A.J. Schulte’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Drake Maye Joins the Commanders, Olu Fashanu Heads to Tennessee

The holiday season is in full swing, and a new year is on the horizon. For every team in the NFL, a new year offers a new chance for a reset and a chance for hope to come back into a front office, locker room, and fanbase. The best way to do so, of course, is to strike gold in the NFL Draft and find a room full of talented players that can alter the course of your team’s future.

What better way to celebrate a new year than with a mock draft that aims to do just that?

2024 NFL Mock Draft

1) Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Given all the question marks facing QB Justin Fields and his future with the team, it’s cleaner for the Chicago Bears to move on and start anew.

Caleb Williams is a natural playmaker with plenty of arm talent and athleticism. With what is likely to be a new staff in the building, Williams gets a chance to shine with players like WR DJ Moore and a revitalized defense around him.

2) Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Arizona Cardinals are determined to build their future with QB Kyler Murray under center, but they need to add more talent around him to start winning. Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory and would take over the WR1 role in Arizona right away.

3) Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

With New England’s Christmas Eve upset of the Denver Broncos, the Washington Commanders get a welcome Christmas gift in the third pick, which they use to select franchise quarterback Drake Maye.

New ownership, new coaching staff, and a new QB make this an exciting time for a Washington fan base desperate for hope.

4) New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Well, where does this leave New England? With both Williams and Maye off the board, the top two quarterbacks are gone. New England could opt to take Malik Nabers or Brock Bowers here — two moves that make sense given their need for playmakers — but I’m going in another direction here with LSU QB Jayden Daniels.

The biggest problem facing the Patriots’ offense has been their quarterback room. No matter what, they can’t avoid addressing it this offseason — Belichick or no Belichick.

Daniels is an elite playmaker at quarterback with the arm talent and mobility to create and extend plays — a welcome sight for a Patriots’ offense that currently has neither.

5) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

With the Giants now out of commission for the top three quarterbacks, this spot is wide open for what they could do. They are faced with a significant talent exodus this offseason at their skill positions on offense, and they could use a true number-one wide receiver.

Pairing Malik Nabers with Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt gives whoever the Giants’ 2024 quarterback a diverse wideout room to target.

6) Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Justin Herbert throwing to Brock Bowers? Where do I sign?

7) Tennessee Titans: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

If the Titans are fully onboard with Will Levis at QB, their next priority should be to get their offensive line sorted out. The Titans objectively flunked at left tackle this offseason with the Andre Dillard acquisition, but they have an opportunity for a real solution in Olu Fashanu, one of the best pass-protecting tackles in recent memory.

8) Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Bears have gotten good production out of EDGE Montez Sweat, but they need to continue to add more talent to their pass rush up front.

Dallas Turner is one of the best pass rushers in this upcoming draft and would be a building block outside for the team to build their pass rush plan around.

9) New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Step one of rebounding from this abysmal 2023 season for the Jets is fixing their offensive line to provide as much protection as possible to reduce the risk of another injury to QB Aaron Rodgers. Joe Alt is an elite pass protector and can be a stalwart franchise LT for a decade.

10) Atlanta Falcons: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Atlanta’s cornerback situation opposite of A.J. Terrell has been a mixed bag all season. They are the only team in the NFL whose cornerbacks do not have a single interception. Nate Wiggins is an excellent blend of length and quickness and would be an instant boost to that secondary.

11) New Orleans Saints: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Saints’ offense desperately needs another playmaker at wide receiver to emerge opposite of Chris Olave, given Michael Thomas’s inability to stay healthy.

We’ll see if the staff remains in New Orleans, but this need is a must for the team going into 2024.

Rome Odunze can step right in on the outside, fill that void, and be the long-term Thomas replacement.

12) Green Bay Packers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

I could see Green Bay opting to pick several positions on either side of the ball, but I’ll opt with them tapping into a top-heavy OT class here.

MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades

JC Latham is a powerful athlete at right tackle who would give Green Bay some stability at that position.

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

With all of the quarterbacks gone, the Raiders pivot to another area of need by adding another talented playmaker at wide receiver.

Pairing Keon Coleman with WRs Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers gives the Raiders a diverse skill set at receiver for whoever their next quarterback will be.

14) Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

The Denver Broncos could go anywhere here, but one thing that has stood out to me on film preparing for this mock has been their defensive line’s inability to generate disruptive plays. Denver is giving up the most yards per rush in the league by a significant margin and need a difference-maker up front to turn that around.

Jer’Zhan Newton is the best defensive tackle in the class by a rather comfortable gap, and he would add a difference-maker up front for the Broncos.

15) Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

With EDGEs Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum all slated to hit free agency, the Vikings must make moves to replenish their pass rush room.

Laiatu Latu slips a bit here, due to his concerning medical history, but his deep repertoire of pass rush moves and hot motor would make him an excellent addition to this Vikings defense.

16) Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Arizona Cardinals’ defense is sitting second in completion percentage allowed and in QB rating allowed, and their corner room has been picked on often this season. Per Sports Info Solutions, only the Washington Commanders are a worse pass defense by EPA.

MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

They desperately need a star in that room, and Cooper DeJean can slide right in and be that difference-maker.

17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Pittsburgh gets a few wins out of this pick. They can move Broderick Jones over to left tackle (Win No. 1), which gets Dan Moore off the field as a starter (Win No. 2), and get an awesome, powerful tackle in Amarius Mims to lock down the right tackle position (Win No. 3).

Regardless of who their quarterback or next play-caller will be, the tackle spots need to be sorted out. Mims can be part of that solution.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Right tackle Jonah Williams is set to be a free agent, and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. allows the most pressure in the NFL. It’s safe to say that throwing money at the offensive line in free agency hasn’t solved the Bengals’ issues in pass protection.

The team needs a real investment in young talent along their O-line if they want to keep QB Joe Burrow free of any more injuries. Taliese Fuaga is arguably the best run-blocker in this class but can stick in pass protection outside, as well.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Tampa Bay will also likely look to figure out their long-term QB situation this offseason. The team has struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season and needs some help on that side of the ball.

Chop Robinson is an excellent pass rusher who would add a refreshing shot of explosiveness to the Buccaneers’ pass rush.

20) Indianapolis Colts: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback room is gearing up for plenty of turnover, and they need talent at the position. Their pass rush has taken a step forward, but the rest of the defense needs playmakers. Kool-Aid McKinstry can slide right in as the team’s top corner.

21) Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington

This season, Seattle’s biggest problems offensively have arisen out of poor offensive line play. The inconsistency of that room has impacted the team’s performance week in and week out, and the Seahawks should take steps to fix their offense up front.

Troy Fautanu can play tackle in a pinch, but he ideally comes right in at guard and locks down that spot for the Seahawks for several years.

22) Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

It’s been hard watching the Jaguars operate offensively this year, as the offensive line has consistently dragged their performance down often. Added to the inconsistent wide receiver play and frustrating play-calling, it’s caused the Jaguars’ offense to wildly underperform expectations.

You can pick any position here, but Jacksonville needs a reliable wide receiver outside. Brian Thomas Jr. is a height/weight/speed freak at 6’4″, 205 pounds, boasting explosiveness. His combination of athleticism and elite catch rate would be a welcome boost to a flailing offense carried by QB Trevor Lawrence.

23) Los Angeles Rams: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Rams are in the playoff hunt, but they are being actively hurt by their cornerback room. Competent passing offenses have been able to pick on their corners this season, and it could limit the Rams’ ceiling in the playoffs. They sorely miss CB Jalen Ramsey’s presence in the secondary.

Quinyon Mitchell is an elite athlete, who thrives in man coverage and can be the Rams’ long-term future at cornerback.

24) Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

The pressure is on for the Bills to find playmakers on the offense, and they must do it fast. The Bills’ wide receiver room has been remarkably inconsistent, outside Stefon Diggs, and it’s high time they invest properly into that spot.

MORE: NFL Draft Order

Troy Franklin‘s stock will vary from team to team, but he would give the Bills a star playmaker who adds a different element after the catch than anyone else on the roster.

25) Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Chiefs’ offense has been a painful watch all season, due to a lack of playmaking talent around QB Patrick Mahomes, and it has to be a top priority for the team in the offseason.

Adonai Mitchell is an excellent height/weight/speed wide receiver prospect at 6’4 and roughly 200 pounds. Texas has thrown his way when they have needed a big play, and he has seemingly responded every time — a style of playmaker the Chiefs desperately need.

26) Dallas Cowboys: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

OL Tyron Smith has played like an All-Pro this season and should be extended. However, it’s getting closer to a time when Dallas has to invest in his long-term replacement. I do not believe that should be Tyler Smith because his best long-term outlook is at left guard.

Suamataia is a freak athlete at 6’6″, 325 pounds, and he has some high-level tape as a run-blocker and in pass protection, despite switching from right to left tackle this season.

Whether Smith is extended or not, this would be a wise investment, given his recent lack of durability. He also adds insurance at right tackle if Terrence Steele continues to play at his current level.

27) Houston Texans (via CLE): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

With Stroud playing at this level, it’s important to ensure that the defense takes strides to match his offensive output, so it doesn’t all fall on his shoulders. The Texans have three corners — who have all played a significant number of snaps this year — hitting free agency.

Terrion Arnold is a quick, competitive corner who can give the Texans a versatile and physical corner they can play outside or in the slot.

28) Detroit Lions: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The pass rush for the Lions has been lackluster, at best, and could use a boost with a dynamic pass rusher in the fold. Jared Verse is one of the best in the class, boasting a superb combination of explosiveness and power.

29) Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The interior of the Dolphins’ offensive line has been a struggling unit and will undergo even more turnaround in the offseason. Graham Barton has the flexibility to play anywhere on the offensive line, but in this scenario, he steps in to replace Connor Williams at center.

30) Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Eagles need to solve their defensive woes. Philly executive Howie Roseman has typically never opted to spend early picks on defenders who aren’t defensive linemen, and that’s not an issue for the team right now.

Instead, they turn to add a developmental tackle and an excellent athlete in Tyler Guyton.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

San Francisco has to figure out their offensive line quickly. The non-Trent Williams players have struggled this season — especially the other tackles on the roster.

Blake Fisher’s name hasn’t gotten a lot of early buzz yet, but the talent is evident on film for him to be a riser in a relatively weak right tackle class.

32) Baltimore Ravens: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

EDGE Jadaveon Clowney and LB Kyle Van Noy are set to hit free agency, leaving the Ravens’ pass rush with LB Odafe Oweh and a list of question marks.

Bralen Trice is a powerful and physical pass rusher who fits what the Ravens tend to look for in prospects.

His name will appear in the first round more and more the closer we get to the draft.