Derek Tate’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Brock Bowers Finds New Home, Malik Nabers Soars, and J.J. McCarthy Replaces Kirk Cousins

NFL free agency has drastically altered the draft board for more than a handful of teams across the league approaching the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Atlanta Falcons signed a franchise quarterback, the Chicago Bears traded for a highly productive veteran wide receiver, and the Las Vegas Raiders landed one the top defensive tackles on the open market.

This has impacted the potential landing spots for the incoming draft prospects, which we will take a closer look at by using the PFN Mock Draft Simulator tool for this 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

2024 NFL Mock Draft

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

The recent trade of Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers has all but cemented the Chicago Bears going quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This means USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the running favorite to hear his name called first on draft night.

The recent additions of D’Andre Swift and Keenan Allen and incumbent DJ Moore make this one of the most favorable offensive situations a top overall pick at quarterback has walked into in recent memory.

2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The Washington Commanders have also cleared the runway to select a quarterback at pick two with the trade of Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks. The debate about who the QB2 is in this class is nuanced, but perhaps no player offers a higher ceiling than the dynamic dual-threat playmaker out of LSU, Jayden Daniels.

MORE: Top QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Commanders have two exciting playmakers on the outside, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, to go with a reliable safety blanket out of the backfield in Austin Ekeler, which should help ease Daniels’ transition to the NFL.

3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC

The biggest potential ripple effect heading into the first round is what the New England Patriots will do with the third overall pick. If the Pats don’t go quarterback at this spot, we could see a team aggressively move up to land North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

However, I’m not buying that New England will pass at quarterback here. The team traded away Mac Jones and signed Jacoby Brissett this offseason, which screams that the team is positioning the roster to select a young signal-caller. Maye has a ceiling similar to Justin Herbert, which makes this pick a no-brainer, considering the team’s need at the position.

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

The Arizona Cardinals’ decision to move forward with Kyler Murray under center makes this one of the easier projections of the 2024 NFL Draft. The team lost its top receiver this offseason, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best collegiate receiver prospect to enter the league in 25 years. I expect the Cardinals to run to the podium with this selection.

5) Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Remember when I mentioned Herbert’s upside when talking about Maye going to the Patriots? Well, the ceiling has gotten much lower for the Chargers’ signal-caller this offseason with the losses of Allen, Ekeler, and Mike Williams. This has created a huge need at the wide receiver position after the disappointing rookie campaign from Quentin Johnston last season.

MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft 

LSU’s Malik Nabers is an effortless separator and exceptional playmaker after the catch who can attack a defense on all three levels of the football field, potentially giving Herbert the most dynamic weapon he’s had during his entire career.

6) New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The New York Giants have sunk a considerable amount of early-round draft capital into the wide receiver position over the last four years. Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt have all failed to make a significant impact on this offensive unit since entering the league, which means the team is still in the market for a true WR1.

The problem is instantly resolved with the well-rounded Rome Odunze of Washington, who doesn’t have a true weakness entering the NFL and excels in contested-catch situations — which is the type of receiver this team doesn’t possess right now. If the Giants want to give Daniel Jones one more chance to succeed in New York, this should be the pick.

7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Similar to the Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans happen to have the top prospect at the biggest position of need fall right into their lap. Sure, one can debate if Notre Dame’s Joe Alt has the highest ceiling of this impressive group of tackle prospects entering the league, but his elevated floor due to his consistent technique combined with a plus-level athletic profile is what earns him the top spot at the position.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The addition of Kirk Cousins takes the temptation of selecting a quarterback off the board for the Atlanta Falcons with this pick, allowing Raheem Morris to address the defensive side of the football with the exceptional cornerback prospect Terrion Arnold out of Alabama.

Arnold’s athletic profile, combined with his elite start-stop ability, would make a formidable tandem with A.J. Terrell for years to come.

9) Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Bears’ acquisition of Allen at wide receiver narrows the potential directions Chicago general manager Ryan Poles can go with his second pick on Day 1.

MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft

An offensive tackle prospect is certainly in play here, but the Bears’ defense finished 31st in the league last year with 30 sacks. Alabama’s Dallas Turner would instantly give this defense an explosive pass-rushing threat opposite Montez Sweat for the 2024 season.

10) New York Jets: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The recent signing of veteran left tackle Tyron Smith opens up this pick considerably for the New York Jets to build around Aaron Rodgers. The argument for still spending this pick on an offensive line prospect certainly makes logical sense, but the pass-catching weapons outside of Garrett Wilson don’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenses.

The selection of Brian Thomas Jr. would give the Jets an ideal vertical threat to pair with Rodgers’ exceptional ability to push the ball down the field and could open things up for both Wilson and running back Breece Hall.

11) Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

In this scenario, no team made an aggressive move up the board to select the QB4 in this class. This makes for the ideal situation for the Minnesota Vikings to draft their future quarterback with J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan.

McCarthy is a polarizing prospect who feels like more of a projection than a finished product entering the NFL. The physical tools are there, the winning intangibles are impressive, and the flashes of operating in a pro-style offense are present. McCarthy’s ceiling is well worth the pick at 11 for Minnesota.

12) Denver Broncos: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

The Denver Broncos organization will be strapped for cash the next few seasons due to dead money tied up with Russell Wilson — who is no longer on the roster — leaving head coach Sean Payton to address the quarterback position via the draft.

If the Broncos stay at 12, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. should be on the board for Denver.

Penix’s passing production exploded after joining the Huskies, and he flashed the ability to get the ball out of his hands on time and attacked opposing defenses on three levels of the football field by properly identifying pre-snap reads.

This pick comes with some risk, though. His injury history and the fact that he was surrounded by a plethora of pro prospects at Washington make him far from a sure thing entering the professional ranks.

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The early run on quarterbacks force the Las Vegas Raiders to pivot at 13th overall. This development turns out pretty well, with the organization landing right tackle Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State, who plays with the type of nastiness that could instantly make an impact for the running game in 2024.

14) New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Trevor Penning’s play regressed from his rookie to sophomore year, which has the tackle position in play with this pick. If a talent like Penn State’s Olu Fashanu — who has exceptional physical tools, length, and harmony with his movements — is available, then the Saints should strongly consider the selection and slide Penning inside to shore up the offensive line.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Indianapolis Colts offense currently has Kylen Granson, Jelani Woods, and Mo Alie-Cox on the depth chart at the tight end position. With all due respect, none of them hold a candle to Georgia’s Brock Bowers at the position.

Bowers enters the league with one of the best prospect profiles at tight end in recent memory. His exceptional playmaking ability as a pass catcher in all three phases — route running, at the catch point, and a yards-after-catch threat — makes him an instant impact player in this Shane Steichen offense.

16) Seattle Seahawks: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Seattle Seahawks have one of the deeper groups of quality skill-position players in the league but weren’t able to reach their full potential as a unit due to some struggles along the offensive line last year.

MORE: Top OTs in the 2024 NFL Draft

JC Latham, out of Alabama, should provide an instant upgrade at right tackle. He was a dominant force in both zone and gap schemes in 2023 and will instantly upgrade the ground game.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary finished as one of the worst defensive units against opposing passing attacks last year, ranking 26th in the league by giving up an average of 239 yards per game.

Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell has the versatility to operate inside or outside. He possesses the recovery athleticism to contribute instantly but has the upside to develop into a plus-level starter in the NFL.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

The uncertain future of Tee Higgins makes it very tempting to go wide receiver with this pick. Still, the loss of Jonah Williams to Arizona this offseason makes tackle an immediate need for this upcoming draft.

Troy Fautanu is a very fluid athlete who possesses quick feet, a high football IQ, and a physical mentality. He can contribute by protecting Joe Burrow’s blindside from Day 1 in the NFL.

19) Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The recent loss of Aaron Donald to retirement removes a pass-rushing force from this defensive line unit they will not be able to replace immediately, but UCLA’s Laiatu Latu certainly will help soften that blow up front.

Latu combines exceptional bend, rare quickness, and fluidity for an edge prospect. He has a veteran’s bag of pass-rush moves to contribute as a pressure specialist from the jump and could develop into a Pro Bowl talent if he improves as a run defender.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ addition of Wilson and Fields to the quarterback room shifts the focus to building around these signal-callers for 2024. The departure of Diontae Johnson to Carolina puts receiver in play for this pick, but the offensive line still has to be addressed.

Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton has the length to and positional athleticism to contribute immediately as an NFL-ready pass protector for the Steelers unit up front.

21) Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC, Oregon

The loss of Christian Wilkins this offseason makes defensive tackle a potential option at 21 overall, but fortifying the interior of the offensive line with the imposing Jackson Powers-Johnson is too enticing to pass up.

Powers-Johnson instantly provides athleticism and power to the middle of an offensive line that already boasts one of the most explosive rushing attacks in the league. His presence could help take De’Von Achane’s game to the next level.

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Philadelphia Eagles’ collapse last season was largely due to the struggles of the secondary unit throughout the season. They finished the year ranked 30th by giving up an average of 255 passing yards per game.

The team did add a familiar face in free agency by bringing C.J. Gardner-Johnson back into the fold, but the struggles of Darius Slay and James Bradberry still make this secondary a point of emphasis in this draft.

