The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly here, but plenty is still left to be sorted out before the event commences. It’s widely believed that Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick. Beyond that, things are a lot murkier.
Sure, there’s a lot that NFL fans and draft experts think they know. For example, it seems like the Commanders favor drafting Jayden Daniels at No. 2, while almost everybody has the Falcons taking Dallas Turner at No. 8.
But the Patriots at 3, Cardinals at 4, and Chargers at 5? Those teams could buck the consensus and send everyone’s mock draft into a tailspin.
Every team still has options with each of its selections. Inevitably, there will be at least one surprise that shakes up the first round, so it’s important to know the multitude of possibilities for each team in the first round.
Sporting News is assessing those in our latest mock draft. We’ll give you the player we think each team will pick, another player they could (and, in some cases, should) pick, and a dark-horse candidate for each selection. There may be some overlap, but this will allow fans and analysts alike to see what we consider each team’s top options.
MORE NFL DRAFT: Big board top 200 | 7-round mock draft | Mock with trades
NFL mock draft 2024: 3-option edition
1. Chicago Bears
- Will pick: QB Caleb Williams, USC
- Could pick: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
- Dark horse: QB Drake Maye, UNC
The Bears are locked into taking Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s the top quarterback prospect in this class, and Chicago essentially confirmed he was its guy after trading Justin Fields.
Perhaps in an alternate universe, the Bears are considering Daniels and Maye among their potential top choices, but it would be shocking if Chicago does anything here besides selecting the 2022 Heisman winner.
2024 NFL DRAFT TOP 10 LISTS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE
2. Washington Commanders
- Will pick: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
- Could pick: QB Drake Maye, UNC
- Dark horse: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
With Williams locked in at No. 1, the draft starts with the Commanders in 2024. Washington seems highly likely to take a quarterback, with Daniels and Maye being the favorites for the pick.
Daniels appears to have a slight edge as the draft draws nearer. The LSU product won the Heisman in 2023 after completing 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions and running for 1,134 yards and 10 scores on 135 carries. He’s a great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive system and has a high ceiling as a Lamar Jackson- and Robert Griffin III-type threat.
The Commanders have also been tied to McCarthy at times during the 2024 NFL Draft process, but it’s hard to imagine them selecting him ahead of both Daniels and Maye.
3. New England Patriots
- Will pick: QB Drake Maye, UNC
- Could pick: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- Dark horse: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Patriots are positioned to land whichever of the top-three quarterbacks falls to them, and they are expected to use the No. 3 pick on a QB. Maye is a potential-packed passer with a great arm and the functional mobility needed to be a Justin Herbert-like playmaker at the NFL level.
Maybe New England’s new brain trust prefers McCarthy, a toolsy winner with a relatively high floor, or maybe the team will look to add a top-tier wideout like Harrison if they aren’t fans of either Maye or McCarthy.
Still, it seems likely that the Patriots will look for a signal-caller here- and after taking a high-floor, low-ceiling player in Mac Jones during the 2021 NFL Draft, they may take a swing on the higher-upside Maye in 2024.
4. Arizona Cardinals
- Will pick: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
- Could pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
- Dark horse: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Surprise! Harrison Jr. might not be the first receiver off the board. The explosive Nabers is ahead of the Ohio State product on some big boards, and that may include Arizona’s.
Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024 and is just 20 years old. At 6-0, 200 pounds, he has the size and speed combination needed to be the latest, greatest LSU wideout, and he could emerge as the best player in this year’s draft class.
The well-rounded Harrison would certainly be a great pick for the Cardinals. Trading down with a quarterback-needy team to target a player like Odunze is sensible, too, as Arizona has many needs to fill during the 2024 NFL Draft.
If Arizona stays put, don’t be shocked if it’s Nabers’ name called instead of Harrison’s.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
- Will pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
- Could pick: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
- Dark horse: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Jim Harbaugh spent the pre-draft process praising his quarterback at Michigan, J.J. McCarthy, which was seemingly an effort to make his pick more valuable. McCarthy didn’t go top-four in this mock, but Harbaugh would certainly be happy to see arguably the draft’s top wideout and tackle both on the board for him here.
