2024 NFL Draft: Final Mock Draft Rounds 1, 2, 3

FINAL 2024 FIRST ROUND NFL MOCK DRAFT It was 1989. Troy Aikman 1, Tony Mandarich 2, Barry Sanders 3, Derrick Thomas 4, Deion Sanders 5.

 

That was the first mock draft I ever had published – The Badger Herald, one of the school papers at the University of Wisconsin;

 

got the first five right, and almost nothing else – and that was WAY back before all the stuff everyone has available now to throw these mock draft things together.

 

No internet, just a little bit of hype on ESPN, and that was still easier to do than this mock draft.

 

Anyone who thinks their 2024 NFL Mock Draft isn’t about to go totally off the rails is delusional.

 

The mocked up trades of course aren’t right – you can’t make a trade happen – the quarterbacks will be flying off the board,

 

or a few might actually drop like a rock, and this first round might set a record of some sort for trades after the first few picks.

 

But for now, the final configuration of the 2024 NFL Draft first round is about as close to the pin as we think we can get it. There will be moves,

 

and there will be changes, but from 1 to 32 the right players should be here and not all that far off from where they’ll go.

 

Happy NFL Draft Day.

Let’s have some fun.2024 NFL Draft RankingsQB | RB | WR | TE | Cs | OG | OT DT | Edge | LB | Saf | CB | @PeteFiutakTop 100 Prospects Final Mock Draft Round 2 | Round 3

 

1 CHICAGO BEARS (FROM CAROLINA) Caleb Williams QB USC CFN Overall Rank: 1 6-1, 214, Original Projection:

 

No. 1 OverallTeam Needs: Quarterback, Wide ReceiverThe Chicago Bears lived through years of being awful for just this moment.

 

There might be some wild speculation about the Bears going with Daniels, but not at this point.

 

They’ve got the 1, there’s one guy who’s been THE guy for two years, and they have to take their cut

 

. They didn’t need to give away Justin Fields, but that just cranked up the hope that Williams is just that special.

 

2 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS Jayden Daniels QB LSU CFN Overall Rank: 2 6-4, 210, Original Projection:

 

Top 5 OverallTeam Needs: Quarterback, Offensive LineNo franchise in major American sports needs a reboot more.

 

It’s been a down time for the once proud football team from Washington, and the reigning Heisman winner is

 

just the type of player who might do the impossible and be a great value get at the

 

2. And … 3 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Drake Maye QB North Carolina CFN Overall Rank: 5 6-4, 223, Original

 

Projection: Top 5 OverallTeam Needs: Quarterback,

 

Wide ReceiverIf it’s possible to come up with a great value grab at the 3, New England is about to do it.

 

In most other years Maye would be the No. 1, and now it’s his job to do the impossible and be the first quarterback

 

post-TB12 who can play. 4 ARIZONA CARDINALS Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State CFN Overall Rank: 6 6-3, 209,

 

Original Projection: Top 5 OverallTeam Needs: Wide Receiver, Edge RusherDon’t be 1000% certain Harrison is the guy.

 

It wouldn’t be stunning at all if LSU’s Malik Nabers or even Washington’s Rome Odunze was selected here.

 

But there will be a whole lot of mad people in Phoenix if it’s not the Buckeye wideout.

 

5 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Joe Alt OT Notre Dame CFN Overall Rank: 4 6-9, 321, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Wide Receiver, Offensive TackleAnd now this gets fun.

 

It’s the last mock draft in the 2024 cycle, so unless we hear otherwise this is locked in,

 

but it’s possible the Chargers go LSU’s Malik Nabers or Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.

 

if one falls here, and it’s possible they create a huge trade to someone dying for JJ McCarthy.

 

They already have their own franchise QB – don’t love the rumors about trading Justin Fields – and they need to protect him.

 

6 NEW YORK GIANTS J.J. McCarthy QB Michigan CFN Overall Rank: 32 6-3, 219, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Wide Receiver,

 

Offensive LineNow this REALLY gets funky. Forgive the receptiveness of this line, but we don’t do trades with mock drafts, and neither should anyone else.

 

However, this is right about where McCarthy should go, so 1) someone – Vikings, Raiders, Broncos – will probably try to move up here, or 2) the Giants do it because Daniel Jones isn’t quite good enough.

 

7 TENNESSEE TITANS JC Latham OT Alabama CFN Overall Rank: 20 6-6, 342, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Offensive Tackle, Defensive TackleThis pick should be fairly obvious in a draft that might get really weird really fast. Tennessee needs an offensive tackle,

 

and this is right in the wheelhouse for a good one. 8 ATLANTA FALCONS Dallas Turner EDGE Alabama CFN Overall Rank: 16 6-3, 247, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Offensive Tackle, Edge RusherThere could be a Best Player Available thing happening here, but the Falcons need

 

more help getting into the backfield, and Turner should be the safest high-octane pass rusher on the board. The only thing that could change

 

that is if the Falcons aren’t worried about Laiatu Latu’s past neck concerns. 9 CHICAGO BEARS Malik Nabers WR LSU CFN Overall Rank: 8 6-0, 199, Original Projection:

 

Top 10 OverallTeam Needs: Quarterback, Wide ReceiverThe Bears could trade down in a receiver-rich draft – especially if JJ McCarthy is still available – and they should take Georgia TE Brock Bowers here.

