2024 NFL Mock Draft

After 14 straight offensive players selected in a row, an NFL record, the next two players were Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu and Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy. In this draft, Kweis Adofo-Mensah is not shy about making bold trades. He traded away picks 23, 167, plus a 2025 3rd, and a 2025 4th to move up to pick 17. The Vikings GM used that pick to select Edge Rusher Dallas Turner, who many regarded as the top pass rusher in the draft.

Turner is 6'3" 247 with 34 3/8" arms. He ran 4.46 forty, had a 40.5" vertical jump, and a 10'7" broad jump. Turner was First-team Associated Press All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-SEC, a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Lott IMPACT Award (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity). He led this team with 14.5 TFL and was tied for eighth in the FBS with 10 sacks.

Turner is long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher. Another excellent pick! Grade: A+

Mark P, Vikings Analyst

There has obviously been some negative buzz surrounding the Bengals over the past 24 hours, with both Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson requesting trades. But Cincinnati didn't panic here, taking the best pure tackle on the board.

Sure, Mims has some boom or bust potential, given his lack of experience and injury concerns, but the traits are there for an elite tackle -- and you can't complain about that at pick 18.

Jer'Zhan Newton also warranted consideration here, but the Bengals are clearly committed to protecting Joe Burrow. When he's on the field, they can beat anyone. Mims should help keep him on the field, even if he needs a year to develop. Having gotten their tackle -- arguably their biggest need -- Day 2 targets include Ja'Tavion Sanders, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Ruke Orhorhoro. Grade: A-

- Gabe Kamins, Ravens Analyst

Late rumors indicated that the Rams were looking to trade up. Ultimately they hung in at pick 19 and came away with one of the best pass rushers in this draft. As nice as it would have been to get a player like Byron Murphy, using a first-round pick to fill-in for a future hall-of-famer rarely ever goes well.

Florida State Seminole Jared Verse fills a massive need for the Rams at EDGE rusher and forms a formidable tandem with last year's RD 1 pick Byron Young. Verse has a relentless motor, and should take some of the pressure off Young and fellow breakout 2023 pick Kobie Turner. LA is likely not done bolstering their defensive line, but this is great start and a worthy choice for the first RD 1 pick of the Sean McVay era. Grade: A

Of their 30 pre-draft visits, the Steelers spent 14 on O-linemen. A deep class for Tackle, a position of premium value, the Steelers took advantage to get a player that might be a top-15 in a typical class. Fautanu is a tenacious blocker with active hands who will help re-establish the running game in Pittsburgh, a key objective of new OC Arthur Smith. He doesn't have elite height but has an excellent wingspan with 34.5" arms to play on the edge.

Incumbent LT Dan Moore Jr. has reached his ceiling as a middling NFL tackle. The team would like to move Broderick Jones to LT and plug the rookie in on the right side.

The Steelers still have some big holes in their roster at WR and Center. This pick will lose some luster if they can't get a Center soon. Expect them to be active on Day 2 to maneuver into position to address those needs. Grade: A

With their first RD1 pick since 2021, the Dolphins add EDGE, Chop (Demeioun) Robinson, to their defense. Miami has two of the best edge rushers in the league -- Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Both suffered serious injuries near the end of the 2023 season. Phillips (torn achilles) should be back for the start of the new season, but Chubb (torn ACL) may not. Shaq Barrett was signed in Free Agency on a 1-year deal. He turns 32 during the season.

Penn State's Chop Robinson is an athletic defender who uses speed to beat opposing tackles. Robinson ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine and got a RAS score of 9.68. Unfortunately, Robinson lacks power and his production at Penn State, after transferring from Maryland, was poor (9.5 sacks in two seasons). Chop may well end up being a strong starter, but, in my opinion, this is a disappointing pick, given that there were bigger positional needs. Grade: D

- David Payne, DraftTek Senior Analyst

I didn't think it was possible, but for the first time since 2002 the Philadelphia Eagles have taken a CB in RD 1! Speculation was that the Eagles would actually have to trade up to get their preferred corner. The team stayed home at pick 22 and snagged their pick of the lot.

