Our child’s all grown up. Welcome to our 18th annual SB Nation NFL group mock draft.
Annually, we flip to the specialists — our writers — on each group’s draft must ship you a projection of what the primary spherical may appear to be. This yr, it’s no shock that the primary two picks off the board are quarterbacks, with Windy Metropolis Gridiron snagging Caleb Williams for the Bears with the No. 1 general decide and the Commanders (courtesy of Hogs Haven) added UNC’s Drake Maye at No. 2.
We’ll be updating this put up with the remainder of the picks as they’re revealed, so keep tuned. Under are the outcomes of the 2024 SB Nation NFL mock draft with perception on the “why” behind every decide from our group group writers.
No. 1 – Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Williams might be entering into an unprecedented state of affairs in Chicago. Often, the primary general draft decide goes to the worst group in soccer, however the Bears went 7-10 final season after an 0-4 begin. Chicago’s protection is primed to take one other step after a powerful second half, but it surely’s the offense Williams will slide into that makes this chance so distinctive.
At receiver, DJ Moore offers Williams an electrical playmaker on the Z, and six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen has been one of the crucial dependable move catchers within the recreation for a decade. Tight finish Cole Kmet has averaged 61 receptions per yr over the past three seasons, and Gerald Everett’s versatility on the different tight finish spot will create mismatches. D’Andre Swift is a dependable move catcher out of the backfield, and he’s coming off a 1,000-yard speeding season. – Lester Wiltfong, Windy Metropolis Gridiron
No. 2 – Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Drake Maye began for the final two seasons at North Carolina and confirmed all of the instruments essential to be a profitable NFL QB. He has the scale, arm expertise, and talent to make all of the throws. Maye’s first season as a starter put him into the dialog for the highest QBs, and regardless of a “hunch” final season, he remained the No. 2 QB regardless of Jayden Daniels’s Heisman Trophy-winning season.
Maye has a whole lot of issues to scrub up in his recreation, beginning together with his footwork. The Washington Commanders new offense is led by former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, and has a number of assistants who will work with Maye as he cleans up his recreation to play on the subsequent stage. Maye is an enormous, cell passer who has the next ceiling than different QBs on this draft. – Scott Jennings, Hogs Haven
No. 3 – New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels’ tremendous energy is his legs, as he’s an electrical ball service who might be one of many quickest quarterbacks in soccer as a result of his blazing straight-line velocity. In his two years within the SEC, Daniels complied over 2,000 speeding yards and 21 touchdowns on the bottom. His skill to create huge performs as an athlete might be a nightmare for opposing defenses to defend.
It’s essential to notice that Daniels isn’t only a runner, nevertheless, as he’s improved as a passer all through his school profession. He has clear mechanics that characteristic a really constant throwing movement and higher physique. Daniels can layer throws everywhere in the discipline and is extraordinarily correct (78.7% adjusted completion fee at LSU) all whereas supporting a measly 1.1 turnover worthy play fee the previous two seasons.
Daniels has above-average arm energy, however makes up for any limitations together with his plus ball placement. He’s maybe the perfect deep ball thrower on this class because the slot fade is the perfect throw in his bag. – Brian Hines, Pats Pulpit
No. 4 – Minnesota Vikings (by way of Arizona Cardinals): JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
At simply 21 years outdated, youthful than prospects like Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix, McCarthy nonetheless has loads of room to develop. He’s already fairly mechanically sound and has displayed considerably above-average arm expertise as nicely. He’s additionally a plus athlete and generally is a menace to make performs on the transfer, whether or not it’s on designed runs or getting exterior of the pocket within the passing recreation.
One of many criticisms of McCarthy is that he was surrounded by an unimaginable quantity of expertise at Michigan and that might probably make him look higher than he truly is. Certain, Michigan is an NFL expertise manufacturing facility at this level, however that shouldn’t take away from what McCarthy has finished. And, if we need to go down that highway, given the extent of expertise he’d be surrounded by in Minnesota. . .the league’s finest huge receiver, a dynamic No. 2 wideout, among the finest tight ends within the NFL, a brand new chief within the run recreation, and a pair of excellent bookend tackles. . .his expertise could possibly be maximized in comparatively brief order. – Christopher Gates, Each day Norseman
No. 5 – Arizona Cardinals (by way of Chargers): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals want an alpha within the huge receiver room and Harrison initiatives as among the finest huge receiver prospects within the final couple years. My buddy Matt Harmon who runs Reception Notion got here out together with his last grades and Marvin Harrison Jr. is his highest-graded receiver between 2021 and this season. – Seth Cox, Revenge of the Birds
No. 6 – New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
At 6-foot-3, 212 kilos with sturdy arms, the power to win in any respect three ranges, adequate route operating skill and contested catch skill that turns 50-50 balls into 80-20 balls in his favor, Odunze is a distinct participant than anybody in that group.
If you happen to use the ‘Basketball Idea’ of constructing a large receiver room with various talent units, Odunze would carry issues to the Giants they don’t have already got. Particularly if tight finish Darren Waller retires.
Odunze is a greater athlete than many suppose, having run a 4.45 40-yard sprint and compiled the second-highest Relative Athletic Rating (RAS) of any receiver examined on the NFL Scouting Mix. – Ed Valentine, Large Blue View
No. 7 – Tennessee Titans: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
This decide might be a little bit of a controversial one as a result of Joe Alt was on the board, and the Titans’ greatest want coming into the offseason and nonetheless in April is a left deal with. I may have merely taken Alt and had the left deal with place locked down for the following decade, however I selected Nabers.
