Well, let’s take our first shot at this, shall we?
Here are our first set of projections for the first round of the 2024 NFL draft:
1
Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Wait . . . how did the Bears get this pick?
Well, however it may have happened, they land one of the most potent passing prospects in recent memory.
2
Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The local kid doesn’t seem to be as strong of a shoo-in at No. 2 of late, with the next youngster you’ll see gaining some steam. Nonetheless, Washington grabs a promising quarterback with a big-time arm and big-time playmaking ability.
3
New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Seen as a bit raw, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner may not provide the immediate impact like the pair of picks that preceded him. But with the Patriots entering a new era under a young, first-year head coach in Jerod Mayo, Daniels could be worth the wait.
4
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Jonathan Gannon’s fightin’ birds didn’t end up having to choose between Williams and Kyler Murray after all. Instead, they’re in a spot to pair their own No. 1 overall pick with the best wideout prospect in quite some time.
5
Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
New head honcho Jim Harbaugh is bringing Los Angeles some renewed hope and an offense that really utilizes the tight end position. Bowers can do it all, and is especially special with the ball in his hands.
6
New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
This pick came down to Odunze and Malik Nabers, perhaps the most electric pass catcher in this class not named Marvin Harrison Jr. But the former would bring more size and more of a well-rounded skill set to the Giants, who need a true X receiver for quarterback Daniel Jones.
7
Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Similarly to the previous selection, this one comes down to two top-end prospects in Alt and Olumuyiwa Fashanu. And again, we’ll go with the bigger, safer choice—giving the Titans and second-year quarterback Will Levis a sure thing.
8
Atlanta Falcons: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
At this point, we’re still not sure who’ll be under center for Atlanta. But if he (whomever it is) can’t produce right away with Nabers, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson at his disposal, then at least we’ll know he’s definitely not the answer.
9
Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
This could be the lite version of Houston’s first-round haul from 2023. Chicago gets their franchise quarterback and a talented Alabama pass rusher of their own.
10
New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Jets are at the mercy of a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who could certainly use an upgrade at the tackle position. So as they’re forced to build around the former Most Valuable Player, they land a pro-ready pass protector in Fashanu.
11
Minnesota Vikings: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Minnesota dialed up the blitz on 51.5 percent of their snaps this past season, by far the most in 2023. If their top pass rusher in Danielle Hunter is on the outs in free agency, they’ll need to get defensive coordinator Brian Flores some firepower.
12
Denver Broncos: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
No defense was as inefficient against opposing ground games as the one in Denver, which allowed 5.0 yards per carry. This 308-pound Longhorn is effective against the run and even better as a pass rusher.
13
Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Raiders won’t knock off Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West if they don’t load up in their secondary. Luckily, the top cornerback in the class falls into their lap.
14
New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga, who could probably hold up wherever you put him, would be quite the find for an offensive line with a handful of question marks. Left tackle Trevor Penning hasn’t panned out yet, left guard Andrus Peat is headed for the open market and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a career-threatening left knee issue.
15
Indianapolis Colts: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
General manager Chris Ballard continues to build up his secondary with DeJean, whose ball-hawking style should be a fine fit for Gus Bradley’s defense. He can be deployed in a number of ways on the backend and, if you need it, carries some punt return abilities.
16
Seattle Seahawks: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
If not for a potentially troubling neck injury, Latu would likely go higher. So the Seahawks come away with some very good value at a position of need.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive lineman may not be the sexiest pick for the Jaguars, who need to reignite their petered-out offense. But Newton’s explosiveness and game-wrecking potential may be too much to let go.
18
Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
“Trench King” finds a home in front of “Joe Shiesty,” helping solidify the right tackle position and establishing the best quarterback-lineman nickname combo in the league.
19
Los Angeles Rams: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toldeo
The Rams beef up their secondary with a feisty and rangy cornerback, who really boosted his stock at the Senior Bowl.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Pittsburgh deserves some fun after sitting through whatever the heck their offense was supposed to be in 2023. And if they’re going after a quarterback, Penix Jr. seems a lot more fun than a J.J. McCarthy or a Box Nix.
21
Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
From one dawg to another, Fautanu brings versatility to Miami’s trench.
22
Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Philly crumbled, in part, due to a weak secondary. They shore up the group with one of the draft’s top corners and top names.
23
Houston Texans: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Nico Collins, Tank Dell and a speedy 6-foot-4 game breaker? You’re welcome, C.J. Stroud.
24
Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Like their first-rounder in Tyler Smith a few years ago, the 6-foot-7, 340-pound Mims is a raw prospect with tremendous upside. He’d have time to grow into a spot for Dallas, who could bring back left tackle Tyron Smith for at least one more season.
25
Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Packers are looking to fortify their secondary. After all, they were responsible for Bryce Young’s only 300-yard passing game of 2023.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
If Shaquill Barrett isn’t back, the reigning NFC South champions need to add some juice off the edge.
27
Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Cardinals grab a versatile local product to strengthen their offensive line.
28
Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Pairing Josh Allen with Coleman, a spectacular 6-foot-4 playmaker, would make for a very fun match.
29
Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Detroit allowed the sixth-most passing yards in 2023. Rakestraw Jr. may fly up boards as the draft nears.
30
Baltimore Ravens: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Baltimore needs to catch up in their arms race against the team that knocked them out of the conference title game. Adding a long-limbed speedster in Franklin gives MVP Lamar Jackson a new kind of weapon.
31
San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The NFC champs get a ready-made right tackle in Guyton.
32
Kansas City Chiefs: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Kansas City definitely needs to add a wideout or two, but they shouldn’t have a problem finding some mercenaries in free agency. So, they opt for some Chris Jones insurance.
33
*Bonus pick* Carolina Panthers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
You didn’t think we were gonna stop short at Carolina’s pick here at Panthers Wire, did you?
Mitchell is an extremely impressive route runner and possesses some of the surest hands in the nation. The 6-foot-4, 196-pounder should be a fine fit for Young, who needs a reliable target outside of a 33-year-old Adam Thielen.
