This week is the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, and so we decided to kick off the week by doing our best to predict all 32 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
1 - Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams, USC
Since we don’t think Justin Fields will yield a first-round pick this year, trading him away and drafting Caleb Williams doesn’t impact the rest of the first round and he gives them a fresh start on offense.
2 - Washington Commanders - QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
The Commanders are another team starting over at head coach and quarterback so we give them Drake Maye who is a complete NFL-caliber quarterback.
3 - New England Patriots - WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
I am more inclined to think the Patriots will add a veteran quarterback to replace the young guys on the roster and so we gave him the best offensive weapon in the draft.
4 - Arizona Cardinals - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
I’m not convinced the Cardinals can’t win with Kyler Murray, especially he has a playmaker like Malik Nabers to throw the football to.
5 - Los Angeles Chargers - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
I considered wide receiver Rome Odunze here but tight end Brock Bowers is just too good to pass up as a weapon for Justin Herbert.
6 - New York Giants - WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The Giants are another team that doesn’t make much sense at quarterback but feel like they are going to ride with what they have so wide receiver Rome Odunze is the pick to make like easier for whoever starts.
7 - Tennessee Titans - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The combination of the Titans and Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt is absolutely perfect. The Titans missed Taylor Lewan and Alt is the best OT prospect I’ve seen since Penei Sewell in 2021.
8 - Atlanta Falcons - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
If the Falcons can land LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels without having to trade up, they might be the big winners of the first round.
9 - Chicago Bears - EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Bears need and edge defender who can do more than rush the quarterback and Dallas Turner fits the bill.
10 - New York Jets - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Personally, I think Taliese Fuaga has a higher NFL ceiling than Olu Fashanu but the Jets can look at Fashanu’s 2022 tape and get excited about what he’s capable of now.
11 - Minnesota Vikings - QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
I am not at all convinced Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is worth a pick this high but there’s a lot of buzz around him. Since the Vikings aren’t likely to pay Kirk Cousins what he wants, we can see them pulling the trigger.
12 - Denver Broncos - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
There are several cornerbacks who could make a case to be the top pick but we like Terrion Arnold’s fit with the Broncos here.
13 - Las Vegas Raiders - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
The Raiders desperately need a quarterback and so while we went with offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga here, this is a prime spot for a trade back to get one of the next best quarterbacks.
14 - New Orleans Saints - DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Texas DT Byron Murphy is a fast riser in this draft thanks to a strong season and scheme versatility. This is what draws the Saints to him to strengthen the trenches.
15 - Indianapolis Colts - CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The run on the top three receivers and top tight end means the Colts turn their attention to defense and get Clemson lockdown cornerback Nate Wiggins.
16 - Seattle Seahawks - OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Washington offensive lineman Troy Fauntanu gets to stay close to home and help beef up the Seahawks offensive line with a guy who can play tackle or guard.
17 - Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Jared Verse, FSU
Another pick and another stud on the line of scrimmage getst to stay close to where he starred in college. I love what Jared Verse brings and even if the Jags don’t lose Josh Allen this is a great pick.
18 - Cincinnati Bengals - OT JC Latham, Alabama
I assume Jonah Williams is leaving in free agency so Alabama’s big, powerful JC Latham is the perfect pick.
19 - Los Angeles Rams - DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
If Cooper Dejean was healthy enough to work out this offseason, he could easily be the first defensive player off the board. Instead, he’s a huge bargain to the Rams at No. 19.
20 - Pittsburgh Steelers - C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
With the release of Mason Cole, this pick makes even more sense for the Steelers. Jackson Powers-Johnson is a huge mauler with incredible power and leverage.
21 - Miami Dolphins - OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
The Dolphins offense line was a mess last season so we went with the best pure offensive tackle on the board.
22 - Philadelphia Eagles - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell is a cornerback who could end up the top DB off the board for a team that covets a man-coverage specialist.
23 - Houston Texans - DL Johnny Newton, Illinois
The Texans offense is already dynamic so we went with Johnny Newton to pair up with Will Anderson Jr. on the defensive line.
24 - Dallas Cowboys - OL Graham Barton, Duke
I love Duke’s Graham Barton as an offensive lineman who could realistically start at any spot on the offensive line and be effective. The Cowboys will love him at guard or center.
25 - Green Bay Packers - OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
I don’t love Tyler Guyton here but many consider him a first-round pick and the Packers definitely need help at tackle.
26 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
The Bucs stay put and get maybe the most physical cornerback in the draft and a guy who plays with a ton of confidence.
27 - Arizona Cardinals - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
There was a time when Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was the top cornerback in the country and while other guys have stepped up this past season, the Cardinals are getting a very good player here.
28 - Buffalo Bills - EDGE Laiatu, Latu, UCLA
The Bills got pushed around on defense so I went with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu who is more than just a pass rusher and is strong at the point of attack.
29 - Detroit Lions - EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Penn State edge Chop Robinson is grossly underrated due to some inconsistency with his film last season but I love his potential in the Lions system.
30 - Baltimore Ravens - WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Ravens got themselves an excellent receiver last year in Zay Flowers so they come back this year and land LSU deep threat Brian Thomas Jr. to pair him up with.
31 - San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
The 49ers don’t really NEED anything but if they lose Chase Young, another edge is an option so I went with Alabama’s Chris Braswell.
32 - Kansas City Chiefs - WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
I went back and forth between Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin and Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan but finally settled on Franklin as a perfect running mate for Rashee Rice.
