2024 NFL Mock Draft

The draft doesn’t start until April 25 and the results will probably end up being different than most people think, but using data to project results is what we do at Gridiron Gambler so here is my first ever NFL mock draft.

I looked at each teams stats for 2023 to see what they did well and not so well. I also compared those results to 2022 to see if the team had any improvement in certain areas last year. Free agency signees were also reviewed to see if a team plugged a hole, as well as the 2022 draft results to see if a team was planning ahead for this years free agency. Based on those results, here is what I would do if I was drafting for each team.

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears

Caleb williams, QB, USC

This is probably the easiest projection in the history of mock drafts. It’s no secret what the Bears are going to do with the 1st overall pick, but I’m a bit worried for Caleb. Yes, the Bears have done a good job of acquiring weapons via trade the last few off seasons, but what about protecting the young QB? The o-line struggled the last few years for expected QB savior Fields, why would they be better for Williams?

2. Washington Commanders

jayden daniels, QB, LSU

The Commanders need a QB, and Daniels is the best on the board. His big arm and ability to make all the throws fits new OC Kingsbury offense well.

3. New England Patriots

J.J. Mccarthy, QB, Michigan

I’ve never been to Boston, but I heard it gets cold there in the 2nd half of the season. I also expect the offense to be about controlling the clock and running the ball. Who better to lead a cold weather, run first offense than McCarthy?

4. Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison jr., WR, Ohio State

Here is where things can get interesting. We know from past drafts that AZ GM Ossenfort is capable of wheeling and dealing, so if someone wants QB Maye, this could be where they come to get him. In my mind, potentially getting the best player in the draft is too good to pass up, especially when it fills a need position.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

joe alt, OT, Notre dame

Another potential spot for a team to move up and get QB Maye, and I bet LAC would love to move back, get more assets in current draft, and help to shore up the roster. However, in this scenario, getting the best OT is a dream come true. Protecting QB Herbert and opening running lanes should be most important for this offense. Harbaugh has never been one to take a top WR, and while LAC lost top 2 WR’s from the team, there is plenty of depth at that position to address later in the draft.

6. New York Giants

drake maye, Qb, north carolina

If the top-5 picks shake out as outline above, expect the Giants to run to the podium to draft QB Maye.

7. Tennessee Titans

**trade** new york jets

With OT Alt going #5 to LAC, the Titans look to move back to get a few more assets. The NYJ wants to move up and get more WR help

7. New York Jets

rome odunze, wr, washington

The NYJ come up in front of the Bears and get QB Rodgers another toy for his farewell season

8. Atlanta Falcons

dallas turner, de alabama

After spending $180 million to shore up the QB spot, ATL takes the first defensive player off the board.

9. Chicago Bears

malik nabers, wr, LSu

It would be wise to get o-line help here to protect new franchise QB Williams, but when do the Bears do anything wise? The trade for WR Allen only keeps him in CHI for 1 year, and drafting his replacement now would be forward looking and smart. Wait, that doesn’t sound like the Bears either, so they will probably draft a defensive player.

10. New York Jets

**trade** tennesse titans

10. Tennessee Titans

olumuyiwa fashanu, ot, penn state

After trading back a few spots from #7, the Titans still get much needed o-line help.

11. Minnesota Vikings

**trade** Jacksonville jaguars

MIN was unable to move up and land it’s QB of the future, so instead of reaching for the 5th QB here, they trade back and pick up a few more pieces.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

quinyon mitchell, cb, toledo

The Jaguars need secondary help, and before DEN or IND can grab the top CB, they move up and get their man.

12. Denver Broncos

**trade** pittsburgh steelers

Like the Vikings, DEN was unable to move up to get QB of future, so instead is trading back to get more assets for this draft. PIT moves in front of IND to get the 2nd CB.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

terrion arnold, cb, alabama

Pairing Arnold with Porter Jr. from the 2023 draft gives PIT a potential CB tandem for years to come.

