Would you look at that, we're less than 48 hours out from the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft... Sneaks up on ya sometimes, doesn't it?
In reality, not at all. We've had months of mock drafts, combine results, arrest reports and much more to analyze. Oversaturated with opinions, some stronger than others, but all in good fun.
Needless to say, I just need to quip in, load the internet up a little more with this content. Quite a round we have ahead. Arizona is seemingly the holder of Pandora's box at #4, with the first three picks all but locked in at QB. Or are they? Could we see a blockbuster that sends Kyler Murray and picks to Washington or New England for the opportunity to select anyone but Caleb Williams?
Minnesota now has two first rounders, any shot they decide to trade up with the Cardinals for the quarterback scraps at #4? Or maybe some team really does fall in love with JJ McCarthy, leading to Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels sliding.
Endless possibilities, and those were just picks 1-4. It's going to be a busy night Thursday. Here's our take on how the chips will fall, trades included:
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): QB Caleb Williams- USC
As surefire a bet as we have in this draft. While I'm not particularly sold on Caleb's maturity or leadership abilities, the skills he brings to the gridiron are undeniable. His career in the Windy City will be a fascinating one. Conveniently, he can even paint B-E-A-R-S onto his finger nails to celebrate the occasion.
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| Photo: SportsGrid |
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels- LSU
Things start getting juicy at #2, depending which remaining quarterback Washington likes the most. Josh Harris is going into his first QB decision as owner, one that he'll surely want to knock out here for the next decade plus. A true crapshoot here, so I'll have them taking the dual threat Jayden Daniels. Some fans may have scarring flashbacks of RG3, but Daniels is a more complete player at this point in his career, wholly capable of elevating a talented supporting cast.
3. New England Patriots: QB JJ McCarthy- Michigan
Boy, am I not a believer in JJ McCarthy, but I can acknowledge all of the pre-draft hype he's been working up lately. Does it sneak him into the top 5? Top 2?!? He'll probably hear his name within the first 10 picks at minimum, but something tells me a reliable game manager with upside is exactly what Jerod Mayo wants under center to steady their offense in his inaugural season as head coach. We've seen a Wolverine quarterback have success in Foxborough before as well.
4. TRADE- Minnesota Vikings: QB Drake Maye- North Carolina
Arizona receives picks 11, 23, 108, 2024 1st and 3rd rounders
Minnesota receives pick 4, 2024 7th rounder
Splash! If Maye falls this far, the Cardinals are going to be fighting off suitors left and right as they search for the best trade package. Their haul may be even more exorbitant than this suggested price tag.
The Vikings were a pretty decent team for the second half of last year, especially with the likes of Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens under center. A worthwhile quarterback could really elevate this roster, as well as improve the chances of retaining Justin Jefferson long term. Skol Nation will be betting that Maye is the man to do the job.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.- Ohio St.
When a team loses their top two wideouts during an offseason and then has the (alleged) top prospect at receiver in recent memory fall to them at 5...wonder if they can run this draft card up to the podium faster than MHJ's 40? Oh wait, he didn't run it. No brainer of a pick though.
6. New York Giants: OT Joe Alt- Notre Dame
Massive intrigue around this pick. Bo Nix? An attempted trade up? Receiver? Corner? The G-Men could go a number of directions here.
I'll have them taking a conservative approach, taking the top left tackle in this class to help give Daniel Jones his best chance at showing he was worth the $160 million dollar contract they foolishly awarded him after one fair season. Worst case scenario, next year's quarterback will have a better tested tackle on their blindside.
7. Tennessee Titans: WR Malik Nabers- LSU
Diva status be damned, you can't pass on a guy like this. And who better to learn the nuances from the game from than Deandre Hopkins. It's a tandem Will Levis could've never dreamed of. Time to put up or shut up.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Jared Verse- Florida State
It feels like Atlanta is constantly picking 8th overall...probably because this is their third straight year doing so. What are the odds of that?
With such a heavy investment in Kirk Cousins and the weapons he'll be working with, this pick has to be defense. Corner is a possibility here, but the Falcons could be worse off in the secondary. Bolstering their perennially nonexistent pass rush would only benefit the cast already in place. Verse can step in day one and get after the opposing quarterback, with the whole season to earn more snaps
9. Chicago Bears: DL Jer'Zhan Newton- Illinois
Chicago only has four picks in this draft, so rumor is they could trade #9 to load up in other rounds. Possibly a prime Bo Nix spot. But I don't see anyone blowing their doors off with an offer, so we'll have them stay put and take an in-state prospect in Johnny Newton. The Bears have a solid defensive line, plus Montez Sweat to get after the QB. But Newton provides a ton of versatility and talent that Matt Eberflus would be able to get the most out of.
