2024 NFL mock draft: Giants steal top prospect, Seahawks land QB

The 2023 NFL season is already marching into Week 10, which means it's 100 percent 2024 NFL mock draft season.

Although it's impossible at this point to project the NFL Draft, we want to take a look at the top prospect around college football and how they might fit with NFL teams the way things are trending right now. We've got some surprises lined up for this particular mock draft scenario, including a couple of quarterbacks going to playoff contenders, a surprise for the New York Giants, and another year with no running backs in round one...

2024 NFL mock draft midway through the 2023 season

1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Chicago Bears have moved into the top overall slot of the 2024 NFL Draft as of Thursday night's matchup against the Carolina Panthers, a game in which one win by the Bears on the field also equaled a win off the field. The worse the Panthers are, the better this pick becomes for Chicago.

And as of right now, although Tyson Bagent has played solid, I see no reason why the Bears would pass up on the chance to take the top QB on their board and proceed to let Justin Fields go to the highest bidder in a trade.

Drake Maye looks like an absolute stud and franchise-changer.

2. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Arizona Cardinals would be stuck in an interesting situation here. Kyler Murray is set to make his debut this season in Week 10, and we're going to get a clear look at him after last season's knee injury. While questions remain about Murray and his future with this organization, it's interesting to think about the Cardinals possibly just sticking with their former no. 1 overall pick.

Would they more likely take Caleb Williams here? Probably, but I also don't think you can discount the possibility that the Cardinals would take a surefire star in Marvin Harrison Jr. and stick with Murray.

3. New York Giants: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The New York Giants get a bit of a stroke of luck in this 2024 NFL mock draft scenario with Caleb Williiams falling right into their laps. The Giants are in desperate need of an influx of talent on both sides of the ball, but I don't think this franchise is going anywhere with Daniel Jones at the QB position.

Caleb Williams is arguably the top player in this class overall, and if he falls past the second overall pick, the Giants I don't think would hesitate for even a breath to take him here. This type of pick could alter their franchise trajectory.

4. New England Patriots: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The New England Patriots really need Drake Maye or Caleb Williams, possibly more than any other team in the league. In this mock draft scenario, however, they have to "settle" for Olu Fashanu. It will be fascinating to see where the Patriots go after this season offensively, because they need a reset likely in terms of coaching, QB, and skill players.

But the left tackle position also needs to be addressed in a more long-term fashion, and this pick accomplishes that. Olu Fashanu is what many in the NFL Draft community consider to be a sure thing.

5. Chicago Bears: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Chicago Bears made a big trade at this year's deadline to get Montez Sweat, but I don't think that means they're done adding players off the edge, by any means. Laiatu Latu has been arguably the most disruptive player in college football this season, and he could pair nicely off the edge with Sweat.

The Bears come away from this 2024 NFL mock draft, as they do in just about every other, with a pair of absolute studs to build around.

6. Los Angeles Rams: Joe Alt, LT, Notre Dame

The Los Angeles Rams might lose their way into Caleb Williams or Drake Maye status, but until that conversation becomes more legitimate, I think planning on Matthew Stafford being in the building is a safe bet.

blindsideAnd if Stafford is still a Ram in 2024, then he's going to need some better blind side protection. Notre Dame's Joe Alt can provide exactly that.

I don't know if this type of pick is going to keep the Rams in contention, but they do need to start planning for the future beyond Matthew Stafford, however quick that comes. Having your left tackle in place is essential.

7. Green Bay Packers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Green Bay Packers traded Rasul Douglas at this year's deadline to the Buffalo Bills, and we'll see what the rest of the year brings in terms of the development of some of their other guys at corner. Eric Stokes has landed on IR twice now this year, and I'm not sure the Packers can rely on him going forward. McKinstry might not be the best player on the board depending on who you ask at this pick slot, but the Packers might need another young corner like this to come in and reset the position opposite Jaire Alexander.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers use that extra second-round pick they have from the Aaron Rodgers trade to move up for someone like Olu Fashanu or maybe even Caleb Williams/Drake Maye if any of those top three picks are put up for sale...

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could continue to go year-to-year with Baker Mayfield if things progress, and this team certainly has some stars defensively to build around. I wouldn't mind seeing the Bucs go after a big-bodied receiver here but ultimately, I think you could make arguments a couple of different directions the way this roster is currently put together.

