Will Helms’ 3-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bo Nix to Giants, Spencer Rattler to Lions, Cowboys Bolster Offensive Line

Will Helms’ 3-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Max Melton, Patrick Paul Sneak Into First Round

We’re just over 10 days from the 2024 NFL Draft, and we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of mocking. I won’t bury the lede. Since this is my penultimate mock, I wanted to throw a few curveballs before dropping my final predictive mock next week.

In this 2024 NFL Mock Draft, quarterbacks fall, receivers rise, and there are a few surprises at the running back and edge positions.

3-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft | Round 1

1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

As of this writing, Caleb Williams is a -10000 favorite to be the first pick of the draft, so there won’t be any surprises there. I don’t think Williams’ ceiling is as high as the next two guys on this list. Still, considering the talent Chicago has brought in, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he’s not at least a solid starter, likely more.

2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Jayden Daniels is more of a scrambler than a runner, but in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, Daniels’ strengths should be evident. He’s highly accurate over the middle and deep third, which should reinvigorate the Commanders’ passing offense. Plus, he’s immediately a top-three runner at the quarterback position.

3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Drake Maye might have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the draft class. He’s at his best when he’s in rhythm but was often streaky in college. If he becomes more consistent with his footwork and flushes bad throws in quicker fashion, it’s possible that he will end up as a high-level franchise quarterback for the Patriots.

4) Minnesota Vikings (From ARI): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Trade: Vikings receive pick No. 4; Cardinals receive the 11th and 23rd picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and a 2025 first-round pick.

It’s obvious that the Vikings are primed to move up for J.J. McCarthy, but where they take him is likely dependent on the Arizona Cardinals. If Arizona falls in love with Marvin Harrison Jr., Minnesota will likely wait until the fifth or sixth pick to make its move.

McCarthy operates best on timing routes and should be able to thrive with Minnesota’s strong group of pass catchers.

5) Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Harrison is the top overall prospect on my board. Arizona’s decision to move back allows the Los Angeles Chargers to grab him. In all likelihood, I think Los Angeles will take Harrison if he’s on the board or trade down for a tackle if he isn’t.

6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Malik Nabers has the upside to be the best receiver in a class that includes Harrison. While the Giants are likely to move on from Daniel Jones after this season, leaving the next quarterback with a true No. 1 receiver is a must.

7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

I’m still not overthinking this. Joe Alt opened as only a -150 favorite to go at No. 7, but as the clear top tackle in the draft, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that he ends up in Tennessee. The Titans addressed the skill positions in free agency; now, it’s time to lock down the left tackle spot.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

I’m finally doing it this week — mocking my favorite edge rusher in this draft to the first team with a glaring weakness on the defensive line. We, as media members, aren’t privy to private conversations or injury data shared between players or teams. If Laiatu Latu‘s medicals check out, Atlanta may fall in love with the most productive defensive lineman in the draft.

9) Chicago Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Rome Odunze is available here, as is Brock Bowers and all of the corners. However, as the Bears look to build in the NFC North, they may opt for the highest-upside pass rusher in the NFL Draft. Jared Verse is the most likely of the rookie edge rushers to immediately put up double-digit sacks, something that should be coveted in a division with some of the top receivers in football.

10) New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Washington

I think Olumuyiwa Fashanu will be the second tackle off the board on April 25, even though he seems to be slipping a bit in recent mocks. The Jets could go with Bowers or a guy like Odunze here, but I have to think that management wants to finally have some stability on the offensive line.

11) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Trade: Vikings receive pick No. 4; Cardinals receive the 11th and 23rd picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and a 2025 first-round pick.

Netting an extra first-rounder in both the 2024 and 2025 drafts and still getting one of the top three receivers in the draft would be a monumental win for the Cardinals. Odunze has traits similar to some of the other top receivers and can win with size and speed.

12) Denver Broncos: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Teams should draft according to their strengths, not their weaknesses; the former is what Denver is doing here. Terrion Arnold‘s ball skills were on full display in college as the presence of Kool-Aid McKinstry funneled targets his way.

Patrick Surtain II doesn’t exactly entice quarterbacks to throw his way, and putting Arnold on the opposite side would maximize his skill set and give the Broncos the best cornerback duo in football.

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

If you’re going to be in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, you better have an elite defensive line or secondary, perhaps both. The value at corner is great here, and Quinyon Mitchell would give Las Vegas a highly athletic cover man with excellent ball skills.

