By MIKE HERNDON

The 2024 NFL draft is almost here, and because I can’t leave well enough alone, I decided to do one more revised mock draft.

While I’ve typically avoided trying to predict trades, this has the feel of an active first round. Certainly, Minnesota seems primed to jump into the top 10, and maybe top 5, after arming itself with an extra first-round pick. Just for fun, I envisioned two more potential trades that would seem to make sense on Thursday.

And while the first mock had five quarterbacks going in the first round, Bo Nix makes it six in the 2.0 version.

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

   I don’t care what color his nails are, Williams is the most talented QB to come in the draft since Trevor Lawrence and is an easy call for a team that hasn’t had a franchise quarterback in years.

   2. Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
   

   Daniels has the wheels to give Washington a rushing threat they haven’t had at the position since RGIII and should be a nice fit in a Kliff Kingsbury offense.

   3. New England Patriots — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

   He’s big and athletic with a cannon for an arm. While the Patriots may be tempted to trade out for extra picks and take their chances in the second round, I’ve got to believe they’re ready for somebody behind center who can really sling it.

   4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State
   

   While a lot of mocks have Arizona trading out of this pick, passing on a receiver like Harrison would be difficult for a team whose top two WRs are currently Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch.

   5. Minnesota Vikings (projected trade with LA Chargers) – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

   The Vikings use their two first-round picks to trade up for their new quarterback while the Chargers add extra picks for their Harbaugh makeover.

   6. New York Giants – Malik Nabors, WR, LSU

   The Giants need offensive weapons and a great one falls into their laps here in the explosive Nabors.

   7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

   The Tennessee rebuild starts up front with the best of a deep draft class of offensive tackles.

   8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

   While Odunze will be tempting here, Raheem Morris is a defensive guy and the Falcons can add a key piece to an improving defense.

   9. Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with Chicago) – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

   The Colts make a bold move to grab an elite receiver to pair with Michael Pittman, Jr., and give Anthony Richardson another weapon. Currently
   with only four picks in the entire draft, the Bears will likely be open to
   offers at 9.

   10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

   They just signed Mike Williams to pair with Garrett Wilson, and adding a difference-making tight end would give Aaron Rodgers a full complement of weapons.

   11. Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Taliese Fuaga, OT,
   Oregon State

   The Chargers pass on the top receivers to get extra picks and instead solidify an offensive line they plan to lean on under Harbaugh.

   12. Philadelphia Eagles (projected trade with Denver) – Terrion Arnold,
   CB, Alabama

   Howie Roseman’s nothing if not aggressive. There are rumors he’s looking to trade up for a CB and he could find a willing partner in Denver if it misses out on the top QBs. The Broncos currently only have three picks in the top four rounds.

   13. Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington

   There’s been a lot of buzz that the Raiders like Penix. If that’s true, they might be wise not to gamble that he’ll be there in the second round. His checkered injury history has caused concern, but he’s eased it some with a strong pro day.

   14. New Orleans Saints – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

   Trevor Penning has not been the answer, leaving the Saints still in need of OT help.

   15. Chicago Bears (from Indianapolis) – Byron Murphy II, DT,
   Texas

   After loading up on linebackers in free agency last year, the Bears continue building the middle of their defense with the draft’s best defensive tackle.

   16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

   A team that seems to be in perennial need of OL help gets a versatile addition in Fautanu.

   17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

   The Jaguars signed Ronald Darby to pair with Tyson Campbell, but adding the tough, physical Mitchell here would give them flexibility while solidifying the position for the future.

   18. Cincinnati Bengals – J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

   The Bengals need a replacement for Jonah Williams, who signed with Arizona.

   19. Los Angeles Rams – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

   The Rams lost one of the best defensive linemen of all time when Aaron Donald retired. But they also need help on the edge and Latu will help them get after the QB.

   20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke

   A lot of mocks have the Steelers taking a tackle, but their biggest need up front the past several years has been at center and they can take their pick of them here. Barton brings added versatility, as he played tackle at Duke, but projects as a center in the NFL.

   21. Miami Dolphins – Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

   The Dolphins signed Shaquille Barrett to replace Andrew Van Ginkel, but both Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips are coming off major injuries. Verse gives them another strong option.

   22. Denver Broncos (from Philadelphia) – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

   The Broncos’ trade for Zach Wilson should in no way be construed as a solution to their quarterback issues. But it may signal that they know they can’t get in position for one of the top four prospects at the position and were looking for a little insurance as they try to pull off a move like this.

   23. Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Brian Thomas, Jr., WR,
   LSU

   The Chargers should be delighted to find Thomas still on the board here, after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

   24. Dallas Cowboys – Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

   The highly regarded Oregon center gives Dallas a new anchor after losing Tyler Biadasz in free agency.

   25. Green Bay Packers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

   The Packers need to replace David Bakhtiari and Mims has a massive frame and massive potential.

   26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

   The Bucs need to revitalize their pass rush after the departure of Shaquille Barrett. They’ve added Randy Gregory, but the 254-pound Robinson brings 4.48 speed off the edge.

   27. Arizona Cardinals – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

   After adding offensive help with their first first-round pick, the Cardinals turn to defense.

   28. Buffalo Bills – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

   After shipping off Stefon Diggs to Houston, the Bills need to add weapons for Josh Allen. Worthy is a game-breaker whose 4.21 40 was the fastest in NFL Combine history.

   29. Detroit Lions – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

   For a team that needs help at both cornerback and safety, finding a talent like DeJean who can play both would be an ideal fit.

   30. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

   The Ravens lost Morgan Moses in free agency and can’t
   keep Ronnie Stanley healthy. Guyton is the type of mountain they like up front.

31. San Francisco 49ers — Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

The Niners lost Arik Armstead and added Maliek Collins up front. Newton would bolster their rotation with Collins and Javon Hargrave.

32. Kansas City Chiefs — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Many expect Kansas City to take a receiver here, but after losing L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs could use some new talent in the secondary.

Categories: NFL

Tags: NFL draft