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

This updated first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft throws plenty of curveballs.

Luke Easterling | Feb 13, 2024

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

Most early projections for the 2024 NFL Draft appear to have come to a consensus at the top, with three quarterbacks coming off the board in the same order most of the time.

USC's Caleb Williams is usually in the No. 1 spot, followed by North Carolina's Drake Maye, then LSU's Jayden Daniels.

But the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from Joe DeLeone at BLEAV goes in a different direction after sending Williams to the Chicago Bears at No. 1, flipping the other two passers as Daniels lands with the Washington Commanders at the No. 2 pick, while the New England Patriots grab Maye at No. 3.

Both Daniels and Maye deserve consideration for the No. 1 pick alongside Williams, so it wouldn't be a terrible shock to see either of them go No. 2. While Maye has owned that No. 2 spot since last offseason, Daniels' incredible 2023 campaign that ended with a Heisman Trophy has launched him into that same range.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye — Drake Maye could fall to the No. 3 pick if Jayden Daniels leapfrogs over him / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

That's not the only surprise in this mock draft, either.

The Tennessee Titans pass up Penn State's Olu Fashanu at No. 7 in favor of another offensive tackle, Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga. One pick later, the Atlanta Falcons reach for the fourth quarterback off the board, spending a top-10 selection on Oregon's Bo Nix.

Other surprises in this projection include Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze falling out of the top 10 (No. 12, Denver Broncos), Fashanu tumbling all the way to the Indianapolis Colts at the No. 15 pick, and UConn offensive lineman Christian Haynes leaping into the first round (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers) after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl.

To check out the full first-round mock draft at BLEAV, click here.

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Published Feb 13, 2024

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