The 2024 NFL Draft is drawing near. The meat of NFL free agency is now in the rearview, and teams are finalizing their draft boards in the coming days to be as ready as possible to load up their rosters at the end of April.
As always with the NFL Draft, you can expect the unexpected. That’s one of the reasons we all love it so much. There are twists and turns throughout that make the weekend event so great, including the potential of more blockbuster trades. And those are the kinds of scenarios we want to explore. The NFL Draft is an inexact science anyway, so let’s try and figure out some of the crazier things that might happen, right?
Our latest 2024 NFL mock draft will explore bold trade-up scenarios, player trades, and maneuvering around the board for a number of teams. What kind of wild scenarios could we see?
1) Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
There shouldn’t be any theatrics with the Chicago Bears and the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams has long been thought of as the top prospect in this year’s class, and Chicago isn’t really in a place to pass on him.
Last offseason, the Bears decided they knew better and passed on CJ Stroud to roll with Justin Fields for another year. General manager Ryan Poles basically bought himself a mulligan with that trade, and we’ll see if he’s better off for it. Stroud was a superstar last year in Houston, so the Bears need to make sure they get this evaluation right. Williams will be set up well with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen as his top targets the moment he steps into the building.
2) Washington Commanders: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Although we know you’re not exactly supposed to believe everything you hear this time of year, there’s no question that JJ McCarthy is an impressive prospect. Maybe Jim Harbaugh’s sales pitches have been working. Who knows?
One way or the other, McCarthy’s makeup is fascinating. He wasn’t asked to do everything at Michigan, but that’s not really a bad thing. When it came time for him to go out there and make a play, he absolutely did it. McCarthy has that killer instinct you love at the position. He’s done well working within the structure of an offense. Since when is that a bad thing?
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3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The New England Patriots can’t really afford to get this pick wrong. There have been rumors that they might be interested in trading out of the third overall slot, but why would that be? Are they really fine punting the QB situation to 2025 with Jacoby Brissett and Baile Zappe as their primary guys this season?
I’m calling the Patriots’ bluff here. New England doesn’t have to fall in love with a QB, but we’ve seen way too many teams make the mistake of letting certain guys fall in the draft for no good reason. It feels like everyone is overthinking Drake Maye at this point. He undoubtedly has the look of a future franchise QB, and that’s a risk worth taking here for New England. Sorry, Vikings.
4) Las Vegas Raiders (from Cardinals): Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State
Four picks in, four straight quarterbacks. The Las Vegas Raiders are the flavor of the week this week to make a bold move up the board for a quarterback, and for the longest time, we’ve had an issue making this type of scenario happen. Jayden Daniels has been the presumptive 2nd overall pick for a long time, but what if he’s still on the board with the 4th slot?
The Raiders have a unique connection to Daniels with head coach Antonio Pierce having been on the Arizona State staff when Daniels was still there, before he transferred to LSU and became a Heisman winner. The relationship equity between Daniels and Pierce gives the Raiders a bit of an evaluation edge, and if he’s on the board after the 2nd selection, I could see Vegas paying whatever it takes to move up and get their guy.
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers could trade down here and probably still get one of the top three guys they want, but why trade down when you can get the top guy on your board. The first non-quarterback of this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario is not a wide receiver but an offensive tackle.
Jim Harbaugh’s teams have always been built first through the trenches. He and his coaching staff in Los Angeles will have a good beat on Joe Alt and what he brings to the table as well. Chargers defensive line coach Mike Elston was on the Notre Dame staff for a number of years and knows Joe Alt extremely well.
This might not be the sexiest pick the Chargers could make here, but this is how Jim Harbaugh builds his teams.
6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Another slight surprise here as the New York Giants make Malik Nabers the first wide receiver off the board. All offseason, we’ve been getting hints and clues that teams around the league don’t exactly have a consensus board at the receiver position.
It’s been assumed that Marvin Harrison Jr. would be the top receiver off the board for a long time, but there are teams who have Nabers rated higher and there are teams who have Washington’s Rome Odunze rated higher. The Giants get a much-needed go-to weapon here in the passing game for Drew Lo– I mean, Daniel Jones to spread the ball to.
