2024 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: What Changes after FA?

 It has been a minute since our last mock draft, and the landscape around the league has dramatically changed with one of the most active starts to an off-season I've ever seen. So much big-time player movement and it really affects the first round of this upcoming draft. With the draft less than a month away, it's time to see where things stand at the moment. This mock will INCLUDE trades!

1. Chicago Bears (via CAR) select: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC

This pick has not changed all year for me. Even when the Bears wound up with the top pick and some predicted them to ride with Justin Fields and go in a different direction, I was never convinced. Now that Fields has been traded to the Steelers, it is officially the Caleb Williams era in Chicago. The team loaded up in free agency, adding star RB D'Andre Swift and making a shocking trade for All-Pro level wideout Keenan Allen. With an improving OL and now tons of weapons, Williams is set to succeed right out of the gate. This guy is special, and the Bears could be on the verge of more than a decade of extreme success with him at the helm. He's generational.

2. Washington Commanders select: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU

I am in the suddenly small seeming group of people that still believes Drake Maye is the better prospect than Jayden Daniels, but this is a mock draft, not what I would do, and it feels like the Commanders might be leaning towards Daniels at the current moment. Maye and Daniels are very different QB prospects. Daniels has elite speed and mobility for the position and showed off his arm and good decision making this season in which he won the Heisman. It really depends what style of offense this new regime in Washington wants to build up. One clue in my eyes: the team signing Marcus Mariota to be the backup. Most teams will bring in a backup who plays a similar style to their starter in case of an injury. Mariota is one of the most mobile QBs in the game. Daniels could learn from him and the team would not have to burn up the playbook and start from scratch in the event of an injury. Things could change, but it feels to me right now like Washington is gearing up to make the ever-agile Daniels their franchise QB of the future. 

3. New England Patriots select: Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina

I think the Patriots would be thrilled if the Commanders passed on Maye for Jayden Daniels. Maye is more similar to what the Patriots have been used to in their QBs of late. While Maye is an underrated runner, he is big-armed, big-bodied slinger of the rock who gets it done in the pocket. The Patriots' roster is pretty barren right now and it is time for a full rebuild. They get it started by selecting Maye, who figures to be their QB of the future to build around.

4. Arizona Cardinals select: Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State

This is certainly a spot where a trade COULD happen, but I would be surprised personally. Sure, the Cardinals could get a lot from a team who wants either another QB or Marvin Harrison Jr. for themselves, but this team already has a lot of draft capital including a second 1st-rounder in this draft, and so I think they should stick and pick, and get a generational WR prospect in MHJ. Kyler Murray is going to be their guy for the forseeable future, and the team has virtually NOTHING at the WR position, especially after losing Hollywood Brown in free agency. Harrison Jr can be Murray's best friend. He has it all in terms of a wideout prospect and could very well be a Hall of Famer one day.

MOCK TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers send pick #5 + pick #110 to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for picks #11, #23, and a 2025 3rd-rounder

5. Minnesota Vikings (via LAC) select: JJ McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan

It might just be a big smokescreen, but everyone and their mother is projecting a Vikings trade-up here to go and get JJ McCarthy to be their new franchise QB, and I agree. The Vikings made a splash when they traded multiple future picks for Houston's #23 overall pick in this draft, almost as obvious of a move to get ammunition for a QB trade up as one can. The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in FA and are in obvious dire need of a franchise guy. Sam Darnold was signed to a 1-year deal, but he is an obvious bridge gap option. I like this fit a lot for JJ. While he is a slight unknown as a prospect, not showing off his arm as much as one might like to see in college playing for a good team, he clearly has all the traits of what could be a great NFL QB. He can run, he is a great decision maker, great arm talent, and a overall winner and leader. Kevin O'Connell is a QB guru and he could tailor his system for McCarthy's success. This is a great situation for JJ, as he walks into an offense with a solid O-line, the best WR in the game, an elite TE, and a great run game now that Aaron Jones is in town. 