While Harbaugh indicated that he wants to overhaul Los Angeles’ offensive line, it might be hard for him to pass on Harrison. The Ohio State receiver went for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons and averaged six catches, 119 yards, and one touchdown over his two games against Harbaugh’s Michigan squad.
It’s hard to imagine the Chargers passing on Harrison if he’s available. Still, Alt and Bowers will draw consideration, as will trading down, especially if McCarthy is still on the board.
6. New York Giants
- Will pick: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
- Could pick: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- Dark horse: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Look, the Giants could take a quarterback here — or even trade up for one if they like McCarthy enough. They could even make a big reach for Bo Nix or trade down to get him if McCarthy is off the board.
Given the state of the team’s offensive line and receiving corps, it’s probably a better idea to target a top-tier player at one of those positions like Odunze, especially since the Giants are assuredly stuck with Daniel Jones’ contract in 2024 no matter what.
Odunze caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns as Michael Penix’s No. 1 target at Washington last season. He figures to be a great contested-catch receiver in the NFL thanks to his 6-3, 212-pound frame and strong hands, and he has the route-running capabilities needed to gain separation despite his lack of high-end speed. That makes him a big upgrade for the Giants.
7. Tennessee Titans
- Will pick: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
- Could pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
- Dark horse: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Titans are positioned to take the best player available as they rebuild under general manager Ran Carthon. That figures to be Alt, a massive 6-7, 321-pound tackle with the size and athleticism needed to be a steady blindside blocker.
Alt would play left tackle next to 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski and solidify the left side of Tennessee’s offensive line. The right side would get better thanks to the resulting competition between recent second-round picks Nick Petit-Frere and Dillon Radunz.
A mismatch tight end weapon like Bowers could make sense for the Titans, and they could also be the first team to take a defensive player like Turner, as well. However, considering that the 2024 NFL season is all about evaluating Will Levis for the Titans, Tennessee should focus on ensuring the blocking in front of him is competent.
8. Atlanta Falcons
- Will pick: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
- Could pick: DT Byron Murphy, Texas
- Dark horse: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Terry Fontenot targeted high-end athletes with his three first-round picks as Falcons general manager. It stands to reason that he’ll do the same thing by chasing Turner at this spot.
Turner was excellent at the NFL Combine, clocking a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and showing fluid movement skills in the on-field drills. He fits Atlanta’s new base 3-4 defense and should give the team the high-end pass rusher it’s lacked since Vic Beasley’s All-Pro season in 2016.
Murphy also fits the athletic mold that Fontenot has targeted, so he could be a sleeper option here. Thomas is another great athlete who would give the team a top-tier No. 2 receiver, though it would be a surprise to see Fontenot go with an offensive skill player for a fourth consecutive draft.
9. Chicago Bears
- Will pick: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
- Could pick: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
- Dark horse: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Bears are in a tough spot here with Odunze off the board. The top players available don’t exactly fit their needs, so they may have to take a player earlier than they normally would if they can’t trade down.
That’s not to say that Verse is a slouch by any means. The edge rusher was the heart and soul of Florida State’s excellent defense and averaged nine sacks per season with the Seminoles. He would be a terrific partner for Montez Sweat and would further upgrade Chicago’s defense.
Latu is another edge player the Bears could consider, but he seems more likely to go in the back-half of the top 20 because of his injury history. Chicago also needs a center, so they could get crazy and roll with the versatile Barton here. Both players would be better options after trading down.
10. New York Jets
- Will pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
- Could pick: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
- Dark horse: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Jets are going all-in this year around Aaron Rodgers. That included adding offensive linemen Tyron Smith, John Simpson, and Morgan Moses in free agency along with receiver Mike Williams, so they can roll with the best player available here.
Bowers would be a big upgrade at tight end for the Jets. He’s a matchup nightmare who has drawn comparisons to George Kittle, and he would be a great long-term partner for Garrett Wilson.
The Jets could also select Fuaga as a safety net behind the oft-injured Smith and Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Oregon State product figures to be one of the safest players in the 2024 NFL Draft given his size, versatility, and rock-solid tape.