7) Arizona Cardinals (from Titans): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals made the move down the board initially with the Las Vegas Raiders in this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario, but here they move back up and still get the guy many project them to take with the 4th overall pick.
How about picking up an additional 2025 first-round selection (from a team likely trotting out a rookie QB) and still getting Marvin Harrison Jr.? Even if the Cardinals get Nabers or Odunze in this kind of scenario, it would be a massive win.
Harrison will step right in and be the team’s new WR1, giving the Cardinals a game-changer at a crucial juncture of Kyler Murray’s pro career.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Depending on what the Falcons want to do here, they could mess around and trade down. If they are happy with any of Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, or Jared Verse off the edge, then sell this pick to the highest bidder and whoever really wants Rome Odunze, or maybe some team can’t live without the next best tackle on their board.
Here, we have the Falcons staying put and landing the speedy Turner off the edge. With all the Falcons have invested in their offense, it would be wise for them to keep seeking guys who could upgrade their pass rush and get that offense as many possessions as possible.
9) Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
I’ve been wrong about the Bears plenty since Ryan Poles took over as their general manager, but I’m just not sure how you could pass up on someone like Rome Odunze in this pick slot.
The Bears did trade for DJ Moore last year and Keenan Allen this year. But you need more than two receivers in today’s NFL and why would you not get this kind of talent on your roster if you had the chance?
Look at what it did for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati to have Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Cincinnati could have easily justified passing on Ja’Marr Chase and taking an offensive lineman in 2021, but they made the right choice. When you can get a difference-maker like this, you do it. Especially with a young QB in place.
10) New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The New York Jets have left every option on the table with this top selection. They went out in NFL free agency and signed Tyron Smith to play left tackle. They landed Mike Williams to help Garrett Wilson at the wide receiver position. They traded for Morgan Moses to complete the offensive line rebuild.
Why not Brock Bowers here? He’s the best offensive skill player available, and while the Jets could very well opt for longer-term options at both tackle and even quarterback, adding Bowers to the mix would give Aaron Rodgers a plethora of options.
Allen Lazard wasn’t a good pickup for this team last year but a guy like Bowers could take his spot in the rotation and give the Jets an enviable group if they can all stay healthy.
11) Minnesota Vikings: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Minnesota Vikings acquired an extra pick from the Houston Texans in this year’s draft, presumably to be able to move up and select a quarterback.
So what happens if they get outbid?
If the Vikings have a single quarterback in mind in a trade-up scenario, then they might be “SOL” instead of “SKOL” in a situation like this. With that being said, Minnesota is set up to continue to add building blocks to its roster under GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, one way or the other.
Paying Sam Darnold $10 million this year might be a sign of the times and inflation in the NFL thanks to the salary cap going up, or maybe this Vikings regime is really buying his ability to be the next Baker Mayfield within their system.
Quinyon Mitchell has drawn a lot of attention from Minnesota and has had multiple meetings with them in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft. He would be a great selection here at a position of need.
12) Dallas Cowboys (from Broncos): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
After losing Tyron Smith in NFL free agency, the Dallas Cowboys need to do something at the left tackle position. They’re not likely going to be able to stay put at the 24th overall pick and just watch the run on offensive linemen happen in the teens, which is almost certainly going to happen.
Although the Cowboys may have long-term questions at the quarterback position, they don’t want to have long-term questions at both quarterback and left tackle.
With this trade-up scenario involving the Denver Broncos, the Cowboys ensure themselves one of the best pass protecting tackles to come along in quite some time. Olu Fashanu is a stud and would be a big-time pickup for Dallas in this year’s draft, even if it costs them dearly to trade up.
13) Tennessee Titans (from Cardinals): Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
I don’t think the Tennessee Titans would trade down from the 7th overall pick if they weren’t completely sold on the depth of this year’s class at the offensive tackle position. They recently released former first-round pick Andre Dillard, who was signed last offseason as a reclamation project of sorts.
The door is open for the Titans to add to the offensive line in this year’s draft, and moving down with the Cardinals allowed them to get some additional (very valuable) capital in round two.
Getting Troy Fautanu here isn’t exactly a consolation prize, either. He’s one of the nastiest offensive linemen in the class who will step right in for Brian and Bill Callahan and give them a steady starter at an important position.
