With teams around the NFL making a lot of veteran personnel moves during the free agency period, their needs ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft have become clearer. With priorities being addressed early in March, positional targets have no doubt changed for April.
The strengths and weaknesses of every team aren’t the same, so neither is the latest edition of the first-round mock draft after free agency. There also was a trade to shake things up, with the Texans out of Round 1 and the Vikings now on the clock twice.
Here are Sporting News’ latest projections for picks No. 1 through No. 32.
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NFL Mock Draft 2024
1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
- Caleb Williams, QB, USC (6-1, 214 pounds)
Justin Fields has been traded and the Bears are now locked into Williams, hoping he’s a can’t-miss franchise passer and athlete to finally provide a long-term solution for their QB woes. This can be put on lock to start the draft.
2. Washington Commanders (4-13 last season)
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Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (6-4, 223 pounds)
The Commanders are deciding between Maye and Jayden Daniels for the second QB taken after trading Sam Howell and not re-signing Jacoby Brissett. Let’s also consider the possibility of the Vikings, enamored with Maye, packaging two first-rounders and a little more to trade up for him. Either way, there’s a good chance Maye will be the pick.
3. New England Patriots (4-13)
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Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (6-4, 210 pounds)
The Patriots did sign Brissett, but they also traded Mac Jones, telling everyone they also will be drafting a franchise QB. Their moves to improve the offense have been uninspiring, but they are hinting a little that they want to add a key running element to what will be a rush-heavy offense. Daniels can provide that with his speed and explosiveness, and he also has a lively, big-play arm.
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (6-3, 202 pounds)
The Cardinals, as expected, didn’t re-sign Marquise Brown, leaving a major void for a true, dominant No. 1 wide receiver for Kyler Murray. Thanks to the QB needs of other teams, Harrison will be sitting there on a silver platter, ready to become the next great NFL target like his namesake father once was.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
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Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (6-0, 200 pounds)
The Chargers released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen. That lines up with wide receivers being the most talented position for this part of the draft. They might hope somehow the Cardinals let Harrison slip, but if not, they have a choice between Nabers and Rome Odunze. Nabers is a little more consistent and versatile to get the nod as Justin Herbert’s new go-to guy.
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6. New York Giants (6-11)
- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (6-3, 212 pounds)
The Giants may be cooling off a little on taking a quarterback as they take one more look at Daniel Jones with free-agent addition Drew Lock on standby for Brian Daboll’s offense. What they do need is a No. 1 receiver after addressing the offensive line and backfield in free agency. Odunze’s big-play ability on the outside fits that bill.
7. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (6-9, 321 pounds)
The Titans took care of running back (Tony Pollard) and wide receiver (Calvin Ridley) well in free agency for new offensive-minded coach Brian Callahan and coordinator Nick Holz. They can keep up the theme of much better supporting Will Levis in a pass-heavier attack by adding a long-term left tackle, replacing released former Eagle Andre Dillard.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
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Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6-3, 247 pounds)
The Falcons got Kirk Cousins to address QB and then gave him assorted complementary weapons to go with their cache of young, skilled first-rounders. After GM Terry Fontenot played free agency well for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, he owes defensive-minded coach Raheem Morris a game-changing playmaker. Turner is the ideal disruptive pass-rushing cornerstone for them after he blew up the NFL Combine.
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)
- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA (6-5, 259 pounds)
The Bears also have been rather offensive-focused in their offseason, trading Fields and setting up Caleb Williams by signing D’Andre Swift and dealing for Keenan Allen to support DJ Moore at wideout. GM Ryan Poles can now help defensive-minded coach Matt Eberflus with a versatile pass rusher to complement Montez Sweat.
10. New York Jets (7-10)
- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State (6-6, 324 pounds)
The Jets did take a shot on 33-year-old former Cowboys star Tyron Smith to address some concern at offensive tackle, but they stunk on the right side last season and appear to be moving on from Mekhi Becton. Fuaga could start opposite Smith and be groomed to take over on the blindside soon, but for now, he would be great blocking boost to Aaron Rodgers and the running game.
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11. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
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J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (6-2, 219 pounds)
The Vikings may not be able to pull off that aggressive trade-up, depending on how much the Commanders or Patriots like Maye or Daniels. Should they not be able to get Maye to replace Cousins, McCarthy feels like their strong Plan 1B for offensive-minded Kevin O’Connell.
12. Denver Broncos (8-9)
- Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (6-2, 214 pounds)
The Broncos are down to Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on their QB depth chart after moving Russell Wilson. Much like the Commanders, Patriots, and Vikings, they are screaming to everyone they will draft a potential franchise passer for Sean Payton. They seem to like Nix’s arm and athleticism, which fits their draft position.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson (6-2, 185 pounds)
The Raiders love speed, and that hasn’t changed much over the years. New GM Tom Telesco got Christian Wilkins to help Maxx Crosby up front, and now the back-end coverage needs more attention with the smooth Wiggins.
14. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
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Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State (6-6, 312 pounds)
Fashanu has slipped a little as a power-based prospect because of Fuaga’s rise with similar strength and size, but he’s still athletic enough to address the injury and ineffective issues the Saints are battling on the bookends in front of Derek Carr.
