With the 2023 NFL regular season in the books, we now know the order of the top 14 picks.
Now that the playoffs are about to begin, it’s the perfect time to run an updated 2024 NFL first-round mock draft. As always, the draft order is courtesy of Tankathon, so let’s get right to it!
1. Chicago Bears (From Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams
This is the million dollar question. Do the Bears keep Justin Fields and trade the pick? Or do they keep it and either a) take a new QB or b) take Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Right now, it feels like the Bears should just take Williams and build around the QB who carries a higher upside than Fields. The latter can be traded for additional draft assets, and the Bears have another first-round pick in the top-10 anyway.
Fields is good, but Williams could be great. The Bears gotta take the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner while he’s available.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye
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The Commanders will happily sit there at No. 2 and take whoever remains available between Williams and Maye.
Washington sorely needs a young franchise QB to build around. North Carolina’s Drake Maye is a big-armed, dual-threat athlete who could immediately breathe new life into this long-suffering franchise. Quite frankly, the Commanders should need no more than 15 seconds to hand in their selection card.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Pats need to start over at quarterback, pure and simple.
This may be a bit of a reach for the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, but New England has to restart somewhere. Daniels has an electrifying dual-threat game and would fit nicely in New England’s rush-heavy offense.
Of course, it’s also imperative for the Patriots to add some receivers and give their next QB some help.No way anyone can succeed with this current supporting cast.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison Jr. is the top prospect in this draft, but the long list of teams in need of a QB prompt him to fall outside the top three — and into the waiting arms of the Cardinals.
Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver prospect in a generation. He’s NFL-ready and will strike fear into the hearts of opposing QBs right off the bat.
Kyler Murray didn’t have the best supporting cast this year, but Harrison Jr. single-handedly changes the dynamic of the offense. What a beautiful fit this would be.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt
The Bolts could go anywhere but quarterback here. Ultimately, it feels like their best bet is to add more pass protection up front for Justin Herbert.
Unfortunately, All-Pro center Corey Linsley has to call it quits because of a heart issue. That leaves Rashawn Slater as the Bolts’ only rock-solid offensive lineman, and it’s something the new regime will have to address.
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt could form a dream tackle pairing with Slater. The Fighting Irish stalwart allowed just one sack in 774 pass block snaps over his last two years at college, per Pro Football Focus.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze
Once again, the New York offense was held by the lack of a capable downfield threat in the passing game.
Big Blue hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018, so there shouldn’t be much hesitation to take Rome Odunze here. The Washington product had 13 touchdowns and averaged a ridiculous 17.8 yards per reception.
The ideal home run hitter the Giants deserve — and the one they need.
7. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers
Mike Vrabel is out, and likely Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill as well. It’s simply anybody’s guess what the Titans will do.
If we were GM for a day, we’d lean towards Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Tennessee needs another explosive pass-catcher to complement DeAndre Hopkins, and Bowers fits the bill there as a certified red zone weapon with 26 TD receptions over the last three years.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner
Many fed-up Falcons fans will want a QB here. But as we’ll talk about in future videos, we think they’re better off pursuing a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson…or even a trade for somebody like Justin Fields.
This should be a “take-the-best-player-available” mentality for the Falcons. In this exercise, it’s Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner — a one-man wrecking crew on defense who recorded 10 sacks in his final season of college ball.
9. Chicago Bears: Kool-Aid McKinstry
With Jaylon Johnson likely headed to free agency, the Bears will need a new lockdown corner to help keep this young secondary intact.
Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry is a coach’s dream of a corner. Big-bodied. Ultra physical…and sticky in coverage with superb ball-hawking skills. McKinstry had 22 pass defenses over the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
That’s somebody Chicago could use, considering the gauntlet of prolific pass-catchers in the NFC North. Hello, Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
10. New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu
How’s this for a stat? Fashanu didn’t allow A SINGLE SACK in 733 pass blocking snaps over the last three years at Penn State.
Heh. Sounds like the type of protector Aaron Rodgers needs up front. We needn’t remind you what happened in Week 1 after the Jets neglected the o-line in the offseason.
If Fashanu is available when it’s the Jets’ turn to pick? There should be no hesitation. This is the guy they need in the trenches.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix Jr.
