Joe DeLeone's 2024 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
The 2023 NFL season has finally concluded, and we can now officially transition to draft season. The Chicago Bears are officially on the clock, and you can follow along this draft cycle with The First Team as the rest of the league will look for pieces to help them reach the Super Bowl.
For the sake of this mock draft, I avoided trades that will likely create a massive shakeup on draft day. This year’s class will feature tons of talent at offensive tackle, receiver, and cornerback. Let’s take a look at how the first round could turn out in April.
1. Chicago Bears | Caleb Williams, USC QB
While the Bears could choose to trade back and build around Justin Fields, the alternative route is resetting their QB contract clock by drafting an extremely dynamic playmaker in Caleb Williams. The former Heisman Trophy winner’s improvisational skills will supply energy to a young and progressing offense.
2. Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels, LSU QB
The Commanders may just miss out on drafting a hometown hero, but they’ll still be able to snag their own Heisman Trophy recipient. Jayden Daniels took a massive step forward in 2024 as a deep-ball thrower and decision-maker. He’ll now have an arsenal of weapons to throw to in Washington to start his career.
3. New England Patriots | Drake Maye, UNC QB
As the Jerod Mayo era begins in New England, it makes a lot of sense for them to start over at quarterback after Mac Jones rapidly regressed. Maye has the best tools of all three top quarterback prospects and has the ceiling to develop into a Top 10 quarterback. He’ll be a massive step up from the lackluster QB play we’ve seen in New England over the past two seasons.
4. Arizona Cardinals | Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State WR
Kyler Murray’s return from injury reminded us all of how potent the Cardinals' offense could be with the right pieces. Murray has lacked a true go-to target, and the prolific Marvin Harrison Jr. can be that player. Harrison Jr. has a rare blend of size and speed that makes him one of the best receiver prospects ever to enter the NFL.
5. Los Angeles Chargers | Brock Bowers, Georgia TE
Now that Jim Harbaugh is the Chargers head coach, I can’t think of a better fit than Brock Bowers. Tight ends were a key piece in Michigan’s offensive success in 2023. Bowers’ long speed and elusiveness will make him an explosive weapon for Justin Herbert.
6. New York Giants | Joe Alt, Notre Dame OT
Right Tackle Evan Neal has significantly underperformed in his first two seasons for the Giants. With the opportunity to build one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, the Giants have an opportunity to bump Neal into guard and draft Joe Alt. Alt’s length and flexibility helped him lock down opposing pass rushers in his college career. Now Daniels Jones won’t have any more excuses for lacking consistency.
7. Tennessee Titans | Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State OT
Will Levis showed flashes of his potential as the starting quarterback for the Titans in his rookie season. Any team wanting to boost the performance of a young QB should invest in their offensive line. Taliese Fuaga is a hulking presence who will join another young stud in Peter Skoronski.
8. Atlanta Falcons | Bo Nix, Oregon QB
The Falcons roster is loaded with weapons but desperately lacks any talent at quarterback. While they’ve missed out on taking any of the top 3 at the position, Bo Nix can bring a mature presence for a rookie quarterback.
9. Chicago Bears | Malik Nabers, LSU WR
After selecting their quarterback of the future, what better move for the Bears to make than giving him another explosive receiver. Malik Nabers was one of the most productive receivers in college football because of his route running and after-the-catch ability. Nabers alongside DJ Moore would be a dangerous receiving duo.
10. New York Jets | JC Latham, Alabama OT
Drafting more protection for Aaron Rodgers must be priority number one for the Jets after how quickly they lost him this season. As Mekhi Becton has settled in at left tackle, JC Latham can plug in at right tackle. The Alabama lineman brings a physical and powerful profile to the Jets offensive line.
11. Minnesota Vikings | Nate Wiggins, Clemson CB
The Vikings defense is slowly aging, especially their secondary. They’ve yet to have a solid presence at cornerback since Xavier Rhodes and Nate Wiggins can be that guy. Wiggins has tremendous length and fluidity to be impactful in any coverage.
12. Denver Broncos | Rome Odunze, Washington WR
If the Broncos don’t trade up, they’ll likely miss out on taking a quarterback worthy of being selected in the top 15. (If you need me to spell it out for you, no they should not take JJ McCarthy). Their receivers have either underwhelmed or failed to stay healthy. An injection of youth with Rome Odunze is pertinent for their offense to improve in 2024. The Husky WR can stretch defenses vertically and make difficult contested catches consistently.
13. Las Vegas Raiders | Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama CB
The Raiders are another team that will need to trade up to get a quarterback, but likely miss out if they stay put. Kool-Aid McKinstry was the most consistent defensive back in college football, flashing quick feet and instinctive decision-making.
14. New Orleans Saints | Dallas Turner, Alabama EDGE
In 2023 the Saints had the fifth least total team sacks in the NFL. They successfully boosted their defensive line talent last draft with Isaiah Foskey and Bryan Bresee but are an explosive threat away from taking the next step. As we saw in the Super Bowl, having a deep defensive line is impossible to keep up with.
