Patrick Chiotti's 2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Chicago Bears (from CAR) - Caleb Williams, QB USC
- Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
- New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
- Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR Ohio State
- Los Angeles Chargers - Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
- New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR LSU
- Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
- Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
- Chicago Bears - Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State
- New York Jets - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
- Minnesota Vikings - Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
- Denver Broncos - JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan
- Las Vegas Raiders - JC Latham, OT Alabama
- New Orleans Saints - Rome Odunze, WR Washington
- Indianapolis Colts - Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
- Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy, IDL Texas
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
- Cincinnati Bengals - Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
- Los Angeles Rams - Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
- Miami Dolphins - Troy Fautanu, OL Washington
- Philadelphia Eagles - Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
- Houston Texans (from CLE) - Brian Thomas, Jr., WR LSU
- Dallas Cowboys - Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona
- Green Bay Packers - Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bralen Trice, EDGE Washington
- Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) - Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
- Kansas City Chiefs - Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
- Buffalo Bills - Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa
- Detroit Lions - Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
- San Francisco 49ers - Graham Barton, IOL Duke
- Baltimore Ravens - Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL Illinois
- Chicago Bears (from CAR) - Caleb Williams, QB USC
Despite the upward trend that former first-round pick Justin Fields has shown during the backend of the Bears’ season, using this first pick on Williams is more than a performance pick. With Fields going into the final year of his deal, this resets the beloved “rookie quarterback window” strategy that teams are looking for. All the hype aside, Williams’ game translates well to the NFL with his ability to extend plays and make just about every throw. If they can continue to add offensive pieces around Williams and D.J. Moore, this pick won’t be nearly as scrutinized as it probably will be.
2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
Ron Rivera is out in D.C. and the new ownership group, along with their newly hired general manager Adam Peters, will be looking for a refresh for a franchise that has been going through it for the last few years. Let’s start the refresh off with a solid quarterback selection in the form of Drake Maye. The flashes of Justin Herbert are there, but Maye separates himself with his accuracy and anticipation throwing between the numbers. People are going to point out his deflated completion percentage, but Maye suffered from sub-level wide receiver play at NC. Terry McLaurin and the rest of that underrated Commanders receiver room get the quarterback they deserve.
3. New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
A new era has started in New England and it should be the end of the Mac Jones era as well. Should the Patriots take Marvin Harrison, Jr. at this slot to improve their receiver room? Maybe, but this is a deep receiver draft with talent going into the mid-to-late rounds. Jayden Daniels is an elite processing quarterback who possesses the ability to move the pocket and his launch point to deliver precise strikes to his receivers all over the field. His slight frame is cause for concern due to his desire to run downfield and take unnecessary shots.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison, JR., WR Ohio State
Kyler Murray came back from injury and played well enough to warrant off the trade rumors as the Cards find themselves outside of the top QB picture. Not to mention, his contract would be a mess to move on from. The Cardinals add an elite, blue-chip wide receiver to an offense that needs a true alpha at the position and begin their refresh on that side of the ball.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
A tight end?! Top five?! Have we not learned our lesson? No, because this isn’t your ordinary tight end. Bowers’ size and athleticism make him more of a freak at the position than prospects we’ve seen in recent years. His ability to be a gadget-type player and be used in the slot, where he spent over 52% of his snaps in college, as well as an inline tight end in an offense that desperately needs a jolt makes him the ideal addition for Justin Herbert.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The Giants offense needs a true threat at wide receiver and while a quarterback might be a bigger need with how bad Daniel Jones was after he got his big contract and his subsequent injury, Nabers can provide a boost as an immediate WR1. Finishing second in receiving yards with 1,568 yards on the year, Nabers is an explosive threat that can be used anywhere in the formation and understands how to find space well in the middle of the field.