Don't be shocked if this is Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers though.
10. New York Jets: OT Taliese Fuaga- Oregon State
Admittedly, I didn't crunch hours of collegiate offensive line game film, but from the bit I did watch, Taliese Fuaga stood out the most to me. Just a sound tackle with a mean streak and room to improve. With their pick of any tackle but Joe Alt, let's get some Beaver up to New York.
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| Photo: Charlie Riedel/ AP |
11. Arizona Cardinals (Via MIN): WR Rome Odunze- Washington
So the Cardinals don't end up with Marvin Harrison Jr., but they add 3 first round picks, plus some more and still end up with an elite talent in Rome Odunze. Arizona's receiving core is in a full revamp mode, making a fast, strong, 6'3" wideout the perfect addition to jump start the group.
12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix- Oregon
There's quite possibly not a sadder quarterback room in the league right now. I mean, Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci...ouch. While I'm not convinced Bo Nix is the guy to turn this team around, he's clearly got the most upside of any of the aforementioned. With him falling into the Broncos' laps here, they'd be silly not to kick the wheels.
13. TRADE- Indianapolis Colts: TE Brock Bowers- Georgia
Las Vegas receives picks 15 and 82
Indianapolis receives picks 13 and 208
The Cardinals weren't moving again, especially with Odunze there, and Denver couldn't pass on Bo Nix, making this the logical jump up spot for the Colts to get their tight end of the future. Some may call this a slide for the Georgia Bulldog, but it feels like an appropriate slot for him based on the previous picks off the board. Anthony Richardson will be licking his chops at the notion of Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor and Brock Bowers in that Indy offense.
14. New Orleans Saints: DL Byron Murphy- Texas
This feels like a Dennis Allen pick here. Cameron Jordan is no spring chicken, the run defense was suspect for much of last year, sack numbers were way down. Byron Murphy helps address all three of those fronts, bringing a hard-nosed, versatile defender onto that D-line
15. Las Vegas Raiders (via IND): OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu- Penn State
Las Vegas has some play makers on offense and a really underrated defensive group, giving them a little wiggle room here in the first round. With it being way too early to take any of the running backs, we've got the Silver and Black taking a massive Nittany Lion to help pave the way for whoever's toting the rock. Fashanu would be a hell of a right tackle, assuming he doesn't beat out Kolton Miller in training camp to bump him over.
16. TRADE- Philadelphia Eagles: CB Quinyon Mitchell- Toledo
Seahawks receive picks 22 and 53
Eagles receive picks 16 and 118
First corner off the board! A couple of different names in the running for that, but we've got the Eagles moving up for the supremely projectable Quinyon Mitchell. Despite facing off against subpar competition, Mitchell shined as a twitchy lockdown guy in zone and man schemes, a versatility that Philly will surely utilize.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Terrion Arnold- Alabama
The Jaguars pass defense is terrible, despite a pretty purported attempt to address the problem. And as solid as Ronald Darby was in Baltimore, he ain't the long term fix here. Enter Terrion Arnold, a great young man and a shutdown perimeter defender. With 6 games incoming against the likes of Deandre Hopkins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Stefon Diggs, we'll find out what the kid is made of real quick, as Arnold should step into the CB1 role immediately down in Duval.
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| Photo: Donald Page/ Getty Images |
18. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Troy Fautanu- Washington
Could this pick be part of a package Cincy sends up to Minneapolis for Justin Jefferson?! Wouldn't that be wild... but I'll have the Bengals taking a slightly conservative approach here, instead opting to build up the offensive line around their injury-prone quarterback, selecting Troy Fautanu from Washington. The Huskie was one of the top pass blocking lineman in the NCAA, with plenty of experience in that high flying offense. He should slot right into this starting five to keep Joe Shiesty upright and healthy.
19. TRADE- Buffalo Bills: WR Brian Thomas Jr.- LSU
Rams receive picks 28, 128 and 2024 4th rounder
Bills receive pick 19 and 155
There's simply no way Buffalo rolls into this season with Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir as their top two receivers. Whether Thomas Jr. is the pick here or somebody else, whoever the Bills go with on Thursday is going to be a wideout.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: C Jackson Powers-Johnson- Oregon
Pittsburgh perennially has an iffy offensive line, despite their attempts to absolve the problem and commitment to the run game. Perhaps this class's top center Jackson Powers-Johnson could help things out? The reigning Rimington Trophy winner is a solid in pass protection and a bull in the run game. He's a day one starter with a mean streak that should be contagious.
