In my distinguished writing career (by my own metrics, of course), I have yet to do a complete 1st Round NFL mock draft on any platform. As an avid Steelers fan, I obviously have gone 7 rounds deep for my team many times. But getting a true sense of the complexities of each NFL franchise’s needs and draft strategies has been an exercise I have left to those extra tuned-in draft analysts like my pal Andrew Wilbar, who could probably give you a somewhat accurate depiction of next year’s draft class let alone the one that is upon us currently.

So why now, you ask? What behooves me to leap into this foray in 2024? For those following my burgeoning career closely (hi Mom!), it’s time to step out of my comfort zone and actually put my prediction out there for the world to see! In this, my Mock Draft 1.0, I will attempt to predict the order in which players come off the board, as well as trades that make sense, all based on the rumblings and results of last week’s NFL Combine.

Strap in folks! It’s going to be fun!

1. CHICAGO BEARS (FROM CAR)

THE PICK: QB CALEB WILLIAMS, USC

While Williams measurables are concerning to me, he is clearly the most gifted QB in the class as a pure passer. The Bears have the rare opportunity to land a generational QB while already possessing a solid roster to drop him into.

2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

THE PICK: QB DRAKE MAYE, UNC

My QB1 in this class, Maye is a rock in the pocket with fantastic size and mobility. He is a leader of men, and the Commanders set themselves on the right track by landing a franchise guy at 2.

3. **TRADE** NEW YORK GIANTS (FROM PATRIOTS)

THE PICK: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU

With Maye, who fits the Patriot’s style more than Daniels, off the board, the Patriots opt to trade back (I have them nabbing Justin Fields via trade). The Giants are a willing partner, allowing them to land the dynamic Daniels to offset the Daniel Jones contract. A big win for the Giants.

4. ARIZONA CARDINALS

THE PICK: WR MARVIN HARRISON JR., OHIO ST.

Despite likely a bevy of offers for this pick, I have the Cards sticking and picking the best overall prospect in the draft in Harrison, who immediately elevates the Kyler Murray-led passing attack. If the Cards didn’t have a 2nd first round pick already, I’d be more inclined to think they’d shop this one.

5. **TRADE** MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FROM CHARGERS)

THE PICK: QB J.J. MCCARTHY, MICHIGAN

The Chargers take advantage of the Cardinals opting to stay put at 4 and get an absolute haul from the Vikings, who will likely be desperate for a QB with Cousins likely to land elsewhere. In McCarthy, HC Kevin O’Connell gets a player with tremendous upside who wasn’t asked to do a whole lot at Michigan. What he did do was impressive, and the Vikes bet on it.

6. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FROM GIANTS)

THE PICK: LT JOE ALT, NOTRE DAME

Alt is the best pure Left Tackle in the class, with exceptional size and athleticism for the position. With the Pats adding Fields at QB, they secure the next most important position on the offense for years to come with Alt.

7. TENNESSEE TITANS

THE PICK: LT OLU FASHANU, PENN ST.

The Titans would be happy with either Alt or Fashanu at this pick, but this feels like a tackle or bust pick for Tennessee. If the top tackles are gone, expect them to look at trade offers for teams looking to hop Chicago for a WR. Fashanu, though, is an athletic marvel and would be the Titans best O-Lineman on Day 1.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS

THE PICK: ED DALLAS TURNER, ALABAMA

The Falcons land Kirk Cousins in Free Agency, so they decide to take the best defender in the Draft in Turner, who’s insane length and power could give the Falcons a much-needed boost at pass rusher, where they’ve struggled to find elite play since Dwight Freeney retired.

9. CHICAGO BEARS

THE PICK: WR ROME ODUNZE, WASH

The Bears stay put at 9 and still Odunze falls into their laps. Odunze is my WR2 and an absolute marvel of an athlete at the receiver position. He immediately gives Williams an impressive 1-2 punch at receiver with DJ Moore already in town. Bears fans should be ecstatic if the Draft falls this way.

10. NEW YORK JETS

THE PICK: RT TALIESE FUAGA, OREGON ST.

