2024 NFL Mock Draft: Risers, Fallers in Latest 3-Round Projections
If the new year's approaching, you know it's officially NFL Draft season for plenty of fan bases already.
The last few weeks of the regular season give playoff contenders one last stretch to make their postseason push, but for the rest of the league, the focus is already starting to shift to the offseason.
In the college ranks, early declarations and bowl-game opt-outs are already in full force, and we're already seeing names moving up and down the imaginary draft board heading into bowl season.
As we get ready for the homestretch at both levels of the gridiron, here's a fresh look at how the first three rounds of next year's draft could shake out, using the latest updated pick order following Week 14 results:
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
Caleb Williams | QB | USC
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The Bears should strongly consider using this pick to keep building around Justin Fields, but if they end up bringing in a new coaching staff in the offseason, restarting at QB seems more likely. Despite a roller-coaster season full of inconsistency, Williams' rare physical tools should still make him the top pick.
2. New England Patriots
Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
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The post-Tom Brady era hasn't been kind to the Pats, and Bill Belichick's time leading the team might be coming to an end. Whether he's back or not, New England's biggest need is clear, and they should be in position to land their next franchise quarterback. Maye has all the tools to be exactly what they need to return to contention.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Ohio State
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The Cardinals are already financially invested in Kyler Murray as their franchise quarterback, and the best way to ensure he lives up to his contract is to give him a true No. 1 receiver. Harrison's name alone sets a high bar, but he's got all the traits to live up to the hype as the best overall prospect in this entire class.
4. Washington Commanders
Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
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After watching Sam Howell spend the majority of the 2023 season running for his life, upgrading the offensive line has to be Washington's top priority this offseason. That starts with finding a franchise left tackle, and this scenario puts them in position to land the best of this year's deep class in Fashanu.
5. Chicago Bears
Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
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After taking Williams as their new franchise quarterback, the Bears shift to the other side of the ball with their other top-five pick. Trading for Montez Sweat is already paying big dividends, but that shouldn't stop Chicago from target another explosive edge rusher here. Turner is versatile, athletic, and put up huge numbers this season.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU
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This entire roster needs a massive overhaul, but nothing matters until you have a difference-maker at quarterback. That's exactly what Daniels was for the Bayou Bengals this season, putting up historic numbers while making huge leaps as a passer to go with this dynamic running ability. The Heisman Trophy winner would bring immediate juice to this entire franchise.
7. New York Jets
Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
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The Jets are hoping for a redo in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers, and Super Bowl hopes will be back on the menu. If they want to reach them this time, they'll have to make sure Rodgers has better protection, so he can hopefully avoid another serious injury. The son of a Pro Bowl tackle himself, Alt is as polished and pro-ready as any prospect in this class.
8. New York Giants
Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
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The Giants shouldn't be opposed to upgrading at QB, but with three off the board already, they're better off waiting to see who falls to Day 2. Instead, they should help out whoever ends up throwing passes for them next year by landing a true No. 1 receiver like Odunze, who has the complete skill set to transform their passing game.
9. Tennessee Titans
Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
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There are bigger needs on both sides of the ball here, but when an elite talent falls to you, you take it. That should be how the Titans approach this scenario, as they have the opportunity to land one of the most dynamic playmakers in the entire draft. Bowers is a matchup nightmare who would help Will Levis in a big way.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | Illinois
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This defense needs help at every level, but it's always best to start in the trenches. Newton isn't the biggest interior defender, but he's easily the best one in this year's class, and he makes up for his smaller frame with elite explosiveness and instincts that allow him to spend plenty of time in opposing backfields.
11. Atlanta Falcons
Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State
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Without a quarterback on the board worthy of this slot, the Falcons should look to address one of multiple needs on defense, the biggest of which is for a dynamic edge rusher. Verse was the anchor of Florida State's dominant unit all year long, and proved in the ACC title game that he can single-handedly take over a game.
12. New Orleans Saints
Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
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Offensive line is the bigger need, but it would be hard for the Saints to pass up Nabers if he falls to them here. Chris Olave is a stud, but New Orleans could use another explosive pass-catcher who can stretch the field and make big plays after the catch. Nabers would be a perfect fit, and he'd be a bargain outside of the top 10.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Chop Robinson | EDGE | Penn State
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Trading for Leonard Williams bolstered the interior of Seattle's defensive front, but they still need another playmaker coming off the edge, and this scenario gives them multiple options worthy of this slot. Robinson has an explosive first step and a vast array of pass-rushing moves that should make him an instant-impact player at the next level.
