2024 NFL Mock Draft Round 1 Predictions (4.0) - Latest NFL Draft Buzz Heating Up

Hard to believe the end of the College Football regular season is here and that we are just five weeks from the end of the NFL regular season. The good news is that the NFL Draft order is taking shape and it's becoming clearer that a handful of prospects have established themselves above the rest. While the draft order is sure to change a little bit over the next month, you're likely here because you love mock drafts and want to see who is going where. Plenty will change as certain prospects declare for the NFL or opt to stay in school, but for now, we are going to take the best shot that we can at projecting all 32 picks.

The draft order is based on the current reverse order of the standings as of December 8, 2023, and was verified with Tankathon for accuracy. This class is absolutely loaded on the offensive side of the ball and expect plenty of offensive players to dominate the Top 10 of the draft. It's important to look at the previous season's drafts as well as how the league is trending in terms of defenses that need more speedy players who can play in space. Based on contracts and early draft capital spent, it's pretty clear that most NFL front offices prioritize quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, edge rusher, defensive line, and cornerback above the other positions. Several teams across the league are hurting at offensive tackle as well as quarterback, so the demand could drive them even further up the board.

All 32 selections in this Mock Draft are not based on what I would do but on what each team might do based on their needs, intel from local beat reporters, as well as the draft tendencies of every team's current General Manager. Now for the moment you've all been waiting for, let's dive into this 2024 Round 1 Mock Draft and see where the dust settles. Also, make sure to stay tuned to RotoBaller all season long as these mock drafts will be published every month during the offseason.

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Latest Draft Buzz Around the NFL

Several beat reporters, as well as Diana Russini of The Athletic, reported that change could be in the air in Chicago this offseason with a new front office, new coaching staff, and new quarterback potentially on the table. A year ago, the Bears brought in former Big Ten commissioner, Kevin Warren to oversee everything and that he has methodically been keeping tabs. Warren also has full power to make any changes within the entire organization that he deems fit.

With the Panthers firing Frank Reich and the Raiders firing Josh McDaniels, what other teams could be making a coaching change? Ron Rivera in Washington being let go seems inevitable, as well as Brandon Staley with the Chargers. That's four. Robert Saleh of the Jets could be on the chopping block, that's five.

Throw in potential changes in Chicago, New England, Tennessee as well as Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans (depending on who wins the NFC South), that's 11 jobs. On average, it's only likely that six to eight head coaches end up getting replaced, along with potential changes in the front office. Nonetheless, the ripple effects from those changes will be felt all across the 2024 NFL Draft.

Reports are that Texas QB Quinn Ewers is returning for 2024, but could that change if he lights it up in the College Football Playoffs? The same goes for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. The most quarterbacks we've ever seen drafted in the first round was six in the Heralded class of 1983 featuring John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly. Given the demand at the QB position around the league, it's very possible we could see five or even six drafted depending on who declares.

Speaking of quarterbacks. With all the injuries around the league this year to starters, is there a case to be made that teams should be taking them earlier in the draft? Last year we saw eight QBs drafted in Rounds 3-5. The Bengals paid Joe Burrow $275 million and the Browns gave Deshaun Watson $230 million fully guaranteed and their contingency plans were an undrafted free agent who hadn't thrown a pass since entering the league in 2019 and a 38-year-old street free agent. If that's not irony I'm not sure what is. A capable backup quarterback is worth his weight in gold, look no further than Gardner Minshew and the 7-5 Colts as living proof.

 

The Top 10 Draft Picks - 2024 NFL Mock Draft

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) - Caleb Williams - QB, USC

The Bears nailed it in 2023 by moving out of the top spot to No. 9 just a month shy of the draft. In this shrewd move, on top of pocketing No. 9 overall in 2023, the Bears got Carolina's first-round pick for 2024, WR D.J. Moore, and snagged their second-round pick for 2025 too. Talk about a franchise-changing haul. The Bears could go several ways with this pick given the amount of flexibility they have with draft capital, but it's hard not to imagine the Bears moving on and resetting the clock with a quarterback. Fields' 5th-year option will need to be picked up or declined in the offseason and the Bears can get a QB on a rookie contract, which is a cheat code at team building under the current salary cap. The Bears opt to go with Williams as most scouts have him graded higher than Fields as a passer.