Another team with eyes on OT early in the draft, the Jets go with maybe the best overall player at the position in the draft. Though he projects more as a right tackle, Fuaga’s athleticism and movement skills could translate to either side, and the Jets absolutely need protection for Aaron Rodgers.

11. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (FROM VIKINGS)

THE PICK: WR MALIK NABERS, LSU

The Chargers get an absolute dream scenario after trading back and still landing what some scouts and teams view is the Draft’s WR1. Justin Herbert to Malik Nabers would immediately be must-watch television and could allow the Chargers to jumpstart an offense that underperformed in 2023.

12. **TRADE** PITTSBURGH STEELERS (FROM BRONCOS)

THE PICK: CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO

The days of the Steelers “sit and wait” approach to the Draft are gone, and Pittsburgh makes a move for an elite CB prospect in Mitchell, who is rumored to be the team’s top draft target. After trading from 20 to 10 with the Broncos in 2019 for Devin Bush, the two teams partner again for a transaction that puts the Broncos in a much better spot to draft a tier 2 QB later in Round 1, and the Steelers a chance to fill a big need on the defense.

13. **TRADE** CINCINNATI BENGALS (FROM RAIDERS)

THE PICK: TE BROCK BOWERS, UGA

The Raiders know that the top QBs are gone and it doesn’t make sense to draft one at 13, so they swap picks with Cincinnati to give the Bengals a top 7 player in the Draft in Bowers, who’s slide ends in Cincinnati. The Bengals won’t be shy about landing playmakers for Joe Burrow. Bowers is an elite offensive weapon.

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

THE PICK: ED JARED VERSE, FSU

Verse is a powerful edge defender with great quickness and an elite motor. For the Saints, adding Verse could infuse some youth and talent up front where they desperately need it.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

THE PICK: WR BRIAN THOMAS JR., LSU

I know the Colts just tagged Michael Pittman Jr. and are working on a long-term deal, but adding a player with Thomas’s speed and playmaking ability to the cast of weapons around promising 2nd-year QB Anthony Richardson is a priority. Thomas is also a valuable insurance policy if a long-term deal with Pittman cannot be reached.

16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

THE PICK: ED LAITU LATU, UCLA

The Seahawks spark their pass rush with the twitchy and aggressive Latu, who excels on obvious passing downs as a quick pressure artist and disruptor. He would be a great addition to new HC Mike MacDonald’s defense.

17. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

THE PICK: WR ADONAI MITCHELL, TEXAS

Mitchell is skyrocketing up Draft boards after he put his elite athleticism on display at the Combine to back up the explosiveness we see on tape. For Jacksonville, Mitchell projects as an eventual do-it-all WR1 for QB Trevor Lawrence as he looks to establish himself amongst the NFL’s elite passers.

18. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (FROM BENGALS)

THE PICK: CB TERRION ARNOLD, ALABAMA

The Raiders use their first selection acquired in the trade with Cincy to nab arguably the best corner in the draft at a discount. Arnold is aggressive, but disciplined and has inside/outside versatility. The Raiders secondary gets a boost from the Alabama standout.

19. LOS ANGELES RAMS

THE PICK: RT J.C. LATHAM, ALABAMA

The Rams just re-signed OG Kevin Dotson to a big money deal and here they add up front again with the massively-framed Latham, who’s draft slide is more about the caliber of players going ahead of him than his own issues. Latham is a plug and play tackle and would help solidify an improving OL in LA.

20. DENVER BRONCOS (FROM STEELERS)

THE PICK: QB BO NIX, OREGON

The Broncos land their QB after trading back with the Steelers. It might still be a reach, but Sean Payton and company must find a viable signal caller early in this draft. Bo Nix is NFL-ready, and though he doesn’t have the ceiling of the four QBs taken earlier, still brings a solid skillset to an established, proven offensive system in Denver.

21. MIAMI DOLPHINS

THE PICK: OT/OG TROY FAUTANU, WASH

Fautanu could easily be selected inside the top 10 of this Draft, so the Dolphins land quite a potential steal in the ultra-athletic, versatile O-Lineman. After posting maybe the most impressive Combine performance of any of the OT candidates, he lands in Miami, who could opt to play him at Guard before kicking him out to Tackle down the road.

