Another checkpoint in the draft process has been completed as the NFL Combine has wrapped up. Some outstanding performances helped catapult players into the first round and some brought about concerns.
Check out my latest 2024 NFL mock draft to see what players I believe helped themselves become first-round picks after checking the film and athleticism testing boxes. Comment and let me know what you think.
2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Washington Commanders [trade-up w/ CHI]
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The chance to draft one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the past decade—who is also from the DMV area—is too much to pass up on for a new ownership group that understands winning games and selling tickets. This is the type of excitement this Commanders organization is looking for. A few years from now, the Commanders' organization will say that this trade-up changed their entire organization for the better.
2. Chicago Bears [trade-down w/ WAS]
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
I believe this would be a great move for the Bears. They trade down only one spot, receive draft capital for the move, and still end up with arguably the best player in the draft. Giving Justin Fields a target like Marvin Harrison Jr. should help him improve as a passer.
3. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Patriots need a quarterback to move this rebuild forward. With this pick, drafting Drake Maye gives them a signal-caller who has great physical tools and also has the leadership qualities to be the face of an organization—something this franchise needs tremendously.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
When Kyler Murray returned from injury, he looked like a quarterback that a franchise could build around. Last year, the Cardinals made investments in the offensive line and now this year they make an investment to get Murray a true No. 1 receiver—something this offense has been lacking since the departure of DeAndre Hopkins.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Predicting what Jim Harbaugh and the new Chargers staff will decide to do with this pick is difficult. But I believe the skill set of Brock Bowers and how he can positively affect the game in both the run and passing game will be an enticing move. Pairing him with Justin Herbert should be instant fireworks for this Chargers offense.
6. New York Giants
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Giants find themselves in the best position possible as they were able to stay patient, didn't give up any draft capital to move up, and drafted their quarterback of the future in Jayden Daniels. Daniels is a true dual-threat quarterback that I believe Brian Daboll will be able to develop and be creative with his play-calling, finally making this Giants offense an exciting one to watch.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
This offseason needs to be all about surrounding Will Levis with the proper, necessary pieces to be successful this season. I believe the Titans' two options are either OT or WR. In this situation, they will have the option to draft the best OT in the draft and go with Joe Alt.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Falcons have a need at QB but I think they will figure that out via free agency or in a trade with another team. With that being the case, it will allow them to address other positions, including EDGE. With this pick, they draft one of the most physically gifted players in the draft, Dallas Turner. Turner should come in and immediately provide a significant boost to their pass rush.
9. Chicago Bears
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Since the Bears decided to trade down and keep Justin Fields, now the focus needs to be on surrounding Fields with the necessary pieces. They've already drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. and now they draft OT Olu Fashanu.
10. New York Jets
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
This season for the Jets appears to be an all-or-nothing type of situation. With that being the case, the Jets need to draft an immediate impact player. Malik Numbers appears to be just that. Pairing him with Garrett Wilson may give the Jets one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
At the NFL Combine, Nate Wiggins showed that he is an elite-level athlete, and that's exactly what the Vikings need in a defense that likes to blitz and play man.
12. Denver Broncos
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Broncos need a quarterback—Russell Wilson and Sean Payton are not a successful pairing. I believe Payton would want a guy that has all of the physical tools that he could mold and develop into exactly what he needs to run his offense. J.J. McCarthy has exactly those tools and upside as a player and Payton has a proven quarterback track record of developing players.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Taliese Fuaga is one of the nastiest, most physically imposing offensive linemen in the draft and that is exactly the type of culture Antonio Pierce is trying to establish. Fuaga helps address a positional need and adds to the culture the Raiders are setting.