14. Los Angeles Rams
Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State
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Alaric Jackson looks like a gem at left tackle, which should point the Rams toward the right side if they want to upgrade the offensive trenches. There are multiple prospects who would fit the bill in this scenario, but Fuaga is a fast-rising name who has been as dominant as any offensive lineman in the country this season.
15. Denver Broncos
Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama
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Finally, a corner comes off the board, but it might not be the Crimson Tide prospect many would expect. His Alabama teammate (Kool-Aid McKinstry) got more preseason hype, but Arnold has been the best corner on the field in Tuscaloosa this season. He's got a well-rounded skill set, as well as the technique, smarts and toughness to be a stud opposite another former Bama corner in Patrick Surtain II.
16. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
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Back-to-back corners here, as Wiggins fills one of Arizona's many needs on defense after landing the best player in the draft in Harrison for the offense. With ideal height and length for the position, Wiggins would be a perfect fit for what the Cards need on the outside, where they've been desperate for an impact player since Patrick Peterson's departure.
17. Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
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Don't count out safety or defensive line here, but the biggest priority for Buffalo should be giving Josh Allen as much help as possible. That means finding another stud pass-catcher to take pressure and attention away from Stefon Diggs, and Coleman's combination of size and physicality would be the perfect complement to Diggs' skill set.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
JC Latham | OT | Alabama
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Free agency could deplete the wide receiver group behind Ja'Marr Chase, but if the top four prospects are off the board there, the Bengals should shift to the offensive line, where Joe Burrow needs as much help as possible. Right tackle should be the priority, and Latham would be the perfect fit after handling top competition in the SEC.
19. Green Bay Packers
Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia
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Another team that needs an upgrade at tackle, the Packers need to find a successor for David Bakhtiari, who isn't getting any younger and has struggled with injuries in recent years. Mims missed a handful of games with an ankle injury of his own this year, but at full strength, he's a massive mauler with limitless upside.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay's list of needs could be a mile long this offseason, so this pick could go in any number of directions. In this scenario, the best match of need and value comes at the EDGE spot, where the Bucs could use an eventual replacement for veteran Shaq Barrett. Latu's injury history could cause him to tumble a bit, but he's been dominant a full strength this season.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama
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This secondary needs help at both levels, and the Colts have options at both corner and safety here who would be solid matches and great value picks. Corner is the more premium position, though, so they go in that direction here. McKinstry was a top-10 favorite heading into the season, and still has the physical tools and upside to be a shutdown presence on the outside.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Taylor III | DL | Miami (FL)
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This entire defensive front needs reinforcements, so this pick is about finding the best value, either along the interior or on the edge. In this scenario, it's the former for Minnesota, as they land an explosive and disruptive presence at the point of attack in Taylor. His attacking style of play would be put to good use by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kalen King | CB | Penn State
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The Steelers already have one budding star at corner from Happy Valley, so it wouldn't be surprising if they went back for another. King already has experience lining up across from Joey Porter Jr. and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, and this would allow them to reunite and do it again at the pro level.
24. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina
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Nico Collins and Tank Dell are already a fantastic tandem, but you can never have too many dynamic weapons for a young franchise quarterback. Legette's rare combination of size, physicality, and elite speed should make him a riser throughout the pre-draft process, and would make C.J. Stroud even more dangerous next year.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Paul | OT | Houston
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All the headlines scream for wide receiver help, and while that's warranted to a degree, the Chiefs' biggest need is at left tackle, where they need both an immediate and long-term upgrade protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side. Paul's combination of size, length, and athleticism give him as much upside as any tackle in this year's loaded class.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
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Speaking of protecting your franchise quarterback, the Jags need to do the same with Trevor Lawrence. Fautanu has been a stud at left tackle for the Huskies (protecting Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr.), but he could be even more dominant at the next level if he slides inside to guard, where Jacksonville has a bigger need.
27. Detroit Lions
JT Tuimoloau | EDGE | Ohio State
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Aidan Hutchinson has already established himself as one of the most dominant edge rushers in the NFL in just his second season, but the Lions need an upgrade on the other side of the defensive front. Tuimoloau's complete skill set and knack for making big plays of all kinds would make him an ideal pairing.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | LSU
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There aren't too many glaring needs for the Eagles, so they can afford somewhat of a luxury pick here. While opposing defenses are busy trying to defend AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philly could make their lives even more difficult by adding a big, explosive playmaker like Thomas to Jalen Hurts' bag of tricks.
29. Miami Dolphins
Graham Barton | OL | Duke
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Protecting Tua Tagovailoa has to be Miami's top priority, and they could target an upgrade at any position across the offensive line here. That being the case, why not grab a player who can play all five positions up front? Barton has played most of his snaps at tackle for the Blue Devils, but may project better inside at the next level.