If the Jets want insurance for the injury-prone Williams, Thomas could be the surprise option for them.
11. Minnesota Vikings
- Will pick: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- Could pick: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
- Dark horse: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
McCarthy finally comes off the board, and Minnesota is a great landing spot for him. Kevin O’Connell has developed quarterbacks well during his time in the NFL and will get to pair McCarthy with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones as the Michigan product gets used to being more of a focal point in the offense.
The Vikings may ultimately need to trade up to get McCarthy, but this probably represents his floor. Should McCarthy be off the board, O’Connell might be interested in taking Penix, who seems to be the consensus No. 5 quarterback after his stellar season at Washington. He performed well with a strong receiving corps, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him find similar success in Minnesota.
Nix could also be an option, but questions exist about his overall ceiling. O’Connell would probably prefer McCarthy and Penix given their respective upsides.
12. Denver Broncos
- Will pick: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
- Could pick: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
- Dark horse: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
While the Vikings may want a quarterback with a higher ceiling, Sean Payton may seen shades of Drew Brees in Nix’s game. The six-year college quarterback was a good distributor at Oregon, completing 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just three interceptions during his senior season.
Of course, Nix’s stats were inflated, as he threw 66.9 percent of his passes less than nine yards downfield or behind the line of scrimmage, per Pro Football Focus. Still, Payton might see Nix as a solid, experienced game manager who would provide the team an upgrade over Jarrett Stidham.
Penix could also get the nod if Payton prefers his ceiling, while Latu would probably be the team’s top choice if they don’t go with a quarterback. Given that the Broncos don’t have a second-round pick, they might have to take Nix here to make sure they don’t miss out on their top options at the position.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
- Will pick: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
- Could pick: OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
- Dark horse: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
The Raiders have been increasingly connected to Penix ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. That could be smoke, but he would be an ideal fit.
Penix enjoyed a solid season at Washington, completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading the Huskies to the national championship game. He is known as a gritty leader with a fantastic arm and is one of the best deep-ball throwers in this class, skills he showcased well at his pro day.
Penix would compete with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell for the team’s starting job, but he has more upside than both. He also would fit the culture Antonio Pierce is building and be able to get Davante Adams plenty of opportunities, so there’s a lot to like about this fit.
If the Raiders wait on a quarterback, going with a player like Latham to plug their hole at right tackle would be a great choice. They could also take Mitchell to upgrade their secondary. Either way, expect either a QB, OT, or CB to be the pick.
14. New Orleans Saints
- Will pick: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
- Could pick: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
- Dark horse: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Fuaga just seems like a Saints pick, doesn’t he? They have often spent first-round picks on offensive linemen, and those prospects, like Ryan Ramczyk, Cesar Ruiz, and Andrus Peat, have typically been viewed as players who will safely be productive at tackle or guard.
Fuaga is 6-6, 324 pounds, and he could emerge as New Orleans’ starting left tackle over Trevor Penning, who has struggled since being a first-round pick in 2022. Fuaga could also play left guard if the Saints are hell-bent on starting Penning, so that versatility could prove valuable here.
Fashanu is another tackle option for the Saints, as his upside could make him a top-tier left tackle eventually. New Orleans also might want to add a high-end pass rusher, so going after a player like Latu here might make up for them missing on Myles Muphy by one pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.
15. Indianapolis Colts
- Will pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
- Could pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
- Dark horse: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The Colts have Kenny Moore on the roster and spent a 2023 second-round pick on JuJu Brentz, but they still need to replace Isaiah Rodgers at cornerback after his gambling suspension and subsequent release. Arnold is an instinctive, No. 1 cornerback and had five interceptions during his final season at Alabama. That makes him the safest cornerback on the board.
Wiggins might be a dark-horse option because of his athletic ability. The 6-2 corner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds, so that combination might intrigue Chris Ballard, who likes athletic prospects. Still, Arnold seems more likely to be the first cornerback selected.
