It’s that time of year again – NFL draft season! With the 2024 NFL Draft set for Thursday, 25 April, I wanted to display my final two-round mock draft of what I predict will happen this year. In this mock draft, I project four total trades (two in Round 1; two in Round 2). At the end of my two-round mock, I include some predictions for which teams will draft other notable draft prospects. Let’s kick things off!
With the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select…
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Does this pick even need an explanation? Caleb Williams has been the projected #1 overall pick for about a year and a half now. Out of this very talented QB-laden draft class, Caleb is the clear-cut obvious choice. Not only is he a day one starter, but he also is the one with the most potential long-term. Although I think he may struggle a lot in his rookie year with interceptions and taking sacks, I do think he is the only one out of this draft class that has the potential to be on Patrick Mahomes’ level in a few years, if the chips fall the right way.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
This pick may be surprising to some, given that the buzz the last few months around the Commanders has been that they are leaning towards QB Jayden Daniels, but I believe it’s all a smoke-screen. Daniels might be more ready to start right away over Maye, but many think that Maye has a higher ceiling long term.
*MOCK TRADE*
Minnesota Receives: 3rd overall
New England Receives: 11th overall, 23rd overall, 129th overall (4th rd), 2025 1st Round Pick
3. Minnesota Vikings (via mock trade w/ NE): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
There has been a lot of speculation that the Vikings acquired their 2nd first round pick (23rd overall via Houston) as ammo to trade up for JJ McCarthy. I don’t think that’s their plan at all. I think they are targeting Jayden Daniels. Supposedly, the Vikings tried really hard in the 2023 draft to trade up for Anthony Richardson, but nobody bit in the trade market. I believe this year they trade up for the Heisman Winner in Daniels, who is set to replace Kirk Cousins as QB1 in Minnesota.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Arizona’s pick at #4 could also be a hot trade destination, however I think they ultimately stick it out and select the best player available. They basically have their pick of the entire draft — given that the top three quarterbacks will probably go in the three picks before them. Why not take the best receiver in the draft to pair with the underrated Kyler Murray whose current receiving corps is near the bottom of the league?
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
With Los Angeles trading Keenan Allen and cutting Mike Williams, a lot of people expect the Chargers to select a receiver with this pick. I don’t see this to be the case at all. New head coach Jim Harbaugh takes pride in his teams playing great defense and possessing the football. Yes, he has a top QB in Justin Herbert who needs some receivers to throw to. But picking up the best tackle in this draft benefits both the pass game and the run game for the team. Plus, with how talented and deep this WR class is, they could pick up day one starters in the second or third rounds with ease.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Giants are in a tough position. They achieved success too early when Brian Daboll became their head coach, leading them to give QB Daniel Jones a big contract and now seem to be regretting it. It is very possible they select another QB here or even trade up to do so… but I don’t see that being very likely. I think they stick here and select Malik Nabers, who some teams think could be better than Marvin Harrison Jr.
7. Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Offensive line is the biggest weakness on the Titans’ roster, and they should definitely address that early in this draft in order to protect QB Will Levis. Fashanu is absolutely massive and has all of the upside in the world. If they don’t go offensive line with this pick however, I wouldn’t be surprised if they go to a lesser position of need such as a skill position on the offensive side.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Dallas Turner to the Falcons here is probably the most common player-team pairing I’ve seen. Usually when that happens, that team goes a completely different direction. However… I think they should make this pick. Atlanta has struggled to produce sacks defensively for a few years in a row now. They improved their offense tremendously this offseason by signing QB Kirk Cousins and making some other moves, so now it’s time to focus on defense.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Chicago can go any way they want with this pick. They already got their franchise QB, so do they want to help him as much as possible by going offensively here or do they want to go defensively? I think if Dallas Turner makes it to them at #9, they select him in a heartbeat to pair him on the opposite side of Montez Sweat. But since he is not available, I see them going WR with this pick, providing new QB Caleb Williams with yet another star WR and insurance for newly acquired Keenan Allen, who is on the wrong side of 30, and shouldn’t be viewed as a long term option in Chicago.
10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
New York already improved their offensive line to protect QB Aaron Rodgers this offseason by acquiring RT Morgan Moses and signing LT Tyron Smith, however both guys are 33 and on the backend of their careers. They could definitely go another route here to improve another position (like TE Brock Bowers), but I think it’s more important to assure the depth of their offensive line along with a starter past the 2024 season.
