2024 NFL Mock Draft Off-Season 1.0: WRs and OTs FLY Off the Board

   WRITTEN FEB 20
 Mock draft season is officially underway, and its time for my first off-season mock (of many)!

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

I've had this for a long time and I don't see it changing. If there were any question marks regarding this pairing, they seem to be getting less and less by the day as it looks increasingly sure that the Bears will go this direction. Justin Fields has come up in trade talks for weeks now, and even unfollowed the Bears on Instagram. That has to mean something. The Bears would be wise to take Williams, he looks potentially generational. Even with a slim frame, Williams has the best mix of mobility, arm strength, accuracy, and off-script ability that I've probably ever seen in a prospect. He genuinely is the closest prospect I've seen to Patrick Mahomes. The Bears reset the clock in terms of a QB on a rookie deal here and hope Williams can pan out, unlike pretty much any QB in the team's history has. 

2. Washington Commanders select: Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina

There were points in the season in which the Commanders looked a little too good to be in contention for one of the top picks, but their poor play down the stretch landed them here at pick 2, which is a huge blessing for this franchise. Williams and Drake Maye are QBs 1A and 1B in my opinion in this class. Maye isn't getting the crazy hype he would usually get, if there wasn't a guy like Williams in this class. Maye would have easily gone no. 1 last year. The 6'5, big bodied and big armed signal caller had some great moments at UNC this year and has solidified himself near the top here. As I've said in the past, he reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert, but honestly more mobile. With a new ownership group AND coaching staff behind Dan Quinn, the team is in position to likely FINALLY have their QB of the future. There is a lot of work to do around him on both sides of the ball, but once you have your guy, you can start building around him. Over $80 million in cap space doesn't hurt either. The future finally appears to be bright in DC.

3. New England Patriots select: Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Potentially a shocker here at 3, as the Patriots pass on a QB (namely Jayden Daniels) and opt to get arguably the best WR prospect we've seen, or at least over the past 10+ years. I can see both sides to the argument here, but with a rookie HC in Jerod Mayo and plenty of vets on the market, I think Mayo would be wise to get this generational playmaker and wait a year to potentially be back near the top and either trade up for HIS guy at QB, or just find someone they might like more than Daniels, who is a polarizing prospect. Harrison Jr. can do EVERYTHING. He has an amazing frame at 6'4 but can run every route in the book and also has excellent hands and speed. It might be a painful 2024 season, but in the long run, you don't pass on a potential Hall of Fame level talent for a major question mark QB prospect. It could go either way here, but right now I feel like NE is best off taking MHJ.

4. Arizona Cardinals select: Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington

The Cards would certainly be depressed if the Patriots went with Harrison Jr. one slot before them, but thats how the business works, and they have to pivot quick. Rome Odunze is not a bad consolation prize at all. Just like Maye earlier, pretty much any normal year with a generational talent in the class, Odunze would be WR1 in the class. In some ways, he is similar to Harrison in the fact that he can really do everything you look for in a WR, with great size and speed as well. WR2 in the class is a close race between Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers, but I like Odunze slightly better, and the Cards already have their pure speed guy in Hollywood Brown. Adding Odunze to complement him would be huge for Kyler Murray, as the team appears to be ready to roll forward with him as their QB of the future. This is a great way to keep Murray content and continue rebuilding for the future.

5. Los Angeles Chargers select: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia

It is crazy how top heavy this class is. A generational looking QB, WR, and TE prospect! If these guys in the top 5 pan out, we could have a string of MULTIPLE Hall of Famers in the future here. Pretty high praise for guys who have never played a down of NFL football, but that should show how seriously talented some of these guys are. Bowers and Kyle Pitts are the two best TE prospects I've seen, both in their own ways, and some think Bowers is even better of a prospect than Pitts was. Bowers is an unreal weapon in the pass game but an underrated blocker as well. Jim Harbaugh makes his first draft pick as the HC of the Chargers, and it makes all the sense in the world that its Bowers. Harbaugh always has a star TE no matter where he's been, and I can't see him passing on an option like Bowers that has potential to be the best one he's ever had. 

