The 2024 Scouting Combine has passed, so now it is time for my 2024 NFL Mock Draft 2.0! So much will change between now and the draft, but here are some picks and trades I think make sense (or are just a boatload of fun).
Welcome to my 2024 NFL mock draft 2.0! I am taking some swings for the fences here, but do think the trades and picks here are more than possible! Are there too many trades? Probably. Especially big-time ones. However, at this time we do not have a lot of information from teams so cannot give great insight there. So let the (educated) chaos reign and I hope you have fun reading this!
For a more detailed breakdown of the top rookie prospects, please check out our pre-draft rookie report articles! For even more, tune into the reboot of the Ride or Dynasty Podcast hosted by the GREAT JJ Wenner and featuring yours truly! Shows drop on Fridays, and thus far we have broken down QBs and the top 12 WR (with the master of mock himself, Shawn Teague joining in!)! We will be going through the next dozen WRs and other fantasy positions in future weeks! Now let’s get to my 2024 NFL mock draft, take two!
1.01: Washington Commanders (via CHI) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Trade: WAS receives 1.01, 3.75, and 25-2 from CHI for 1.02, 2.40, 4.103, 25-1
The Commanders move up to get their guy. Williams is from the DC area and was coached by new WAS OC Kliff Kingsbury at USC last season. He is one of the best QB prospects we have seen and immediately gives the new ownership group their new franchise face.
1.02: Chicago Bears (via WAS) – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Trade(s): see 1.01. CHI sends QB Justin Fields to CLE for 4.135, 6.205, and a conditional 25-3
The Bears get a haul for 1.01 and end up with QB1 (in my opinion). Maye is much more than the last UNC QB they took second overall, with a full toolset and film to back it up. They get their best QB since… and are loaded to compete for the playoffs immediately.
1.03: Las Vegas Raiders (via NE) – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Oh boy… LETS. GET. WEIRD.
Trade 1: LV receives 1.10, 3.72 from NYJ for WR Davante Adams and 2.44
Trade 2: LV receives 1.03, 4.104, and 25-5 from NE for 1.10, 3.77, 25-1, and 25-3
These trades somewhat mirror the trade-up the 49ers made for Trey Lance a few years ago, moving up twice to get their guy. Daniels is a prospect I see as highly flawed, though there is absolutely talent. He is reunited with LV HC Antonio Pierce, who was on staff at Arizona State whilst Daniels was there. More on the rest of the trades at pick 13!
1.04: Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals get the best player in the draft with the 4th pick. Yay, QBs! They need an elite weapon to pair with franchise QB Kyler Murray, and they get one of the best all-time prospects. His frame, route-running, general creativity, and awesome eliteness will plug and play into Drew Petzing’s fun offense.
1.05: Minnesota Vikings (via LAC) – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Trade: MIN sends 1.11, 5.157, 25-1 to LAC for 1.05
For the 3rd time in 5 picks, a team trades up to get their franchise QB. The Vikings seem ready to get their QB of the future (Kirk Cousins is rumored to sign with Atlanta as of writing) and build for tomorrow. This is a hefty price for a QB whose upside is Kirk Cousins+, but this may be their best shot to get a guy! JJM is a good, young, talented prospect who is unproven, but this offense should help him ease in and take off after sitting behind a bridge (Jacoby Brissett?) for a little while.
1.06: New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
They missed out on the QBs, but the consolation prize is their new top weapon! Nabers is the new top weapon for the Giants, giving them their best non-Saquon receiving option since early-career OBJ. Nabers is my WR3, but he is WR1 in most classes, and an electric receiver who is a bigger version of a young WR for the team the Giants share a stadium with (Garrett Wilson).
1.07: Chicago Bears (via TEN) – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Trade: CHI sends 1.09, 4.123, and 24-3 to TEN for 1.07 and 6.184
Chicago gets their alpha WR. DJ Moore is great, but Odunze is an elite WR prospect with size who Drake Maye will be able to hit downfield often. The Bears’ rebuild is now nearly complete with two great WRs, QB of the future, and a solid OL.
1.08: Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Falcons have been looking for a top-tier rusher for over a decade. They get their guy here in Turner after he absolutely blew up the combine. He has talent and production and can be a franchise cornerstone for Raheem Morris’ defense.
