2024 Final Two-Round Mock Draft
It's finally Draft Week, only three days left. Time to end the rumors and drama and finally figure out every player's landing spots. Find my final predictions for how Thursday pans out below...
First Round
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams (QB) USC
This pick has been set in stone for the better part of two months now. With little drama at #1 overall the Bears take their (hopefully) franchise signal caller.
2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye (QB) UNC
No one truly knows what Washington will do with Pick #2. A messy pre-draft process, combined with a secretive front office has created the ultimate smoke screen. The buzz is pointing to Jayden Daniels with less than a week left, but with so much uncertainty I will trust my eyes and take the best QB available.
3. New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels (QB) LSU
New England is a popular trade down spot at #3 overall. Their roster needs a ton of talent and could benefit from the extra picks. However, it's rare to pick this high with a shot at a top end QB. Daniels isn’t perfect but his dual threat ability is too hard to pass up for a franchise that needs a jolt of energy.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR) Ohio State
Arizona is another popular trade down spot in this year's draft. They have a franchise QB in Kyler Murray, and this new regime showed a willingness to move around, but at some point you have to stick and take a blue chip prospect. Marvin Harrison Jr is the best player in this class and can step in from Day 1 as Arizona’s top target.
5. Minnesota Vikings (via LAC) - J.J. McCarthy (QB) Minnesota
Trade: LAC Receives: #11, #23 & MIN 2025 1st Round / MIN Receives: #5
Pick #5 is finally where we get our trade. Minnesota effectively signaled their intentions to get up this high when they picked up an extra first a few months back. While I think their preferred choice would be Drake Maye, the upside and skillet of J.J. McCarthy in a Kevin O’Connell offense is a solid consolation prize.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers (WR) LSU
The New York Giants haven’t had a legit WR1 since the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. One of the weakest WR rooms in the league prior to the draft is in even worse shape than it was at the end of the season, with top target Darius Slayton holding out. Malik Nabers, who is considered by some to be the top WR in this class, is an easy pick here.
7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt (OT) Notre Dame
There might not be a more common Player-Team combination than Alt to the Titans. After a surprisingly busy offseason, adding Calvin Ridley and L`Jarius Sneed, the Titan biggest and most glaring need is OT. Adding the top OL and LT in this class is a no-brainer at this point.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner (EDGE) Alabama
The Falcons pick at #8 is one of the more fascinating in the Top-10, especially with top WR Rome Odunze on the board. We could see a team try to trade up for his services or even see the Falcons once again select a skill position player in the Top-10. However, should Atlanta stick and make the pick, the first defender coming off the board is the most likely outcome. There are a handful of options, but Dallas Turner has the best combination of upside and fit in a Raheem Morris defense.
9. Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze (WR) Washington
The results of this draft are a Bears fans dream. Adding Caleb Williams as well as having one of the Big-3 WRs fall to #9 without having to trade up? It doesn’t get much better, this would be a run it in pick on draft night.
10. New York Jets - Troy Fautanu (OT) Washington
The New York Jets are in an interesting position for a team drafting in the Top-10. They are a win now team that needs instant impact but the board hasn’t fallen well. With all of the Big-3 WRs gone it likely comes down to Brock Bowers or an offensive lineman. Troy Fautanu is the best of both words for helping now and in the future. He has legit 5 position versatility - which given the health histories of the Jets OL might come in handy - as well as long term upside at LT for after this year.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) - J.C Latham (OT) Alabama
Trade: LAC Receives: #11, #23 & MIN 2025 1st Round / MIN Receives: #5
The Chargers trade back from #5 and collect three total first round picks in the process, a huge boon for a team with plenty of needs. Many have suspect RT to be in play at #5 but given the depth of this class it make a lot more sense to take one at #11. J.C. Latham might be a bit of a surprise here, given Taliese Fuaga is still on the board, but the big mountain of a RT is someone the league seems to be higher on than the media and could very easily be a Top-15 selection.
12. Denver Broncos - Brock Bowers (TE) Georgia
Does anyone know what Sean Payton and Denver are going to do in this spot? They have a boatload of needs and the QB run has already come and gone. With a roster that needs an injection of talent, BPA (Best Player Available) is their ideal approach. In this case it’s easily Brock Bowers, who will bring needed playmaking to an offense that has already lost Jerry Jeudy and might soon part ways with Courtland Sutton.
