2024 NFL Mock Draft with Trades — Hayden Shapiro
By Hayden Shapiro —
This isn’t going to be an official or numbered mock, but I wanted to experiment with different picks, so here we go. Lots of trades in this one, so it’ll be a fun one. One shocker is where JJ McCarthy lands; keep reading to find out. The hype is there, and in my opinion, I think he’s deserving of it. Much love, stay cool, and enjoy.
1 CHI: Caleb Williams, QB USC
The Bears may already have written Caleb Williams’ name down on their draft envelope and called it a day, but I want to explain why he is the consensus number one overall pick. Williams’ ability to extend plays is special, he can throw off balance, and fire missiles from multiple arm slots. There are simply no weaknesses in his game. The character issues need to be put to rest, and quite frankly, I feel like they’re only there because it’s the only negative thing people can find on him. He checks every box and this Bears offense is looking great as their rebuild comes to a climactic close.
2 WSH: J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
The J.J. McCarthy hype train departed in Indianapolis at the combine and it’s next stop is in Washington. I’ve heard so much hype around McCarthy and have even heard rumblings, coming from NFL analysts, GMs, and former coaches that the ex-Wolverine will not be making it out of the top-3 picks. McCarthy has won at every level and fits Kingsbury’s offense scheme so well. He has great arm talent, steps up with confidence in the pocket, and is a really underrated athlete. He may be a bit of a wild-card, but I have a strange feeling that this “reach” may pay off.
3 NE: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
Jayden Daniels not going to Washington at 1.02 allows New England to snag him at three. Daniels’ Heisman campaign is going way under the radar and in a new era in Foxborough, they opt for a different kind of quarterback, play-style wise. Daniels uses his legs better than any other QB in the class and throws one of the prettiest deep balls I’ve ever seen from a prospect. He opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for the Pats and they hold pick 34 where they can go WR to give their shiny, new, rookie QB a weapon.
4 ARI: Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio St
Arizona is in a more interesting position than most people think. Yes, they have Kyler Murray, and a decent pass-rush highlighted by youngster B.J. Ojulari, but this team needs help pretty much everywhere. After losing Hollywood Brown to FA, their number one and two receivers are Michael Wilson and Greg Dorth, so they address wideout here at four with one of the best WR prospects we’ve ever seen. I’ve said it time and time again, MHJ reminds me so much of A.J. Green, a receiver with unbelievable body control and an uncanny ability to snag contested catches straight out of the air. Harrison Jr’s spectacular collegiate career will continue in the pros as he just has that X-factor about him, a trait so many young wideouts don’t possess.
5 MIN (TRADE w/ LAC): Drake Maye, QB UNC
Minnesota uses their two first round picks to trade up and get Maye at five. Maye has somewhat spotty accuracy and the decision making can be questionable at times, but he does everything well. The reason he’s the fourth QB off the board is simply because he doesn’t have a singular “standout” trait like the other guys. WIth that being said, the signing of Sam Darnold could allow Maye to sit for a little while and even gives the VIkings an opportunity to hold a quarterback competition in training camp. He would have the pleasure of throwing passes to Justin Jefferson, too.
6 NYG: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The reports are that there are real off the field issues with Nabers, questioning his character and devotion to the game, but with the way this guy plays the wide receiver position, those concerns are going right out the window. Nabers creates the most separation on inside routes out of anyone in the class. He can line up on the outside or in the slot, and is outstanding in the red zone. He would automatically become the number one weapon for Daniel Jones and in a lackluster receiver room, he would have the opportunity to play on every down. I like the combo of Nabers and Hyatt, with Hyatt stretching the field and Nabers doing damage underneath. This adds a lot of much needed firepower to this Giants offense and would not only benefit Daniel Jones, but the other wideouts as well.
7 TEN: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
This is another one of those “already penciled-in” picks for me. The Titans’ line has struggled ever since Taylor Lewan’s premature retirement and with this selection, they have their franchise tackle for the next decade. Alt is such a polished pass-blocker, it’s really remarkable how well he moves for someone his size. He has phenomenal footwork and quick hands. He needs to improve in the run game, but with his talent and head for the game, that won’t be a struggle. New Titan Tony Pollard loves to run outside of his tackles and we know Will Levis likes to step up in the pocket, so this pick just makes too much sense not to mock. Everything about Alt to Tennessee is perfect, I really hope they don’t mess this one up. If they really want him this bad, they should even consider trading up to four.
