I haven’t produced and published a Mock Draft 2.0 as part of my pre-draft content since 2021, but I had the time and the inspiration to turn out an extra impromptu edition this year. Thus, I’m pleased to share my DRAFTPLEX 2024 NFL Mock Draft: 2.0 Edition. Projections are based on the current first-round draft order and personal impressions of team needs and interests as of April 5. Potential trade scenarios are also presented, with hypothetical compensation based on historical draft trade data included.
1 | Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
There’s always the slightest possibility Chicago could shock the world on draft night, but at this point it appears we’re just waiting for the Bears and Caleb Williams to make it official.
2 | Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Are the Commanders deciding between two quarterbacks — or is it three? While I have Jayden Daniels slotted here for this exercise, Washington’s choice here is still anyone’s guess. But, one thing we can virtually all agree on is that the 2024 NFL Draft now starts at #2.
3 | Minnesota Vikings — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
* Projected trade with New England Patriots *
The Vikings are clearly angling to move up for a quarterback, with #4 and #5 being the popular landing spots because New England may not be willing to move to secure a signal-caller of their own. But what if they are? And if Minnesota is going to be aggressive enough to move up, why not go all in and go after the name you really want? In this scenario, the assumption is that their QB of choice is Drake Maye.
NE receives: #11, #23, and #129 in 2024 & MIN 1st and 3rd in 2025
MIN receives: #3 and #68 in 2024
4 | Arizona Cardinals — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Cardinals may have the opportunity to field trade offers for the fourth QB here, but having their choice of the top three wide receivers, they may not be so compelled to move down. In perhaps a mild upset, it’s Malik Nabers who is taken off the board as WR1.
5 | Los Angeles Chargers — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Chargers have been linked to a wide receiver here at #5 with their significant turnover at the position, but I’m not so sure that it’s WR no matter what. The exception, I think, is Marvin Harrison Jr., who LA might hope falls right into their lap.
6 | New York Giants — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
I’m not yet convinced the Giants will be a player in the QB market on draft night, even with J.J. McCarthy on the board here, because their offensive weaponry isn’t drastically improved from previous years. They may be better served to improve that situation before investing in their next QB, opting instead for a prime target like Rome Odunze.
7 | Tennessee Titans — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans *not* drafting Joe Alt here if he’s still available would be a shock. Copy and paste from my Mock Draft 1.0.
8 | Denver Broncos — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
* Projected trade with Atlanta Falcons *
Despite Denver’s general lack of draft capital, they have enough for a reasonable move up if you look at trade compensation from teams making similar jumps in the past. If J.J. McCarthy here, or one of the other projected top quarterbacks on draft night, comes within striking distance, look for the Broncos to try and climb the board.
ATL receives: #12 and #76 in 2024 & DEN 3rd in 2025
DEN receives: #8 and #109 in 2024
9 | Chicago Bears — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Bears are the beneficiary of Denver’s desire for a quarterback and Atlanta’s willingness to fall back in this scenario. It clears the path for them to select arguably the top edge prospect in this class, Dallas Turner.
10 | New York Jets — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Do the Jets play it conservative here by drafting insurance at tackle for their two new veteran starters or go for broke by drafting an top-flight offensive weapon? Brock Bowers is a popular projection, but don’t rule out New York being even more aggressive and chasing a top receiver up the board.
11 | New England Patriots — Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
* Projected trade with Minnesota Vikings *
New England would have to get the right haul to drop back from #3, but this projected trade assumes agreeable compensation from Minnesota — including the first of two first-round picks in 2024 here at #11. Needing an influx of talent across the depth chart, trading back would afford New England more dart throws early. At this spot, their BPA and bullseye could potentially be versatile lineman Troy Fautanu, likely to slot in as their new left tackle.
NE receives: #11, #23, and #129 in 2024 & MIN 1st and 3rd in 2025
MIN receives: #3 and #68 in 2024
12 | Atlanta Falcons — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
* Projected trade with Denver Broncos *
The Falcons would have to be satisfied with Denver’s offer to miss out on reported target Dallas Turner at #8, but their willingness to move and confidence in doing so just might depend on their evaluation of edge Laiatu Latu. Provided that Atlanta is comfortable with his medicals, Latu could rival Turner as the top pass rusher on their board.
ATL receives: #12 and #76 in 2024 & DEN 3rd in 2025
DEN receives: #8 and #109 in 2024
13 | Las Vegas Raiders — Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
This pick could prove to be another turning point in the draft, as the Raiders are reportedly interested in a quarterback, but unlikely to be in range of the top-tier prospects. Assuming Las Vegas doesn’t get anxious and draft Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. here, I think the choice comes down to tackle Taliese Fuaga, who I mocked to the Raiders in my Mock Draft 1.0, and CB Terrion Arnold, who has also emerged as a favorite. For this scenario, Arnold is the pick.
14 | New Orleans Saints — Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
In the time since my previous mock, the situation at tackle has moved from questionable to concerning for the Saints. New Orleans would be relieved to see Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, and JC Latham still on the board at #14 — with Fashanu being the pick here.