11. New England Patriots (via mock trade w/ MIN): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
How about this fairy tale? From one former Michigan QB (Tom Brady) to the next. Although I’m not as high on J.J. McCarthy as others, I think New England trading out of #3 overall to acquire more picks and still selecting a top-four QB in this draft would be tremendous and possibly franchise-altering. It might be far-fetched for McCarthy to drop this low given there is a lot of speculation of him going in the top-five, but this happens every year with quarterbacks (i.e. Will Levis, Malik Willis, Mac Jones, etc.)
12. Denver Broncos: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Denver needs help at almost every position on their roster. I have them missing out on the top-four QBs in this mock, and I think this is too early for them to select QBs Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr., so I have them going best player available here. Latu is a tremendous player who some have graded as the best edge in the class and would provide Denver with an upgraded defensive line.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Las Vegas is another team that I have missing out on the top QBs but are in a position that’s too early to select the others. With the way this mock has gone however, they can have their pick at any defensive back in this draft being offensively-focused. I think they go to another big position of need on their team at defensive back and select Arnold here.
14. New Orleans Saints: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
LT Trevor Penning hasn’t turned into what New Orleans had hoped when they drafted him back in 2019. And although QB Derek Carr might not be their long-term answer at the position… they should try to better protect him. Switching former All-Pro RT Ryan Ramczyk to the left side and plugging in JC Latham on the right would be a great way to protect Carr and better help their run game, too.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Although I don’t see Brock Bowers dropping down this far, this would be a dream come true for the Colts. Bowers is by far the best TE in this draft (by a mile). Some even say he is the fourth best WR in this class – that’s how good of a receiving tight end he is. If you’re looking for an in-line blocking guy at this position, Bowers at 6’3” is probably not your guy. But he is a cheat code receiving-wise at the position who has the potential upside of a Travis Kelce.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OG, Washington
Troy Fautanu could play both OT and inside in the NFL. If he gets drafted by a team like the Seahawks, who already have both their tackle positions set, he will definitely play guard. Selecting Fautanu here would create a young, great offensive line for many years to come.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Jacksonville desperately needs help in their secondary, and Quinyon Mitchell can provide just that. Mitchell, one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process, is one of the best man coverage corners in this draft who is also very versatile and can help the Jaguars at any spot they want in their secondary.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
I know this pick may seem odd given that the Bengals already have Orlando Brown Jr. at LT and he has made it clear in the past that he does not want to play RT, but the truth is Orlando Brown Jr. is better on the right side than he is the left side. If I were the Bengals, I would try to convince Brown to switch back over to the right side and draft a LT here. It is also very possible that they go receiver here as well, depending on what they do with WR Tee Higgins.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
As you may have heard, this is the first first-round pick since 2016… that is if they don’t trade back! Edge rusher is a major need now more than ever with Aaron Donald retiring, and Verse has a high floor that can be a day one contributor right away.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Pittsburgh has gone through a couple offensive changes recently, trading QB Kenny Pickett and WR Diontae Johnson away, trading for QB Justin Fields, and signing QB Russell Wilson. That’s a lot of change for an organization that is widely known for not doing these types of things in years past. With all this being said, I think they go WR here in Brian Thomas Jr., pairing him with WR Georgia Pickens.
21. Miami Dolphins: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
One star DT out, one (possible star) DT in. Like the Colts, this would be a dream come true scenario for the Dolphins, who just lost star DT Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency. Byron Murphy II is a game-wrecker at the position and would provide Miami with a decent replacement for a lot cheaper.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Philadelphia fell apart during the second half of the season last year, especially in the secondary. Although they have big names at the CB position already, they are getting older and were injured a lot last year. Nate Wiggins would provide them with good depth in the secondary and playmaking abilities.
23. New England Patriots (via mock trade w/ MIN; through CLE/HOU): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Last year, I mocked New England a LT in the first round. This year, I am doing the same thing even though they did sign one in free agency to a one-year deal. If you are selecting your franchise QB in McCarthy however, you also need to make sure he is protected for not only this year, but future years as well.
*MOCK TRADE*
Arizona Receives: 24th overall
Dallas Receives: 27th overall, 104th overall (4th rd), 2025 7th rd
24. Arizona Cardinals (via mock trade w/ Dallas): Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Arizona already filled a position of desperate need on the offensive side of the ball earlier in this mock, so let’s have them fill another position of desperate need on the defensive side of the ball now. The Cardinals could just as easily go DB with their pick here, but I see them going defensive line, where they absolutely need to get more pressure from that area group moving forward.
