The first wave of free agency is wrapped up and thanks to some huge signings and a couple of huge trades, including one by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the entire landscape of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft has changed. The Minnesota Vikings now have two first-round picks, which we expect them to package to go up and get a top quarterback and with the Steelers now short two quarterbacks, we might even see them draft a replacement.
1
Chicago Bears – QB Caleb Williams, USC
Caleb Williams is 100 percent convinced he’s going No. 1 overall and we expect some team to get a nice bargain in a trade for Justin Fields. This lets the Bears get a fresh start at quarterback with Williams and hope he’s more Patrick Mahomes than he is Fields.
2
Washignton Commanders – QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
We love the potential of LSU’s Jayden Daniels but worry about his size and ability to hold up in the NFL and so we favor Drake May here for the Commanders.
3
New England Patriots – QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Patriots didn’t sign a veteran quarterback so we opt for Jayden Daniels here as the third quarterback off the board.
4
Arizona Cardinals – WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The Cardinals score big here with a guy many consider the top offensive player in the draft. Rome Odunze will be an excellent weapon for Kyler Murray.
5
Los Angeles Chargers - Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Chargers lost all of their top receivers so Marvin Harrison Jr. is an absolute must and bargain here.
6
New York Giants - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The Giants have lots of needs on both sides of the football so we went with our highest-rated player on the board in Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
7
Tennessee Titans - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
After landing Calvin Ridley, the Titans can turn their attention to an elite left tackle and Taliese Fuaga qualifies.
8
Atlanta Falcons - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
The Falcons went all in on Kirk Cousins so we opt for a receiver very similar to former teammate Justin Jefferson in Malik Nabers.
9
Chicago Bears - EDGE Dallas Turner, ALabama
With no top receiver still on the board, the Bears turn to defense and the game-changing edge defender Dallas Turner
10
New York Jets - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Tight end isn’t the most significant need for the Jets but Brock Bowers represents the top player on the board and is too good to pass up here.
11
Minnesota Vikings - QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
Kirk Cousins is off to Atlanta and the Vikings are banking on J.J. McCarthy to be the new franchise quarterback.
12
Denver Broncos - QB Bo Nix, Oregon
A new era begins in Denver and they select Bo Nix is the guy to lead the way.
13
Las Vegas Raiders - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
After missing out on the early quarterback run, the Raiders opt for the top coverage player in the draft.
14
New Orleans Saints - OL Troy Fauntanu, Washington
We love the position versatility and the aggressive nature Troy Fautanu plays with and think he’d be a welcome addition to the Saints offensive line.
15
Indianapolis Colts - WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
The Colts need to get themselves another weapon for Anthony Richardson when he comes back and McConkey is a fast riser in this draft.
16
Seattle Seahawks - C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Seahawks could use a serious upgrade at center and Jackson Powers-Johnson is the top player at the position in the draft and would get to stay close to where he was a star in college.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Jared Verse, FSU
Verse followed up a strong 2023 season with a very strong combine and showed he is more than just a pass rusher.
18
Cincinnati Bengals - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
In this scenario, a starting left tackle just falls into the laps of the Bengals in Olu Fashanu to replace Jonah Williams.
19
Los Angeles Rams - OT JC Latham, Alabama
The Rams have several positions they could address here including quarterback but this time we opt for JC Latham who can start at either tackle spot.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers - OL Graham Barton, Duke
With their quarterback depth chart set, they just need a guy to snap them the ball and Graham Barton can get it done.
21
Miami Dolphins - OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
The Dolphins offensive line is a mess and Mims has the most upside of any offensive tackle in the draft.
22
Philadelphia Eagles - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
We love Terrion Arnold’s play style fit with what the Philadelphia Eagles do on defense.
23
Minnesota Vikings - CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Vikings go back on the clock and get a great bargain in versatile and athletic defensive back Cooper DeJean.
24
Dallas Cowboys - OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Dallas needs a replacement for Tyron Smith and Tyler Guyton has had a strong offseason to go with some excellent 2023 tape.
25
Green Bay Packers - DL Byron Murphy II, Texas
This pick is another case of the Packers opting for the top player on the board in Byron Murphy despite him not being the greatest need.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Interior offensive line is the Bucs top need and we love Zach Frazier’s potential as a day-one starter.
27
Arizona Cardinals - DL Johnny Newton, Illinois
The Cardinals have lots of needs but Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton is the top talent available and an instant impact player.
28
Buffalo Bills - WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Bills can always use another player to make life easier for Josh Allen in the passing game Thomas has game-breaking speed.
29
Detroit Lions - EDGE Laitu Latu, UCLA
The Lions signed Marcus Davenport but still need help on the outside opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
30
Baltimore Ravens - WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
The Ravens get a huge bargain at the end of the first round with former Oregon speedster Troy Franklin.
31
San Francisco 49ers - DL Braden Fiske, FSU
Braden Fiske worked his way into the first round thanks to an excellent combine. He can line up all along that 49ers 3-4 front and rush the passer.