Williams has been dazzling NFL scouts ever since his freshman stint at Oklahoma. The guy's a wizard at extending plays and making things happen, especially when the play breaks down. Sure, he may not be the prototype in terms of size, but what he lacks there, he more than makes up for with his stellar arm strength and ability to nail every throw. There's just something special about Caleb, that undeniable "it factor." He also throws the best deep call in this class. While he isn't a sure thing, it's hard not to watch his tape and leave yourself wowed. After taking Williams, the Bears send QB Justin Fields back to his home state of Georgia to fix the Atlanta Falcons QB woes in exchange for pick No. 53.

2. New England Patriots - Drake Maye - QB, North Carolina

This season has been completely uncharted territory for Patriots fans as they are staring down the barrel of having a top-two pick for the first time in nearly thirty years when they drafted QB Drew Bledsoe first overall in the 1993 NFL Draft. Sitting at 3-10 on the year, this is Belichick's worst season in New England as the offense has gone completely sour. Before beating the Steelers on TNF, the Patriots defense had given up 6, 10, and 10 points and lost all three. That's incredible. What will happen with Head Coach Bill Belichick this offseason remains a mystery as well, as the future HOF coach has just one year left on his current contract.

The good news is that the Patriots can potentially reset their dynasty with a new signal caller much in the same way that the San Antonio Spurs landed Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Draft. Drake Maye is now front and center as the No. 2 pick, and he finished up his collegiate season with an impressive 24 TDs and only 9 interceptions. He led all of college football with 34 big-time throws and Maye truly won our hearts with that jaw-dropping left-handed TD against Pitt. Standing at a solid 6 feet 4 inches and tipping the scales at around 230 lbs., he's got everything scouts look for size, agility, and a rocket arm. For teams on a serious quarterback hunt, nabbing a top-two pick this year is like striking gold.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Ohio State

Harrison Jr., undeniably the draft's top talent, might have gone first overall pick if not for the high demand for quarterbacks. He's the offspring of Marvin Harrison Sr., a renowned Hall of Famer who once teamed up with Peyton Manning. It's astounding to reflect on Ohio State's recent wide receiver success: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jameson Williams – and realize Harrison Jr. may be the very best of them all. He's the most impressive wide receiver prospect since Ja'Marr Chase in 2021. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Harrison Jr. combines the ideal size with the speed and nimbleness typically seen in smaller receivers. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has to be thrilled with this pick and GM Monti Ossenfort continues the rebuild in Arizona with the 2023 Biletnikoff winner.

4. Washington Commanders - Olu Fashanu - OT, Penn State

One of the best true left tackle prospects we have seen in quite a while, Fashanu has yet to allow a sack in his college career at Happy Valley. Meanwhile, Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell has been sacked 58 times this season, that's not a typo. The NFL record for most times sacked in a season is David Carr with 76 during the inaugural season of the Houston Texans in 2002. Howell has been inconsistent at times this season but is second in the league in passing yards with 3,466 along with 18 TDs and 14 TDs. Howell has shown some flashes at times that he can get it done at the NFL level.

There's no telling what new owner Josh Harris and his ownership group want to do this offseason. An entirely new regime may be brought in to manage the front office on top of the coaching staff led by Ron Rivera being gone. If the plan is to keep Howell under center for one more season, might it be wise to keep offensive coordinator Eric Biemiemy in place and promote him to head coach? Washington at No. 4 could change the entire flow of the draft depending on what they decide to do.

5. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse - DE/Edge, Florida State

Chicago has a lot of options here: wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, or edge. After trading for edge rusher Montez Sweat and signing him to an extension, the Bears might want to add a formidable foe on the opposite end and completely resurge their pass rush. Verse originally played at Albany College before transferring down to Tallahassee and has been absolutely dominant this season. Many expected Verse to enroll in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he returned to school for one more season. Verse is fifth in all of college football with 59 total pressures and he's also had 11 sacks. He's a force to be reckoned with and was a big part of why Florida State went 13-0 this year.

6. New York Jets - Joe Alt - OT, Notre Dame

After all the hype surrounding the Jets after trading for QB Aaron Rodgers and appearing on Hard Knocks, their season was grounded in Week 1 right after takeoff when Rodgers was lost with an Achilles injury. The Jets are very pot committed to Rodgers and still owe him a large chunk of guarantees through 2025. The only real option for the Jets at this point is to try and surround Rodgers with protection on the offensive line and see if he can regain some of his MVP form. Joe Alt is the son of a former NFL player as his Dad blocked for Joe Montana in Kansas City. Rodgers has made it pretty clear he has no plans to retire, so the Jets are all in here.

7. New York Giants - Malik Nabers - WR, LSU

The situation with Daniel Jones and the Giants has been a mess. This year Jones has shown a noticeable decline, mirroring the downturn of the Giants' offense. This puts GM Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll in a tough spot about whether to continue with Jones. The financial angle complicates things further: Jones is due $69 million in guarantees in 2024, and cutting ties with him would result in the NFL's largest-ever dead cap hit. There's a workaround: releasing or trading Jones after June 1, 2024, to distribute the financial blow over two seasons – but it's still a hefty burden. In hindsight, the Giants should have re-signed RB Saquon Barkley and used their 2023 franchise tag on Jones, rather than making a last-ditch decision that resulted in them giving him big money.

Now, with the Giants pretty much locked in with Jones at least for one more season, the next logical step is to bolster his support. New York needs an offensive playmaker and Nabers has been electric in 2023 with 86 receptions for 1,545 yards and 14 TDs while averaging 18.0 yards per catch! His complete skill set addresses a major gap for the Giants. They can line him up all over the field and Nabers has a stellar 3.81 yards per routes run this season and has separated himself as the clear No. 2 WR in this class.

8. Tennessee Titans - J.C. Latham - OT, Alabama

The Titans could go several ways with this pick as they have a lot of holes, particularly at edge rusher or wide receiver as well. Rookie QB Will Levis has shown off some of his talents, but it's pretty clear the once-dominant Titans offensive line is a shell of its former self. This team's blueprint for many years was being sound in the trenches and if the Titans want to see what they have in Levis for one more season, they are going to have to get him some more help. WR DeAndre Hopkins is getting up there in age and WR Treylon Burks hasn't been able to stay healthy. Don't be surprised if they start the 2024 draft going tackle in Round 1 and wide receiver in Round 2.

9. New Orleans Saints - Dallas Turner - OLB/Edge, Alabama

The staple for the Saints over the years has been their stifling defense, but they haven't been able to keep up with much pass rush this season as Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan have just nine sacks between them. Turner has been a monster for Alabama off the edge this season with 52 total pressures and 10 sacks. Could a change be coming this offseason at head coach with Dennis Allen potentially on the hot seat? Given how much the Saints' front office has manipulated their salary cap number by pushing guarantees out for their star players into future years, landing a premium position on a rookie contract helps them tremendously.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jayden Daniels - QB, LSU

While QB Baker Mayfield has been adequate this season, the Bucs may want to completely reset the clock and find their future signal-caller. They could very well be a team in limbo this offseason as there's no telling if head coach Todd Bowles will be back, as well as GM Jason Licht, although it is difficult to imagine ownership firing him after helping the Bucs win a Super Bowl so recently.

