2024 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots, Seahawks among teams selecting first-round QBs-ZoomTech News

Let the hypothesis start.

With the NFL season formally coming to a detailed after the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been topped Tremendous Bowl champions, soccer followers now shift their focus to the 2024 NFL Draft, which is simply over two months away.

The draft is among the most enjoyable occasions on the soccer calendar, and it’s very completely different from what I get to do within the fall, which is discuss school soccer and issues which are extra concrete. The lead-up to the NFL Draft, for essentially the most half, is speculative.

With that mentioned, I’m going to supply up my first mock draft of the NFL offseason. The great thing about a primary mock draft is that you’re allowed to be artistic and throw out some situations which are actually enjoyable, which is precisely what I did with my mock draft 1.0.

Here’s a have a look at my full 2024 first-round NFL mock draft:

1. Chicago Bears – QB Caleb Williams, USC

I actually consider Chicago goes to finish up buying and selling Justin Fields and choose Williams with the No. 1 total choose. I do know that that is the consensus, however there are a whole lot of issues that make sense on this choose for me. Williams’ expertise cannot be ignored. He is been the closest factor to Patrick Mahomes in school soccer for the final two years. In so some ways, he is much more polished and, at the least in school, was higher than Mahomes was at Texas Tech.

Williams carries so lots of those self same traits that make Mahomes virtually not possible to beat within the postseason. He has the power to make performs exterior of the pocket and is totally lethal on the run, which I feel is his finest attribute. 

This is not an indictment on Fields. I do not suppose that it is a dialog or an analysis between the 2 particular gamers as a result of the small print surrounding these gamers are so vastly completely different. Keep in mind, you are Fields coming into the fourth 12 months of a rookie deal, and now you are going to need to decide: Are you signing him to a long-term contract? Why not begin the rookie contract clock over? I feel that is extra useful than something.

2. Washington Commanders – QB Drake Maye, UNC

If Williams wasn’t within the draft, Maye could be a slam dunk No. 1 total choose.

I obtained to name certainly one of his video games final 12 months when UNC performed within the Vacation Bowl. Even in a loss, he was sensational. My jaw was on the ground many of the evening within the sales space simply due to a number of the performs and throws that he was making. 

He’s a bit Josh Allen 2.0 for me and whenever you have a look at him in school, he is higher than what Allen was at Wyoming. He is huge. There’s some athleticism within the pocket. However then his capacity to get the ball out and heading in the right direction is fairly beautiful. 

3. New England Patriots – QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

The Patriots need to go quarterback as nicely, and Jayden Daniels is the No. 3 quarterback on my listing. Daniels was sensational because the Heisman Trophy winner this previous season and he does so many issues that ought to translate to the trendy NFL.

Ten years in the past, I feel there would have been an even bigger debate surrounding Daniels as a result of he is not the largest quarterback. However his mobility and athleticism, alongside together with his capacity to assault down the sphere by throwing the ball in intermediate and downfield zones, make him very engaging to the subsequent stage. 

It is fairly apparent that New England goes to be trying to find a quarterback. Mac Jones isn’t going to be the reply. 

4. Arizona Cardinals – WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio State

You realize the Cardinals are set with Kyler Murray. They gave him a giant, huge extension, and now they have to present him weapons, notably on the surface.

The perfect one is Harrison, which is a fairly straightforward choose.  You understand how I really feel about him. I feel he is one of the best non-quarterback within the draft. That is a straightforward choice for Arizona.

5. Los Angeles Chargers – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

That is the place it will get attention-grabbing. The primary 4 picks are fairly straightforward, however then you definately surprise the place the Chargers need to go? Do they need to go protection? Do they need to go offensive line? Do they need to get Justin Herbert a weapon?

Realizing what I learn about Jim Harbaugh, his philosophy and the way in which he likes to play offense, he has virtually at all times had a flexible tight finish courting again to his days at Stanford. The take care of Michigan over the previous few years, and even when you return to the 49ers with a man like Vernon Davis, is that you just not solely need to have the power to go down low, however he additionally desires to place two and three tight ends on the sphere to get a giant personnel group to attempt to damage the protection with a flex type, quick tight finish.

Bowers matches Harbaugh completely. I really like this choose. 

6. New York Giants – WR Rome Odunze, Washington

I feel the Giants going large receiver right here, regardless if it is Odunze or Malik Nabers. They want playmakers and I might take Odunze.

Odunze is phenomenal. This man is larger than you suppose he’s. He’s a extremely good route runner. And if not for what I might categorize as a generational expertise in Harrison, Odunze could be categorized as one of the best playmaker at large receiver within the draft.

7. Tennessee Titans – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

The Titans gave up the fourth-most sacks final season. Fortunately for them, this draft is heavy on offensive tackles. This is among the issues that I actually love about this draft – we have a whole lot of quarterbacks, we have superb large receivers, and we have a extremely good, deep group of offensive linemen. This has not been the case in each single draft. Due to that, I feel that there are going to be some variations and variances in the way in which that groups consider these gamers.