 

But if Nabers falls – he could go 4 to Arizona and almost no one would blink – to combine with Caleb Williams, that’s a problem for the NFC North.

 

10 NEW YORK JETS Rome Odunze WR Washington CFN Overall Rank: 17 6-3, 212, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Quarterback, Offensive TackleIf this was a normal team with a normal old quarterback, it would get younger fast with a new QB option to guide now that the Zach Wilson experience is over.

 

But the Jets have Aaron Rodgers and a prayer. The Jets will likely give him a wide receiver, just because.

 

Odunze isn’t a bad idea, though, if he’s still there. 11 MINNESOTA VIKINGS Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT Penn State CFN Overall Rank: 9 6-6, 312, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Quarterback, CornerbackAgain, we don’t do trades in our mocks, so we’re going to thread a needle here.

 

Either the Vikings do trade out of this to go after a quarterback, or they stay put, take a top offensive tackle to refortify the front, and then spin the wheel that either Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr.

 

will be around at the 23. 12 DENVER BRONCOS Laiatu Latu EDGE UCLA CFN Overall Rank: 10 6-5, 259, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Quarterback, Edge RusherThere’s no way. There’s NO WAY Denver is banking on Zach Wilson or Jarrett Stidham to be the Day One starter.

 

But they might try to trade up or down for a quarterback – this is probably too

 

early for Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. – and/or they can try rebooting things with the guy who might be the best pass rusher in the draft.

 

And then … 13 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington CFN Overall Rank: 12 6-2, 216, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Quarterback, Offensive LineIf fits in so many ways.

 

They’re the Raiders. They’re Ken Stabler to Cliff Branch. They’re speed. They’re the deep ball. They’re all in on questionable value for picks. If they can’t move up to get JJ McCarthy,

 

Penix would come right in and bomb away. 14 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Taliese Fuaga OT Oregon State CFN Overall Rank: 30 6-6, 324, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Offensive Tackle, Defensive TackleIt’s not as much fun to take a versatile offensive lineman while everyone else is playing around with quarterbacks, receivers,

 

and pass rushers, but the versatility of Fuaga makes this a smart get for a line that needs a bit of everything. 15 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo CFN Overall Rank:

 

21 6-0, 195, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Tight End, Defensive BackIt’s going to be REALLY hard to pass on Brock Bowers,

 

but there are decent tight ends to be had later. Mitchell is one of the hottest prospects going, and the Colts need a young star in the secondary.

 

16 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Byron Murphy II DT Texas CFN Overall Rank: 7 6-1, 297, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Defensive Back, Interior O LineMurphy isn’t a need pick,

 

but the Seahawks need to bring back their defensive identity under.new head coach Mike Macdonald.

 

Taking Murphy here is a tone setter, and there’s plenty of time to work on the interior of the offensive line in the third and with the second pick in the fourth.

 

Final Mock DraftRound 2 | Round 3 17 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Terrion Arnold CB Alabama CFN Overall Rank: 15 6-0, 189, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Cornerback, Defensive TackleIt’s a nice spot.

 

The Jaguars can sit back and wait for the right piece to fall.

 

A wide receiver might be a luxury, while Arnold – or, maybe, Quinyon Mitchell – instantly plugs a hole.

 

18 CINCINNATI BENGALS Brock Bowers TE Georgia CFN Overall Rank: 3 6-3, 243, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Defensive Tackle, Wide ReceiverEnough is enough.

 

It wouldn’t be crazy or wrong if Bowers went in the top five – like, to the Chargers at 5 – but he could slide a wee bit further than he should.

 

The Bengals need more help on the lines, and receiver and running back are a must,

 

but if there’s any chance Bowers is what Kelce/Kittle/Andrews are to their respective offenses, this is too good a value not to go for it.

 

19 LOS ANGELES RAMS Jared Verse EDGE Florida State CFN Overall Rank: 14 6-4, 254, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Defensive Line. CornerbackThe Rams might be thinking quarterback, too, for the near future, but they might still have another run left with this current configuration.