21. Miami Dolphins: CB Cooper DeJean- Iowa
The Dolphins cut Xavien Howard this offseason. Jalen Ramsey's going into his tenth season, and Kendall Fuller's not getting any younger either, making cornerback a huge area of need for Miami. Cooper DeJean would be well off the board at this point had he not fractured his fibula in November, making this a potential steal for the Fins. Nobody's getting out of this AFC with a bad pass D.
22. Seattle Seahawks (via PHI): S Tyler Nubin- Minnesota
The Seahawks have finally washed their hands of the disaster that was the Jamal Adams trade, now time to address the position. Tyler Nubin's my top safety in this class and a piece Mike MacDonald would salivate over on the back end of his defense. Nubin has a similar playing style to Kyle Hamilton, who was just an All-Pro in MacDonald's scheme. Return of the No Fly Zone?
23. Arizona Cardinals (via MIN): EDGE Laiatu Latu- UCLA
Some medical red flags have arguably this year's top edge rusher dropping, with the Cards in a prime spot to stop his slide. Arizona racked up the third fewest sacks in the league last season, with a glaring need to upgrade. If Latu can remain healthy, he'll end up being fantastic value here.
24. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Dallas Turner- Alabama
Can you think of a more appropriate name for a future Cowboy? The Crimson Tide pass rusher would immediately slide into this defensive line as a potential impact starter, helping Micah Parsons get after opposing quarterbacks. I could totally see linebacker being the pick here, but there's no way Jerry and Co. pass up a talent like Turner.
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| Photo: John-David Mercer/ USA Today |
25. Green Bay Packers: OT JC Latham- Alabama
Jordan Love showed last year that he was the future for Green Bay under center. A receiver like Troy Franklin could absolutely be in play here, but the team seems pretty content going into the '24-25 campaign with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed as their primary pass catchers. Therefore, we think an offensive tackle to keep Love upright would be the best fit for the youthful Packers at 25. Not a flashy pick, but one that could help lay the foundation for years of future success.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Edgerrin Cooper- Texas A&M
Lavonte David's 34. Devin White's now an Eagle after a dramatic decline in performance over the last couple of seasons. In a division with the likes of Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara and Kyle Pitts, having a dynamic linebacker goes a long way. That's exactly what Cooper is. He should slide in beside David at WILL short-term, where I think he'll thrive, until he proves he has what it takes to take the MIKE role.
This pick could very possibly be Payton Wilson too, who'd probably be the consensus LB1 if not for some medical concerns.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): DT T'Vondre Sweat- Texas
A third first round pick?! Not a bad Thursday for the Cardinals faithful. As bad as they were at getting after the opposing QB in 2023, they were even worse at stopping the run, which is exactly T'Vondre Sweat's specialty. Most mocks have him falling out of the first due to a recent DUI arrest in Austin, but he's too talented to slip too far. Down to the desert he goes!
28. Los Angeles Rams (via BUF): EDGE Chop Robinson- Penn State
It's going to be really weird not seeing Aaron Donald on the field for the Rams in 2024. They could definitely take a swing for a D-lineman like Braden Fiske or Ruke Orhorhoro to attempt to fill Donald's shoes, but a pass rusher with Robinson's upside is far too much to pass up at 28.
29. Detroit Lions: CB Nate Wiggins- Clemson
Cameron Sutton really screwed Detroit's offseason plans for their secondary. I'll never understand why it's so difficult to not assault women...but I digress. The Lions' hand is kind of forced a little as a result, but Nate Wiggins is a solid consolation to take from the situation. Some mocks have him as the top corner in the class, which I don't fully agree with, but he's ready to come in and start day one.
30. Baltimore Ravens: OT Amarius Mims- Georgia
As a Ravens fan, I was hoping for a flashier option to be available here, but it simply wasn't the nature of the board. While I love Keon Coleman from Florida State, taking another receiver in the first round would be a luxury for this Baltimore team that has a fair bit of holes. Amarius Mims immediately slots into the right tackle spot Morgan Moses vacated, ideally holding it down for the next 5+ seasons.
31. TRADE- Las Vegas Raiders: QB Michael Penix Jr.- Washington
49ers receive picks 44 and 82 (via IND)
Raiders receive pick 31
Busy first round for the Raiders here! After trading down two slots with Indy, we have them moving back into the end of round one to secure a quarterback with a fifth year option. Penix Jr. definitely has some work to do to become a viable starter in this league, but he won't have to be rushed with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell in place, helping buy him what may be a crucial development year.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Ladd McConkey- Georgia
I'd be stunned if Kansas City didn't choose a receiver here. Plenty of good options, but McConkey's skill set would be extremely interesting with Patrick Mahomes. He's a quick slot guy with elite intermediate potential. What better offense to start your NFL career in?
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@Choppinglines
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