RADIO
The NFL regular season has come to a close and the first 18 picks are now set! As we are now into the playoffs, coaching and front-office changes are taking place around the league and those decisions could have some ripple effects on what happens on draft day. The draft order for picks 19-32 will take shape in the coming weeks as the NFL playoffs unfold. While we don't know how NFL free agency will go in two months as well, for now, we are going to take as good of a shot as we can at projecting the first 32 picks in the draft. However, two trades will take place in this mock draft, albeit just purely hypothetical ones for now.
College Football underclassmen have until Monday, January 15, 2024 to declare for the NFL Draft. We should have more updates on several players throughout the week. The 2024 class has a lot of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and these players dominate many of the early selections, especially at quarterback. Many teams across the league have some big problems at offensive tackle and due to how expensive the position is to pay in free agency, it might be best addressed since it is position of strength in this class.
Every selection in this Mock Draft is not based on what I would do but on what each team might do given the current situation. Everything from the roster makeup, team needs, intel from beat reports, and draft tendencies of each team's GM is taken into account here. While this draft board will be sure to change over the next three-plus months, let's jump in! Also, make sure you are tuned to RotoBaller all offseason long as these mock drafts will be published once a month until the week of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!Update as of 1/22/2024: This Mock Draft was published on Thursday, January, 11th, 2024, and has been modified to fit the updated draft order after the second round of the NFL Playoffs. Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka decided to stay in school for another year, which caused the Texans first-round selection to change.
The Top 10 Draft Picks - 2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Washington Commanders (from Chicago through Carolina) - Caleb Williams - QB, USC
What will happen in Chicago is easily one of the most fascinating storylines of the offseason. Head coach Matt Eberflus looks to be retained, how does a head coach get stuck with a rookie quarterback in what could be a make-or-break season? The majority of Bears fans want the team to stick with QB Justin Fields, who is just 24 years old and has shown flashes. One thing we can all agree on, if Chicago decides to stick with Fields, they need to trade down. There has been some buzz that the new ownership group in Washington D.C. might want to make a big splash. The Commanders send 2, 36, and 40 to move up into the top spot.
Caleb Williams has been wowing the scouts ever since he started as a freshman at Oklahoma. He's incredible when it comes to avoiding sacks, extending the play, and making things happen, especially when the play breaks down. Williams isn't your typical QB prototype when it comes to size, but he's got a great arm and can make every throw. Commanders QB Sam Howell played well in spurts during the year, but given the new regime's desire for change, he might not get another shot. Williams isn't a sure thing, but in a QB-driven league where upside matters, the Commanders completely reboot their franchise here.
2. Chicago Bears - Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Ohio State
Arguably the best player in the draft, the Bears don't run the risk of letting the son of a Hall of Famer fall any further than this. With a trio of Marv Jr, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet, Chicago has some nice pieces in place on offense. Their defense came together in the last two months of the season, and it's hard to make the case for firing their head coach when the team had a four-win and 118-point differential improvement from 2022.
While no doubt this is an agonizing decision that will decide the fate of the Bears for years to come, for now, they stick with Fields and see where the dust settles. GM Ryan Poles might feel like he needs to field a competitive team to keep his job in 2024. Long rebuilds always sound good in theory and always work in Madden Franchise Mode, but in real life, the patience from ownership usually isn't there.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and roughly 215 lbs, Harrison Jr. is a rare combination of size and speed with the subtle quickness often found in smaller receivers. It's incredible to think about the run that Ohio State has been on at the wide receiver position in the NFL: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, yet Harrison Jr. might end up being the best of the bunch. He's the most impressive NFL prospect we've seen at WR since Ja'Marr Chase in 2021.
3. New England Patriots - Drake Maye - QB, North Carolina
We can make the case that New England has a lot of needs on offense and plenty of holes to fill, but it's rare for them to be picking this high. In fact, this is the first time in three decades that the Patriots will be picking here in the draft since they drafted QB Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Hard to believe that New England was just 4-13, their worst season under Bill Belichick since his inaugural 5-11 debut in 2000. As of the time of this article, Belichick is out as head coach of the Patriots, which inevitably means big changes are coming. A completely new regime could mean resetting with a rookie QB. Belichick can still coach, but he was being directly sabotaged by Belichick the GM. Will he land elsewhere now?
