With the 2024 NFL Draft Combine under way, we decided it was time for us to go with our staple and put out our first mock draft of the season. Just like last season, we will be releasing two versions of each mock. One from myself and one from Silbs. We will be releasing 3 versions between now and draft day. One prior to the start of free agency. One once the dust settles following the free agency blitz, near the beginning of April. Followed by a final version the night before the draft. In between, we will give our thoughts on some of the prospects and what we think their impact will be.
Let’s get started!
1.) Washington Commanders (from CHI) – Caleb Williams, QB / USC
Ownership wants to make a splash and add a new face to lead them into the future. Their new OC was on the USC staff last season and knows Williams better than anyone at the NFL level. This move seems inevitable. Williams had a down year in 2023 but compiled a staggering 93-14 TD/INT ratio over his three years in college. His NFL comps have ranged between Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. If he is anywhere near either of those guys, this move will be the cornerstone of Josh Harris’s success as the new owner in Washington.
2.) Chicago Bears (from WAS) – Marvin Harrison Jr, WR / OSU
Chicago pairs the first-year success of DJ Moore with the best wide receiver prospect in the draft, or possibly ever. A bigger, faster, and stronger version of his Hall of Fame father, Harrison averaged over 1200 yards and 14 touchdowns over his two starting seasons at Ohio State. The Bears trade back for the second draft in a row and add another piece around QB Justin Fields while stockpiling even more picks. Chicago makes the playoffs and Ryan Poles wins Executive of the Year.
3.) New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB / UNC
One of the top two QB prospects falls right into the Patriots’ lap, and they don’t blink at the chance to draft their new franchise leader. Maye has the talent to be a top tier QB in the NFL, with comparisons to Justin Herbert and Carson Palmer, and even Josh Allen in some cases. His arm and legs are massive upgrades over Mac Jones. One downside to Maye’s game is his tendency to take sacks at a relatively high rate. This may limit his turnover but may be an issue for a line that allowed 48 sacks in 2023.
4.) Atlanta Falcons (from ARI) -Jayden Daniels, QB/LSU
Atlanta has built a young and talented core on offense, but they have yet to see much success due to the sub-par QB play of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinike. The Falcons make the jump to pick 4 to grab the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to fix that problem. Daniels exploded with 40 touchdown passes to only 4 interceptions to wrap up his college career. He also ran the ball for over 1100 yards and added 10 touchdowns on the ground. Add that to the speed of the Falcons core of Robinson, Pitts, and London and the Falcons will absolutely be causing problems for defenses in 2024.
5.) Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR/LSU
The Chargers could see their top two receivers leave this offseason and last year’s first round pick Quentin Johnston had a very disappointing rookie campaign. New HC Jim Harbaugh will likely want to improve on their current WR room and Malik Nabers is my number 2 receiver, behind MHJ. He is also the perfect complement to Johnston’s big bodied, physical style. His ability to make big plays and run after the catch led to over 1500 yards and 14 touchdowns on less than 100 catches. He would likely see similar volume and success in this offense and would have an upgrade at quarterback in Justin Herbert.
6.) New York Giants – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT/Penn State
Pick your poison with the plethora issues in 2023 but this pick needs to be used to address New York’s biggest issue. The G-Men gave up a league high 85 sacks in 2023, 20 more than any other team. Fashanu gave up zero sacks as a two-year starter at Penn State. The Giants are locked into Daniel Jones for at least one more season. They need someone to protect him. Fashanu can slide in opposite Andrew Thomas and would allow the Giants to shift Evan Neal to guard.
7.) Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT/Notre Dame
Tennessee had their own struggles on the offensive line, giving up 64 sacks in 2023, tying them for 3rd worst in the league. Rookie quarterback Will Levis earned the starting job and is likely set to be their guy for the foreseeable future. The Titans addressed the O-line last season with Peter Skoronski. With the likely departure of workhorse back, Derrick Henry, Tennessee will want to find a way to keep Levis upright in an offense that is likely going to be throwing the ball at a higher rate in 2024.
8.) Arizona Cardinals (from ATL) – Rome Odunze, WR/Washington
A year after losing Deandre Hopkins to the Titans, the Cardinals now have Hollywood Brown hitting free agency, leaving a gaping hole at WR1. Odunze is a big bodied, 6’3” receiver that has the ability to make contested catches with ease. His catch radius is absurd, which will be a huge asset to Kyler Murray. With pro comps to Davante Adams and Courtland Sutton, Odunze should have a big role in a offense that saw breakouts from TE Trey McBride and WR Michael Wilson in 2023.
9.) Chicago Bears – Jared Verse, EDGE/FSU
Verse had 9 sacks for an elite Florida State defense in 2023. I originally had the Bears signing Chase Young to go with their addition of Montez Sweat but I think Ryan Poles allocates that cap space somewhere else. Verse is equally as good at stopping the run as he is at getting to the quarterback, piling up tackles for loss during his college career. He has a high motor and refuses to be outworked on the field, making his fit in Chicago obvious.
10.) New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT/Oregon State
PROTECT THAT MAN AT ALL COSTS is the slogan for the Jets in 2024, after seeing their massive investment in Aaron Rodgers die after one series. Fuaga is a monster and at 6’6” 334 pounds, he could slide into the vacated left tackle spot by UFA Mekhi Becton, or shift to guard if the Jets are able to bring Becton back. Either way, they need to fix their line or risk losing Rodgers, and his frail 40-year-old body once again.
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