2024 NFL mock draft 5.0
After the draft combine festivities, Trenton Corn gives us his latest mock draft and brings up some of the drafts latest risers after the event.
After the MANY mock drafts I’ve made, this one was easily my favorite to write and I feel REALLY good about these draft fits. I took into account team needs and combine testing and visits to make these selections. Enjoy!
1. Bears (Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB
Heavy rumors coming out of the combine is that Chicago is likely to trade Justin Fields to Atlanta, leading them to select Caleb Williams first overall.
2. Patriots (Commanders): Jayden Daniels, QB
Rumor has it that New England loves Jayden Daniels. So much in fact that, that I believe they’ll move up one spot to land him. With the most salary cap space to spend this offseason, they should be able to surround Daniels with a solid supporting cast in year one.
3. Commanders (Patriots) : Drake Maye, QB
New Commanders GM Adam Peters was with San Francisco in 2017 when the 49ers traded the Chicago Bears their second overall pick for pick three overall, two thirds and a fourth round pick. So he definitely understands the value of trading down in the draft and has experience in this exact scenario. Executing a smoke screen and baiting the Patriots to move up, while still landing the prospect you’ve wanted all along would be a perfect start to this new Commanders regime.
4. Cardinals: Dallas Turner, EDGE
My first “surprise” of my mock draft, which we all know draft day if full of. Although Marvin Harrison Jr. is HEAVILY rumored to go here to Arizona, they have two draft picks in the first round and this year’s WR class is historically talented. Dallas Turner was electric at the combine and will help this Cardinals defense that was 30th in sacks last season.
5. Chargers: Joe Alt, OT
There should be no way a human Alt’s size should move and test as well as he did at the combine. I believe he’ll be the first tackle selected in this year’s draft and will start day one for LA at Right Tackle. Jim Harbaugh’s first course of action will be to address the team’s offensive line to run the ball the way he wants and to protect Justin Herbert better moving forward.
6. Giants: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR
Remember in 2022, when Kayvon Thibodeaux was considered the draft’s best non-QB available, but he fell to the Giants at pick five overall? Just reminding you guys before you start backing out of this article once you see MHJ drop to New York here at pick six. With the lack of weaponry around Daniel Jones and the team’s financial commitment to him, the Giants would be running to the podium to select Harrison Jr.
7. Raiders (Titans): JJ McCarthy, QB
With Las Vegas wanting to land their newest franchise Quarterback and Tennessee looking to get back into the 3rd round, this trade made a lot of sense to me. McCarthy has seemingly surpassed Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr in most peoples rankings and I wouldn’t be shocked if he is above one of Daniels or Maye in some teams draft boards as well.
8. Falcons: Malik Nabers, WR
If Atlanta is truly going to trade for Justin Fields, I think their 8th overall selection should be with his success in mind. With Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson and now Nabers in the fold, the team will easily be able to tell if Fields is the guy or not.
9. Bears: Olu Fashanu, OT
An injury cut his combine performance short, but Fashanu showed all he needed to for NFL executives to see that he’s one of the top two OT’s in this year’s draft. Fashanu was High-School teammates with Caleb Williams and will get the opportunity to block for him again, considering Chicago needs a franchise Left Tackle.
10. Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT
Fuaga mentioned during the media availability portion of the combine that he studies the game of last year’s 10th overall pick, Darnell Wright. Funny enough, I have him going 10th overall in this mock and see a TON of Wright in his game. The Jets will undoubtedly select an offensive tackle 10th overall, in my opinion.
11. Vikings: Byron Murphy II, DL
With no third round selection (two 4’s) in this year’s draft, I decided to make Las Vegas become the team that made the move up for a QB. Plus, although the odds are unlikely at this stage, there’s still a chance Minnesota and Kirk Cousins agree to a new deal. Minnesota could stand to improve along the interior of Brian Flores’ defense and Murphy is arguably the best player available at this point in the draft.
12. Broncos: Bo Nix, QB
I personally wouldn’t make this selection, but Denver recently announced that they are moving on from Russell Wilson and they also met with Nix at the combine. He’s an immediate plug and play starter due to his age and might have a higher ceiling than some of the free agent QB’s Denver could lure in with their cap issues stemming from Wilson’s contract.
13. Titans (Raiders): Brock Bowers, TE
In a dream scenario, Tennessee gains a 3rd round pick while also being able to still land a top weapon in Brock Bowers, whom the team met with at the combine. Although Tennessee needs to address some of their issues along their offensive line, both Ron Carthon (GM) and Brian Callahan (Head Coach) made statements during the week that made it seem as if adding offensive weapons was a top priority this offseason.
14. Saints: Brian Thomas Jr, WR
Born and raised in Louisiana, attends LSU, leads the nation in touchdown receptions… and becomes a New Orleans Saint? Not only would this be an incredible feel-good story, but New Orleans could use an added weapon in the offense with their renewed commitment to Derek Carr.
15. Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB
Mitchell has done everything he could possibly do to become this year’s CB1. Has the measurables, produced against his opposition, proved himself at the Senior Bowl and separated himself at the draft combine with his testing numbers. Indianapolis needs Cornerback help heading into the draft and is in good position at pick 15 to select one of, if not THE best in the class.