13. Las Vegas Raiders - Byron Murphy II (IDL) Texas
Vegas, similar to Denver, has a good amount of needs including QB. With the top signal callers off the board they have the luxury to go BPA on defense. While adding whoever they view to be the top CB is enticing, creating a defensive line room of Christian Wilkins, Maxx Crosby and Byron Murphy to chase the top QBs in the AFC is too much to pass up.
14. New Orleans Saints - Olu Fashanu (OT) Penn State
New Orleans, similar to Tennessee, is another team I would be astounded if they did not go Offensive Tackle in the first, especially given the talent of this year’s class. Former first rounder Trevor Penning has yet to figure it out, and long time standout RT Ryan Ramcyzk is close too, if not at the end of his playing career. Olu Fashanu is a high upside OT with the movement skills and IQ to play either side.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell (CB) Toledo
The Colts at #15 seems like the floor for Bowers should he get here. With him gone I would expect them to take a CB if the run hasn’t passed them by. Mitchell would be my guess for their favorite in this class. He checks the box as an elite level athlete, a trait the Colts have shown the history of desiring, and his profile as a long zone corner with good instincts would perfectly fit a Gus Bradley defense.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (via SEA) - Taliese Fuaga (OT) Oregon State
Trade: CIN Receives: #16 / SEA Receives: #18 & #97
The Bengals have been trying and failing to create a good offensive line in front of Joe Burrow since they drafted him. While it has gotten better in recent years, it still can be drastically improved, especially in the long term. Trading up two spots to ensure they cannot be jumped and ending the slide for a top OT prospect who can play OG, or RT if Trent Brown doesn’t work out, should help them solidify possibly the first good line in Burrows young career.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold (CB) Alabama
The Jaguars decision at #17 seems like it comes down to CB or WR. While it would not be shocking to see Brian Thomas Jr here, the depth of this WR class means it is not imperative to take one quite this early. Terrion Arnold is arguably the top corner in this class and brings a brand of aggressive man coverage that new DC Ryan Nielsen is going to love.
18. Seattle Seahawks (via CIN) - Graham Barton (IOL) Duke
Trade: CIN Receives: #16 / SEA Receives: #18 & #97
The Seahawks trading down from their pick at #16 seems almost like a given. They have a history of moving back and do not have a 2nd rounder after trading theirs for Leonard Williams in the fall. While I think they would like to recoup that pick by moving back farther, adding an additional 3rd to only move back a couple of spots and still get a high quality OL piece is good business.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Verse (EDGE) Florida State
The Rams turned in one of the better drafts in all of football in 2023. The additions of Byron Young and Kobi Turner have created a good foundation for a young talented defensive line, but with the loss of Hall of Famer Aaron Donald they need more. Jared Verse is a powerful EDGE rusher who should be a significant upgrade over what they had opposite of Young last year.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) Alabama
Wide Receiver and Center are popular picks at this selection for the Steelers but given the run-first offense they will employ and the injury history of Powers-Johnson I think CB is more likely. McKinstry, assuming his medicals also check out, would be a great addition to a room that already features Joey Porter Jr, and create one of the more physical coverage units in football.
21. Miami Dolphins - Johnny Newton (IDL) Illinois
With the loss of Christian Wilkins and some injuries in their EDGE room to start the year, the Dolphins could use more talent along their defensive line. A late season injury has put a damper on Newton’s draft stock but he is a Top-20 player in terms of talent in this class and would be an excellent replacement for Wilkins.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Cooper DeJean (CB) Iowa
The Eagles desperately need help in their secondary. Their aging, yet talented CB duo of Slay and Bradberry is beginning to lose its effectiveness, and their Nickel/Safety spots are all manned by players on one year deals. DeJean is a big, athletic DB ,who can play a variety of spots and should help an Eagles team trying to reload for a Super Bowl run get their best 5 DBs on the field.