The Pats can essentially reset their dynasty with a new signal-caller under center kind of like how the San Antonio Spurs ended up with the No. 1 pick and selected Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Draft. Maye is now the new savior of the franchise, but he will need some weapons to work with, especially at wide receiver. He had the most big-time throws in all of college football this season: 34 and has all the prototypical size and attributes that teams want in a QB.
4. Atlanta Falcons (from Arizona) - Jayden Daniels - QB, LSU
Here we go! Another big trade on draft day. After missing out on Harrison Jr., the Cardinals do the smart thing and trade down. Needing a new face of the franchise badly, GM Terry Fontenot takes a swing and moves up the draft board for Daniels. Atlanta pays handsomely: 8, 43, and their 2025 second to move up (they also get pick No. 104 back), but with teams like Las Vegas and Minnesota chomping at the bit behind them to move up for a QB as well, the Falcons turn the page. The rest of their roster is ready to compete and it's hard not to feel bullish about WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts after this addition.
Daniels was awesome this year en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 40 TDs to just four INTs on top of 3,811 passing yards to pair with 1,250 rushing yards and another 10 TDs. Did I mention that his Adot as a passer was 10.5 as well? Sheesh. Some of the scouts and GMs have wondered why it took Daniels this long to make the jump, but there's no denying how great he looked this season. Just turn on the tape and you will be wowed. He can make all the throws, use his legs, and has the size you're looking for.
Let's just all hope that he takes a little bit better care of his body running with the football outside the pocket than he did in college. To borrow a quote from Nate Tice, "Daniels needs to stop treating his body like he's Johnny Knoxville."
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Brock Bowers - TE, Georgia
While the Chargers might benefit the most from trading back in this draft, landing this pick would be like hitting the fantasy football jackpot! Bowers, the reigning king of tight ends in college ball for two straight years, is the total package -- a maestro in receiving and a brick wall in blocking. While the future of the Chargers front office and head coach seats are currently vacant, one thing seems crystal clear. Bowers' talent is the stuff of legend and his stats are something out of a football fairy tale -- 175 catches, 2,541 yards, 26 TDs, and averaging a solid 14.5 yards per grab. And a staggering 2.64 yards per routes ran? That's not just impressive for a tight end; that's off-the-charts incredible.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers - WR, LSU
The whole Daniel Jones saga with the Giants feels like a Shakespearean tragedy with a modern NFL twist. This season, Jones' performance took a nosedive, much like the Giants offense, leaving GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll in a real head-scratcher of a situation. To stick with Jones or not to stick is the question. And the plot thickens with Jones' $69 million guarantee for 2024. If they cut him loose, it'll be the largest-ever dead cap hit in NFL history. There's a backdoor escape plan: waving goodbye to Jones post-June 1, 2024, to spread the financial pain across two years -- but it's still a bitter pill to swallow.
Looking back, the Giants probably should've double-downed on Saquon Barkley and slapped the franchise tag on Jones in 2023, instead of locking themselves into this situation. The logical move now? Amp up his support crew. Enter the need for a play-making maestro. That's where Nabers comes into play, electrifying the 2023 season with 86 receptions, 1,545 yards, and 14 TDs.
Not just a one-trick pony, he's averaging a whopping 18.0 yards per catch. Nabers isn't just filling a gap; he's a full-on solution, versatile enough to be a chess piece anywhere on the field. With an impressive 3.81 yards per routes run this season, he's not just any wide receiver; he's a clear standout as the No. 2 in this class. Giants fans, meet your new offensive spark.
7. Tennessee Titans - Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT, Penn State
The Titans are at a crossroads with their upcoming pick. They've got more holes to fill than a doughnut shop, especially glaring in the edge rusher and wide receiver department. Enter rookie QB Will Levis, strutting his stuff with glimpses of brilliance, but oh boy, the Titans' O-line is about as sturdy as a house of cards in a tornado.
Remember the days when they were the masters of trench warfare? Well, if they want to get a real read on what Levis can do with a full season under his belt, it's time to roll up the sleeves and bolster that support squad. Let's face it, DeAndre Hopkins isn't getting any younger, and Treylon Burks seems to be on a first-name basis with every member of the medical staff. So, don't be surprised if the Titans kick off the 2024 draft by snagging a tackle and trying to give Levis a fighting chance.
Fashanu hasn't given up a sack in his college career, according to PFF. He would have gone higher in most drafts, but due to the glaring need at QB and WR on some teams, he falls a bit here. The Titans land an absolute stud to continue revamping their offensive line, although it is hard to imagine that Mike Vrabel won't be their head coach on the sidelines anymore.