22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

THE PICK: CB NATE WIGGINS, CLEMSON

The Eagles secondary was by some metrics the league’s worst unit in 2023, and an upgrade is a priority at multiple spots. Enter Wiggins, a long, speedy cover corner with ball skills to inject some youth and speed into the Cornerback room.

23. HOUSTON TEXANS (FROM BROWNS)

THE PICK: OT AMARIUS MIMS, UGA

Mims could be the steal of the draft. Standing at a massive 6’8″ and 340lbs, Mims might be the most dynamic athlete pound-for-pound in this draft. The Texans could prioritize building in the trenches in front of star QB C.J. Stroud, and if Mims falls in their laps you’d have to think they run the card to the table.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS

THE PICK: OT TYLER GUYTON, OKLAHOMA

The Cowboys select a Texas native in Guyton at 24, and land an athletic, fluid mover at tackle with big-time upside. Guyton is what makes this OT class special, as he would be a top 2-3 OT in most years. If Guyton continues to grow technically as a blocker, he possesses the elite traits that make scouts and coaches salivate.

25. GREEN BAY PACKERS

THE PICK: DB COOPER DEJEAN, IOWA

Maybe the most obvious match in the 1st Round between a player and team, Cooper DeJean would be an immediate impact starter for Green Bay at either CB or FS, where his high-end athleticism and versatility could help solidify the back end of a defense on the rise.

26. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

THE PICK: ED CHOP ROBINSON, PSU

The Bucs take a swing on maybe the Draft’s biggest riser post-Combine, after his unreal display of athleticism as a dynamic Edge defender. Despite being on the smaller side, Robinson’s elite athletic traits earn him a Day 1 selection.

27. **TRADE** LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (FROM CARDINALS VIA TEXANS)

THE PICK: QB MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASH

The Raiders are back in Round 1! After packaging their 2nd Round pick, a 2025 1st, and some of the picks acquired in their earlier trade back with the Bengals, Vegas jumps back in to nab their QB in Penix, who’s arm talent and experience project him as an early career starter with upside. Getting him in Rd. 1 gives them the flexibility of the 5th year option down the road.

28. BUFFALO BILLS

THE PICK: FS TYLER NUBIN, MINN

The Bills defense is undergoing an overhaul, especially in the secondary after Tre White and Jordan Poyer were release on Thursday. Nubin is the Draft’s top Safety prospect and can play the deep centerfield position or drop into the box effectively. The Bills could also target a WR here, but that position is much deeper. Nubin is a Day 1 starter.

29. DETROIT LIONS

THE PICK: DT JOHNNY NEWTON, ILLINOIS

The Lions likely will address the CB spot in Free Agency, and they could also use a versatile, powerful interior defender to bolster the DL. Newton is a dynamic athlete and can absorb blocks in the run game and provide juice as a pass-rusher. A true 3-down interior defender.

30. BALTIMORE RAVENS

THE PICK: LB PAYTON WILSON, NC STATE

The Ravens are letting Patrick Queen walk in Free Agency and could look to replace him with the uber-athletic Wilson. The Ravens are in the unique position of having a solid roster already in place and can draft lower-value positions earlier to round out holes in the roster. If Wilson passes the Raven’s medical evaluation, he could be a plug-and-play ILB next to Roquan Smith.

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

THE PICK: OT JORDAN MORGAN, ARIZONA

In this Mock, the Niners select the athletic Morgan to add to an OL that could use an improvement on the right side opposite Trent Williams. Morgan is my 8th OT to go in Round 1.

32. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

THE PICK: CB ENNIS RAKESTRAW, MISSOURI

With the team placing the Franchise Tag on LaJarius Sneed, the expectation is he could be dealt in a trade prior to the Draft. With that in mind, I like them to target CB early. Rakestraw can play on the outside or slide into the Nickel, and is an aggressive playmaker in the secondary in Sneed’s mold. It’s not flashy, but it’s definitely a sensible move for the defending Champs.

Which teams’ selections make the most sense? Where did I get it wrong? Comment below and be sure to tune in to the latest episode of my podcast, The FFSN NFL Draft Preview, for all the latest on the 2024 NFL Draft.

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