I do not know if there’s a surefire No. 1 offensive sort out primarily based on their variations. However it will shock me if Alt wasn’t one of many first two offensive tackles chosen. He is my No. 1 offensive sort out prospect on this draft.

8. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

The Falcons want some pass-rushing assist alongside the sting. Turner is my top-ranked edge rusher, so he stays down south and goes to Atlanta. 

9. Bears (from Carolina Panthers) – WR Malik Nabers, LSU

In my draft, the Bears already chosen Williams, so they should give him some assistance on the surface. With Harrison and Odunze off the board, you need to suppose if the group of large receiver prospects is deep sufficient to go down that rabbit gap so early within the draft. 

I feel it’s. Nabers is a extremely nice participant. If you happen to add him with D.J. Moore as targets for Williams, you’ve got obtained one thing occurring offense. And to be honest to Fields, he by no means had a large receiver duo as proficient as these two. 

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

You have to maximize the years you might have with Aaron Rodgers. He is coming again, however you’ve got obtained to have the ability to defend him.  The Jets have adequate of a protection and Garrett Wilson continues to be on the surface. If you happen to can defend Rodgers, the Jets must be fairly good and a playoff staff.

I obtained to cowl Fashanu a bunch. He is a extremely great human being, perhaps even a greater human being than he’s a soccer participant or vice versa, however he is nice in each classes. He is simply scratching the floor and I feel he is obtained the best upside amongst all offensive linemen within the draft. He would have been the highest offensive sort out taken off the board final 12 months, however he opted to remain and get his diploma.

11. Minnesota Vikings – CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The Vikings, I consider, want some assist in their secondary. Arnold is my high cornerback on this draft, however I am nonetheless diving extra into scouting these gamers as draft prospects. There are a handful of excellent cornerbacks on this draft. 

12. Denver Broncos – QB Bo Nix, Oregon

You’ll be able to argue that that is probably the place the draft begins. We all know there are going to be quarterbacks taken up excessive. The Broncos may attempt to commerce up if Sean Payton falls in love with one of many high quarterbacks. However they do not have a whole lot of ammunition to take action as a result of they do not have a second-round choose.

The Russell Wilson commerce did not work out. Denver has to get low-cost salary-wise on the quarterback place because of this and discover a quarterback who can match Payton’s desire of enjoying like a degree guard. Payton likes to name scat protections in huge moments, the place he is solely going to guard with 5 upfront after which have 5 free releases, relying on his quarterback to guard himself together with his toes and precisely get the ball out on time.

It is likely to be a bit of excessive to pick out Nix, however he matches that mildew completely. He is an skilled, good, level guard-style and correct passer. Possibly the Broncos can transfer again to choose Nix, however they’ve to pick out him within the first spherical as a result of they do not have a second-round choose. 

13. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

The Raiders need assistance upfront and they should get extra bodily. I like Fuaga loads. Not many individuals obtained to see him a ton, however he was terrific for Jonathan Smith. The final couple of years, Oregon State was a extremely good working staff, largely resulting from Fuaga. He was probably the greatest offensive linemen within the nation.

14. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

Verse is a extremely good, athletic participant. I like him loads. I may see him with double-digit sacks early in his profession. 

15. Indianapolis Colts – CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

The Colts need assistance on their protection, notably within the secondary. I do not suppose lots of people know Mitchell except you adopted school soccer at depth. I feel he is a man who will be an under-the-radar riser. He is obtained good pace and he is fluid. 

16. Seattle Seahawks – QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan

That is so attention-grabbing due to their new teaching workers. Mike Macdonald coached beneath John Harbaugh, then Jim Harbaugh, then John Harbaugh once more. What do you suppose he’ll be attempting to construct? The Raven-Michigan method. That is going to be an important protection, onerous edges, run stuffer within the center and good hybrid gamers within the secondary.

Offensively, you need to have the ability to floor and pound after which have a quarterback who can create with a view to play on the high finish with this philosophy. You must have a quarterback that may create. That is why Baltimore is having nice success with Lamar Jackson. That is why Michigan received the nationwide championship. The Wolverines had a quarterback who may full a cross on fourth down in opposition to Alabama or go get a primary down in a number of different huge video games.

No one on this draft, exterior of Jim Harbaugh, goes to know McCarthy in addition to Mike Macdonald, who was the coordinator at Michigan when McCarthy was a freshman. McCarthy wasn’t the starter but, however once I known as lots of their video games that season, everybody knew he was the way forward for this system. 

Now, you have a look at McCarthy’s file at Michigan and the way in which he is performed over the past two years, his play will soar off the tape although he did not throw the ball the way in which the opposite high quarterback prospects did. He performed an important complementary type to the philosophy that Michigan wished to run. I feel that is going to be actually engaging to Macdonald. 