8. Arizona Cardinals (from Atlanta) - Rome Odunze - WR, Washington
WR Marquise Brown is an unrestricted free agent. TE Trey McBride is an emerging star and WR Michael Wilson showed some flashes, but they need to get another body for QB Kyler Murray. Odunze had a very impressive season, finishing with 92 receptions 1,640 yards, and 13 TDs. He is an excellent receiver who feels pro-ready and able to contribute as a rookie immediately. His body control and ability to win at the catch point is superb and he has a knack for making those tough, contested catches. As the Cardinals continue their rebuild, they need to just keep drafting good football players and stacking that roster.
9. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse - DE/Edge, Florida State
Chicago's sitting at the NFL Draft buffet with a plate ready to be filled with options galore. With the recent trade and extension for edge rusher Montez Sweat, the Bears might just be itching to pair him up with someone on the other end, revving up their pass rush to full throttle.
Enter Verse, a force of nature on the field. His journey from Albany College to Tallahassee is like a football odyssey, and boy, has he made waves this season -- racking up 59 total pressures, standing tall at fifth in college football, and bagging 11 sacks. This guy is like a hurricane in cleats, playing a pivotal role in Florida State's flawless 13-0 run (we aren't counting the bowl game where everyone opted out). Chicago, get ready -- if Verse is the pick, you're not just drafting a player; you're bringing back the monsters of Midway.
10. New York Jets - Joe Alt - OT, Notre Dame
The Jets, riding high on the wave of excitement from snagging QB Aaron Rodgers and their spotlight on Hard Knocks hit some serious turbulence right out of the gate. In a twist that felt like a script from a sports drama, Rodgers' season crashed in Week 1 with a gut-wrenching Achilles injury.
Now, the Jets are deep in the game with Rodgers, financially tethered to him with a hefty pile of guarantees stretching through 2025. Their best play? Fortify the front and build a fortress of an offensive line around Rodgers and hope he can rediscover that MVP magic. Enter Joe Alt, an NFL legacy with his dad having shielded Joe Montana back in Kansas City. Rodgers, with retirement nowhere on his radar, has the Jets locked in. It's a high-stakes game, and the Jets are chasing this hand all the way to the river.
NFL Draft Picks #11-21 - Will There Be Some Defense?
11. Minnesota Vikings - Laiatu Latu - DE/Edge, UCLA
After a disappointing finish to the season where they fell to 7-10, Minnesota had to at least find some solace in how much their defense vastly improved under defensive coordinator, Brian Flores. Assuming he isn't hired to be a head coach in 2024, Flores will be back.
After believing that 2023 would be QB Kirk Cousins' final season in Minnesota, the end of the season showed just how important he is to the team. Can they bring him back on a two or three-year deal with a hometown discount? Cousins has made it known that he and his family love it in Minnesota and honestly, it makes a lot of sense. If Kirk isn't back, I'd bet on Minnesota being very aggressive in moving up for a QB.
As we inch closer to the NFL Combine, Laiatu is shaping up to be a real head-scratcher for scouts and analysts alike. The guy's stats are nothing short of eye-catching -- 64 total pressures and a hefty tally of 11 sacks. It's stats like these that have folks whispering about Laiatu being potentially the first edge rusher to hear his name called.
But here's the wrinkle in the fabric: Laiatu's football journey hasn't been your typical path. Back in 2020, he hung up his cleats due to some alarming health concerns at Washington that had medical experts shaking their heads in doubt. Fast forward to 2022, Laiatu makes a move to UCLA and, lo and behold, gets the green light from their medical team. This twist in his tale raises a big question mark -- what's the real scoop with Laiatu's health? It's a puzzle that's going to need some serious piecing together.
12. Denver Broncos - J.C. Latham, OT - Alabama
The Broncos have a variety of needs and could go any number of ways in the draft. If QB Russell Wilson is indeed released, the hefty dead cap hit they'll have to carry in 2024 will likely prevent them from bringing in another big-name free agent to play QB. Perhaps Jameis Winston is brought in to be a one-year bridge and compete with Jarrett Stidham? Given the Broncos' lack of draft capital from the Wilson trade, it also doesn't seem likely that they'd be making a big move up the board for a quarterback either.
