2024 NFL Mock Draft: Preseason Projections For First Round

Week 0 of the college football season is finally here, and NFL scouts are ready to begin watching the next group of prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Next year's NFL draft features some potential superstar talent that includes the likes of USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., along with some intriguing potential risers like new Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III.

There's still plenty of time before the 2024 NFL Draft, but let's take a look at what the first round could potentially look like in this mock draft.

Note: Draft Order determined by Super Bowl odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

 

1. Arizona Cardinals

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

It's unclear what the future holds for the Cardinals, especially for Kyler Murray. With a new head coach and general manager, the franchise could decide to part ways with the former No. 1 overall pick in favor of a new quarterback and a new direction after some disappointing seasons with the former Heisman Trophy winner.

Caleb Williams showed tremendous flashes in his first college season as a full-time starter for the Trojans. Along with impressive arm talent and a good feel for Lincoln Riley's offense, Williams also has the athleticism and off-script ability that could make him a dynamic quarterback at the NFL level.

 

2. Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

With the departure of DeAndre Hopkins and a new rookie quarterback, the Cardinals would be wise to give Williams a top-tier playmaker with their other premium draft pick.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has an unreal combination of size (6'4"), twitch, and body control that makes him such a special wide receiver prospect. Along with easy separation ability, Harrison can also make highlight-reel catches with outstanding awareness of where he is on the field, contorting his body to keep his feet in bounds while reeling in the pass.

With Williams and Harrison coming to Arizona, the future of the Cardinals franchise would look a whole lot brighter.

 

3. Indianapolis Colts

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Losing out on the son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison will sting for fans of the franchise, but Indianapolis is also desperate for a long-term answer at left tackle. Bernhard Raimann could still show enough to hold down the blind side as a second-year player in 2023, but if he doesn't show signs of development, the Colts could be on the lookout for a top-tier OT prospect.

Olu Fashanu could have been a first-round pick in last year's draft, but decided to return to Penn State. Along with a potentially elite anchor and very good foot quickness to handle any type of pass rusher, Fashanu has an ideal frame at 6'6" and 321 pounds to make him the perfect franchise tackle to protect the team's new quarterback in Anthony Richardson.

 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Williams may be getting all of the attention, but Drake Maye has a legitimate chance to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Starting as a redshirt freshman last season, the Tar Heels QB completed 66.2 percent of his passes with 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Maye showed impressive post-snap processing for such a young quarterback, and his combination of arm talent and athleticism checks a lot of boxes for modern QB evaluations.

The Buccaneers are in desperate need of a new quarterback after Tom Brady's (official?) retirement. If this season goes south in Tampa Bay, Maye would be the ideal new quarterback to build around.

 

5. Las Vegas Raiders

Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee

The raw, hyper-athletic quarterback is becoming a legitimate archetype among first-round quarterbacks in recent years. Anthony Richardson and Josh Allen have highlighted that mold in recent years, and Tennessee's Joe Milton has the chance to be the next QB to rely on his tools on his way to becoming a top draft pick.

The 6'5", 242-pound quarterback thrived in limited action for the Volunteers last year, throwing for 971 yards, 10 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His effortless arm strength allows him to push the ball downfield in the vertical passing game, leading to explosive plays.

If the Raiders aren't sold on Jimmy Garoppolo as the answer, then Milton could be an exciting replacement under center, especially with a wide receiver like Davante Adams to throw to.

 

6. Washington Commanders

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

There's a very real chance the Commanders experience "new owner syndrome" and reach for a quarterback in their first year post-Dan Snyder. However, if the players are interested in setting up a future franchise quarterback for success, going for a blue-chip offensive tackle might be the wiser long-term move.

With Fashanu off the board, Notre Dame's Joe Alt comes in right behind him as a top-graded left tackle prospect. The massive 6'8", 322-pound tackle is coming off a first-team All-American selection last season, with the chance to make an even bigger leap in 2023.

 

7. Los Angeles Rams

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

After a disastrous 2022 campaign, the Los Angeles Rams should finally have a first-round pick in the draft for the first time since 2016. Offensive line help could be useful, but with Fashanu and Alt off the board, the Rams could instead take the top EDGE on the board in Florida State's Jared Verse.