7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
The Titans are in a weird spot with their organization and their overall roster. Vrabel is out, the roster is a bit of a mess, and the direction of the team is going to be very dependent on who they bring in to be the next ringleader. Starting off this new era in Tennessee, the Titans select arguably the best offensive tackle in this draft. With Alt at left tackle and 2023 draft pick Peter Skoronski at left guard, building a strong offensive line is going to be important for their future in the AFC South.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
Another team who is going in a different direction this offseason, the Falcons will undoubtedly be looking for a quarterback for their new head coach. The offensive roster is filled with studs at receiver, tight end, and at running back, as well as an experienced offensive line. Could Justin Fields be the quarterback they target on draft day? Perhaps, and even then the rumors are suggesting Chicago will not get a first-round pick for Fields. With that said, the Falcons take Dallas Turner with this pick to add a dangerous edge defender to their defense that ranked as a top-10 unit in creating pressure in the 2023 season. Turner finished his 2023 campaign at Alabama with 55 total pressures, 11 sacks, 11 QBH, and 33 hurries, which bodes well since his former Crimson Tide teammate and third overall pick in 2023, Will Anderson Jr., finished his 2022 campaign with 65 pressures, 14 sacks, 9 QBH, and 42 hurries.
9. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State
After taking their franchise quarterback with their first selection, the Bears add some much-needed explosiveness to their defensive front. The Bears finished tied with the Titans for the 7th-worst pressure rate in the league and need a boost for their defense that started to come around at the end of the season. Jared Verse started his 2023 season a little slow but finished his season with 60 total pressures and 11 sacks for the Seminoles. His large frame and explosiveness should make for a great pairing with Montez Sweat on the opposite side.
10. New York Jets - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
To put it simply, the Jets HAVE to upgrade the offensive line this offseason. The defense is NOT the issue. If they get any sort of consistency with the offensive line and Aaron Rodgers comes back healthy next season, this will be a completely different team. By taking Olumuyiwa Fashanu, they get a healthy and uber-athletic left tackle to protect Rodgers for the rest of his Jets career and beyond. Fashanu allowed ten total pressures in 2023 and zero sacks or quarterback hits. An incredibly efficient tackle, he should be an immediate upgrade for that unit.
11. Minnesota Vikings - Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
There are a ton of question marks surrounding the Vikings’ roster and what could potentially happen with key players like Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. With Hunter likely headed elsewhere in free agency, adding an explosive edge defender to that defense seems like a no-brainer. Laiatu Latu has dealt with injury concerns in the past but has put together a strong portfolio as a prolific pass rusher and consistent edge setter in his two seasons at UCLA after medically retiring following the 2019 season. Latu gathered 128 pressures and 27 sacks in his two years as a Bruin.
12. Denver Broncos - J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
This pick is going to stir the pot quite a bit in Broncos Country. After the Russell Wilson Saga ends this offseason, head coach Sean Payton will be on the lookout for his next star quarterback. Is the 20-year-old former Michigan quarterback that guy? Tough to say, as his evaluation will be one that is looked at a lot like how Trey Lance’s was during that draft cycle. McCarthy has the tools to be an NFL-caliber starter, with enough mobility and arm strength to move the pocket and make anticipation throws at the next level. The biggest key? His mental awareness. McCarthy’s mental maturity could be a great match with a big-brain offensive mind like Payton. Is 12th overall a bit rich for the young QB? Perhaps, but it could be a bet that Payton is willing to make.
13. Las Vegas Raiders - J.C. Latham, OT Alabama
As we await what the Raiders are going to do with their head coaching situation, one thing about this team stands out the most and it’s the offensive side of the ball. The offensive tackle position needs to be addressed on the right side, as the combination of Thayer Munford and Jermaine Eluemunor allowed a combined 56 pressures. Investing in Alabama’s J.C. Latham gives them a nasty and fluid right tackle for the future to play opposite Kolten Miller.
