Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Round 1

It's officially NFL Draft week. Now that free agency is over, we can gauge the strengths and weaknesses of these rosters as they head into the draft. 

The biggest question coming into this offseason was if the Chicago Bears would pick Caleb Williams at No. 1 or keep Justin Fields as their franchise quarterback and trade down. We now have the solution as the Bears shipped Fields to the Steelers thus giving away that they'll be selecting Williams with the first pick. 

All eyes will be on Commanders as they will have to decide between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye as their franchise quarterback. Whichever quarterback is not taken with the second pick will likely end up in New England at No 3. NFL Draft week is finally upon us and thus, it’s time for one final mock draft (with trades!). This is a class loaded with offensive talent with several unique defensive pieces sprinkled in throughout.

To start of the 2024 NFL Draft, Chicago gets their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. As an elite playmaker with uncanny an arm talent, he offers substantial upside at the game's most important position. As long as new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can help him stay on schedule a bit more consistently, the Bears could be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.

Few, if any, prospects helped increased their draft stock more in 2023 than LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders get a true dual-threat quarterback and a big-play machine to help lead them into a new era of football.

While Drake Maye might be the third passer off the board, he’s hardly a consolation prize. New England picks up an aggressive and creative thrower with immense upside, giving the franchise some life for the first time in a couple years.

The X-receiver prototype, who combines natural athleticism and technical refinement beyond his years. Arizona was scrappy and punched above their weight last season and with Kyler Murray back healthy, this is an intriguing landing spot for the draft’s best playmaker.

Minnesota has an outstanding offensive infrastructure in place with a solid offensive line and a trio of talented pass catchers. With two first round picks, they can afford to be aggressive in trading up for a passer like J.J. McCarthy, who has a skill set that has thrived in this system before.

The Giants have been searching for playmakers for years and have largely been unsuccessful in doing so. Malik Nabers is a true three-level threat that moves like he’s got a jetpack strapped to his back and could step in immediately as New York’s WR1.

This is a dream scenario for the Titans, who need offensive line help if they hope to keep Will Levis off the turf. Joe Alt plays with good leverage despite his towering frame and could give Tennessee a solid foundation up front. 

Every year, we seem to say that same thing about Atlanta’s defense: they could use a pass rusher. Alabama’s Dallas Turner was productive, both rushing the passer and playing the run against top competition and has the athletic profile to further develop into a very good building block. 

Chicago traded for Keenan Allen, which is a nice addition, but it shouldn’t stop them from adding more firepower for Caleb Williams. If Rome Odunze is still on the board at this point, it feels like a no-brainer and a possible embarrassment of riches.

With Aaron Rodgers returning from injury and one of the NFL’s best defensive units, New York is ready to win now. Tight ends aren’t usually “plug and play” but Brock Bowers is more than that, but rather an offensive weapon that feasts over the middle of the field and after the catch.

If you know one thing about Jim Harbaugh, it’s that he wants to pound the rock, no matter what. Los Angeles gets to trade down and take Taliese Fuaga, arguably the best run blocker in the class, to further bolster the offensive line.

Denver is in the midst of a rebuild and just needs to focus on adding good, young football players to grow with. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold gives Patrick Surtain a running mate with plus ball skills and inside/outside versatility.

Troy Fautanu is an outstanding athlete, with excellent movement skills and lightning quick hands. Vegas already has Kolton Miller holding down the blind side, but he has the versatility to play multiple positions at a high level in the NFL.

The Trevor Penning selection has been a disaster from the jump but Olu Fashanu’s game is about as clean as it gets from a pass protection standpoint. He possesses elite pocket range and is polished beyond his years, giving them a real shot at a franchise left tackle.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard loves highly-athletic freaks at every position and Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell fits the bill. He has the speed to stay in phase vertically and is excellent playing the football in the air. 

Rams general manager Les Snead and company aren’t used to having their first round pick at their disposal and it’ll be fascinating to see which direction they go. It’s impossible to replace a legend like Aaron Donald but trading up for Byron Murphy would give them an explosive pass rusher from the interior in his absence.

