2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 2-Round Projections Heading into Week 6
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The 2024 NFL Draft is the Chicago Bears' world, and we're just living in it.
At least, that appears to be the case after the first five weeks of the regular season, as the Bears are currently in line to land the top two picks in next year's draft, thanks to this year's pre-draft trade with the Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 selection.
Carolina is the only winless team left in the league, but the Bears are one of six clubs to only manage a single victory through Week 5, which means there's still plenty of competition at the top of this year's draft order.
As we look ahead to Week 6, here's an updated look at how the first two rounds of the 2024 draft could shake out, using the latest pick order after Week 5 results:
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
Caleb Williams | QB | USC
There are plenty of things going wrong in Chicago, but Justin Fields isn't one of them. If the Bears land this pick, it wouldn't be surprising to see them hold another bidding war, just like they did last year. Williams would command a much bigger haul than the one they got from Carolina (which included this pick), but he's also good enough to convince the Bears to just take him here and send Fields elsewhere.
2. Chicago Bears
Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Ohio State
I doubt the Bears end up losing enough games to make both of these top two picks, but if they do, they'll have the opportunity to land two generational talents for their offense. Bears fans would sign up all day long to watch Williams throw to Harrison for the next decade or more.
3. Denver Broncos
Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
Russell Wilson appears to be slowly returning to the player we knew in Seattle, but the Broncos need to ensure that continues by improving his protection. Fashanu could have been an early pick in 2023, but another year of polish and experience will make him that much better when he does make the jump this time around.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
It looks like the wheels might be coming off in Minnesota, and the time to rebuild might be arriving. If the Vikings end up with a top-five pick, they'd be wise to target a new franchise quarterback, and Maye would be the ideal pick if he's still on the board here.
5. New England Patriots
Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado
The Pats look like they're headed for the worst season of the Bill Belichick era, thanks in large part to a stagnant offense and terrible quarterback play. A restart under center is essential, and after Williams and Maye, Sanders is the only other passer who looks worthy of top-five consideration right now.
6. New York Giants
Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA
The Giants need a true No. 1 receiver for Daniel Jones, but the pass rushers on the board here might be too much to pass up. Latu will have some durability questions based on his injury history, but at full strength, he's proving to be one of the most dominant edge players in the nation.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State
The needs list in Arizona is long, so every pick has to be about prioritizing overall talent and value at any number of positions. In this scenario, the Cards would be wise to add a polished pass rusher in Verse, who could have been a first-rounder last year, but returned to prove himself worthy of a top-10 slot.
8. Green Bay Packers
Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
It's time for the Packers to find a successor for David Bahktiari, and this scenario presents them with the perfect option. The son of a Pro Bowl offensive tackle himself, Alt is a polished, plug-and-play blocker who would immediately lock down Jordan Love's blind side for the foreseeable future.
9. Las Vegas Raiders
Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | Illinois
The Raiders desperately need a true franchise quarterback, but there's nobody left on the board worthy of a top-10 pick. Good thing they have a million other needs, one of which they fill here by taking the most dominant and disruptive interior defender in this year's class.
10. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama
With a pair of top-10 picks, the Cardinals have a chance to address multiple needs with blue-chip talent. After grabbing a top pass rusher in Verse, Arizona doubles up on defense, adding a shutdown corner in McKinstry who also brings value as a dangerous return man.
11. New York Jets
JC Latham | OT | Alabama
Aaron Rodgers is planning to return from his torn Achilles and play next season, and the Jets would be wise to improve his protection in the offseason. Latham is a massive mauler who dominates in the run game, but also has impressive agility and athleticism for his size that allows him to handle explosive pass rushers.
12. Washington Commanders
Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
Offensive line is the more pressing need, and passing on Brock Bowers would be tough here, but the best match of need and value comes on defense. Turner has made the most of his opportunity to shine as a full-time starter this season, putting up big numbers and showing off his rare explosiveness and athleticism.
13. Tennessee Titans
Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
Another team that would prefer offensive line help here, but without a worthy prospect in that group, the Titans opt for value by taking one of the best overall players in the draft. Bowers is a nightmare after the catch, and could have a Travis Kelce type of impact on any offense.
14. Cincinnati Bengals
Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
If the Bengals don't re-sign Tee Higgins to a long-term contract extension, they'll need to replace his presence and impact on the offense. This year's loaded receiver class should give them plenty of quality options in the first round, and Nabers' big-play ability after the catch would make him a prime candidate.
15. Los Angeles Rams
Chop Robinson | EDGE | Penn State
Aaron Donald is still the most dominant interior defensive lineman in the NFL, but the Rams desperately need to upgrade off the edge. Robinson has a fantastic blend of explosiveness and polish, with a vast array of pass-rushing moves to beat blockers and get to opposing quarterbacks.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
Kalen King | CB | Penn State
This roster is expensive, and getting old fast. Plenty of positions could use an infusion of youth and talent, but in this scenario, corner is the best place to start. King was often the best corner on the field for Penn State last year (even with Joey Porter Jr. across from him), and should be the first Nittany Lion defensive back drafted in the first round.
17. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
Nico Collins and Tank Dell have been huge for C.J. Stroud so far this season, but that shouldn't keep Houston from adding another dynamic weapon to the passing game. Odunze should be off the board much earlier than this, but if he's still there, his complete skill set would be the ideal fit.