14. New Orleans Saints - Rome Odunze, WR Washington
With another roster with multiple needs, the Saints are in an interesting spot. There’s a potential need for a tackle on either side, but here they add a true WR1 to their receiver room. The combination of Rome Odunze, who I see being very similar to Davante Adams in his play style, with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry would spearhead a more explosive offense for Derek Carr in what looks like will be a new offensive scheme in New Orleans. Not to mention, teams will still have to worry about number 41.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
Jaylon Jones was a pleasant surprise at times for a lot of Colts’ fans this season, and 2023 second-round pick JuJu Brents will continue to develop well, but this team needs to add a true number one guy in the secondary. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is starting to gather more steam going into the offseason due to his strong 2023 showing and confidence after transitioning to corner from the safety position. His fluidity, frame, and aggressiveness make him an ideal candidate to be the first corner off the board to the Colts.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy II, IDL Texas
If the Seahawks are going into this offseason with a different mindset, they could be looking at drafting a quarterback in the first round after an up-and-down year from Geno Smith. However, here they add some serious size to their defensive front with Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, who can add some push and pressure to a defensive front that finished as a top-ten team in terms of pressure, but was one of the worst teams defending the run.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
For a team with one of the highest-paid wide receivers and another receiver that was supposed to come back and be an immediate impact player, the Jaguars offense struggled mightily this season. Trevor Lawrence looked like a completely different player than the one we saw last year and part of that could stem from a lack of trust with his receiving options. It feels like the Jaguars are missing a big outside threat who can be their go-to guy. Keon Coleman has the look and feel of a Brandon Marshall-type receiver. Massive receiver with a big, 6’4” frame and raw athleticism who needs NFL coaching to really maximize his skillset. This could be a home-run hit for the Jags and Trevor Lawrence.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
The time has come, Bengals fans. It’s time to upgrade the offensive line. The Bengals and Jets offensive lines were tied with 64 quarterback hits allowed and were tied for the third-shortest pocket time in the league. Drafting a powerful tackle like Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga gives them a consistent pass blocker who allowed 23 pressures over two full seasons as a starter and was one of the better run blockers in the country, helping Oregon State’s rushing attack. Depending on what they do with Jonah Williams, Fuaga could be a fine replacement at the right tackle spot or a candidate to move inside for a season.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
The Rams offensive line was not bad at all this season and this pick is more about the future of the unit as a whole. Amarius Mims has played over 800 career snaps at right tackle at Georgia and possesses a beautiful blend of size, strength, and athleticism at 6’7”, 340 pounds. Having him play inside next to Rob Havenstein could provide a fresh boost to the Rams' offensive front as they try to maximize the time they have left with Matthew Stafford.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
The Steelers snagged team legacy player Joey Porter, Jr. in last year’s draft class and he played better than some may have expected him to this year. However, the rest of the Steelers' cornerbacks were less than ideal. Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, and Chandon Sullivan combined to allow a 90.8 passer rating when thrown their way and gave up 13 touchdowns in coverage. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry would provide a refreshing boost to this secondary. He’s got the length and ability to play bump-and-run and the football IQ to have elite awareness in zone coverage, as well as the ball skills to translate at the next level. In the last two seasons, he’s tallied up 20 pass breakups and has allowed a 65.5 passer rating.
21. Miami Dolphins - Troy Fautanu, OL Washington
The Dolphins easily have some of the most explosive weapons in the league at their skill spots on the offensive side of the ball, but lack quality protectors up front. This makes for an uneven balance in what should be a very explosive offensive attack when playing more well-rounded teams across the league. Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson, Robert Jones, and Kendall Lamm are not going to be able to continue allowing pressure at the rate they are and expect success. Troy Fautanu is about as well-rounded as offensive linemen come and could translate well as an interior lineman at the next level, but this could be a spot they upgrade Tua’s blindside with a player who is used to protecting a left-handed quarterback, albeit from the left tackle spot. Fautanu is an extremely athletic lineman whose agility would translate perfectly to Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
Are you shocked? You shouldn’t be. The trend of Georgia players going to the Eagles continues in this mock. James Bradberry was a liability in coverage this year, allowing 10 touchdowns and a 114.2 passer rating. Kelee Ringo hardly played this season and Darius Slay allowed over 64% of passes his way to be completed. This secondary was a mess. Kamari Lassiter had a fantastic 2023 season with the Georgia Bulldogs, allowing 15 receptions on 39 targets and a 48.7 passer rating with five pass breakups and didn’t allow a touchdown. The Eagles' defense could look different next year, but there will be an abundance of Bulldogs.