In order for Trevor Lawrence to reach his ceiling as a player, Jacksonville needs to provide him with a legit No. 1 weapon outside. Brian Thomas Jr. isn’t a finished product yet but his combination of speed and leaping ability will give the Jags an explosive weapon on the perimeter.

Cincinnati gave Joe Burrow a well-deserved hefty contract, but they’ve struggled to keep him upright at times throughout his young career so far. J.C. Latham has the size, raw power and length to stick at tackle but his able to displace people in the run game could get him on the field earlier at guard.

Seattle’s plan this offseason has been a bit confusing, but it makes sense for them to trade back and a pass rusher for new head coach Mike Macdonald. Jared Verse is a pure speed-to-power guy with a quick first step that scouts look for.

Ideally, Pittsburgh would trade back and acquire more draft capital but there’s a good chance that they’d sprint the card up to draft Amarius Mims. He’s a smooth athlete with excellent grip strength and gives the Steelers another swing at an elite tackle. 

Detroit’s new regime has completely turned their franchise around and with a loaded roster, they can afford to push the chips in with an aggressive move. Laiatu Latu is an awesome pass rush specialist, with quick hands and a deep bag of moves, and would give the Lions a frightful front.

It was tough to watch Philadelphia’s secondary at times last season, with a glaring lack of speed in the back end. Selecting an athletic Swiss-army knife such as Cooper Dejean would give them an athletic playmaker who has the physicality and football IQ to help wherever necessary.

Earlier in this mock, the new-look Chargers gave Justin Herbert some protection up front and now they present him with a new weapon on the outside. Big, fast and twitchy X-receivers that can run the entire route tree are difficult to come by and this pairing could cause the AFC headaches for years to come.

Jerry Jones and company always seem to place a high value on building their offensive up front with high draft picks. Graham Barton is a sticky run blocker with the foot quickness to mirror in pass protection and his positional versatility is something that the franchise typically covets. 

Zach Tom was very good at right tackle last season so instead of making him switch positions, why not just draft the best center on the board? Powers-Johnson was fantastic in his first year as a starter and his athleticism in space combined with tenacious demeanor fit well in Green Bay.

Tampa Bay cut ties with Shaq Barrett in the offseason and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t lived up to his first-round pedigree but that shouldn’t prevent them from taking another bite at the apple. Chop Robinson is freak athlete with an electric first step that Todd Bowles could potentially get the most out of.

Arizona made the easiest selection of all time earlier in this mock, taking Marvin Harrison Jr. at No.4. They could go a couple different ways here but they have a serious need at cornerback and Nate Wiggins blend of straight-line speed and fluidity would be an intriguing add. 

After jettisoning Stefon Diggs to Houston, there’s quite a few targets for the Bills offense to fill next season. Ladd McConkey is a very snappy route runner with superb stop-and-start ability and would give Josh Allen another playmaker at his disposal.

Christian Wilkins got a bag of cash to head to Vegas earlier in free agency, leaving behind some big shoes to fill along the interior. Illinois Johnny Newton is one of the most disruptive defenders in the class, with an explosive and advanced hand usage that could elevate him to game-wrecker status during his rookie deal.

In Todd Monken’s first year as offensive coordinator, there were plenty of flashes to get excited about, but they could stand to further infuse talent in the trenches. Jordan Morgan held his own at tackle last season, but his movement skills and core strength would fit well inside while also providing them with Ronnie Stanley insurance just in case.

In years past, San Francisco has relished the chance to draft defensive lineman early in the NFL Draft and it’s easy to see them going back to the well once again. Heavy-handed, long power rushers like Darius Robinson bring value with how they can win from multiple alignments.

Look, a 4.21 40-time is one thing, but Xavier Worthy actually plays at that supersonic speed with pads on. He’s someone that can produce explosive plays at a high rate while clearing things out for teammates underneath and giving his skill set to Andy Reid & Pat Mahomes feels like football justice.