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    Marco Enriquez | Wed, Apr 24th 2024, 9:35am EDT

2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Picks & Predictions (3.0)

The NFL Draft has arrived, so it is time for me to drop my final mock draft for the offseason. Below is a complete first-round mock draft, including trades. These are not my rankings of these players but how I foresee the NFL draft going on April 25th.

2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams (QB – USC) 

The Bears usher in a new era by drafting Caleb Williams, a move that feels more of a formality now. Williams joins a new-look Bears offense that may give him one of the most impressive supporting casts for a number-one pick in NFL history.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB – LSU)

The Commanders somehow manage to be the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL with how they handle their rookie quarterback visits. Still, they draft their quarterback of the future in Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. Daniels will benefit from having veteran Terry McLaurin to throw the ball to in his rookie season. Daniels has a ways to go to prove he belongs on Sundays, but if he can continue to develop and improve his ability to go through his reads, he could be a refreshing decision by Washington.

3. New England Patriots: J.J. McCarthy (QB – Michigan)

In one of the more interesting storylines of the offseason, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy’s draft stock continues to rise. The Patriots have been one of the most talked-about teams in a trade-down scenario, but I can’t imagine they risk going another year without an answer at quarterback. McCarthy is more ready than some give him credit for, but that will truly be put to the test as he steps in to lead a bleak-looking offense in New England.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)

The Cardinals give Kyler Murray an elite wide receiver. There is a chance Marvin Harrison Jr. isn’t available at four; he’s that good, but that makes Arizona’s decision an easy one. Harrison Jr. is in rarified air as a prospect and should undoubtedly be the first wide receiver off the board.

5. Minnesota Vikings: Drake Maye (QB – UNC)

  • Vikings Trade: No. 11, No. 23, 2025 Third-Rounder
  • Chargers Trade: No. 5

The Vikings end up making the move of the draft to acquire Drake Maye. Maye is my second-rated quarterback in the draft and he gets to join one of the most impressive offenses in the league. Maye has some gunslinger to his game, some would say too much, but pairing him with savvy route runners like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should lead to immediate success for the former Tar Heel. The NFC North has arrived and it’s going to be one of the most fun divisions in all of football for the next decade.

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR – LSU)

The Giants are still looking for their next quarterback, but they get a blue-chip player at wide receiver. If you’re curious who the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards is at LSU, it’s not Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase; it’s Malik Nabers. Nabers brings explosiveness and versatility to an otherwise anemic offense.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt (OT – Notre Dame)

The Titans really could go in any direction with this pick, but as they look to the future and protect their young quarterback, the answer becomes much more evident. Joe Alt proved at the combine he is a uniquely gifted talent and could be considered generational in his own right. He joins the Titans and becomes the anchor of their offensive line.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse (EDGE – Florida State)

Jared Verse is an absolute bulldozer. He provides reliability and explosiveness to a defense that needs both if it wants to help Atlanta secure the division in 2024. In a loaded EDGE class, The Falcons go with the most violent of the group. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Verse contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR – Washington)

This has to be Chicago’s dream scenario. Rome Odunze is an elite route runner with best-in-class contested catch ability. We have already started to see the Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze friendship start before the draft; if they do team up in the windy city, the Bears may have the best wide receiver trio in the NFL.

10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga (OT – Oregon State)

The Jets can go one of two ways with the 10th pick. Either would be a win for their franchise. They can select Brock Bowers and bolster their pass-catchers or improve their offensive line and protect Aaron Rodgers at all costs. The latter seems more and more likely every day. Fuaga is an immediate difference-maker and his positional versatility means he can be an every-down player for New York from the start.

11. Los Angeles Chargers: Byron Murphy (DT – Texas)

  • Chargers Trade: No. 5
  • Vikings Trade: No. 11, No. 23, 2025 Third-Rounder

The Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers started the draft with the first trade of the night, but their move down doesn’t stop them from filling a huge need for their defense with an elite talent in Byron Murphy. Murphy has been talked about as a potential top-10 pick. While he falls just outside of that, he finds a perfect home in L.A. An explosive player who can be a difference-maker when rushing the passer, Murphy may be one of the steals of the draft at pick 11.

12. Cincinnati Bengals: Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)

  • Cincinnati Trades: No. 18 and No. 49
  • Denver Trades: No. 12 and No. 147

The Bengals see an opportunity and pounce. With Tee Higgins likely to be in Cincinnati for one final season, they add Brock Bowers to try to get over the hump in 2024. We don’t want to use the term generational too often, but when applied to Bowers, it checks out. He is a versatile weapon that can be more of a receiver than a tight end for Joe Burrow and company.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama)

The Raiders have a glaring need in their secondary and Terrion Arnold fits the bill. He is a physical freak at the position. While he isn’t a perfect prospect, he has the highest ceiling of any DB in the class. His aggressive playstyle screams Raiders football.