15 | Indianapolis Colts — Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Multiple names have started to gain steam as considerations for the Colts here at #15 due to their draft tendencies and emphasis on high-end traits. But, with a need at corner and only one of the two clear-cut top prospects at the position still available —and one who fits their preferred athletic profile, at that — I’m not ready to concede Indianapolis bypassing Quinyon Mitchell.
16 | Philadelphia Eagles — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
* Projected trade with Seattle Seahawks *
Seattle has a history of trading down and Philadelphia a history of trading up, which could see them align on a deal on draft night if the right prospect remains on the board. In this scenario, the Eagles continue prioritizing value and investing in an apparent strength — not unusual for them — by making a play for edge rusher Jared Verse.
SEA receives: #22 and #53 in 2024
PHI receives: #16 and #102 in 2024
17 | Pittsburgh Steelers — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
* Projected trade with Jacksonville Jaguars *
Reports continue to point to the Steelers having notable interest in Amarius Mims, but is he just one of their potential targets or their preferred pick? If the latter, Pittsburgh may be compelled to move up to avoid being jumped for the talented, albeit inexperienced, tackle.
JAX receives: #20 and #98 in 2024
PIT receives: #17 in 2024
18 | Cincinnati Bengals — Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The Bengals would appear to be set at tackle for the upcoming year on paper, but the position might not be as secure as it would seem moving forward. With a potential cornerstone in Taliese Fuaga somehow still available, this could be an easy call for Cincinnati.
19 | Los Angeles Rams — Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The Rams and Byron Murphy II still seems like an obvious fit — unless another team beats LA to the punch.
20 | Jacksonville Jaguars — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
* Projected trade with Pittsburgh Steelers *
If they were to miss out on the the top two prospects at what looks to be their most pressing position of need — cornerback — Jacksonville might be open to falling back and regrouping. With no definitive WR1 on the depth chart, the Jaguars pivot to Brian Thomas Jr., projecting the talented playmaker to have the potential to grow into that role sooner rather than later.
JAX receives: #20 and #98 in 2024
PIT receives: #17 in 2024
21 | Baltimore Ravens — JC Latham, OT, Alabama
* Projected trade with Miami Dolphins *
Faced with replacing multiple starters on the offensive line, the Ravens can take their chances and let the board come to them at #30 or consider a move up — perhaps in a deal with a Dolphins team light on early draft capital — to land one of the top-tier tackles. In this scenario, the Alabama pipeline continues flowing to Baltimore, with JC Latham becoming the latest alumni to join the Flock.
MIA receives: #30, #93, and #130 in 2024
BAL receives: #21 in 2024
22 | Seattle Seahawks — Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
* Projected trade with Philadelphia Eagles *
The Seahawks are often good for one of two things on draft night — either trading down or the occasional curveball. Here we have both. With the addition of a second-round pick to help remake their interior offensive line (in the range where need and value perhaps better align), it’s a riser at linebacker, Edgerrin Cooper, crashing the first round and heading to Seattle.
SEA receives: #22 and #53 in 2024
PHI receives: #16 and #102 in 2024
23 | New England Patriots — Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
* Projected trade with Minnesota Vikings *
With the second first-round selection acquired in their projected trade with Minnesota, the Patriots could very likely circle back to a position they expect to consider at their original place in the draft order and take aim at a projectable WR1 in Adonai Mitchell.
NE receives: #11, #23, and #129 in 2024 & MIN 1st and 3rd in 2025
MIN receives: #3 and #68 in 2024
24 | Dallas Cowboys — Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
There are a number of offensive linemen being linked to the Cowboys early, but one name not so prevalent as of yet is tackle Kingsley Suamataia, who checks a number of boxes that would make him an attractive option for America’s Team here at #24 or as a trade-back target. Recently reported to be Dallas-bound for an official 30-visit, it could be the prelude to a permanent move come draft night.
25 | Green Bay Packers — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Graham Barton to Green Bay is a carryover from my Mock Draft 1.0, but it’s beginning to look like the Packers might need a little extra luck to see the versatile lineman still here at #25. He’s emerged as a potential top-20 pick due to his talent, tenacity, and positional flexibility. The board still happens to fall in their favor in this scenario.
26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC, Oregon
The Buccaneers could look to shore up their defense with a pass rusher or cornerback, but center remains significant position of need following the retirement of veteran starter Ryan Jensen. Jackson Powers-Johnson was an early riser in the draft process but expects to slot in the late-first or early-second, with Tampa Bay being a potential suitor.
27 | Arizona Cardinals — Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
The are a number of paths the Cardinals could take with their second pick in the first round, including offensive line, defensive line, pass rusher or cornerback. Likely coming down to BPA at one of those areas of need, there’s a distinct possibility that disruptive defender Darius Robinson is the top name remaining on their board.
28 | Buffalo Bills — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Have the Bills boxed themselves into a first-round wide receiver with the Stefon Diggs trade? There’s certainly reason to believe that’s the case, but there’s also a case to be made that it would be a forced pick in this scenario in terms of value. Assuming Buffalo isn’t keen to bypass a number of names that might be higher on their board to fill the need, explosive edge rusher Chop Robinson would make sense as a consideration for a defense that has been weakened up front this offseason.