Left tackle Garett Bolles is 31 and only signed through 2024. The biggest question they will have to ask themselves is if Latham can play on the left side, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey will be a staple of the Broncos offense for years to come. We honestly shouldn't be surprised if Denver decides to move back a little bit and recoup some of the draft capital that was lost in 2022 and 2023 from the Russell Wilson trade. Given Sean Payton is one of the few head coaches with job security, there might not be so much pressure to win right away.
13. Las Vegas Raiders - Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Washington
Probably the toughest evaluation that there is at quarterback in this year's draft class. Penix did a lot to wow you this season, but there are also plenty of question marks. He spent four seasons at Indiana before transferring to Washington with head coach Kalen DeBoer and he has torn his ACL several times. Penix will be 24 and some teams may have some medical concerns at the combine, but there's no denying that he is a prolific passer of the football. His magical run ended at the hands of the stout Michigan defense, but it sure was fun riding along with Penix this year.
It's no secret that Raiders owner Mark Davis has wanted to make a splash at quarterback this offseason and they are going to need some serious firepower to keep pace in a division that has Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Penix was awesome this season, throwing for 4,907 yards and 36 TDs. I had a brief exchange with Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network last week and he said the evaluations from teams will ultimately come down to the medicals at the NFL Combine. Penix might not be for everyone, but the Raiders need a QB. Put them in the mix among teams who might move up the draft board to grab one of the top three signal-callers as well.
14. New Orleans Saints - Dallas Turner - OLB/Edge, Alabama
The Saints will enter the 2024 offseason being roughly $50 million over the salary cap. GM Mickey Loomis has figured out how to do math gymnastics every year to help get them back under, but you wonder at what cost? It made sense for the Saints to push all in during the Brees/Payton years. Now? Not so much. Nonetheless, they are committed to QB Derek Carr at least through 2024 and the team is running it back with Dennis Allen as head coach. The Saints have some talent, but their staple has been on defense.
Turner is a talented edge rusher with 55 total pressures and 11 sacks this season. He's a fast, quick twitchy outside linebacker who can rush the passer off the edge but also drop into coverage. He isn't as good of a prospect as his former Alabama teammate Will Anderson Jr., but Turner is a nice get for New Orleans here. Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan weren't as effective this season and this team is hoping with their core in tact that they can regain their footing in the NFC South.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Cooper DeJean - CB, Iowa
GM Chris Ballard loves his NFL Combine warriors and I'd expect DeJean to be high on the list of players who crush their combine performance. WR Michael Pittman Jr. is a pending free agent, as well as CB Kenny Moore. The Colts won't be able to franchise tag both, but it's likely they would keep their WR1 to continue building around the uber-talented QB Anthony Richardson.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is expected back and DeJean is a versatile chess piece on defense who can line up all over the field and even play special teams. Given how much teams are passing nowadays, your third cornerback plays more than your third linebacker. Speed. Speed. Speed and you can never have enough depth in the secondary.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Seattle could go any number of ways here, and GM John Schneider has never been shy about reaching on players. Fautanu played left tackle in college, but several scouts I've talked to feel that he could be better as a pro if he moved inside. The Seahawks are pretty set at tackle but could use some help at guard.
Fautanu earned an 86.5 pass-blocking grade from PFF in 2023 and was a part of college football's best offensive line at Washington. Seattle recently parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll after 14 seasons, so it will be interesting to see if there are other changes as well. With Carroll out of the way, might Seattle be on the hunt for a quarterback in the draft? Stay tuned.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Nate Wiggins, CB - Clemson
The Jaguars had a pretty brutal collapse at the end of the season and completely missed the playoffs. QB Trevor Lawrence was hobbled with an ankle injury and WR Christian Kirk missed several games as well as Jacksonville stumbled to a 9-8 finish. On paper, their team is pretty solid, but they could use some help in the secondary.
Cornerbacks can sometimes be tough to evaluate as some of the best ones are hardly ever thrown at, but there are plenty of plays on tape from this year that showcase Wiggins' abilities. He's a bigger corner at 6-foot-2 and gives Jacksonville someone to match up with the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, and Nico Collins in the AFC South.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Taliese Fuaga, OT - Oregon State
Offensive tackle feels like the play here as protecting QB Joe Burrow after injuries have ended two of his four seasons prematurely will be a continued priority in the Queen City. DT D.J. Reader is an unrestricted free agent and WR Tee Higgins will likely be playing out the 2024 season with the franchise tag, so those three positions are a priority for Cincinnati in this draft if the right guy is there.