14) New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Some news came about recently that the New Orleans Saints are dealing with a worse-than-expected prognosis on right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who is recovering from a knee injury. There may be more long-term effects of that injury than anticipated, which means there may now be a long-term need for the Saints at right tackle.
And even before this, there were questions over whether or not Trevor Penning – another former first-round pick – would be able to live up to his billing on the left side. Questions abound for the Saints at the tackle position, and a player like Taliese Fuaga might be a gift from the football gods.
He will step right in and play right tackle as a rookie, allowing the Saints to seamlessly move forward with a new era at the position.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard holds athletic tools and traits in high regard when it comes to the NFL Draft. The Colts almost never take guys who are not in the “elite” category when it comes to Relative Athletic Score.
So you can imagine that a player like Terrion Arnold – a 9.43 on the RAS scale – would be a great option for a team in need of help in the secondary. Terrion Arnold won over hearts with his incredible interview at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and in this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario, he gets to start his professional career there.
The former Alabama star picked off five passes last year and has proven that he has CB1 traits for the next level.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
There have to be a few surprises in the NFL Draft, right? The Seattle Seahawks are usually a good bet for a head-scratching pick or two in the NFL Draft, and taking Graham Barton here at no. 16 overall would certainly fit the bill.
Barton has met formally with the Seahawks and has the versatility to play anywhere on the offensive line, but where the Seahawks need help is on the interior. If Seattle is set on Olu Oluwatimi as its center of the future, then someone like Barton to slot in at guard could make sense.
Even if Seattle fans would prefer a trade-down scenario, maybe they will feel they can’t risk missing out on him given the offensive line needs of other teams right behind them in this class.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to keep throwing darts on the defensive side of the ball. They got a little unlucky having the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft when Travon Walker was apparently the best overall option, but after a sluggish rookie season, Walker emerged last year with 10.0 sacks and 19 QB hits.
Josh Allen is back in the fold this year, but the Jaguars need to continue to add pieces to win in the trenches defensively. Getting Arik Armstead from the 49ers was massive, and adding a player like Jared Verse to help off the edge could take this unit to the next level.
New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will utilize Travon Walker all over the place, as he should, so Verse could slot in as a full-time player off the edge right away.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Johnny Newton, DL, Illinois
The Cincinnati Bengals could go any number of directions with this selection, but after some of the moves they made in free agency like bringing in offensive tackle Trent Brown and signing defensive backs like Geno Stone and Vonn Bell, the interior defensive line could make the most sense here.
That will largely depend on what the Bengals think of the rest of the receivers in this class as well, but certainly they wouldn’t be making a mistake by taking Newton in this pick slot. Newton would be able to jump into Cincinnati’s rotation immediately after they lost DJ Reader to the Lions. Even though they brought in Sheldon Rankins, you can never have too many studs on the interior defensive line and Newton could give the Bengals a huge edge in the playoffs.
19) Los Angeles Rams: Byron Murphy, DL, Texas
The loss of Aaron Donald this offseason looms pretty large over the Los Angeles Rams, even though they got a big-time breakout season in 2023 from young Kobie Turner. Donald has been such a force for such a long time that the shockwaves of losing him now could linger well into the 2024 season.
But adding a player like Byron Murphy can’t hurt in the interim. Murphy, like Donald, is a slightly undersized player on the defensive line, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for with quickness and relentless effort. He’s a menace on the defensive interior. The Rams could be a wild card QB team in the first round of the draft, but I like them getting Murphy here to step into the rotation immediately on the defensive line.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a good one last year when they took offensive tackle Broderick Jones out of Georgia, and they dip right back into the same talent pool here again in 2024.
Amarius Mims is far from a finished product at this point, but what he’s put on tape – even the limited tape that he has at this point – has been rather dominant.
The Steelers land one of the nastiest players in the draft at one of the deepest position groups. He’s 6-foot-8, 340 pounds, and posted a 9.56 RAS after a fantastic NFL Combine performance. The tools are all there, the Steelers just need to get the best out of him.
21) Denver Broncos (from Dolphins): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Denver Broncos traded down from the 12th overall pick and added a much-needed second-round selection in this NFL mock draft scenario, but they can’t wait much longer to select their quarterback of the future.
