NFL 2024 Mock Draft Full First Round Analysis

Quarterbacks go early, offensive line, and receivers throughout.

#1 Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams QB USC

This has got to be the most obvious pick for the draft which is usually the case for the first pick overall and it’s no different this year. The Bears have heavily invested in their offensive pieces and have created one of the best environments ever for a rookie quarterback. A receiving core that includes D.J Moore and Keenan Allen, two-star receivers, and potentially one of the top ones in the class with their next selection. Mix in Cole Kmet, Deandre Swift, and Khalil Herbert, Caleb should be set up for success.

#2 Washington Commanders – Drake Maye QB North Carolina

A lot of debate on who is going second in the draft between quarterbacks Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or even J.J McCarthy. To me, it’s clear that the second most talented quarterback in this class is Drake Maye. Great size for a quarterback and a great arm on top of it. Very athletic as well, something that is underrated for him as it isn’t talked about enough. The Commanders need a lot of work as they are in the midst of a full rebuild but starting with Maye is a great starting point.

#3 New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels QB LSU

Daniels is either going here or #2 but in this mock he’ll fall to the Patriots. During the season, I constantly mentioned in the past that this team needed a huge change to their approach offensively as they seemed out of date there. They made coaching changes and a player like Daniels will make this offense vastly different. Daniels is electric as a playmaker but some concerns come with him. He had a couple of subpar years when in Arizona State and he has a very slight build and there are concerns about his durability. Regardless If he can translate his Heisman success to the NFL he’ll do just fine.

#4 Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr WR Ohio State

The Cardinals have remained adamant that Kyler Murray is still their guy going forward and after quarterbacks go 1-3, why not take who is most likely the best prospect in the entire draft class who can help Murray in Marvin Harrison Jr. He has everything a GM could want in a true #1 receiver, height, speed, route running, elite production. He does just about everything great or at least good. Some think the Cardinals may trade this pick back with a QB-needy team but Harrison falling to #4 is a blessing and they need to jump on it.

#5 Minnesota Vikings (Trade with Los Angeles Chargers) – J.J McCarthy QB Michigan

Some will see this as a bit of a controversial pick. One that makes sense because the Vikings desperately need a quarterback and trading up for one is what it’ll likely take. On the other hand, the view of McCarthy is quite split. There are plenty of questions on his overall ability and production as he wasn’t asked to do much and was a bit of a game-manager at Michigan. Will his arm be strong enough to make those deep over-the-top throws to Jefferson over NFL defenses? Regardless the results of his work were excellent as he won plenty of games, including a national championship, and if what the world has been told about his leadership qualities is true, he could easily find some success in the NFL.

#6 New York Giants – Malik Nabers WR LSU

Explosive is the best way to describe Malik Nabers. In almost any other draft year Nabers would be a comfortable #1 WR in those classes, that’s how good he really is. He’s not the biggest WR but by no means the smallest, blazing fast, with a reported 4.35 on his pro day at LSU. Probably the best after the catch out of the top receivers, he is his own beast. Maybe not as smooth as Harrison Jr but he will make the Giants organization very happy.

#7 Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt T Notre Dame

 A three-year starter at Left Tackle at a school that has pumped out NFL talent on the offensive line in Notre Dame and a stature of 6’8 and 322 pounds, what is not to like for the Titans here? It’s also worth mentioning he just turned 21 years old so young on top of all that experience already. His pass blocking is good in its own right but his run blocking is next level, the best run-blocker in the entire draft for a team that will need to establish the run next season with remaining questions at quarterback.

#8 Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner EDGE Alabama

Another young athlete with good production over a long period comes off the edge in Dallas Turner. This pick just makes a lot of sense for the Falcons as their defense, specifically their pass rush needs work while their offense could be exciting this season with Kirk Cousins now at quarterback. Turner can bend and uses his hands and arms very well. Not the most overwhelmingly power rusher but more than enough finesse skills and he’s good against the run as well.

#9 Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze WR Washington

As mentioned earlier the Bears are setting up Caleb Williams for the best situation he could be in and adding Rome Odunze here would be great for not only Williams but also Odunze. He’s another receiver who would be the top guy in other classes. He is a true do-it-all, so well-rounded. Can go outside and just run by defenders and track those deep balls like he did at Washington. He can go in the slot, he’s a great route runner and his run after the catch is also great. What’s great for Odunze in this situation is he’d be on a team with D.J Moore and Keenan Allen. You can’t double Odunze in this situation and if you do then another elite receiver is 1on1, this is a match made in heaven.

#10 New York Jets – Brock Bowers TE Georgia

Brock Bowers is a legit top-ten to top-five prospect who would be such a great young piece to help Aaron Rodgers in his return. He seems to be a little undersized at 6’4 240 but it has not been a problem as he has been a good blocker regardless, just don’t match him up with any monsters. His receiving ability is his true strength as expected. He’s the classic too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs. He will be a huge problem and like we’ve seen with someone like Sam LaPorta, he should put up a lot of production in his rookie season.