With the depth at the top of this receiver class, I wouldn't hate seeing a Keon Coleman or Malik Nabers pick here, but Dallas Turner is a game-changer off the edge and the Bucs are nearing a crossroads with players like Shaq Barrett and former first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.

9. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Sean Payton's Broncos are slowly turning things around and feeling good after a win against Kansas City, but will that good feeling be short-lived with a road matchup against Buffalo on Monday night? It should be interesting to watch...

At any rate, Payton's Broncos also lack a true weapon at the tight end position right now, and while this isn't always the best use of your first-round capital, I think Brock Bowers is a unique exception at the position. He's a dynamic weapon in the passing game and effective as a blocker in the run game as well. Greg Dulcich has simply not been available enough for Denver this season and Bowers is too good to pass up here unless the Broncos are in love with a receiver.

10. Tennessee Titans: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Tennessee Titans need to do whatever they can to support Will Levis, who has a chance to cement himself over the course of the rest of this season as the team's QB1 going forward.

Malik Nabers out of LSU looks like he's going to come into the NFL and make an immediate impact, especially in the vertical passing game.

Will Levis immediately entered the league with one of the game's biggest arms. To be able to add a playmaker like this with your top pick, especially if DeAndre Hopkins leaves in free agency? I like the idea of pairing up Nabers with Treylon Burks to give Levis some viable options.

11. Atlanta Falcons: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

The Atlanta Falcons need to find their quarterback of the future. The combination of Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot as the brain trust of this team have been kicking that can down the road for far too long at this point, and they're liable now to lose their jobs over it.

At some point, you've got to take some kind of a risk. I don't know if that will be this offseason, but the Falcons could pair up one former Penn State pass rusher (Arnold Ebiketie) with another if they take Chop Robinson in the 2024 NFL Draft.

12. Washington Commanders: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The justification for this pick really wrote itself at the NFL trade deadline when the Washington Commanders decided they were going to gut their EDGE position and start over. We'll see what the future holds in terms of this team making any potential coaching changes, but whoever is in that chair will probably love the effort and hustle of former FCS superstar Jared Verse, who has transitioned well at Florida State and solidified his first-round status.

One of the major question marks looming for this Commanders team is going to be whether or not this franchise really buys into Sam Howell. At this point, I think he's given them every reason to at least see if he can progress in his third NFL season.

13. Indianapolis Colts: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Indianapolis Colts have found a star at the quarterback position in Anthony Richardson. With that being the case, they need to do anything possible to make sure he's set up well for the future. They need to protect that investment.

With this pick, they are quite literally doing that. JC Latham wouldn't be getting picked on anyone's fantasy football team but he would be a great investment for the Colts and the type of football that's going to win them games going forward, which involves a lot of running the football.

Latham and his 6-foot-6, 360-pound frame could help tremendously with setting the tone.

14. Las Vegas Raiders: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot more questions to answer right now than who will play in their secondary next season, but Cooper DeJean is arguably the best prospect on the board right here and someone who is going to make an immediate impact once he gets to the NFL.

Not only does DeJean play a physical and versatile role in the secondary, but he can also make an immediate impact on all special teams units, including as a punt returner where he has dynamic field vision.

The Raiders really need to find the right head coach, first and foremost, but Cooper DeJean will be a coach's dream no matter who ends up getting hired in Las Vegas.

15. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Ultimately, you might see teams knock Kalen King down a notch or two because of his lack of ideal size at the position, but he's a playmaker and that's exactly what the Arizona Cardinals need in the secondary.

After taking Marvin Harrison Jr. earlier on in this 2024 NFL mock draft, the Cardinals come back and add a playmaker to the other side of the ball and get a core foundation player at a crucial position of need.

I felt like the Arizona Cardinals came into this season with way too many roster holes, especially at the premium positions (QB, WR, OT, CB, EDGE). Getting a player like Kalen King, or any of the top corners in this class, would be huge with this pick coming back from the Texans.

16. New York Jets: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The New York Jets were apparently interested in trading for Davante Adams at the 2023 NFL trade deadline, so perhaps they will have interest in adding a receiver with their first-round pick in 2024. Especially if someone like Keon Coleman is on the board with this pick, I have to think that will be the case.

The Jets aren't getting good return on the Allen Lazard investment, and Coleman is a playmaker with big-time size (6-foot-4) who should be able to come in and make noise right away. Provided the Jets have a competent enough QB, that is.

