Now that I’ve finished building a preliminary list of some of the top prospects to watch at each position this coming year, I thought I’d try my hand at projecting how the top 10 overall picks might go. Obviously, this is very early, but hopefully, it helps add some perspective in terms of how high prospects might actually be able to go next year.

• 2024 NFL Draft Guide
• 2024 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | iOL | DL | EDGE | LB | S | CB
• Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
• Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator

Note: Draft order is based on ESPN’s projected 2024 draft order

2024 NFL Mock Draft

1. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Williams (QB – USC)

Some way or another, Caleb Williams is the favorite to go first overall in 2024, whether because the Cardinals decide to move on from Kyler Murray or by virtue of a trade down (should Arizona land the first pick.) Cutting Murray isn’t really an option, but if Arizona trades him after June 1^st, they would save $38.85 million.

2. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans) – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)

Having released DeAndre Hopkins, how about landing an elite receiver prospect to provide their new quarterback with a go-to target? The Cardinals traded a first-round pick for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown back in 2022 and have 2021 second-rounder Rondale Moore on roster, but neither should affect this choice.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drake Maye (QB – North Carolina)

Maye’s highly productive first season as Sam Howell’s replacement has him widely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft so far, and his downfield passing ability could bring explosiveness to Tampa Bay’s offense. As it currently stands, the Bucs appear headed for a high pick under Mayfield/Trask.

4. Indianapolis Colts – Jared Verse (DE – Florida State)

Protecting the passer was a problem last year, but I like the top three tackles the Colts have. Other than Kwity Paye, they may not have any high-end edge rushers, and a cornerback to start opposite Julius Brents would be nice. The only cornerback a Gus Bradley team’s drafted high since he became a coordinator is Jalen Ramsey.

5. Los Angeles Rams – Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)

Unless the Rams decide to trade Matthew Stafford, he’ll be on roster in 2024, as they’d have to eat nearly $50 million in dead money even by designating him as a June 1^st cut. This roster has been largely gutted, but aside from Aaron Donald, they’re probably most in need of cornerstone players on the defensive side.

6. Tennessee Titans – Dallas Turner (DE – Alabama)

Linebacker is a big need, but this seems a little bit early to get away from premium positions, so I’ll go with Turner here. Harold Landry had 12 sacks in 2021 but missed all of last year with a torn ACL, and despite paying Arden Key $21 million over three years, it’s possible Tennessee would be happy to get more pressure.

7. Green Bay Packers – Olu Fashanu (OT – Penn State)

There were rumors of the Packers potentially targeting Broderick Jones heading into last draft, and while they typically draft freaky defenders, it’s possible tackle will be a glaring weakness next year, as left tackle David Bakhtiari has a huge cap hit of $40.5 million. If he’s a cap casualty, finding a blindside protector makes sense.

8. Washington Commanders – J.C. Latham (OT – Alabama)

Aside from cornerback, which Washington addressed by drafting Emmanuel Forbes in the first round this year, taking an offensive lineman was considered another possibility. Andrew Wylie played right guard through the 2020 season, so maybe taking a high-end tackle prospect would help solidify the blocking up front.

9. Las Vegas Raiders – Joe Alt (OT – Notre Dame)

Drafting a tackle seemed like a possibility for the Raiders this past draft, so taking Alt, who’s getting a lot of early-first-round hype, could be a nice value at this point. Cornerback is the bigger need, but at this point, I’m not sure any of the players available have established themselves to the point where they’re top-10 picks.

10. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) – Chop Robinson (DE – Penn State)

Finding a go-to edge rusher is probably Chicago’s top priority heading into this season, as DeMarcus Walker might be the best player currently on the roster (seven sacks in 2022). I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryan Pace wanted a bigger pass-rusher, but Robinson plays with better functional strength than anticipated.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

Have different ideas for some of the picks? Feel free to let me know on Twitter @draftexaminer!