2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 2-Round Projections Heading into Week 7
It's hard to believe we're already a third of the way through the 2023 NFL regular season, but the first six weeks are indeed in the books, which means we're already seeing some trends develop at the top of next year's draft order.
The Chicago Bears are currently tracking to be just the second team in the modern draft era to land both of the top two overall picks, joining the 1992 Indianapolis Colts, and putting them in the driver's seat to win the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
There are some usual suspects still on pace to land in the top 10, as well as some surprisingly disappointing teams who no doubt had higher hopes heading into the season.
Considering what we've seen on film from this year's top prospects so far this season at the college level, and what all 32 NFL clubs might be needing most next offseason, here's an updated look at how the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft could turn out, using the latest updated pick order after Week 6 results:
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
Caleb Williams | QB | USC
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The Bears will have plenty of options if they end up with this pick. They could trade it again, this time for way more than they got last year, collecting more resources with which to keep building around Justin Fields. Or, they could move Fields, and restart at QB with Williams instead. Right now, the latter feels more likely.
2. Chicago Bears
Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Ohio State
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I wouldn't count out Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu here, but the idea of pairing Harrison with Williams might be too much to pass up. The Bears can target offensive line help in free agency or later in the draft, and purely go with the best player available.
3. Denver Broncos
Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
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Russell Wilson's contract makes this a tricky scenario, but it wouldn't be shocking if the Broncos decided to take Maye here, and figure the rest out later. He's got all the tools to be a franchise quarterback, and would be the easy No. 1 overall pick in any other class that didn't have a Caleb Williams in it.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
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This is an easy pick for the Cards if the board falls this way, with Harrison and the top two quarterbacks all off the board. If Arizona is going to roll with Kyler Murray moving forward, protecting him has to be the top priority. Fashanu would have been a top-10 pick last year, but will be even more polished and experience after another year in college.
5. New York Giants
Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State
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The Giants need a true No. 1 receiver, but they also need another blue-chip pass rusher to pair with Kayvon Thibodeaux. In this scenario, the better value comes on defense, where they're able to add the year's most polished and pro-ready edge defender in Verse.
6. New England Patriots
Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado
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Plenty of teams need a new franchise quarterback, and none might be more desperate than the Pats. Sanders might still need some polish, but he's got some special traits you just can't teach, and his sky-high ceiling would be well worth taking a swing here (if he declares).
7. Minnesota Vikings
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington
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Much like Tua Tagovailoa, Penix is a left-handed flame-thrower who comes with some injury concerns, but he's an elite passer when fully healthy. Some teams might be put off by the fact that he'll be a 24-year-old rookie, but the Vikings should welcome the opportunity to make their offense look like the high-flying Huskies.
8. Tennessee Titans
Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
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Passing on Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt might be tough here, but there should still be quality offensive line help available on Day 2. There's not another Brock Bowers in the entire draft, though, or most other drafts. He's a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
9. Green Bay Packers
Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
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The David Bakhtiari era at left tackle appears to be coming to an end, and the Packers need to find his successor as soon as possible. This scenario gives them the perfect candidate, as Alt is one of the most polished and pro-ready prospects in the entire class, regardless of position.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama
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It didn't long for the Chargers to cut their losses with J.C. Jackson, but that failed free-agent acquisition still leaves them with a huge need at corner. McKinstry has one of the best names in the draft, but he's also one of the best players, with all the traits of a true shutdown artist (and bonus value in the return game).
11. New Orleans Saints
Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
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The offensive line needs help, but there's way more value at receiver. Chris Olave is a stud, but Michael Thomas is a shell of his former self, and Rashid Shaheed is a hit-or-miss gadget at this point. The Saints need a top-shelf No. 2 to pair with Olave, and Nabers' explosiveness after the catch would be the perfect match.
12. Atlanta Falcons
Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA
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Quarterback could obviously be a consideration here, but I'm not sold on any of the remaining passers this early. Instead, the Falcons fill their biggest need on defense by dipping into a deep class of edge rushers. Latu's injury history could cause some concern, but when healthy, he's explosive and productive.
13. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Kalen King | CB | Penn State
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After getting a franchise cornerstone for the offense earlier in the round, the Cards do the same for their defense here. Corner is their biggest need on that side of the ball, and King has been one of the most consistent performers at the position for the last two seasons.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | Illinois
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This roster has needs all over the place, so this pick should be all about adding the best player available, regardless of position. In this scenario, that's Newton, the most dominant and disruptive interior defender in this year's class. What he might lack in overall size, he more than makes up for with explosiveness and power.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Cooper DeJean | DB | Iowa
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Indy has needs at both levels of the secondary, so why not draft a prospect who can play pretty much anywhere on that side of the ball? DeJean has the versatility and athleticism to line up outside or in the slot at corner, on the back end at safety, or even at linebacker when necessary. Oh, and he's a monster of a return man, too.
16. Washington Commanders
JC Latham | OT | Alabama
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Sam Howell looks capable of being Washington's franchise quarterback, but he desperately needs more protection up front. This scenario would give Washington multiple options to address their need at left tackle, and Latham has been battle-tested against top competition in the SEC.