6. New York Giants select: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU

This would be a dream scenario for the Giants. Before I get any further, I will note, I am not doing any mock trades since this is my first mock of the off-season, and so I do fully expect a team to move up for Daniels if he falls past 3, maybe even the Giants. Today, they get lucky, with the Patriots passing on Daniels, he falls into their laps at 6. It will be interesting how the Giants play it this off-season in terms of QB. They paid (and overpaid) Daniel Jones last off-season to potentially be their long term answer at QB, but a poor play and injury riddled 2023 campaign has changed the outlook drastically on Jones in NY. Daniels, the Heisman winner from this past season, is electric. Offensive-minded HC Brian Daboll would be enamored with the skillset Daniels brings to the table. He is an ELITE rushing option from the QB position, probably entering the league as second to only Lamar Jackson, the reinging MVP, but he is a lot more than just his legs. He can really throw the ball, and is a good decision maker. The Giants have tons of huge needs, but if Daniels fell into their laps, they would snag him and figure out the rest in time.

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

With Tennessee having big needs at BOTH tackle positions, they are thrilled to get their pick of the litter in this class. While Olu Fashanu was the in-season favorite to be OT1 in the class, it has seemed to shift to Alt over the past few weeks. I think it is close between them, both are great, but right now I'd give the Titans Alt. One of the most polished OT prospects over the last couple of seasons, this guy could anchor either side of the trenches for Tennessee. Will Levis is getting at least another year to prove he can be the guy for the future, but pass protection is imperative to him having at least a chance to succeed. Whether Levis is the guy or not, adding Alt gives you a Pro Bowl level OT for the next decade plus probably. Not the flashiest pick, but one that would be huge for the Titans.

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

Finally, the first defender off the board in this mock. The Falcons are publicly known to be searching for a new QB this off-season, and I've even seen reports linking them heavily to Drake Maye, who they would have to trade up to get. With no mock trades and my belief that Chicago and Washington would not move off their picks, the Falcons could either go with someone from the next tier of QBs in this class, or acquire a veteran (like Justin Fields) and roll with that. I think the team goes best player available in a position of need, and that is none other than Turner. New HC Raheem Morris is a defensive minded guy, and he could certainly get the most out of Dallas Turner and his insane untapped potential. He stepped in for Will Anderson this season at 'Bama, and looked very very good at times. Turner is freak athlete and could bolster this Atlanta DL for years to come.

9. Chicago Bears select: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU

Steal here for the Bears. After snagging their franchise QB for the future in Caleb Williams at 1, they use their second top 10 pick on an electric WR in Malik Nabers to give him some help. Pairing Nabers with DJ Moore and potentially Caleb Williams would make for an elite WR combo that could be both perennial 1,000 yard guys in the same seasons. Some have Nabers as any easy top 4-5 prospect in the class, so this is a snipe here for Chicago. While Nabers was unbelievably good at getting open with his pure, game-changing speed at LSU, I do worry a little that he is maybe too reliant on that speed and the other important WR traits are lacking from him. Either way, on paper, this looks like a steal and a really good fit.

10. New York Jets select: Olu Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State

There are a lot of reports linking the Jets to Oregon State right tackle Taliese Fuaga, but if Olu Fashanu were to be available for them at 10, I can't see them passing on him. The Jets desperately need help along an old and injury riddled OL. With Aaron Rodgers really towards the end of his career AND coming off of a major, season-ending injury in his old age, the team needs to focus on keeping him upright if they want to have a chance to contend in this short time they will likely have Rodgers. Fashanu is still raw in some parts of his game, but already looks elite in others. He can be a foundational piece for the future of this team, and could be here long after Rodgers is gone if he lives up to the hype.

11. Minnesota Vikings select: JJ McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan

From maize and gold to yellow and blue. JJ McCarthy's stock has been drastically rising, and I could see him even going as high as inside the top 8, so in some circles, the Vikings would be believed to be getting a big steal here at 11. Minnesota does have a lot of other needs and going defense is enticing here as every defensive player but one is still on the board, but with an offensive minded HC and a lot of questions about Kirk Cousins' future with the team, I see it being McCarthy here. While he didn't get to show it off that often at UM, McCarthy has an incredible arm, good mobility, great decision-making skills, and is really good on third downs. Inserting him into a loaded offense with a great coach to develop him and McCarthy could really become something in the NFL and potentially the franchise QB of the future for the Vikings.

12. Denver Broncos select: Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback, Washington

Back-to-back QBs outside of the top 10! Michael Penix is the most polarizing prospect in this class and really could go anywhere from top 10 all the way to rounds 2 or 3. It really depends how certain teams view him. Denver certainly could go a lot of different directions here, but with Sean Payton calling the shots and clearly impatient, I think he goes out and gets his guy here. Penix, when healthy, would be the perfect QB to run Payton's system. He's a great decision maker with one of the best pure arms over the past couple seasons. The injury history and age are concerns, but Denver has to make some gutsy calls to get back into contention. This is a big risk, but could pay off overwhelmingly. If anyone can get the most out of him, it would be Sean Payton.