25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Another year, another first-round defensive selection for the Green Bay Packers. Cooper DeJean could be the steal of the draft, depending on where he is selected. Before his injury last year at Iowa, he was looking like a sure-fire top-15 pick. DeJean is a fantastic athlete who is versatile and can help the Packers anywhere in their secondary.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Tampa Bay just traded one of their top corners in the offseason, and could be looking to replace that position. McKinstry, like DeJean, is another player who could be a steal in round one. He had surgery on his foot during the offseason, and that will likely push him back towards the end of round one versus being selected at the beginning of round one. His name kind of rocks, too.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Dallas just lost their starting center in free agency, and could be looking to fill that position right away in the draft given their recent history and assuring their offensive line. Graham Barton is a versatile stud who can come in and help their offensive trenches wherever needed on day one.
28. Buffalo Bills: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Similar to the Chargers, everyone expects Buffalo to go receiver with this pick… but not me. I think their defense is a much bigger area of concern leading up to the draft, given all of the players they cut/lost in free agency. Not to mention that the future for Von Miller in Buffalo doesn’t look too optimistic.
29. Detroit Lions: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Detroit’s offense was probably the most exciting one to watch in the league last year. Why not add more fuel to the fire? They could definitely use some help on the defensive side of the ball – especially in the secondary, but Mitchell is just too good to pass up here. Especially given that WR Jameson Williams hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
This just feels like a Baltimore Ravens pick, right? Darius Robinson would be a perfect scheme fit for them. Big, strong, athletic, disciplined, etc. Even though their roster is all-around very good, edge rusher is definitely their biggest need due to the loss of Jadeveon Clowney.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
San Francisco probably will go best player available here, but I like them addressing a big need in OT, by plugging in Suamataia on the right side. They could also go secondary or even receiver with this pick. Whatever way they decide to go, it will only benefit them that much more with having probably the best roster in the NFL.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs proved once again last year that they are the best team in the NFL and can win it all without a star WR (they have now won back-to-back Super Bowls since trading WR Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins). CB is definitely an area of need after trading CB L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, but let’s throw some speed back into that offense with Mahomes again. Xavier Worthy just broke the NFL Combine 40-yard dash record by running it in 4.21 seconds.
2nd Round
33. Carolina Panthers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
34. New England Patriots: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
35. Arizona Cardinals: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa St
36. Washington Commanders: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
*MOCK TRADE*
Denver Receives: 37th overall
Los Angeles Receives: 76th overall (3rd rd), 136th overall (5th rd), 2025 2nd rd
37. Denver Broncos (via mock trade w/ LAC): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
38. Tennessee Titans: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
39. Carolina Panthers (via NYG): Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
40. Washington Commanders (via CHI): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
41. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ): Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
42. Houston Texans (via MIN): Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
43. Atlanta Falcons: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
45. New Orleans Saints (via DEN): Keon Coleman, WR, Florida St
46. Indianapolis Colts: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn St
47. New York Giants (via SEA): Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
50. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Christian Haynes, IOL, Uconn
52. Los Angeles Rams: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
*MOCK TRADE*
Atlanta Receives: 53rd overall
Philadelphia Receives: 74th overall (3rd rd), 109th overall (4th rd), 2025 3rd rd
53. Atlanta Falcons (via mock trade w/ PHI): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
54. Cleveland Browns: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
55. Miami Dolphins: Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas St
56. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
58. Green Bay Packers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
59. Houston Texans: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio St
60. Buffalo Bills: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
61. Detroit Lions: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
62. Baltimore Ravens: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
63. San Francisco 49ers: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Predictions for Other Notable Draft Prospects:
QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina – New York Giants
QB Jordan Travis, Florida St – New Orleans Saints
RB Trey Benson, Florida St – Cincinnati Bengals
RB Will Shipley, Clemson – Buffalo Bills
RB Blake Corum, Michigan – Los Angeles Chargers
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin – New York Giants
WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky – San Francisco 49ers
WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida – Washington Commanders
WR Devontez Walker, UNC – Cleveland Browns
TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas St – Cincinnati Bengals
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas – Miami Dolphins
TE Theo Johnson, Penn St – Cincinnati Bengals
OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame – Baltimore Ravens
OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington – Miami Dolphins
OT Delmar Glaze, Maryland – New England Patriots
DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas – Chicago Bears
DT Maason Smith, LSU – Cincinnati Bengals
EDGE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon – Carolina Panthers
EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan – New Orleans Saints
LB Payton Wilson, NC State – Cleveland Browns
LB Cedric Gray, UNC – Denver Broncos
LB Junior Colson, Michigan – Los Angeles Chargers
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson – Minnesota Vikings
CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri – Detroit Lions
CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest – Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Kalen King, Penn St – Washington Commanders
S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota – Baltimore Ravens
S Kamren Kinchens, Miami – Houston Texans
S Beau Brade, Maryland – Philadelphia Eagles
S Cole Bishop, Utah – Buffalo BillsS Calen Bullock, USC – San Francisco 49ers
Topp of the Hill 