Our Top Ten picks: 2024 NFL Mock Draft
With the 2024 NFL draft fast approaching, let’s predict the top ten picks in the first round.
Number 1 pick: Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams QB (USC)
With Bears QB Justin Fields being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, this pick just seems inevitable. The Bears have already improved their offensive options with the additions of Keenan Allen at wide receiver and Gerald Everett at tight end.
Williams is extremely accurate, and with a WR pairing of Allen and DJ Moore, he will certainly have an array of offensive playmakers to hit in his rookie season.
2023 season stats: Pass Yards: 3,633 / Touchdowns: 30 / Interceptions: 5 / Pass Completion percentage: 68.6%
Number 2 pick: Washington Commanders – Drake Maye QB (North Carolina)
Washington will undoubtedly take a QB with this spot in the draft.
For most people, this a coin flip between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels from LSU.
21-year-old Drake Maye is an extremely talented and athletic QB. While certainly a top five pick, will he end up at the Commanders?
I think he will. He has the size, elite arm strength and supreme mobility to become the face of the Commanders franchise.
2023 season stats: Pass Yards: 3,608 / Touchdowns: 24 / Interceptions: 9 / Pass Completion percentage: 63.3%
Number 3 pick: New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels QB (LSU)
I believe New England will also snap up the chance to take a rookie QB.
6”4 Jayden Daniels from LSU had an incredible 2023 season, with 40 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.
With Mac Jones moving onto the Jacksonville Jaguars, Daniels has the chance be the No.1 QB in New England, even with Jacoby Brissett signing a one-year deal with the six-time Super Bowl champions.
2023 season stats: Pass Yards: 3,812 / Touchdowns: 40 / Interceptions: 4 / Pass Completion percentage: 72.2%
Number 4 pick: Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr WR (Ohio State)
For me, Marvin Harrison Jr is the most talented player in the 2024 draft class. I believe he will end up in Arizona.
With north of 1,200 yards receiving for Ohio State in last years college season, Harrison Jr would be a perfect fit for the Cardinals, who are lacking a big and explosive WR on their roster.
This pick would be a dream for Cardinals QB Kyle Murray.
2023 season stats: Receptions: 67 / Touchdowns: 14 / Receiving yards: 1,211 / Average yards per catch: 18.1
Number 5 pick: Minnesota Vikings – JJ McCarthy QB (Michigan)
I think the Vikings will trade up to the No.5 pick, formerly possession of the Los Angeles Chargers.
They will pick National Championship winner with the Michigan Wolverines, JJ McCarthy.
With Kirk Cousins going to the Atlanta Falcons, and Sam Darnold only signing a one-year deal, the Vikings desire a long-term QB and I believe that man is JJ McCarthy.
McCarthy was part of a very run-heavy offense at Michigan last season, however when called upon on difficult 3rd down situations, he delivered with great speed and accuracy.
Even with the Wolverines opting for a offense that took advantage of the supreme talent they had at running back with Blake Corum, McCarthy still threw for just short of 3000 yards in 2023.
A very dependable and athletic quarter-back, McCarthy will make for a bright future in Minnesota.
2023 season stats: Pass Yards: 2,991 / Touchdowns: 22 / Interceptions: 4 / Pass Completion percentage: 72.3%
Number 6 pick: New York Giants -Malik Nabers WR (LSU)
The Giants offense took a massive hit with star running-back Saquon Barkley swapping New York for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Malik Nabers to the Giants is a no brainier, with the roster lacking playmakers who offer what Nabers can.
Nabers had a monster season in 2023 for LSU, with 17.6 yards per catch and breaking 1,500 yards receiving.
If not Malik Nabers, I fully expect the Giants to take Washington’s Rome Odunze, but for me it’s the talented 6”0 former LSU Tiger who will light up the MetLife Stadium in NY.
2023 season stats: Receptions: 89 / Touchdowns: 14 / Receiving yards: 1,569 / Average yards per catch: 17.6
Number 7 pick: Tennessee Titans – JC Latham OT (Alabama)
While many expect the Titans to pick Joe Alt from Notre Dame at OT, I think they will take JC Latham out of Alabama.
Tennessee allowed the fourth most sacks in the NFL last season and have also recently released 28-year-old OT Andre Dillard, making it almost certain what position they will take with their No.7 pick.
Latham stands at 6”6, weighs 350 lbs and is a formidable run blocker. He has the star qualities to be a major asset for the Titans’ offensive line.
2023 season stats: Offensive snaps: 874
Number 8 pick: Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner EDGE (Alabama)
Dallas Turner is an extremely talented pass rusher, potentially the most talented in the 2024 draft.
Atlanta are in dire need of a player with the attributes of Dallas Turner and I certainly expect them to boost their defence with this pick.
The Falcons struggled for sacks last season, and Turner could be exactly what they need, recording 10 sacks for Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023.
With two FF last season, it’s clear Turner possesses the power and speed to be a major problem for offences across the NFL.
2023 season stats: Sacks: 10 / Total tackles: 53 / Solo tackles: 28 / Assisted tackles: 25 / Forced Fumbles: 2
Number 9 pick: Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze WR (Washington)
The Bears will boost their offence even further, acquiring last season’s receiving yards leader Rome Odunze from Washington.
Odunze is an absolute machine, and will make the Bears’ offense one of most exciting in the NFL.
In 2023, he averaged 17.8 yards per catch for the Huskies, and will look to take his incredible catching and formidable speed into the 2024 NFL season.
With Odunze, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at WR, and Caleb Williams behind them at QB, the Bears could be a team to watch next season.
2023 season stats: Receptions: 92 / Touchdowns: 13 / Receiving yards: 1,640 / Average yards per catch: 17.8
Number 10 pick: New York Jets – Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT (Penn State)
For me, the Jets will take their high spot in the draft to improve their offensive line in front of Aaron Rodgers.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu was the named the Big Ten offensive linemen of the season in 2023 for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
6”6 Fashanu undoubtedly has the potential to be a long-term starter in NY, and the Jets will value his ability as a pass protector.
2023 season stats: Offensive snaps: 722