2024 NFL Mock Draft: Super Bowl Edition
By Hayden Shapiro
It is officially super bowl week! That means friends, family, and you guessed it, another mock draft. I went tradeless in this one just to see how the board would shake up. As always, if you like what you read, hit that follow button. Much love and Stay Cool!
1 CHI: Caleb Williams, QB USC
The Bears retained the majority of their staff, including their head coach, Matt Eberflus. I see both sides of the coin. Keeping Fields makes sense, but if they can get a good return for him and his potential, Williams looks like the long-term answer in Chicago. Caleb Williams is one of the best prospects we’ve ever seen. He can throw with his feet set or not, he can utilize different arm slots to fit the ball into small windows, and his ability to extend plays is Mahomes like. So, with the first pick in this mock, Chicago gets a shiny new QB. One who they believe can restore hope in this winning-deprived franchise.
2 WSH: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
Not being able to decide on who to take as your next franchise quarterback is a good problem to have. Here, Washington goes with pure excitement, flashiness, and pinpoint accuracy. Daniels possesses all of the tools to be a great signal caller at the next level and his dual threat playstyle (running and passing) combined with his simply uncanny arm talent makes him the selection at two. I think this fit is picture perfect and it gives the Commanders a reliable guy who can start from day one. Daniels makes players around him better, something Maye lacks. Watch out for this Terry Mclaurin and Jayden Daniels connection, it is going to be lethal.
3 NE: Drake Maye, QB UNC
Drake Maye is a pure pocket passer who has looked pro ready throughout his college career. Whatever he lacks in arm strength he makes up for in his pocket presence and control. He remains calm at all times when the pocket is collapsing. If the Pats are able to re-sign Mike Onwenu and Trent Brown, Maye should have the protection he needs to succeed. The Patriots will address the wide receiver position later in the draft. This is a no-brainer if Maye is on the board here at three.
4 ARI: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio St
I have said it many times and I’m going to say it again: Marvin Harrison Jr is the best wide receiver prospect I’ve ever seen. His elite ball skills, his eye popping body control, and strong hands are abilities you, put simply, do not see from prospects. He is worth all of the hype. Kyler Murray is salivating at the idea of Arizona adding someone like MHJ to this roster that seems to be depleted of star talent. They will address defense later in the first because they can’t pass on Harrison Jr here at four. His impact will be felt right out of the gate, and I can’t wait to see him on an NFL field.
5 LAC: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL Illinois
Look, positional value is something in the back of my mind when I mock Newton here, but his sheer power/speed combination is special. He is going to be a force in the league. He has all the tools needed to succeed in the pros, and quite frankly, I think he is worthy of being the first defender selected in this draft. He plays like a bull in a china shop, knocking everything in his path over, and doing it with ease. Every matchup this year he seemed to dominate. I really can’t say enough good things about the Illinois product, and he fits like a puzzle piece into this veteran lead Chargers defensive line.
6 NYG: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
The Giants’ roster on paper really isn’t horrible. With the three-consensus top QB’s off the board, the G-Men add some firepower at the WR position. Odunze can go up and grab it, but where he really excels is after the catch. It may be a stretch, but he plays a lot like Cooper Kupp. He is a very smooth route runner, often making people forget how big he is at 6’3. He’s got strong hands and will be a great target for whoever is throwing the ball for New York next season.
7 TEN: Olu Fashanu, OT Penn St
He’s been pro ready since his freshman year. Fashanu excels in the run game, plowing over defenders and paving paths for his backs. His pass protection is strong, with a steady base and heavy hands, he doesn’t let smaller rushers in, something becoming more and more of a game plan in the league. I guarantee you, if a slot CB decides to blitz against Fashanu, he’s not getting far. I like this pick for Tennessee.
8 ATL: Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
Latu brings versatility to a defense that is going to blitz much more after the Raheem Morris hire. He can play standing or with his hand in the dirt. Arnold Ebikitie has looked good, but they need help on the other side.
9 CHI: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The Bears are starting fresh, and after selecting Caleb Williams at number one overall, they give him a great weapon in Malik Nabers. Nabers is a prime red zone threat, and he fits really nicely next to DJ Moore. He can also play the slot, something Eberflus will love to utilize, especially with his new QB in Williams.
10 NYJ: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Bowers is listed as a tight end, but he is just a true athlete. He can block, play outside, or even in the slot. He is quickly going to become a favorite target in an offense primed for a breakout campaign.
11 MIN: Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St
Verse has a great frame and excels at setting the edge on run plays. He is true TFL (Tackle for loss) monster. His vision and savviness lead him to Minnesota, a team with both of it’s starting edge rushers hitting free agency.
12 DEN: Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
Ideally, Denver would trade down here. If they do trade Wilson, they are going to need a quarterback badly. Their talent window is not going to be open for much longer, so they get one of the most intriguing players in the draft; Michael Penix Jr. Penix’s accuracy and arm make him a day one talent in my opinion. He has his flaws, but his ceiling is too high to pass up on at 12.
