NFL Mock Draft 2.0 -Projecting Amid FA
Many teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, have made big free-agent signings to improve their rosters.
Some of these signings will help teams in the short term, but they also need to consider the 2024 NFL Draft for long-term options.
With that, here is our latest mock draft with free agency in consideration.
- Chicago Bears (from Panthers) -- Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This pick remains unchanged. The Bears have not yet found a trade partner for Justin Fields, but they still take the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner to be their quarterback of the future and figure out Fields’ fate later.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams goes No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears in our second 2024 NFL mock draft.
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
2. Washington Commanders -- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
New Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury probably would have liked to reunite with Williams, but he gets another excellent choice here. Maye has the size and athleticism to make every throw and can use his legs, too.
3. New England Patriots -- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweeted earlier that the Patriots are turning their attention to wide receiver in the draft. That being the case, they go with one of the best receiver prospects we’ve seen in a long time. Harrison becomes the focal point of the Patriots offense, with quarterback Jacoby Brissett projected to be the starter in 2024.
4. Arizona Cardinals -- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Cardinals need to find Kyler Murray a No. 1 receiver. They get that with Nabers. The unanimous All-American is one of the most explosive playmakers in the draft, with 3,003 career receiving yards.
5. Los Angeles Chargers -- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Chargers get a unique tight-end prospect for Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense. Bowers can be used all over the field. New Coach Jim Harbaugh and Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman will know how to include him in the offense.
6. New York Giants -- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Giants still have Daniel Jones on a big contract but decided to draft his replacement here. Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy and can throw with precision and accuracy and make plays on the run.
7. Tennessee Titans -- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans add their left tackle of the future in the 6-foot-8, 322-pound All-American Alt. He rarely allowed sacks and should help protect Will Levis.
8. Atlanta Falcons -- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Falcons get a true No. 1 edge rusher in Turner, a quick and athletic player who should consistently pursue the quarterback at the next level, something they have needed for a long time.
9. Chicago Bears -- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
After taking Caleb Williams, the Bears give him an explosive weapon. Odunze had 1,428 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. They pair him with DJ Moore to provide Williams with two excellent weapons.
10. New York Jets -- Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Jets have added offensive line help in free agency but need a long-term option at left tackle. Fashanu, a large, athletic presence, is one of the best pass-blockers in the class.
11. Minnesota Vikings -- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Kirk Cousins era in Minnesota is over, so they need to find their next franchise quarterback. McCarthy has appealing size and athleticism, but will he be able to make enough throws?
12. Denver Broncos -- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Broncos need to find a player who can consistently rush the passer. Latu has the athletic ability and tenacious mentality to be a dominant pass rusher in the league.
13. Las Vegas Raiders -- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
This pick remains unchanged from last week as well. The Silver and Black need a true No. 1 cornerback, and Arnold has the physical traits and IQ to be that. They added him and improved their defense significantly.
14. New Orleans Saints -- JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Saints need an offensive tackle. They restructured Ryan Ramczyk’s contract but need to find someone who can play on the opposite side of him. Latham has the strength and size to be a long-term option at left tackle.
15. Indianapolis Colts -- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
While Indianapolis re-signed Michael Pittman Jr., they need another threat on the other side of him. Thomas has size, speed, and scoring production, making him one of this class's most underrated players.
16. Seattle Seahawks -- Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Seahawks are like big offensive linemen. Powers-Johnson, at 320 pounds, fits that mold. The intelligent Powers-Johnson moves players in the run game and can stabilize the Seahawks’ offensive line.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Jaguars lost wide receiver Calvin Ridley but decided to go defense with this pick. Mitchell has elite speed and a competitive nature that gives him real potential to be a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.
18. Cincinnati Bengals -- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Bengals want to protect Joe Burrow as he returns from injury in 2024. What better way to do that than with a 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle? Mims is one of the best athletes in the entire class as well.
19. Los Angeles Rams -- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga can play left or right tackle for the Rams. He is dominant in the run game and can hold up in pass protection. The Rams get a long-term tackle option they have not addressed since Andrew Whitworth retired.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Fautanu proved he can be a tackle at the next level at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Steelers get a right tackle to protect new quarterback Russell Wilson. The tackle run continues.
21. Miami Dolphins -- Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Christian Wilkins is a Raider, so the Dolphins must find a player to replace his production. Murphy is a game-wrecker on the interior defensive line. After so many injuries, the Dolphins lacked defensive line production last season, so Murphy is a welcome presence.
22. Philadelphia Eagles -- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Eagles need to get younger at cornerback, so they go with Wiggins. One of the fastest players in the draft, Wiggins has the athleticism and technique to lock down receivers in the NFC East.
23. Houston Texans (from Browns) -- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Houston got great play out of C.J. Stroud last season, so they get him another receiving weapon here. Coleman is a big-bodied receiver who can go up for jump balls or take screen passes for long distances.
24. Dallas Cowboys -- Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DT, Illinois
The Cowboys have not been very active in free agency, but they decided to add a massive presence on the interior defensive line. They pair Newton with Mazi Smith and create a wall to stop running backs from getting through.
25. Green Bay Packers -- Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Packers value versatility in their offensive linemen. Barton can play all five positions on the line, so the Packers selected him here.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Verse has a bit of a slide here, but he lands in an excellent spot. The Buccaneers let Shaq Barrett go, so they need a new pass rusher. Verse has the quickness and technique to be an effective pass rusher in the league.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans) -- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Cardinals got their No. 1 wide receiver earlier in the first round, and now they get a No. 1 cornerback. McKinstry has the tools and competitiveness to be a star despite the injury discovered at the Combine.
28. Buffalo Bills -- AD Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Bills need to add a No. 2 wide receiver after letting Gabe Davis walk. Mitchell has the size and speed to be a star. He forms an elite trio with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
29. Detroit Lions -- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean can play either cornerback or safety in the NFL. The Lions select him here as their No. 2 cornerback. He can also provide special teams' production.
30. Baltimore Ravens -- Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
The Ravens added running back Derrick Henry in free agency, so they go with a wide receiver late in the first round again. Worthy broke the Combine 40-yard dash record and looks to bring that speed to Lamar Jackson.
31. San Francisco 49ers -- Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The 49ers need help on the offensive line, so they go with Guyton, who has a massive 6-foot-8, 328-pound frame. Guyton has excellent athleticism for the position and should protect Brock Purdy well.
32. Kansas City Chiefs -- Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
McConkey caps off a remarkable wide receiver run by going to the Chiefs to be a new target for Patrick Mahomes. McConkey can do it all and just came off an impressive Pro Day in Athens.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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