So why would a group that has desperately wanted a left deal with for the final two years move on the perfect one within the draft to take a receiver? For me it got here down to a couple issues:
The primary is the dropoff from Nabers to the receiver the Titans would have the prospect to soak up the second spherical is means greater than the dropoff from Alt to the deal with they’ll get within the second spherical. Nabers has the ceiling of being among the finest receivers within the NFL. He’s a dynamic playmaker on the surface. Brian Callahan goes to worth that greater than the coaches the Titans have had up to now. – Jimmy Morris, Music Metropolis Miracles
No. 8 – Los Angeles Rams: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
To commerce up into the highest 10 at No. 8 I gave up nineteenth general, a 2025 first-round decide, and the 83rd general decide within the third spherical. Conserving this yr’s second-round decide was essential, which is why I opted for the 2025 first-round decide as an alternative. The Rams may nonetheless transfer again within the second spherical and decide up an additional late third or a fourth-round decide to make up for the lack of decide 83.
This transfer permits the Rams to proceed including to this yr’s roster and add items for the long run which is essential for his or her present team-build. It’s a considerably hefty worth, however we received’t be speaking about what it took to get Joe Alt when he’s an All-Professional-caliber left deal with for 15 years. There are just a few blue-chip caliber gamers on this draft class and Alt is one in every of them. – Blaine Grisak, Turf Present Occasions
No. 9 – Las Vegas Raiders (by way of Bears): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Whereas the hope is the Silver and Black will commerce up into the highest three picks to, presumptively, goal Jayden Daniels, the Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots weren’t budging. That meant Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Daniels have been chosen first, second and third general. Then, the Minnesota Vikings parlayed their two first-round picks right into a commerce with the Arizona Cardinals to take J.J. McCarthy off the board.
With 4 quarterbacks taken within the first 4 picks and the quarterback-needy Denver Broncos sitting one spot forward of the Raiders, panic began to set in, so a transfer needed to be made. Chicago was keen to maneuver out of No. 9 and all it took was a third-round decide for Las Vegas to safe its quarterback of the long run.
Utilizing the NFL draft decide commerce worth chart, this was a fairly even deal because the Raiders solely overspent by 5 factors. A small premium to pay for crucial place on the sector. – Matt Holder, Silver & Black Satisfaction
No. 10 – New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Washington
Fuaga isn’t a decide purely for the long run. He’ll get an opportunity to compete with Morgan Moses for the beginning proper deal with job proper off the bat. Throughout Moses’ first stint with the Jets, he started the season as the first backup deal with, solely sliding into the beginning lineup after a Mekhi Becton harm.
Both means, Fuaga offers the Jets deal with depth within the brief run. That’s essential with a pair of starters of their mid 30s. It’s doubly essential with a beginning left deal with in Smith who hasn’t performed a season with out lacking a minimum of three video games since 2015. The phrase “win now” is virtually a cliché across the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets at this level. Fuaga offers the Jets one of many rarest advantages an NFL group can have, offensive line depth. The Jets are not one harm on the notorious turf at MetLife Stadium away from beginning the likes of Carter Warren or Max Mitchell on Aaron Rodgers’ blindside.
In fact you don’t decide a participant within the high 10 just for depth. Fuaga offers the Jets a long-term constructing block for the offensive line. Some suppose he would possibly ultimately transfer inside to protect, however irrespective of the place he finally ends up he ought to be a helpful a part of the trenches for a very long time. – John Butchko, Gang Inexperienced Nation
No. 11 – Los Angeles Chargers: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham has as excessive a ceiling as any offensive deal with prospect within the class – and should have the very best ground! He stands practically 6’6 and weighs 342 kilos, whereas boasting a wingspan within the 82nd percentile for offensive tackles, and 11-inch arms that register within the ninety fifth percentile, in accordance with Mockdraftable.com. And DraftKings Sportsbook’s odds counsel an offensive lineman would be the first place focused by the Chargers on draft night time.
With all that dimension, Latham controls defensive lineman within the run recreation, and locks up move rushers trying to undergo him. The ability is mixed with easy, fast ft, and all that got here collectively in a really spectacular means for the just lately turned 21-year-old. He solely began at proper deal with at Alabama, however his talent set suggests he may defend the blind aspect if wanted.
For the Chargers, that received’t matter: He’ll match proper in because the quick beginning proper deal with, manning the perimeters of the pocket with left deal with Rashawn Slater. – Ron Kopp Jr., Bolts From the Blue
No. 12 – Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Bo Nix offers the Broncos a quarterback who suits into Sean Payton’s offense very nicely. He’s a fast rhythm passer who has had success within the brief passing recreation, throwing screens, fast passes to the backs, and so forth — all issues Payton likes to do in his offense. His processing skill, which is one thing Payton covets from his quarterbacks, has additionally been praised by evaluators. Whereas Nix is probably not probably the most extremely touted prospect, he may be the perfect match for the Broncos at quarterback on this draft.
This is probably not the most well-liked decide, however with the way in which the board fell in entrance of me, it was the transfer the Broncos needed to make. Making an attempt to commerce up and compete with the Vikings for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was unsuccessful after which the Raiders traded as much as ninth general to pick Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., which was a shock. I might have favored to commerce again, however with Nix being the quarterback I wished to get if I couldn’t commerce up, I pulled the set off at twelfth general. – Scotty Payne, Mile Excessive Report
Verify again every weekday between now and the 2024 NFL Draft for the most recent picks in our 2024 SB Nation group mock draft!
