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Editor’s Note: This mock draft was completed after the NFL Scouting Combine and before the start of the free agency period. As a result, the explanations for this article were written based on that time.

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With the NFL Scouting Combine complete, JG, CT and I made a consensus big board of prospects and used it to complete our first mock draft of 2024. The guidelines were:

1.) Make your pick based on what you would do as the general manager (GM); don’t predict the pick!

2.) There are no trades for this mock draft.

3.) Justin Fields gets traded to the Atlanta Falcons, and Kirk Cousins re-signs with the Minnesota Vikings.

So, without further ado, our mock draft!

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB

After securing the first overall pick for the second straight year (thanks Carolina Panthers!), Chicago decides to reset the “QB clock” (term used to describe QBs under rookie contracts) and take Williams to replace Justin Fields.

2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB

With the second pick, the Commanders select the consensus QB2 on our big board and pair Maye with his former UNC teammate, Sam Howell.

3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB

While the idea of drafting wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. intrigues New England, they decide to continue the run on quarterbacks and select Daniels to be their QB of the future.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

With New England passing on Harrison Jr., Arizona happily sprints to the podium and selects him to give QB Kyler Murray a long-term WR1.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR

While Brock Bowers (and potentially Joe Alt) were considered here, the Chargers take Nabers to add some “juice” to the offense. Bowers likely would’ve been the pick, but his positional value as a tight end hurt him here. For Alt, the depth at offensive tackle in this draft allows LA to wait a bit (likely the second round) to find a right tackle.

6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR

While this is likely a spot (like pick 5) where a trade is possible, the Giants pass on Alt and select Odunze to enhance the WR room and be the outside receiver Daniel Jones (or a QB of the future) needs.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT

With our consensus top offensive tackle still on the board, Tennessee selects Alt to be the cornerstone for their offensive line and protect young QB Will Levis.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Quinyon Mitchell, CB

While Laiatu Latu was considered here, Atlanta takes the “higher upside” prospect in Mitchell to pair with CB A.J. Terrell.

9. Chicago Bears: Olu Fashanu, OT

Chicago takes the consensus OT2 on our board to help bolster their offensive line. In real life, they will likely look at an edge rusher here, with an eye on an interior offensive lineman in the second round.

10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT

While Bowers may be considered here, and David Bakhtiari may be the next left tackle for New York, the Jets take Fuaga as their tackle of the future (who could start sooner rather than later).

11. Minnesota Vikings: Byron Murphy II, DL

Due to the scheme Minnesota runs (and “for the memes”), the Vikings select Murphy to create pressure from the interior and team up with CB Byron Murphy Jr.

12. Denver Broncos: J.J. McCarthy, QB

With Minnesota passing on a QB, Denver runs to the podium and selects the consensus QB4 on our big board to give Sean Payton a potential long-term answer at QB.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB

With CB being a need, Vegas considers Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, and Terrion Arnold. Due to scheme fit and size (5’11”, 189 lb), Vegas decides to select Arnold.

14. New Orleans Saints: Laiatu Latu, EDGE

While an offensive lineman may be considered here, the value (Latu is our consensus EDGE1) is too high for New Orleans not to select Latu.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE

While Indianapolis may look at a CB, they decide to add another weapon for QB Anthony Richardson and end the slide for Bowers (the #7 prospect on our big board).

16. Seattle Seahawks: Dallas Turner, EDGE

While Jackson Powers-Johnson and other interior offensive linemen may be considered here, the positional value, plus the need for an edge rusher, leads Seattle to take Turner here.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR

While CB is a need, Jacksonville decides to take a WR to replace Calvin Ridley.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT

With Jonah Williams likely leaving in free agency, Cincinnati selects JC Latham to take over at right tackle.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper DeJean, CB

With CB being a need, Los Angeles takes DeJean to bolster their secondary as the CB1.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nate Wiggins, CB

While center and linebacker are needs, positional value, plus an aging Patrick Peterson, leads Pittsburgh to select the best available corner in Wiggins.

21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, iOL

With Robert Hunt and Connor Williams being unlikely to return, Miami selects JPJ to keep the interior offensive line in tact.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

With Darius Slay and James Bradberry starting to age, Philadelphia takes McKinstry to form their secondary of the future.

23. Houston Texans: Troy Fautanu, OT

While the offensive line held their own this past regular season, the postseason game against the Baltimore Ravens leads Houston to select Fautanu and strengthen the offensive line.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, OT

While Adonai Mitchell is very likely to be taken under this scenario, the loss of Tyron Smith, coupled with Barton’s versatility and ability to play left tackle, leads Dallas to take Barton over Mitchell here.

25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims, OT

With a lack of needs (running back was listed as their top need on Pro Football Focus), Green Bay considers taking Jer’Zhan Newton and Jared Verse. However, due to depth at edge and defensive line, they select Mims, as Bakhtiari is likely leaving in free agency.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Legette, WR

While an edge rusher could be taken here, Tampa selects Legette to give QB Baker Mayfield another weapon and pair him with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL

While they may consider taking Jared Verse or Chop Robinson here, Arizona selects Newton, leaving the first round with Newton and Marvin Harrison Jr.

28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR

Buffalo takes the best WR available to replace Gabe Davis.

29. Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB

With CB being their top need, Detroit selects Rakestraw Jr.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Ladd McConkey, WR

With an Odell Beckham Jr. reunion up in the air, Baltimore selects McConkey, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who coached him at the University of Georgia.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Verse, EDGE

With Chase Young likely departing from San Francisco, the 49ers take Verse to replace him and pair him up with Nick Bosa.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Chop Robinson, EDGE

While they might look at a WR here, Kansas City selects Robinson, who they hope to pair with Felix Anudike-Uzomah as their pass rushers of the future.

Which pick was your favorite? What player would you like to see your team pick? Let us know in the comments below!