16. Seahawks: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C
It’s no secret that Seattle LOVES taking Senior Bowl standouts and that’s exactly where Powers-Johnson had his coming out party. With Damien Lewis, Evan Brown and Phil Haynes all slated to hit the open market, it makes a lot of sense for the Seahawks to select the drafts best interior offensive lineman here.
17. Jaguars: Rome Odunze, WR
Whether or not they re-sign Calvin Ridley, I believe Jacksonville will undoubtedly look to obtain another weapon this offseason and wouldn’t think twice about selecting Odunze here. He really impressed people at the combine.
18. Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT
There’s not many people who showcased themselves better at the combine than Mims. Although he doesn’t have many games played under his belt, teams around the league are going to sell themselves on his insane testing numbers and measureables. For Cincinnati, this makes a lot of sense, considering they need to prioritize protecting Joe Burrow moving forward.
19. Chiefs (Rams): Xavier Worthy, WR
Look, LA isn’t keeping their first round pick. They didn’t even attend the combine this year and haven’t made a first round selection since 2016! However, they have needs in the secondary and it just so happens that Kansas City is looking for a trade partner for L’Jarius Sneed after placing the franchise tag on him. For Kansas City, they desperately need additional weapons for Patrick Mahomes and will trade the Rams pick 32 and Sneed for pick 19 and a 2025 2nd round selection for the opportunity to select the combine 40 yard dash record breaking receiver, Xavier Worthy.
20. Steelers: Nate Wiggins, CB
Wiggins showed well at the combine, which is good for Pittsburgh, considering they need Cornerback help alongside Joey Porter Jr. Although he injured his hip flexor after his 4.28 second 40, he should be able to recover by the time his pro day comes around.
21. Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, OL
Fautanu tested very well at the combine. So much so, that I believe teams could sell themselves on him being a Tackle at the next level now more than when the draft process first started. However, I believe he could become an all-pro level guard in the league, which so happens to be a key area of need for Miami.
22. Eagles: Kamari Lassiter, CB
We all know about Howie Roseman’s affinity for SEC prospects. Look no further than Lassiter, who would be a seamless transition away from Avonte Maddox in the slot in year one, but could move outside once the team moves on from Darius Slay in the future.
23. Texans: Terrion Arnold, CB
Although I believe Arnold will be the first Alabama Cornerback selected in this years draft and will still ultimately be a first round selection, his combine performance didn’t help him separate from the rest of his position group like many had thought. He measured shorter than anticipated and ran a 4.50 40 time, which is also missing the mark compared to his expectations heading into the event. However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is a Crimson Tide alumni and will love the opportunity to select Arnold here at 23. Even with the slight let down at the combine, this is great value for Arnold.
24. Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT
Not only is Tyler Guyton the best prospect available, which matches the Cowboys draft strategy, but he also fills a massive need within the organization as well, considering the team is moving on from franchise Left Tackle, Tyron Smith this offseason.
25. Packers: JC Latham, OL
Similar to Dallas and Tyler Guyton, not only is Latham simply just the best player available at this point in the draft, but he also will help solidify Green Bay’s offensive line thanks to the athleticism and versatility he offers at the position. I suspect he will start his career at guard with the potential to move outside down the road.
26. Buccaneers: Laitu Latu, EDGE
The big test for Latu at the combine was his medical and he reportedly passed all tests with flying colors. Outside of the medical concerns, Latu is the most pure and NFL ready pass rusher in this year’s draft and lands in a good spot with Tampa Bay, who needs pass rush help.
27. Cardinals (Texans): Adonai Mitchell, WR
After selecting the first defensive prospect off the board in edge rusher Dallas Turner pick four overall, Arizona takes advantage of this DEEP wide receiver class to draft Kyler Murray a much needed weapon in AD Mitchell. His 4.34 wheels, near 40 inch vertical and frame should allow him to become an immediate impact player down the field for the Cardinals.
28. Bills: Cooper DeJean, DB
With the release of Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer due to being cap strapped, it’s obvious Buffalo has to give their secondary a long hard look this upcoming draft. DeJean could play either Corner or Safety at the next level and is arguably the best player available at this point in the draft.
29. Lions: Braeden Fiske, DL
After last year, it’s obvious Detroit does things their way at the draft and has a “I don’t care what you think” attitude about it. After Fiske’s ELITE combine performance, I can easily see Detroit “reaching” a bit on him and us looking back in a couple years to consider this a gamble that more than paid off.
30. Panthers(Ravens): Ladd McConkey, WR
There’s two things I know for sure. One, there’s nobody who loves to collect draft picks and build through the draft more than Baltimore and two, Carolina desperately needs more weapons for Bryce Young. I’m projecting the Panthers to trade up into the first round for the smooth operator of Ladd McConkey, who is an elite separator at the line of scrimmage and also has the 4.39 wheels to win downfield as well.
31. 49ers: Chop Robinson, EDGE
Chop Robinson’s 1.54 second 10 yard split was the fastest ever for a EDGE over 250 pounds and he ran a 4.49 second dash time, which is just insane. If he’s available, San Francisco would run their card in just as fast as Robinson, considering they won’t be able to retain each of Chase Young, Randy Gregory, and Clelin Ferrell this offseason.
32. Rams(Chiefs): Darius Robinson, DL
Look, I have no idea what the Rams will do in the draft, so I’m just going to go with a best player available approach and that’s exactly what Robinson is. He was highly productive in college after transitioning to the edge after starting his college career as a Defensive Tackle and received national attention with his outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl.