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, so for the analysis of those picks, please visit the link above. For your convenience, I’ve added those below without the explanations and then continued on from pick No. 11 and through pick No. 20.

I’m currently beginning to work through the remainder of the first round, so be sure to check back soon to see what some of this year’s contenders could consider doing on draft day.

• 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 Rookie Draft Simulator

2024 NFL Draft: Top 20 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.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Williams (QB – USC)
2. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Drake Maye (QB – North Carolina)
4. Indianapolis Colts: Jared Verse (DE – Florida State)
5. Los Angeles Rams: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
6. Tennessee Titans: Dallas Turner (DE – Alabama)
7. Green Bay Packers: Olu Fashanu (OT – Penn State)
8. Washington Commanders: J.C. Latham (OT – Alabama)
9. Las Vegas Raiders: Joe Alt (OT – Notre Dame)
10. Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Chop Robinson (DE – Penn State)
    
11. Atlanta Falcons: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)

I may not be quite as high on Emeke Egbuka as some others, but he’s been getting a lot of buzz as a top receiver prospect in the coming class. After a big season replacing Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the Buckeyes’ top slot receiver, adding another weapon to the offense to complement Drake London and Kyle Pitts could make sense here.

12. Chicago Bears: Michael Hall Jr. (DL – Ohio State)

The Bears have conceivably filled most of their holes, so the pick might come down to whoever underperforms. I’ll hazard a guess that Ryan Pace might continue building through the trenches, even after drafting Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. Michael Hall Jr. is a quick penetrator who could establish himself as a top prospect.

13. New Orleans Saints: Kalen King (CB – Penn State)

Surprisingly, the Saints were one of the league’s best pass defenses last season despite some of their top cornerbacks struggling, according to metric sites like Pro Football Focus. Marshon Lattimore is a stud, and Alontae Taylor has shown promise, but Kalen King could be an immediate upgrade over Paulson Adebo and Bradley Roby.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB – Clemson)

One of the most polished defensive prospects in this year’s class, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. would be an instant upgrade for Teryl Austin’s defense, in which the top two off-ball linebackers are Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb. It wouldn’t be a shock if they doubled down on offensive linemen either, finding a bookend for Broderick Jones.

15. Houston Texans (from Browns): Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)

This is a team with various needs, so I could see them going with the best player available and patching other holes later. The Texans landed Dalton Schultz on a very affordable deal this offseason, but it’s only a one-year pact. So they could need another TE for 2024. Giving C.J. Stroud an elite option here makes sense.

16. New England Patriots: Amarius Mims (OT – Georgia)

This past offseason, New England signed Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff, but the former’s status is currently a bit of a mystery, while Reiff is near the end of his career. With starting left tackle Trent Brown entering a contract year, maybe the Patriots would opt for a high-upside prospect with impressive physical traits here.

17. Denver Broncos: Maason Smith (DL – LSU)

This is a somewhat projection-based pick, as Maason Smith tore his ACL in last year’s season opener. Still, he has outstanding physical and athletic traits and could easily go higher than this with a bounce-back 2023 campaign. He’d replace Dre’Mont Jones in Vance Joseph’s defense, with significant schematic versatility.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jer’Zhan Newton (DL – Illinois)

Assuming Walker Little plays well as the team’s left tackle this year, I think a defensive player might be the most likely pick for now. Jer’Zhan Newton has a quick first step and active hands, and aside from their edge defenders, the Jaguars could use a high-end prospect to complement DaVon Hamilton and Roy Robertson-Harris.

19. Seattle Seahawks: Barrett Carter (LB – Clemson)

Bringing back Bobby Wagner was a good move for a team with playoff aspirations, Still, even if he performs well, the Seahawks have three top linebackers entering contract years, so it might make sense for them to invest in a long-term option at the position. Barrett Carter can do a little bit of everything, especially in the passing game.

20. Baltimore Ravens: Jason Marshall Jr. (CB – Florida)

Cornerback was a popular projection for the Ravens heading into last year’s draft, and they didn’t do a whole lot there, waiting until the fifth round to draft Kyu Blu Kelly. Rock Ya-Sin was added afterward, but he’s on a very modest one-year deal. Jason Marshall Jr. has been very solid in the SEC over the past two years.

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Have different ideas for some of the picks? Feel free to let me know on Twitter @draftexaminer!