2024 NFL mock draft 6.0: Trenton Corn’s final mock

With the NFL draft kicking off on April 25th, Trenton Corn gives you his final mock draft, as he tries to accurately predict what will happen on draft day.

We do the same song and dance every year. The media comes up with their core ideas of what teams will do in the draft, others agree and run with it, then the draft happens and it goes way differently than anyone could’ve ever imagined.

My final mock draft simulation has the unexpected in mind, as I try to separate myself from the draft media norm and make this mock draft my own, while still having the goal of being accurate. I hope you enjoy.

1. Bears (Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB

With Chicago sending Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, we can officially write this Caleb Williams selection in Sharpie. With the acquisition of Keenan Allen via trade and the signing of D’Andre Swift, Williams is stepping into a really good situation.

2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB

Adam Schefter has recently mentioned that he believes Daniels will go second overall, stating: “I think you can go get those Jayden Daniels jerseys.” On a recent podcast appearance. Although he’s going to need a bit more refinement than some other prospects, the work Washington did this offseason in adding surrounding pieces around him allows the franchise to feel comfortable in making this selection.

3. Patriots: Drake Maye, QB

Although Drake Maye is a conundrum as a prospect, I don’t see a world where New England doesn’t select themselves a franchise QB with their third overall selection.

4. Giants (Cardinals): Marvin Harrison Jr, WR

In my opinion, New York has tried to dig into the notion that they are interested in trading up for a Quarterback, to create more interest in the fourth overall selection, owned by the Arizona Cardinals. If New York could get another team to move up to pick four, Arizona would move out of range to select a wideout. In addition, with it being obvious that the LA Chargers would like to move down to collect more draft capital for Jim Harbaugh to build the team back up his way, the Giants could move up one spot to ensure they select their guy at pick five overall. However, with no interest from the Vikings, Raiders or Broncos to move up, New York goes with plan B, which is move up to pick four overall themselves to select Marvin Harrison Jr. No matter who’s starting at QB next season between Daniel Jones or Drew Lock, they’re going to need additional weaponry at their disposal.

5. Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR

Many believe LA will try to move down in the draft, most notably with Minnesota. However, with Keenan Allen no longer on the team, I believe Jim Harbaugh and company will understand that you have to have ample weapons at the next level in order to find success. A top 30 visit with the team and considered the second best wideout in the draft by many, this selection makes a lot of sense.

6. Cardinals (Giants): Rome Odunze, WR

We’ve learned from last year’s draft that Cardinals GM, Monti Ossenfort likes to wheel and deal to create more draft capital for the team’s rebuild. If the front office doesn’t see a steep decline in talent from Harrison Jr to Nabers or Rome Odunze, it makes a lot of sense for the team to trade down just two spots, while still selecting Kyler Murray a go-to weapon.

7. Titans: Joe Alt, OT

This draft fit has made a lot of sense throughout the pre-draft process, as last year’s selection of Peter Skoronski, the signing of Lloyd Cushenberry and now Alt is a good start in solidifying the offensive line for Will Levis moving forward.

8. Vikings (Falcons): JJ McCarthy, QB

This Minnesota situation reminds me of Buffalo in 2018 (Buffalo had picks 12 and 22 in the draft, while Minnesota has picks 11 & 23 this year). Everyone knew Buffalo wanted a Quarterback, but they were patient and traded from 12 to 7, saving one of their first round picks in the process, instead of moving all the way into the top five. Atlanta collects more assets as they embark upon the Raheem Morris era and Minnesota trades up for the QB they’ve always wanted, without giving up both first round picks. A win-win scenario.

9. Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE

With limited draft picks after their two first round selections, it makes sense to trade down, but in order to do that, you have to have a trade partner, which I couldn’t find naturally without forcing something (thought about the Colts moving up for Brock Bowers for a split second). Instead, I have them sticking and picking Jared Verse here, who has a top 30 visit lined up with the team and fills a positional need.

10. Jets: Brock Bowers, TE

With the signing of Tyron Smith and the team in win now mode, it makes sense to kick the OL can down the road, while selecting the best player available to give Aaron Rodgers another weapon in the offense.