Another prospect who could have been a first-round pick last year, Verse decided to return for a potential national title run with the Seminoles. Verse possesses a good combination of explosiveness and power, making him an asset as both a pass rusher and edge setter. Although he'll already be 23 years old as a rookie, Verse's technical polish and overall athleticism could make him an immediate contributor for Los Angeles.

 

8. New England Patriots

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

If there's anyone in the NFL willing to spend a top-10 pick on a tight end, it's New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

The Patriots could be losing multiple tight ends next offseason, with Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki both set to hit 2024 free agency. While the Patriots could extend either player, Belichick could also decide to go after the most unique playmaker in the 2024 draft class.

Bowers has been considered a top-tier draft prospect since contributing to the team's first of back-to-back national titles as a true freshman. His unique skill set makes him a legitimate weapon as a blocker, catching passes, or even running the ball. At 6'4" and 230 pounds, his body type, play speed, and playmaking ability after the catch could make him the perfect weapon for New England's offense.

 

9. Chicago Bears (via Panthers)

Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Thanks to a trade back with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, the Chicago Bears could load up with a pair of exciting prospects in the first round of 2024.

After loading up on interior rookies in Zacch Pickens and Gervon Dexter Sr., the Bears could use their first of two first-round picks on a premier pass rusher in Alabama's Dallas Turner. While he didn't have the national recognition of teammate Will Anderson Jr. last year, Turner still brings impressive burst and bend off the edge to make him a productive pass rusher at the NFL level.

 

10. Tennessee Titans

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Tennessee Titans have continued to pour premium assets into the cornerback position with little success. While Caleb Farley could still turn into a legitimate outside corner for the franchise, that shouldn't prevent the Titans from taking the best value available here with Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Coming off a first-team All-American selection, McKinstry has all the tools to be a shutdown press-man cornerback at the next level. Along with a solid frame at 6'0" and 185 pounds, McKinstry also has the movement skills and patience in coverage along with the competitive toughness to be an asset in run support.

 

11. Chicago Bears

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

If McKinstry is an asset in run support, then Penn State's Kalen King is a blessing.

King's mental processing and quick downhill trigger allows him to routinely blow up run plays to the outside or quick screens. While he may not have the top-end movement skills that McKinstry has, he makes up for it with technique, angles, and elite instincts. The Bears have found a couple potential pieces in their defensive backfield, but loading up with another player like King could only be beneficial to their depleted defense.

 

12. Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

There's a very real chance that the Desmond Ridder experiment goes south in Atlanta, and for a team in desperate need of a full-on rebuild, a new quarterback would be the appropriate next step.

Michael Penix Jr. would bring the ability for Atlanta to push the field vertically in the passing game thanks to his tremendous arm strength and zip to squeeze throws into tight windows. Although he'll be 24 years old as a rookie with significant injury history, a second consecutive season of him staying healthy with the Huskies could see him skyrocket up draft boards thanks to his physical tools.

 

13. New York Giants

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

After a season where Daniel Jones was throwing to bottom-of-the-barrel weapons for the New York Giants, it's only right that the franchise finds him a top wide receiver in next year's draft. Even after taking Jalin Hyatt in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Giants could still use yet another young weapon for their offense.

Emeka Egbuka had no problem carving out his own role alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. in Ohio State's offense, catching 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. While he doesn't have the size and athletic gifts that Harrison has, Egbuka does have impressive top-end play speed and smoothness to his routes that allows him to maximize separation, making him a great potential weapon for Jones.

 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

As Cameron Heyward nears the end of his NFL career at 34 years old, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to start preparing for a succession plan on the defensive line. Keanu Benton and Larry Ogunjobi will bolster the defensive line in 2023, but more help is needed to help Pittsburgh stay dominant up front for years to come.

The top trait for Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton is his motor. The 6'2", 295-pound All-American does a great job of forcing the issue off of the snap and playing through the whistle. While he relies more on physical dominance than technique at the moment, that simply means that he could become an even more dominant every-down player with time and development.

 

15. Denver Broncos

Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

Russell Wilson struggled in 2022, and if he doesn't turn things around this season, new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton could decide that he wants to find a new quarterback of his own.