17. New York Jets
Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia
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Aaron Rodgers plans to return for the 2023 season (or sooner?), but much like Washington, the Jets need to improve things up front if they want to avoid another serious injury to their star quarterback. Mims is dealing with an injury of his own right now, but at full strength, he's a dominant blocker in both the run and pass games.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
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If the Bengals can't keep Tee Higgins with a long-term contract extension, they'll need to invest elsewhere in a blue-chip No. 2 receiver to pair with Ja'Marr Chase. Odunze actually compares well with Chase in terms of the traits he brings to the table, and a loaded receiver class could keep him on the board longer than he should be.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
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This defense could use an infusion of young talent at every level, but their biggest need is on the edge up front, where they need a dynamic pass rusher. Turner is making the most of his chance to shine as a full-time starter this season, and would bring top-flight explosiveness and big-play ability to the next level.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chop Robinson | EDGE | Penn State
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Shaq Barrett turns 31 in November and is coming off a torn Achilles, while the jury is still out on recent first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The Bucs need to invest in another high-upside edge rusher, and this year's deep class should give them plenty of value here. Robinson's skill set would be the perfect fit for Todd Bowles' defense.
21. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
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Nico Collins is having a breakout season, and rookie Tank Dell looks promising, but neither should stop Houston from adding more weapons for C.J. Stroud. Coleman has a rare blend of size, athleticism, physicality and leaping ability that makes him a dominant receiver at the catch point, and a red-zone nightmare for opposing defenses.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Leonard Taylor III | DL | Miami (FL)
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Seattle has one of the best young defenses in the league, but they could use an interior disruptor who can collapse the pocket from the inside and blow up run plays before they start. Taylor would be the perfect fit, and would represent solid value at this point in the first round.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State
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This roster doesn't have too many glaring needs, but if you look at the receiver group, there's not much to get excited about long-term beyond George Pickens. A deep receiver class could leave a talented prospect like Egbuka still on the board, and his polished, well-rounded skill set would allow him to make an instant impact.
24. Buffalo Bills
Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami (FL)
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Wide receiver should be a strong consideration here, but free agency could decimate Buffalo's safety room, and this scenario gives them the chance to grab the best one in this year's class. Kinchens has the range, athleticism, and complete skill set to be an every-down playmaker against both the run and pass.
25. Dallas Cowboys
Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
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Trevon Diggs will be coming off a torn ACL, and the Cowboys already needed an upgrade at the other corner spot. Wiggins has been one of this year's biggest risers, showing off ideal height, length and ball skills for the position. He could use some bulk, but the traits are all there.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Graham Barton | OL | Duke
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As evidenced by his current knee injury, protecting Trevor Lawrence at all costs needs to be Jacksonville's top priority. That means bolstering the offensive line, and Barton brings tons of experience at tackle, with a skill set that might be even more valuable inside at guard.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Maason Smith | DL | LSU
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The Ravens could use some reinforcements in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and in this scenario, the better value comes on defense. Smith is a massive defender with impressive athleticism for his size, and the versatility to line up in multiple spots along the defensive front.
28. Detroit Lions
JT Tuimoloau | EDGE | Ohio State
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Aidan Hutchinson is already one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL, but the Lions could use an upgrade across from him. Tuimoloau is a well-rounded prospect who brings similar versatility to Hutchinson with his ability to line up on the edge or create mismatches against interior blockers.
29. Miami Dolphins
Patrick Paul | OT | Houston
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Even without Terron Armstead's injury issues, the Dolphins still would have needed to bolster the offensive tackle position next offseason. Paul has a massive frame and wingspan, with impressive athleticism for his size. He might has as much upside as any offensive tackle in this entire class.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State
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Losing Mike McGlinchey in free agency has left the 49ers with a gaping hole at right tackle across from Trent Williams. One of the fastest-rising prospects in the country, Fuaga is a massive mauler who has all the traits to be a first-round pick, and would be an ideal fit for San Francisco here.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Kingsley Suamataia | OT | BYU
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The offensive tackle run continues, as the Chiefs land a monstrous blind-side protector for Patrick Mahomes. Donovan Smith has struggled in that role this season, and Suamataia would give Kansas City an immediate upgrade and a long-term solution at a premium position.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Braswell | EDGE | Alabama
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The Eagles are loaded at just about every position, but free agency could leave them a little thin on the edges of the defensive front. Another prospect flying up the board thanks to a stellar start to the 2023 season, Braswell is a five-star talent who is putting up massive numbers, and has all the physical traits to be a star at the next level.
SECOND ROUND
33. Carolina Panthers
Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington
34. New Orleans Saints (from DEN)
35. Arizona Cardinals
36. New York Giants
Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina
37. New England Patriots
38. Chicago Bears
Cooper Beebe | OL | Kansas State
39. Tennessee Titans
Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma
40. Minnesota Vikings
Denzel Burke | CB | Ohio State
41. Los Angeles Chargers
Jack Sawyer | EDGE | Ohio State
42. Green Bay Packers
43. Atlanta Falcons
44. Houston Texans
45. Las Vegas Raiders
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. Washington Commanders
48. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)
49. Cincinnati Bengals
Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson
51. Los Angeles Rams
52. Cleveland Browns
53. Seattle Seahawks
54. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kamari Lassiter | CB | Georgia
55. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger | OL | Georgia
56. Buffalo Bills
57. Jacksonville Jaguars
58. Baltimore Ravens
59. Dallas Cowboys
60. Detroit Lions
Caelen Carson | CB | Wake Forest
61. San Francisco 49ers
Malachi Corley | WR | Western Kentucky
62. Miami Dolphins
Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Texas
63. Kansas City Chiefs
Johnny Wilson | WR/TE | Florida State