14) New Orleans Saints: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

JC Latham has been solid for a couple of seasons at Alabama and fits well with New Orleans. If I were the Saints, I’d be concerned about the Chargers snatching the best right tackle in the draft, especially if Minnesota picks Los Angeles as its trade partner. If Latham falls to 14, I’d run his name to the podium.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

This could be a dream spot for the Colts. Or they could agonize over their potential choice. With Bowers and Dallas Turner on the board at positions of need, the Colts have a choice. As a tiebreaker, I always try to give young quarterbacks an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the ball. Bowers upgrades two positions at once for Indianapolis.

16) Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Mocking for the Seahawks is nearly impossible, given the unpredictability of John Schneider and the fact that their internal board often differs significantly from other teams.

We know that Seattle loves to pick guys in the trenches, and Byron Murphy II’s combination of size and speed could be difficult for the Seahawks to pass up with their first pick.

17) Philadelphia Eagles (From JAX): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Trade: The Eagles receive picks 17, 96, and 114 in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Jaguars receive picks 22 and 53.

This trade does two things: First, as Turner slides, Philadelphia can get who many consider to be the top edge rusher in the draft — a very Howie Roseman thing to do.

Second, the Eagles turn one of their two mid-second-rounders into a late third or early fourth-rounder, a spot with a lot of talent relative to the rest of the draft.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Matt Harmon and others have compared Brian Thomas Jr. to DK Metcalf in terms of his college route tree. However, I think his game and how he wins with the ball in the air are similar to Tee Higgins — not a comp, more of an observation.

Assuming Higgins ultimately plays somewhere other than Cincinnati next season, Thomas is a smart replacement (and we know Bengals fans love LSU Tigers).

19) Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Trade: The Cowboys receive the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Rams receive the 24th and 87th picks.

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Cowboys — criticized for their lack of aggression all offseason — might be aggressive in the draft, especially if there’s a tackle available in the late teens.

Dallas seems to be leaning towards a pass-blocking tackle, and in this trade, it jumps tackle-needy teams in Pittsburgh and Miami. Amarius Mims would surely fit the need.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Taliese Fuaga is a mauler in the running game, and while it might sting a bit for Dallas to jump them, the Steelers might prefer a run-blocking tackle. Fuaga is big and powerful, and his leg drive is among the best in the class.

21) Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

I’m struggling to find a match for the Dolphins at 21, which means they could be potential trade-down candidates.

MORE: Miami Dolphins Still Have a Pretty Significant Need on Defense

With Troy Fautanu available, however, Miami grabs a guy who could slot in as a starter at either guard or tackle. Despite more experience playing on the outside, he’s likely a guard at the next level.

22) Jacksonville Jaguars (From PHI): Cooper DeJean, S, Iowa

Trade: The Eagles receive picks 17, 96, and 114 in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Jaguars receive picks 22 and 53.

Jacksonville needs to get more physical on defense, and Cooper DeJean would allow them to do that, no matter where the defensive staff decides he should play the majority of his snaps. A full-time cornerback at the collegiate level, a switch to safety may be on the cards as the freak athlete heads to the NFL.

23) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

Johnny Newton has slipped a bit since he hasn’t worked out much this spring, but he’s still worthy of being taken in the middle of Round 1. For a team with three first-round picks, Newton makes a ton of sense as a high-upside pick at a position that is becoming increasingly more important.

24) Los Angeles Rams (From DAL): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Trade: The Cowboys receive the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Rams receive the 24th and 87th picks.

It feels like McKinstry is slipping a bit in mocks, but I still think he’s worthy of a late first-round selection, and Los Angeles is a place where I think he can thrive. His college production doesn’t turn heads simply because he didn’t see a lot of targets.

25) Green Bay Packers: Graham Barton, G, Duke

I’ve mostly had the Green Bay Packers looking to upgrade their defense, but the offensive line could also use a few pieces, and signing Josh Jacobs in free agency suggests a re-commitment to the run. Graham Barton has good hand usage and played multiple positions in college.

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Nate Wiggins is a high-motor, speedy corner with strong ball skills. He’ll likely need to put on a bit of weight, but it’s possible he was shedding weight for the NFL Combine to run a better 40-yard dash. His recovery speed is evident on tape, and he’d fit nicely with the rest of the secondary in Tampa Bay.

27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State

Seeing Adisa Isaac go ahead of fellow Nittany Lion edge rusher Chop Robinson may surprise some, but many scouts value production over traits. Isaac has more of the former and isn’t lacking in the latter. It’s not out of the question to think the consensus has gotten the Penn State edge order wrong.

