2024 NFL Mock Draft: The Year of the Offensive Tackle

Jack Borowsky unveils a 2024 Mock Draft!

The 2024 draft class is already shaping up to be a really impressive group, especially at offensive tackle. It is a historic group and the position could see record numbers in the first round. Granted, a lot can change over the next ten months but here is an early 2024 mock draft.

1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Caleb Williams, Southern California

The new Cardinals regime didn’t draft Kyler Murray, so if they land the first pick, this will be a no-brainer. With another good season at USC, Williams will be viewed in that same tier as Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow as prospects.

2. *TRADE* Los Angeles Rams (Via ARI) QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

If the Cardinals land the top two picks, they will definitely look to trade the second pick for a haul. The Commanders have been a quarterback away for a while and Maye is a legitimate top passer. He has some similarities to Justin Herbert. Matthew Stafford looked like a shell of himself in 2022 and the Rams have always been an aggressive organization. Maye is worth the price to move up this high. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

The top quarterback recruits ever, Ewers' natural ability is off the charts. His tape against Alabama before injuring his shoulder and having to leave the game was unbelievable. This season Ewers will have the best group of weapons in the country to work with and a very solid offensive line. He should have tremendous success, and it wouldn't be shocking if Texas found itself in the playoff. Tampa Bay will be looking for its post-Tom Brady era signal caller and Ewers could be that answer.

4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

The Titans had a lot of success against the run last season but need to bolster their pass rush group. Verse is the top senior in the country and dominated at Florida State last season. He has a relentless motor to go along with elite speed and athleticism. Verse is a slam dunk top-five pick and should be an early favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

5. Indianapolis Colts: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Georgia had a top-15 pick in Broderick Jones at offensive tackle last season and Mims is an even better prospect. His first start against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff was so good that if he repeats his success, Mims will be a top pick. His combination of size, length and athleticism are hard to find. He also plays under control, with great balance. Indianapolis could look to upgrade either tackle spot next season and Mims projects well to either side.

6. Arizona Cardinals (Via LAR): WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Pairing Harrison Jr. with Caleb Williams will be hard to stop for the next decade. Harrison Jr. would have been the first wideout drafted had he been eligible for the 2023 draft. He could be a top 10-15 wideout in the NFL as early as his rookie season.

7. Chicago Bears (Via CAR): EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Chicago's pass rush was non-existent last season and it won't be much better this fall. Robinson is explosive, with the best bend in the class. He finished really strong down the stretch and has the talent to lead the country in sacks next season. He'd be the Bears' top pass rusher from day one.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DT Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State

The Falcons will need to find their Grady Jarrett replacement and Hall has the quickness and pass rush ability to be that kind of player. Hall is the best player on the Ohio State defense and was virtually unstoppable last season. He’s going to be a franchise-changing player that teams will covet in the top ten.

9. New England Patriots: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

The Patriots haven’t had their long-term answer at left tackle since the departure of Nate Solder, so they could look to take one in the first round. It was a surprise when Fashanu returned to school following an impressive redshirt sophomore campaign and he would have been a top-ten pick last April. It is an excellent offensive tackle class but Fashanu should still find himself near the top of the draft.

10. Washington Commanders: OT Patrick Paul, Houston

If the Commanders take Patrick, they could pair him with his brother Chris as the starting left tackle and left guard for the 2024 season. What stands out on Patrick’s film is how he plays up to his competition. He had a fantastic performance against Tyree Wilson and was the better player that day. When at his best, Paul’s size, length and foot speed make it so hard for defenders to beat him. He has pro bowl potential and shouldn’t wait long to hear his name called in the first round.

11. Chicago Bears: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

The Bears have invested a lot in their secondary but are still missing a number one cornerback. If they let Jaylon Johnson walk, selecting McKinstry, the best cornerback in the draft, could be an option. He isn’t on the same level as Pat Surtain II but is close. Adding Chop Robinson and McKinstry would take a young and emerging defense to the next level.

12. Green Bay Packers: DS Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The Packers have selected only one offensive player with their first pick since 2011, so they'll continue to look to add top defenders. Green Bay will be familiar with DeJean, as they took his teammate Lukas Van Ness in the 2023 draft. With Darnell Savage most likely gone after the season, the Packers will desperately need to address their safety group. DeJean has high-end ball skills, instincts and is really fast. He has several wow moments on film and has the makeup to be the best safety in the NFL.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: DT Gabe Hall, Baylor

There are a lot of similarities between Hall and Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones. He has excellent movement skills for his size and flashed immense upside on film in 2022. Hall will be the biggest riser of all the defensive tackles in the country and should be a workout warrior. He, Tyree Wilson and Maxx Crosby would be a scary good trio upfront.

14. Minnesota Vikings: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

The Vikings traded for TJ Hockenson but Bowers is a much different player and would add another element to the Vikings passing game. He might not have the measurables of Kyle Pitts but Bowers' tape is just as good. Tight ends might struggle to go as high, as the return on investment hasn’t been great at the top of the draft but Bowers is worthy of a top 20 selection.

15. Denver Broncos: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Left tackle Garrett Bolles will be 32 and in the last year of his contract in 2024, so the Broncos could look for his successor. Morgan has elite play strength and does a great job climbing to the second level. He has grip vices for hands and the foot quickness to mirror pass rushers with ease. Morgan is recovering from a torn ACL but if he comes back and plays like he did in 2022, he will be long gone by pick 15.

16. New York Giants: DB Javon Bullard, Georgia

A chess piece for the Georgia defense, Bullard is just a gamer. He won defensive MVP in both the College Football Playoff Semifinal and National Championship. Bullard can play any position in the secondary and excel there. His hip fluidity and route recognition stood out in man coverage and Bullard has elite ball skills. He’s a better version of Daxton Hill, who the Bengals selected in the first round in 2022. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will get the most out of Bullard’s skill set and make him a household name in New York.

