NFL Mock Draft 3.0 - Projecting Raiders, More

It's time for our third NFL mock draft, predicting where players will go in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 2024 NFL Draft is just over a month away.

Many NFL teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, are looking to find young players who will best fit their roster and win them championships.

Now that most of the dust has settled in free agency and many players have conducted pro days let’s look at the third edition of our mock draft series.

This is a no-trade mock draft, so I am keeping the order as it is.

1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Lock this pick in until the draft. The Bears are beginning a new era under Williams, a player with the natural talent, arm strength, and athleticism to be an upper-tier quarterback for a long time.

2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

New Coach Dan Quinn and Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury get their franchise guy to start their tenure. Maye has the size and playmaking ability to be a star.

3. New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett, but they need a long-term option. Jerod Mayo gets his franchise quarterback in the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, who can throw with precision and make plays on the run.

4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Cardinals need to find a star pass-catcher for Kyler Murray to throw to. They get that with the best wide receiver prospect in 17 years. Harrison has the size, speed, and excellent hands to become a star playmaker quickly.

5. Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Chargers traded Keenan Allen to the Bears and released Mike Williams, so they need to add to their wide receiver room. They get the most explosive receiver in the draft to start. Nabers led the FBS in receiving yards and constantly created explosive plays.

6. New York Giants - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Giants have been rumored to be interested in a quarterback in this class, but they go with a receiver here. Odunze is big, fast, and a sudden route runner. He becomes their No. 1 receiver almost immediately.

7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Titans have their franchise quarterback, and now they need someone to protect him up front. Alt was an All-American and profiles as a star left tackle in the NFL. He is 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds with the profile of an elite pass protector.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Falcons have long needed to address their pass rush. They do so here with a massive, athletic presence off the edge. Latu has strong hands and an explosive release off the snap.

9. Chicago Bears - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Bears get Caleb Williams at No. 1 and No. 9, and they get the best tight end prospect in the class. Bowers is a unique offensive player who can block well in the run game and constantly finds himself open in the passing game. He and Cole Kmet form an elite tight-end duo.

10. New York Jets - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Jets’ offensive line situation was abysmal in 2023. Many of their starters dealt with injury. They select Fashanu here, a player with a massive frame and elite pass-protecting skills. They’ll hope he stays healthy during his rookie year.

11. Minnesota Vikings - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Minnesota doesn’t have to trade up to get their next franchise quarterback in the post-Kirk Cousins era. McCarthy has good physical tools but did not throw much in Michigan. Can Coach Kevin O’Connell maximize his skill set in his pass-heavy scheme?

12. Denver Broncos - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Broncos need a dominant presence off the edge—Turner projects as a player who can be that, although raw. Turner’s physical tools are some of the best for an edge rusher in this class.

13. Las Vegas Raiders - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

A new cornerback goes to the Raiders with this pick. Mitchell plays with the kind of competitiveness Coach Antonio Pierce would adore every snap. He becomes the No. 1 cornerback for the Silver and Black.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected defensive end Tyree Wilson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Who will they take this year? / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

14. New Orleans Saints - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Fautanu was widely considered an offensive lineman who could move to guard. After his impressive NFL Scouting Combine performance, he proved he could stay at tackle in the league. The Saints get a starter after parting ways with Andrus Peat.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Out of all the edge rushers in this class, Verse may have the highest floor. His combination of explosiveness, quickness, and strength is impressive. The Colts select him and turn him loose against the quarterbacks of the AFC South.

16. Seattle Seahawks - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Seahawks like big, powerful offensive linemen. Powers-Johnson fits that mold. He will move defenders in the run game and can stabilize Seattle’s offensive line for many, many years.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

A player previously mocked by the Raiders the last two weeks, Arnold slips a bit but lands in a good spot in Jacksonville. Arnold’s IQ and solid technique create a nice pairing with Tyson Campbell.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Bengals signed offensive tackle Trent Brown to a one-year contract, so they don’t need a tackle immediately. However, Fuaga can play guard for a season and eventually slide over. He is elite in the run game and can protect Joe Burrow, which Cincinnati has needed since they took him in 2020.

19. Los Angeles Rams - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Rams have needed a left tackle since Andrew Whitworth retired. Mims is a mountainous prospect at 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds. He also has astounding athleticism for that size.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Now that Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have shored up the Steelers’ quarterback room, they need players to protect them. Latham can immediately play right tackle to bolster Pittsburgh’s offense.

21. Miami Dolphins - Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DT, Illinois

Christian Wilkins is a Raider, so the Dolphins have to replace him. Newton is a monster in the interior. He plays hard every snap, which will tire out AFC East offensive lines.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Eagles struggled in the second half of 2023, especially defensively. Wiggins can help them in the defensive backfield with his impressive speed, athleticism, and competitiveness.

23. Minnesota Vikings (from Texans via Browns) - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Vikings get a quarterback with their pick, then use the pick they acquired from the Houston Texans to add a defensive lineman. Murphy is an absolute game-wrecker on the interior. His athletic tools also give him the potential to be a pass-rusher.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Dallas doesn’t necessarily need another defensive back with an All-Pro in DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs coming off an injury, but DeJean’s skill set is too unique and enticing to pass up. He can play either cornerback or safety and provide special teams play.

25. Green Bay Packers - Graham Barton, OT, Duke

The Packers often use their offensive linemen in multiple positions. That is something Barton can adjust to. He played mostly left tackle for the Blue Devils but also has the profile to play guard or center.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

There is no more athletic edge rusher in the draft than Chop Robinson. He explodes off the snap and gets to the quarterback with lightning speed. He is a raw prospect, but Tampa Bay can work with him and mold him.

27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

McKinstry finds himself better positioned after an impressive Pro Day, where he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash on an injured foot. McKinstry is an excellent athlete with a competitive nature that should allow him to thrive in the NFL.

28. Buffalo Bills - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Thomas, the second Tigers receiver to be selected in the first round, is a long, athletic, explosive receiver who should complement Stefon Diggs and endear himself to Josh Allen.

29. Detroit Lions - T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

The Lions need to add to their secondary, and Tampa is the type of player Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn would love. He is massive for a corner at 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds. He is a fluid, explosive athlete who would quickly improve Detroit’s defense.

30. Baltimore Ravens - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Ravens need to add more weapons for Lamar Jackson in the passing game. Coleman has a skill set the Ravens do not currently have: a big-bodied red zone target with better speed than he showed at the Combine.

31. San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The 49ers have an excellent offensive line, but it would be elite if they add a massive body like Guyton. He stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 322 pounds but moves like he is half that size.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Chiefs can add a talented outside receiver prospect with their pick and do so here with Mitchell. His rare size and speed combination could make him a star. The rich get richer.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again. Sign up RIGHT HERE for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes thrice a week and delivers all our best stories.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.