NFL mock draft 2024: Updated 1st round projection after National Championship

The college football season is officially over, and with that top prospects can now begin the NFL Draft circuit. The rounds of training, interviews and combines will start to ramp up as the NFL playoffs continue, and prospect to team fits have begun to materialize. Which means we get more mock drafts to discuss! Below is our mock draft at the conclusion of college season, with the Michigan Wolverines topping the Washington Huskies in the national championship game.

This order for the first 19 picks of the first round are already locked in. The Chicago Bears are officially on the clock with first overall pick, thanks to the Carolina Panthers. Will the Bears trade the pick like last year, or use it to select a new franchise quarterback? We’ll give a quick explanation of every pick after the table.

Here’s what the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft projects to look like right now. 2024 NFL mock draft, post college football season edition I’m of the belief that it’s in the best interest of both Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears to part ways. Chicago gets to reset with a talented QB in Maye who has the arm talent to reach all levels of the field and more than enough athleticism to be a threat on the ground.

The hometown kid comes back! Washington needs some revitalization in their offense, and while Sam Howell performed admirably, Williams is a much better athlete at the position and plays the game on Minecraft creative mode. No matter what happens at head coach for the Patriots, they’re in desperate need of some energy and excitement at the QB spot.

Daniels is a big play waiting to happen with his arms and legs. Marvin Harrison is a legitimate alpha outside receiver. With his body control, route running and sure hands, Harrison would add a bonafide top receiver to a quietly fun Cardinals skill position group. The Chargers are in an interesting spot here.

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams account for a large part of the cap, and even then the receiver group was average at best. Nabers is a shot of electricity (pun intended) for the Chargers offense that’s sorely needed. Consider me a huge fan of Odunze. He has such a high floor with his body control and ability after the catch, and can be a very good outside receiver.

The Giants fell out of QB range but get a great prospect here. The Titans have a lot of questions that need to be answered about their old guard this year, but no matter what happens, the OL needs to be fixed. Fashanu is a plug and play starter at left tackle who’s extremely clean in pass protection.

The Falcons need another body type at the EDGE spot. Turner is a lean, but strong prospect who still has a long runway of development as a pass rusher. The Bears have their QB, now they insulate him with the second offensive lineman off the board. Alt is a perfect fit for what the Bears like and want in their offensive line, and it gives Chicago the ability to make Braxton Jones a swing tackle.

The Jets’ offensive line was an injury riddled disaster in 2023. With Aaron Rodgers coming back for another year, protecting him has to be a priority. Mims can slot right in at right tackle and be an instant lift. With Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and DJ Wonnum all set to enter free agency, the Vikings need another piece to add to their pass rush.

Verse is a high motor EDGE who wins with power and burst and will immediately help the Vikings defense. Denver’s run defense was a mess this year. Newton might not have the length of a traditional DT, but he wins with quickness and explosion that’ll help on all three downs. With the Raiders still looking like a mess defensively, Wiggins is a supreme athlete who can step in and immediately start.

Honestly, Bowers could go as high as 5 in this draft. However, he slides to 14 in New Orleans, who need another legitimate receiving threat outside of Chris Olave. The Colts need depth at both corner and safety. Good news: DeJean can do both! I think he’s a legit corner, and will offer a lot to a Colts secondary that needs to elevate their play.

The passing defense for the Seahawks left a lot to be desired. Obviously Devon Witherspoon locks down the slot, but adding McKinstry to that room gives them a fun QB trio with Spoon and Riq Woolen. Protecting Trevor Lawrence and upgrading the run game has to be the priority. Fautanu more than likely slides to guard and has the play strength and nastiness to make the Jaguars OL formidable.

Jonah Williams is an upcoming free agent, and with both DT DJ Reader and WR Tee Higgins being free agents Williams might be the casualty. Latham is a people mover on the right side in the run game and will help the Bengals work better in play action. The Packers go back to the SEC corner well with Arnold, who is a feisty and competitive corner who can play inside and out for a Packers defense that needs depth at CB.

Tampa Bay is outside of the QB range, but can get Latu here at 20 to bolster their pass rush. Latu’s medicals might drop him but his pass rush chops and burst is too good to pass up. The Cards double down on skill positions here and take Mitchell at 21. Mitchell is a freak athlete who has a lot of production while playing at Toledo, and gives the Cardinals a boost on the back end.

The Rams’ defense is overachieving by all means this year, surviving without any legit pass rush threat outside of Aaron Donald. Robinson gives them some juice on the edge and makes that pass rush even better. Steelers WR Diontae Johnson is a free agent, and with some of the top corners gone, the Steelers add a top talent in Thomas Jr.

The Dolphins need depth and help along the offensive line at almost every spot. Fuaga can play guard or tackle, and Fuaga’s raw power can give the Dolphins already dangerous run game a spark. It might be time for the Eagles to start preparing for life after Lane Johnson. GM Howie Roseman only drafts OL, DL and WR in the first round, and Guyton fits the athletic profile the Eagles love.

The Chiefs could use some more boom in their receiver room, and Coleman is a big play waiting to happen. He can replace MVS as the top receiver next to Rashee Rice on the outside. Morgan slides into the back end of the first round with Houston. The Texans need some more help along the offensive front with Tytus Howard going from right tackle to left guard, and Morgan’s athletic tools give him a good base at right tackle.

Or, if Howard moves back to tackle, Morgan can slide to guard. Burke is a very good athlete who competes all the way through the whistle on the outside. That sounds like a Dan Campbell guy, and someone who can help the Lions secondary, who needs more guys that can survive in man coverage. This feels like a great prospect to team fit.

Mitchell has explosive verticality and at 6’4 has a wide catch radius to haul in any errant passes. Buffalo needs a true second receiver, and with Gabe Davis set to hit free agency Mitchell can fit in like a glove. Much like the Eagles and Lane Johnson, the Cowboys need to start preparing for life after Tyron Smith.

Paul is a big and athletic player who could use a bit of refinement, but in the Dallas development system could be a starter at left tackle. The 49ers offensive line has been elevated by Trent Williams, but right tackle has been a glaring hole. Suamataia is an easy mover who works for the zone run game.

As much as the Ravens have gotten out of Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, they could use another high motor pass rusher. Trice is constantly working and has enough inside counters to work on stunts and loops..