 

They need more from the pass rush, and Verse would be a strong value get here. 20 PITTSBURGH STEELERS Graham Barton OC/OG Duke CFN Overall Rank: 18 6-5, 313, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Offensive Line, Wide ReceiverIt’s too perfect of a pick. The Steelers need versatility in the interior of the offensive line,

 

and here’s their center-who-could-kick-to-guard prospect who’ll slide right in. 21 MIAMI DOLPHINS Troy Fautanu OG/OT Washington CFN Overall Rank: 11 6-4, 317, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Defensive Tackle, Offensive LineThis is a wee bit of a wild card pick.

 

The Dolphins need more options on the defensive interior, but they also need to get a whole lot stronger with young talent on the O line.

 

They’ll go whichever way the draft blows, but there should be a few nice offensive tackles around. Versatility matters here.

 

22 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Nate Wiggins CB Clemson CFN Overall Rank: 19 6-1, 173, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Offensive Line, CornerbackThey have two picks in the second round. Get a great value corner now, deal with the O line later.

 

23 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FROM HOUSTON) Bo Nix QB Oregon CFN Overall Rank: 29 6-2, 214, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Quarterback, CornerbackThe Viking perfect scenario plays out.

 

The team goes with a good offensive lineman early at the 11 – even if it’s not a need pick – and then waits. The Raiders go a bit overboard for Michael Penix Jr.,

 

the Broncos don’t bite on Nix, and … this would be playing with fire. But Nix or Penix Jr. should still be around here. 24 DALLAS COWBOYS Adonai Mitchell WR Texas CFN Overall Rank: 43 6-2, 205, Original Projection:

 

2nd RoundTeam Needs: Wide Receiver, Offensive LineFor a team that was as good as it was last regular season, Dallas needs a TON of revamping.

 

It’s an infrastructure team and could go offensive line with several good tackles on the board, but they’re probably going to bomb their way out of the problem with more skill speed.

 

25 GREEN BAY PACKERS Cooper DeJean CB Iowa CFN Overall Rank: 38 6-1, 203, Original Projection:

 

1st RoundTeam Needs: Defensive Back, Offensive LineBest defensive back or best offensive lineman on the board.

 

DeJean is a versatile enough playmaker and dangerous talent – his broken leg appears to be fine – to be an easy grab here to take over a corner gig.

 

26 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Chop Robinson EDGE Penn State CFN Overall Rank: 26 6-3, 254, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Wide Receiver, Offensive

 

LineQuarterback wouldn’t be a horrible option – even with the commitment to Baker Mayfield – but that’s not happening. The O line needs more work, but a top pass rushing prospect will drop, and the Bucs will grab him.

 

27 ARIZONA CARDINALS (FROM HOUSTON) Jer’Zhan Newton DT Illinois CFN Overall Rank: 36 6-2, 304, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs:

 

Wide Receiver, Edge RusherThere’s a shot Minnesota finds the right package to load up the Cardinals, get to the 4, and grab a quarterback.

 

Or, Arizona stays at home, grabs a top receiver, and waits until here to upgrade the defensive line.

 

Either way, it’s in great shape. 28 BUFFALO BILLS Xavier Worthy WR Texas CFN Overall Rank: 39 5-11, 165, Original Projection: 2nd RoundTeam Needs:

 

Wide Receiver, SafetyTeam Needs should read, Wide Receiver, and WIDE RECEIVER. Josh Allen has to start getting the ball out of his hands more,

 

and he needs more playmakers who can crank up the speed. Worthy has difference-making wheels.

 

29 DETROIT LIONS Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama CFN Overall Rank: 13 6-0, 199, Original Projection: 1st RoundTeam Needs: Defensive Back,

 

Edge RusherThe O is fine, and now the D needs more parts. There might be a Best Defensive Player Available thing happening here,

 

but McKinstry this late in the first would a wonderful option. Draft him, put him on one side at a starting corner spot, sleep well.

 

30 BALTIMORE RAVENS Darius Robinson EDGE Missouri CFN Overall Rank: 27 6-5, 285, Original Projection: 2nd RoundTeam Needs;

 

Defensive Back, Edge RusherFew teams know how to do this drafting thing better than Baltimore.

 

It can get its defensive backs later – five picks in the first four rounds – but this franchise takes off with the pass rush is there. Robinson would instantly help the cause. 31 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Amarius Mims OT

 

Georgia CFN Overall Rank: 22 6-8, 340, Original Projection: 2nd Round Team Needs: Offensive Line, CornerbackIt’s a deep draft and someone good will slip through the cracks – that might be Mims.

 

And why? A slew of versatile blockers should go earlier. That’s fine; San Francisco just needs the best offensive lineman on the board.

 

32 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU CFN Overall Rank: 37 6-3, 209, Original Projection: 2nd RoundTeam Needs: Wide Receiver,

 

Offensive TackleIt goes beyond obvious that Kansas City needs receivers for 15 to throw to, but finding a few tackles for the lines is a must, too.

 

It starts with receiver, though, and Thomas or South Carolina’s Xavier Legette will be here.2024 NFL Draft RankingsQB

 

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