30. Dallas Cowboys
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
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DaRon Bland is proving to be quite the find, but with Trevon Diggs coming off a torn ACL, the Cowboys should still be willing to add more talent at corner. Mitchell might not be a household name just yet, but he's got all the physical tools, as well as the instincts and intelligence, to be worthy of first-round consideration.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma
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The secondary could use some help at both corner and safety, but the 49ers' top priority here has to be an immediate upgrade at right tackle. Thankfully, a deep class at the position still gives them a strong candidate in Guyton, who has the talent and experience to be a plug-and-play starter on the right side.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Cooper DeJean | DB | Iowa
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Baltimore already has one versatile playmaker in the secondary (Kyle Hamilton), but why not grab another? DeJean is coming off a season-ending injury, but he's one of the best pure athletes in the entire class, and his ability to line up all over the field and make big plays would be another huge addition to this defense.
SECOND ROUND
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33. Carolina Panthers
Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State
34. Arizona Cardinals
Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington
35. New England Patriots
36. Washington Commanders
Chris Braswell | EDGE | Alabama
37. Las Vegas Raiders
Denzel Burke | CB | Ohio State
38. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)
Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami (FL)
39. New York Giants
40. Tennessee Titans
Cooper Beebe | OL | Kansas State
41. Los Angeles Chargers
Jabbar Muhammad | CB | Washington
42. Washington Commanders (from CHI)
Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Texas
43. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson
44. New York Giants (from SEA)
Kamari Lassiter | CB | Georgia
45. Los Angeles Rams
Landon Jackson | EDGE | Arkansas
46. Atlanta Falcons
47. Houston Texans
48. Buffalo Bills
49. Cincinnati Bengals
50. New Orleans Saints (from DEN)
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington
52. Green Bay Packers
53. Minnesota Vikings
Jack Sawyer | EDGE | Ohio State
54. Pittsburgh Steelers
55. Indianapolis Colts
56. Cleveland Browns
Ja'Lynn Polk | WR | Washington
57. Jacksonville Jaguars
58. Kansas City Chiefs
Devontez Walker | WR | North Carolina
59. Detroit Lions
60. Philadelphia Eagles
Caelen Carson | CB | Wake Forest
61. Miami Dolphins
62. Dallas Cowboys
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Baltimore Ravens
THIRD ROUND
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
65. Carolina Panthers
Princely Umanmielen | EDGE | Florida
66. New England Patriots
67. Arizona Cardinals
Michael Hall Jr. | DL | Ohio State
68. Washington Commanders
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Texas A&M
69. New York Jets
70. New York Giants
71. Arizona Cardinals (from TEN)
TreVeyon Henderson | RB | Ohio State
72. Los Angeles Chargers
73. Chicago Bears
Malachi Corley | WR | Western Kentucky
74. Las Vegas Raiders
Tyleik Williams | DL | Ohio State
75. Seattle Seahawks
Donovan Jackson | OL | Ohio State
76. Los Angeles Rams
Payton Wilson | LB | North Carolina State
77. Atlanta Falcons
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. | CB | Missouri
78. Denver Broncos (from NO)
Johnny Wilson | WR | Florida State
79. Green Bay Packers (from BUF)
80. Cincinnati Bengals
Nazir Stackhouse | DL | Georgia
81. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN)
Rod Moore | S | Michigan
82. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Sedrick Van Pran | OL | Georgia
83. Green Bay Packers
Trey Benson | RB | Florida State
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zach Frazier | OL | West Virginia
85. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Powers-Johnson | OL | Oregon
86. Indianapolis Colts
87. Detroit Lions (from MIN)
Christian Haynes | OL | Connecticut
88. Cleveland Browns
Jalen McMillan | WR | Washington
89. Kansas City Chiefs
McKinnley Jackson | DL | Texas A&M
90. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brendan Rice | WR | USC
91. Detroit Lions
Tyler Davis | DL | Clemson
92. Houston Texans (from PHI)
Mike Sainristil | CB | Michigan
93. Dallas Cowboys
94. San Francisco 49ers
95. Baltimore Ravens
Christian Mahogany | OL | Boston College
96. Jacksonville Jaguars
Zion Tupuola-Fetui | EDGE | Washington
97. Philadelphia Eagles
Javon Foster | OT | Missouri
98. San Francisco 49ers
Jaheim Bell | TE | Florida State
99. Buffalo Bills
100. Washington Commanders (from SF)
Jason Marshall Jr. | CB | Florida
