2024 NFL Mock Draft; Post Free Agency (WITH TRADES!)
By Hayden Shapiro
With new faces in new places, the mock draft was bound to change. In this edition, we look at some free agency signings and how they affect the draft. If you like what you read, drop a follow. As always, stay cool and much love.
Let's get right into it, starting with the Chicago Bears:
1 CHI: Caleb Williams, QB USC
I’ve said it time and time again, Williams is a generational talent. He has all the tools to be a star in the league and the Bears hold the rare opportunity of picking first in the draft, thanks to a straight up blunder from Carolina. The USC product is special, and the Bears get him and his spectacular arm talent here at number one.
2 WSH: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
This is either Maye or Daniels, but I think Daniels is flashier along with a higher ceiling. He’s going to put fans in seats and take this offense in an entirely different direction. New OC, Kliff Kingsbury, has always had a somewhat mobile quarterback (Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes), and Daniels certainly fits the mold of “mobile signal caller.” He makes plays with his legs and throws one of the prettiest deep balls in the class.
3 NYG (TRADE w/ NE): Drake Maye, QB UNC
The Giants are in an interesting spot, and I feel it’s time they move on, or at least hold a competition in camp for the starting QB job. Maye is so accurate over the middle and a completely underrated athlete. He’s got a strong frame and steps up in the pocket like an NFL vet. The Giants are getting a guy with a very high floor, as well as a sky-high ceiling. I really like this fit; especially if they can add a WR later in free agency or later in the draft.
4 ARI: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio St
Marvin Harrison Jr is a special player. His elite body control and contested catch ability make him one of the best WR prospects we’ve ever seen. He adds a dangerous red zone threat for Kyler Murray and a dynamic playstyle which allows him to line up all over.
5 MIN (TRADE w/ LAC): J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
Kirk Cousins’ time in Minnesota has come to a rather non-climactic ending. They’ve had the pieces to succeed, but never got over the hump. That’s where J.J. McCarthy comes in. Them trading up is not only a statement move, but it shows the optimism they hold in their skill position players and defense. The ex-Wolverine is a proven winner. He’s shown some flashes of phenomenal arm talent and makes tough throws look easy. The workload he had at Michigan is a worry, but with Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson as top-tier weapons, I think McCarthy is thrown into a position to succeed in Minnesota. He can make plays outside of the pocket and extend downs, allowing Justin Jefferson to do what he does better than anyone in the league; get open. I am quickly falling in love with this fit and hopping on the McCarthy hype train that seems to keep on chugging.
6 NE (TRADE w/ NYG): Malik Nabers, WR LSU
Trading back here may prolong the rebuild in New England, but I don’t hate it. They could look to go QB later in this draft and get a true WR1 after trading back to six. Nabers is explosive after the catch and has extremely strong hands, perfect blueprint for a red-zone threat. Whoever is throwing balls in New England next year, Nabers will be a top target ready to go from day one.
7 TEN: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
Tennessee is having a very underrated offseason. I love the Pollard pickup and signing Calvin Ridley really gives Levis a plethora of options in the receiving core. They opt to go Alt at seven to provide Will Levis some blind side help, attempting to guide him in the right direction. Alt moves extremely well for his size and has the footwork to keep defenders out of the pocket. This is a picture-perfect fit for my OT1 and he’ll be ready to start from the get-go.
8 ATL: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
Firepower, firepower, firepower. Atlanta has some of the most physically imposing skill position players across the league in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. Adding someone like Odunze who can flat out make highlight reel plays takes this offense to a whole new level. Kirk Cousins spreads the ball around a lot, giving everyone touches, and adding Odunze, a guy who is so talented after the catch just makes too much sense for this offense to not mock it. He is like a baby Cooper Kupp given the fact that he can be used in the screen game, but also reel in contested catches over the top of the defense. The star from Washington has great character and a high motor, two things Atlanta fans love. Don’t be surprised if Odunze isn't available here, but since he is in this mock, the dirty birds grab him and slot him right into this ever-so-entertaining offensive unit.
9 CHI: Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
Turner had one of the best combine performances in the class and completely backed up all the hype. His 83 inch, yes EIGHTY-THREE-inch wingspan allows him to swipe blockers and swim into the backfield. He seems to be involved in every play from his edge spot. A duo of Montez Sweat and Dallas Turner on the perimeter of the line would be scary for opposing OL units. If this pick comes into fruition, the Bears might be the biggest winners exiting the first round.
10 NYJ: JC Latham, OT Alabama
Latham has quickly risen up my board because of how well-rounded of a tackle he is. He doesn’t excel at one particular thing, but he is so good in the run and pass blocking game. He paves ways for his backs, but also protects against the blitz given his large frame and heavy hands. He is a perfect fit in New York and has the versatility to play either tackle spot. New additions Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith are aging, why not have a plan?
11 LAC (TRADE w/ MIN): Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
People have been raving about Arnold’s character and dedication to the game of football, and it showed when he was all smiles and business at the combine. He is a physical corner with long arms and impeccable ball skills. Arnold is a true perimeter corner who can be put on an island with no safety help. He automatically boosts this Chargers secondary.
12 DEN: Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn St
Chop has shot up my board and for good reason. First off, he debatably had the best combine out of anyone in the class. Running a 4.48 40-yard dash along with some unreal movement in his drills. Secondly, his tape at Penn State is simply unreal. He gets off the line quicker than ANYONE I have ever seen. The timing of his jump on the snap is actually unbelievable. He gives Denver some much needed juice on the edge.
