Will Helms’ 2024 NFL Mock Draft: What If Jim Harbaugh Drafts J.J. McCarthy? Giants Grab Malik Nabers

What If Jim Harbaugh, Chargers Draft J.J. McCarthy? See More in Will Helms’ Latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Free agency has been a blur this season and has totally reset the draft board. The biggest news in terms of the NFL Draft was a Friday trade between Houston and Minnesota that gave the Vikings the capital needed to trade up in the first round and take a quarterback.

The plan in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft is for the Vikings to do … something like that. The Vikings are in prime position to move for a QB, but what if that player isn’t in the 2024 draft class?

Here, I’ll explore a scenario where the next Vikings’ next signal-caller is an established superstar. That leaves a rebuilding team with a new coach and a ton of draft capital.

2024 NFL Mock Draft

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

Fresh on the heels of the Vikings’ trade that shook up the first round, the Chicago Bears provided some clarity at the top of the order. With Justin Fields traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bears will reset their quarterback clock in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Chicago has already done more for Caleb Williams in terms of obtaining offensive weapons than it ever did for Fields, so Williams is likely set up well.

2) Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

I’m of the opinion that Jayden Daniels is the guy for Washington, who made its intentions clear by trading away Sam Howell last week. Daniels’ mobility should pair well with Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive philosophy.

The Commanders have made a few moves in free agency to upgrade the offense, but they still need a guy who can make plays as a quarterback.

3) New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC

Many have pegged New England as a likely trade partner for Minnesota, but if Drake Maye falls, I have a sneaky suspicion the Patriots will stand pat and take their quarterback of the future.

The Patriots upgraded at the skill positions, so a point guard type of quarterback who can get the ball out quickly and accurately would go a long way toward realizing the front office’s vision.

4) Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Arizona is in an excellent position at No. 4 this draft, with the three picks in front of them almost certainly being quarterbacks and a very clear top player in the draft at a non-QB position.

The reason Marvin Harrison Jr. is going so often to the Cardinals in mock drafts is that he’s too good of a prospect to pass up. If the Cardinals are smart, they’ll take Harrison to inject life into the passing game.

5) Los Angeles Chargers: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Trade: Minnesota gets Justin Herbert; Chargers get pick Nos. 11 and No. 23, a 2025 first-round pick, and WR Jordan Addison.

Here we go. I took a stab at what it might take to entice the Chargers to part with their franchise quarterback. Justin Herbert is substantially younger than Russell Wilson was when the Broncos traded for him, but at the same time, Los Angeles has a built-in backup plan and may be willing to do the deal for a bit less than what theoretically could happen. Again, projecting these trades is difficult.

Jim Harbaugh has repeatedly sung the praises of J.J. McCarthy, which may be enough to make him his franchise quarterback. Pairing him with Jordan Addison and three first-rounders over the next two years could set the Chargers up nicely.

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

The Giants have made a few “win now” moves by trading for Brian Burns and signing several offensive linemen to address immediate needs.

Where they didn’t make moves was at the receiver position, so with the top four quarterbacks off the board, the Giants take Malik Nabers, who is explosive and should thrive with any signal-caller.

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

Joe Alt is the top tackle in the draft, and while the Titans addressed a hole at receiver, there’s still a gaping hole at left tackle. This is one of the most common picks I’ve made in mock drafts, and I see no reason to change it now.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Falcons have signed a couple of receivers to go with Drake London, but in this position, it’s hard to pass up on Rome Odunze. Taking Odunze here would give Atlanta an embarrassment of riches when it comes to big-bodied receivers.

9) Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Chicago has been active in the free agent market, addressing needs at multiple high-leverage positions. After drafting Williams, this could become a “best player available” scenario, making Brock Bowers the target at No. 9.

MORE: Top TEs in the 2024 NFL Draft

He’s explosive from a number of offensive alignments and could factor immediately into Chicago’s offensive game plan.

10) New York Jets: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington

The Jets just signed Tyron Smith, but that shouldn’t stop them from addressing their issues along the offensive line through the draft as well. Troy Fautanu has excellent positional versatility and an NFL-ready body.

11) Los Angeles Chargers (From MIN): Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Having acquired picks in the hypothetical Herbert trade, Los Angeles again addresses the offensive line — one of Harbaugh’s favorite things to do — by drafting a powerful run blocker in Olu Fashanu. He wasn’t bad as a pass blocker either, as he allowed just one sack in his college career.

12) Denver Broncos: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Broncos are in “no man’s land” both as a franchise and in this draft. Typically, that means it’s time to go with the best player available, and here it happens to be at a valuable position and a position of need. Dallas Turner has the elite hand usage and upside to become a consistent No. 1 pass rusher.

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

While I’m tempted to mock an offensive tackle to the Raiders here, it’s clear that Antonio Pierce wants to make a staunch defense the hallmark of this team. Accordingly, they take their pick of corner, grabbing Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, an explosive man corner who plays with an edge.

14) New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

New Orleans wants to be more physical on offense, and Taliese Fuaga certainly fits the bill as a mauling run blocker. His evaluation is one that will be interesting as he’s shown flashes of being a dominant pass blocker but was far too inconsistent in that regard compared to some of the other top-end tackles.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

I really like this team fit for Laiatu Latu, who has medical red flags but seemed to make it through Combine medical testing without obvious issues. When healthy, Latu is an elite pass-rushing prospect with the potential to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player on the edge.