Thomas is the other top player to consider here, as he would provide a nice but raw complement to a receiving corps that already features Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. That said, the Colts might prefer to target a veteran receiver via trade to avoid overloading on rookies, even one with as much upside as Thomas.
16. Seattle Seahawks
- Will pick: DT Byron Murphy, Texas
- Could pick: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
- Dark horse: G/C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
John Schneider’s strategy in the NFL Draft is never easy to pin down, and it figures to be more unpredictable with a new head coach on board in Mike Macdonald. That said, Seattle tends to like toolsy, athletic players, and Murphy qualifies as one.
Murphy was excellent at the NFL Combine and stood out on tape for the Longhorns. He generated five sacks during his final season with Texas and should fare well at the NFL level, especially if deployed next to a proven veteran like Leonard Williams.
The Seahawks also need a guard, so grabbing someone like Fautanu or Powers-Johnson could be smart. Each prospect has positional versatility, so that could make either a top target here.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Will pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
- Could pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
- Dark horse: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley during the offseason but gained Gabe Davis. That doesn’t mean that they’re done at receiver, though, as they could take Thomas as they continue to build around Trevor Lawrence.
Thomas has a huge, 6-3, 209-pound frame yet blazed a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. This came after he posted 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns during his final season at LSU. He is still working on his route running, but his upside is sky-high, and he could be one of the next great receivers to come out of LSU.
The Jaguars could consider a cornerback like Mitchell or Wiggins here, but the NFL Draft’s receiver class is better than the cornerback group, so that may incentivize the Jaguars to target Thomas in the top 20.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
- Will pick: OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
- Could pick: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
- Dark horse: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
The Bengals seem likely to address the trenches with this pick, and either Latham or Fashanu would be a sensible selection here. The team has Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown as its starting tackles for next season, but adding a player like Latham to compete with Brown at right tackle would be a sensible move.
Latham has great size at 6-6, 342 yards, and he looks like a potential plug-and-play right tackle. He’s a bit more polished right now than Fashanu, so the Bengals might appreciate that considering the issue they endured at right tackle in recent seasons.
Newton would make sense as a replacement for D.J. Reader, albeit as a different type of player with more pass-rushing skills. Cincinnati might prefer to target a bigger defensive tackle later, though — unless Byron Murphy is still on the board.
19. Los Angeles Rams
- Will pick: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
- Could pick: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
- Dark horse: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
The Rams need to replace the retired Aaron Donald. That doesn’t necessarily mean they need to make a like-for-like swap, but they need to add pass-rushing talent to their rotation.
Latu had 23.5 sacks across two seasons at UCLA, so his production is unquestioned. He would give the Rams a true, top pass rusher to pair with Byron Young and Michael Hoecht.
If the Rams are scared off by Latu’s medical red flags — the Washington staff wouldn’t clear him to play before he transferred to UCLA — they could target Robinson to fill a similar void. As far as direct Donald replacements go, Newton would be the best one on the board.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Will pick: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
- Could pick: G/C Graham Barton, Duke
- Dark horse: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
The Steelers’ offensive line was better in 2023 than it was the previous season, but there’s still room for improvement. Fautanu could challenge Dan Moore Jr. for a starting spot at left tackle, but he could kick inside to guard if he can’t beat the third-year player for the starting job.
Fautanu is 6-4, 317 pounds and put together great tape at Washington protecting Penix. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields would certainly appreciate having a steady blocker on their blind side.
Pittsburgh also has a big need at center, so selecting Barton would be sensible here, too. Taking Mitchell to help replace Diontae Johnson is also on the table, even if it is a bit early for the Texas product.
21. Miami Dolphins
- Will pick: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
- Could pick: G/C Graham Barton, Duke
- Dark horse: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins in free agency, which will be a blow to their interior pass rush. Newton would help solve that problem after racking up 13 sacks and 22.5 TFL during his final two seasons at Illinois. He’s a bit undersized at 6-2, 304 pounds, but he could be a Javon Hargrave-like player at the next level, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
Miami could also upgrade its offensive line with a player like Barton, who can play any position up front. Grabbing a hyper-athletic cornerback like Wiggins would also be sensible, but getting a player like Newton to fill one of the team’s biggest needs seems like the best play.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
- Will pick: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
- Could pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
- Dark horse: G/C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Howie Roseman is regarded as one of the best general managers in the NFL, and his approach to the NFL Draft is one of the biggest reasons. While the Eagles occasionally draft for need, they also draft for value. Sometimes, they take the best players available if they foresee them becoming contributors in the not-so-distant future.