As of right now, it’s really hard to know what direction the Broncos will go. They’ll almost undoubtedly draft somebody, but who? There was an interesting development at the NFL Combine in which Michael Penix revealed that the Broncos grilled him in their formal interview over some of his worst plays at Washington. It doesn’t sound like they did that for anyone else.
Does that mean anything in the long run? Not necessarily, but Penix has all of the skills to excel with Sean Payton as his head coach and the Broncos need to take a shot somewhere in this draft class.
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
One of the essential pieces of the 2024 offseason is going to be adding personnel to Vic Fangio’s new-look secondary in Philadelphia. It’s no secret that the Eagles’ defensive backfield was victimized and torched all last season, and that wasn’t entirely the fault of Sean Desai.
Or Matt Patricia.
The Eagles need to upgrade their players in the secondary and Cooper DeJean could step in and play right away for them at really any position. Although he projects as an outside corner, DeJean could man the slot or play safety depending on what Fangio envisions right away. He would probably have to learn multiple positions.
Tackling is a non-negotiable for Fangio and DeJean prides himself on playing a physical brand of football.
23) Minnesota Vikings (from Texans): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
This one might make Vikings fans sick to their stomachs, but what if this scenario presents itself?
Would Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings rather just roll with Sam Darnold and punt the QB situation to next offseason?
It would certainly not bode well for them to make the trade they did with the Texans and then completely miss out on quarterbacks. And I tend to believe that one of the reasons they made the trade they did with the Texans is because they like the depth of this QB class overall.
Bo Nix gets the ball out quick, he’s accurate, he’s on time. Even if he’s not spectacular in all facets of his game, he could run Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
24) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Miami Dolphins need to add to the interior offensive line and Jackson Powers-Johnson might be the best overall interior offensive lineman in this draft.
Even though Graham Barton went a handful of picks earlier to the Seattle Seahwks, Powers-Johnson might be the best overall center in this class. He’s tough, physical, and has versatility having played both center and guard for the Ducks.
Not only that, but he seems like he would be an ideal type of fit with the Dolphins with his movement skills.
25) Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Green Bay Packers typically have a weight threshold of 190 pounds at the cornerback position under GM Brian Gutekunst, but they’ve made exceptions for other things in the past and perhaps they could do so for Nate Wiggins.
Wiggins does have a slight frame at 6-foot-1, 173 pounds, but he meets the Packers’ other athletic metric thresholds by being elite in every other category.
Wiggins would add a much-needed playmaker to the cornerback position for Green Bay, where Eric Stokes – another former first-round pick – has been largely unavailable over the past couple of seasons. Green Bay may be forced to put him in a “make or break” situation.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
There are medical questions for Laiatu Latu that could force him to the end of round one, possibly even out of the first round entirely, but if teams clear him, he’s going to be a steal at this point.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised a lot of people by still being good this past season, but that defense was never going to allow the team to bottom out completely. They need to do a bit of reloading this offseason with star pass rusher Shaquil Barrett gone as a salary cap casualty.
Getting Laiatu Latu here at the end of round one would be another sweet Draft win for GM Jason Licht.
27) Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals maneuvered around the board earlier in this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario and managed to still get Marvin Harrison Jr. Here at the end of round one with the pick they acquired from Houston last year, they get Kool-Aid McKinstry to add some much-needed youth and playmaking ability to the defensive backfield.
Jonathan Gannon did an outstanding job with the players he was given last year, but adding talent in the secondary has to be a non-negotiable in the 2024 NFL Draft. McKinstry would immediately slot as the Cardinals’ best outside corner. He racked up 22 passes broken up over the last two seasons at Alabama.
28) Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Buffalo Bills have tricked us in recent years by seemingly telegraphing a wide receiver pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, but they haven’t pulled the trigger.
With Gabe Davis gone via free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and continual questions over Stefon Diggs’ long-term situation with the team, perhaps this will finally be the year the Bills actually pull the trigger.
Maybe they’ll even be a threat to move up in the draft to get someone…
Brian Thomas wouldn’t be a bad “consolation” prize this late in round one, either. He led the nation this past season with 17 touchdown catches and has a combination of outstanding ball skills at the catch point, length, and ability to play both outside and in the slot.
29) Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Detroit Lions need to continue to upgrade their defensive front this offseason, and getting an athlete like Chop Robinson could really help them over the long haul of an NFL season.
Detroit also needs to add to their secondary, but they’ll be able to do that as this 2024 NFL mock draft progresses and Robinson might have traits you can’t pass on here. He can play all over the defensive front and cause havoc, and did exactly that while he was at Penn State.
You don’t hear the term “boom or bust” quite as much anymore, but there’s an element of that with Chop Robinson given the fact that he didn’t have ideal statistical production at the college level. But his productivity extends beyond just the box score, and he would be a nice fit on Detroit’s defensive front.
30) Baltimore Ravens: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
We haven’t taken any looks at the 2024 NFL Draft with this scenario as a possibility, but doesn’t this just feel like a Baltimore Ravens type of pick?
The Ravens always seem to get the best possible value (according to the consensus, at least) at every turn of the NFL Draft, and getting JC Latham possibly 15 picks later than he will actually go is something that just feels on-brand for them.
Latham is one of the best right tackles in the draft and would have the opportunity to come in and start immediately for Baltimore. This would be an outstanding selection.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
The San Francisco 49ers don’t care about your consensus position rankings or big board. The 49ers are in an interesting situation right now in which Brandon Aiyuk isn’t exactly thrilled about his situation with the team, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him traded on draft night.
Perhaps in this scenario, we could explore something like that (stay tuned)...
Corley feels like he fits exactly what the 49ers covet year over year at the offensive skill positions. He’s outstanding after the catch and very physical in that regard. He has a great combination of athletic traits and natural instincts in the open field when he’s got the ball.
The 49ers wouldn’t be able to get Corley with their second-round pick, so they take him here and are happy with it.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
At this point, it almost feels like we can just pencil in Tyler Guyton for the Chiefs in nearly every 2024 NFL mock draft scenario.
Guyton fits argualy the Chiefs’ biggest need at this point, and although he’s a little raw in areas, he’s so physically gifted that getting him into the building might just mean it’s a matter of time before he is shutting things down on Patrick Mahomes’s blind side.
Donovan Smith remains a free agent at the time of this mock draft being posted, and someone like Guyton could really provide Kansas City with an inexpensive long-term solution at a crucial position.
2024 NFL mock draft: Round 2
33) Carolina Panthers: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
After trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants, the Panthers have gone out and done their best to try and replenish the defensive front in NFL free agency, but mostly with short-term deals. Darius Robinson is another big body with versatility on the defensive front who would contribute immediately for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
34) New England Patriots: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
If you go after a quarterback in the first round, it’s not a bad idea to get him some help in the second round. Especially for a team like the Patriots, a pick like Ladd McConkey would make a ton of sense here near the top of the second round. McConkey is a good athlete who has a smooth game and the ability to get open quickly.
35) Tennessee Titans (from Cardinals): Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
The Titans landed Troy Fautanu in the first round and now get a possible future CB1 here at the top of round two. Thanks to their trade down situation with the Cardinals in this mock draft, the Titans have two picks really close together here for GM Ran Carthon to continue loading up his roster.
36) Washington Commanders: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Commanders went out in NFL free agency and loaded up the roster on both sides of the ball for new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. In this mock draft scenario, the Commanders landed JJ McCarthy in the first round and getting a possible starting left tackle like Kingsley Suamataia would be great value here. This is a deep offensive tackle draft and Suamataia is something of a late bloomer. He is a former five-star prospect who transferred from Oregon to BYU.
37) Los Angeles Chargers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
The Los Angeles Chargers are already feeling the impact of head coach Jim Harbaugh on the roster. They cut former first-round pick Mike Williams and they traded away Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. Although we can see Harbaugh passing on this receiver class in the first round, he’s probably not going to pass on it altogether. Not when someone like Roman Wilson – a player he’s very familiar with – is sitting there in round two.
38) Tennessee Titans: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
The Titans are assembling a haul here. Troy Fautanu in the first round followed by Ennis Rakestraw and Edgerrin Cooper in the second would be a huge haul for a team that just needs to keep loading up on talent on both sides of the ball. The Titans are ushering in a new era with Brian Callahan as the head coach, and he’s got tools to work with offensively. Adding a player like Cooper would give the Titans an incredibly talented athlete at linebacker with range and playmaking ability.
