It's that time of year!! As TSBN gets ready to go to Detroit to cover the 2024 NFL Draft, we throw out our Inaugural Mock Draft! Based on activity that has happened through free agency, trades and team needs, we have decided that THIS is the way the 2024 NFL Draft will play out.
Chicago Bears - Kaleb Williams (QB - USC) Of course, I had this going exactly this way Before the Bears traded Justin Fields... Ok, Maybe not, but it's about as much of a given as you can have in the NFL these days. The overwhelming favorite for the Number 1 Spot. His Legacy Starts on Thursday Night.
Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels (QB - LSU) This seems like another Slam Dunk, even though I personally believe that Howell is a great option. Commanders are looking for a franchise guy to lead the team and Daniels is as good as it gets, prospect wise.
New England Patriots - Drake Maye (QB - UNC) Another Team that NEEDS a QB (I'm sensing a theme), The Patriots have a ton of holes to fill, so why not get the QB and nothing else around him? It doesn't matter who the Patriots pick here, it's a major rebuild with no end in sight.
Arizona Cardinals - Joe Olt (T - ND) The Cards have a QB (maybe), but he doesn't seem to have any time to get set and throw the ball. Kyler Murray's Super Human ability to scramble can only get him so far, so address the O-Line and what better way to start than with a franchise kind of Offensive Tackle. Olt, is about as plug and play as it gets coming from college to the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers - Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR - OSU) Lose a bunch of receivers because you didn't want to pay them? Then draft a reciever out of college before he HAS to get paid, smart thinking by the Chargers who were a massive under achiever last year. They have the QB on a big contract now, so they have to win in the draft. Harrison Jr. would be a big win.
New York Giants - Taliese Fuaga (T - Oregon State) The story of another team that needs to rebuild around EVERYTHING! Addressing the O-line is never the sexy thing to do, but it is the SMART thing to do. What would be smarter than getting a guy you can build the whole O-Line around?
Tennessee Titans - Olumuyiwa Fashanu (T-PSU) Maybe I am Old School? But I always feel like a team that is in a clear rebuild, should ALWAYS focus on the Offensive Line. This is the most important part of football to me... maybe it's because I am fat? Either way, the Titans, after losing everyone, should be focused on the long term rebuild.
Atlanta Falcons - Malik Nabers (WR - LSU) Kyle Pits, Drake London, Bijan Robinson and now Kurt Cousins? Why not round out what could be a very dynamic offense with a game changing WR? Nabers is THAT guy. This could be a game changer for what was a stagnant Falcons offense.
Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze (WR - Washington) You drafted the QB, now get him help. Imagine an era in Chicago where the ball is flying through the air and not just black and blue ground and pound? We might be on the cusp of it!
New York Jets - J.C. Latham (T - Alabama) The Jets went all in on 1 year contracts this year, but the future isn’t set for the team. When Tyron Smith hangs it up, you need to have the plan in place. Latham is THAT guy. A big offensive lineman who can handle all the pressure. That’s how you start the build for the future, if you’re the Jets.
Minnesota Vikings - Dallas Turner (DE - Alabama) It feels like the Vikings, who were always in the conversation, might be done. The rebuild should be starting, but it’s not too clear THEY know that. The best option at this point is helping the defense and Turner would be the guy the Vikings need to put pressure on the QB… but it won’t be enough.
Denver Broncos - J.J. McCarthy (QB - Michigan) I don’t see it. But it’s not for me to decide. The Broncos need a QB, JJ won a national championship, it seems written in the stars. I’d have a lot of questions going forward… but hopefully it works out.
Las Vegas Raiders - Troy Fautanu (T - Washington) The Raiders were able to find themselves an unexpected QB in O'Connell, now they have the flexability to address other issues. IF O'Connell can be a serviceable QB, this is a team that could vie for a wildcard spot (The Chiefs still own the division). Addressing the O-Line would be the best route to go for the Raiders.
New Orleans Saints - Terrion Arnold (CB - Alabama) The Saints might have something going on in New Orleans and the NFC South might seem like it's Atlanta's Division to win, since that seems to be the only team that has a decent roster in the division. The Saints need to combat the Falcons high flying offense with their really good defense. Why not add more depth and talent on the back end with a really talented and dynamic CB. Saints draft Arnold and continue to have the best defense in the division.
Indianapolis Colts - Brock Bowers (TE - Georgia) Every QB, needs a security blanket. Romo had Witten, Brady had Gronk, Mahomes has Kelce and now Richardson should have Bowers. Bowers was an absolute STUD with Georgia and has proven that he is BY FAR the best TE in the draft. You have the receivers, one of the best O-Lines in the league and a good runningback looking to bounce back following a let down season, now balance out the rest of the offense with a great TE.
Seattle Seahawks - Bo Nix (QB - Oregon) Geno Smith isn't the long term answer and even though Seattle has Drew Lock, is that really who you want? Nix has always been in the conversation as one of the best QB's in College Football, and coming off a 45 TD to 3 INT season in which he led the Ducks to the Fiesta Bowl where he was the MVP. Nix is the best available option for the Seahawks and could be their QB of the future.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Tyler Guyton (T - Oklahoma) The Jaguars have been EXTREMELY active during the off season, signing players and depth, gaining weapons for their star QB, Trevor Lawrence. Now they need to protect that QB. Drafting an offensive lineman would be the way to go. Sure it's not sexy, but it's the smart move for the Jags.
Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - LSU) Yeah, they franchised Tee Higgins, who has agreed to play this season, but the writing is on the wall. Higgins will not be able to sign a longterm contract with the bengals without some really weird things having to happen. So why not draft the successor to his position, while now creating a three target option for Joe Burrow for this season? The Bengals should draft Thomas Jr. and give an already dynamic offense some more help.