14. New Orleans Saints: JC Latham (OT – Alabama)

There is a chance the Chargers spoil this plan, but if JC Latham makes it past them, he is a perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints. It’s not an exciting pick to the casual fan, but if the Saints have one area that could completely derail their 2024 season, it’s their offensive line. Latham can be a steady contributor out of the gate and has already proven he belongs while competing at the highest level of college football in the SEC.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Troy Fautanu (OT – Washington)

  • San Francisco Trades: Brandon Aiyuk and No. 176
  • Indianapolis Trades: No. 15 and No. 117

It’s no secret the Colts are looking for another premier pass-catcher to help Anthony Richardson continue to develop. Add to that the contract stand-off between the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, and we find the perfect resolution. The Niners avoid the enormous contract Aiyuk will demand and they also draft one of my favorite linemen in the draft in Troy Fautanu. He can fill in as their starting right tackle, allowing Colton McKivitz to fill a more appropriate role as a depth lineman.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Dallas Turner (EDGE – Alabama)

Dallas Turner has had a surprising fall, but there have been some rumblings about his lack of aggressiveness in comparison to other top-end EDGE rushers. Seattle is a bit of an enigma but they can benefit from adding on either side of the ball. Turner becomes a centerpiece of their defense in the new Mike Macdonald era. The Alabama product misses out on being a top-1o pick; however, learning from Macdonald will be a tremendous benefit as he develops into a premier NFL pass-rusher.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – LSU)

The Jaguars need a Calvin Ridley replacement. They may have found their answer in Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas Jr. is a big-bodied, fluid playmaker who can win with speed and nuanced route running. He needs to develop his route tree further, but he has all the tools to be a special player in the NFL and should see that opportunity early and often in Jacksonville.

18. Denver Broncos: Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo)

  • Denver Trades: No. 12 and No. 147
  • Cincinnati Trades: No. 18 and No. 49

Denver misses out on the top quarterbacks in the draft but can pick up a second-round pick in their trade-down to address the issue later. With No. 18, the Broncos assemble one of the more impressive cornerback duos in the league with Patrick Surtain and Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell is an athletic DB who pairs nicely with Surtain. They will be a formidable force in a division where they have to battle Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes multiple times a year.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu (EDGE – UCLA)

The Rams are looking for Aaron Donald’s replacement and may have found the answer with Laiatu Latu. Latu is a relentless and fluid pass-rusher. A few medical concerns may cause this drop, but if he can stay healthy, he is potentially the best EDGE rusher in the entire class.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OT – Penn State)

I can’t seem to place Olumuyiwa Fashanu in a place I love right now, which is why I have him falling so far in this mock. Fashanu is a ready-made prospect who will provide an infusion of youth for a deteriorating Steelers offensive line.

21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton (OT – Duke)

Graham Barton has been climbing in mocks lately, but the Dolphins are a great fit for the Duke alum. Barton is the safest non-Joe Alt tackle in this class. He may not be the most exciting name, but he will be able to start at guard or tackle right away.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)

Cooper DeJean is set on wanting to play cornerback, but he may flirt with some safety in Philadelphia. Even so, he has the skill set to be a stud at either position. The Eagles defense was looking for answers in the secondary and Dejean can be that answer, assuming health, as early as Week 1.

23. Los Angeles Chargers: Amarius Mims (OT – Georgia)

With how loaded this offensive line class is, the Chargers were able to go defense at 11 and still address the trenches with this pick. Amarius Mims showed out at the combine and now projects as one of the top tackles in the draft. He will need to be more consistent to remain a vital part of the Chargers’ future, but the pieces are in place to make that happen.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Chop Robinson (EDGE – Penn State)

The Cowboys are all-in, or so they say. They have a lot of contracts to get sorted out this year, so locking up a premier position like EDGE rusher in round one feels like the right move. Pairing Chop Robinson with Micah Parsons will be terrifying for the division and electric for Cowboy fans.

25. Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia (OT – BYU)

The Packers have a history of developing players well. That makes drafting Kingsley Suamataia an absolute home run. Suamataia has tantalizing upside, but he is a raw prospect as things stand now. If he can be another success story in Green Bay, he could be protecting Jordan Love for the foreseeable future.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)

The best name in the draft, Kool-Aid McKinstry, was an impressive player for Alabama last year. He is excellent in man coverage and will step in perfectly to replace Carlton Davis III.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Guyton (OT – Oklahoma)

Tyler Guyton is a strong tackle prospect. He is a natural right tackle, which would allow Paris Johnson to revert to his natural position on the left side. This would give the Cardinals two staples up front to protect Kyler Murray as they attempt to keep him healthy.

28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell (WR – Texas)

The Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs this offseason, leaving them without any obvious answers at the position. Adonai Mitchell is a good route runner who can be an impact player in the intermediate areas of the field and the red zone. There are questions about his consistency and maturity, but if he can clean up some of his off-the-field concerns, he has all the skills to be an alpha wide receiver for Buffalo.

29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson (EDGE – Missouri)

The Lions’ defense took a step forward last season but ultimately was still lacking. Pairing Darius Robinson across from Aidan Hutchinson will go a long way in remedying that, especially in a division that should have three young and talented signal-callers.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan (OT – Arizona)

The Ravens’ offensive line is in flux right now. Adding a high-upside player like Jordan Morgan is exactly what this team needs. Being able to protect Lamar Jackson and take some pressure off of an aging Derrick Henry will help the Ravens have the longevity they have lacked in seasons past.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Troy Franklin (WR – Oregon)

Troy Franklin has started to fade for many people this cycle, but if the Niners did decide to move on, they would double down on Troys in the first round, adding Franklin to their wide receiver room. Franklin brings speed, a versatile release package, and great spatial awareness. He isn’t the same type of route runner as Brandon Aiyuk, but very few people are. He should be able to slot in behind Deebo Samuel and provide a great No. 2 or No. 3 option for Brock Purdy.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy (WR – Texas)

The Chiefs have been looking for a fast-paced player who can do damage at every level of the field, and Xavier Worthy has that potential. They brought in Marquise “Hollywood” Brown on a one-year contract, so drafting a faster version of him in Worthy makes a ton of sense. Worthy is a decent route runner who brings record-breaking speed to Kansas City.

More 2024 NFL Mock Drafts

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