Whether or not that's Aaron Rodgers remains to be seen, but what QB is going to have that hard of a tiem throwing to Keon Coleman? His catch radius is like a pitcher having an expanded strike zone.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

The Los Angeles Chargers always seem to find a really solid value wherever they are picking in round one, and although this is perhaps an unspectacular pick given the position, Jer'Zhan Newton is a disruptive interior presence who would give the Chargers another weapon for an already deadly defensive front.

I think this is a team that will have a new head coach next season, and we'll see what that means ultimately for fallout on the rest of the roster. But the Chargers' defense has shown some improvement this season and a player like Newton would be a great pickup.

18. Buffalo Bills: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Buffalo Bills could be saying goodbye to Gabe Davis in free agency in the 2023 offseason. Although they brought in Dalton Kincaid who looks like a stud and a featured part of the passing game, replacing Davis at the receiver position while also getting some more youth out there is not a bad idea.

For where the Bills are slotted, I think this is an outstanding value. Rome Odunze is significantly underrated at this point and I think he might have some of the best all-around traits at the position in this loaded class. Hands, route running, size...Odunze has the total package.

19. New Orleans Saints: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The New Orleans Saints have had a mixed bag of results in year one of the Derek Carr era, and the second year for this team removed from Sean Payton as its head coach. They are playing well enough to win the NFC South, and if that happens, I think massive (head coaching) changes could be avoided.

If the Saints are going to remain in contention going forward, they need cost-controlled players at key positions and getting a big-time athlete like Nate Wiggins at cornerback with this pick could be a steal. Wiggins has been steadily climbing many draft boards.

He has been absolutely locking it down. When you look at that production, it's not hard to see why the folks who evaluate the NFL Draft and prospects coming out have Wiggins creeping closer to their top 10 than just somewhere inside the top 25.

20. Minnesota Vikings: Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The Minnesota Vikings have done some reshuffling to their offensive line the last couple of seasons, but offensive line coach Chris Kuper has done a good job of putting his guys in positions to succeed. Although the Vikings are kind of in the honeymoon phase right now with free agent pickup Dalton Risner, who could absolutely be back next season, I don't know if they could pass on Graham Barton in this slot.

Especially if Kirk Cousins returns in free agency, I think the Vikings have to do all they can to get as much talent possible for that offensive line. Barton has position versatility and I think would slot in nicely at left guard next to Christian Darrisaw.

21. Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Dallas Cowboys need a receiver to come in and take some pressure off of CeeDee Lamb, but they also need to figure out a long-term solution in the post-Tyron Smith era, which is coming soon.

Amarius Mims would be a great addition to this Dallas offensive line on either the right or left side. After the way Terence Steele played against Philadelphia, the Cowboys may need to go with tackles back-to-back to open up this draft, which could be a very real possibility.

The Cowboys have done such a good job in the last decade at investing their first-round picks wisely. Amarius Mims comes from a program where they are cranking out first-round linemen right now and even if he enters the league a little rough around the edges, I think he'd be a gift from the football gods for this Dallas team, currently struggling at the tackle position.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Count me as one of the (likely) many who aren't sold on Kenny Pickett as a starting quarterback on a full-time basis in the NFL. The sample is large enough at this point that I think it's safe to say that Pickett is replaceable at a minimum, and I am fascinated to see if the Steelers actually would pull that trigger in 2024.

JJ McCarthy has had an outstanding year for Michigan, and although Jim Harbaugh hasn't been around much to witness it, he looks like the best Harbaugh disciple to come to the NFL level since Harbaugh had Andrew Luck at Stanford back in 2011.

23. Houston Texans (from Browns): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Houston Texans have found a franchise QB in CJ Stroud, who is as legit as they come on and off the field. One way they can reward him for giving them such immediate return on investment? Go grab one of his old college teammates.

The ultimate scenario for Houston might be to get Marvin Harrison Jr., but absent something very odd happening or a blockbuster trade, that's not happening. Emeka Egbuka is another playmaker who could help take this Houston offense to yet another level.

Egbuka isn't really a true WR1 type at the position, but he's going to come in refined as a route-runner, and he can play in the slot as well as lining up outside. The Texans need to keep building up that arsenal of offensive weapons for CJ Stroud.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Although offensive line picks are rarely "fun" selections, it's becoming abundantly clear that Oregon State offenisve tackle Taliese Fuaga is going to be a "fun" pick wherever he ends up going. Fuaga is as nasty as he is athletic, and he would give the Cincinnati Bengals a young option at the tackle position on either side.