23. Houston Texans (from CLE) - Brian Thomas, Jr., WR LSU
C.J. Stroud has been a delight in his rookie season under DeMeco Ryans and we are all loving the Texans’ playoff run. Adding another offensive weapon for Stroud only seems like the right thing to do. Nico Collins has come around to become a versatile WR1, Tank Dell shocked the world before his devastating injury, and Noah Brown and Robert Woods have provided enough for this offense to be a playoff-caliber team. LSU’s Brian Thomas, Jr. would give Stroud another big target and a contested-catch winner to be an immediate impact player for the offense.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona
The Cowboys’ season came to a humbling halt and the offseason is about to be a historic one for the franchise. With McCarthy potentially on the outs, Quinn likely headed for a head coaching gig, and key players like Tyron Smith heading to free agency, the Cowboys will need to bolster their offensive line with their first pick in this draft. Arizona’s Jordan Morgan has some concerns about arm length and medical history, but he’s a fantastic athlete who has shown his development over the last two years.
25. Green Bay Packers - Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
The Packers’ offensive line did quite a solid job blocking for Jordan Love in his first full season as a starter. The question is could they stand to upgrade? Zach Tom allowed 35 pressures and former seventh-round pick Rasheed Walker allowed 33 in place of David Bakhtiari. Tyler Guyton is a project at right tackle, but in his final season with the Sooners, he only allowed nine hurries and no sacks. He’s an agile and smooth mover who is more than capable of being a solid second-level blocker.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bralen Trice, EDGE Washington
Shaq Barrett’s contract with Tampa Bay expires in 2025, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Yaya Diaby combined for 46 pressures in 2023 (Barrett had 42 himself), and the need to have a steady rotation of solid pass-rushers has never been more important in the NFL. Sure, the Bucs could use this pick to address some other needs, but drafting Bralen Trice would give them another solid pass rusher and edge setter.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) - Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
The Cardinals’ secondary is going to see an overhaul in 2024 and they get a bit better with the addition of Clemson’s Nate Wiggins here. At 6’2”, Wiggins has the ideal size to play corner at the next level, as well as the length and physicality to play in Jonathan Gannon’s scheme. He was extremely efficient at Clemson in 2023, playing more refined in coverage and allowing only 18 catches on 41 targets.
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
Did Patrick Mahomes have a “down” year? Statistically, yes. But when we turn on the film, we see a lot of the same Mahomes that we’ve seen throughout his career with one glaring difference: the level of play from his wide receivers. The Chiefs offense cannot have another season where the offense’s wheels are just spinning in place and the defense is getting them by, especially with the key free agents they have coming up. Oregon’s Troy Franklin gives them another speed threat, but one that is much more reliable and can be a consistent pass catcher.
29. Buffalo Bills - Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
The Bills have had a rotating door at cornerback this season and have to find a stable player at the position. Kaiir Elam might be starting to come around but isn’t at that first-round corner level just yet. Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is a freak athlete who had a solid career in coverage for the Hawkeyes, allowing a staggering 37.8 passer rating in 388 coverage snaps in 2023. DeJean was a consistent punt returner at the college level as well and should get looks at the next level.
30. Detroit Lions - Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
The Lions have a fairly deep secondary, but they allowed the 6th most receiving yards and had the second-worst DADOT in the league. Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is shooting up the draft boards already and likely will after his combine performance, but he’s landing in a perfect spot in this mock. He has explosive speed in the secondary and is one of Bruce Feldman’s athletic “freaks”, adding another dynamic chess piece to Dan Campbell’s defense.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Graham Barton, IOL Duke
Former second-round pick Aaron Banks has been decent enough for the Niners, but it’s fair to say that the Super Bowl contenders could upgrade the interior of their offensive line. Duke’s Graham Barton was the Blue Devils’ left tackle primarily, but projects as more of an interior lineman at the NFL level. He’s a “through the whistle” blocker and routinely makes impactful blocks at the second level, something that is greatly desired in Shanahan’s run scheme.
32. Baltimore Ravens - Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL Illinois
Justin Madubuike is a free agent this offseason and could be getting a deal elsewhere. Travis Jones is going to have his opportunity to shine alongside Michael Pierce, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another piece to the Ravens defensive front in the form of Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton. He could be a versatile chess piece to move around in different alignments along the defensive front and his ability to disrupt backfields makes him an ideal fit for the Ravens’ identity.
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