Welcome to mock draft season, everyone.
With the New England Patriots finishing out the season with a loss, they now hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That gives them some terrific ammunition with which they can improve the team.
In my seven-round mock draft earlier this week, I had New England taking a receiver at the top and going quarterback later on. This time around, I’ve got them going quarterback at No. 3.
Why change my pick? Because it’s January and no one has any actual idea about what’s going to happen on draft day. So why not explore the many timelines that could unfold in the ensuing months?
Here’s who I’ve got coming off the board in the first 32 picks in version 1.0 of my full Round 1 mock draft.
Mock Draft: Full Round 1 Projection
1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
I don’t think Justin Fields is coming back. Williams is the best QB in the draft. This isn’t complicated.
2. Commanders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Similar story here. The Commanders have a prime opportunity to get a franchise quarterback in Maye. I think the story at 1-2 is pretty clear.
3. Patriots – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
A reach? Maybe. But it may be a necessity to make a bold move like this with the Patriots on track to miss out on the top two quarterbacks in this draft.
Daniels is everything that Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe haven’t been. He’s athletic and has a cannon for an arm. He can escape the pocket to either buy time for a big pass play or take off running.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has developed over his college career into a dynamic passer. With that said, he doesn’t have traditionally great pocket presence like some more conventional quarterbacks. But the Patriots wouldn’t be bringing him in to be a game manager. They’d be looking for him to be a game-changer.
The standard in New England for a long time was Tom Brady picking apart defenses with quick throws short and over the middle while being a magician in the pocket. Daniels would be a new style of quarterback for a new era. He comes with some risk. But he also comes with some tremendous upside.
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4. Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison is probably the safest pick in the draft. The Cardinals get a steal here.
5. Chargers – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
With Gerald Everett set to leave in free agency, the Chargers can set up Justin Herbert with a unique talent at tight end.
6. Giants – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
A boring, sensible pick to help the Giants build toward the future.
7. Titans – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Titans miss out on the top QBs. So they might as well continue to build around the run game. A top tackle will help.
8. Falcons – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Eight picks in, we finally get a defensive player to give the Falcons the star pass rusher they’ve been seeking for years.
9. Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze is a stud. Pairing him with Williams would be a passing combo to build around.
10. Jets – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
If Aaron Rodgers does indeed come back next year. The Jets should get him more weapons.
11. Vikings – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
I feel like I project the Vikings to draft a cornerback every year. They still need one.
12. Broncos – Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Newton is a disruptive interior lineman who can really help boost a defense.
13. Raiders – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean brings value as a cover corner and a returner.
14. Saints – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Latu worked his way back from a career-threatening neck injury to become of one of this year’s top defensive prospects.
15. Colts – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
This year’s cornerback class is pretty loaded.
16. Seahawks – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Robinson is an explosive athlete who’s still developing as a pass rusher.
17. Jaguars – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
You can’t go wrong with drafting a receiver who’s 6-foot-4 and fast.
18. Bengals – JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Cincinnati is still trying to build a good offensive line around Joe Burrow.
(We only know the official order of the top 18 picks. The remaining teams are sorted by record and normal tiebreakers. But expect the order to change between now and April.)
19. Packers – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Green Bay has a good thing going with a young team built around Jordan Love. Time to help protect their QB.
20. Buccaneers – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Verse would be an awesome pass rusher to add to Todd Bowles’ defense.
21. Cardinals (via Texans) – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
They already got a top receiver in this draft. Let’s give them one of this year’s stud cornerbacks as well.
22. Rams – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Fautanu has been great as a left tackle in college. He may bump inside to guard in the pros. Either way, the Rams can use him.
23. Steelers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Barton is another tackle who pundits expect to bump inside. He’s been regularly projected as a center.
24. Dolphins – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
At 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, Mims fits the mold of a prototypical NFL left tackle.
25. Eagles – Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
A versatile, athletic defender who can help Philly’s defense get back on track.
26. Chiefs – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Kansas City needs to get more weapons for Patrick Mahomes. Thomas would be a good start.
27. Texans (via Browns) – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Houston has a good thing going in C.J. Stroud. So why not get his former college teammate?
28. Lions – Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Detroit landed some studs on the offensive side last year. Now it’s time to bolster their defense.
29. Bills – Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Buffalo gave up 4.6 yards per rush this year, one of the worst marks in the league. A physical defender like Trotter can help there.
30. Cowboys – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Tony Pollard is a free agent this year. Henderson would give them a new franchise back to build around.
31. 49ers – Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Trent Williams will be 36 next year. The 49ers need to prepare for the future.
32. Ravens – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Lamar Jackson would certainly benefit from the addition of a 6-foot-4 receiver on the outside.
