The official start of free agency is just two days away but with the “legal tampering window” opening in mere hours, it’s about to get hectic across the NFL.
In the coming days and weeks, teams will make significant adjustments to their roster that subsequently impact what they intend to do at the 2024 NFL draft. Teams once thought to be in the market for a specific player or position may pivot based on new signings. As a result, a new wave of mock drafts will arrive.
But before that time, we decided to take one final shot at a pre-free agency mock draft. This time around, we used the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator. All settings were left on default and trades were permitted.
We controlled only the New York Giants and did not attempt to influence the decisions of any other team. AI was permitted to make trades on its own — and it did.
Here are the results of our final Round 1 mock draft ahead of free agency:
The first big surprise of the draft happened immediately. Instead of going with Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears make Drake Maye the No. 1 overall pick.
Even with Williams still on the board, the Washington Commanders opt to select the top tight end prospect in the draft — Brock Bowers.
The brief slide for Williams comes to an end with the New England Patriots, who would be stunned if things played out this way. Jerod Mayo continues the reset with a new QB.
Even with some unexpected decisions being made ahead of them, the Arizona Cardinals still end up with Marvin Harrison Jr., which seems to be the most certain lock of the draft.
Jim Harbaugh adds the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft in the form of a college rival — Joe Alt.
The New York Giants had no offers to trade at No. 6 overall and end up selecting an eventual Daniel Jones replacement in Jayden Daniels.
The Tennessee Titans miss out on Joe Alt but shore up their offensive line with Olu Fashanu.
The Atlanta Falcons luck out and add a new offensive weapon in Malik Nabers.
Already with a new franchise quarterback in tow, the Bears add a talented WR1 in Rome Odunze to pair with Maye.
Taliese Fuaga can come in and start on Day 1 for the New York Jets.
The Minnesota Vikings have an abundance of needs, largely on the offensive side of the ball, but add the talented edge rusher, Laiatu Latu, in this mock.
With the Russell Wilson tenure now at an end, the Denver Broncos start over with J.J. McCarthy.
The Las Vegas Raiders get to work fixing their O-line with Amarius Mims but they’ll need more.
JC Latham adds some versatility for the New Orleans Saints, capable of playing both left and right tackle. They may also consider playing him at guard.
With arguably the best cornerback in the draft, the Indianapolis Colts hit a home run with Terrion Arnold.
Jared Verse to the Seattle Seahawks in this spot is one of the most commonly mocked picks.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are solid along the edge but their defensive interior needs some work. Johnny Newton helps fix that problem.
This spot may feel a little high for Quinyon Mitchell but the Cincinnati Bengals know they can’t wait until Round 2.
The Los Angeles Rams need help at linebacker and Dallas Turner helps fill that gap.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t sign any offensive tackles in free agency, Troy Fautanu makes sense here.
Graham Barton is a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing every position. He’s an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins and would generate more buzz had he not missed time last season.
The Philadelphia Eagles have met extensively with Cooper DeJean this offseason and end up taking him here.
Brian Thomas Jr. has been linked to the Baltimore Ravens in many mock drafts. Here, they don’t risk him getting away and trade up.
The Dallas Cowboys land a tough, gritty center in Jackson Powers-Johnson, who can also play other O-line positions and even take some snaps at defensive tackle if need be.
The Green Bay Packers could go offensive line here but instead opt to select the game-changing Nate Wiggins.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers add production to their edge with Penn State product Chop Robinson.
Byron Murphy II is widely believed to be on the Arizona Cardinals’ radar.
The Buffalo Bills add another weapon for QB Josh Allen with Xavier Worthy, who ran a blazing 4.21 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The Detroit Lions drink the Kool-Aid and take Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 29. Come April, it’s entirely possible they actually trade up for him.
After a complex web of trades, the San Francisco 49ers end up at No. 30 where they take Tyler Guyton.
The Houston Texans add another talented receiver, Keon Coleman, to the arsenal of C.J. Stroud.
The Kansas City Chiefs close out Round 1 by addressing a major need at wide receiver with Adonai Mitchell.