16) Seattle Seahawks: Graham Barton, G, Duke

Seattle is known for finding a guy they really like and drafting him, regardless of what the outside prognosticators think. I could see that being a guy like Fautanu or Graham Barton, the latter of whom has extensive tackle experience but a body built to play guard. Seattle has several ways to align its offensive line, and Barton gives them another talented option.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

To be completely honest, I expected Jacksonville to announce the re-signing of Calvin Ridley within minutes of the deadline that finalized their trade with Atlanta by giving up a third-rounder instead of a second.

MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft

That didn’t happen, and now there’s a hole at receiver, though I don’t believe it’s as hard to fill as some believe. Brian Thomas Jr. is a huge body who excelled in the red zone.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

It always felt like the Bengals would lose him, but now that DJ Reader has officially signed with the Lions, there’s a (literal) huge hole to fill in the middle of the defense.

Johnny Newton isn’t really a similar player to Reader, but he’s quick and explosive, bringing some high-end pass-rushing juice to the middle of a defense that needs to keep the pressure off of its defensive backs.

 19) Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Somehow, Jared Verse keeps falling in these mocks, and that’s probably indicative of the strength at the top of the class. Verse is a pure pass rusher who has the upside to be among the league leaders in sacks.

He can fill an immediate need for the Rams and help replace some of what Aaron Donald brought against the pass, even if it’s at a different position.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

It’ll be hard to find a mock that has the Steelers going any direction other than corner or offensive tackle in this spot unless there is a receiver that the coaching staff just loves. Amarius Mims is inexperienced but among the best tackle prospects in this class — and he isn’t close to reaching his ceiling yet.

21) Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

In my dream scenario for the Miami Dolphins, either Jackson Powers-Johnson or JC Latham falls to them at 21. Here, both players stay on the board through the late teens, where several teams could use their services.

While I’m not a big believer in a quarterback’s height being much of an issue, it does help shorter quarterbacks to have a center who can anchor well and set the pocket.

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Down the stretch last season, Philadelphia’s secondary was soft. The Eagles signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which will certainly help, but it was more than just one player.

Cooper DeJean is one of the best defensive backs in run support you’ll find and was an excellent tackler in college. That should help a secondary that was torched after the catch.

23) Los Angeles Chargers (From CLE Via HOU Via MIN): Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Hey, look who’s on the clock again. Here, the Chargers can address issues in the secondary, taking a guy who possesses both great ball skills and excellent explosiveness as a corner. Quinyon Mitchell showed no issues when he faced a step-up in competition at the Senior Bowl.

24) Dallas Cowboys: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

I have this as a tackle spot for the Cowboys, assuming the board falls in a way that makes sense. JC Latham has multiple years of starting experience at a high level and can inject some youth into an aging offensive line.

I don’t think the Cowboys are a player away, so for now, it’s about accumulating as much talent as possible.

25) Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

I really like this pairing, with Nate Wiggins giving the Packers an explosive man corner to match up with the gauntlet of receivers in the NFC North. Wiggins is a bit undersized but can move with anyone and has exceptional range.

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Having re-signed some of their top players, the Buccaneers can turn their sights to adding an edge rusher.

MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft

Chop Robinson‘s talent is easy to see, but the production wasn’t what it probably should have been at the college level. If he can turn potential into production, he’s going to be a steal this late in the first round.

27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Arizona signed a couple of veteran defensive tackles, but that shouldn’t stop them from getting younger and more athletic at the position. Byron Murphy II sometimes got overshadowed (literally) by the enormous T’Vondrae Sweat, but Murphy was the more productive of the two and has immense pass-rushing upside.

28) Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Bills lost Gabe Davis and signed Curtis Samuel in free agency, and while Keon Coleman doesn’t have Davis’ long speed, their games are similar. Coleman needs a bit more consistency and nuance as a route runner, but he’s deceptively quick and excels at the catch point.

29) Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Detroit has been relatively quiet in free agency to this point and hasn’t addressed the secondary like I think it should. Kool-Aid McKinstry is as solid as they come as a corner, but his lack of one elite trait may push him down in the draft. Still, he’s an instant starter for most teams in the NFL.

30) Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Adonai Mitchell makes sense here for Baltimore, whose biggest need (EDGE) could be addressed later in the draft. Mitchell represents both “best player available” and a player who fits the offense at a position of need. Baltimore needs more size at the receiver position, and Mitchell is a guy who can work across the middle and test defenses deep.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

I considered a defensive lineman in this spot, but the 49ers signed five of them in free agency, though none seem to be overly impactful signings. Tyler Guyton is the last of my first tier of offensive tackles and the only one left that I’d consider taking in this spot.

Guyton’s polished as a blocker but struggled to stay on the field in college. When healthy, he’s a load in both the pass and run game.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

I fully expected the Chiefs to take full advantage of the depth of this receiver class, so I was very surprised to see them sign Marquise Brown in free agency to jumpstart the offense.

Given that the needs don’t line up with the board, I have them “overdrafting” here and taking my favorite linebacker in the class.

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Payton Wilson is one of the most athletic and most productive linebackers to come out in the last several years, and I think he’ll be much better than many project.

All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!