2024 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals Grab the Top Quarterback and Defender

Jack Borowsky unveils his first 2024 Mock Draft!

With the 2023 draft in the books, it is time to turn the page to the 2024 class. From early viewings, it looks like it is going to be a much stronger class, especially at the top. Here is a way too early 2024 mock draft.

1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Caleb Williams, Southern California

If the Cardinals end up picking at one, it might be hard for them to pass up on a quarterback. Kyler Murray is really talented but this new regime didn’t select him. They could also fetch even more draft capital by trading Murray. Williams would be stepping into a difficult situation offensively but he does a great job creating outside of structure. 

2. Arizona Cardinals (Via HOU): EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

By returning to school, Verse can vault himself into the top five. He is an elite athlete who does an excellent job converting speed to power. Expect him to reach double-digit sacks and be an All-American this season. The Cardinals' new head coach, Jonathan Gannon, is a defensive guy, so he'll want to add the best defender in the draft.

3. Indianapolis Colts: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Pairing Alt with Quenton Nelson on the left side of the Colts' line would be the right decision with Anthony Richardson at the helm. Alt checks every box in what teams look for in a blindside protector. He has great length, movement skills and has put together multiple years of consistent tape.

4. Tennessee Titans: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Getting Will Levis more weapons will be the Titans' main priority next offseason. Harrison Jr. is on the level of Amari Cooper, Julio Jones and Ja’Marr Chase as a prospect. He should be a WR1 very early on in his career.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

It is hard to see the Bucs passing on a quarterback if they are picking in the top five. Maye has all the traits to be a high-end player and is a perfect modern-day quarterback. Maye would be going to an offense that has enough talent for him to have success early on in his career.

6. Washington Commanders: QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

If Ewers hadn’t gotten hurt in the first half against Alabama last season, he would be higher than six. He was the best quarterback recruit ever and was dominant against the Crimson Tide. The arm talent Ewers possesses is special and the touch he has on his passes is incredible. Ewers can make every throw, has really good mobility within the pocket and has as much potential as anyone in the class. The Commanders picking this high would mean the Sam Howell experiment didn’t work.

7. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

The Falcons have addressed the offensive side of the ball for the past three years in the first round and are missing an elite pass rusher. Robinson has the best bend in the country and his explosiveness will be a problem at the next level. There are several wow reps on his film. As the season went on, Robinson continued to get better and as a full-time starter next season, he should be the best defender in the Big Ten. Atlanta needs a player with Robinson’s ability to bolster a defense that has struggled for a long time.

8. Los Angeles Rams: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

With the top three quarterbacks off the board, the Rams take the best player available here. Fashanu would have been the top offensive tackle drafted had he declared for the 2022 draft. The Rams have several needs, especially on their defense but Fashanu is too good to pass up on here.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

The Steelers haven’t typically taken cornerbacks in the first round but McKinstry is the kind of player that could change their mind. McKinstry is a former top recruit who was Alabama’s number one cornerback last season. Patrick Peterson is only on a one-year deal, so McKinstry would replace him on the outside.

10. Denver Broncos: DS Cooper DeJean, Iowa

In 2022, DeJean had five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns…at a position he wasn’t supposed to play. DeJean is just a great football player whose athleticism and football IQ will help him be a great safety from day one at the next level. The player comp for DeJean is Harrison Smith but DeJean is much faster. He is in the same tier as Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton as a prospect. The Broncos need to improve their secondary and adding DeJean would be a great starting point.

11. Chicago Bears (Via CAR): WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

After adding Darnell Wright in the first this year, the Bears should continue to get Justin Fields' help. DJ Moore is very good but the Bears need a number two, as Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are more number three options. Egbuka has been overshadowed by Harrison Jr. but he is very good in his own right.

12. Chicago Bears: EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington

The Bears have one of the worst pass rush groups in the NFL and must address the position early. Trice has a non-stop motor and a power profile that projects well to the next level. He is a better prospect than Joe Tryon, who went in the first round from Washington a few years ago. Trice and Trevis Gipson would give the Bears at least a solid starting pair.

13. Minnesota Vikings: CB Javon Bullard, Georgia

If the Vikings take Bullard, it would be their second Georgia defensive back in the first round under General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota needs a lockdown cornerback really badly and Bullard could be that kind of player. Georgia played him as a chess piece in 2022 and he was excellent. Bullard's instincts and ability to play the football are off the charts. He has fluid hips and is a willing run defender as well. Bullard is in the same mold as Devon Witherspoon, the fifth pick in this past draft. Bullard plays with tenacity, physicality and will have inside/outside versatility at the next level.

14. New England Patriots: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Back-to-back Georgia players go off the board here as Bowers lands in New England. Bill Belichick will get the most out of his skill set. Bowers is the best tight end prospect outside of Kyle Pitts in recent memory and would be the Patriots' top weapon from day one.

15. Green Bay Packers: OT JC Latham, Alabama

The Packers have dealt with a lot of injuries on their offensive line the past few years, so they could look there in the first round, even though they usually take a defender. Latham is next in line among the Alabama offensive linemen and will be able to play both tackle spots. He’d eventually take over at left tackle once David Bakhtiari retires.