13 LVR: Kool-Aid Mckinstry, CB Alabama
Mckinstry didn’t exactly have the season that was expected from him after a phenomenal 2022 campaign. With that being said, opposing quarterbacks were visibly hesitant to throw his way. He can be put on an island and shut down the number one option on the other side of the ball. His high floor/ceiling combination draws Vegas in.
14 NO: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
If you’ve read my past mocks, you know I am not the biggest Alt fan. He struggles blocking for the run, but his pass protection is great. He is going to be a great new addition on the blind side of Derek Carr…for the time being.
15 IND: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
Arnold has extremely long arms and impeccable ball skills. He adds some nastiness to this abysmal Indy secondary. He can play the slot, outside, and was often seen blitzing the quarterback in Tuscaloosa too. Great fit for him here in Indianapolis.
16 SEA: Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
If Turner falls this far, the Seahawks are going to jump all over him. Great value pick for Seattle, as many scouts have him as edge one in this class. His high motor and advanced speed rush moves allow him to start from day one.
17 JAX: Byron Murphy II, DL Texas
Murphy has shot up boards lately, but it isn’t for no reason. His ability to rush the passer from inside is special. He has very strong hands and is unbothered by double teams. A line consisting of Murphy, Josh Allen, and Travon Walker is a scary possibility.
18 CIN: Keon Coleman, WR Florida St
All signs point to Tee Higgins departing in free agency. To fill this 6’5 void, the Bengals take Coleman. This Seminole is a pro ready wideout with a quick release and extraordinary hands. Great route runner too.
19 LAR: JC Latham, OT Alabama
Latham plays with so much power and excels in the run game. He paves the way for his teammates and can take on multiple defenders at once. He can play either side of the line and really makes this Rams line look good again.
20 PIT: Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon St
Fuaga was very impressive at the senior bowl. This pick allows Pittsburgh to move Broderick Jones back to his original position of left tackle, and Fuaga fits in nicely on the right side. He plays with a lot of force and is a very good run blocker, a guy Najee and Jaylen Warren will love to run behind.
21 MIA: Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn St
This Miami team blitzes a lot. I mean A LOT. With more and more injuries year after year, it doesn’t hurt to add some depth at the edge position. Chop Robinson has all the tools to be a top ten selection, but injury concerns and the overall strength at that position in this year’s class slide him down the board. This would be a great value pick for the Phins and it gives them some flexibility to implement new packages with three or four different guys off the edge.
22 PHI: Kamren Kinchens, S Miami (Fla)
The ability to lurk over the middle of the field and read a QB’s eyes from way downtown is very special, and Kinchens does exactly that. He is a true ballhawk and is going to be dynamic in the league, dare I say future all-pro. His sheer football IQ and determined work ethic make him the perfect safety for Philly.
23 HOU: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
What a senior bowl Quinyon Mitchell had. He was picking balls off left and right as well as showcasing his ability to play on the perimeter. He is not the project some expect him to be and will develop into a great number two corner alongside former first rounder, and now pro-bowler, Derek Stingley jr.
24 DAL: Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa
DeJean is so versatile. He can line up literally all over the field and is going to be a difference maker from day one in this high powered, dynamic Cowboys defense.
25 GB: Tyler Nubin, S Minnesota
Nubin’s aggressive playstyle fits right into this Green Bay squad. He is going to pair up real nice next to Darnell Savage. He is a very good tackler and is not afraid to step up into the box.
26 TB: Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
Great red zone threat who can stretch the field. If Mike Evans does walk, this would be a prime replacement.
27 ARI: Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
Lassiter plays so much bigger than he is. A willing tackler who can play inside and out. Great ball skills and knack for making big plays.
28 BUF: Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
Wiggins has long arms and good ball skills. His speed really worries me, but Buffalo desperately needs help at such an important position.
29 DET: T’Vondre Sweat, DL Texas
Sweat is a force to be reckoned with in the run game. He consistently sheds blockers and plows his way into the backfield. Him and Alim McNeil might be the scariest nose tackle duo in the league for years to come.
30 BAL: Amarius Mims, OL Georgia
Mims is going to test very well at the combine. The guy is gigantic but plays so gracefully with great footwork and strong hands. He best lines up at guard in my opinion, but with Morgan Moses getting up there in age, I think Baltimore would love a nice new blocker to play with for the future.
31 KC: Roman Wilson, WR Michigan
Wilson had an amazing senior bowl and may have earned himself a first round selection. His route running may be the best in the class and his hands are like glue. He will be a great safety net for Mahomes in KC.
32 SF: Troy Fautanu, OG Washington
Fautanu put on a show in the college football playoff. He has pro ready written all over him and could even benefit from sitting a year, developing behind what some would say is the best line in the league.