Daniels has been incredible this season and should win the Heisman Trophy. He's thrown for 40 TDs to just 4 INTs along with 3,811 passing yards to pair with 1,250 rushing yards and another 10 TDs. His ADOT as a passer is 10.5 yards and Daniels has been a complete dual-threat quarterback. Some scouts and GMs might question what took Daniels so long to get here (as he's a 5th year Senior), but the hope is that teams will look at Daniels' 2023 season by itself in their evaluation. He might end up higher than this when it's all said and done.

Turn on Daniels' tape from 2023 and all you can say is wow. Talked to a former NFL GM this week who has Daniels listed as QB2 in his 2024 rankings ahead of Drake Maye. Get ready for some differing opinions on QBs come draft season.

NFL Draft Picks #11-21 - Will There Be Defense?

11. Las Vegas Raiders - Quinn Ewers - QB, Texas

The recent upheaval in the Raiders' management, with head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler being shown the door on Halloween following a disappointing 3-5 start, signals a time of significant change in Las Vegas. QB Jimmy Garoppolo, now warming the bench, might find himself out soon, as his contract allows for a feasible cut or trade in the offseason without a burdensome dead cap figure. The urgency for the Raiders to find a quarterback who can hold his own in a division shared with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert is evident.

There has been a lot of talk of Quinn Ewers returning to Austin for another season, but it is fair to question if the heralded Arch Manning would be fine with sitting for two seasons behind Ewers before being given the starting job. Ewers has been banged up in 2022 and 2023 and hasn't been able to put together a full season, but you can see from watching him just how much arm talent he has. In the last two years, Ewers has 5,316 passing yards to go with 35 TDs and 12 INTs. His mobility is questionable and is likely more of a traditional pocket passer in the pros, but teams will fall in love with his upside as a jaw-dropping thrower of the football.

12. Los Angeles Chargers - Brock Bowers, TE - Georgia

This pick would be a fantasy footballer's dream! Bowers has been the best tight end in college football over the last two seasons and is a complete player as a receiver as well as a blocker. It's no telling what will happen with the Chargers front office and GM Tom Telesco, but it does feel inevitable that Head Coach Brandon Staley is let go this offseason. A lot of other mock drafts have Bowers higher, but most of the tight ends drafted in the Top 10 in recent years haven't exactly panned out. Nonetheless, it's hard not to love Bowers and his production over the last three years: 175 receptions for 2,541 yards and 26 TDs while averaging 14.5 yards per reception. His career 2.64 yards per routes run is just bananas from a tight end.

13. Denver Broncos - Laiatu Latu - DE/Edge - UCLA

Laiatu will be an interesting case study as we get closer to the NFL Combine. There's no denying his impressive skills and production this season: 64 total pressures and 11 sacks are superb and many will make the case for Laiatu to be the first edge rusher off the board. However, it's important to not overlook one issue: Laiatu technically retired from football in 2020 after some serious medical issues at Washington that involved numbness in his neck along with five medical doctors who couldn't medically clear him to play. Laiatu transferred to UCLA in 2022 and ended up being medically cleared by their doctors. What is the real story? Nonetheless, the Broncos' offense has been very good this season under new head coach Sean Payton. The bigger issues for them have been on defense where Latu fills a huge area of need.

14. Buffalo Bills - Rome Odunze, WR - Washington

It does feel like despite their 6-6 start the Bills will end up picking lower than this, especially given the state of injuries across the current playoff teams in the AFC. However, it's pretty clear their offense needs another weapon for QB Josh Allen and there was considerable drama with WR Stefon Diggs this offseason. TE Dalton Kincaid has stepped up mightily since Dawson Knox went down, but the Bills likely need another weapon. WR Gabe Davis is a free agent and there's no telling what happens with Diggs, who just turned 30.

Odunze has been phenomenal this season with 81 receptions for 1,428 yards and 13 TDs. He's got excellent body control and is a magician at high-pointing the football and making those tough, contested catches. This pick fits like a glove.