6. New York Giants select: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU

The Giants certainly could be considering moving up for a QB, but I'm not quite sure they have the ammo to get one of the top 3 guys, and I'm, also not sure JJ McCarthy would move the needle enough for them. Instead, they decide to ride one more year with Daniel Jones and see if they can get him right with an elite, big-time weapon in Malik Nabers. One of the fastest WRs you will see, Nabers is downright electric. He has game-breaking speed and is the definition of a deep threat. He has a little OBJ in him. Nabers tore up his pro day and his draft stock continues to rise. The Giants are in desperate need of playmakers and can get a QB to play with a guy like Nabers next year if they have to.

7. Tennessee Titans select: Joe Alt, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

The Titans were one of the biggest winners of this off-season. They made so many big-time moves and have a roster now ready to compete if Will Levis takes a step this year. Another way to ensure he does, bring in the best OT in the draft to block for him. Alt is a super polished prospect who can be an anchor at tackle for the next decade for this team. I really like the young core this team is building up. 

8. Atlanta Falcons select: Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher, Alabama

This is a pick that I have had for a long time, and I don't see it changing now. The Falcons did a great job this off-season adding talent in FA, especially Kirk Cousins who suddenly has this team looking like a contender right away. With so much talent on offense, the defense still needs some work. I like their secondary, but pass rush remains a question, so why not just add the best edge rushing (and overall defensive) prospect in the class here with Dallas Turner?! Turner still has some developing to do (like most prospects), but he has shown flashes of true greatness in both pass rush and run defense. He is a freak athlete and would walk into a situation where he will be coached by one of the better defensive coaches in the league in Raheem Morris who can truly unlock him. 

MOCK TRADE: Chicago Bears send pick #9 to the Denver Broncos in exchange for pick #12, pick #76, and pick #145

9. Denver Broncos (via CHI) select: Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback, Washington

It might feel like a weird mock trade here, but hear me out. Denver doesn't have an awful roster by any means. They have a lot of talent spread out, but really are in dire need of a QB. They didn't sign anyone else of note at the position and there is no way Sean Payton will go into next season with Jarrett Stidham as his QB1. I don't think Denver would give up more than Minnesota (earlier) to move up for one of the very top guys, but some mid-round picks to Chicago here to ensure they get the next best guy that they want is worth it. Michael Penix Jr. is a polarizing prospect. He has one of the best arms I've ever seen. He has so much zip on his throws and is so accurate, but the age and injury history is a major concern. Still, Sean Payton knows a great QB when he sees one, and I think he will be enamored with what Penix will be able to do. Denver moves up a few spots to ensure they get the guy they want for the future, and officially erase the Russell Wilson saga from their memory. 

10. New York Jets select: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia

I thought long and hard here between Bowers and Washington's Rome Odunze, but ultimately went with Bowers here for the Jets for a few reasons. Mike Williams was signed to the Jets, and while it is just a one-year deal and he is injury prone, that is still worth mentioning. Also, the Jets shored up the OL in FA so OT feels like less of a need here, but Bowers can block as well as catch both at a high level, so that helps too. The Jets have loaded up big time for a Super Bowl push in what could be Aaron Rodgers' last stand, and Bowers can be a big-time day 1 contributor as well as a franchise cornerstone for the future. He is one of the best tight end prospects ever, and I can see Rodgers lobbying the Jets to bring him in. I like this fit a lot.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) select: Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington

After moving back and picking up a lot more much needed draft capital, the Chargers get a bit of a steal here at 11 with Rome Odunze. Some might have Odunze as a top 5 overall prospect in the class, and he falls here to 11. Tackle is a big need for the Chargers, but with just one off the board at this point, a loaded class at the position, and now another first-round pick towards the end of the round, the team opts for Odunze. Rome could be an All-Pro level WR in the NFL. He has the size and speed that you look for but amazing hands and jump ball skills as well. After releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen, the Chargers desperately need weapons for Justin Herbert. Odunze can be the team's WR1 on day 1.