1.09: New Orleans Saints (via TEN) – Brock Bowers, Georgia
Trade: NO sends 1.14, 5.169, 25-2 to TEN for 1.09
The Saints are a weird team, so here is a weird move. They get one of the best players in the draft to complement Chris Olave while still acting like a win-now team. A 2nd weapon is a massive need for the Saints, so they jump the Patriots, Chargers, and Broncos to get him.
1.10: New England Patriots (via NYJ through LV) – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots get their guy after trading back for a massive haul. Alt should be in the conversation at 1.03 as the top OL in the class. They get their cornerstone OL to help build up their roster.
1.11: Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Chargers drop back and get future capital and take one of the most talented players in the entire class. Fashanu is dropping right now (most mocks have them going with a natural right tackle like JC Latham, Tailese Fuaga, or a versatile OL like Troy Fautanu), but here I add my bias in and go with my OT2. Fashanu is an elite pass protector who is growing in the run game. Moving to RT will be an adjustment, but the talent is more than worth it.
1.12: Denver Broncos – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Is this a pick I would make? No. Does it feel like a Sean Payton pick? Absolutely. The Broncos need a QB badly, and Nix is the remaining one who fits their style best. His experience and solid tools make him startable immediately and give them a chance to focus on the rest of the roster post-Russell Wilson.
1.13: Las Vegas Raiders – Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
To finish the psychosis of the trade up to 1.03 for Daniels, the Raiders pair him with one of his weapons from LSU. In all likelihood, the trades would involve this pick instead of Davante Adams, but as the board fell, I decided this would be more fun. BTJ is raw, but the tools are absurd, as basically a skinnier DK Metcalf.
1.14: Tennessee Titans (via NO) – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Amarius Mims is one of the most talented players we have seen. Just pure size and athletic ability. However, he has only 8 starts and various injuries to his name. His talent is worth a top-10 pick, and now he goes to the Titans where they have Bill Callahan, one of the best OL coaches in the league’s history. If anyone can get the astronomical talent to appear, it is this Titans staff.
1.15: Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Colts love their traits and need a CB. Mitchell has spectacular shutdown film despite being at a G5 program. He also dominated the Senior Bowl and Combine (with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.84/10). This is a prototypical Colts pick.
1.16: Philadelphia Eagles (via SEA) – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Trade: PHI sends 1.22 and 2.54 to SEA for 1.16 and 3.81
The Eagles need a 2nd CB badly, as Darius Slay and James Bradberry are not getting any younger and have started to regress. They move up to get one of the two best CBs in the class (1 on many boards) to revamp their defense.
1.17: Green Bay Packers (via JAX) – JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Trade: GB sends 1.25, 2.57, and 6.168 to JAX for 1.17 and 3.96
The Packers move up for an absolute mauler in JC Latham to be their RT. David Bakhitari is on his way out, while current RTs Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman have LT experience. Latham gives them 5 good players on the OL to protect budding star Jordan Love.
1.18: Cincinnati Bengals – Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
With DJ Reader and BJ Hill entering free agency, the Bengals have a desperate need for a DT. They also need a secondary pass rusher. Murphy checks both of these boxes and should terrorize AFC North Olines for the next decade.
1.19: Los Angeles Rams – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Albany transfer has dominated at Florida State before blowing up the Combine last week. His fall to almost 20 is surprising, but that’s how the cookie crumbles! The Rams would be beyond excited to get a powerful pass rusher with explosion to pair with Aaron Donald, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner.
1.20: Pittsburgh Steelers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, iOL, Oregon
The top Center in the class falls to the Steelers, who just cut their starter at the position. JPJ is a powerful, unrefined wild man at the position. He will help pry open run lanes for Arthur Smith’s offense and help develop whatever QB they have under center. If the board falls like it does in this 2024 NFL mock draft in real life, the Steelers will be ecstatic.
1.21: Miami Dolphins – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
All 3 of the Dolphins starters along the interior OL are free agents, so it is a massive position of need. Fautanu would slide into a guard spot and start immediately while potentially being the long-term Terron Armstead heir. He was the best player on the best OL in college football and his stock is skyrocketing now, he may not make it out of the top 12 when it is all said and done!
1.22: Seattle Seahawks (via PHI) – Tailese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
The Seahawks get an absolute road grader to plug and play at RG. Their iOL are all free agents (like Miami) so this is a big need. Fuaga is a great run-blocker and good in pass pro and would be a great option at RT if Abe Lucas’ injuries persist.