Fashanu checks that box for the Eagles. Their starting offensive line combination looks set for the 2024 NFL season, but they could use a swing tackle and an eventual successor for the 34-year-old Lane Johnson. Fashanu has elite athleticism and was once regarded as a potential top-10 pick. He’s raw, but getting him at 22 is a steal, especially since the Eagles can develop him for at least a season.
Getting a slipping cornerback like Mitchell would be similarly great value, and targeting Powers-Johnson to help replace the now-retired Jason Kelce can’t be ruled out either.
23. Minnesota Vikings
- Will pick: OL Graham Barton, Duke
- Could pick: G/C Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Dark horse: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
The Vikings traded guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars last season after veteran Dalton Risner played well in place of Cleveland while he was injured. Risner is now gone, so the Vikings have a glaring hole at left guard.
Barton (6-5, 313 pounds) can be a plug-and-play starter at left guard and can play all other positions on the offensive line, as well. The Vikings are set at tackle, but they could consider using him at center if they want to either move on from Garret Bradbury or move him to guard.
Powers-Johnson is the other top center on the board the Vikings could consider here. They could also think about adding a young, explosive pass rusher like Robinson if they want a dynamic playmaker, but the team’s top priority should be to protect their new investment at quarterback, be it McCarthy or someone else.
24. Dallas Cowboys
- Will pick: G/C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
- Could pick: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
- Dark horse: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Dallas endured a quiet 2024 offseason, losing several players along with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. One of the Cowboys’ biggest losses followed Quinn to D.C., as center Tyler Biadasz signed with the Commanders in free agency.
Powers-Johnson would be a great replacement for Biadasz. The Oregon product isn’t as versatile as Barton, but he’s powerfully built at 6-3, 328 pounds and has plenty of experience protecting NFL-caliber QBs with the Ducks.
The Cowboys may also look to replace Michael Gallup here, so Adonai Mitchell can’t be counted out. Drafting a player like Mims is also in play, as he could help replace Tyron Smith while allowing Tyler Smith to play at guard.
The Cowboys might also be willing to trade down if one of the top centers isn’t on the board.
25. Green Bay Packers
- Will pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
- Could pick: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
- Dark horse: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Thomas’ rise and a run on offensive linemen pushed Mitchell down the board a bit, but it’s hard to imagine the Packers won’t jump on him if he’s available.
Green Bay has a promising, young offense, but it needs to add some more young talent to its defense. Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes have also had injury issues in recent seasons, so Mitchell could serve as key depth who will eventually become the heir apparent to Alexander.
Wiggins and DeJean are among the other available cornerbacks the Packers could consider, but Mitchell’s athleticism (4.33 40-yard dash) and production (46 career pass breakups at Toldeo) make him the most intriguing option at this juncture.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Will pick: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
- Could pick: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
- Dark horse: OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
The Buccaneers probably want to add to their defense, and while getting a top pass rusher like Robinson would be worthwhile, Wiggins is too good to pass up at this point.
Wiggins ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine despite getting hurt during his run. He has great size at 6-1 and posted solid numbers in his last two years at Clemson, logging three interceptions and 19 pass defenses. His 173-pound frame may concern some, but remember — the rail-thin Emmanuel Forbes went 16th overall last season.
The Buccaneers could also look at an offensive lineman like Zach Frazier, but Wiggins seems like too good of a value to pass on.
27. Arizona Cardinals
- Will pick: EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
- Could pick: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
- Dark horse: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Darius Robinson over Chop Robinson? It could happen. The Penn State product may have more upside than the Mizzou alum, but Darius impressed at the Senior Bowl and is coming off an 8.5-sack season for the Tigers.