8 DEN (TRADE w/ ATL): Rome Odunze, WR Washington
After Jerry Jeudy’s departure and holding onto an abysmal contract for an aging Courtland Sutton, Denver is at the top of the list in the WR market. They desperately need help on the outside, and at QB, and maybe at EDGE, but they can address those positions later. Here they trade up with Atlanta, sending an expiring contract an a future second-rounder to the Falcons, and they select Washington wideout Rome Odunze. Odunze is a special player, he’s actually my WR2, and his high football IQ is the reason why. He’s got the frame to go up and grab contested catches, but also possesses the vision to do some damage after the catch. He reminds me a lot of Cooper Kupp; a guy who can line up all over, follow his blockers, and make big-time plays despite his subpar speed and agility. Whoever is throwing footballs in the Mile High City next season would love to have a guy like Odunze on his side, as he is a great player and an even better dude. He stayed out at the combine for nearly 25 minutes to perfect his 3-cone drill, that just shows the work ethic this guy has and how willing he is to get better.
9 CHI: Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St
If this is what ends up happening for the Bears, they are going to leave the first round as the biggest winners in my book. A tandem of Montez Sweat and Jared Verse would be a nightmare to gameplan for, as they both have such different skill sets. Sweat rushes with speed and quickness, forcing the QB to roll-out more often than not, and a lurking Verse would eat him right up. Verse is the best run-stopper in the class, a master at setting the EDGE, not allowing for backs to bounce plays outside or QBs to roll out to his side of the field. He’s a TFL monster, often getting his way in one on one matchups. Verse uses power and strength to beat his blockers. He plays with such heavy hands and an extremely high motor, his skills will just translate so well to the next level. After this selection, and the Caleb Williams one, this team is a real threat in the NFC. Quick turnaround in Chicago, they played this so well. I love how they did in this mock, as Verse just fits this defensive scheme so damn well.
10 NYJ: Taliese Fuaga, OT/G Oregon St
Yes, the Jets just signed Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but we’ve seen time and time again how veteran tackles on new teams just struggle to stay healthy. Taking Fuaga here allows for a plug and play RT and he can also play guard. He uses sheer power to fend off opposing rushers and is a mauler in the run game. Fuaga gives them a backup tackle and starting-caliber guard at the same time, his versatility is why he’s the pick here at 10. In an offense that loves to run heavy outside and have their guards pull, Fuaga is the perfect fit. Even if he doesn’t start this year, down the line he is going to be a starter for New York. It also makes sense because this roster is really, really good. They don’t need help in many places, so why not bolster up this line and prepare for the future?
11 LAC (TRADE w/ MIN): Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
This is either Brian Thomas Jr or Bowers, but here I opt for Bowers as Jim Harbaugh loves to use TEs. Bowers is a special prospect. He can block better than half of the league’s tight ends already, he can line up outside, and is so dangerous after the catch that he can be utilized on screens and drags. He just bounces off tacklers like it’s nothing and can be put one-on-one with an EDGE and win the battle. The ex-Bulldog would quickly become Justin Herbert’s number one target and would really open up this offense over the top and inside the numbers. Bowers just does everything so well, it’s weird to see him fall outside of the top ten, but LAC gains draft capital from MIN, including pick 23, and lands Bowers. That’s a picture perfect start for Harbaugh and the Bolts in my book.
12 ATL (TRADE w/ DEN): Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
Turner is an athletic freak and a physical specimen. He has an 83-inch wingspan, literally longer than multiple power forwards in the NBA, and has the speed of a running back. He led the EDGE position in nearly every category at the combine and plays with such a high motor, two things that are going to be hard to ignore when considering EDGE in the draft. On an Atlanta team where their two sack leaders were Bud Dupree and 39 year-old Calais Campbell, it’s fair to say they need to get younger and ultimately get more pressure on the QB. I think a tandem of Arnold Ebikitie, former second round pick from Penn St, and Turner would be a sneakily good combo. Turner uses swim and duck moves so well and Ebikitie rushes with power, it’s like the Bears with Sweat and Verse: two different skill sets on opposite sides of the line, a quarterback’s worst nightmare. This is also an amazing value pick. The Falcons gain draft capital, maybe an expiring contract, and land the guy they probably would have taken at eight anyway.