#11 Los Angeles Chargers (Trade with Minnesota Vikings) – Taliese Fuaga T Oregon State

A very large dominating offensive lineman who provides versatility and absolute man-moving strength in the run game. A perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh who clearly wants to get a run game going for the Chargers. Not just a run blocker, has a nice upside protecting the passer as well but he’ll be more known for his strength in the run game.

#12 Denver Broncos – Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo

The top cornerback has been ever-changing from before this last season and throughout. However, during the senior bowl and combine, Quinyon Mitchell has started to somewhat rise from that pack and be looked at as the top corner in the draft and likely the first taken off the board. Solid height Mitchell has and blazing speed at a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. Has a good history of ball skills along with the ability to take them to the house, and should be a great complement to Pat Surtain II if not traded. It’s worth noting this pick could potentially be a player like Bo Nix if they’re desperate for a quarterback

#13 Las Vegas Raiders – Troy Fautanu T Washington

Not as overly huge as some of the other top tackle prospects but he has long arms and a good center of gravity who does have skills in both aspects of the game and could be the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft. Also, this pick like the last one could be a quarterback as well if the Raiders want to go in that direction.

#14 New Orleans Saints – Olumuyiwa Fashanu T Penn State

This would be a steal for the Saints. Fashanu has been underrated in a lot of aspects as a prospect even with him going in the first round. Potentially the best pass-blocking lineman in the draft and at only 21 years old and with great size and athleticism there is so much to be excited about. Of course, there are some things to fix, but the Saints could use him at left tackle where he would be the day 1 starter.

#15 Indianapolis Colts – Terrion Arnold CB Alabama

Pretty similar build to Quinyon Mitchell, same height and weight, the only difference on paper is that Terrion Arnold’s 40 was a tad slower at a 4.50. That’s by no means enough to deter teams away from taking Arnold. He has all the tools, in man and zone, and can press and tackle better than a lot of corners in the NFL right now. A big need for the Colts at corner and Arnold should make them happy.

#16 Seattle Seahawks – Jackson Powers-Johnson C Oregon

The first real interior offensive lineman comes off the board at #16 and the Seattle Seahawks are desperate to get some help there as they are thin. Like seemingly everyone in this stacked lineman class, Powers-Johnson is very young with good weight and strength. Might not be the most explosive draft pick but a good safe one for their offense.

#17 Jacksonville Jaguars – Nate Wiggins CB Clemson

Lanky corner at 6’2 and 185 pounds with insane speed at 4.28 and he just turned 21. His best skill set is at man and is great press. All the upside in the world with this pick, maybe the highest upside out of any corner in the draft. Just needs to get better against the run.

#18 Cincinnati Bengals – Byron Murphy II DL Texas

Now a lot probably expect the Bengals to take an offensive lineman, but with it being a deep class and them signing Trent Brown to a 1-year deal could allow them to take another prospect right here and it would be one of the best available in Byron Murphy II. He is better than the #18 pick but because of needs, this is where he would fall and give the Bengals some more excitement along the defensive lineman with a strong defensive tackle with good leverage.

#19 Los Angeles Rams – Jer’Zhan Newton DL Illinois

The retirement of Aaron Donald hurts obviously and this pick is not going to immediately replace him, but, at least it could soften the blow a bit. The Rams take Jer’Zhan Newton who like Donald coming out of college seemed a bit undersized at 6’2 295, but like Donald, he wins with leverage and explosiveness just not as smooth as him. Regardless the Rams did great in the draft last year and should start to continue that trend here.

#20 Pittsburgh Steelers – JC Latham T Alabama

Yet another top-tier tackle prospect and guess what, he also has ideal height weight, and age at 6’6 335, and 21 years old respectively. A big right tackle is Latham, not as quick and explosive with his first step with quite strong and has very strong hands. Better in the run game than the passing game right now but still an upside there regardless.

#21 Miami Dolphins – Jared Verse EDGE Florida State

You want to talk about the steal of the draft? It would be right here; it almost feels wrong for Jared Verse to be here. Realistically he could go all the way up to #9 and no one would bat an eye. It’s just with all these offensive linemen and corner needs for now Verse falls here. Verse is a very experienced scary explosive athlete who puts his imprint on every game he is in. From the moment he stepped into a Florida State uniform he was a difference maker and the league was on notice. He can win in a pass-rush scenario in so many ways, he can run through you, around you, or turn you around with his hands. Oh, and he’s good against the run as well. Huge pickup for Miami if it falls this way.

#22 Philadelphia Eagles – Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama

Another player like Fashanu has been somewhat slept on despite being taken in the first round likely. Not that it matters, his name alone screams superstar. He was also thought of as the top corner in the draft and it’s easy to see why. Good height 6’1 and despite dealing with an injury in his foot, he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash on his pro day. Not as explosive as Wiggins or Mitchell but his speed is adequate enough to be a top-tier corner.

#23 Los Angeles Chargers (Trade with Minnesota Vikings) – Brian Thomas Jr WR LSU

The Chargers helped the line-and-run game with their 11th pick and here they go vertical and help Herbert out with a receiver that has elite height, speed, and production. 6’4 and running a 4.33 40-yard dash, that is reminiscent of DK Metcalf. Unlike Metcalf, his route tree coming out of college is deeper and all this led to him catching 17 touchdowns just last season. Herbert will be smiling ear-to-ear with this selection.

#24 Dallas Cowboys – Amarius Mims T Georgia

It felt like for a decade that the Cowboys never really had any large needs at the offensive line but as time goes on eventually the needs will come around and now they take a tackle with huge upside and one with less experience than a lot of the other tackles in the class. He’s even dealt with some injuries but man is Mims intriguing. Let’s say it again, height, weight, and age are all in his favor. This time it’s even more pronounced as Mims is enormous at 6’7 and 340 pounds. He uses his size extremely well, just needs some refining with discipline, regardless he’s exciting and could even move higher up in the draft as well.

#25 Green Bay Packers – Graham Barton T Duke

The Packers believe in Jordan Love and they need to continue to build around him considering they no longer have David Bakhtiari at tackle, they now take a tackle who has started the last three years in the ACC at left tackle. Like Bakhtiari, he has a great kick out of his stance and is very technical. Not the strongest of the linemen in the draft, probably on the lower end in terms of the first-round prospects but it’s not overly concerning that he’ll just get overwhelmed the whole time. He’s a good tackle with good experience that Jordan Love will be happy to have protecting him.

#26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Laiatu Latu EDGE UCLA

A technical pass-rusher is the best way to describe Laiatu Latu coming out of UCLA. He’s got good size and he combines that size with great use of his hand. Not the most explosive athlete, at the combine he seemed a step slower and explosive than some of the other top guys competing at the event. Regardless he was just extremely successful last season; some success should translate but there will be some concerns that come with it with some medical issues history.

#27 Arizona Cardinals – Zach Frazier C West Virginia

The second interior offensive lineman goes here at #27. To continue the trend of making Kyler Murray’s life easier at quarterback. After taking Marvin Harrison Jr earlier they now take a solid center with a good strong base who is surprisingly quick. He is a good athlete and should start immediately for Arizona and make an impact in both aspects of the offense.

#28 Buffalo Bills – Adonai Mitchell WR Texas

Another rising prospect is Adonai Mitchell who has quickly risen to the first round and it’s not hard to see why. His height is reportedly a little shorter than the listed 6’4, he’s close to 6’2 but it’s still a good height, and can absolutely jump out of the gym and finish over corners with ease. 50/50 balls are not 50/50 balls with Mitchell and if that’s not enough he is a burner with a 4.34 40-yard dash. If there is improvement to be made it’s in the route running, not a very deep tree and the tree itself is less than ideal. Regardless a big prospect who can hustle down the field will make Josh Allen happy as they need a receiver with the trade of Stefon Diggs.

#29 Detroit Lions – Cooper DeJean CB Iowa

Cooper DeJean is such an interesting prospect. There have been some questions if he would play safety at the next level but he should stay at cornerback, he is very good there. He has great size at 6’1 and 207 pounds. A good athlete whose game speed was great and he was disciplined and smart. Did not give up a lot of big plays at all and if it weren’t for some medical concerns surrounding him he would certainly have been taken a bit earlier in the draft.

#30 Baltimore Ravens – Ladd McConkey WR Georgia

Ladd McConkey isn’t as big as some of the other receivers in the class at 6’0 but has great speed, reliable hands, and versatile enough to line up inside or outside. If he is used more in the slot, he would be pretty dominant there as he can use his speed to separate as his 4.39 40-yard dash shows up on tape. Lamar Jackson could use some more reliability at receiver, that was clear last year and McConkey should help with that quite a bit.

#31 San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Guyton T Oklahoma

The 49ers have one of if not the deepest and most talented rosters in the NFL so their needs are not as prominent as other teams. They could use some help at tackle however, keeping them strong in the trenches and run game is crucial for their success. Guyton spent four years at Oklahoma and TCU, despite that he only started 15 games. Still, he has a ton of upside with great size at 6’7 and weighing 327 pounds. He is pretty explosive and uses his big frame very well just needs refining and the excellent coaching in San Francisco should help Guyton be molded into a great tackle.

#32 Kansas City Chiefs – Keon Coleman WR Florida State

Another underrated prospect here. Coleman has gotten some negative stigma against him after his 40-yard dash which was only a 4.61. That gets noted but his game speed is actually great at times and even when running through the passing gauntlet drill he was by far the fastest in that drill, sprinting through that drill at an impressive pace. He’s a good route runner, has great hands, and makes more wow catches than anyone in the draft. He was even used as a punt returner because of his ability to make guys miss and he’s 6’3-6’4. He should be a top 15 or top 10 pick but will fall here and the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes will be all the better for it.