Jordan Travis is expected to lead a Seminoles program to College Football Playoff contention this season, coming off a strong 2022 campaign where he threw for 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His playmaking ability on the move combined with good arm strength would make him an intriguing playmaker for Payton to work with in Denver.

 

16. New Orleans Saints

Cooper DeJean, S, Iowa

The New Orleans Saints need to take a long-term view to the NFL draft. Even with the signing of Derek Carr, the Saints could be hurrying into a long-term rebuild if things don't go the way they'd like in 2023.

With safeties Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu both on the other side of 30 years old, finding a young player like Iowa's Cooper DeJean to take over in the defenisve backfield would be beneficial. The Hawkeyes safety plays all over the field at corner, slot, and safety, and his playmaking ability resulted in 75 total tackles, eight pass breakups, five interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns last season.

If he can bring that same production in 2023, DeJean

 

17. Green Bay Packers

J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

What does the future hold for Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari? Rumors have popped up about a potential trade to the Jets, but even if the All-Pro left tackle stays in Green Bay this season, his future beyond 2023 is uncertain.

Alabama's J.C. Latham has the prototypical frame and movement skills be the a long-term left tackle at the NFL level. Regardless of who Alabama plays at quarterback this season, Latham will be one of the top prospects to watch on the Crimson Tide offense.

 

18. Seattle Seahawks

Maason Smith, DL, LSU

The Seattle Seahawks have loaded up on defensive backs and edge rushers over the last few drafts, but still lack a young impact player in the trenches. Maason Smith out of LSU could change that.

Smith missed the entirety of the 2022 season after a knee injury in the first quarter of the team's season opener. However, the 6'6", 315-pound defensive lineman was a freshman All-American the year prior, and is hoping to have a major impact now that he's fully healthy this season.

 

19. Minnesota Vikings

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Danielle Hunter is nearing the end of his time with the Minnesota Vikings, and even with the offseason addition of Marcus Davenport, the Vikings need a long-term premier pass rusher.

Laiatu Latu has one of the more incredible stories in college football. After being told he would never play football again due to a neck injury at Washington in 2019, Latu returned to the field in 2022 for the UCLA Bruins and shined, racking up 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

 

20. Houston Texans (via Browns)

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

The Texans have gotten an infusion of young talent on both sides of the ball after taking C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. in this past year's draft. Head coach DeMeco Ryans is now looking for an impact inside linebacker to replicate some of the plays he was able to run with Fred Warner while he was defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

The son of a former All-Pro linebacker, Trotter filled up the stat sheet in 2022 with 89 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks. He has an ideal frame for a modern inside linebacker at 6'0" and 230 pounds, and his feel for the position would make him a great addition in Houston.

 

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

Surprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars don't have many holes on their roster, but an impact safety could give the AFC South contenders an even more formidable defense.

Javon Bullard out of Georgia may be the top-ranked safety in the 2024 draft class by April. The 5'11", 180-pound safety has excellent range and click-close ability to attack downhill and make plays.

 

22. Miami Dolphins

Donovan Jackson, iOL, Ohio State

As long as Tua Tagovailoa is the starting quarterback in Miami, protecting him should be the top priority for the Dolphins. Liam Eichenberg has yet to prove himself as a starting-caliber guard, but the Dolphins could get an upgrade on their offensive line with the top interior OL prospect in this class.

Jackson has the density at 6'4" and 320 along with the length to routinely control defenders in the trenches. His presence in Miami could help keep Tua upright, assuming that he's still playing in 2024.

 

23. Los Angeles Chargers

Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami (FL)

When the Chargers are fully healthy they can be one of the most exciting teams in the AFC. However, even at full strength, this is a team that could use an injection of youth on their defensive front.

Leonard Taylor showed legitimate flashes this past season, tallying three sacks and an interception. The 6'3", 305-pound prospect is hoping to take the next step in his development and prove that he's one of the top defensive linemen in the 2024 draft class this season.

 

24. Detroit Lions

Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

If Justin Fields and Jordan Love are able to take big steps forward this season, then the Lions are going to need to counter their divisional rivals in the NFC North by bringing in more defensive backs.

Denzel Burke could be the next of a long line of Ohio State cornerbacks that have been top draft picks. He has prototypical size for an outside corner at 6'1" and 190 pounds, but still needs to come up with more takeaways (just one interception in two seasons) to answer any potential questions about his ball skills.