RT Jonah Williams is also a free agent, and Fuaga could step into his role nicely. Scouts have stressed to me that they feel he is better on the right side versus the left, but with how much defenses switch up their looks, we can argue that right tackle is just as important as left tackle nowadays. According to PFF data, Fuaga is credited without giving up a single sack in his college career. He is a very solid run blocker as well.
19. Los Angeles Rams - J.J. McCarthy - QB, Michigan
The future of Michigan's head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is about as clear as a foggy day in London after his three-game suspension in the wake of a sign-stealing hullabaloo where Michigan won the National Title and he might be looking at his options of going pro.
Meanwhile, McCarthy's got another season ticket to Ann Arbor in his back pocket. The kid's a walking, talking bundle of potential -- won't even see his 21st birthday until January, but already he's got NFL scouts sitting up and taking notes. McCarthy's the kind of prospect that makes front offices daydream -- he's got the build, the arm, the athletic prowess, and those intangible qualities that scream 'top draft pick.'
At Michigan, McCarthy's been more of a background artist in a chart-topping band, not really the lead singer, but then again, with the Wolverines crushing it for the last couple of seasons, he didn't need to step into the spotlight. Yet, there's this buzz about him, a sense that under the right lights, this kid could shine. He's been a tough NFL evaluation, but given Michigan's awesome defense and two talented running backs, dropping him back 35 times a game never made sense.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford has been lighting it up this season, but he'll turn 36 next year and has had injuries in the past. After how solid Jordan Love has looked after sitting for a while, might another organization try to do the same with McCarthy? Not exactly sure how Rams fans feel about this one and they likely will want the team to load up for another title run, but given how well the front office has drafted at other positions later in the draft, the Rams feel like the ones who could pull this off. Let J.J. sit for 2-3 years under Stafford and McVay's tutelage and take over at age 24 much like Jordan Love did.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Terrion Arnold - CB, Alabama
Rookie sensation Joey Porter Jr. has been holding down the fort like a seasoned pro, but let's face it, Patrick Peterson isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore. With the Steelers sharing a backyard with QB heavyweights like Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson (or Joe Flacco), beefing up their secondary sounds like a no-brainer, unless they feel like they need to make a splash at quarterback.
Pittsburgh has always been a patient organization, so bringing back Mason Rudolph to compete with Kenny Pickett might be what they'll do for another year. Looking ahead, the wide receiver spot could be on Pittsburgh's radar, considering Diontae Johnson's free agency looms post-2024. This team's like a puzzle that's almost complete -- they've got the pieces, but they're still fiddling with the offensive coordinator and quarterback slots.
NFL Draft Picks #21-32 - Who Else Goes off the Board?
21. Miami Dolphins - Amarius Mims - OT, Georgia
Mims has an impressive athletic profile, but not all of the experience or production under his belt. He was injured for part of this past season, but many scouts feel that his best game in college was against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl where he kept their edge rushers at bay.
Miami doesn't have a lot of glaring needs on a win-now team, but LT Terron Armstead is starting to get up there in age and they might want to start grooming his replacement. Mims is an athletic specimen who should shine at the NFL Combine and is athletic enough that he could suit head coach Mike McDaniel's complex rushing attack.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Toledo
It feels inevitable given their current roster construction and the tendencies of GM Howie Roseman that Philadelphia will address edge rusher, offensive line, or cornerback with this pick. CB Darius Slay is 33 and CB James Bradberry is 30, so it might benefit the Eagles to start infusing their secondary with some more youth.
While he played at a small school in a smaller conference, Mitchell was dominant this season and earned a 91.4 coverage grade from PFF. He's got good enough size for a cornerback and isn't afraid to make a tackle in the run game, something the Eagles will love. Mitchell will be a name to know as we start getting deeper into the draft process.
23. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) - Tyler Nubin - S, Minnesota
The Texans can really go any number of ways here. They'll enter the 2024 offseason with plenty of cap space and can really load up their roster for the next three years while QB C.J. Stroud is on his rookie deal. Remember when we all thought Texans GM Nick Caserio had bumped his head trading all the way up from 12 to 3 in last year's draft to take edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.?
Turns out we were the stupid ones. Houston has to be absolutely thrilled with all of the cornerstones they have in place and with how the 2023 season has gone. They bet on themselves when many pundits out there thought they'd be lucky to win 4-5 games. Respect.