15. Seattle Seahawks - Chop Robinson, DE/Edge - Penn State

Chop, whose real name is Demeioun earned his nickname after his family said he was a pudgy baby who looked like a little porkchop, and the name just stuck. Look at Robinson's production this year: just 26 total pressures and 3 sacks, he isn't on the same level with Verse, Turner, and Laiatu, but he plays a premium position and will likely show out at the NFL Combine. The Seahawks have plenty of solid pieces in place on their offense but need someone in the mold of Michael Bennett who can get after the opposing QB. Robinson might be considered a bit of a project, but the potential is there.

16. Los Angeles Rams - Amarius Mims, OT - Georgia

Mims like Robinson above, has an impressive athletic profile, but not all of the experience or production under his belt. The Rams did a nice job in the 2023 draft despite not having a first-round pick, but they need to continue reloading along the offensive and defensive lines. Mims would be the highest-drafted Rams player since they took Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016. Mims missed a good chunk of the 2023 season but stands at 6 foot 7, 340 lbs. and moves incredibly well for a player of his size. The Rams will eventually need a replacement for QB Matthew Stafford, but to his credit, he's played very well under center this season.

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT - Illinois

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 8 sacks, which is borderline outrageous from an interior lineman nearly 300 lbs. DT D.J. Reader is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and with the Bengals still needing to get WR Ja'Marr Chase's extension done, they might be better off letting Reader walk while hoping they can get a solid replacement for a fraction of the cost in the draft. Offensive tackle or wide receiver could be in play here too as protecting QB Joe Burrow after injuries have ended two of his four seasons prematurely will be a continued priority in the Queen City.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Nate Wiggins, CB - Clemson

Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been solid this season, but veteran CB Patrick Peterson is getting up there in age and the Steelers might want to continue rehauling their secondary in a division with Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson. After a solid start, the Steelers have fallen to 7-6 as QB Kenny Pickett is now injured. Pittsburgh could go WR here with Diontae Johnson a free agent after the 2024 season. This team has all the right pieces in place except for the offensive coordinator and quarterback. Can Pickett be the guy long-term? It's fair to have doubts.

19. Atlanta Falcons - Bralen Trice, DE/Edge - Washington

The Falcons need to get better up front and haven't had a dominant edge rusher since the days of John Abraham. Trice only has 6 sacks on the season, but he has 70 total pressures which leads all of college football. Sheesh. Regardless of what happens with head coach Arthur Smith, a change at quarterback is on the horizon and in this mock, the Falcons send their second-round pick to the Bears for QB Justin Fields. This team has so much firepower on offense, but on defense, they need someone who can get after the quarterback. This might end up being high for Trice, but he plays a premium position that is also a very expensive one to pay for in free agency.

20. Green Bay Packers - Taliese Fuaga - OT, Oregon

After a rough start to the season, the Packers have completely turned it around and QB Jordan Love is thriving. However, they need to figure out how to better protect his blindside. Incumbent left tackle David Bakhtiari has missed a lot of games over the last few seasons but says he is going to try and make a return in 2024. It's hard not to like the impressive array of young skill players this team has on offense, but finding another body to protect their young QB would be a wise investment.

Talked to some scouts who feel that Fuaga projects better as a right tackle than a left tackle, but with defenses changing up their alignments, right tackles are about as equally important as left tackles these days. Given the Packers' recent turnaround, maybe there might be some real truth to that Packer Way after all.

 

NFL Draft Picks #21-32 - Will There Be A Fifth QB Off the Board?

21. Minnesota Vikings - J.J. McCarthy - QB, Michigan

No one knows what is going to happen with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh after being suspended for three games following an alleged sign-stealing scandal, and McCarthy is eligible to return to Ann Arbor for another season. He's a young prospect who won't even turn 21 until January, but he's got a ton of upside and it's hard not to see NFL front offices being enamored with McCarthy's skill set and potential. He's got the size, arm, athleticism, and traits of a top pick. McCarthy wasn't relied upon much at Michigan, but given the team's dominance the last two seasons, he didn't have to do a whole lot at QB.