39) Carolina Panthers (from N.Y. Giants): Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
The Panthers have certainly taken some shots at the receiver position both in free agency and in the NFL Draft in recent years. Heck, they’ve been taking some shots via trade as well. They brought in Diontae Johnson from the Steelers this offseason. But adding another speedy playmaker like Troy Franklin is going to be essential. The Panthers need to get as many playmakers as they possibly can for Bryce Young.
40) Washington Commanders (from Chicago): Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Even though they signed Zach Ertz in NFL free agency, the Commanders still need a more viable long-term option at the tight end position. It’s hard to know who the top tight end in this class will be behind Brock Bowers, but Ja’Tavion Sanders certainly has pass-catching chops and could contribute right away.
41) Green Bay Packers (from N.Y. Jets): Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
The Packers are going to be very busy in this mock draft scenario. Stay tuned for that. Here, they get an inside linebacker to join Quay Walker in new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 base defense alignment. Wilson is going to be older as a rookie than is ideal, but Wilson’s athletic traits are exactly what the Packers look for in their early picks.
42) Houston Texans (from Minnesota): AD Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Houston Texans traded out of the first round entirely, and they still manage to get a value like this in round two. This is a team that just keeps finding ways to win in the offseason, and a scenario like this would vault the Texans’ offseason to another level. AD Mitchell is big, athletic, fast, and would add a dynamic element to a Houston offense that already has playmakers in Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
43) Atlanta Falcons: TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
The Falcons overhauled their offense in free agency by adding not only Kirk Cousins but bringing in some more weapons in Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. After landing Dallas Turner in the first round of this mock draft, they get a playmaker for the secondary in TJ Tampa who would have a shot to start right away as a rookie.
44) Arizona Cardinals (from Raiders): Christian Haynes, OL, UConn
Although he’s not the most hyped offensive lineman in the class, Christian Haynes meets just about every baseline requirement you would ask for. He’s a four-year starter, team captain, and he has elite athletic traits. He might have one of the highest “floors” of any prospect in this draft. The Cardinals keep building their roster and fortifying the offensive line.
45) New Orleans Saints (from Broncos): Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
The New Orleans Saints could be looking to replace multiple starters on the offensive line in this draft class. After replacing the injured and rehabbing Ryan Ramczyk in round one, they get Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe in round two. He’s built to come into an NFL program and play at a high level from Day 1.
46) Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
The Indianapolis Colts have a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson who might have the strongest arm in the league. Here, they get a field-flipping receiver in Xavier Worthy whose athletic traits and speed are off the charts. It’s a match made in football heaven.
47) New York Giants (from Seattle): Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
The Giants need a bellcow at the running back position after letting Saquon Barkley walk in NFL free agency. Trey Benson hasn’t been discussed a ton as a possible second-round pick, but he’s a big-bodied back with elite speed and he’s got a lot of good work ahead of him. He never carried the ball more than 20 times in a game at the collegiate level.
48) Jacksonville Jaguars: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
The Jacksonville Jaguars were undoubtedly disappointed to miss out on bringing back Calvin Ridley this offseason, but here they get a playmaking receiver at a heavily discounted price. Ricky Pearsall is a slender receiver like Ridley who can win with route-running and deceptive explosiveness down the field.
49) Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Why would the Cincinnati Bengals take a big-bodied playmaker like Keon Coleman when Tee Higgins is on the roster? Let that be a warning of what is to come in this mock draft scenario, Bengals fans. Coleman has the ability to separate at the catch point even if he struggles to create separation outside of that. He’ll be a good complement to Ja’Marr Chase with Tee Higgins on the way out via trade (potentially).
50) Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Vic Fangio needs as many new additions to the secondary as he can possibly get. The Philadelphia Eagles and GM Howie Roseman love former Georgia Bulldogs players, but this is a two-for-one because Roseman gets a Bulldog and Fangio gets an aggressive corner who isn’t afraid of contact and can play in the slot if needed.