13. Las Vegas Raiders

jc latham, OT, alabama

I don’t care who plays QB for the Raiders, if they can’t protect him, he won’t be any good, so the Raiders get some o-line help.

14. New Orleans Saints

jared verse, de, florida state

This should be a pick on the o-line, but NO has a defensive head coach, and they usually invest on that side of the ball.

15. Indianapolis Colts

brock bowers, te, Georgia

The slide for Bowers ends with IND, who gets a versatile offensive weapon that would be perfect in HC Steichen’s offense and provide a nice safety blanket for young QB Richardson.

16. Seattle Seahawks

**trade** Kansas city chiefs

KC was expected to go after WR help in this draft, but after WR Rice’s current legal problems the team is more desperate to get a top WR in this draft.

16. Kansas City Chiefs

adonai mitchell, wr, texas

Stability in the WR position is critical for KC’s future success.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

**trade** minnesota vikings

17. Minnesota Vikings

byron murphy, dt, texas

After sliding down in the trade with JAX, MIN gets the much needed DT to anchor the d-line.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

brian thomas jr., wr, lsu

Higgins is on the franchise tag, and a long term contract will soon be needed for WR Chase. I doubt CIN will pay both Higgins and Chase, so might as well get Higgins replacement now.

19. Los Angeles Rams

troy fautanu, ot, washington

LAR should continue to invest in the o-line in this draft. It’s clear this team goes as QB Stafford goes, so keeping him upright and healthy should be top priority.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

**trade** denver broncos

20. Denver Broncos

bo nix, qb, oregon

After failing to move up and land top-5 QB, DEN moves back and still gets a QB to help with the mess made when acquiring QB Wilson.

21. Miami Dolphins

Taliese fuaga, ot oregon state

MIA has had lots of o-line departures this offseason, and QB Tua needs to be kept upright.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

cooper dejean, cb, iowa

I would prefer to see PHL draft the successor to OT Johnson with this pick, but he might have a few more years than I expect left in the tank. Instead the Eagles turn to help on the defensive side, and get a good CB to help in the secondary.

23. Minnesota Vikings

michael penix jr., qb, Washington

MIN was unable to package picks and get one of the top-4 QB’s in the draft, so they stay patient, collect more assets and still get a potential franchise QB late in the first round.

24. Dallas Cowboys

graham barton, iol, duke

O-line or RB should be the pick, but with RB talent better slated for a day-2 pick, I’ll give the Cowboys some help on the o-line.

25. Green Bay Packers

laiatu latu, de, ucla

Probably better off getting an OT to replace departing LT Bakhtiari, but GB gets some defensive help and stops the slide on Latu.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

nate wiggins, cb, clemson

With a defensive head coach, I expect a pick that can go a lot of ways will end up going defense, and TB takes best defensive player on the board.

27. Arizona Cardinals

amarius mims, ot, georgia

AZ got WR help with pick 4, and they get more protection for big money QB Murray with this pick.

28. Buffalo Bills

chop robinson, olb, penn state

The expectation is that BUF will draft a replacement for WR Diggs in the 1st round, but I didn’t see BUF being aggressive enough to move up and get their man like KC did. If BUF fails to move up in the 1st to grab a WR, look for them to add pass rush help with this pick.

29. Detroit Lions

darius robinson, de, missouri

It seems like DET goes back and forth on which side of the ball they use 1st round pick on. With a double dip on offense in last years draft, look for DET to get some d-line help with this years 1st pick.

30. Baltimore Ravens

ladd mcconkey, wr, georgia

The Ravens continue to search for answers at the WR spot.

31. San Francisco 49ers

Jer’zhan newton, dt, illinois

SF loves investing on the defensive side of the ball, especially the d-line. DT Newton’s interior pass rush skill looks to be a perfect match for SF

32. Kansas City Chiefs

**trade** seattle seahawks

32. Seattle Seahawks

ennis rakestraw jr., cb, missouri

After trading down, SEA picks up some secondary help to close out the 1st round.

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