13 LV: JC Latham, OT Alabama
Latham can play both tackle spots and can do it right away. If Fuaga is here, I expect them to go for him, but Latham is no consolation prize. He plays with such graceful power and has absolutely spectacular footwork. He wins battles against smaller/faster EDGEs more often than not and uses his strong arm and heavy hands to plow forward on run plays. Latham would be an immediate answer to the hole left by Jermaine Elumenor after he departed in FA.
14 NO: Troy Fautanu, OT/G Washington
Taking Fautanu is like grabbing two players here at 14. He has the power and footwork to play guard, as well as long enough arms and pass-pro to play tackle. He is so talented and didn’t allow a single sack throughout his entire CFB career, per PFF. Fautanu is a mauler in the run game, but holds the finesse and heavy hands to keep rushers out in pass protection. With the Trevor Penning experiment simply not working out at LT, along with Ryan Ramcyk’s questionable future, this pick flat out makes sense.
15 IND: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
Arnold excels in press-man coverage. He plays so physically and is a great person off of the field. During the second half of the year at Bama, he was arguably the best defender in college football. His ball skills are great and he consistently knocks balls out at the last second. His timing is really impressive. He is extremely sticky in man coverage, but doesn’t get flagged a lot at all. This pick gives Indy a great outside corner opposite young-gun JuJu Brents and adds to a secondary that desperately needs help outside of Colts legend, Kenny Moore II, who was just re-signed.
16 SEA: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC Oregon
The center position is so often overlooked in the NFL Draft and I still don’t know why. We’ve seen guys like Creed Humphrey and Tyler Linderbaum become all-pro caliber players just a few years after being selected, and that’s what Seattle is hoping will happen with Jackson Powers-Johnson here at 16. He is a very polished run-blocker and has heavy enough hands to do damage in pass-pro. Losing Damien Lewis is huge, literally and physically, and the ex-duck also holds the ability to play guard and center. Seattle has a nice tandem in young tackles in Cross and Lucas, as they continue to get younger on the line with Powers-Johnson.
17 JAX: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
Mitchell has silenced the doubters at every level of the pre-draft process. He was the best player at the senior bowl, had an amazing combine, and his pro day was amazing. He is extremely sticky in man coverage and his instincts are simply unreal. His timing is off the charts and he doesn’t get flagged often. This pick gives a needy Jacksonville secondary and true boundary corner, one who will be a day one starter and the Toledo product will make his impact felt from the jump.
18 CIN: Byron Murphy II, DT Texas
Murphy II can legit go anywhere in this class, even as high as 8 to Atlanta, but here he falls to 18. CIncy desperately needs help on the interior of their line and Murphy II brings a nastiness/attitude in his game. He is strong enough to take on multiple blockers at once and fast enough to split double teams to rush the QB. he is arguably the best defender in this class because of his sheerpower and extremely high motor. I love this fit.
19 BUF (TRADE w/ LAR): Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
Brian Thomas Jr’s route tree is really amazing. The ex-tiger has the speed and length to stretch defenses over the top, but his feet are so quick and he’s got such a good release that he can do damage underneath. Buffalo is desperate for help at the receiver position after losing Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs, so they opt to trade up with the Rams. Brian Thomas Jr could very well be a future star in this league and with some fine-tuning, he could end up being the biggest steal of the first round.
20 PIT: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
Mims plays with brute strength and bulldozes his way over blockers. He can slide into guard, but is best fit at RT. The Georgia product has arms the size of tree trunks and moves so elegantly for his size. Miami’s aging line would really benefit now and down the road with taking Mims here at 20.