18. New Orleans Saints
Graham Barton | OL | Duke
If the Saints are going to get the most for their money out of Derek Carr, the offensive line needs a ton of help. Barton is one of the most well-rounded blockers in this class, and would bring the versatility to play either tackle or guard at the next level.
19. Atlanta Falcons
J.J. McCarthy | QB | Michigan
Desmond Ridder is serviceable, but the Falcons might want a quarterback with more upside to take advantage of their dynamic offensive weapons. There are plenty of talented quarterbacks still on the board, but at this point in the process, McCarthy feels like the favorite to be the next one off the board.
20. Indianapolis Colts
Cooper DeJean | DB | Iowa
Indy has needs at both corner and safety, so why not take a dynamic playmaker who can line up at either spot? DeJean is one of the best overall athletes/players in this entire draft, with the versatility to line up on the outside or in the slot as a corner, at safety, or even linebacker. Oh, and he's a monster in the return game, too.
21. Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
Safety should be a strong consideration here, but if Coleman's still on the board, he'd be tough to pass up. The Bills still don't have a consistent, reliable WR2 to take attention and pressure away from Stefon Diggs, and Coleman's combination of size, athleticism, and physicality would make him the perfect match.
22. Dallas Cowboys
Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State
Don't count out a corner here, but the value at wide receiver is just too much to pass up in this scenario. CeeDee Lamb is a superstar, but Dak Prescott doesn't have a reliable No. 2 target behind him. Egbuka is a polished, pro-ready pass-catcher who would be the ideal WR2 in this offense, and would be a steal here.
23. Baltimore Ravens
Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
Corner is the most glaring need in Baltimore, but this year's class is deep enough to afford them some quality options in this range. Wiggins burst onto the scene with a strong start to his 2023 campaign, and his combination of size, length and ball skills make him the playmaker this defense needs.
24. Seattle Seahawks
Leonard Taylor III | DL | Miami (FL)
Seattle needs help along the interior on both sides of the trenches, but if the board falls this way, the better value is found on defense. Taylor has impressive explosiveness for a defender his size, allowing him to blow up run plays in the backfield, as well as collapse the pocket as a pass rusher.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Barrett Carter | LB | Clemson
The Steelers have a pair of serviceable starters at linebacker, but they need a true difference-maker who can make plays on all three downs. Carter has the range, athleticism, and physicality to defend the run, make plays in coverage, and even get after the quarterback on the blitz.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Maason Smith | DL | LSU
The Jags could go in a few different directions here (WR, OL, CB), but the chance to add a massive, disruptive force in the middle of their defensive line might be too much to pass up. Smith missed most of last season with a knee injury, but at full strength, he can be a dominant playmaker in the trenches.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Braswell | EDGE | Alabama
Shaq Barrett is turning 31 and coming off a torn Achilles, while the jury is still out on Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, so the Bucs could target some edge-rushing help here. Braswell is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this class, thanks to five-star athletic ability and some massive production to start the 2023 season.
28. Detroit Lions
Denzel Burke | CB | Ohio State
Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the Lions' cornerback group, so using their top pick next year on a potential CB1 would be ideal. Burke has all the physical and mental traits to quickly develop into that kind of player at the next level, and might end up going much earlier than this.
29. Miami Dolphins
Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia
Even without Terron Armstead's injury concerns, the Dolphins still would have needed to address the tackle position in the offseason. Mims is dealing with an injury of his own right now, but when fully healthy, he's a dominant presence who can play either tackle spot.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami (FL)
There aren't many glaring needs on this roster, so the Eagles can afford to just go where the best talent is on the board. In this scenario, that leads them to the safety class, where they're able to grab the top prospect in the group in Kinchens.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Paul | OT | Houston
Despite their best efforts, offensive tackle remains one of Kansas City's biggest needs. The left tackle spot in particular could use a massive upgrade, and this scenario would give the Chiefs some intriguing options. Paul has an impressive combination of size and length, with power and athleticism to develop into a star.
32. San Francisco 49ers
Kingsley Suamataia | OT | BYU
The 49ers could address either level of the secondary here, but right tackle is also looming as a big need, and there's better value there in this scenario. Suamataia is a mountain of a man who would be an ideal fit if he's still on the board.
SECOND ROUND
33. Carolina Panthers
Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington
34. New Orleans Saints (from DEN)
35. Minnesota Vikings
Kamari Lassiter | CB | Georgia
36. New England Patriots
37. New York Giants
Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina
38. Arizona Cardinals
Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
39. Chicago Bears
JT Tuimoloau | EDGE | Ohio State
40. Las Vegas Raiders
41. Houston Texans
42. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)
43. Washington Commanders
44. Tennessee Titans
Cooper Beebe | OL | Kansas State
45. Cincinnati Bengals
46. Los Angeles Rams
47. Green Bay Packers
48. Cleveland Browns
Jack Sawyer | EDGE | Ohio State
49. Los Angeles Chargers
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson
51. Indianapolis Colts
52. Buffalo Bills
53. Dallas Cowboys
54. Baltimore Ravens
Michael Hall Jr. | DL | Ohio State
55. Atlanta Falcons
Caelen Carson | CB | Wake Forest
56. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington
57. Jacksonville Jaguars
58. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyleik Williams | DL | Ohio State
59. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger | OL | Georgia
60. Detroit Lions
61. Miami Dolphins
Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Texas
62. Philadelphia Eagles
63. Kansas City Chiefs
Johnny Wilson | WR/TE | Florida State