2024 NFL Draft: Where Does Drake Maye, Malik Nabers Go in Post-Free Agency Mock?

We take a look at the scope of the first round after the major waves in free agency have ended.
2024 NFL Draft: Where Does Drake Maye, Malik Nabers Go in Post-Free Agency Mock?
2024 NFL Draft: Where Does Drake Maye, Malik Nabers Go in Post-Free Agency Mock? /

Free agency is over and it is full steam ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.

With team needs across the league changing in a radical way as a result of free agency, that means previously written mock drafts are worth less than the paper they were printed on.

So, how do we see the first round after the major waves of free agency? We break it down below.

No. 1, Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams

Finally, the Justin Fields trade conversations are over. You simply can't pass on Caleb Williams here.

No. 2, Washington Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

This isn't the pick I'd make, but it sure seems like it is the direction they are going.

No. 3, New England Patriots: UNC QB Drake Maye

If Drake Maye is there, the Patriots should cut all phone wires and sprint to the stage to submit the pick.

No. 4, Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Cardinals have one of the worst receiver rooms in football right now. This feels like an obvious pick.

No. 5, Los Angeles Chargers: LSU WR Malik Nabers

I almost went with Joe Alt here, but the Chargers don't have a No. 1 or a No. 2 receiver currently on their roster.

No. 6, New York Giants: Washington WR Rome Odunze

The Giants should try to move up for Maye. If they can't, they should at least be able to get a No. 1 wideout. 

No. 7, Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

The Titans need a left tackle in the worst way and get a high-upside one in Alt.

No. 8, Atlanta Falcons: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

The Falcons took care of quarterback and wide receiver in free agency; now, it is time to find a pass-rusher.

No. 9, Chicago Bears: Oregon State OL Tailese Fuaga

With the top wideouts and No. 1 EDGE off the board, the Bears would be smart to continue to build the offensive line.

No. 10, New York Jets: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

The Jets picked up some offensive line and receiver help in free agency. Now, they get a starting-caliber tight end. 

No. 11, Minnesota Vikings: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

This would be an asinine pick, but it sure seems like it is the vibe right now. 

No. 12, Denver Broncos: Oregon QB Bo Nix

See above. 

No. 13, Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia OL Amarius Mims  

The Raiders have big questions at right tackle right now and land a solution that would appeal to the Al Davis era in a big way.

No. 14, New Orleans Saints: Penn State OL Olu Fashanu

Saints luck out in a big way and land a legitimate Day 1 left tackle. Fashanu dealt with some injuries, but he has top-5 tools.

No. 15, Indianapolis Colts: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

A perfect fit in Gus Bradley's system, Cooper DeJean could quiet a rabid fan base that is devouring itself over L'Jarius Sneed rumors.

No. 16, Seattle Seahawks: Washington OL Troy Fautanu

The Seahawks have a gaping hole at guard and Troy Fautanu's college coordinator is their new play-caller. Win-win.

No. 17, Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Jaguars luck out and land a top-notch cornerback prospect with size, speed, production, and slot versatility. 

No. 18, Cincinnati Bengals: Texas DL Byron Murphy III

The Bengals signed Trent Brown, so they could go with a disruptive interior rusher over a right tackle here.

No. 19, Los Angeles Rams: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Rams need to continue to add pieces to their defense after the retirement of Aaron Donald. Try to name some of their starters right now. Try it.

No. 20, Pittsburgh Steelers: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Massive receiver with a blazing 40 and a ton of college highlights? Brian Thomas Jr. is a Steeler through and through.

No. 21, Miami Dolphins: Illinois DL Jer'Zhan Newton

Dolphins replace Christian Wilkins with a productive and athletic interior pass-rusher.

No. 22, Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

One of the best cover men in the class, Nate Wiggins would be big for a cornerback room that fell apart in 2023. 

No. 23, Minnesota Vikings: FSU EDGE Jared Verse

Adding another young edge to develop across from Jonathan Greenard should be a priority for the Vikings.

No. 24, Dallas Cowboys: Alabama OL JC Latham

The Cowboys need to replace two starting offensive lineman, and JC Latham gives them the flexibility to try a few different combinations.

No. 25, Green Bay Packers: Duke OL Graham Barton

Call him a tackle, call him a guard, call him a center, it doesn't matter. Graham Barton just seems like a Packer.

No. 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

Tampa Bay's defense needs edge help and Laiatu Latu has some of the best film and production in the class.

No. 27, Arizona Cardinals: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Cardinals stop the fall of Kool-Aid McKinstry and land a potential No. 1 cornerback.

No. 28, Buffalo Bills: Oklahoma OL Tyler Guyton

Buffalo's offensive line is in flux this offseason, so a high-upside and versatile option like Tyler Guyton would make sense as a short-term band-aid and long-term solution. 

No. 29, Detroit Lions: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

The Lions have a great tight end and slot receiver, but they could stand to improve on the outsider, Adonai Mitchell would be a good fit.

No. 30, Baltimore Ravens: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

With Jadeveon Clowney moving on in free agency, it makes sense for the Ravens to go with the top pass-rusher on the board.

No. 31, San Francisco 49ers: Arizona OL Jordan Morgan

The 49ers' offensive line was a mess in the Super Bowl -- again. Plus, they need to start thinking about life after Trent Williams. 

No. 32, Kansas City Chiefs: BYU OL Kingsley Suamataia

The Chiefs have a looming hole at left tackle; a significantly bigger one than they do at receiver, especially after the Marquise Brown signing. 


Published
John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.