12. Chicago Bears (via DEN) select: Jared Verse, Edge Rusher, Florida State

After snagging Caleb Williams at 1 and then trading back to get some much needed mid-round capital, the Bears go ahead and take the guy they would have taken at 9 in Jared Verse. Verse is a high floor prospect. He got better and better in his years in college and showed flashes of being a true game-wrecker at the next level. The Bears have Montez Sweat, but aside from him, really lack pass rush right now. Verse is a big-bodied, powerful rusher who will complement the speed, bendy Sweat on the other side.

13. Las Vegas Raiders select: Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo

It is obvious that the Raiders need a franchise QB badly, but with none worth reaching on here, they punt the decision down the line and will ride this season out with Gardner Minshew, who they payed real money to. Instead, they get the guy who they believe is the top CB in the class is Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell has been skyrocketing up boards of late due to his elite length/size/speed combination, while showing off tremendous cover skills that will translate to the NFL. With a big need at corner, the Raiders address it now and will look down the line for that QB they are waiting for.

14. New Orleans Saints select: Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU

Another LSU WR off the board in the top 15. It was a toss-up here between Thomas and falling star Olu Fashanu, but WR feels like the bigger need to me right now for the Saints. Thomas is another guy skyrocketing up draft boards, and is starting to feel like a lock to be the next wideout off the board after the big 3 are gone. He has elite size and speed (a pattern in the top half of this class) and would be an excellent compliment to the smooth route-runner Chris Olave that the team already has. 

15. Indianapolis Colts select: Olu Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State

STEAL ALERT! The Colts are known for going best player available, and they strike again here with Olu Fashanu all the way down at 15. This is an easy top 10 talent in the class as Fashanu has so much potential in both run and pass protection as a tackle prospect. The Colts may have slight bigger needs, but Fashanu is worth it, especially for a team building around an already injury prone young QB. 

MOCK TRADE: Seattle Seahawks send pick #16 and pick #118 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for pick #20 and pick #51

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (via SEA) select: JC Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

The Steelers are known to move up for guys they like while the Seahawks are known to like to move back. This makes a lot of sense as the Steelers need OT help and move ahead of multiple tackle-needy teams including their division rival Bengals to snag JC Latham. Latham is a HUGE tackle prospect with surprising athleticism and dominance in run blocking. He is a work in progress in pass pro but that should come in time with development. The Steelers are still in win now mode and want to protect new QB1 Russell Wilson. Latham forms a nice young tackle duo with former first rounder Broderick Jones, and the Steelers hope they have their bookend tackle duo for the long-term future.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama

The CB1 in the class for some goes off the board at 17. This might be a steal for the CB-needy Jags. Their secondary was already not a strong point of this team, but after losing Darious Williams and Rayshawn Jenkins, that is only amplified now. Arnold brings a Jalen Ramsey like swagger to the table, and is known for sticky press coverage. He ran a little slow at the combine which might scare some off, but he plays faster and has All-Pro potential. This is a very worthwhile pick for the Jags.

18. Cincinnati Bengals select: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State

Fuaga remains one of the biggest wildcards of the class. Some have him as a darkhorse top 10 pick/first OT off the board while others have him near the bottom of the first. I am kind of in the middle here, as you can see, and so he falls to 18 where the Bengals snag him. WR was a consideration here too, but the fact that Tee Higgins hasn't been traded yet leads me to believe he won't be, and I can't see Cinncy passing up on a big need at OT unless Higgins was gone. Fuaga is a mauler in the run game and really fun to watch at that. He needs work in pass protection, but he will develop. The Bengals could really stand to add an athletic OT prospect with great 2023 tape like him.