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
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Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (6-3, 243 pounds)
The Colts need more playmakers in Year 2 for Anthony Richardson, and after Chris Ballard was rather conservative in free agency, Bowers makes a lot of sense to clean up the committee at the position. He can fit the offense of Shane Steichen well (see Dallas Goedert) as a key complementary playmaker to the re-signed Michael Pittman Jr.
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
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Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (6-4, 254 pounds)
The Seahawks re-signed Leonard Williams inside and also rebooted linebacker twice in free agency by adding Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker. They also landed Rayshawn Jenkins to replace Jamal Adams at safety. That clears the path for them to get a dynamic, foundational pass rusher for new defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
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Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama (6-0, 189 pounds)
The Jaguars keep searching for their replacement for now long-gone Jalen Ramsey, and Arnold’s aggressive playmaking might be their long-awaited solution. The team has a glaring need at corner opposite Tyson Campbell with Darious Williams also now gone.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia (6-8, 340 pounds)
The Bengals will be less inclined to go offensive skill position for Joe Burrow, and they also could consider cornerback after not re-signing Chidobe Awuzie. In the end, with them not re-signing Jonah Williams, offensive tackle help seems like the smartest way to go when thinking about their franchise QB.
19. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
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Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (6-0, 203 pounds)
The Rams need an active coverage playmaker in their secondary to complement free-agent addition Kamren Curl. DeJean’s versatility is a great fit for a defense in transition under new DC Chris Shula.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
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J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama (6-6, 342 pounds)
The Steelers need to replace Dan Moore Jr. and get the ideal right tackle to complement 2023 first-round Broderick Jones, who can easily slide to the left side. That will be the most pleasing move for the new-look offense.
21. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
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Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas (6-0, 297 pounds)
The Dolphins need to go immediately after a disruptive all-around inside force after not re-signing Christian Wilkins. Murphy might be a seamless replacement in time. He can be absolutely dynamic in their scheme.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
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Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (6-0, 195 pounds)
The Eagles did address pass rush and safety in free agency, so GM Howie Roseman should lock more into cornerback. They can’t ignore Mitchell’s speed and upside for the position, as they’re aging on the outside.
23. Minnesota Vikings (from Browns through Texans)
- Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois (6-2, 304 pounds)
The Vikings will move this pick along with their earlier first-rounder should they make that big move up the board for a QB, but if they stay put, they should think about defensive tackle for DC Brian Flores after spending well at edge (Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel) and linebacker (Blake Cashman) in free agency.
24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
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Jackson Powers-Johnson, G, Oregon (6-3, 328 pounds)
The Cowboys didn’t re-sign Tyron Smith, but they’re hurting more on the inside beyond not re-signing center Tyler Biadasz. Going for the best guard makes a ton of sense with Zack Martin at 33.
25. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
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Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma (6-8, 322 pounds)
The Packers need to go after an offensive tackle after deciding it was time to part ways with solid but aging and oft-injured David Bakhtiari. Guyton would be a high-upside protection addition for Jordan Love while also boosting the running of free-agent addition Josh Jacobs.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
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Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama (5-11, 199 pounds)
The Buccaneers have locked into Baker Mayfield with go-to receiver Mike Evans, so the passing game and offense in general can slide into the background early in the draft. They do need corner help after trading Carlton Davis to the Lions, and they should be thirsty for Kool-Aid’s playmaking and shutdown potential.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans)
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Troy Fautanu, G, Washington (6-4, 317 pounds)
The Cardinals need to think about the offensive line with their second pick to help Kyler Murray, and with Jonah Williams’ signing mitigating the release of D.J. Humphries, they should think more interior for the second-best guard in the class. Fautanu also has some potential to line up outside at tackle.
28. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
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Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU (6-4, 205 pounds)
The Bills added only Curtis Samuel at wide receiver in free agency, and he’s more a slot-like, short-area option for their passing game after not re-signing outside field-stretcher Gabe Davis. Thomas can provide a complete perimeter target for Josh Allen and also can emerge as Stefon Diggs’ heir apparent.
29. Detroit Lions (12-5)
- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 254 pounds
The Lions addressed their defensive line and secondary well to help Aidan Hutchinson in free agency, but they could use more pop in their rotation. Getting Chop from the other Lions works nicely here.
30. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
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Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona (6-5, 311 pounds)
The Ravens kept Ronnie Stanley on a restructured. contract but could still look at the near future of outside protection with Stanley turning 31 in March and some concerns at right tackle.
31. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
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Graham Barton, OT, Duke (6-5, 313 pounds)
The 49ers will be going after a versatile, athletic option for Kyle Shanahan’s line. Barton can be a sweet, immediate starting asset inline before maybe replacing Colton McKivitz at right tackle.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
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Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU (6-5, 326 pounds)
The Chiefs know this class is loaded with wide receiver depth, and the need for an outside, speedy field-stretcher has been satiated for now with Marquise Brown in the mix for Patrick Mahomes.
