2024 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions

Based on the watch lists I’ve assembled for each position heading into the college football season, I’ve been working on developing an early first-round projection to get a feel for how the 2024 NFL Draft may go if things were to be held now.

My top-10 projection was posted in late July, and for picks 11-20 recently, so for the analysis of those picks, please visit the links above. For your convenience, I’ve added those below without the explanations and then continued on from pick No. 21 and through pick No. 32.

2024 NFL Draft Guide
2024 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | iOL | DL | EDGE | LB | S | CB
Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
Dynasty Draft Simulator

2024 NFL Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions

Note: Draft order for picks 1-10 is based on ESPN’s projected 2024 draft order. Draft order for picks 11-32 is based on a slightly modified version of ESPN’s NFL Power Index (to account for AFC/NFC playoff requirements.)

You can find my write-ups for each of the first 10 picks here, and for picks 11-20 here.

Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Williams (QB – USC)
Arizona Cardinals (from Texans) – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drake Maye (QB – North Carolina)
Indianapolis Colts – Jared Verse (DE – Florida State)
Los Angeles Rams – Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
Tennessee Titans – Dallas Turner (DE – Alabama)
Green Bay Packers – Olu Fashanu (OT – Penn State)
Washington Commanders – J.C. Latham (OT – Alabama)
Las Vegas Raiders – Joe Alt (OT – Notre Dame)
Chicago Bears (from Panthers) – Chop Robinson (DE – Penn State)
Atlanta Falcons – Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
Chicago Bears – Michael Hall Jr. (DL – Ohio State)
New Orleans Saints – Kalen King (CB – Penn State)
Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB – Clemson)
Houston Texans (from Browns) – Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)
New England Patriots – Amarius Mims (OT – Georgia)
Denver Broncos – Maason Smith (DL – LSU)
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jer’Zhan Newton (DL – Illinois)
Seattle Seahawks – Barrett Carter (LB – Clemson)
Baltimore Ravens – Jason Marshall Jr. (CB – Florida)
Minnesota Vikings – Bralen Trice (DE – Washington)

One of the most productive edge defenders returning to school, Trice’s game could still use some polish, but he has excellent size and impressive quickness. Although Minnesota signed Marcus Davenport this offseason, both he and Danielle Hunter are entering contract years, so adding a long-term piece on the edge makes sense.

New York Giants – Rome Odunze (WR – Washington)

A position like corner or safety could make sense as well, but I ended up going with a big-bodied receiver who also has some impressive route-running chops. Odunze didn’t make contested catches as frequently as his frame would suggest but could give the Giants a different physical profile than they have at the receiver position.

Miami Dolphins – Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)

This is one of the most well-rounded rosters in football. However, because of Liam Eichenberg’s struggles at left guard and Tua Tagovailoa’s health concerns, I could see Miami considering some of the top interior linemen available. Jackson is still raw, but with a consistent year, he has the tools to emerge as a top interior prospect.

Los Angeles Chargers – Nazir Stackhouse (DL – Georgia)

After finishing 28^th in the league in run defense last year (last in yards per attempt), it was a surprise that the Chargers didn’t prioritize the interior of their defensive line. One option would be targeting someone like Stackhouse, who has excellent knee-bend and anchor strength. At 320 pounds, he could be a plug-and-play fix.

Detroit Lions – Denzel Burke (CB – Ohio State)

Widely projected to select Devon Witherspoon in the first round of the 2023 draft, Detroit was surprisingly sniped by Seattle, so they could look for another cornerback next year. Burke is raw despite starting for two years, but he has the physical tools to eventually develop into a quality starter on the boundary.

Dallas Cowboys – Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)

Trevon Diggs was just signed to a massive extension, but opposite him, recently-signed Stephon Gilmore is thirty-three and on a one-year deal, while Jourdan Lewis struggled at times last year. The Cowboys run a lot of zone coverages, and DeJean has the ball skills and reliable tackling technique to fit well in zone shells.

New York Jets – Leonard Taylor III (DL – Miami)

Offensive tackle could make sense after the Jets were widely linked to some of the top tackles in the 2023 class, but they could also use an upgrade over Al Woods and Quinton Jefferson on the interior of Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s defense. Taylor is a big, toolsy player who shows impressive balance and strong hands.

Cincinnati Bengals – Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE – Texas)

It would have come as no surprise had the Bengals opted to spend an early pick on a tight end in the 2023 draft, so maybe they’d go for a smooth, flexible, and strong option in Ja’Tavion Sanders. He was a highly reliable option last year, with a well-rounded and polished game that is somewhat reminiscent of Michael Mayer.

San Francisco 49ers – Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia)

Starting opposite Kelee Ringo last year, Lassiter didn’t make a ton of plays on the ball but held up well in coverage and has the size and length to play on the boundary. That’s a need for the 49ers, who have Charvarius Ward on one side but lack an established option at the spot opposite him after losing Emmanuel Moseley.

Buffalo Bills – Xavier Worthy (WR – Texas)

Gabe Davis is set to hit free agency after this coming season, so perhaps Buffalo could look into a receiver prospect here. Uneven play from quarterback Quinn Ewers last year may have put a dent in Worthy’s draft stock after a dynamic freshman year, but he’s a flexible, savvy route-runner who can threaten any level.

Philadelphia Eagles – Malik Nabers (WR – LSU)

Traditionally, Philadelphia likes building through the trenches, so they could opt for a traditional defensive end despite recently drafting Nolan Smith in the first round. However, I think adding a third receiver makes sense as well, and Nabers, who has played extensively in the slot, is a dynamic weapon after the catch.

Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson)

A 6’2” cornerback with quick reflexes and impressive coordination for his size, Wiggins has a thin frame but could become a boundary starter as he develops physically. Currently, L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie are locked in at two corner spots, but adding another high-end boundary option would be a good move.