The NFL Draft is roughly two months away, and we are on the heels of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Since mock draft 1.0, the Senior Bowl has come and gone, we have learned who has entered the draft and who has returned to school, and we also have the full first-round draft order set in stone. With all this in mind, it is time to reveal mock 2.0.

Between Christmas and late April, I have five mock drafts. Typically, I make mocks 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 between 2-4 rounds long, while mock 5.0 is a full seven-round projection. This year, however, mock 2.0 will only be one round, as the upcoming Scouting Combine will put a wrench into any mock longer than one round.

For clarification purposes, this mock draft is not predicated on what I want to happen, nor is it based on what I would do if I was the GM for each team. It is solely about projection. As the process unfolds, many of these picks will change from picks I think make sense to actual predictions that are based on rumors I am hearing within NFL circles.

With all the formalities out of the way, let’s dive in to mock 2.0!

1. Bears- Caleb Williams | QB | USC
If I am the Bears GM, I am not pulling the trigger on Williams first overall, but it seems to be trending in that direction. Williams is not the most mentally tough quarterback in this class, but the talent is undeniable. Chicago appears to be ready to hit the reset button once again.

2. Commanders- Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
Washington has to get it right at quarterback this time. The school from which a player came from does not determine whether or not he will succeed in the NFL. Fans will get on the North Carolina quarterback stigma, but that is not fair to Maye. I do have concerns about his performance against stronger competition, but the physical traits are enough to excite any football lover.

3. Patriots- Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU
Daniels’ progression during his time at LSU was truly something special, and he still has room to improve. The slight frame concerns me, but I love the high-end talent and dual-threat ability. He will be a nice change of style at the quarterback position for the Patriots.

4. Cardinals- Marvin Harrison, Jr. | WR | Ohio State
This has to be a dream for Arizona, right? Harrison is my highest-rated player in this draft, as he is one of the most complete wide receivers I have ever seen coming out of college. Kyler Murray gets an elite weapon on the perimeter.

5. Chargers- Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
When you think of Jim Harbaugh-led teams, you think of teams that are strong in the trenches. Los Angeles needs help at offensive tackle, and Alt is one of the most well-rounded tackles we have seen in a couple years. He turns 21 this week.

6. Giants- Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
I have heard rumors about J.J. McCarthy to the Giants, but it is still a bit early for me to project that in a mock. Rome Odunze could be in play here as well, but Nabers seems to be the hotter name currently. If New York sticks with Daniel Jones, they have to provide him with better weaponry.

7. Titans- Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
Tennessee could use yet another upgrade at offensive tackle, and Fashanu is solid value at Pick 7. Fashanu is still a little raw from a technical standpoint, but he provides All-Pro upside at a premium position.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Falcons receive Broncos 2024 1st and 2025 1st round picks; Broncos receive Falcons 2024 1st round pick and 2025 4th round pick
8. Broncos- J.J. McCarthy | QB | Michigan
I did not anticipate being a McCarthy defendant during the pre-draft process, but the media narrative that he is not a big-play quarterback is insanity. He did not throw much in big games because he was not asked to. He needs a year to sit and learn, but he is absolutely capable of more than what we saw at the collegiate level. Sean Payton could get the best out of him.

9. Bears- Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
Bears fans looking for radical change on offense will love these picks. Odunze did not show me as much as I was hoping to see in the National Championship game, but he is still a force to be reckoned with down the field. He possesses outstanding body control.

10. Jets- Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State
If the Jets miss out on the two left tackles, it will be a heartbreaker, but I would not leave out the possibility of addressing left tackle in free agency. The right side of the line could still use more talent as well, though, and that makes Fuaga a logical fit.

11. Vikings- Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA
Latu has had quite the collegiate career, having medically retired from football and then transferring to UCLA and making a return to football. A phenomenal athlete off the edge, Latu would be an ideal replacement for Danielle Hunter, who may not be back with the Vikes next season.

12. *Falcons (projected from Broncos)- Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
I consider Atlanta the frontrunner to land Justin Fields. If that comes to fruition, I expect Raheem Morris to prioritize the pass rush, which has been non-existent at times for Atlanta.

13. Raiders- Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
The Raiders have been bad at corner for awhile. Nate Hobbs has come along nicely, but they need to add a lot more in the secondary. I believe Mitchell is the best cornerback in this draft, and his play style would be a perfect fir for what Antonio Pierce is trying to build.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Saints receive Chiefs 2024 1st and 2nd round pick and 2025 2nd round pick
14. Chiefs- Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
The Chiefs do not have a bunch of glaring holes on the defense, and adding weaponry for Patrick Mahomes is a must. With Travis Kelce regressing, what better way to replace him than with Bowers? If he falls outside the top ten, I would not put it past Kansas City to move up and snag him.

15. Colts- Jer’Zhan Newton | DT | Illinois
With defensive lineman Grover Stewart set to be a free agent, the Colts may need to add more talent in the trenches. Newton is an excellent penetrator along the interior and a great fit at 3-technique in the Colts’ defensive scheme.