 

25. Green Bay Packers (via Jets)

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

At some point the Green Bay Packers are going to have to take a wide receiver in the first round for the first time in over 20 years. Rome Odunze makes almost too much sense assuming that Matt LaFleur is still the head coach in 2024.

At 6'3" and 211 pounds, Odunze is the perfect body type for a receiver in LaFleur's system. He was Penix's top target with the Huskies this past season, catching 75 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. That kind of production at that size would make Odunze a dream fit alongside Christian Watson in Green Bay.

 

26. Baltimore Ravens

Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most complete teams in football when healthy, but consistent injuries to Marlon Humphrey and a lack of depth behind him at cornerback will likely make the position a top priority for the AFC contender next offseason.

Lassiter makes almost too much sense for the Ravens. Along with a 6'0" frame, he's an asset in both coverage and run support thanks to his athleticism and competitive toughness. That mentality and aggressiveness for the Bulldogs would make it a smooth transition into the NFL with Baltimore.

 

27. Dallas Cowboys

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

What if Dak Prescott can't get the Dallas Cowboys into the Super Bowl in 2023? The star quarterback will be a free agent in 2025, and if the Cowboys aren't sold on his ability to get the job done, the 2024 NFL Draft might be the time for Jerry Jones and his staff to make a move on Prescott's eventual successor.

College football fans finally got to see what J.J. McCarthy is capable of for the Wolverines in 2023, and he showed legitimate flashes of stardom. The 6'3" quarterback prospect completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding another 306 yards and five scores on the ground. That kind of dual-threat, playmaking ability could help vault McCarthy into the first round of the 2024 draft if he is able to build on it this season for Michigan.

 

28. San Francisco 49ers

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Trent Williams can't play forever, but even if he returns in 2024 for the San Francisco 49ers, finding versatile and reliable offensive linemen will be a top priority.

A 5-star recruit coming out of high school, Mims will be seeing his first action as a full-time starter for the Bulldogs in 2023. Listed at a massive 6'7" and 340 pounds, Mims would be the perfect mentee for an aging veteran like Williams on the offensive line.

 

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

After restructuring Joe Mixon's contract, the Cincinnati Bengals could get out of their contract with the veteran running back after this season. Even if they decide to keep Mixon around for one more year, finding a top-tier running back to give Joe Burrow yet another weapon could give the Bengals another wrinkle to their offense.

Corum was having a stellar 2022 campaign with 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns before a knee injury prematurely ended his season. Now that he's cleared, the 5'8", 213-pound back is hoping for yet another dominant season in college to establish himself as a potential first-round pick.

 

30. Buffalo Bills

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Regardless of what the future holds for Stefon Diggs in Buffalo, the Bills could still benefit from adding even more weapons for Josh Allen to throw to. Xavier Worthy may not make it this far down the first round by the time the 2024 draft hits, but if he does he'll be a dream weapon for Bills fans.

The Longhorns wideout showcases an impressive combination of explosive deep-threat speed and smooth route running to maximize his separation. While he much a much lighter frame than some of the other top WR prospects, his play speed and return ability makes him a unique and dynamic weapon.

 

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce are nearing the end of their careers, and for a Philadelphia Eagles team that has dominated in the trenches, finding long-term replacements for those stars will have to be a top priority next offseason.

Kingsley Suamataia may not be a household name yet, but he could be by the end of this season. The redshirt sophomore was dominant in his first season for the Cougars, not allowing a single sack in 361 pass-blocking snaps. At 6'6" and 325 pounds, he's also a road paver in the run game, making him a potential fit at right tackle as a Johnson successor.

 

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Kansas City Chiefs had no problem finding success without Tyreek Hill, but even with Patrick Mahomes being as dominant of a player as he has been, finding a potential true No. 1 receiver could make things even easier for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Malik Nabers saw plenty of work last season for the Tigers, catching 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns. At 6'0" and 199 pounds, Nabers is a physical outside receiver with excellent contested catch ability and can be dangerous after the catch. While he's not a speedster or a separator, that jump-ball ability is something that the Chiefs could use on offense.

MORE: NFL Preseason QB Power Rankings: All 32, From Best to Worst