21 MIA: Johnny Newton, DT Illinois
Newton has an interesting and different take on rushing the passer, especially for his size. He uses finesse and quickness to beat his matchup, and despite his mammoth size, he does it really effectively. With Christian Wilkins departing in free agency, Miami needs help on the interior of their line, and that’s exactly what they get here with the Illinois product at 21.
22 PHI: Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
Latu’s a pass-rush technician. He has all the tools to succeed at the next level, but a subpar combine and an injury history push him down to 22. The Eagles lost Haason Reddick, ultimately replacing him with a very underrated pass-rusher in Bryce Huff, but why not add more juice on the EDGE?
23 LAC (TRADE w/ MIN): Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn St
Minnesota trading up to five means the Chargers now hold two first-round picks and they spend the second one on a fast, twitchy, and explosive EDGE. Chop gets off of the line faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. His jump is literally insane and he has such a high motor, something that allows him to have an impact on every down. An aging Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack combination calls for a younger piece, and Robinson gives them an impact player for now and the future.
24 DAL: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn St
Word on the street is that Fashanu may be slipping down boards and I have replicated that here in this mock. With Latham and Fuaga going ahead of him, Fashanu’s got something to prove. He’s great in the run game and didn’t allow a single sack throughout every one of his starts in Happy Valley, so the Cowboys nab him here at 24, hoping they are getting a surefire day one starter and great run-blocker.
25 GB: Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa
DeJean’s pro-fay was nothing short of exceptional. He put up insane numbers on all of his drills and workouts, further proving he can play all over the field. New Packer Xavier Mckinney played more snaps in the box than he ever had last season, so the Packers can put DeJean up top, in the slot, and even on the outside in Lambeau. He is so versatile, and if the injury concerns subside, he may not even be here at 25.
26 DET (TRADE w/ TB): Darius Robinson, EDGE/DT Mizzou
Robinson can play anywhere on the line and excels at stopping the run. He is so big that setting the EDGE isn’t a tall task, but is quick enough to get inside and rush the QB on pass plays. Like I said with Troy Fautanu, drafting Robinson is like taking two players simply because of his positional versatility.
27 ARI: Kingsley Suamataia, OT BYU
This would be a really nice draft for Arizona. Landing MHJ at four and then their franchise tackle at 27? Yes, please. Suamataia is a mammoth of a human, a guy who uses his size to plow over opposing defenses, but has the quick feet to play back in pass-pro. This pick allows the Cardinals to get off an abysmal D.J. Humphries contract and gives them a great new RT, while allowing Paris Johnson Jr to move back to his born position at LT.
28 LAR (TRADE w/ BUF): Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
After trading down with Buffalo, the Rams land the guy they may have drafted all along. Wiggins is a fast and twitchy boundary corner who uses his speed and timing to jump routes. The weight and slight frame worry me a little, as well as some injury concerns, but Wiggins has the talent and instincts to succeed at the next level. He can sit for a bit behind new Ram, Tre White, and even play on certain downs in specific packages. He’s also a great special teamer.
29 TB (TRADE w/ DET): Kool-Aid McKinstry
The Bucs get some extra picks and land a guy who was originally a lot of peoples CB1. The talent for McKinstry is there, no doubt about that, but he looked noticeably slower and less impactful in the second half of the 2023–24 CFB season. It was later discovered that he was battling injury, so the flaws are somewhat justified. Trading Carlton Davis III means there is an open corner spot, and Kool-Aid fills that hole.
30 BAL: Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
Mitchell gives Lamar Jackson a big target down the field, something he’s really never had. The ex-Longhorn is dangerous in the red zone and holds the speed + vision to do damage after the catch. I love this fit.
31 SF: Graham Barton, OG Duke
John Feliciano did have a crazy high PFF grade last year for San Francisco, but Barton is just too good to pass up on here late in the first. He has played every position on the line and would pave the way for CMC. This would not only benefit the Niners now, but also for the future.
32 KC: T.J. Tampa, CB Iowa St
Long arms, a strong frame, and great in zone coverage. All those things are what ex-Chief L’Jarious Sneed excelled at. After losing their number one corner, the Chiefs need a boundary guy, and that’s what Tampa gives them.