Minnesota should resist the urge to re-sign Kirk Cousins, who’ll be 36 years of age and coming off a season-ending torn Achilles in 2024.
Instead, they should use this pick on one of the many dynamic, high-upside QBs. To us, there’s no better prospect for Minny here than Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. — who’s coming off a historic season that nearly culminated in a Huskies’ national championship.
We’re just struggling to ignore the idea of Penix Jr.’s arm throwing rockets to Justin Jefferson…and Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson for that matter. Do we have you sold, Vikings fans?
12. Denver Broncos: Malik Nabers
For the fourth straight year, the Broncos didn’t have a 1,000 yard rusher OR a 1,000-yard receiver. In other words: “Help Wanted.”
They can address that issue here by taking LSU wideout Malik Nabers. Jerry Jeudy probably needs a fresh start, but Nabers, Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. are a nice foundation to try building around.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Nate Wiggins
The Raiders surprisingly finished with the ninth-best scoring D…despite lacking all-world talent outside of Maxx Crosby.
That D could reach another level with a five-star shutdown corner, and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins fits that bill. The Raiders deal with plenty of home run threats at wide receiver in the AFC, but Wiggins’ arrival would minimize the damage.
14. New Orleans Saints: Bo Nix
The structure of Derek Carr’s contract means he’s likely the starter in New Orleans for at least one more year. That’s okay, because the Saints can get a head-start on drafting and developing his eventual successor.
Oregon’s Bo Nix threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns in his final season of college ball. He would benefit from sitting for a year or two before taking the reins, making him and the Saints the ideal match here.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu
The Colts are building a nice foundation in the trenches with DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye and Samon Ebukam. Can’t have too many pass-rushers in today’s NFL, so why not go with the explosive UCLA star with 23.5 sacks over his last two collegiate seasons?
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse
The Seahawks have holes everywhere on D, and they could be in search of a new QB. Ultimately, however, they’ll have a tough time passing on the talents of Jared Verse.
The Florida State superstar posted his second straight nine-sack season in 2023. Verse would strengthen the Seahawks’ leaky run D while also providing Boye Mafe with another dangerous rusher off the edge.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jer'Zhan Newton
As great as Travon Walker and Josh Allen were in 2023, it wasn’t enough to make up for the other shortcomings on Jacksonville’s defense.
The Jaguars need an interior lineman who can rush the passer and shore up the run D, making Illinois star Jer’Zhan Newton the perfect addition here.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Coleman
Assuming both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd leave in free agency, the Bengals will desperately need a new No. 2 receiver to help the Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase tandem.
Like Higgins, Coleman is a big-bodied receiver and red zone threat, with 18 touchdowns over his last two seasons. Consider him the perfect replacement for Higgins…except he’s obviously younger and significantly cheaper!
19. Green Bay Packers: J.C. Latham
The Pack will need a new offensive tackle with the oft-injured David Bakhtiari likely to be cut this offseason.
Alabama’s JC Latham is a plug-and-play guy who could single-handedly change the dynamic of the Packers’ already-stout offensive line. Jordan Love, Aaron Jones et al will come to love Latham quickly.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cooper DeJean
The Bucs surprisingly had one of football’s worst pass defenses last year, and it might get even worse if they don’t manage to retain pending free agent safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is a reliable cover man capable of going toe-to-toe with just about any other club’s No. 1 receiver. DeJean, Carlton Davis and Jamal Dean as a cornerback trio could be the envy of the NFL.
21. Arizona Cardinals (From Houston Texans): Chop Robinson
After using their first pick on Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals can start filling in their many pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Penn State’s Chop Robinson is coming off a breakout year with the Nittany Lions and would provide Jonathan Gannon and company with a true game-wrecker in the trenches. That’s something Arizona totally lacked last year following the losses of JJ Watt and Jonathan Allen.
22. Los Angeles Rams: Troy Fautanu
The Rams have a knack for turning day two and three picks into stud offensive linemen. But this time — assuming Les Snead doesn’t trade the pick! — the Rams might would be wise to dip their feet early into the deep class of offensive tackles.