19. Los Angeles Rams select: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas

With the sudden retirement of Aaron Donald and the Rams bringing in both Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White in FA, it is clear their top need has shifted from CB to DT. While Murphy will not fill the gaping hole left by Donald, its a start, and really all you can do. Murphy is a wildly athletic force in the middle of the defense who is an elite run stuffer with pass rush upside. The Rams' talented staff should be able to get the most out of a guy who is just scratching the surface of what he can be in the future.

20. Seattle Seahawks (via PIT) select: Troy Fautanu, Offensive Line, Washington

The 'Hawks got their trade down to secure a second-rounder which they did not have before, and still wind up with the guy they would have taken at 16. After an interesting FA period, Seattle is still left with a big hole at OG, and who better to fill that than Fautanu. He played mostly OT at Washington and at a high level, but he projects to be an elite guard at the next level. Furthermore, he has the Seattle connection playing at UW and could be coached under his college OC and college OL coach who are now the same positions but with the Seahawks. This pick would make all the sense in the world.

21. Miami Dolphins select: Amarius Mims, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

This is the perfect landing spot for Amarius Mims. He is a bit raw right now in terms of play, but has all the makings of a franchise OT. With Terron Armstead still so injury prone and getting up there in age, Mims can learn from him and step in when needed. OT is by far Miami's biggest need and if they can get a guy like Mims who is so huge yet athletic and have him learn and develop by one of the game's best, he could wind up becoming an elite tackle in time.

22. Philadelphia Eagles select: Laiatu Latu, Edge Rusher, UCLA

It seems more likely than not that star edge rusher Haason Reddick is traded out of Philadelphia. If that happens, edge becomes easily the biggest need on a team with not a ton of glaring holes. This would be a steal. The run on offensive players allows a guy like Latu to fall all the way to 22. He is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He is so NFL ready as he already has a great set of polished rush moves and counters and could be an instant success for the Eagles. 

23. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) select: Graham Barton, Offensive Line, Duke

After the trade down which netted them two firsts and then snagging WR Rome Odunze at 11, the Chargers desperately need to take an O-lineman here. While the best of the best are gone, I like this pick a lot for them. Graham Barton is one of the more versatile OL prospects you will ever see. He has true 5 position versatility and so he can play wherever the Chargers see fit on the OL for them, and at a high level. Jim Harbaugh coaches physical, gritty football, and he will want to build up the trenches as much as he can. Adding a guy like Barton really enforces those ideals.

24. Dallas Cowboys select: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon

OL feels like the biggest need for Dallas, and JPJ is one of the best Center prospects I've seen. He is huge but incredibly athletic for his size and could even have the ability to play guard at the next level if needed, and at a high level. It is rare to see a Center go in round 1, so that should tell you something about the kind of player the Cowboys would be adding to an aging and banged up front line. Losing Tyron Smith in FA signals an incoming reshuffling of the line that could start with JPJ and also include moving elite young lineman Tyler Smith to another spot, maybe tackle.

25. Green Bay Packers select: Cooper DeJean, Defensive Back, Iowa

The Packers love their Iowa players, and they still could use some help in the secondary even after signing former Giants' S Xavier McKinney to a big money deal. DeJean is an elite athlete, one of the best in the draft, and can play inside and outside cornerback as well as Safety all at a high level. Green Bay has their elite CB1 in Jaire Alexander on one side, but need a reliable option opposite him, which DeJean can be. The DeJean to Green Bay fit is one I've heard a lot about, and one that I like a lot.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Chop Robinson, Edge Rusher, Penn State

I like what the Bucs are building, but they still need edge rushers pretty badly. Shaq Barrett was getting up there in age and really all they had off the edge, and now he's gone, and so the Bucs are in dire need to snag a guy here, and they do in Chop Robinson. Robinson is very raw as a prospect, but one of the better athletes you will see for an edge rusher. He has shown flashes of dominance while at Penn State and already seems like an elite level run stopper as well. Robinson blew up the combine which shot him back into first round consideration, where the Bucs snag him to fill a huge need.