Nubin is a big, fast safety who can cover and tackle, but most of all: can play in space. He lined up in the box and even played some snaps in the slot, which is a showcase to his versatility -- something that more and more defensive coordinators are looking for in today's NFL. He earned a 90.1 coverage grade from PFF and an overall defensive grade of 89.7. Nubin has an impressive nine interceptions over the last two years. The Texans grab a player here who can be an immediate contributor.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Graham Barton - OT/OG/OC, Duke
The general buzz in scouting circles is that Barton, while rocking the tackle label, might just be a better fit playing guard or even taking center stage in the NFL. Now, let's talk Cowboys -- they're strutting around with a defense that's as unyielding as a fortress and Dak Prescott? The guy's been playing at a level that's got 'MVP' written all over it in 2023 (although Lamar Jackson probably wins it).
But here's a wrinkle: some of the cogs in their O-line are showing some wear and tear. It's like a classic car that's still purring but needs some fresh parts under the hood. Investing in the trenches? That's like stocking up on gold for Dallas. With the looming wallet-busting extensions for Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, it's like balancing a budget at a rock star's party -- tricky but necessary. The Cowboys might just find their treasure in shoring up that O-line.
25. Green Bay Packers - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT - Illinois
LT David Bakhtiari is expected to return in 2024, but injuries have begun to limit his career. If the Packers don't feel that he can be up to the task of protecting QB Jordan Love's blindside, Green Bay could address the offensive line in the draft with one of their early picks. We know from past drafts that GM Brian Gutekunst tends to prioritize the offensive and defensive lines early on with the belief that he can land skill players later in the draft.
Newton's size and measurables could be an issue for teams at the NFL Combine, but there's no denying his mean streak and ability to completely disrupt the line of scrimmage. Newton boasts 44 total pressures and eight sacks, which is borderline outrageous from an interior lineman nearly 300 lbs.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Troy Franklin - WR, Oregon
The Bucs could go several ways here. WR Mike Evans is a free agent in the offseason, but will he return? QB Baker Mayfield will be an unrestricted free agent, but given how late Tampa is picking, they will likely bring him back. This team's core is starting to age, but there are some solid pieces in place on both sides of the ball. In steps Franklin, a taller WR at roughly 6-foot-3 who can fly.
He had an issue with some drops this season but was electric out there as a big part of Oregon's resurgence on offense with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 TDs. Franklin averaged 17.1 yards per catch while running an impressive 3.32 yards per routes run. He's a dynamic player who isn't getting enough attention this draft season.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) - Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB, Alabama
The Cardinals played hard under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, but they need to continue to keep grabbing football players across the board. Some scouts have Kool-Aid ranked as the best CB on the Alabama defense and he earned an 88.8 grade from PFF on the season. Kool-Aid (his real name is Ga'Quincy) is a slightly bigger corner at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds and will be needed in a division that features the likes of D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua.
28. Buffalo Bills - BrIan Thomas Jr. - WR, LSU
Thomas is a big-bodied receiver who can stretch the field vertically and finished the 2023 season with 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs while being a pivotal cog in LSU QB Jayden Daniels' Heisman run. He feels like a player who could blow up at the NFL Combine and continue to improve his draft stock.
WR Gabe Davis is a free agent this offseason and WR Stefon Diggs is 30. Buffalo knows they'll need to add another receiver for Josh Allen, and Thomas is a human highlight reel on the deep ball. He's big enough that he can help in run blocking assignments and it's become pretty evident that the Bills have undergone a little bit of an offensive identity change under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Byron Murphy II - DT, Texas
I know what you're thinking: Kansas City needs a wide receiver. The good news is the class is deep at the position and there's probably a good chance that the front office addresses it in free agency. WR Rashee Rice has looked solid as a rookie, but TE Travis Kelce was hobbled by injuries this season and will be 35 next year. DT Chris Jones has been awesome for Kansas City, but he'll be a free agent. Will the front office want to pay him big money again at his age, or might they look elsewhere?
Murphy is a mammoth of a man in the middle, but like Jones, he can rush the passer for an interior defensive lineman. Murphy had 45 total pressures in 2023 to go along with six sacks. He feels like another player who could continue to rise up draft boards this offseason.