32
Kansas City Chiefs - WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Xavier Worthy isn’t a perfect prospect but his speed is just ridiculous and makes him too tempting for the Chiefs to pass up.
1
Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams, USC
Caleb Williams is 100 percent convinced he’s going No. 1 overall and we expect some team to get a nice bargain in a trade for Justin Fields. This lets the Bears get a fresh start at quarterback with Williams and hope he’s more Patrick Mahomes than he is Fields.
2
Washignton Commanders - QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
We love the potential of LSU’s Jayden Daniels but worry about his size and ability to hold up in the NFL and so we favor Drake May here for the Commanders.
3
New England Patriots - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Patriots didn’t sign a veteran quarterback so we opt for Jayden Daniels here as the third quarterback off the board.
4
Arizona Cardinals - WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The Cardinals score big here with a guy many consider the top offensive player in the draft. Rome Odunze will be an excellent weapon for Kyler Murray.
5
Los Angeles Chargers - Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Chargers lost all of their top receivers so Marvin Harrison Jr. is an absolute must and bargain here.
6
New York Giants - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The Giants have lots of needs on both sides of the football so we went with our highest-rated player on the board in Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
7
Tennessee Titans - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
After landing Calvin Ridley, the Titans can turn their attention to an elite left tackle and Taliese Fuaga qualifies.
8
Atlanta Falcons - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
The Falcons went all in on Kirk Cousins so we opt for a receiver very similar to former teammate Justin Jefferson in Malik Nabers.
9
Chicago Bears - EDGE Dallas Turner, ALabama
With no top receiver still on the board, the Bears turn to defense and the game-changing edge defender Dallas Turner
10
New York Jets - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Tight end isn’t the most significant need for the Jets but Brock Bowers represents the top player on the board and is too good to pass up here.
11
Minnesota Vikings - QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
Kirk Cousins is off to Atlanta and the Vikings are banking on J.J. McCarthy to be the new franchise quarterback.
12
Denver Broncos - QB Bo Nix, Oregon
A new era begins in Denver and they select Bo Nix is the guy to lead the way.
13
Las Vegas Raiders - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
After missing out on the early quarterback run, the Raiders opt for the top coverage player in the draft.
14
New Orleans Saints - OL Troy Fauntanu, Washington
We love the position versatility and the aggressive nature Troy Fautanu plays with and think he’d be a welcome addition to the Saints offensive line.
15
Indianapolis Colts - WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
The Colts need to get themselves another weapon for Anthony Richardson when he comes back and McConkey is a fast riser in this draft.
16
Seattle Seahawks - C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Seahawks could use a serious upgrade at center and Jackson Powers-Johnson is the top player at the position in the draft and would get to stay close to where he was a star in college.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Jared Verse, FSU
Verse followed up a strong 2023 season with a very strong combine and showed he is more than just a pass rusher.
18
Cincinnati Bengals - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
In this scenario, a starting left tackle just falls into the laps of the Bengals in Olu Fashanu to replace Jonah Williams.
19
Los Angeles Rams - OT JC Latham, Alabama
The Rams have several positions they could address here including quarterback but this time we opt for JC Latham who can start at either tackle spot.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers - OL Graham Barton, Duke
With their quarterback depth chart set, they just need a guy to snap them the ball and Graham Barton can get it done.
21
Miami Dolphins - OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
The Dolphins offensive line is a mess and Mims has the most upside of any offensive tackle in the draft.
22
Philadelphia Eagles - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
We love Terrion Arnold’s play style fit with what the Philadelphia Eagles do on defense.
23
Minnesota Vikings - CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Vikings go back on the clock and get a great bargain in versatile and athletic defensive back Cooper DeJean.
24
Dallas Cowboys - OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Dallas needs a replacement for Tyron Smith and Tyler Guyton has had a strong offseason to go with some excellent 2023 tape.
25
Green Bay Packers - DL Byron Murphy II, Texas
This pick is another case of the Packers opting for the top player on the board in Byron Murphy despite him not being the greatest need.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Interior offensive line is the Bucs top need and we love Zach Frazier’s potential as a day-one starter.
27
Arizona Cardinals - DL Johnny Newton, Illinois
The Cardinals have lots of needs but Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton is the top talent available and an instant impact player.
28
Buffalo Bills - WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The Bills can always use another player to make life easier for Josh Allen in the passing game Thomas has game-breaking speed.
29
Detroit Lions - EDGE Laitu Latu, UCLA
The Lions signed Marcus Davenport but still need help on the outside opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
30
Baltimore Ravens - WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
The Ravens get a huge bargain at the end of the first round with former Oregon speedster Troy Franklin.
31
San Francisco 49ers - DL Braden Fiske, FSU
Braden Fiske worked his way into the first round thanks to an excellent combine. He can line up all along that 49ers 3-4 front and rush the passer.
32
Kansas City Chiefs - WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Xavier Worthy isn’t a perfect prospect but his speed is just ridiculous and makes him too tempting for the Chiefs to pass up.