Incumbent QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles and is out for the rest of the year despite Minnesota still being in the thick of the playoff race. Cousins is also a free agent this offseason and there's no telling what will happen. Given the front office's reluctance to sign Captain Kirk to an extension before the season, the writing may be on the wall. This will be a fascinating landing spot for a QB as it features a solid coaching staff who knows how to get the best out of their QB, a solid offensive line, and plenty of skill players. If the Vikings draft a QB in the first two rounds this is the dream landing spot.

22. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) - Terrion Arnold - CB, Alabama

Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio showed a ton of courage trading away their 2023 first and not Cleveland's first when they moved up in the 2022 NFL Draft to take edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. third overall. The Texans are shining this season and in the thick of the playoff race at 7-5. The trade was still very good for Arizona, who moved down from No. 3 overall on draft day to No. 12 and landed a few extra picks plus the Texans 2024 first.

The Cardinals are playing hard under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, but they need to continue to keep grabbing good football players across the board. Some scouts have Terrion Arnold ranked as the best CB on the Alabama defense and he's had an impressive season with 5 interceptions. He's a slightly bigger corner at 6 foot 0 and 196 lbs. and Arnold seems to play even bigger than that.

23. Indianapolis Colts - Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State

WR Michael Pittman Jr. is a free agent this offseason who could command a lot of money. If the Colts' front office decides to spend it elsewhere, Coleman would be a solid replacement as Indianapolis needs to continue surrounding their hopeful franchise QB Anthony Richardson with plenty of weapons. Coleman was one of the most electrifying wide receivers in college football this season and is a big play waiting to happen.

24. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) - Emeka Egbuka - WR, Ohio State

There are some questions among scouts if Egbuka can be a legitimate No. 1 receiver after getting to play with so much wide receiver talent around him at Ohio State and hardly ever drawing double coverage, but given his chemistry with Texans QB C.J. Stroud, the Texans could select him if their QB gives a gleaming recommendation. It's hard not to be impressed with what the Texans have done down in Houston this season. They are at 7-5 and in the thick of the AFC Playoff race despite having two franchise cornerstones in Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. who are both rookies.

25. Kansas City Chiefs - Xavier Worthy - WR, Texas

Worthy is a complete human highlight reel and is the kind of playmaker that the Chiefs offense desperately needs. TE Travis Kelce is getting up there in age and while WR Rashee Rice has been good enough as a rookie, this team needs to give QB Patrick Mahomes more help. After investing so much into their defense and offensive line in recent drafts, GM Brett Veach pivots here and grabs the high-flying Worthy who has track-like speed. On the season, Worthy has 73 receptions for 969 yards and 5 TDs. His unofficial height/weight is listed at 6 foot 1 and 172 lbs, but given the recent success of undersized players like WR Jordan Addison and WR Tank Dell this season, should being a smaller WR be considered the same red flag for wide receivers that it used to be?

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Cooper DeJean - CB, Iowa

The Jaguars are a team without any major pressing needs, but shoring up their secondary with a versatile chess piece is never a bad thing. DeJean is a coordinator's dream as he can line up just about anywhere on defense. He probably shouldn't have fallen this low in the draft.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Graham Barton - OT/OG, Duke

Most scouts believe that Barton likely projects better as a guard or even center at the next level even though he is listed as a tackle. The Cowboys have a dominant defense and QB Dak Prescott has been playing lights-out at an MVP level in 2023. Some of the pieces on their offensive line are getting older and it might be smart to continue their investment in the trenches. The Cowboys will have some expensive extensions for Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb coming up.