1.23: Houston Texans (via CLE) – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
With Jonathan Greenard a free agent expecting a big deal, Houston needs a running mate for DROY Will Anderson. Latu has medical and athletic risks, but he is a vicious technician who fits perfectly alongside Anderson in DeMeco Ryans‘s defense.
1.24: Kansas City Chiefs (via DAL) – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Trade: KC sends 1.32, 3.95, 25-3 to DAL for 1.24 and 4.125
The Chiefs have passed on first-round WRs in favor of bolstering the defense in recent years, but that trend ends here (it probably won’t, but hey, we can dream!) Mitchell is a big, fast, talented receiver who is much more than just a deep threat. He gives you almost everything MVS did but with significantly more upside and talent.
1.25: Jacksonville Jaguars (via GB) – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Even before cutting Darious Williams, the Jaguars needed to consider a future starting boundary CB. Now that they did cut Williams, they replaced him in the first round. Wiggins is a tall and lean burner with very good coverage skills. He can get bodied up and is a liability in the run game, but they need his coverage ability more than anything else.
1.26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Bucs need help along their iOL, and Barton gives versatility there. He can play any of the 5 OL positions, but projects to be best along the interior. He slots in at LG this year but should be the favorite to replace Robert Hainsey after 2024.
1.27: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) – Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
After nailing their first-round OL pick (Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State) last year, the Cardinals try to do it again. Morgan slots into LG this season, with the hope that he takes over at LT once DJ Humphries’ contract expires after 2025 (if not cut before that season). He is experienced and athletic enough to help out all over the line.
1.28: Buffalo Bills – Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Is this the best scheme fit? Maybe not. But the Bills need a potential game-changer, and Coleman is that. Josh Allen has never had a legitimate big deep threat, but gets one here. If Coleman is invested, he can be absolutely dominant and complement an already strong receiving room.
1.29: Detroit Lions – Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Lions need additional pass-rush juice and more help on the interior, so hit both here. Newton was dominant at Illinois, before a foot injury late in the year, causing his fall. He can cause havoc along the defensive interior and help free up Aidan Hutchinson from a 3 or 5-tech alignment.
1.30: Baltimore Ravens – Darius Robinson, DL, Mizzou
The Ravens need pass-rush help and versatility along their DL. Robinson gives them that, being able to rush from the interior and outside. He is a big end in the mold of Jadeveon Clowney (who was great in 2023 with Baltimore). His domination of the Senior Bowl and SEC is a big plus for the Ravens brass.
1.31: San Francisco 49ers – Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
A surprise faller, DeJean’s versatility fits perfectly in San Francisco’s defense. He can play any DB position, which is a massive plus given the various injuries and contracts in that room currently. He is a big-time athlete and a great returner who can help in various ways and is a steal at this point in this 2024 NFL mock draft.
1.32: Dallas Cowboys (via KC) – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Tyron Smith is leaving the team this offseason, so the Cowboys need to bolster the OL. Guyton is raw but has all the talent in the world. He played RT at OU but is athletic enough to make the switch to the blindside and pair with Tyler Smith for the next half-decade plus.
Teams without a first-round pick!
Just because your team doesn’t have a first-round pick you thought I’d leave them out of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft article? Think again!
2.33: Carolina Panthers – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
The Panthers give Bryce Young a weapon who can get open and make plays after the catch. McConkey could sneak into the end of the first round, but here he falls right into Carolina’s lap. He is more of a 1b, but his profile is just what they need to restart Young’s career.
2.44: New York Jets (via LV) – Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Does trading their 1 for Davante Adams make sense? Not really. However, Aaron Rodgers is in charge, and the front office and coaching staff needs to win to stay employed. They overpay for Rodgers’ good pal (who is still sick as hell) but need to protect him too. Paul is a 3 year starter at LT, and with some NFL coaching could clean up a lot of his technique and hand issues. He is a strong athlete who is an improvement for the OL.
2.54: Cleveland Browns – Marshawn Kneeland, DL, Western Michigan
The Browns need help along both lines and WR, but get the highest upside and versatile DL here. Kneeland is large and powerful and can play on the interior or be a big EDGE like Za’Darius Smith. He needs to improve, but would not have the pressure to be a guy on day 1.
Thank you so much for reading this edition of my 2024 NFL Mock Draft and I hope you enjoyed it! We have almost two months until the draft, so things can change! Please reach out if you have any comments, I would love to have a respectful, fun conversation! You can find my other work on the IDP Guys Author Page, and feel free to reach out to me directly @JoeLow63 on X, where you can also find and follow @IDP_Plus!