13. Las Vegas Raiders select: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama

The Raiders at 13 feel like a real dartboard toss right now in terms of trying to mock for them. They could go pretty much any position, including QB. With Antonio Pierce now HC and a defensive minded guy, I like the idea of him taking the best CB in this draft and getting the most out of him. Arnold is an aggressive corner with potential lockdown ability. He has some Devon Witherspoon in him and the Raiders are in dire need of more help at one of the most important positions on the team. In time, Arnold has a good chance to be one of the best corners in football. Arnold FEELS like a Raider.

14. New Orleans Saints select: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State

The Saints are up there with the Raiders for hardest teams to mock for right now. They feel solid at a lot of spots but also nothing exceptional at those spots at the same time. With no QB worth taking here, and Trevor Penning not really panning out right now, the Saints snag their potential RT of the future in a retooling year. Fuaga put the country on notice this year with his dominant, mauling play for the Beavers. He could add a lot day 1 for New Orleans.

15. Indianapolis Colts select: Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo

Toledo top 15?! Yup! Quinyon Mitchell is propelling up draft boards as we speak, and an elite combine performance could shoot him even higher. This is one of the best athletes in the class, and we know Colts' GM Chris Ballard loves to pick the physical freaks. Mitchell possesses all of the traits you look for in a CB1 today. Elite size/length, elite speed, really good coverage and instincts. If he played how he played at Toledo at a bigger school, he'd be a top 10 lock. His game appears like it would translate very well to anywhere, which is why him going to Toledo doesn't matter as much as you might think. Mitchell also FEELS like a Colt.

16. Seattle Seahawks select: Troy Fautanu, Offensive Line, Washington

This was a tough one because new HC Mike MacDonald is a huge defensive guy as we all know, and Seattle would have basically their pick of the litter in this class given that only just three defensive players are off the board all the way here at 16. However, Seattle did just hire former UW OC Ryan Grubb to be their OC, and I think with Fautanu here, Seattle goes with him over a defensive player. Grubb has talked a lot about how a dominant OL is the key to success, and Seattle needs to improve pretty greatly there. Fautanu was amazing at UW this season, and can play both tackle and guard at a high level. With Charles Cross and Abe Lucas set as bookend OTs for the future, the Seahawks get a potential All-Pro level guard to help anchor this line. It is also worth noting that Fautanu's UW OL coach came with Grubb to the Seahawks to coach the same spot. A lot of connections here.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Cooper DeJean, Defensive Back, Iowa

I strongly considered WR here for the Jags with Calvin Ridley an impending FA, but this team needs desperate help in the secondary, and Cooper DeJean was just sitting there for the taking. This guy would be the PERFECT fit for this team. They need help at both corner and safety, and DeJean has the athleticism and instincts to play either spot at an elite level. The Jags could move him around and play him wherever needed each play, series, or game. He even gives you a little extra as a return man. Love this pick for the Jaguars.

18. Cincinnati Bengals select: JC Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

I make this pick with the strong belief that the team will retain impending star WR Tee Higgins one way or another. Somehow if not, I would go WR here. With that said, OT remains a huge need for Cincinnati. There is a great group of OT prospects in this class, and Latham makes a ton of sense. He is absolutely huge and a better athlete than he gets credit for. This guy can be a plug and play starter for the Bengals in efforts to try and ensure that Joe Burrow doesn't get injured again. Smart pick here for a team looking to return to the Super Bowl immediately. 

19. Los Angeles Rams select: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson

Kind of a steal here at 19 for the Rams. They use their first 1st-rounder in years on the stud cornerback Nate Wiggins from Clemson. The Rams rolled out a group of ragtag corners last season, and they got torched at times. Wiggins has all the makings of a superstar NFL CB1. Many do have him as CB1 in this class. Even against FSU this season, Wiggins looked like the best player on the field. He would immediately be CB1 for LA in a division with guys like Brandon Aiyuk, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and more. This kind of pick is the type of move that could push LA past the wildcard round this coming season.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

It almost feels like a lock that the Steelers go OT at 20. Due to an early run on tackles, a lot of the very top guys are already off the board, but Tyler Guyton is no slouch. He was awesome at Oklahoma this past season and could slide right in to RT opposite 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones. As this team tries to salvage Kenny Pickett as their franchise QB, they will now have potential bookend OTs for the future.