Clemson’s Nate Wiggins is a bit undersized but has the type of formation versatility and top-tier speed to develop into a big-time contributor to Vic Fangio’s defense.

23) Minnesota Vikings (From HOU): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Minnesota Vikings like to blitz… a lot. Brian Flores’ defense blitzed an absurd 51.5% of the time in 2023, the highest mark since 2019. The Vikings also played a lot of zone in this attacking scheme, which makes Cooper DeJean an outstanding weapon for this team.

MORE: Top CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft

He can succeed outside at corner in zone coverages, and he can cause chaos as a slot defender who can scream off the edge as either a blitzer or in run support.

24) Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Dallas Cowboys’ loss of the aforementioned Smith at left tackle and Tyler Biadasz at center gives the organization immediate needs along the offensive line to address in the draft. Amarius Mims is a tackle prospect with an immensely high ceiling and ideal physical tools, and he flashed his potential with some dominant reps on tape during his time at Georgia.

He is a raw prospect with fewer than 10 starts during his collegiate career, but he comes with a rare set of physical tools at 6’8”, 340 pounds that make him tough to pass up at 24th overall, especially considering its a position of need.

25) Green Bay Packers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The splashes the Green Bay Packers made in the early days of free agency by signing Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs certainly aren’t what we are used to from this franchise, but it has narrowed the number of needs down a bit on a very young roster.

The case for an offensive lineman is certainly compelling. Still, a well-rounded and technically sound corner prospect like Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry projects to be an instant starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL. He pairs well with starter Jaire Alexander and would push Eric Stokes and Keisean Nixon for immediate playing time to start the 2024 NFL season.

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost Shaq Barrett —  who has tallied 45 sacks over his five seasons with the team — to the Miami Dolphins this free agency, which puts the Bucs in the market for a pass-rushing talent out on the edge.

Penn State’s Chop Robinson has explosive traits for a 6’3”, 254-pound talent who explodes out of his stance and shows flashes of dominance. If Todd Bowles can find the best way to unleash his unbridled aggressiveness, this could be one of the better values of the draft.

27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU

The Cardinals address the defensive side of the football with their second selection of the first round by snagging FSU’s Jared Verse.

He may not possess the ideal bend to turn the corner for a pure edge pass-rushing prospect, but he would instantly improve the team’s woeful rushing defense — which ranked dead last in the league by giving up 143 yards per game on the ground in 2023 — and has the tools to develop into a plus-level pass rusher in the NFL.

28) Buffalo Bills: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

The decision to release safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White could turn the team’s attention to addressing the secondary late in the first round.

MORE: Top Safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft

Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin may not possess elite athletic traits, but his exceptional feel for zone coverage and great ball skills make him an instant contributor to the back end of this defense.

29) Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Detroit Lions’ addition of Carlton Davis III does bring a starting caliber corner into the folds for the team’s secondary. However, the team still could use a potential upgrade to either him or an insurance policy for Emmanuel Moseley, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.

Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter is a rock-solid football player with quality footwork, disciplined hands when attempting to reroute receivers, and quality run support traits that all project to a multi-year starter in the NFL.

30) Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

It took just one season with Todd Monken and some improved weapons on the outside for Lamar Jackson to win his second league MVP. The team hasn’t re-signed Odell Beckham Jr. and could use an elite separator with vertical speed to compliment the twitchy YAC threat that is Zay Flowers.

Well, Adonai Mitchell fits the bill. His stock has climbed significantly after running a 4.34 40-yard dash at 6’2”, 205 pounds, and he could continue to take this passing game to new heights in Jackson’s second year in Monken’s system.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, OG, Duke

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the best 53-man rosters in the league, but the interior of the offensive line is one area they could use an upgrade.

Duke’s Graham Barton is one of the most versatile offensive line prospects in this class — having spent time at both tackle and center in college — and possesses the type of skill set that can thrive at guard in the NFL.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Kansas City Chiefs receivers caught a lot of criticism for their poor play over the 2023 NFL regular season, but the team still managed to win a second consecutive Super Bowl.

After signing Marquise Brown to a one-year deal, the Chiefs’ group of pass catchers is starting to take form. Brown is the vertical threat, Rashee Rice is the yards-after-catch dynamo working underneath, and Travis Kelce is … well … Kelce.

KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Combine Results — 40-Yard Dash, Bench Press, and More

The one missing ingredient for getting this passing offense to return to one of the elite groups in the NFL is a contested catch-savant who operates on the outside. That description fits FSU’s Keon Coleman perfectly.

He may have some issues separating consistently due to a lack of elite vertical speed. Still, his skill set could play a perfect complement to the other pass catchers on the roster, which would help Patrick Mahomes capitalize on the plethora of red-zone scoring opportunities we expect this offense to generate in 2024.

Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!