Some may look at his game and project him to guard at the next level as well. Wherever he lands, I think he'll be a great addition to pretty much any team.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

The Seattle Seahawks can't be thrilled with what they've seen lately from Geno Smith, even though the team has had plenty of success this year. The Seahawks might just be in a fight for second place in the NFC West depending on whether or not the 49ers can get out of their funk, but one way or another, this team needs to throw a dart at the QB position.

And I don't think any fan base is more suited to embrace Michael Penix at the NFL level than Seattle, for obvious geographical reasons. Penix has developed into a legitimate NFL-level QB since leaving Indiana, and he would be set up with a tremendous supporting cast in Seattle.

26. San Francisco 49ers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The San Francisco 49ers really don't have many holes on their roster, which leads me to believe that we could see this pick used in a trade to acquire a veteran at some point in the offseason. For now, though, the 49ers get themselves a DAWG at the cornerback position in Kamari Lassiter, one of many Georgia players who just looks like he was built in a lab.

He can play outside, he can play in the slot, and he would be a great fit for the 49ers, who don't really have "star" cornerbacks in their defense. Charvarius Ward is obviously a good player, and guys seem to play really well within their defensive system, but this is one of those position groups where I think the most well-constructed team in the league right now could stand to upgrade.

27. Miami Dolphins: Patrick Paul, OL, Houston

The Miami Dolphins have one of the fastest and most dynamic offenses in the NFL, but they need some help on the offensive line.

Here's what Pro Football Focus had to say about Houston's Patrick Paul:

"The massive 6-foot-7 Paul has earned elite pass-blocking grades the past two seasons, thanks to his elite length and nimble feet. He hasn't graded nearly as well as a run-blocker, but his improved posture and core strength have yielded his career-best results this season."

PFF

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

The Jacksonville Jaguars could have probably gone shopping with this pick at the NFL trade deadline, maybe trying to add someone like Brian Burns from Carolina, but they didn't. If they can get a player off the edge like JT Tuimoloau out of Ohio State, they might not be in too bad of shape, though.

Especially when he has a showing like this against a future top-five NFL Draft pick...

Having a high-effort pass rusher on the other side of the field from Josh Allen could really push this Jaguars defense to another level.

29. Detroit Lions: Kamren Kinchens, DB, Miami

You know the Detroit Lions are going to be on the hunt for a D-A-W-G in the first round of next year's NFL Draft. Kamren Kinchens undoubtedly qualifies. Although the Lions were able to get Brian Branch in the 2023 NFL Draft as well as sign CJ Gardner-Johnson in free agency, I think the Lions will look to continue to add to their secondary in 2024.

Kamren Kinchens fits anywhere on the back end with his tremendous versatility, and he is the type of playmaker who can completely change a game with his ball skills.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

The rich get richer. The Baltimore Ravens might wrongfully be placed at no. 30 overall in most 2024 NFL mock draft scenarios right now. They might need to be 31st at worst. The Ravens have one of the most complete teams in the league despite not having the greatest roster.

This Ravens team is simply the best sum of its parts in the NFL, which speaks volumes to the coaching job that continues to be done by John Harbaugh and his staff. I think if the Ravens could add Washington pass rusher Bralen Trice at this stage of the draft, they'd be doing laps around the war room. He could start for them year one.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

One thing that has become apparent this season is that the Kansas City Chiefs need to figure out someone that can take on more work in the passing game at wide receiver. As awesome as Travis Kelce has been, the man is approaching his mid-30s and has absolutely no help from the receivers around him.

Adonai Mitchell is a 6-foot-4 receiver who can run, and perhaps he along with Rashee Rice can become legitimate threats in time to take some of the heat off of Kelce.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

After swinging a trade for veteran Kevin Byard before the NFL trade deadline, the Eagles kind of telegraphed their need in the secondary here. I think this team could look to get younger at the cornerback position in addition to bringing in new blood at safety, but Tyler Nubin would be a really fun pick for the Eagles at the back end of round one.

He's been putting the clamps on the back end for that Gophers secondary and he's shown consistent range and playmaking ability with eight interceptions over the last two seasons.