What’s attention-grabbing about that is that former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is now the offensive coordinator in Seattle. Many will suppose that the Seahawks will take Michael Penix Jr. resulting from his pure connection, however it will be Macdonald’s name. He isn’t, essentially, going to need to play the way in which Washington did and throw the ball everywhere in the lot. Macdonald’s going to be attempting to place the philosophy and the organizational construction in place, similar to Michigan and Baltimore.

What quarterback could be higher to do this than the man who simply led Michigan to a 15-0 file and a nationwide championship? He is extra NFL-ready than you suppose.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Jaguars want assist in the secondary. Wiggins is certainly one of my high nook prospects within the draft, so a pure match right here. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals – OT JC Latham, Alabama

I feel this would be the begin of a run on offensive tackles. There are just a few that I wish to be picked within the mid-to-late first-round space. 

The Bengals want offensive line assist and Latham is sensible. He was Alabama’s proper sort out and the Bengals simply want to guard Joe Burrow. 

19. Los Angeles Rams – OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Just like the Bengals, choosing an offensive lineman makes a whole lot of sense for the Rams. You are not going to get many extra years of Matthew Stafford, so you have to defend him. Mims, who performed proper sort out at Georgia, can step proper in and try this. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

The Steelers fall into that useless of offensive linemen-needy groups. I would look ahead to Guyton, who performed proper sort out at Oklahoma.

21. Miami Dolphins – QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

It is a fascinating choose. The Dolphins must decide on Tua Tagovailoa’s contract. There are such a lot of benefits to not paying your quarterback. 

As somebody who suffered 10 concussions throughout my school profession, I will put this as compassionately as potential: Giving Tagovailoa an enormous deal is dangerous. He is been injury-prone exterior of his head accidents, however from first-hand expertise, it would not get higher. It isn’t like a ligament. I am nervous for him. 

So, I can see Penix becoming in with this offense and these weapons, wanting much like how he did in school. Think about the Dolphins getting to begin over with a rookie deal at that place whereas attending to solidify what they have, notably on the ability positions, and having a quarterback who’s a greater downfield passer than Tagovailoa?

Tagovailoa does a whole lot of issues nicely, and I feel he’d be an ideal match for Payton’s offense in Denver, so I am not saying he must be out of the league. And sure, Tyreek Hill had an important 12 months. However how typically did he have to regulate to an underthrown ball? Penix’s finest attribute is to throw with nice accuracy and leverage down the sphere.

I need to see how Penix matches on this offense. It could be wonderful.  

22. Philadelphia Eagles – OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

The Eagles doubtless want to seek out their inheritor obvious to Jason Kelce. Powers-Johnson was a middle at Oregon, although he would not essentially need to play middle within the NFL. There aren’t many facilities that get taken within the first spherical. Powers-Johnson can play guard at nicely. 

23. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns) – EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

You’ll assume that CJ Stroud goes to get higher and higher. If he’ll provide the lead in video games typically, one of the best factor you are able to do is pass-rush the opposition effectively. They’ve already obtained Will Anderson, however why not give him one other companion on the other facet? He is obtained double-digit sacks over the past two years. 

24. Dallas Cowboys – OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

This is not an attractive choose for the Cowboys, however Morgan makes a whole lot of sense. Tyron Smith is 33 and a free agent, so that they want some assist at offensive sort out. 

25. Inexperienced Bay Packers – DT Byron Murphy, Texas

The Packers desperately need assistance on the inside of their protection to cease the run. I like Murphy. He performed nice for Steve Sarkisian at Texas. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Cooper Dejean, Iowa

The Buccaneers must bolster their secondary, so how about taking the ballhawk Hawkeye? He had seven interceptions and three pick-sixes over the past couple of seasons. 

27. Cardinals (from Texans) – EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

The Cardinals had the third-fewest sacks they usually get the chance to draft a hell of a participant from Penn State. I considered having the Cowboys choose Robinson, however Robinson is explosive and match for the Cardinals. 

28. Buffalo Payments – WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The Payments must do one thing on the surface for Josh Allen. Stefon Diggs is 30 and Gabe Davis is a free agent. So, why not give him Thomas?

29. Detroit Lions – CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

What an important playoff run it was for the Lions, however it was clear that they wanted to assist their secondary. Their cross rush is fairly good, however they should assist it out with a greater secondary. 

30. Baltimore Ravens – WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

I did not love the Ravens’ sport plan in opposition to the Chiefs and thought they need to’ve run the ball extra. However you additionally must have the power to run play motion with guys who can create at large receiver and win 50-50 balls. Coleman checks these containers. 

31. San Francisco 49ers – CB Kool-Help McKinstry, Alabama

Just like the Lions, the 49ers can bolster their cross rush by enhancing their secondary. Why not get extra high quality defensive backs? And perhaps you find yourself dealing with Mahomes once more. 

32. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs – WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Mahomes could be getting a participant who I may simply categorize because the second- or third-best large receiver in school soccer final season.

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer sport analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Comply with him on X/Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.

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