51) San Francisco 49ers (from Steelers): Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Here’s one of our first big receiver trades of this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario. Brandon Aiyuk gets to go be with his doppelganger – Mike Tomlin – and give the Steelers a new duo with George Pickens. It would be impossible for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to fail in this scenario, right?
The 49ers get an athletic offensive tackle in Roger Rosengarten who was part of one of the best all-around offensive lines in college football. He would be a plug-and-play on the right side.
52) Los Angeles Rams: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Rams may have their long-term left tackle option in Alaric Jackson, but it seems they are still taking it slow with him. They are learning from the Joe Noteboom mistake. Jordan Morgan wouldn’t be a bad risk here anyway. What he may lack in flash as a prospect, he more than makes up for with the potential for longevity. He just has the feel of a longtime solid NFL starter.
53) Philadelphia Eagles: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
The Eagles continue to reload defensively. One of the biggest issues for this team last year was the turnover at the linebacker position. They lost Kyzir White and TJ Edwards from the NFC Champion squad and weren’t able to effectively replace them. Vic Fangio didn’t come to Philadelphia to make lemonade. He’s going to get some studs in this draft class.
54) Cleveland Browns: Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson
The Cleveland Browns have such a good roster right now that it’s hard to know exactly where they’re going to go with this pick. The defensive line is a safe bet because Jim Schwartz brings pass rush in waves and uses a ton of personnel there. Ruke Orhorhoro has elite athletic traits as a defensive lineman and would contribute right away.
55) Miami Dolphins: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State
The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins in NFL free agency, and replacing him is going to have to be a group effort. They stay somewhat local here and add Braden Fiske, who has been winning over the hearts of NFL fans around the country since his awesome NFL Combine workout. Just like Wilkins, Fiske wins frequently with a combination of strength and motor. Miami could be a great situation for him.
56) Denver Broncos (from Cowboys): Xavier Leggette, WR, South Carolina
After trading down with the Dallas Cowboys, the Broncos get Michael Penix Jr. at the back half of the first round and land him a new weapon here with South Carolina star Xavier Leggette coming off the board. I think Sean Payton is going to love Leggette’s ability to take a slant 75 yards to the house at any moment. He’s a physical receiver who would add some much-needed playmaking ability to the Denver offense.
57) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
The Buccaneers land one of the premier interior offensive linemen in the class here in West Virginia’s Zach Fazier. This is a draft fit that has just made a ton of sense for a long time. He would fill a need for the Bucs and be snapping to former #1 overall pick Baker Mayfield right away in the NFL.
58) Cincinnati Bengals (from Packers): Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
The Bengals strike a trade here with the Green Bay Packers and send Tee Higgins to a new home. With the pick they got from Green Bay, they add a longer-term option at the tackle position with Trent Brown being a bit of a wild card there (and only a one-year option). Fisher has the look of a long-term starter and might even be able to play some guard as a rookie if the Bengals are able to get the best out of Trent Brown.
The Packers swing the trade for Tee Higgins and give themselves a legitimate WR1 option going forward. Christian Watson was supposed to be that guy but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and hasn’t been consistent enough.
59) Houston Texans: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
The Texans have done a great job of revamping their defensive line already this offseason, but adding another local product out of Texas in T’Vondre Sweat would be the icing on the cake. Sweat is another big body on the interior defensive line, but he’s not just a big body. He’s got a level of power and explosiveness to his game that causes serious problems for interior offensive linemen.
60) Buffalo Bills: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Buffalo Bills said goodbye this offseason to both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. It’s the end of one era and the beginning of another. Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin may not have blown people away with his athletic traits but he has proven over time that he has playmaking ability, range, instincts, and ball skills.
61) Detroit Lions: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
The Detroit Lions are going to be in search of cornerback help all over this draft and Max Melton is an intriguing option for them here at the bottom of the second round. He’s really been rising as a prospect as people get to know more about him and his game. He has big-time speed and could contribute for the Lions as either an outside corner or slot.
62) Baltimore Ravens: Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami
Although Leonard Taylor was a bit more hyped going into the 2023 season than he ended it, he still seems like the exact type of player the Baltimore Ravens would swoop in on in the second round. He’s a tremendous talent who needs good coaching to extract the best out of him. That’s what the Ravens are good at.
