Mock Draft 1.0
Kade Nix’s 2024 Mock Draft 1.0: 4 quarterbacks taken in Top 15
Published 1/31/2024 at 12:01am Updated 1/31/2024 at 1:34am
As the College Football season is over, and the players have made their declarations to enter the NFL draft, the season of Mock Drafts has finally begun. Here’s how I believe the first 32 picks of the 2024 NFL draft will shake out.
NOTES:
As of this writing, the picks 1-30 are locked with Super Bowl LVIII to be played. San Francisco is given the 32nd pick based on regular season record and betting favorites to win the Super Bowl. — Before these prospects are drafted, they will showcase their abilities on the field at college football all-star games and the NFL combine. All picks are subject to change as prospects rise and fall in draft stock throughout the process.
(via CAR)
Caleb Williams
PICK
Chicago Bears
1
USC | QB
The Bears still take the most talented passer in the draft. GM Ryan Poles doesn’t miss the opportunity given to him. For this to happen, I believe Fields is dealt somewhere else during the off season.
PICK
Washington Commanders
2
Drake Maye
UNC | QB
Maye will likely sit and learn from his former teammate at North Carolina, Sam Howell, for at least a few games. It probably won’t be long until Maye takes the lead for the Commanders.
PICK
New England Patriots
3
Jayden Daniels
LSU | QB
Jayden Daniels has a different play style than the Patriots are used to, but it may be the needed change of pace in New England. Jerod Mayo wants to make a splash as his first season as head coach, and drafting the former heisman winner does just that.
PICK
Arizona Cardinals
4
Marvin Harrison Jr.
OHIO ST. | WR
The Cardinals land the best prospect in the entire class. Fittingly, my comparison for Marvin Harrison Jr. was Cardinals legend, Larry Fitzgerald.
PICK
Los Angeles Chargers
5
Rome Odunze
WASHINGTON | WR
The Chargers have a ton of different directions they could head with this pick. They add to a strength, and give a brand new weapon to Herbert and Harbaugh. Another pick I could see would be Brock Bowers, as the Chargers seem to not have any real weaknesses on paper.
PICK
6
LSU | WR
New York Giants
Malik Nabers
We all know how it fared for the Giants the last time they drafted a wide receiver from LSU in the first round. I’m confident that this time the selection will fare just as well. Nabers is one of my favorite prospects in the class and my #2 overall prospect.
PICK
7
NOTRE DAME | OT
Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt
The Titans offensive line made it hard for them to develop any kind of positive offense last year. The first step to giving Will Levis some help is to get him some protection with the top tackle in the class.
PICK
Atlanta Falcons
8
Dallas Turner
ALABAMA | EDGE
The Falcons have lacked a difference maker on defense and I think Turner solves the problem for Atlanta. Turner adds a level of versatility that the Falcons lack.
PICK
Chicago Bears
9
Olu Fashanu
PENN ST. | OT
Regardless of how the first overall selection goes, whoever in under center for the Bears in 2024 is going to need protection to make anything work.
PICK
New York Jets
10
Taliese Fuaga
OREGON ST. | OT
The Jets are desperately trying to avoid the disaster that took place last year. They get Taliese Fuaga to protect Aaron Rodgers as they try to avoid another largely disappointing season.
PICK
11
FLORIDA ST. | EDGE
Minnesota Vikings
Jared Verse
Jared Verse may just be the best defensive player in the entire draft. He brings an elite level of athleticism and aggressiveness that will mold well with DC Brian Flores
PICK
Denver Broncos
12
Terrion Arnold
ALABAMA | CB
The Broncos pair Arnold up with his former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain to provide Denver with possibly the best cornerback tandem in the entire league.
PICK
Las Vegas Raiders
13
Nate Wiggins
CLEMSON | CB
This may seem early for Wiggins, but we know the Raiders love to shop at Clemson. Wiggins provides all the tools necessary for him to warrant a top 15 selection.
PICK
14
OREGON | QB
New Orleans Saints
Bo Nix
Bo Nix shows similarities in his game to Drew Brees, most notably his accuracy. If Nix is a system quarterback as some analysts claim, this is the perfect system for him to thrive in.