28) Buffalo Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The potential to see Xavier Worthy running down a Josh Allen bomb is enough for me to mock him to the Buffalo Bills. Worthy can fly, but he’s also a talented route runner with some nuance to his game.

MORE: WR Draft Targets for Buffalo Following the Stefon Diggs Trade

Though he’s slightly built, I honestly think he can succeed outside and isn’t limited to the slot.

29) Detroit Lions: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

Max Melton isn’t being mentioned among the top corners in the draft, but he’s probably the best pure slot corner in this class. He’s strong in press man and has flashed the ability to cover bigger receivers and tight ends in between the numbers.

30) Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

For a taller tackle, Tyler Guyton maintains solid pad level and leverage in both the passing and running games. Baltimore is seemingly always looking for more offensive line help, and Guyton is athletic enough to help when Lamar Jackson breaks the pocket.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

If you look purely at the metrics, Patrick Paul is the best pass-blocking tackle in the draft class. He allowed an extremely low pressure rate and was among the nation’s leaders in pass-block win rate. In San Francisco, he has the luxury of time to develop with no need to rush him into immediate action.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Adonai Mitchell is the type of player Kansas City would love to have. Mitchell would be an excellent complement if Rashee Rice’s impending legal troubles don’t hold him out of actual games. He’s best as a top second or third option rather than a guy who has to have the pressure of putting the team on his back.

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3-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2

2024 NFL Mock Draft

33) Las Vegas Raiders (From CAR)

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Trade: Panthers receive picks 44 and 77; Raiders receive pick 33

34) New England Patriots

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

35) Arizona Cardinals

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

36) Washington Commanders

Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

37) Los Angeles Chargers

Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

38) Tennessee Titans

T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

39) Carolina Panthers

Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

40) Washington Commanders

Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama

41) Green Bay Packers

Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

42) Houston Texans

Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

43) Atlanta Falcons

Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

44) Carolina Panthers (From LV)

Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

45) New Orleans Saints

Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

46) Indianapolis Colts

Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

47) New York Giants

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

48) Jacksonville Jaguars

Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

49) Cincinnati Bengals

T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

50) Philadelphia Eagles

Cole Bishop, S, Utah

51) Pittsburgh Steelers

Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

52) Los Angeles Rams

Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

53) Jacksonville Jaguars (From PHI)

Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

Trade: The Eagles receive picks 17, 96, and 114 in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Jaguars receive picks 22 and 53.

54) Cleveland Browns

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

55) Miami Dolphins

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

56) Dallas Cowboys

Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

57) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Christian Haynes, G, UConn

58) Green Bay Packers

Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

59) Houston Texans

Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

60) Buffalo Bills

Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

61) Detroit Lions

Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan

62) Baltimore Ravens

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

63) San Francisco 49ers

Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (FL)

64) Kansas City Chiefs

Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

Round 3

2024 NFL Mock Draft

65) Carolina Panthers

Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest

66) Arizona Cardinals

Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

67) Washington Commanders

Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)

68) New England Patriots

Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

69) Los Angeles Chargers

Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

70) New York Giants

MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

71) Arizona Cardinals

Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

72) New York Jets

Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

73) Detroit Lions

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

74) Atlanta Falcons

Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

75) Chicago Bears

Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

76) Denver Broncos

Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

77) Carolina Panthers (From LV)

Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

78) Washington Commanders

D.J. James, CB, Auburn

79) Atlanta Falcons

Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

80) Cincinnati Bengals

Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

81) Seattle Seahawks

Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

82) Indianapolis Colts

Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State

83) Los Angeles Rams

Brandon Dorlus, EDGE, Oregon

84) Pittsburgh Steelers

Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

85) Cleveland Browns

Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville

86) Houston Texans

Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

87) Los Angeles Rams (From DAL)

Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

Trade: The Cowboys receive the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Rams receive the 24th and 87th picks.

88) Green Bay Packers

Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

89) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jalyx Hunt, Edge, Houston Christian

90) Arizona Cardinals

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

91) Green Bay Packers

Beau Brade, S, Maryland

92) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin

93) Baltimore Ravens

Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State

94) San Francisco 49ers

Johnny Dixon, CB, Penn State

95) Kansas City Chiefs

McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

96) Philadelphia Eagles (From JAX)

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Trade: The Eagles receive picks 17, 96, and 114 in the 2024 NFL Draft; the Jaguars receive picks 22 and 53.

97) Cincinnati Bengals

Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

98) Pittsburgh Steelers

Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

99) Los Angeles Chargers (From LAR)

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

Trade: The Chargers receive the 99th pick; the Rams receive picks 110 and 181.

100) Washington Commanders

Javon Baker, WR, UCF

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