2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks

It may be the offseason but the NFL is still lighting up the headlines with some of the biggest trades and transfers set to stir the pot this year. But while the new season brings plenty of shocking moves from vets around the league, it also provides a whole new batch of rookies.

The 2024 NFL Draft is just around the corner and the buzz is growing with each day. This class is full of talent across the board, but generational QB Caleb Williams leads the pack as the consensus No.1 Overall Pick. With each trade affecting every prediction, it’s tough to keep up. But as things stand, this is our 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB

There was plenty of confusion surrounding the Bears No.1 Pick with Justin Fields possessing the potential for a successful future. But after they traded him to Pittsburgh, it became very clear what their intentions were.

Caleb Williams has been touted as one of the most talented quarterbacks of his generation and unsurprisingly, is the consensus No.1 Overall pick.

It didn’t look great when Williams liked a tweet that stated the Bears shouldn’t draft him, but hopefully his recent visit to the team facilities has cleared up any concerns. If not, we could see another Eli Manning situation…

In any case, it’s fairly obvious that Chicago needs a quarterback and they’ve already started preparing for Williams’ arrival, by signing veteran receiver Keenan Allen.

It’s very unlikely, but in the rare case that they trade the pick away, no team would be moving that far up the board for anyone other than the former Heisman winner.

At -8000 in the odds, Caleb Williams at No.1 is a lock.

2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB

The Commanders also took a clear step towards drafting a quarterback when they traded Sam Howell, released Jacoby Brissett and picked up Marcus Mariota this offseason. But this pick is much tougher to call…

The sportsbooks almost have it as a coin flip between Jayden Daniels (-105) and Drake Maye (+110), with an outside look from J.J. McCarthy (+650).

To this day, Washington is yet to hint at who they may be taking at No.2, but a few things can help us take an educated guess.

With new head coach Dann Quinn at the helm, it’s worth thinking about who may suit him best. Quinn previously had the most success in his career with Matt Ryan, which begs the question - who is the Matt Ryan of the 2024 draft class?

Our guess is Drake Maye - his size, arm talent and ability to extend plays mirrors the best parts of Matt Ryan’s playstyle.

It truly is a coin flip at this point, but we’re going against the sportsbooks on this one. Drake Maye to Washington.

3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB

If Maye goes at 2, it’s almost guaranteed we’ll see Daniels end up in New England, and vice versa. But one thing is certain, if the Patriots keep this pick, they’ll be taking a QB.

After trading Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 2024 sixth-round pick, it’s clear they’re looking to take a rookie signal caller into the new season. Bailey Zappe had flashes of success but it would be the surprise of the decade to see the Pats pass up on Daniels, Maye or McCarthy.

Daniels has five seasons as a starter in his collegiate career, making him one of the most experienced players in the entire class. Now, the jump to the NFL is rarely a walk in the park and Daniels isn’t a flawless QB, but with the rollercoaster season between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, experience is exactly what New England needs.

At LSU, Daniels displayed elite athleticism, great pocket presence and some seriously sweet deep shots. He may struggle with accuracy in the short range and is often reckless when running, he’s the best shout for New England if Maye is already off the board.

Daniels’ is currently +130 to go at No.3.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

With Kyler Murray holding down the QB1 spot in Arizona, the Cardinals have a few options. They could bolster their receiver room, add some strength to the trenches or even trade away to a team willing to overpay for a shot at McCarthy. These are all viable options, but there is one clear leader for me…

The Cardinals receiver room is currently led by Michael Wilson, with Greg Dortch and Chris Moore at WR2 and 3. We all know that Kyler Murray is a special QB, but nobody would expect top tier production from him with this pass catching unit. Now, the rebuild in Arizona will take some time and their needs are extensive, but you have to start somewhere and I’d imagine they’ll kick things off with one receiver that’s head and shoulders above the rest.

Marvin Harrison Jr. stands at 6’3, 209 lbs but moves like a receiver half his size. He’s not a high speed burner, but he runs very crisp routes and is a highly reliable pass-catcher. In his last season with the Buckeyes, he logged 1211 yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 games - a level of production that earned the 2023 Biletnikoff Award and made him a Heisman Trophy finalist.

It’s very likely we’ll get to this spot with Harrison Jr. still on the board. So long as the Cardinals keep this pick, we can expect them to take the best receiver in the class.

5. Minnesota Vikings (via LAC*): J.J. McCarthy, QB

The Chargers currently own pick 5, but we’re predicting a trade with the Vikings who would benefit greatly from adding another QB to their roster.