14. New Orleans Saints
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Saints have taken big swings at the edge rusher position in the past and have missed quite a few times. With this pack, they take another swing, but I think they get it right. Laiatu Latu is a natural pass rusher who has some of the most detailed rush plans that we've seen from an edge rusher in the past few drafts.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
It's been quite a few years since the Colts have had a top-tier edge rusher, and that needs to be solved. With this pick, they draft edge rusher Jared Verse, a player who has double-digit sack-per-season potential. He can also play well against the run.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas
The Seahawks address the trenches on the defensive side of the football and draft Byron Murphy II. Murphy has the physical tools to wreck passing attacks rushing from an interior position. Murphy would play alongside Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, which should be a great front for the foreseeable future for the Seahawks.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell has been one of the biggest winners of the draft cycle, showing well at the Senior Bowl and then showcasing that he is a high-caliber athlete at the NFL Combine. Mitchell should step in and immediately fill a need defensively.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
It appears that the only thing that could stop the Bengals from being AFC Championship contenders is Joe Burrow's health. With that being the case, the Bengals decide to get him more protection to keep him healthy. Amarius Mims is a player who flashed complete dominance as a pass protector and should allow Burrow to hold onto the football just a little bit longer to make an explosive play.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Darius Robinson will continue to help boost this Rams pass rush. Robinson is a unique player that can align in multiple places along the defensive front. He combined with Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner would make for one of the more dominant fronts in the NFL next year.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Steelers have quite a few needs at premium positions so there are multiple ways they can go. I believe they decide to address the corner position and draft CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, a scheme-versatile player that has the upside to be a lockdown player.

21. Miami Dolphins
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins need to improve their offensive line and they need to become more physical in the trenches. JC Latham solves both of those issues. Latham is a physical mauler in the run game who appears to be able to play guard or tackle in the NFL.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Fly Eagles Fly. The Eagles draft the fastest player ever to run at the NFL Combine. Xavier Worthy would add a much-needed boost to the offense that quickly became stale in 2023 and needs another element. Worthy added to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith would be a great landing spot for him and will give defenses a very difficult task to limit this offense.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State
This has been one of my favorite players in the draft for a while but I feel like he is just now getting the recognition he deserves. Drafting Braden Fiske—a high-motor player—to play in this DeMeco Ryans defense along with WIll Anderson Jr. is a great fit from a positional need and culture standpoint. Fiske has the chance to quickly become one of the most physically dominant DTs in the NFL.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Tyron Smith will reportedly not be returning to the team and the Cowboys want to get back to being a physical run-blocking team. The Cowboys try to fill those voids by drafting BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. Suamataia can play either LT or RT and has a physical presence in the run game.
25. Green Bay Packers
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
This is a young Packers team that began to hit their stride during the back end of the season. But the one position group that needs to fill a couple holes is the offensive line. The Packers have tried to wait it out with David Bakhtiari but it's time to invest in a potential replacement. Troy Fautanu is a good pick here because he can play OT and can also play guard to fill a hole.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Brian Thomas Jr. proved that he is an explosive guy vertically both on the field and at the NFL Combine. He should be a guy who can immediately positively impact this Buccaneers offense with explosive plays.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
The Cardinals address the other side of the football and go after CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Rakestraw Jr. has man-to-man ability and can help improve a position group that has struggled the past few years.
28. Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Keon Coleman's 40 time was not electric, but when it came to the metrics that tested explosiveness, Coleman tested great. That combined with his film is the reason why the Bills go after Coleman with this pick. On film, Coleman shows that he is a three-level winner and may be the most gifted receiver when it comes down to bringing in contested catches.
29. Detroit Lions
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Lions under Dan Campbell have improved consistently year in and year out. Looking at team needs and where they need to improve, CB has to be a priority. Drafting Terrion Arnold with this pick gives them a young, talented player who makes plays on the football, but can also be relied upon to make key tackles in the run game.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Ravens in the past have taken edge rushers who check the box of being high level-athletes with tools. Chop Robinson has those tools. Robinson has the most explosive first step in the draft. Adding him to this defense that ranked amongst the best in the NFL will be a great addition.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but they do need to improve this offense line. With this pick, they go with arguably the most versatile offensive line prospect in the draft, Graham Barton. Barton has plug-and-play talent and should come right in and be an immediate upgrade.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Xavier Legette proved he has the physical profile to develop into a No. 1 receiver in the NFL and this is the type of player that the Chiefs need. Pairing a player with the physical profile like Legette with Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice should put the Chiefs in a prime position to three-peat.