With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, it’s time to make our final predictions on where the nation’s top college players will be playing in the near future. Here is Natalie Miller’s final NFL mock draft for 2024.
No shake-ups here. We’ve known the USC product was going to be the number one pick for seemingly months now, and for good reason. Caleb Williams is a generational talent who resets the clock for a sneaky talented Chicago Bears team.
There has been some talk about Drake Maye maybe being overhyped by the media, but reality will set in on draft night as Washington sets their sights on the second-best quarterback in this class in the ultra-talented North Carolina signal caller. Finally a franchise quarterback for the much embattled clubhouse.
The reigning Heisman winner is not a bad consolation prize for the quarterback-needy Patriots. Jayden Daniels is the most improved player in college football and played lights out all year to cement his status as one of the drafts top quarterbacks. A new era in Foxborough.
There have been rumblings for a trade down here to allow other teams to snag a quarterback, however, the Arizona Cardinals must land a top target for Kyler Murray to jumpstart their offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a do it all “X” receiver with elite bloodlines and even better play. Expect him to be their number one playmaker right away.
While the Chargers could use more offensive line help, the top three receivers in this class are clearly a valued commodity. Jim Harbaugh helps his new quarterback in a big way to help replenish a depleted receiving core with the super explosive Malik Nabers.
The run on wide outs continues as the New York Giants add some much needed talent to their receiving room in Rome Odunze. While quarterback is an option here, New York has proven they can succeed with Daniel Jones and will try to give him one more year with a top weapon to boot.
The Tennessee Titans have a glaring hole at left tackle that is plugged right away with the drafts top tackle in Joe Alt. A reliable starter who has plenty of stability and room to grow, the Titans get their left tackle for the next decade.
Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos absolutely cannot roll into 2024 without the answer at quarterback and they pay the price to move up a few spots in order to snag their leading man. J.J. McCarthy is a proven winner with plenty of physical tools to potentially develop into a starter in this league.
The Chicago Bears sit pretty after finding the top quarterback in this class and follow it up with its top defensive player in Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner. The Chicago defense was turned up by the acquisition of Montez Sweat towards the end of last season and this gives them two studs who can get to the quarterback off either side.
The Jets have little issue holding tight and allowing one of the best prospects in the draft to fall into their lap. Brock Bowers has been the best offensive player on a loaded Georgia team for years and will quickly become a star tight end with the help of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
With the inability to move up for one of the top three quarterbacks the Minnesota Vikings stay put at eleven and take the best defensive player on the board to plug into the middle of their defense. Byron Murphy is a disruptive force who could dominate the next level early on in his career. Try not to confuse him with Byron Murphy Jr. who is already on the team.
With their quarterback situation solved the Falcons are happy to snag the draft’s top corner after a trade down. Quinyon Mitchell is a physical and productive presence who will bring some tenacity to the Atlanta secondary.
While last years quarterback Aidan O’Connell did show some nice things last season the Raiders must make sure they find their answer at the position. Michael Penix Jr. has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in college over the past two seasons and will bring week one starting ability to a fairly talented Las Vegas roster.
The Saints must find better tackle play going into the 2024 season to help protect their expensive investment in Derek Carr. Olu Fashanu is a gifted physical talent who shows all the ability needed to play at either tackle spot and has enough room to develop into a top talent at the position.
The Colts need to stack as much talent around budding star quarterback Anthony Richardson as possible and they do so here with this pick. Brian Thomas Jr. is a big down the field threat who threatens a big play every single down.
Even though Seattle has some solid young pieces across their offensive line they still need help on the interior and more depth at tackle. Troy Fautanu is a massive mauler who can play any position along the offensive line and should plug in at guard on day one for Seattle.
The Travon Walker experiment in Jacksonville hasn’t exactly been a slam dunk success and the Jaguars need to find a proven player who can get after the quarterback to place opposite Josh Allen. You can never have too many pass rushers in this league and Jared Verse has the physicality and tenacity to be a menace in this league.
The departure of Jonah Williams has put emphasis on the need of offensive line in Cincinnati to proect their star quarterback. Taliese Fuaga is a massive human who was hard to get past in college and will be reliable in the run and passing attacks of the Bengals as a plug-and-play starter.
Laiatu Latu would be the top pass rusher in his class were it not for his injury history, and given the fact the Rams are not afraid to take risks it could be a big risk/reward pick here for Les Snead’s first first round selection since Jared Goff.
It’s a double dip for a Pittsburgh Steeler team who spent their last first round pick on offensive tackle Broderick Jones. JC Latham will slide right into right tackle to help protect Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, and help the Steelers establish bookend tackles for years to come.
The Dolphins desperately need more help along their defensive line and snag the super talented Darius Robinson. With the ability to play multiple positions and develop into a menace of a pass rusher, Robinson should see the field in no time down in Miami.
Given the struggles in their secondary towards the end of last year the Philadelphia Eagles must address the position in this draft. While one of the Alabama corners would be tempting at this selection, Cooper DeJean is a rock solid athlete with plenty of versatility in the secondary. DeJean should be the day one starter at their nickel spot and can play anywhere else in the defensive back end.
One of this drafts top defensive players tumbles a bit and lands in Minnesota to help shore up the lukewarm secondary. Terrion Arnold has all the ability and instincts to turn himself into a number one corner in the league.
The Bills get aggressive here and move up to secure the top available receiver. Adonai Mitchell is an explosive playmaker who is going to make a name for himself as a down the field game changer and help retain some offensive explosion for Josh Allen.
Green Bay needs to put a reliable player opposite Jaire Alexander and they get a corner that meets that criteria in Nate Wiggins. While he is a little light, Wiggins has the top end speed needed to be a reliable boundary corner for the Packers.
Tampa Bay must address the hole left at the cornerback position after the Carlton Davis trade and do so here with the young and physical Kool-Aid McKinstry. This Buccaneers defense continues to reload and get younger in a vulnerable division that is ripe for the taking.
The Cardinals could be motivated to move up for the ultra talented Amarius Mims, but in this scenario, they land him at 27. There aren’t many more players brimming with potential than Mims who should be able to plug and play at either tackle spot right away.
Even after a trade down Dallas is able to find a talented stud to fill a hole in their offensive line. Jackson-Powers Johnson was one of the best offensive linemen in college football last season and projects well as a high level starting center at the next level.
The Detroit Lions don’t truly have many holes on their roster but could always use more secondary help. Kamari Lassiter was an ultra productive corner for a top ranked Georgia defense and projects well as a starting boundary corner at the next level.
The offensive tackle play in Baltimore was a bit lacking last season and Baltimore could stand to add some talent and depth at the position. Tyler Guyton is a massive human who fits perfectly into the Ravens’ smash mouth scheme.
Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers love versatility in their offense and there aren’t many players more versatile than Graham Barton in this class. The Duke offensive lineman can play any position along the offensive line and brings much welcomed depth to an already stacked unit.
After shipping L’Jarius Sneed out to the Titans, the Kansas City Chiefs could use a corner to go opposite their star defensive player in Trent McDuffie. Ennis Rakestraw brings the meanness and physical aspect of the game that Kansas City appreciates and could be a day one starter for the world champs.
Even with the addition of Diontae Johnson the Carolina Panthers must surround Bryce Young with more receiving talent. Ladd McConkey is lightning in a jar who can put on a show whenever he touches the football and helps bring a bit of explosiveness to this unity.