LA lost Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, so there’s a slight chance they spend this pick on the likes of Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze or even Harrison Jr. if he falls this far (unlikely). But I believe they would be better off trading to a needy team willing to overpay for a top QB. If they can get the Vikings 11th overall pick, they still have plenty to worth with.

Now, Minnesota may have picked up Sam Darnold after Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them throw some more competition into the QB room.

Darnold struggled last year when he was thrown in the deep end following Aaron Rodgers injury, and although he fills a gap for the time being, it’s certainly a downgrade from Cousins.

McCarthy, on the other hand, has a history of winning and would bring a huge amount of optimism to Minnesota. Last year, he led the Jim Harbaugh-coached Wolverines to their first undisputed national title since 1948.

Whether it's McCarthy, Maye or Daniels left on the board, it would be wise of Minnesota to move up and even wiser of LA to trade down.

*predicted trade

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR

It’s no secret that the Giants need some help on both sides of the ball, especially with Saquon Barkley moving to Philadelphia this offseason.

At pick 6, New York has a few options - bolster their offensive line with the best tackle on the board, give Daniel Jones some competition or add a star receiver to the roster. I’m predicting they’ll go with Malik Nabers - a close second in the 2024 receiver class behind Marvin Harrison Jr.

LSU has given the NFL some top tier receivers in recent years, including Odell Beckahm Jr, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson - and Nabers is no different. He recorded over 1,000 yards two years in and totalled 189 catches, 3,003 yards, and 21 touchdowns over his three year collegiate career.

The fact that he is still predicted to be a top ten pick despite refusing to workout at the NFL Combine is a testament to his abilities. Some pundits are even touting that he could leapfrog Harrison Jr to be the first WR to be drafted.

Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt currently lead the receiving unit for Big Blue. Nabers would quickly become Jones’ favourite target, providing some hope for the struggling Giants offense.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT

The Titans already ticked one box this offseason - picking up Calvin Ridley to add another dimension to Tennessee’s passing game opposite Deandre Hopkins. The next step is to strengthen an offensive line that allowed the 5th most sacks in the 2023 season.

Joe Alt is by far the best tackle prospect in the entire draft. His college highlight reel displays great athleticism and his combine workout only proved that… Alt scored a 9.93 relative athletic score out of a possible 10.00, which ranks 11th out of 1377 offensive tackles that have recorded an RAS since 1987.

So, the Titans need help at tackle and Alt is a certified day one starter. If he’s already off the board by 7, expect Tennessee to go with Taliese Fuaga or Olu Fashanu.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge

The Falcons have already invested heavily in their offense in free agency - signing Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore - and now need to improve the other side of the ball.

Dallas Turner is a near-unanimous selection for the best edge rusher in the draft. His only competition is Jared Verse who possesses more technical ability, but doesn’t match Turner’s athleticism.

The Alabama superstar is by far the best pure athlete in this year’s edge class. At the combine he logged some seriously measurables - including a 4.46s 40, 40.5” vertical jump, and 10’7” broad jump, while weighing in at 6’3, 247 lbs. He’s the perfect prototype for the position, with a great foundation for a line coach to fine tune.

Atlanta could go with Verse over Turner here, but if they're looking for upside, Turner is the way.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR

Whether it’s Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze left on the board by 9, expect Chicago to go for a pass catcher here. Their second pick in the top 10 provides a chance to compete for the best receiver trio in the league heading into 2024.

Odunze would be joining Keenan Allen and DJ Moore in the Bears receiver room, and with Caleb Williams at the helm, this offense should be scary to say the least.

The Washington receiver has reliable hands, runs crisp routes and is a sure-fire deep threat at 6’3 - earning comparisons to six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams. In 2023, he was a first-team Associated Press All-American and first team All-Pac-12 Conference, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and led the FBS with a school-record 1,640 receiving yards as the Huskies’ Offensive Skill Player of the Year and team captain.

Odunze is a sure-fire starter and will give Caleb Williams a complete pass-catching unit heading into his rookie season.

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE

Bowers is by far the most talented tight end in the class and given the Jets already possess a star-studded roster, there are very few positions they can improve, but TE is one of them.

Aaron Rodgers will be back as QB1 this year, Garrett Wilson is a lock for the Jets star wideout and Breece Hall will have the run game locked down. A top tier tight end will truly complete this offensive unit.

Bowers is an explosive, all-round playmaker who can stretch the field and has home-run ability, with a rare blend of speed, power and safe hands. At 6’3, 243 lbs he can also hold his own in the trenches, helping pick up edge rushers and LBs at the line, but this is where his game may need some improvement if he wants to reach the Pro-Bowl potential he possesses.

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(Header Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez - USA TODAY Sports)