63) San Francisco 49ers: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
The 49ers land one of the draft’s top slot cornerback options here in Mike Sainristil, one of many Michigan prospects that will be coveted by NFL teams in this particular draft class. He had six interceptions this past season and just seems to be one step ahead of the quarterback in terms of getting a jump on the ball. He would feast with the defensive front the 49ers have creating pressure in front of him.
64) Kansas City Chiefs: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
The Kansas City Chiefs have gone after round two receivers already in consecutive years with Skyy Moore in 2022 and Rashee Rice in 2023. Could they go after that position here again in 2024? It’s possible. Moore hasn’t made nearly the impact people would have hoped for in his first two seasons, and while Rice looks promising, a player like Devontez Walker with a combination of size and speed could be disgustingly good in Kansas City.
2024 NFL mock draft: Round 3
We’ll speed through the third round picks while highlighting some more notable selections or projected trades throughout the round.
65) Carolina Panthers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
66) Arizona Cardinals: Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State
67) Washington Commanders: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
68) New England Patriots: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
69) Los Angeles Chargers: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
69) Los Angeles Chargers: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh strikes again with the Michigan connection, and here he gets maybe the best value of them all so far. Kris Jenkins is going to be a good pro and is getting a little underrated in this draft cycle because of the fact that the defensive line class is not perceived to be elite.
70) New York Giants: Kam Kinchens, S, Miami
After losing Xavier McKinney to the Green Bay Packers in free agency, the Giants go after another versatile stud in the secondary in Kam Kinchens. Kinchens didn’t blow anyone away with his pre-draft workouts, but he flies around the field and knows how to make plays on the ball.
71) Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee): Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
72) New York Jets: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
73) Detroit Lions (from Minnesota): Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
74) Atlanta Falcons: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
75) Chicago Bears: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
76) Denver Broncos: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
77) Las Vegas Raiders: Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
There haven’t been many running backs taken yet in this draft, which could be a good thing for a team like the Raiders who lost Josh Jacobs in free agency. Zamir White looks like he’s going to be just fine in the RB1 spot, but adding a player like Jonathon Brooks in round three could be a nice discount based on what he brings to the table as a playmaker when healthy.
78) Washington Commanders (from Seattle): Cole Bishop, S, Utah
79) Atlanta Falcons (from Jacksonville): Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
80) Cincinnati Bengals: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
81) Seattle Seahawks (from Saints): Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
82) Indianapolis Colts: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
83) Los Angeles Rams: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
84) Pittsburgh Steelers: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, OL, Georgia
85) Cleveland Browns: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
86) Houston Texans (from Eagles): DJ James, CB, Auburn
87) Dallas Cowboys: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys have been handcuffed all offseason due to Dak Prescott’s contract situation. They were basically forced into trading up in this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario and here they almost have to take the best running back available. Luckily for them, the strength of this running back class could be found on Day 2 and Jaylen Wright can play all three downs.
88) Cleveland Browns (from Packers): Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
The Cleveland Browns acquire an extra third-round pick here in exchange for cornerback Greg Newsome, who has been seemingly wanting out of Cleveland for quite some time now. Newsome gets a fresh start to start in the slot with the Packers, and the Browns get a stud at running back in Blake Corum to serve as not only a complement to Nick Chubb, but insurance.
The Packers would be free in this scenario to move on from former first-round pick Eric Stokes, having acquired Nate Wiggins and Greg Newsome to pair up with Jaire Alexander.
89) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
90) Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
91) Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo): Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College
92) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit): Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
93) Baltimore Ravens: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Imagine facing off against the Baltimore Ravens next season and having to deal with both Derrick Henry and Braelon Allen with the NFL cracking down on the hip drop tackle. This is a “chess, not checkers” kind of move from the Ravens.
94) San Francisco 49ers: DeWayne Carter, DL, Duke
95) Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
96) Jacksonville Jaguars: McKinnley Jackson, DL, Texas A&M
97) Cincinnati Bengals: Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon
98) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Philadelphia): Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
99) Los Angeles Rams: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Spencer Rattler to the Los Angeles Rams remains one of my favorite potential scenarios in this year’s draft. There are other teams that would be good for Rattler, but he would be in a near-ideal scenario there in Los Angeles with Sean McVay and their weapons at receiver.