Quinyon Mitchell is a perfect fit for Vic Fangio's defense. A big, fast, physical CB, Mitchell rocketed up draft boards after his performance at the Senior Bowl and his stock kept rising with a 4.33 forty at the NFL Combine. His journey as a prospect happily ends in Philadelphia. Mitchell has the versatility to play inside or outside. He may find his best fit as a rookie replacing Avonte Maddox as the starting slot corner before eventually taking over as CB1. Grade: A

After trading down with the Minnesota Vikings, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Brian Thomas Jr., WR from LSU!

Brian Thomas Jr junior season highlight tape ?? pic.twitter.com/zJpFCcKbzt

— Boppa ????? (@ihatebbls) January 8, 2024

The Jaguars decided to give Trevor Lawrence a true number #1 WR prospect by drafting the lanky speedster from LSU! A former football and basketball star in high school, Brian Thomas Jr. is a big, tall and fast vertical threat who demands the defense to always be honest about his ability to get behind them. Brian's footwork and flexibility are fast and fluid. And he isn't easily bullied or pressed-manned aggressive corners. Fantastic trade and pick for the Jaguars! Grade A-

~Cody Lachney, Jaguars Analyst

Detroit has not been afraid to be aggressive in the NFL draft. Here, they were not going to let Arnold drop any further. Many thought the breakout star would go in the top half of the first round. The Lions pounced up to 24 to steal a player that should be a day-one starter.

Arnold plays with a chip on his shoulder, which is just what Dan Campbell likes in his players. He’s not afraid to be physical, and he still has untapped potential that can come to light with further experience. Giving up a 3rd-round pick was a little rich, but not for a guy that had no business falling to the mid-20’s. Grade: B

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Up until about Pick 20, it felt like the draft couldn’t have broken any better for the Packers. From there, it felt Green Bay got a little complacent and may have missed an opportunity to trade up for a top CB (Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold) or OT (Troy Fautanu) without giving up more than an additional RD3 pick.

Jordan Morgan is gonna do everything Matt Lafleur wants his OL to do
pic.twitter.com/f9b3DlWIvd

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 26, 2024

Instead, the Packers stood pat and took Jordan Morgan, who seems to fit everything Green Bay looks for in an offensive lineman but is a bit of a reach at #40 on our Big Board. Morgan is a three-year starter with 37 starts at left tackle, but his sub 33” arms may foreshadow a move to guard. Morgan has allowed just three sacks and 31 pressures on 920 pass blocks reps over the past two seasons, but he was credited with just one blown block in the run game over the last two years. Morgan could immediately challenge Rasheed Walker at left tackle, with the loser getting bounced to a right guard battle with Sean Rhyan. Grade: B+

The Buccaneers' top draft needs were Edge rusher, OL, and CB. Tthe top four Edge rushers were off the board before their pick. Therefore, the Bucs went with the very smart decision to snag the top Center in the draft. Graham Barton is 6'5' 313 lbs with 32 7/8" arms. He was a two time First-team All-ACC lineman and made 34 starts at left tackle and 5 starts at Center while playin for Duke. Most scouts project Barton to play center in the NFL where he could use his athleticism and tenacity to be a plug-and-play starter from day one.

Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor said "This is what I think about when I think about Graham Barton - you mix a grizzly bear, you put in a ballerina, and you put in a lion," Taylor said on the Bleav in Steelers Podcast. "Those people don't come around too often." The Buccaneers did an excellent job getting good value. Grade: A+

~Mark P, Bucs Analyst

The Cardinals came out of the first round adding talent to each side of the ball. I thought Robinson would be an option late in RD1 as a versatile D-lineman with great size and length. He really put it all together in Mobile, where he was a beast against a crop of 1st-round caliber offensive linemen.