The Cardinals have needs everywhere, so adding a player like Darius Robinson makes sense. He has long arms (34 1/2 inches) on his 6-5, 285-pound frame, and he could emerge as a pesky pass rusher in the NFL.
The Cardinals could also target a cornerback like DeJean, but it makes sense for them to go with a pass rusher given how coach Jonathan Gannon’s Eagles defenses relied on a deep, talented defensive line rotation.
28. Buffalo Bills
- Will pick: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
- Could pick: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
- Dark horse: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
The Bills are almost certainly going to take a receiver after trading Stefon Diggs. There are plenty of solid options on the board, so it’s just a matter of which one Buffalo wants.
Do the Bills want a speed receiver? That would make Worthy the top option. What about a steady route runner who can work the middle of the field? That would make McConkey worth a look.
Mitchell brings the best of both worlds — and not just because he attended both Georgia and Texas. He showed well at the 2024 NFL Combine after catching 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Longhorns in 2023. He also has good size at 6-2, 205 pounds, so that makes him a threat to emerge as a true No. 1 receiver.
Mitchell just needs to put in consistent effort from game to game. That was sometimes an issue during his career at Texas, but if he brings the intensity, he should succeed in the NFL.
29. Detroit Lions
- Will pick: OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
- Could pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
- Dark horse: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
The Lions signed Kevin Zeitler to replace Jonah Jackson during the offseason, but Zeitler is 34, so he will only be a stopgap. Frazier has shorter arms for an offensive lineman, but he has a wrestling background and was a rock-solid blocker at West Virginia.
Frazier could emerge as the type of kneecap-biter that Dan Campbell loves, so while the Lions could use some cornerback help, the West Virginia center might be the top option here.
DeJean is the top cornerback still on the board, so it would hardly be a surprise for him to be Detroit’s pick. Worthy would be a bit more surprising, but the Lions might like his speed and production enough to pair him long-term with Amon-Ra St. Brown.
30. Baltimore Ravens
- Will pick: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
- Could pick: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
- Dark horse: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
The Ravens lost three starting offensive linemen during the 2024 offseason: John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses. While the latter two players were guards, the Ravens are positioned to land a solid tackle with upside at this point in Mims.
Mims was a five-star recruit and has a massive 6-8, 340-pound frame. He’s a bit raw, but the Ravens can coach him up and allow him to battle the similarly huge Daniel Faalele (6-8, 379 pounds) for the starting right tackle job.
Guyton is another tackle the Ravens might consider, and they could also pursue a bigger, more physical receiver like Legette to go with the smaller, faster Zay Flowers. Mims could end up being a steal, though, so this seems like a favorable get for the Ravens, who always seem to land slipping prospects.
31. San Francisco 49ers
- Will pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
- Could pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
- Dark horse: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Speaking of slipping prospects, the 49ers would probably be ecstatic to see DeJean on the board here. The opportunistic Hawkeyes cornerback logged seven interceptions over the past two seasons and, like many Iowa defensive backs, is versatile enough to fit anywhere in a secondary as needed.
The 49ers need a true No. 2 cornerback across from Charvarius Ward, so DeJean could battle for that role. He’s a great athlete, giving him a high ceiling.
McKinstry is another cornerback San Francisco could consider if DeJean doesn’t make it to this pick. They could also add an offensive lineman to serve as the successor to Trent Williams. Morgan needs to add a little strength and power, but he could battle for playing time at guard while learning under Williams.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
- Will pick: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
- Could pick: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
- Dark horse: OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
The Chiefs are lucky to have several high-quality options on the board here, but Robinson should be their selection. The Chiefs have George Karalaftis and Chris Jones as their top pass rushers, but they could use another high-end partner to work in tandem with Karlaftis on the edge.
Robinson had 9.5 sacks during his two seasons at Penn State but has enormous athletic upside.
McConkey might be a nice option to roster with Rashee Rice’s future uncertain, and Suamataia could be Kansas City’s long-term answer at left tackle. Andy Reid and his front office love to address the trenches, though, so don’t be surprised if he takes a pass rusher here.