17. Detroit Lions: OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

A powerful offensive lineman, Coleman has four position versatility. The Lions don't have a lot of holes, so they could target Coleman. He'd step in from day one and be a high-end starting guard and then take over at left tackle when Taylor Decker's contract is up. Coleman is a special run blocker who could cement the Lions' offensive line as the best in the league.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

The Steelers could address the offensive line or secondary here but it could be hard to pass up on a weapon. Nabers is next in line for the LSU Tigers and his playmaking ability will add an element to the Steelers offense they are currently missing. Allen Robinson is probably only there for one year, so Nabers would step in and take his spot.

19. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

With Rashawn Slater already at left tackle, Alt will have to transition to the right side. He is an NFL-ready pass protector with two years of consistent tape. Trey Pipkins is a serviceable right tackle but Alt would give the Chargers one of the best bookend duos in the NFL.

20. Miami Dolphins: OT Anthony Belton, NC State

The Dolphins have a gaping hole at right tackle, Tua’s blindside. Belton has an excellent combination of power and athleticism. He has the foot quickness, knee bend and length to be one of the best pass protectors in the NFL. His play strength and movement skills will allow him to have success in the run game as well. Belton will be entering his second year as a starter in 2023, so there is a chance he takes another jump and ends up going higher than this.

21. New Orleans Saints: C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

The top center in the class, Van Pran, is going to check a lot of boxes teams look for in a center. He has the experience, NFL size and was the anchor on back-to-back national championship teams. Van Pran’s football IQ is off the charts and will allow him to step in and start. The Saints hoped Cesar Ruiz would work out at center but he’s struggled so far and will be a free agent. There are a lot of similarities between Van Pran and Creed Humphrey, who has turned into a top two center in the NFL.

22. Houston Texans (Via CLE): CB Kalen King, Penn State

A feisty player, King is an instinctive cornerback who doesn’t give up separation in coverage. He plays the position the right way and is always around the football. King had three interceptions and nine pass breakups last season. The Texans need to improve their defense and King would pair nicely with Derek Stingley Jr.

23. Seattle Seahawks: DS Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

With a large cap hit in 2024, the Seahawks could look to move off of Quandre Diggs. Nubin is a playmaker defensively, with ball skills and range teams covet at safety. He can play in the box and deep as well. Nubin is the top senior safety and will be a decade-long starter in the NFL. The Seahawks are in win-now mode and Nubin would be a great addition to their secondary.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

The Jaguars have a very good defense but could add another cornerback to their secondary. Abrams-Draine could run in the 4.3s and the former wideout is great at playing the ball in the air. He has improved over the course of his career and should take another jump this fall. He and Tyson Campbell on the outside will give the Jaguars a lot of speed and playmaking ability, two traits teams value at cornerback.

25. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest

Cincinnati has used a lot of draft capital as of late on their secondary but that doesn’t mean they should pass up a player with Carson’s ability. He is a true outside cornerback who does an excellent job staying in phase and locking down wideouts in man coverage. Carson has the tools to develop into a pro bowl caliber player.

26. Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ): DT Maason Smith, LSU

Going into his sophomore campaign, it looked like Smith was well on his way to being a top-ten pick. A torn ACL in week one of last season prevented him from having a dominant season but there was enough on his freshman film to warrant first round consideration. The Packers love to add to their defense and do so here with Smith.

27. Dallas Cowboys: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

The Cowboys didn’t address wide receiver early in the 2023 draft and could look to add a compliment to CeeDee Lamb in the first round. Egbuka isn’t on the same level as Harrison Jr. as a prospect but projects as a good number two at the next level. That is exactly what Dallas needs late in the first round.

28. Baltimore Ravens: OT JC Latham, Alabama

Right now, Latham is more of a projection but he has first round upside. Morgan Moses is 32, so he isn’t the long-term answer at right tackle for the Ravens. Ronnie Stanley has struggled to stay healthy on the left side too. They could look to add a guard here if the board falls a certain way but the offensive line has to be addressed early on in the draft.

29. San Francisco 49ers: WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina

One of the fastest receivers in the nation, Walker can take the top of the defense. He was blowing by Georgia defenders when Kent State took on the Bulldogs. Now at North Carolina, he should have a lot of success with Drake Maye at quarterback. Walker is a blazer and is great with the ball in his hands, making him a candidate to be a big riser this upcoming season. The 49ers might not be able to afford Brandon Aiyuk, so they’d be able to insert Walker into the starting lineup as a rookie.

30. Buffalo Bills: LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

The only reason Mondon Jr. would be available at 30 is because of the lack of value at linebacker. He is a first round caliber player and has all the measurables teams look for in a linebacker. He’d take over Tremaine Edmunds’ spot at middle linebacker for the Bills and help keep that defense intact.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Da'Quan Felton, Virginia Tech

The Eagles have two of the best wideouts in football but are lacking a quality third option. Felton has elite size at six-foot-four and 4.3 speed, which would make the Eagles' offense that much more dangerous. Felton has a massive catch radius and dominated at Norfolk State. Now at Virginia Tech, he should establish himself as one of the best players in the ACC. His upside makes him worthy of a first round selection.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

Even though he’s undersized, Newton possesses a skill set that will be hard to pass up on in the back half of the first round. He can get after the quarterback and has a similar skill set to Javon Hargrave, who has developed into one of the best interior rushers in the NFL. If Calijah Kancey can be a first round pick, Newton can as well. He and Chris Jones would be hard to stop upfront.

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