NFL Draft

2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 1st-Round Projections Full of Surprises

In this updated projection for the 2024 NFL Draft, there are plenty of surprise picks in the first round.

Luke Easterling

2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 1st-Round Projections Full of Surprises
2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 1st-Round Projections Full of Surprises /

While there appears to be a consensus taking shape atop the early projections for the 2024 NFL Draft, we all know draft day can be full of surprise moves and shocking picks.

That's exactly what we see in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from BLEAV's Joe DeLeone, who kicks this off in a familiar way at the top, but quickly delivers some intriguing picks that are sure to have fans talking.

The first big surprise comes at the No. 5 pick, where the Chicago Bears take the second receiver off the board, tabbing Florida State's Keon Coleman over Washington's Rome Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers. Coleman's imposing frame and leaping ability could certainly merit top-10 consideration, but seeing him come off the board ahead of both Odunze (No. 18, Buffalo Bills) and Nabers (No. 7, New York Giants) in the top five was was attention-grabbing.

Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman
Could FSU's Keon Coleman be a top-five pick as the second WR off the board? / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

At the No. 6 pick, this mock has a prospect who might not be a household name just yet, but Oregon State right tackle Taliese Fuaga has been flying up the draft board thanks to a stellar 2023 season. Even so, it was surprising to see him land that high (going to the New York Jets), while Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu fell out of the top 10 entirely (No. 11, Green Bay Packers).

Other names in this projection who came off the board earlier than expected were included Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (No. 12, Las Vegas Raiders), Oregon offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (No. 29, Miami Dolphins), and Florida State running back Trey Benson (No. 32, Baltimore Ravens).

Big names who were projected later than usual in this mock? Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (No. 28, Detroit Lions).

To check out the full first-round projection from BLEAV, click here.

LOOK | Latest 3-Round Projections for the 2024 NFL Draft

Published
Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

Home/Latest News