30. Detroit Lions - Bralen Trice - DE/Edge, Washington
The Lions are roaring through this season and credit where it's due -- head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are like the dynamic duo of NFL team building, turning Detroit into a powerhouse of talent. Well, the Lions front office, in their brand of draft day alchemy, might just have the answer.
Detroit could go cornerback with this pick as well, but Trice feels like a lunchpail type of guy who fits the culture up in Detroit. He led all of college football with 78 total pressures and he had eight sacks. He's a bigger edge rusher at 275 pounds, but can play inside on passing downs. You can never have enough guys that can rush the quarterback.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Jordan Morgan - OT, Arizona
The 49ers lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey to free agency after the 2022 season, and left tackle Trent Williams is 35 years old. Kyle Shanahan's offense is predicated on the run game and the 49ers know they need to start re-loading along their offensive front sooner rather than later. They have the luxury of really going anywhere with this pick, but in a deeper tackle class, it might make sense to groom Williams' eventual replacement.
32. Baltimore Ravens - Chris Braswell - OLB/Edge, Alabama
This feels like a typical Ravens pick. Not a huge area of need, but they always seem to sit back and land some future Pro Bowler that other teams passed on who will later come to regret it. A lot of Alabama defensive linemen and pass rushers don't always put up gaudy numbers with how much Nick Saban rotated his front, but Braswell shined this year with 56 total pressures and 13 sacks. You know GM Eric DeCosta would never shy away from taking an Alabama player in former GM Ozzie Newsome's honor anyway.
NFL Teams Without a 2024 First-Round Pick
33. Carolina Panthers - Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State
For the Panthers faithful, this season's been a roller coaster that's been all downhill. There was a burst of hope and excitement when the team, with a nudge from owner David Tepper, made a bold leap to snag QB Bryce Young as the No. 1 overall pick. But that optimism has taken a nosedive, with the team's record plummeting to a disheartening 2-15 finish. It's like throwing a huge party and then realizing you forgot the music and snacks. Now, the coveted No. 1 pick for the next draft is set to land in Chicago's lap.
But in the world of football, it's all about playing the hand you're dealt. The Panthers now face the mammoth task of rebuilding around their young QB. It's like trying to fix a gourmet meal but realizing you only have half the ingredients. They've got options -- diving into the free agency pool, playing the draft card, or maybe even trading some defensive aces like Brian Burns or Derrick Brown. It's a critical crossroads; if they can't turn Young's fortunes around, it could mean hitting the rewind button on the team's progress for years.
The smart move? Zeroing in on a wide receiver or beefing up that offensive line. It's time for some strategic moves on the chessboard for the Panthers. Apologies for sounding so futile, but if they can't get Young back on track, nothing else really matters.
58. Cleveland Browns - Tyler Guyton - OT, Oklahoma
Sitting at 11-6, head coach Kevin Stefanski has been pulling off a coaching masterclass, especially considering the double whammy of losing QB Deshaun Watson and RB Nick Chubb for the year. It's like he's been asked to win a car race with a go-kart, and he's somehow keeping pace.
The Browns have tied their financial fate to Watson until 2026, so there's no U-turn on this highway. Then there's the saga of Jedrick Wills at left tackle -- more like a mystery novel where the protagonist keeps disappearing. Wills hasn't exactly been the rock they needed, and his health issues have turned him into a bit of a will-o'-the-wisp.
It might be time for the Browns to let Wills become someone else's enigma in free agency and scout out a fresh face in the draft. On the brighter side of the line, rookie right tackle Dawand Jones has been like finding an oasis in a desert, stepping up big time in the wake of Jack Conklin's season-ending injury.
Conclusion
We're a stone's throw away from the 2024 NFL Draft -- three and a half months, to be exact. So let's relish the remaining football season like it's the last bite of a perfect medium-rare ribeye from your favorite steakhouse. Every play, every game, a flavor to savor. But hey, it doesn't hurt to start getting cozy with the names that'll be lighting up the draft boards.
This mock draft is a work in progress, a monthly affair that'll shift and shimmy as players decide whether to hit the books or the big leagues. Keep an eye on the 2025 QB class -- it's shaping up to be solid, especially if Texas QB Quinn Ewers and J.J. McCarthy stick around in college, not to mention the potential rise of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Georgia's Carson Beck.
Do you have a bone to pick about who's MIA from this mock draft? Let's hash it out on Twitter/X. And remember, RotoBaller's your year-round haven for all things NFL. Here's to soaking in every last drop of football fun and a fantastic new year!
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