Washington’s Troy Fautanu brings plenty of energy and feistiness in the trenches. That’s somebody Sean McVay wants on his team, making Fautanu and LA the perfect match.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims
The Steelers hit a home run with their 2023 first-round pick of Broderick Jones. Now let’s solidify the o-line for years to come by pairing Jones with his former teammate and pal in Amarius Mims.
Suddenly, an ongoing weakness at offensive tackle for the Steelers is a strength.
24. Miami Dolphins: Leonard Taylor III
Injuries to Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips were painful reminders to Miami that defensive line depth is all-too-important in today’s NFL.
The Dolphins need some more help on the defensive line, and they shouldn’t have to look too far for it. How about the hulking 305-pound Miami Hurricanes’ star Leonard Taylor III, one of the top run defenders in this draft?
Now we’re talking about depth, Miami.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Taliese Fuaga
Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are retiring sooner rather than later, so the Eagles may as well start getting ready to fill out the rest of the picture for their o-line.
Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens are nice young building blocks, but one more offensive tackle would have Nick Sirianni’s group set up tremendously in the trenches for years to come.
That’s where Taliese Fuaga — also an allower of ZERO SACKS over the last three years — comes into the picture. The ideal pickup for an Eagles team trying to inject youth into the roster with several veterans nearing the end of their careers.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Franklin
Travis Kelce is getting up there in age, and rookie standout Rashee Rice was the Chiefs’ only productive wide receiver in 2023. So yeah, another weapon for Patrick Mahomes would just be great.
Oregon’s Troy Franklin is a deep threat and contested catch specialist, having averaged 17.1 yards per reception last year. Franklin had 23 total receiving TDs over his final two years.
Anyone else getting Mike Evans vibes here with Franklin catching passes from Mahomes?
27. Houston Texans (From Cleveland Browns): Bralen Tice
The Texans hit the jackpot when they traded up for Will Anderson Jr. last year. The Alabama product came exactly as advertised, but why should the Texans stop there?
Let’s add one more big-time pass-rusher to fill out DeMeco Ryans’ rapidly rising unit. Trice, a key cog in the Huskies’ run to the national championship game, especially would be a valuable pickup for Houston if Jonathan Greenard departs in free agency.
28. Detroit Lions: Kalen King
As great as the Lions were on offense, the secondary left a lot to be desired. Swiss Army Knife Brian Branch Jr. looks like a budding star, but it’d be awfully nice if the Lions could add one more lockdown defensive back to help him.
Penn State’s Kalen King has explosive speed, quickness and athleticism to track down opposing receivers and prevent the big plays downfield that often hurt the Lions’ D this year. A player of his caliber just might help the Lions’ D go from “solid” to “elite.”
29. Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr.
Gabe Davis is likely to leave in free agency, leaving the Bills in need of a No. 2 wideout to complement Stefon Diggs.
LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs last year. Think a big-armed QB like Josh Allen might appreciate Thomas Jr. as his No. 2 receiver behind Diggs? So do we!
30. Dallas Cowboys: Emeka Egbuka
Brandin Cooks filled the Cowboys’ need for a capable secondary receiver behind CeeDee Lamb, but the former will also be 31 years of age next year.
Good chance for Jerry Jones to draft and develop the next stud wideout in Dallas here. Egbuka is a smooth route-runner and a nice security blanket on third down, making him the perfect second-fiddler to Lamb in Dallas’ high-powered passing game.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Terrion Arnold
The 49ers don’t have any pressing needs, but one more reliable shutdown corner to help Charvarius Ward could go a long way in helping San Fran further put the clamps down on top-flight offenses.
With 20 pass defenses over his last two years, Arnold perfectly fits the mould of San Fran’s aggressive ball-hawking secondary.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell
Lamar Jackson turned in an MVP year with rookie Zay Flowers emerging as his new WR1. Now imagine if the Ravens found yet another young play-making pass-catcher to help Flowers and superstar tight end Mark Andrews.
The 6-foot-4 Mitchell had 11 TDs in his last year at Texas. With Flowers and Andrews commanding plenty of attention, Mitchell would draw so many favorable one-on-one matchups — especially in the red zone.
Which 2024 NFL Draft prospect do you hope your favorite team will land?