29 | Washington Commanders — Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
* Projected trade with Detroit Lions *
Thinking Detroit might be deflated to see two prospects frequently projected to be their first-round pick — Darius Robinson and Chop Robinson — come off the board immediately in front of them, the Lions could look to bail out of the first round for the right offer. Meanwhile, Washington could be anxious to land a left tackle with no real answer on the roster. With multiple teams expected to be hunting tackles in the early-30s, the Commanders decide not to run the risk of being wiped out before they go back on the clock in the second round, making a deal with Detroit to move up for reported target Jordan Morgan.
DET receives: #36 and #100 in 2024
WAS receives: #29 in 2024
30 | Miami Dolphins — Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
* Projected trade with Baltimore Ravens *
Short on early selections and expected to target the trenches high, it makes sense for the Dolphins to consider dropping back, where they can add picks while also staying within range of most of the top interior blockers and defenders. With a pair of offensive linemen they’ve been frequently linked to — Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson — off the board, a potential fit for Miami is defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.
MIA receives: #30, #93, and #130 in 2024
BAL receives: #21 in 2024
31 | San Francisco 49ers — Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Speculation has the 49ers seeking to install an upgrade at right tackle through the draft, with a number of names being connected to this pick at #31. One prospect that tends to be gone in mocks before San Francisco selects is Tyler Guyton. But, in this scenario, they’re fortunate to see the big tackle still on the board.
32 | New England Patriots — Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
* Projected trade with Kansas City Chiefs *
Odds are that the Patriots won’t leave the first round without a quarterback, but that doesn’t mean it happens at #3. Following the projected trade with Minnesota early, New England hops up from #34 to #32 to select Bo Nix, who is definitely on their radar as a down-the-board option. Meanwhile, Kansas City — wiped out at tackle — pulls an extra Day 2 pick to drop two spots while maintaining the opportunity to draft a cornerback or receiver from among the top names still available on the board, including Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cooper DeJean, and Nate Wiggins at CB and Xavier Worthy, Troy Franklin, Ladd McConkey, and Xavier Legette at WR.
KC receives: #34 and #103 in 2024
NE receives: #32 in 2024
DRAFTPLEX 2024 NFL Mock Draft: 2.0 Edition
| 1 | Chicago Bears | QB | Caleb Williams | USC |
| 2 | Washington Commanders | QB | Jayden Daniels | LSU |
| 3 | *Minnesota Vikings (via NE)* | QB | Drake Maye | North Carolina |
| 4 | Arizona Cardinals | WR | Malik Nabers | LSU |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | WR | Marvin Harrison Jr. | Ohio State |
| 6 | New York Giants | WR | Rome Odunze | Washington |
| 7 | Tennessee Titans | OT | Joe Alt | Notre Dame |
| 8 | *Denver Broncos (via ATL)* | QB | J.J. McCarthy | Michigan |
| 9 | Chicago Bears | EDGE | Dallas Turner | Alabama |
| 10 | New York Jets | TE | Brock Bowers | Georgia |
| 11 | *New England Patriots (via MIN)* | OL | Troy Fautanu | Washington |
| 12 | *Atlanta Falcons (via DEN)* | EDGE | Laiatu Latu | UCLA |
| 13 | Las Vegas Raiders | CB | Terrion Arnold | Alabama |
| 14 | New Orleans Saints | OT | Olumuyiwa Fashanu | Penn State |
| 15 | Indianapolis Colts | CB | Quinyon Mitchell | Toledo |
| 16 | *Philadelphia Eagles (via SEA)* | EDGE | Jared Verse | Florida State |
| 17 | *Pittsburgh Steelers (via JAX)* | OT | Amarius Mims | Georgia |
| 18 | Cincinnati Bengals | OT | Taliese Fuaga | Oregon State |
| 19 | Los Angeles Rams | DT | Byron Murphy II | Texas |
| 20 | *Jacksonville Jaguars (via PIT)* | WR | Brian Thomas Jr. | LSU |
| 21 | *Baltimore Ravens (via MIA)* | OT | JC Latham | Alabama |
| 22 | *Seattle Seahawks (via PHI)* | LB | Edgerrin Cooper | Texas A&M |
| 23 | *New England Patriots (via MIN)* | WR | Adonai Mitchell | Texas |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | OT | Kingsley Suamataia | BYU |
| 25 | Green Bay Packers | OL | Graham Barton | Duke |
| 26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | OC | Jackson Powers-Johnson | Oregon |
| 27 | Arizona Cardinals | EDGE | Darius Robinson | Missouri |
| 28 | Buffalo Bills | EDGE | Chop Robinson | Penn State |
| 29 | *Washington Commanders (via DET)* | OL | Jordan Morgan | Arizona |
| 30 | *Miami Dolphins (via BAL)* | DT | Jer’Zhan Newton | Illinois |
| 31 | San Francisco 49ers | OT | Tyler Guyton | Oklahoma |
| 32 | *New England Patriots (via KC)* | QB | Bo Nix | Oregon |
* Denotes projected trade *
Jason Pruett
DRAFTPLEX