27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) select: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson

What a steal here. Some years, Wiggins would be the first corner off the board, and heck, he still might be this year when it is all said and done. Wiggins has elite length and speed for the CB position and showed shutdown ability at times this year, usually being the best player on the field no matter who the opponent was. The Cardinals need some real secondary help and Wiggins can develop into their star CB1 in time. Not a bad first round haul getting a stud receiver and cornerback here.

28. Buffalo Bills select: Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas

It is time the Bills finally draft that WR in round 1 to complement Stefon Diggs. The team has come up just short so many years in a row, and this year Diggs kept getting erased by opposing teams, leaving Josh Allen with not much to work with. The need is even more dire now, with Gabe Davis signing with the Jags in FA. There were multiple WRs I considered here for the Bills, but AD Mitchell from Texas boasts the best overall profile and so he goes here. He has elite size, elite speed, great route running, and amazing jump-ball skills and hands to work with. With him on one side and Diggs on the other, with Dalton Kincaid sprinkled in, the Buffalo offense could reach new heights in 2024!

29. Detroit Lions select: Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, Florida State

This might be a slight shocker here, but hear me out. The Lions filled some of their biggest needs already, signing run stuffing monster DT DJ Reader and trading for quality CB Carlton Davis. This team is already so good and has such little needs, it could kind of be a BPA spot, and so I'm giving Jared Goff another weapon to make a three headed monster of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and now the monster that is Keon Coleman. The 6'4 wideout is the best jump ball threat in the draft, an underrated route runner, and moves crazy for his size. He was a damn punt returner at FSU. That is crazy for a guy this big. Edge remains their biggest need, but no one was worthy of reaching on here. I didn't even mention the two-headed monster the team already has at RB. This offense would be that much more unstoppable with a jump ball freak like Coleman added into the mix. As we've seen, the Lions aren't afraid to take skill position players even when others think they don't need them. 

30. Baltimore Ravens select: Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Texas

The sudden late in round 1 run on WRs continues, as the Ravens get the fastest man in combine history in Xavier Worthy. Worthy made headlines when he broke John Ross' 40 yard dash record with an insane 4.21 time. He is more than just a speedster, he has good hands and can run routes very well. The Ravens are thin at WR, especially with OBJ not returning to the team. With Lamar Jackson the fastest QB in the world, imagine game-planning for this team knowing they also have the fastest WR in the world, and then Derrick Henry in the backfield as well...

31. San Francisco 49ers select: Xavier Legette, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

The run continues! South Carolina just breeds the Deebo Samuel type of WR. As we know, the Niners snagged Deebo Samuel a couple years back. He has panned out into one of the best overall offensive weapons in the league. Fast forward to 2024, the Gamecocks have another guy just like him coming out, and with him sitting here staring the Niners in the face, they go with him. Kyle Shannahan's offense is already so hard to defend, but now enter not one Deebo Samuel, but basically two, to go along with Aiyuk, Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey. Sure, the Niners have bigger needs, but they are a pretty well rounded team who came up JUST short of a Super Bowl win this season. They can afford a luxury pick like Legette. Brandon Aiyuk needs to be paid soon too, which is always a question mark. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs select: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama

I think the Chiefs' main need has shifted from WR to CB. The team had to trade star young CB L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans due to cap constraints but also signed speedster Hollywood Brown in FA at the WR position. The back-to-back defending champs still have All-Pro CB1 Trent McDuffie in the fold, but need another guy right away after losing Sneed. McKinstry could be a massive steal here. He is one of the more polarizing prospects in the class, with elite length and sticky coverage at times, but still a lot of development needed. If anyone can develop him, it would be the Chiefs with their great defensive staff. I have no doubt McKinstry would develop into a very very good CB2 for this squad if he landed here. 

There you have it. My second mock of the off-season. With less than a month til the draft, I will have more coming, but things are starting to become more and more clear!