15. Indianapolis Colts | Olu Fashanu, Penn State OT
Anthony Richardson’s bright future shined very briefly before our eyes before he went down with a season-ending injury. The Colts can’t repeat the same mistake they had with Andrew Luck, and get Richardson as much protection as possible. Olu Fashanu plays with great flexibility and mobility, necessary to protect Richarson’s blind side.
16. Seattle Seahawks | Jared Verse, Florida State EDGE
Newly hired head coach Mike McDonald will be aiming to build the western version of the Ravens in Seattle. The way he can kickstart this defense is by selecting a twitchy and powerful pass rusher in Jared Verse.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars | Terrion Arnold, Alabama CB
In 2023 the Jaguars surrendered the 7th most passing yards. Safe to say they need to add talent to their secondary. Arnold is a very well-rounded cornerback prospect who has fantastic instincts when playing the ball in the air.
18. Cincinnati Bengals | Amarius Mims, Georgia OT
The theme of the 2024 NFL Draft will be protecting quarterbacks who suffered season-ending injuries. Joe Burrow’s health is obviously a priority, and Amarius Mims is a player who could play either tackle spot for the Bengals in 2024. While Mims is very inexperienced, he’s the most natural tackle in this class with a rare physical profile and commanding power.
19. Los Angeles Rams | Troy Fautanu, Washington IOL
The Rams' offensive line since their Super Bowl run has been a maddening game of musical chairs. Troy Fautanu was a star at left tackle for Washington in 2023 and projects nicely as a quality guard in the NFL because of his easy movement skills.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
After taking Broderick Jones last year, it’s time for the Steelers to solidify the interior of their offensive line. Powers-Johnon plays with the grit and savvy necessary to be a successful center in the NFL.
21. Miami Dolphins | Jordan Morgan, Arizona IOL
We were given a glimpse of how explosive Miami’s offense could be in the years to come. Isaiah Wynn underwhelmed at guard for the Dolphins, and one of the last remaining pieces could be a boost in the interior of their offensive line. Jordan Morgan is a former left tackle who has the short-area mobility to boost the Dolphin's run game.
22. Philadelphia Eagles | Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo CB
The Eagles' season was quickly derailed, mostly because of their inconsistencies in their secondary. While James Bradberry was once an integral starter, it’s time to find his replacement. Quinyon Mitchell has been a rapid riser throughout this process and will continue to establish himself as a first-round pick after the NFL Combine.
23. Houston Texas | Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois DT
Houston’s defense was anchored by young star Will Anderson Jr. in 2023. Finding other disruptive rushers to play alongside him can take their defense from good to elite. Jer’Zhan Newton is a menace in the interior that will be another problem for teams to deal with on passing downs.
24. Dallas Cowboys | Cooper DeJean, Iowa DB
The Cowboys were cooked in the playoffs by the Packers, especially because their secondary couldn’t keep up. Cooper DeJean is a unique player because of his physical profile and explosiveness. His ability to play multiple roles in the secondary and return kicks will be a weapon for Dallas.
25. Green Bay Packers | Kalen King, Penn State CB
While the Packers' future looks very bright offensively, they badly need to sure up their defense. Their secondary was very inconsistent, and selecting Kalen King would improve the play of the struggling unit. His tackling ability could make him a lockdown player in the slot, but King also could carve a role opposite Jaire Alexander.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Laiatu Latu, UCLA EDGE
The Buccaneer's pass rush was unstoppable in the playoffs, but Shaq Barrett has shown signs he’s slowing down. Replacing him with an incredibly technically refined rusher in Laiatu Latu will ease the transition.
27. Arizona Cardinals | Kamari Lassiter, Georgia CB
Jonathan Gannon was able to draft a potential star receiver with their first selection, and now he’ll be looking for a defensive piece. Kamari Lassiter was a stud for Georgia this past season thanks to his length and ball skills.
28. Buffalo Bills | Brian Thomas Jr., LSU WR
Outside of Stefon Diggs, the Bills’ depth and talent at receiver has held back their offense. The Bills can add a freakish athlete and vertical threat with Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU receiver burst onto the scene this year, and will continue to rise through this process with a brilliant showing at the NFL combine.
29. Detroit Lions | Bralen Trice, Washington EDGE
Dan Campbell willed his team to a conference championship appearance by drafting physical football players. Despite not being in a reasonable spot to take a cornerback, drafting powerful pass rusher Bralen Trice will create a frightening defensive-end duo in Detroit.
30. Baltimore Ravens | Keon Coleman, Florida State WR
Baltimore has swung and missed on a number of receivers in recent years that haven’t panned out. As we saw in the AFC Championship game, they need to keep getting Lamar Jackson as much help as possible. Now that they have a spark plug in Zay Flowers, they can draft the jump ball dominator Keon Coleman.
31. San Francisco 49ers | Christian Haynes, UConn IOL
One of San Francisco's few weaknesses in 2023 was their left guard Aaron Banks. To help bolster their offensive line, they can pick a mauling and quick-footed guard prospect in Christian Haynes.
32. Kansas City Chiefs | Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington WR
This season for the Chiefs was filled with headaches from inconsistent play by their receivers. Rashee Rice caught fire late, but they still need more juice to get back to their level of offensive dominance we once watched. Ja’Lynn Polk fits the Chief's prototype at receiver of being a strong route runner and space killer after the catch.