23. Buffalo Bills (via LAC, via MIN) - Brian Thomas Jr (WR) LSU
Trade: BUF Receives: #23 / LAC Receives: #28, #128, BUF 2025 3rd
Brian Thomas Jr has had a little bit of a slide in this mock draft, but Buffalo puts an end to that. With the departure of Stefon Diggs via trade this offseason the Bills have opened up a massive need at outside WR. A possible trade up into Top-15 or even Top-10 might be too rich for Buffalo. but sending a couple late Day 2/3 picks when you own two 2nds next year to add a true X is a much more palatable price.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Jackson Powers-Johnson (IOL) Oregon
The slide for the best center prospect in this class finally comes to a stop. The Cowboys are undergoing a major overhaul on their offensive line this offseason and with Brock Hoffman slated to start at Center, it’s a major position of need. JPJ is a big powerful center who should fit seamlessly between the talented guard duo of Tyler Smith and Zack Martin.
25. Green Bay Packers - Amarius Mims (OT) Georgia
Amarius Mims is a Top-15 player in this class on talent alone but a small sample of starts and checkered injury history means he is available here at #25. The Packers have a collection of talented OL but need to sort out their optimal roles. Mims can either be a developmental swing tackle this year who moves into a starting role in 2025 or step in Day 1 at RT if they choose to move Zach Tom inside.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Laiatu Latu (EDGE) UCLA
Tampa Bay is in a weird spot picking at #26, as they need quite a bit more talent comparison to other teams picking in this range. With needs at all three levels on defense they can afford to go BPA in this situation. Latu, similar to Mims, is a Top-15 player in this class on talent alone, but drops this far due to medical concerns. His polish and pass rush plan should translate instantly and finally give the Bucs that young EDGE presence they have been searching for.
27. Arizona Cardinals - Nate Wiggins (CB) Clemson
The Cardinals are back up late in the first as a result of their wheeling and dealing from last year. Earlier in the first they went with a blue chip on offense but now it’s time to look at helping a defense devoid of talent. Wiggins may be undersized and have some injury concerns, but he is the best cover corner in this class with tremendous athleticism and is worth the upside swing for Arizona.
28. Los Angeles Chargers (via BUF) - Adonai Mitchell (WR) Texas
Trade: BUF Receives: #23 / LAC Receives: #28, #128, BUF 2025 3rd
As a result of multiple trade downs the Chargers have picked up picks this year as well as a 2025 1st and 3rd. With an earlier addition to beef up the offensive line, it’s time to add to a WR room that currently features Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston as its top two targets. AD Mitchell is a high variance prospect with a wide range of outcomes but at his best can be a legit WR1 who is an elite separator, an upside that’s too hard to pass up at #28 for a team in need of game changers.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (via Detroit Lions) - Michael Penix Jr. (QB) Washington
Trade: LV Receives: #29 / DET Receives: #44 & #77
Vegas was one of the teams that missed out on the QB run earlier in the draft. It’s been no secret they have interest in Washington standout Michael Penix Jr. but taking him at #13 for a team with this many needs would have been too rich. Sending a 3rd to move up into the back half of the first round and take a shot at a talented QB is worth the risk for a team that badly needs a one.
30. Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Guyton (OT) Oklahoma
The current starting RT for the Baltimore Ravens is Daniel Faalele, a 2024 4th Round Pick. While that might work out, for a team with legit Super Bowl hopes that can’t be the only option. Tyler Guyton is a high upside OT prospect with the ability to play either side. While he might not be ready to play Week 1 he would add a talented option to the room to step in in case of injury or replace Ronnie Stanley at LT long term.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Darius Robinson (EDGE) Missouri
Darius Robinson is one of the more interested prospects to find a landing spot for in this draft. The late breakout best fits as a traditional 3-4 DE due to his tweener build. His profile doesn’t scream Round 1, but given his size and performance at the Senior Bowl he seems to have a great shot at going in the Top-32 picks. San Francisco is a team with success at finding a role for these types of players. With the departure of Arik Armstead and Charles Omenihu in recent years they could use a new player to fill the role of BASE end on early downs and interior pass rusher on 3rd.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Ladd McConkey (WR) Georgia
Even prior to the recent legal troubles of Rashee Rice the Chiefs needed another WR. Skyy Moore has yet to pan out and F/A addition Hollywood Brown is only a one year prove it deal. McConkey is a high end separator with the speed to play outside or in the slot. He would provide Mahomes and Co. with a legit route runner, something they have not had in a long time.