Los Angeles Rams - Quinyon Mitchell (CB - Toledo) The first season post Aaron Donald should be interesting for the Rams. Donald was such a major part of their success and a huge stopper on defense. without the ability to have that disruptive force anchoring the D-Line, the Rams will need some help in the secondary. Mitchell is a fast, athletic CB who could be the defensive anchor that the Rams will need to have in the secondary.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Jackson Powers (C - Oregon) Is there anything this team has? The QB is old and his backup is unproven, no weapons, but an awesome defense... YEP, the makings for a team that needs a whole rebuild, thus an addition to the Offensive Line! Draft a Center to anchor the line and get ready for next year's draft.
Miami Dolphins - Laiatu Lata (DE - UCLA) Remember when the Dolphins seemed like they were destined to win the Super Bowl last season? Scoring 70 points vs the Broncos, a full defensive effort and looking like the most complete team in the NFL... Fast forward to the offseason and there have been a ton of losses on this team. Most noticeably Christian Wilkins who is now with the Raiders. The 'Fins need some help on the d-line and Lata is the help they're looking for! With a motor that doesn't stop and power to get to the QB, along with the soft hands to intercept and force fumbles, Lata WILL be a force in the AFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles - Graham Barton (LB - Duke) This team got decimated late in the season and authored one of the most outrageous collapses of all time. All season long the talk was about the Eagles lack of depth and talent along the linebacking corps. To address that, why not get one of the best linebacker prospects in the draft? Graham Barton is that dude. He has a nose for the ball and will be on almost every tackle when its in his vicinity. Plus... It would be smart of the Eagles to keep him out of Dallas.
Minnesota Vikings - Amarius Mims (T - Georgia) Oh, hey! The Vikings are back huh? Great news for them! They addressed the defensive line and now should focus on the O-Line. Drafting Mims out of Georgia will give them a generational type of guy. Built like the prototypical OT, he is not just big and powerful, but he is graceful with quick feet. He, in my opinion, is the best prospect out of the 2024 Draft Class.
Dallas Cowboys - Michael Penix Jr. (QB - Washington) They get a linebacker taken off their board, they get an offensive lineman drafted ahead of them, do they panic... OF COURSE THEY DO! I think Penix Jr. is the best QB in this draft class, and maybe just maybe he falls to Dallas. Dak has a ton of money coming his way, would Dallas want to keep that? You know what you're getting with number 4, why not draft the future, because there is a rebuild coming to Dallas in the near future and all that Dak money is going to be hard to navigate.
Green Bay Packers - Nate Wiggins (CB - Clemson) The Packers seem to think they know what they're doing and honestly, who are we to second guess them? They have struck gold and got hot at the right time towards the end of the season, they seem to have done the right thing each draft, despite what Aaron Rodgers has to say. Defensively, they need some help and Wiggins is a dynamic DB who could be used all over the defensive side of the secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jared Verse (DE - FSU) Much like the Saints, the Buccaneers are facing off against a potentially high flying offense in the Atlanta Falcons. Pressure on Kirk Cousins will be the key for the rest of the teams in the division. Tampa has a solid offense, so bolstering up the defense would be the way for them to go. Jared Verse is a player who could not only get to the QB, but stop the run as well.
Arizona Cardinals - Darrius Robinson (DL - Missouri) The Cardinals have a ton of holes on this team, but they are in a division with the 49ers and the Rams who have top level QBs. (Yes, Purdy is a top QB) The Cards will need to find a way to put pressure on the QB and Robinson is a player versatile enough to play along the whole defensive line. Despite only having 8.5 sacks in his senior season, Robinson was able to make a name for himself by constantly being in the backfield.
Buffalo Bills - Keyon Coleman (WR - FSU) It's really simple. You lost Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs, you need to replace them.
Detroit Lions - Chop Robinson (DE - PSU) Chop Robinson on the other side of Aiden Hutchenson? This has the making of a nightmare scenario for the NFC North and the rest of the NFL and I need it to happen more than I need oxygen! The Lions have a really good offense and only had a weakness along the line creating pressure, Chop Robinson fixes that problem and then some.
Baltimore Ravens - Jackson Powers-Johnson (OL - Oregon) Adding to the most potent running attack in the NFL, the Ravens signed Derrick Henry, this feels like cheating. Now get a big mean offensive lineman to help pave the way and you have the makings of a team that can overcome the proverbial hump and make a deep playoff run.
San Francisco 49ers - Jer'Zhan Newton (DT - Illinois) This team keeps getting better and the window to win is closing as the time to pay Brock Purdy is around the window. Adding help up the middle would be huge for the 49ers who showed in the playoffs they're susceptible to being ran on up the middle. Newton is a big body that will help clog up the lanes and make those running downs a little harder to maintain for opposing offenses.
Kansas City Chiefs - Cooper DeJean (CB - Iowa) Losing L'Jarius Snead to the Titans means there needs to be a focus on trying to replace him. The Chiefs drafting DeJean would be a good step in the right direction. That KC Defense was GREAT to end the season, so there will not be a ton of pressure on DeJean to be the franchise savior. This will be a great pick by the Chiefs.
The NFL Draft is a fun time, but let's try to put things in perspective, ALL of the people who get drafted are being put in a wonderful position to change their lives and live their dreams. The NFL Draft is the start of where dreams come true for NFL Players and I for one cannot wait to see who goes where. Good luck to the whole Draft Class of 2024!
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