13 LV: Byron Murphy II, DT Texas
Byron Murphy II has gained more attention than anyone in the last month and he backed up the talk during the combine. He looked bigger, faster, and more fluid than any other DT in the class. The ex-Longhorn is a game wrecker, a guy who can get into the backfield and split double teams with ease. He bolsters up this Vegas front immediately and has the nastiness/attitude that is so sought after these days from defenders.
14 NO: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Bowers is one of the hardest guys to mock just because he plays a position that really isn’t in the highest demand. With that being said, he does everything you want from a TE. He can block, line up pretty much everywhere, and is so dynamic after the catch. He broke the most tackles out of anyone in CFB per PFF and gives Derek Carr a reliable every down target, along with a polished blocker in the run game.
15 IND: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
Mitchell has heard all of the doubts and silenced them one by one. Small school, blah, blah, blah. This dude has the skills to be a true number one CB in this league. His ball skills are fantastic, and he takes extremely calculated risks, not looking for the home run every time. If he does get beat off the line, he holds the speed to get right back into the play. Mitchell is my CB1 and would give Indy an immediate starter on the perimeter.
16 SEA: Troy Fautanu, OT/G Washington
This might be a reach, but after losing Damien Lewis in free agency there is a clear void on the interior of this Seattle O-Line. Fautanu is so versatile; he can play all over the line and does it very well. He didn’t allow a single sack at Washington and was the highest graded lineman in the country by PFF. He’s ready to start right away and provides a force in the run + pass blocking game.
17 JAX: Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
Looked at as a number two option before the combine, Thomas Jr silenced that pretty quickly at the combine. Losing Ridley in FA, Jacksonville is looking for another weapon to give Trevor Lawrence, and Thomas Jr fits the mold of a true playmaker. He has an amazing release at the LOS and can make plays underneath on drags and slants. I think he is going to be one of the biggest steals of the first round; he could also end up going way before this.
18 CIN: Olu Fashanu, OT Penn St
I like Fashanu a lot. He’s got a high floor, but the ceiling has more of a cap then the other OT’s. He is a force in the run game, using his big frame and great footwork to push rushers outside. From what I have seen, he also has the versatility to kick inside.
19 LAR: Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
Yes, the weight is worrisome, but this guy can fly and has great instincts. He may not be the strongest or have the longest arms, but Wiggins can absolutely lock down the outside of a defense. He has a knack for big plays and also gives LA a great special teamer.
20 PIT: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
Pittsburgh has gone through some really drastic changes this free agency period, and they need to do everything they can to protect whatever QB is starting. Adding Mims to an already Bulldog-heavy line, that includes his former teammate Broderick Jones, gives the Steelers some flexibility in the latter half of this draft.
21 MIA: Taliese Fuaga, OT/G Oregon St
An absolute mauler in the run game, Fuaga gives this speedy Miami offense a power force in front. They run a lot, and also throw the ball faster than anyone else in the league. Getting a stud like Fuaga allows for more time in the pocket and more room to run in the trenches.
22 PHI: Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa
Due for a bounce back season, this Philly secondary gets even scarier with DeJean. Yes, they just signed CJ Gardner-Johnson, but DeJean is one of those positionless guys. I really like this fit as the ex-Hawkeye can play literally all over the field.
23 BUF (TRADE w/ MIN): Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
Losing Gabe Davis wasn’t on the agenda for the Bills according to many. Here they opt for pure firepower, nabbing Xavier Worthy, the new record holder for fastest 40-time, giving Josh Allen yet another deep threat. Not only can Worthy beat the defense over the top, but he is more than capable of making defenders miss underneath. This is a cool fit that I am quickly starting to fall in love with, even if it is a bit of a reach.
24 DAL: Edgerrin Cooper, LB Texas A&M
Dallas loves their light, speedy linebackers, and with Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement, they have a hole at the LB spot. Cooper flies all over the field. He is so fast off the ball, it’s quite unbelievable. He fits this scheme to a tee and adds even more positional versatility to this Dallas defense.
25 GB: Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St
This would be the best value pick of the draft. Verse can rush the passer and stop the run, he might be the most pro-ready EDGE in the class, but with how this mock shaped up he fell down to Green Bay.
26 TB: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC Oregon
A premature retirement from Ryan Jensen and a Baker Mayfield extension means two things. One: There is a glaring hole in the middle of the O-Line. Two: The Bucs have put their trust in Baker. They add JPJ here to bolster up the interior of this already impressive unit.
27 ARI: Johnny Newton, DT Illinois
Newton plays with urgency and power, two things Arizona really lacked last season. He gets to the QB, and he does it fast. Newton splits doubles with ease and is a more than capable run-stuffer too.
28 MIN (TRADE w/ BUF): Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
Latu just looked a little slow for me to mock him as high as others, but Minnesota is getting a pro-ready, toolsy, and powerful player late in the first. He uses a plethora of pass-rush moves and often wins his battles.
29 DET: Darius Robinson, EDGE/DT Mizzou
Robinson is from Detroit and just seems like a Dan Campbell guy. Arguably the biggest winner from the senior bowl, Robinson is a behemoth of a human being. He moves extremely well laterally for his size and can play all over the line.
30 BAL: Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
Big and fast, two things the Ravens need badly. This would put them over the top and make their offense arguably the most difficult to stop in the league, especially after adding Derrick Henry in FA.
31 SF: Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
They need plans for the future, so why not grab a guy with tools and a very high ceiling. I like Guyton and his athleticism. He would be a nice successor in a year or two when Trent Williams decides to hang em up.
32 KC: Ladd McConkey, WR Georgia
McConkey’s route running is unreal. He finds the open spot in the zone and makes people miss after the catch. I love his game and feel that KC would be a picture-perfect fit for Ladd.