11. Falcons (Vikings) : Dallas Turner, EDGE

PFF’s Steve Palazzolo recently tweeted an interesting tidbit of information on new Falcons head coach, Raheem Morris. Last season, his Rams defense had the most snaps (355) where atleast one edge rusher dropped into coverage. Dallas Turner has 238 coverage snaps in his career, towering over Laitu Latu (55), Jared Verse (27) or Chop Robinson (15). Although this draft selection is seemingly wide open, the Turner fit just makes too much sense to me.

12. Jaguars (Broncos): Terrion Arnold, CB

Jacksonville is the the Cornerback market and jumped ahead of the Raiders, Colts and traded with the Denver Broncos, who also could’ve went in that direction to ensure they get their guy. Arnold is thought to be the best Cornerback in this years class and the position has been very popular these last few drafts. It makes sense for a team like Jacksonville to be aggressive in landing the first one off the board. For Denver, without a second round pick, it just makes more sense for the team to trade down, rather than trade up for a QB or reach for one here at 12.

13. Raiders: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL

Newton’s name has lost its luster since his injury prevented him from participating in the combine, but he recently had an impressive pro-day performance, in which the Raiders were attendees of. He’s a perfect fit along this Raiders defensive line.

14. Saints: Brian Thomas Jr, WR

I understand New Orleans could stand to improve along their offensive line, but in a deep class at that position, I have them selecting a local wideout out of LSU in Brian Thomas Jr, who was arguably the best deep threat in all of college football last season. With the re-structure of Derek Carr’s contract, the organization is committed to him for the foreseeable future, so adding weapons to surround him with is ideal.

15. Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB

Not only is Mitchell the best player available in my opinion, but also fills a positional need for the Colts as well. Although he went to a smaller school in Toledo, Mitchell is my favorite Cornerback in this year’s class due to the movement skills and ball tracking ability he brings to the position, along with the way he handled himself against tougher competition at the Senior Bowl.

16. Seahawks: Michael Penix Jr, QB

A lot of mock drafts have Seattle selecting Troy Fautanu here to reunite with former Washington offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubbs. However, I have Seattle shocking the world and selecting Penix Jr, still keeping the Grubbs reunion alive. Although Geno Smith is still in town, he’s getting older and doesn’t have long to go on his current contract.

17. Broncos (Jaguars): Amarius Mims, OT

A name Mel Kiper said he’s heard a lot of here recently and a name we could hear called earlier than projected, is Amarius Mims out of Georgia. Arguably a top ten talent in this years class that’s just largely raw and inexperienced, Mims could become Denver’s Garett Bolles replacement at Left Tackle, once his contract expires.

18. Bengals: Troy Fautanu, OL

Here starts the offensive line run! I personally can see Fautanu going as early as 10 overall, as Cincinnati would run to the podium if he was still available here at 18. Although the team signed Trent Brown to play opposite of Orlando Brown this offseason, Fautanu could easily start day one at guard, before eventually moving outside. Protecting Joe Burrow should be priority number one for the Bengals.

19. Rams: Laitu Latu, EDGE

Listen. I have no idea what the Rams are going to do on draft night. With the team not attending the combine and no top 30 visits reported, I’m just going to project the team to select the best prospect available, who just so happens to be a local product as well. If it wasn’t for injury concerns, Latu would likely be considered to be the top edge rusher off the board.

20. Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT

The selection of Fuaga allows Broderick Jones to move to Left Tackle. Not to mention that he fits perfectly in Arthur Smith’s zone run game. Another interesting tidbit of information? Fuaga compares athletically to Atlanta Falcons Right Tackle Kaleb McGary, whom Smith coached in Atlanta.

21. Dolphins: Byron Murphy II, DT

Chris Grier could attempt to take another offensive lineman in the draft, but I believe he’ll want to replace the void Christian Wilkins left after his departure to Las Vegas this offseason. In my opinion, Murphy is the best player available at this point in the draft. I can see him going earlier to teams such as the Falcons, Raiders and Seahawks as well.

22. Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT

This is the type of move the Eagles make. They draft in the trenches and make picks to keep a “strength” a strength. With Lane Johnson getting up there in age, it makes sense to get another freak athlete from Oklahoma who’s a bit raw to learn behind him for a season or so and then step in when he’s ready.

23. Bills (Browns): Xavier Worthy, WR

Buffalo recently traded away Stefon Diggs, so they have to be aggressive in the draft to ensure they land their guy. Not only does the trade up put them ahead of teams like Dallas and Tampa Bay, but prevents others like Kansas City from moving up and stealing their target as well. For Minnesota, they use their second first round selection to move down and add to their missing draft capital in later rounds.

24. Cowboys: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL

With Tyler Guyton and Xavier Worthy going right before them, Dallas pivots to Powers-Johnson to fill the void left by the departure of Tyler Biadasz at Center. Jerry Jones has hinted at Tyler Smith moving outside to Left Tackle, so the team has the freedom to pass on tackle if necessary.

25. Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB

DeJean wasn’t a top 30 visit for Green Bay, but in the eight first round selections GM Gutekunst made as GM, only ONE was a top 30 visit. DeJean might drop a little in the draft due to teams not agreeing on what position he’ll play at the next level, but the Packers have needs all over their secondary and will find a starting spot for him.

26. Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE

His lack of production in college I believe will allow him to drop a little, but his athletic testing won’t allow him to fully drop outside of the first round. He’s not necessarily a direct Shaq Barrett replacement, but will help a Tampa Bay pass rush that needs some added bodies.

27. Panthers (Texans): Nate Wiggins, CB

With Nate Wiggins sliding, I have Carolina trading Arizona one of their early second round selections and additional draft capital later on in the draft to move up and select a local product in Cornerback, Nate Wiggins. With Donte Jackson and CJ Henderson moving on elsewhere, the Panthers would be wise to move ahead of Cornerback needy teams like Detroit, Baltimore and Kansas City to grab the Clemson star.

28. Vikings (Bills): JC Latham, OL

With a shiny new Quarterback and the interior of their offensive line needing improvement, Minnesota could do a LOT worse than the athletic and versatile run mauler of JC Latham, whom the Vikings recently hosted as a top 30 visit. Latham going this late could look silly, if someone falls in love with the prospects of him having early success at Tackle.

29. Lions: Darius Robinson, EDGE

A Michigan native and Detroit Lions fan growing up, this draft selection just makes too much sense for a team that needs added depth along their defensive line. Robinson started his career as a defensive tackle, before working on his frame to becoming an impressive edge rusher, who turned heads and dropped jaws at the Senior Bowl.

30. Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR

Baltimore needs added weaponry for Lamar Jackson, even with the selection of Zay Flowers last year. Adonai Mitchell might drop in the draft, due to the reported potential medical red flag, with his Diabetes. However, the organization has experience with their star pass catchers dealing with this medical condition in Tight End, Mark Andrews.

31. 49ers: Olu Fashanu, OT

Not only could San Francisco stand to improve at the Right Tackle position, but Olu Fashanu falling here allows them to select the best player available as well. He could potentially drop in the draft, due to the thigh injury he suffered at the combine.

32. Chiefs: Jalen McMillan, WR

Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020, George Karlaftis in 2022 and Felix Anudike-Uzomah in last years draft, it’s obvious that Brett Veach and company has a different way of viewing prospects than many, leading me to believe that we could expect the unexpected with their first round selection this year as well. McMillan’s name has been surging up draft boards, after being considered the third best wideout coming out of Washington during this draft process. However, it’s important to note that he missed the majority of the 2023 season, after totaling 79 receptions for 1,089 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2022. In his return late last season, he registered nine receptions for 131 (games leading receiver) in the PAC-12 championship game, recorded five receptions for 58 yards and a score against Texas in the Sugar Bowl and was the only Husky to score a touchdown in the national championship game against Michigan. The route running technician would be a huge welcome in the newly re-vamped Chiefs offense, with Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, forming an offensive unit that makes last year’s weaponry look laughable.