Arguably, January is the most wonderful month. Sure, the days are cold, the nights are even colder, and with 3,289 days, it’s comfortably the longest month of the year, rendering everyone bankrupt midway through it.
However, it’s also a time for fresh starts and abundant possibilities. This is why it’s the perfect time for exploring future potential outcomes with a 2024 NFL Mock Draft. In this edition, we investigate what could happen if an unexpected quarterback was to wind up in the Windy City.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Clickbait! Garbage! Dumb!
Yes, there’s a consensus belief that Drake Maye or Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick come April, but there’s at least one high-profile analyst who believes that Bo Nix will be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s not too much of a jump from there to the former Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks quarterback being the selection when the Chicago Bears are on the clock.
Nix would give the team an experienced signal-caller who has proven his developmental capability, transforming his career narrative from standing joke to Heisman contender. He has the wherewithal to read the game at a high level and is a reliable hand to steady a ship that has become increasingly unstable.
While his maturity, reliability, and ability to take the easy stuff in the short-passing game are alluring for a team needing stability, Nix still has the flair and arm talent to stretch the field and put defenders in a bind when forced from the pocket.
2) Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
With a new head coach coming in, the chances of Sam Howell having cemented the QB1 role for the Washington Commanders is the same as me hitting the gym in January. None.
Another North Carolina Tar Heels QB makes his way to the NFC East team as Washington welcomes Drake Maye in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Maye has the arm talent to manipulate NFL defenses.
3) New England Patriots: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Mac Jones might have been at Jerod Mayo’s opening press conference as the New England Patriots head coach, but it seems increasingly unlikely he’ll be the QB1 for the season opener.
MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Patriots fans are clamoring for a more exciting and creative offense than in recent years, and there’s no more exciting QB available than USC’s Caleb Williams.
4) Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Give the Arizona Cardinals a Kyler Murray, and they’ll eat for a day. Give them Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr., and they’ll eat for a lifetime.
The moral of this (almost) biblical passage is that Murray has limited value to the Cardinals without an elite WR option. With a game-changer like Harrison, they’ll be a dangerous force for many years to come.
5) Los Angeles Chargers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Los Angeles Chargers began the process of extracting the most out of Justin Herbert by firing Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco, but there’s more work to be done.
Securing the right side of the offensive line has to be the next step, and Alabama tackle JC Latham offers that potential in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Latham brings a mauler mentality to the Chargers.
6) New York Giants: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
A run of offensive tackles continues as the New York Giants take arguably the best offensive lineman in the class.
Joe Alt has set the standard at the left tackle position for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with his physical gifts and technical fortitude. While New York needs to figure out where he fits in with Andrew Thomas at the other bookend, it’s the selection Daniel Jones needs in 2024.
7) Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
With Will Levis set to be the future at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, this 2024 NFL Mock Draft looks to ensure his optimal chances of success.
Landing a left tackle of Olu Fashanu‘s caliber would be a great start to this class for Tennessee. The Penn State product is as good technically as he is physically, making him a well-rounded, ready-to-go selection.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
With Arthur Smith’s departure, Atlanta Falcons fans are looking forward to a new and exciting era of offensive football in the heart of Georgia.
Coming off a season where he totaled almost 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, there are few more exciting options at QB than Jayden Daniels. It’s easy to overlook his development as a passer when dazzled by his dual-threat ability.
9) Chicago Bears: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
After securing the future of their offense with the first pick of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Bears turn their attention to bolstering their defense here.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Don’t sleep on Laiatu Latu emerging as the best pass rusher from this class. He’s already showcased the ability to parlay physical and technical development into eye-popping production and is on an upward trajectory.
10) New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
With a deep talent pool of pass protectors available, 2024 is a good draft year to need OL reinforcements. That’s excellent news for the New York Jets, who have watched multiple quarterbacks flounder this past season behind suboptimal line play.
If you haven’t seen Taliese Fuaga yet, I suggest you do so. His run-game dominance and stout protection are top-tier.
11) Minnesota Vikings: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Kirk Cousins conundrum is set to dominate the offseason conversation for the Minnesota Vikings, justifiably. However, they could use substantial changes on the defensive front.
Jer’Zhan Newton may be listed as a defensive tackle, but his true title should be “defensive weapon,” with his athleticism allowing him the versatility to attack from any alignment.
12) Denver Broncos: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
In his recent 7-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft, my colleague Ian Cummings imagined a three-way trade that saw the Denver Broncos secure Tua Tagovailoa as their long-term QB answer.
MORE: PFN Scouting Podcast — NFL Draft Mailbag
Ian has far greater imagination than myself, who can’t see past the Broncos partnering Terrion Arnold with Patrick Surtain II to make one of the most incredible cornerback duos in the NFL.
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Antonio Pierce did such a good job with the Las Vegas Raiders defense that he earned the head coach role for 2024 and beyond. His first port of call will be ensuring that whoever ends up as the QB1 for the franchise receives ample protection.
This 2024 NFL Mock Draft provides that in the towering, vicious, powerful form of Georgia Bulldogs RT Amarius Mims.
14) New Orleans Saints: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (FL)
Like multiple teams ahead of them, the New Orleans Saints need to bolster their offensive line. However, with the main protagonists already off the board in this mock draft, they swoop for a defensive game-changer.
Leonard Taylor III has gone under the radar a little, but his violence, explosion, and versatility at 6’4″, 305 pounds make him a dangerous threat.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
What could be more frightening than giving the most dangerous quarterback from the previous draft class — Anthony Richardson — the most talented all-around player in the 2024 NFL Draft class?
Brock Bowers gives the Indianapolis Colts a legitimate receiving threat at all levels of the field. The All-American tight end also brings value as a blocker in all phases. Dangerous.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Pete Carroll’s departure as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks could bring about a full overhaul of the roster. However, the franchise shouldn’t veer too far from a tried-and-tested formula of creating a shutdown secondary.
Start drinking this pick in because Kool-Aid McKinstry is a talented technician with special-teams value and top-tier football IQ and ball skills.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Addressing the trenches between free agency and the draft is a must for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, they also need a high-caliber WR to maximize Trevor Lawrence’s talent.
When given the opportunity to bag an explosive, competitive, reliable target with top-10 potential like Malik Nabers, you must pull the trigger and take him off the board.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals can do to support Joe Burrow must be done, whether adding elite playmakers or keeping him healthy with upgraded protection.
MORE: Top iOL in the 2024 NFL Draft
Here, the Bengals do the latter. Troy Fautanu has been the cornerstone of the Washington Huskies’ offensive line this year, with his awe-inspiring power and stout protection.
19) Los Angeles Rams: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Los Angeles Rams haven’t made a first-round pick since 2016, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them trade this one away before they get on the clock in April.
Nevertheless, they’re in the market for a pass rusher, and this 2024 NFL Mock Draft sees one of the best fall to them. Dallas Turner is an explosive pass rusher with an exciting toolbox and top-tier athleticism.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
There might not be a team with more holes to fill this offseason than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their offense has resembled Swiss cheese, and this mock makes Jackson Powers-Johnson the playmaker at the pivot that the team has needed for an eternity.
The Oregon standout plows lanes in the running game, is stout as a pass protector, and is a reliable snapper.
21) Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, G, Duke
In the year of our (insert deity of choice) 2024, the Miami Dolphins are still searching for answers on the offensive line. Can the selection of former Duke Blue Devil Graham Barton finally address this continuing area of need?
Barton is powerful, with the frame to play anywhere across the line despite his predominant experience manning Duke’s LT spot.
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Philadelphia Eagles have historically avoided addressing the secondary in the first round of the NFL’s annual selection event, and who is this 2024 NFL Mock Draft to go against that?
Instead, the Eagles swoop for a pass catcher to bolster a reportedly fractured WR room. Rome Odunze parlays a productive season and exceptional ball skills into a first-round selection.
23) Houston Texans (From CLE): Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
C.J. Stroud lived up to his billing as the best QB in the previous class with a rookie campaign that defied the expectations of even those analysts who believed in him all along.
A wide receiver of Adonai Mitchell‘s caliber, with his red-zone prowess and ankle-breaking route running, would weaponize this Houston Texans offense to ludicrous heights.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats were one of the surprise teams of the 2023 college football season, but looking at the talent on their roster, it shouldn’t have been that unexpected.
Jordan Morgan was a highly respected prospect a year ago but has bolstered his stock further this year. An impressive technician with impeccable timing, he has the agility to be a force in all phases of the game.
25) Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
They may have fallen out of the NFL playoffs this weekend, but the Green Bay Packers are in safe hands with Jordan Love at quarterback.
MORE: Projecting Jordan Love’s Next Contract With the Green Bay Packers
In this mock draft, the franchise strikes to keep the new face of the franchise secure with BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. The Cougars standout has the athleticism and strength to be a high-level run blocker at the NFL level.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
After Baker Mayfield took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs, there’s a solid chance that the team rides with the former Oklahoma Sooner going forward.
So, how best to maximize his impact? Shoring up the offensive line will likely be a key point of emphasis this offseason, and Cooper Beebe gives the team a fundamentally sound, athletically gifted guard.
27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
With their first pick in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, Arizona provided their offense with a weapon. And now with their second selection, they land an equally impactful defensive piece.
Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse could be a top-15 pick in this class, with his power and athletic prowess weaponized by an advanced pass-rush toolbox. The Seminoles have made turning transfer edges into first-round picks an art.
28) Buffalo Bills: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde have been two of the more reliable safeties in recent NFL history, but change could be coming at the position. And Tyler Nubin could be it.
The Minnesota Golden Gopher is as good as any safety in this class, flying to the football with bad intentions in every phase of the game. From technical ability to a ferocious mindset, you won’t find a more competitive safety prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Travis Kelce remains the most reliable pass catcher on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, but not even Taylor Swift’s boyfriend reeled in all targets in Sunday’s win over Buffalo.
Don’t expect Kansas City to leave the 2024 NFL Draft without a wide receiver. Keon Coleman gives the team a sticky-handed speedster with sensational body control late in Round 1.
30) Detroit Lions: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Dan Campbell’s kneecap biters continue their cruise through the 2023 NFL season, booking a place in the NFC Championship Game. Building a defensive juggernaut in their head coach’s likeness, the Detroit Lions snag a secondary standout late in the first round of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
It’s a small school, big talent situation for ball-hawk cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The offensive line is likely to be the main area of focus for the San Francisco 49ers early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Here, they land an offensive tackle who has showcased an upward trajectory in his development, from a questionable starter in 2022 to a potential first-round selection.
Tyler Guyton has flashed his athleticism, savagery, and power in the Sooners’ high-powered offense this fall while boasting an NFL-ready frame at 6’7″ and 326 pounds.
32) Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Baltimore Ravens would be rubbing their hands with glee if they were to land a playmaker of Nate Wiggins‘ caliber, as they do with the final pick of this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
The Clemson CB is aggressive at the catch point and is a genuine speedster who can go toe-to-toe with anyone in coverage. He bolsters a secondary that could use some additional support.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!
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