richardson. He is the hard-working, skilled wide receiver that fits this offense, and he will thrive next to Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, creating an offense that can compete against Houston in the division (if Richardson stays healthy).
9 — Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Chicago Bears have plenty of options at No. 9, which is why they may trade down. However, taking a solid edge rusher in the draft to pair with Montez Sweat is too juicy of a proposition to pass up. The Bears need talent to compete in the trenches against the Lions and Packers, and finally having a respectable second edge rusher will help them do so. Dallas Turner, the 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is more than respectable.
10 — Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Brock Bowers is a freak at tight end; a breed of tight end Aaron Rodgers hasn’t gotten the pleasure of playing with. The Jets need to draft a starter in the first round, which is why they will go pass-catcher instead of offensive line. Wide receiver is tempting, but adding Bowers to this offensive gives the Jets true playmakers at all three skill positions, and Rodgers gets to be the ring leader of it all.
11 — Chargers (via proj MIN trade): JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Los Angeles Chargers need a tackle to pair with Rashawn Slater, and JC Latham has the tools to be just as much of a star as Slater has been for the Chargers. Latham is a true right tackle, which is why he gets the edge over Fuaga. At just 21 years old, he has everything you want from a star right tackle, and there’s a lot of growth left in his game. In this Greg Roman offense, he’s going to be moving bodies.
12 — Broncos: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Broncos stay patient in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and it pays off by them getting a great quarterback anyway. Many view Michael Penix Jr. as a top QB prospect who is downgraded due to injuries, while others don’t view his injuries as a big deal due to his past couple of seasons. Regardless, Sean Payton gets a top passer who can dissect defenses and make on-time throws.
13 — Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
There are a number of massive needs for the Las Vegas Raiders. With Penix going one before them, they choose to take the top cornerback in the draft. Quinyon Mitchell is a tough, explosive athlete who isn’t afraid to put in the work. He should fit into the culture that Antonio Pierce is creating in Vegas.
14 — Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Is Taliese Fuaga a guard or a tackle? That’s for the New Orleans Saints to decide and not for this NFL Mock Draft. We know New Orleans likes the “nasty” offensive linemen who play with a bit of attitude, and Fuaga brings exactly that. He is going to set the tone from the opening whistle for the Saints.
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15 — Falcons (via proj IND trade): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Jimmy Lake, was Laiatu Latu’s coach in Washington before he transferred to UCLA. This reunion makes sense for both of them. When healthy, Latu is an incredible pass rusher, which is desperately needed in Atlanta. If the Falcons are going to have the lead more often now, with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, then they should improve the pass rush to win games in the fourth quarter.
16 — Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
If Troy Fautanu is gone, I could see the Seahawks trading back. But with him here, the Seahawks get one of the top players on their board. Fautanu has the potential to be a great starting option at either tackle or guard, giving Seattle some flexibility heading into their offseason work.
17 — Jaguars: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
The Jacksonville Jaguars have more needs than they would like, but they have a big one on their interior defensive line next to Arik Armstead. They need to win the battle up front in order to win AFC South divisional games and Byron Murphy II will absolutely do his part to win his matchups.
18 — Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
It seems like Tee Higgins is willing to play on the franchise tag this season for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, this is only delaying the inevitable of him leaving town. Drafting Brian Thomas Jr. creates a powerful LSU trio of him, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase for at least five years. It also allows the Bengals to shop Higgins, getting something for him instead of letting him walk for free.
PROJECTED TRADE: 19 — Eagles (via LAR): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Philadelphia Eagles have traded up in the first round of four of the past five NFL Drafts, and they will be excited to do it once again. They trade up a few spots to land one of the top cornerbacks in the draft who can thrive in the slot or outside for them. Terrion Arnold is as good of an athlete as there is at the position, and we will once again be asking how do the Eagles keep getting away with this?
20 — Steelers: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Is there another team with a better hit rate at wide receiver in the past decade-plus? After trading away Diontae Johnson, the Steelers have an open slot receiver role. While Ladd McConkey isn’t the flashy receiver who’s going to make downfield highlights, that’s not what Pittsburgh needs. He’ll be a reliable underneath option for Russell Wilson.