16. New York Giants: DT Gabe Hall, Baylor

One of the more under the radar players in the country, Hall has tools that only come around every few years. He is strong, athletic and very disruptive in a 6’6” 300-pound frame. The length Hall possesses is off the charts and coaches will covet his versatility along the defensive line. Dexter Lawrence, Hall and a young pass rush duo would give Wink Martindale a lot to work with.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

Las Vegas has a plethora of weapons but a really weak offensive line, especially on the interior. Van Pran is the best center returning to college football and should win the Rimington Trophy with another good year. Experience and consistent tape are two important qualities to have as a center prospect and Van Pran has both. He is one of the safest players in the 2024 class and will be a decade-long starter at the next level.

18. Seattle Seahawks: QB Joe Milton, Tennessee

The Seahawks will probably have to trade up to get a quarterback, as with a good season, Milton won't make it to 18. His natural tools are up there with Cam Newton and he has the best arm strength in the country. Milton can effortlessly throw the ball 60 yards and is a very effective runner as well. The sky's the limit for Milton and he'd be stepping into a great situation in Seattle.

19. Miami Dolphins: OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

The Dolphins' offensive line has been their Achilles heel the last few seasons and if they want to keep Tua upright, they will need to continue to upgrade it. Coleman played alongside Steve Avila last season at TCU, where they formed the best tackle/guard duo in the country. Coleman possesses elite play strength and an NFL-ready frame. He has quick feet and length that should allow him to be a high-end left tackle but his game should also translate really well at guard. Expect Coleman to be one of the biggest risers in college football this fall.

20. Houston Texans (Via CLE): EGDE Dallas Turner, Alabama

General Manager Nick Caserio and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans love Alabama players, so Turner would be a homerun pick to pair with Will Anderson Jr. Turner is a speed rusher who still needs to develop a power profile but he has shown he can get after the quarterback in the SEC for multiple seasons.

21. Detroit Lions: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Had it not been for a torn ACL, Morgan would have been a first-round pick in the 2022 draft. The Lions don’t have many holes but they could look to add to their offensive line. Morgan is strong, anchors well and has great balance. He elevated his play in 2022 and is an ascending prospect.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Even though the Chargers brought back Trey Pipkins, they could look to upgrade their right tackle spot. Mims doesn’t have a ton of experience but he played well for Georgia down the stretch. His former five-star background shows up on film and he has the tools to be a better prospect than Broderick Jones. Mims just has to play at a high level for an entire season.

23. New Orleans Saints: WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee

A true X that the Saints are missing, McCoy has unbelievable hands. He is excellent at the catch point and makes a lot of difficult receptions. For his size, McCoy is a fluid athlete who can create separation at all three levels of the field. As the focal point of the Tennessee offense this season, he could put up video game numbers.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan

A versatile defensive tackle, Jenkins could bolster a solid but unspectacular Jaguar defensive line. His combination of quickness and play strength stands out on film and he was always in the backfield. Jenkins is a safe pick and he’ll be a very good starter for a long time in the NFL, with the talent to develop into a pro bowler. He’s going to be a better prospect than Mazi Smith, who the Cowboys just selected in the first round.

25. Baltimore Ravens: OT Anthony Belton, North Carolina State

By the end of the season, Belton will be higher on this list, as he possesses the length, athleticism and play strength that doesn’t last long on draft night. As of late, NC State has done a great job developing offensive linemen and Belton has superstar potential. He’s going to step in and be a starting tackle wherever he goes.

26. Dallas Cowboys: OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Dallas will need to sure-up their interior offensive line and Jackson would be a perfect fit. He plays with a mauler mentality and doesn’t give up pressures. His balance, hand placement and ability at the second level were very impressive for a sophomore. Jackson is the best guard prospect from Ohio State in recent memory.

27. Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ): LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

The only linebacker in this mock, Mondon Jr., blends Nakobe Dean's instincts with Quay Walker's athleticism. Linebacker has gone down in value as of late but Mondon Jr.’s film is too good for him to fall to the second round. He is fluid and natural in coverage. He also has a quick trigger and doesn’t miss tackles. Pairing him with Walker could give the Packers an excellent tandem for the next ten years. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Jalin Conyers, Arizona State

Cincinnati didn't address tight end in the 2023 draft and it is their only hole on offense. Conyers moves like a wide receiver in a tight end's body. He is extremely quick and can create separation with ease. Conyers is also excellent with the ball in his hands. This a luxury pick that would give Cincinnati the best offense in the NFL.

29. San Francisco 49ers: DB Bud Clark, TCU

The second TCU player off the board, Clark is a versatile defensive back who would help a weak 49ers secondary. He has a knack for finding the football, as he had five interceptions in 2022, including a pick-six against Michigan in the College Football Playoff. Clark can defend the run and was an effective tackler on film. In the slot last season, Clark displayed impressive speed, physicality and instincts.

30. Buffalo Bills: DS Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

The Bills have the best safety duo in the NFL but they are both 32 years old. Nubin is as safe as you get at the safety position and can start as a rookie on a playoff-caliber team. Nubin excels as a zone defender and does great work in the run game. He is always in the right position on film and can take away the football with seven picks over the last two years.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Aaron Lewis, Rutgers

With the talent the Eagles have, they can continue to invest in the defensive line. Lewis' hand usage is well beyond his years and he has many ways to get after the quarterback. He possesses a very good bullrush and bend to win the outside track. Lewis' 2022 tape showed a player with first-round upside.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR AD Mitchell, Texas

Kansas City has one of the worst receiver rooms in the NFL. Mitchell had a dominant spring game at Texas and has always been good on the field. If Mitchell plays up to his ability, he won’t be here at 32 but he’s worthy of first-round talk on talent alone.