Robinson's got the burst and balance to win on the edge, with the violent hands and tenacity to kick inside as well. I really thought Arizona was hoping for a guy like Jared Verse or Chop Robinson here, but I am not complaining with this fit in a defense that likes versatile players in their front. Mel Kiper was banging his fist, praising this guy. Grade: B

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

The Chiefs are known for their offensive proficiency. Yet, the team has been left wanting for a WR that can separate from his defender ever since Tyreek Hill left for Miami.

In back-to-back drafts, GM Brett Veach selected a WR in RD2 (Skyy Moore and, "Fast and Furious" perpetrator, Rashee Rice). He additionally traded to acquire Kadarius Toney. Although Rice was a hit in the draft, he spun out of control this off-season. In a draft loaded with WRs, no one should be surprised that Veach grabbed a "worthy" young, affordable WR to Mahomes' pass-catching stockpile.

Xavier Worthy is a vertical threat to score from anywhere on the field. The shifty speedster ranks 3rd in Longhorns history in TD receptions (24). Playing at 163 pounds, he does need to gain mass for the NFL. It's puzzling that the Bills were willing to make the trade. Grade: B+

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

This is a big win for the Dallas Cowboys, who were locked into taking an offensive linemen from the start. I expected them to be picking between Tyler Guyton and Jackson Powers-Johnson; but, considering their additional needs that could be aided by a top-100 player, to add pick 73 and still grab a choice OT is outstanding!

I preferred Graham Barton, but with Guyton and JPJ both still available, trading back was the right call. Left tackle is one of the most important positions on the field. Guyton has a skillset that can fit perfectly with a little more polish. To call him raw is not a stretch, but the steps he took in Mobile were proof that he is very coachable and hungry to compete and get better. Most importantly, this allows the Cowboys to keep Tyler Smith at left guard, which has always been his natural position. Grade: A-

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

With all the top tackles off the board (even Jordan Morgan!), Baltimore addresses another huge need, selecting Clemson CB Nate Wiggins. Wiggins has length, speed, and fluidity that all combine to make him one of, if not the, top cover corners in the class.

The Ravens wisely felt the need to address DB in RD1, and having options like Wiggins, Cooper DeJean, and Kool-Aid McKinstry certainly made this decision easier. Wiggins should contribute significantly right away in Baltimore, but his long-term potential at a position the Ravens are extremely thin at is what I love most about this pick. He will need to add a bit of weight, but he still does have physicality that will play in the AFC North. Next, Eric DeCosta will likely look to address tackle, edge, and receiver. Grade: A

- Gabe Kamins, Ravens Analyst

As the draft neared, the buzz grew louder that the 49ers could end up drafting a WR at pick 31. That speculation is no longer. The 49ers added former Florida Gator Ricky Pearsall to their WR room. While this will lead to wider speculation about Brando Aiyuk's future with the team, this may come down more to the fact that the value just wasn't there at OT, nor for an Arik Armstead replacement. Rather than wait until RD 2 to see which WR is still around, the Niners go and get their guy.

Pearsall is a Shanahan-style WR through and through: crisp routes, strong hands, and the ankle-breaking agility to get separation at every level of the field. Rookies tend to struggle getting on the field early in Shanahan's offense so giving Pearsall a year to acclimate to the offense before taking on a larger role may be a best-case scenario. In the meantime, he provides excellent insurance if the Niners lose their top receiver. Grade: A-

After trading up with the Buffalo Bills one spot, the Carolina Panthers select Xavier Leggette, WR from University of South Carolina!

#Xavierleggette is gonna be a star ?? in the #NFL #NFLDraft #JetUp pic.twitter.com/EO9T1rYL9Q

— THE BLACK SHOGUN???????????? (@OzzydaJetsFan) April 26, 2024

Dan Morgan executes a masterful trade to move up one spot and pick up a 5th year option on a tremendous WR talent for Carolina. Xavier represents an exciting blend of speed and explosion as he was clocked hitting over 22 mph for the Gamecocks last year. He can be used in the backfield on jet sweeps and has opportunity to be used in a versatile fashion in Dave Canales' offense.

Grade A+

- Cody Lachney, Panthers Analyst