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

Yet another OT off the board. 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. Houston Texans (via CLE) select: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas

I thought long and hard about giving CJ Stroud another big time weapon here, but I ultimately decided against it because the team already has a pretty solid group and in a loaded WR class, they could go that route later on. A guy that surely won't be there later on is Byron Murphy II. DeMeco Ryans is a defensive guy at the end of the day, and after making the aggressive move to get eventual DROY rusher Will Anderson last draft, he adds more fuel to this DL getting a dominant monster in Murphy for the middle. Murphy is another guy shooting up draft boards due to his insane stuffing ability along with rushing potential. If anyone can develop him into an all-world game wrecker, its DeMeco Ryans. They keep Byron Murphy II in Texas, going from Austin to Houston.

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.

25. Green Bay Packers select: Graham Barton, Offensive Line, Duke

The run on OL continues. The Packers are a hard team to mock for, but OL, again, appears to be the biggest need on this team. The way their offense broke out in the second half of the season was extremely exciting to see and a great sign for the future. To maximize their ceiling on offense, they add Graham Barton from Duke, one of the most versatile lineman in this class. He played mostly tackle at Duke, but can play guard at any extremely high level too. Maybe he starts at guard and eventually moves to tackle for Green Bay. Either way, a classic Packer pick and a good one at that.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU

The Buccaneers exceeded everyone's expectations in 2023, and now look to load up to go even further in 2024. With uncertainty around Mike Evans' impending FA, the Bucs could stand to add a crazy deep threat like Thomas to either replace or even complement Evans. Baker Mayfield has had an up and down career as we all know, so if this team pays him big money to be their QB of the future, they need to do all they can to ensure he can stay at this play level. Thomas is also another guy getting a lot of hype right now as he is a huge target yet one of the fastest WRs in the class at the same time. He also has underrated technical skill which should translate well to the next level. Best case scenario, the Bucs have Mayfield throwing to Thomas, Evans, and Chris Godwin next year. Think of Thomas as a heavily upgraded DJ Chark or Marquez Valdes-Scantling. HEAVILY upgraded.

27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) select: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama

Tremendous value here for the Cards. They opened things up by getting a potential superstar WR in Rome Odunze at 4, and now come back around near the end of the first and get a CB prospect with a sky high ceiling in McKinstry. While he was up and down this season at Alabama, McKinstry has shown flashes of shutdown ability and also has elite size and length. Arizona needs big-time help in the secondary, and McKinstry could step into their CB1 spot right away and be a huge boost for this team.

28. Buffalo Bills select: Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, Florida State

After passing on WR for a couple years now in round 1, the Bills finally pull the trigger. Teams figured out how to double Stefon Diggs effectively down the stretch this season, and it made life extremely difficult for this Buffalo offense. Gabe Davis is a solid complement, but even he might not be back as he's an impending FA as well. Whether Davis returns or not, Keon Coleman would be a tremendous add to this offense. He is one of the best pure jump ball receivers I've scouted and also has surprisingly good movement abilities for a guy so big. He frickin' returned punts at times for FSU. Josh Allen throwing it up to this guy opposite Stefon Diggs would be a sight for sore eyes, and could really take this Bills team to the next level that they've been waiting for for a couple seasons now as they contend with the Chiefs.

29. Detroit Lions select: Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois

The Lions were so close to a Super Bowl this season, showing how they do not have a ton of big needs. Their biggest, I'd say, is having a real prescence in the middle of their DL. Look no further than Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton who falls into their laps here at 29. Newton was awesome this past season at Illinois, dominating the opposing backfields in not only run defense, but as an elite pass rusher. Do-it-all DTs are so rare these days, and Dan Campbell would be thrilled to add Newton to his underperforming DL. 

30. Baltimore Ravens select: Jared Verse, Edge Rusher, Florida State

How does this always happen? The Ravens, who are typically picking pretty low, seem to always get elite talent that was top 10-15 projected that fell. Verse could go in the top 10-15 picks easily, but due to other team needs and such, he falls, and of course to the Ravens. What a pick this would be for them. Edge rush isn't their biggest need, but it surely is a need. Verse is an elite power rusher who showed on and off flashes of amazing play over the last two seasons at FSU. This feels kind of unfair. Eric DeCosta gets ANOTHER one here.

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

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: Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas

The rich get richer. The Chiefs really have no huge needs EXCEPT WR. Mitchell would be a top 20 lock in most years. This happens to be an especially loaded WR class. Mitchell is a huge target with great hands and route running ability. Him opposite Rashee Rice with Travis Kelce in the middle would be deadly, with Andy Reid calling the plays and of course, Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball. Adding Mitchell makes the prospect of a Chiefs three-peat even MORE realistic. 

There you have it. My first mock of draft season. More will be coming soon. The combine and free agency mark two major NFL events coming up very soon that will shake up the mocks!