2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects Tumble in New 1st-Round Forecast

This updated first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft has some big names falling down the board.

Luke Easterling | Jan 20, 2024

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects Tumble in New 1st-Round Forecast /

Even at this point in the pre-draft process, there's a solid list of the usual suspects who are routinely projected to land among the top 10 or 15 selections, and the 2024 NFL Draft cycle has been no different.

But the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has some big names tumbling down the board, and some surprising ones on the rise.

After kicking off his first-round projection with three straight quarterbacks, followed by three straight wide receivers, the first big surprise is Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu falling out of the top 10. Widely considered to be a top-five lock as a franchise left tackle with immense upside, Fashanu lands with the Las Vegas Raiders at the No. 13 spot in Jeremiah's latest projection.

Could Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu fall out of the top 10? / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has been another top-10 mainstay in most early mock drafts, but Jeremiah has him dropping the the Indianapolis Colts at the No. 15 selection.

Two of this year's top cornerback prospects, Clemson's Nate Wiggins (No. 30, Detroit Lions) and Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers), barely make the first-round cut in this projection, going back to back at the end of the round.

One big name that doesn't make appearance in this mock draft is Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, who was getting top-10 buzz earlier in the college football season.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also falls out of the first round, while Oregon quarterback Bo Nix is the fourth and final quarterback in this top-32 projection, heading to the New Orleans Saints at the No. 14 slot.

A few players who come off the board earlier than usual in this projection: Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (No. 11, Minnesota Vikings), Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (No. 17, Jacksonville Jaguars), Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (No. 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (No. 29, Kansas City Chiefs).

To check out the full first-round projection from Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com, click here.

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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