16. Seahawks- Payton Wilson | LB | North Carolina State
This is a bit of projection for Wilson, but he is one of the hottest names in league circles right now, and he is an ideal fit for a 4-3 defense. If Bobby Wagner walks, expect Seattle to invest in the position. Junior Colson could also be in play if Seattle wants to find someone with a similar play style to Wagner.

17. Jaguars- Brian Thomas, Jr. | WR | LSU
If Calvin Ridley decides to go elsewhere this upcoming season, Jacksonville is yet again in need of receiver help. Thomas is a physical freak who could be a lethal deep threat in the NFL.

18. Bengals- Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia
With Jonah Williams set to hit free agency, Cincinnati must prioritize getting more protection for Joe Burrow up front. Mims is one-year wonder who looks ready to make an impact at the NFL level. His athletic upside is through the roof.

19. Rams- Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama
Arnold is a little grabby down the field, but he is an aggressive corner who displays good instincts and playmaking ability. The Rams have a lot of holes on defense, but grabbing a major piece in the secondary will result in immediate production.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Steelers receive Buccaneers’ 1st and 3rd round picks
20. Buccaneers- Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
Tampa Bay needs help along the interior of their offensive line, and in order to get their pick of the litter, they will need to get ahead of Miami, who is in even greater need of interior linemen. Fautanu is a versatile lineman who projects to be moved inside in the NFL, but he is capable of playing any of the five positions up front.

21. Dolphins- Graham Barton | OL | Duke
Many people like Barton as a center at the next level, but he reminds me a lot of former All-Pro NFL lineman David Decastro. I think his best fit is at guard, and all three of Miami’s starters along the interior of the offensive line are pending free agents.

22. Eagles- Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
Wiggins may be one of the rawest corners in the draft, but the upside is tremendous. After the downfall of the Philly defense last year, it is obvious that changes must be made in the secondary.

23. Texans- JC Latham | OT | Alabama
Houston must develop a better balance on offense next year, and that begins with run blocking up front. Latham is a punishing run blocker who would be a great fit at right tackle with the Texans.

24. Cowboys- Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma
Tyron Smith’s time in Dallas could be coming to an end sooner rather than later, and the depth of the line in general needs to be bolstered. Guyton is a strong athlete who mirrors well in pass protection. Expect his stock to rise with a strong combine performance.

25. Packers- Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa
Schematic changes are likely coming to the Green Bay secondary, which makes this pick difficult to project. Because of this, I’m awarding them with the prospect many fans would consider to be the best remaining corner on the board. DeJean’s instincts and smoothness in zone coverage stand out in a deep class.

26. *Steelers (projected from Buccaneers)- Darius Robinson | DL | Missouri
The depth of the defensive line class is not good, but if there is a player in this class who could ideally replace Cam Heyward, it is Darius Robinson. Robinson kicked outside in 2023, but I believe he adds back his weight and slides back inside in the NFL. He is best with his hand in the dirt.

27. Cardinals- Byron Murphy II | DT | Texas
Arizona does not have much to offer along the interior of the defensive line, which is why they need to look at upgrading the position in Round 1. I am not as high on Murphy as many others are, but his motor and ability to wreak havoc on all three downs are definitely enough to raise an eyebrow.

28. Bills- Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
Personally, I think Coleman goes much higher than this with a solid 40 time, but those in NFL circles seem to be a bit more concerned than I am. Thus, I will slide him down in this mock to the Bills, who will desperately need a complementary receiver to Stefon Diggs if Gabe Davis departs in free agency.

29. Lions- Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. | CB | Missouri
Rakestraw is not the biggest corner in the world, but he is a fighter who displays great poise and precision on the perimeter. His feistiness and physicality would be a welcome sight for Lions fans, who suffered with Cam Sutton as CB1 in 2023 and nothing consistent across from him.

30. Ravens- Edgerrin Cooper | ILB | Texas A&M
Patrick Queen is set to hit free agency, and losing him would leave a major hole next to Roquan Smith. Cooper is a rangy linebacker with ideal length, speed, and instincts.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
49ers receive Raiders’ 2nd and 3rd round picks
31. Raiders- Michael Penix, Jr. | QB | Washington
In this scenario, Vegas had better prioritize the offensive line in free agency. I do not have a first-round grade on Penix personally, but I could definitely see a team falling in love with him enough to move up into the back part of Round 1 to get the fifth-year option on him.

32. *Saints (projected from Chiefs)- Jordan Morgan | OT | Arizona
The Saints could be in major need of help at offensive tackle, depending on what comes of Ryan Ramczyk and his NFL future. Snagging Morgan would provide the Saints with an experienced tackle who can compete for a starting spot from Day 1.

What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Which selections were the biggest surprises to you? Be sure to share your thoughts on this and all things NFL Draft in the comment section below!