We are just a few weeks away from the 2024 NFL draft unfolding. Which means we are in lying season.
There are a lot of smoke screens going on as teams are finalizing their draft board and trying to manipulate their way to landing that first-round prospect they have their sights on.
Let’s take a look at how this week’s mock draft falls:
We all are just waiting for the ceremonious moment when Caleb Williams is officially the Bears’ new franchise quarterback.
Did LSU head coach Brian Kelly spill the beans at Jayden Daniels’ Pro Day when he said his quarterback would be throwing for Washington? Maybe, but even without that Freudian slip, I am leaning towards the Commanders taking Daniels on April 25th.
We are getting closer to the draft which means it is lying season. Still, there is plenty of smoke everywhere we could see J.J. McCarthy being the second or third quarterback off the board. The Patriots bet on hitting on a second Michigan quarterback in their franchise history.
ARI trades: No. 4
MIN trades: No. 11, No. 23, & No. 129
The Vikings make their move to acquire their new franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. Minnesota’s QB coach Josh McCown has experience working with Maye when he coached the draft prospect in high school.
Jim Harbaugh’s comments at the owner’s meeting this week about the offensive line would make you think he is looking at that position but I still can’t see the Chargers passing an opportunity to get Justin Herbert a weapon in the passing attack. Marvin Harrison Jr. is headed to Los Angeles.
The Giants may want a quarterback in this draft class but after missing out on the top four, they settle on getting a weapon in the passing attack with Malik Nabers. Whether it’s Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, or a rookie quarterback, they will have a playmaker to get the ball to in 2024.
Unless the Chargers select Joe Alt at No. 5, Joe Alt to the Titans feels like the safest bet inside the Top 10 outside of the No. 1 pick.
ATL trades: No. 8
ARI trades: No. 11 (via MIN), No. 104, & No. 129 (via MIN)
After trading back to collect an extra first-round pick, the Cardinals move back up inside the Top 10 to secure getting one of the top three receivers in this class. Kyler Murray gets a new toy in the passing attack with Rome Odunze.
The Bears may want to trade back from this spot to add draft capital but can’t find a partner. They bet on Caleb Williams and Dallas Turner to help jumpstart their franchise similar to what the Houston Texans got from C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson from last year’s NFL draft.
The Jets offseason has shown that they are going all-in on the 2024 season. A tackle prospect here makes logical sense but they pass to wait on a Day 2 tackle to get Aaron Rodgers another weapon in Brock Bowers.
The Falcons dropped back a few slots to collect a pair of Day 3 picks and still land one of the top edge rushers in this class in Jared Verse. Atlanta adds some much-needed help in having guys that can get after the quarterback.
Denver needs a quarterback but this is a little too early on the second wave in this class. The Broncos go best player available and form a cornerback tandem with the selection of Quinyon Mitchell to pair with Patrick Surtain II.
The Raiders fill the void at right tackle left by Jermaine Eluemunor with the selection of Taliese Fuaga. His physicality fits the Raider way of playing football.
With the news of Ryan Ramczyk’s season being in doubt, the Saints have major question marks at both of their tackle spots. New Orleans adds Olu Fashanu to give some security to Derek Carr’s blindside.
Indianapolis needs to raise the floor of the cornerback room. Unless a veteran gets added in the next few weeks, a corner prospect in the first round looks like the likely outcome. The Colts grab one of the top two cornerbacks in this class in Terrion Arnold.
The Seahawks need some talent for the interior of their offensive line and they address it with Graham Barton. His versatility gives Seattle some flexibility on where they want to deploy him to get the best five on the field.
Jacksonville attempting to re-sign Calvin Ridley tells me they want one more receiver in that group for Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars select Brian Thomas Jr. to kick off the second wave of receivers in this class.
The Bengals added Sheldon Rankins to help with the loss of D.J. Reader but find a long-term answer with the pick of Bryon Murphy II. He can help provide pass rush from the inside that can benefit Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
Los Angeles needs more talent with players in the trenches who can get after the quarterback. The Rams look to help fill the tremendous void left by Aaron Donald with the pick of Jer’Zhan (Johnny) Newton.
PIT trades: No. 20
DAL trades: No. 24 & 2025 Third Round, Fourth Round Picks
The Cowboys finally make an aggressive move this offseason by trading up to select Troy Fautanu. He helps secure the left side of the line with Tyler Smith.
Terron Armstead is back for 2024 but Miami can’t count on his health and his availability beyond the 2024 season. The Dolphins select J.C. Latham. He played right tackle at Alabama but has made it known he’d like to be seen as a left tackle prospect as well.
PHI trades: No. 22
TB trades: No. 26, No. 125, & 2025 Fourth Round Pick
Tampa Bay jumps ahead of the Cardinals to secure one of the top three edge rushers in this class. The Bucs add Laiatu Latu to help their defensive front get after the quarterback.
The Cardinals select Nate Wiggins to pair with Sean Murphy-Bunting. Arizona bets on a veteran and a rookie to give them a solid boundary cornerback tandem going forward.
Pittsburgh is going to continue to be a receiver selection in the first round for me unless they acquire a starting-caliber veteran in the coming weeks. The Steelers add Adonai (AD) Mitchell to give whoever their quarterback is a weapon for the 2024 season.
The Packers go with the best player available on the board with the selection of Cooper DeJean. His versatility gives new defensive coordinator Jeff Hatley a player he can deploy in multiple ways.
After dropping back four slots, the Eagles can still add to the secondary with the pick of Kool-Aid McKinstry. This gives Philadelphia a long-term answer at the position and a player who can push James Bradberry if his performance continues to decline.
The Cardinals got jumped for Laiatu Latu but still land one of the most athletic edge rushers in this class in Chop Robinson. Arizona addresses the front and back end of their defense with Robinson and the earlier selection of Nate Wiggins.
The Bills’ edge rushers have some question marks with the fifth-year option decision on Gregory Rousseau, Von Miller’s decline in performance, and whether A.J. Epenesa can handle a full-time role. Buffalo Brandon Beane has shown he will stockpile players at the position before and does it again with Darius Robinson.
The Lions have Carlton Davis III and Emmanuel Moseley at cornerback but both veterans struggle to stay healthy for a full schedule. Detroit adds Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to provide depth and youth to the position group.
Morgan Moses leaving in free agency has created a competition for the right tackle spot and it has to be kept in mind that Ronnie Stanley has his struggles with his health and is entering the final year of his contract. The Ravens address the tackle position with Tyler Guyton.
San Francisco creates a competition for the right tackle spot with the addition of Amarius Mims. The 49ers bet on creating a monster tackle tandem with Mims and Trent Williams.
The popular receiver pick here is Xavier Worthy but with the addition of Marquise Brown in free agency, the Chiefs go for a dependable route runner in Ladd McConkey. He can play on the boundary and in the slot to give Patrick Mahomes a receiver he can count on.