21 — Dolphins: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Miami could potentially have a number of holes on their offensive line over the next couple of seasons, and Graham Barton gives them a solid, versatile option upfront. With snaps both at tackle and inside, he could slide in wherever, though he would be best on the interior where he is expected to start this season.
22 — Rams (via proj PHI trade): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
With the Los Angeles Rams’ first selection in the first round since 2016, they decided to trade down (don’t be surprised if they trade out altogether). But after trading down, they take a talented edge rusher in Jared Verse. The Rams’ pass rush wasn’t great last season, and now they will be entering a new era without Aaron Donald. They know they have no chance in the division if they cannot pressure Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray or Geno Smith.
23 — Chargers (via proj MIN trade): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Chargers still need help at wide receiver, but this is an area they can address later. Jim Harbaugh got to play against the Iowa Hawkeyes with and without Cooper DeJean, so he knows just how big of an impact player he can be. The Chargers could use help in their secondary, and it feels like DeJean could settle into a nickel role for this defense.
24 — Cowboys: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Dallas Cowboys have a couple of holes on their offensive line, but they fill a need at tackle with Olumuyiwa Fashanu. This is likely viewed as a little bit of a slide for the Penn State product, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a shot at him. Fashanu is one of the best athletes in this draft class and will become a great starting offensive tackle, with the right coaching. Right now, it plays like he’s thinking instead of playing with instincts. It will take the right team to bring the best out of him, but Dallas could be that team.
25 — Packers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Green Bay Packers need help on the offensive line, and the direction they go depends on how they feel about the players currently on their team. My personal opinion is that Zach Tom’s best football will come at guard or center, so we won’t overthink things here. The Packers draft his replacement at right tackle, and they also draft another first-round player out of Georgia, making it their fourth in four years. For this NFL Mock Draft selection, it was between him and this next selection…
26 — Buccaneers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Buccaneers seek to replace the tough Ryan Jenson at center with another tough, reliable offensive lineman. Jackson Powers-Johnson will provide stability on the interior for Tampa, which is something they craved last season. He is as complete of an interior offensive lineman as you’ll find.
27 — Cardinals (via HOU): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
After adding the top receiver earlier, the Cardinals luck out by grabbing a true top corner with this pick. Nate Wiggins has great length and speed, and he will fill a major need for this Arizona defense.
28 — Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
It feels like Brandon Beane will be itching to trade up, so don’t be surprised if that happens. Regardless, the pick for them is wide receiver, and in this case, they land a solid one in Troy Franklin, whom they have had a private workout with. After losing their top two receivers, Franklin can quickly slide in as a great vertical threat who can also be a reliable target on intermediate routes.
29 — Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Aidan Hutchinson can do it on his own, but he shouldn’t have to. Having someone that offenses need to respect on the opposite side will do so much for this Detroit Lions defense, and they get exactly that with Chop Robinson. While the Penn State product lacks polish in his game, he doesn’t lack grit. He’ll fit well in Detroit.
30 — Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Baltimore Ravens previously had success (somewhat) drafting a tackle out of Oklahoma, with Orlando Brown Jr. They do it once again with Tyler Guyton, but this time, Guyton is more of a right tackle. He’s very athletic and will be able to stay in front of the crazy pass rushers in the North.
31 — 49ers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
There seems to be too much smoke for there not to be a fire in terms of a Brandon Aiyuk trade. After a team misses out on a receiver they want, the San Francisco 49ers will be able to trade him. As a replacement, they grab Adonai Mitchell. The Texas product is a smooth athlete like Aiyuk, but he brings even more size.
32 — Chiefs: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
People are talking so much about the Kansas City Chiefs’ need at wide receiver that they forget how badly they need an offensive tackle as well. With tackle being a more premium position, they opt to address this first to get that precious fifth-year option. Jordan Morgan has played well at left tackle in his college career, which is where the Chiefs need help most. He needs to hold a bit stronger against the bull rush, but he should be able to handle his business in the AFC West.
What do you think of the 2024 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know on social media, and share this around ahead of Thursday night!