28. Detroit Lions - Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB, Alabama

The Lions have been one of the best teams of this season and it's hard not to be very impressed with what head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have built in Detroit. Their biggest need long-term is probably at corner as they have several guys on 1-year deals and McKinstry has been an impressive player at Alabama this season. There will be plenty of debate as to who will be the first Bama CB off the board, Arnold or McKinstry, but here the Lions' front office continues their wizardry of successful drafting.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Troy Fautanu - OT, Washington

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. As of right now, it does feel like the 49ers will be picking at No. 32 as they are currently the most complete team in the NFL. Some scouts believe that Fautanu might project better inside as a guard in the NFL than as a tackle, but for now, the 49ers look to select Williams' replacement.

30. Baltimore Ravens - J.T. Tuimoloau - DE/Edge, Ohio State

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 for dumb reasons. Tuimoloau is a tough, gritty player who brings versatility to the Ravens' defense. He is still developing as a player, but he gives Baltimore someone they can plug into the pass-rush rotation immediately. J.T. might not have had as productive of a season as he had in 2022, but he plays a premium position.

31. Miami Dolphins - Kingsley Suamataia - OT, BYU

Left tackle Terron Armstead is 32 and the front office might want to start grooming his replacement to help keep QB Tua Tagovailoa upright. The Dolphins running game like the 49ers' above needs athletic offensive linemen to operate at max efficiency. Kingsley was heavily recruited in high school but is still raw in pass protection. He has an impressive frame and tons of potential. Given the strength of the Dolphins roster, they can afford to sit him for a year while adding some pivotal depth.

32. Philadelphia Eagles - Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Eagles

Eagles GM Howie Roseman knows he needs to keep the assembly line going in the secondary and with the physical nature that Mitchell plays with, he just feels like an Eagle. Philadelphia could also go offensive tackle here, but given the age of CBs Darius Slay (32) and James Bradberry (30), going the youth route will give them some added roster flexibility. While Mitchell comes from a smaller school, his play has been lights-out this season. Sometimes the best cornerbacks are the ones whose names you never hear.

 

NFL Teams Without a 2024 First-Round Pick

33. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Paul - T, Houston

It's been a tough season for Panthers fans. There was so much optimism when the front office (or some say owner David Tepper) traded up to No. 1 overall to draft QB Bryce Young, but the hopes have quickly faded as the Panthers have fallen to 1-11 on the season and have a two-game lead on the No. 1 pick that will ultimately go to Chicago.

Nonetheless, there's no turning back now and the team has to focus on trying to fix their young quarterback and get him some more help, whether that is in free agency, the draft, or by trading away some pieces on defense like edge rusher Brian Burns or defensive lineman Derrick Brown. If Young cannot be salvaged, this franchise could be set back several years. The Panthers need to either go wide receiver or offensive line here.

55. Cleveland Browns - Tyler Guyton - T, Oklahoma

Despite being at 7-5, head coach Kevin Stefanski has done an amazing job this season with QB Deshaun Watson and star RB Nick Chubb both lost for the year. Given how financially committed the Browns are to Watson through the 2026 season, there is no turning back now. Left tackle Jedrick Wills has largely been a bust and hasn't been able to stay healthy. The Browns might be better off letting Wills go in free agency to become someone else's problem and opt for a replacement in the draft. Rookie right tackle Dawand Jones has been a godsend this year after the season-ending injury to Jack Conklin.

 

Conclusion

We are still four-plus months out from the 2024 NFL Draft and we must all cherish the football we have left like a nice medium-rare ribeye from a steakhouse and savor every bite. Nonetheless, it's helpful to start making yourself familiar with many of the names in the NFL Draft. This mock draft will be updated monthly and will likely change as players declare or stay in school. The 2025 QB Class could also be interesting if Ewers and McCarthy stay in school, as well as if Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and Georgia QB Carson Beck continue their development.

Who was left out of this mock draft that shouldn't have been? Feel free to air your grievances at me on Twitter and stay tuned here at RotoBaller for plenty of NFL content for all twelve months out of the year. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you.

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