PICK
15
GEORGIA | TE
Indianapolis Colts
Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers undoubtably has top 5 talent, but his positional value may cause him to fall. Nevertheless, the Colts jump on the opportunity to select a generational talent at 15 overall.
PICK
16
TEXAS | DL
Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy II
Byron Murphy may be the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. He’ll add more firepower to the Seahawks defense in hopes to keep up with the high powered offenses in the division.
PICK
17
UCLA | EDGE
Jacksonville Jaguars
Laiatu Latu
The Jaguars simply take the best available. Latu adds a great threat opposite of Josh Allen in a division full of young quarterbacks.
PICK
Cincinnati Bengals
18
JC Latham
ALABAMA | OT
The Bengals will need Joe Burrow to be healthy next season. The first step in that process is getting him some talented protection. Especially in a division filled with elite level edge rushers such as TJ Watt and Myles Garrett.
PICK
Los Angeles Rams
19
Chop Robinson
PENN ST. | EDGE
Chop Robinson is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. While adding to their pass rush is a good option, I would not totally rule out the selection of a quarterback. Getting a QB to be mentored under Stafford for a few years may be a smart idea.
PICK
20
GEORGIA | OT
Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims
With the Steelers recent successes with Georgia draft picks, I doubt they would be hesitant to shop there again. I wouldn’t hate a quarterback selection here either, provided the right one is available.
PICK
Miami Dolphins
21
Troy Fautanu
WASHINGTON | OT
The Dolphins seem like a complete team on paper. Fautanu gives Tua some extra time to be able to get the ball in the hands of his weapons more efficiently.
PICK
22
IOWA | CB
Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean
The Eagles main concern is powering up their secondary. DeJean is a ultra versatile defensive back they can plug in anywhere on the field.
PICK
23
LSU | WR
Houston Texans
Brian Thomas Jr.
I do believe Brian Thomas goes before 23, but in this scenario he falls to Houston. The Texans give Stroud yet another weapon to make their offense that much more powerful. Thomas adds a good size to the WR room and will compliment Tank Dell very nicely.
PICK
Dallas Cowboys
24
Tyler Guyton
OKLAHOMA | OT
The Cowboys need to start preparing for the departure of Tyron Smith. Guyton is a nice compliment to Tyler Smith, and the Cowboys would bolster a nice young duo on the front lines.
PICK
Green Bay Packers
25
Kool-Aid McKinstry
ALABAMA | CB
The Packers secondary let up far too many yards last year. With a promising offense, McKinstry adds a nice level of physicality to the defensive side of the ball.
PICK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26
Bralen Trice
WASHINGTON | EDGE
Trice has all the skills to be a polished pro, and will slide right into Bowles system.
PICK
27
MISSOURI | CB
Arizona Cardinals
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
After selecting Marvin Harrison, the Cardinals opt to bolster the defensive side of the ball. Rakestraw’s aggressiveness and competitiveness is just what the Cardinals need.
PICK
28
ILLINOIS | DL
Buffalo Bills
Jer’Zhan Newton
The Bills seem like a complete team so the best available is a very possible scenario for them. Newton adds another level of juice to their pass rush.
PICK
29
TOLEDO | CB
Detroit Lions
Quinyon Mitchell
The Lions add another defensive tool for Dan Campbell. Mitchell’s aggression and fast twitch make him a great fit for Detroit.
PICK
Baltimore Ravens
30
Troy Franklin
OREGON | WR
Baltimore adds another speedy wideout to a receiver room that can be sneaky good next year. Now Lamar has no excuses but to win.
PICK
31
UNC | WR
Kansas City Chiefs
Devontez Walker
The Chiefs add another wide reciever to keep Mahomes as happy as possible. Walker gives Kansas City a great explosive, lengthy wideout to compliment Rashee Rice in his upcoming sophomore season.
PICK
32
ARIZONA | OT
San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Morgan
The 49ers hold one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. Why not take the best tackle available to keep Brock Purdy fresh for as long as they can?