The 2024 NFL Draft is less than one month away, and smoke season is full force. Draft rumors run amuck this time of year, and a clearer picture will develop in the days leading up to the draft. Still, at least one team can write the top of their board with a permanent marker. I took a stab at another three-round mock draft, with a slew of chaotic trades and a different approach than consensus mock drafts. Still, this scenario isn't difficult to fathom, and it would change rookie drafts significantly.
Thank you to Tankathon for providing the most updated draft order.
Check out all the NFL mock drafts at Footballguys:
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 2.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 4.0
Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 5.0
Jeff Bell's Two Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams (QB - USC)
Christian's Grade: 86.50 (Pro Bowl)
The only thing left here is the formal submission of the pick on draft night. Williams joins a loaded Bears roster looking to become NFC contenders quickly.
2. Washington Commanders - J.J. McCarthy (QB - Michigan)
Christian's Grade: 77.00 (NFL Starter)
The Commanders have kept things close to the vest, and it wouldn't be shocking if the final decision landed them McCarthy. McCarthy should be a much better pro than a college player, but he would face more adversity as a rookie than he ever did at Michigan.
3. Minnesota Vikings - Drake Maye (QB - North Carolina)
Minnesota sends No. 11, No. 23, and a 2025 first-round pick to New England for No. 3.
Christian's Grade: 79.70 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Vikings acquired a second first-round pick to gain the flexibility to move up for their guy. While it's reasonable to believe they love McCarthy's profile, Maye offers the most upside in a quietly loaded division of quarterback play.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR - Ohio State)
Christian's Grade: 90.50 (All-Pro)
The trade-out smoke is in the air, but the Cardinals have enough picks to justify remaining at No. 4 and selecting arguably the best player in the class. Harrison would immediately serve as the team's No. 1 wideout, giving Kyler Murray a legitimate weapon, his first since DeAndre Hopkins departed.
5. New England Patriots - Joe Alt (OT - Notre Dame)
New England sends No. 11, No. 34, and a 2025 third-round pick to Los Angeles for No. 5 and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Christian's Grade: 83.41 (Quality NFL Starter)
After trading out of No. 3, the Patriots move back up (in 2023 Arizona Cardinals fashion) to get the top tackle in the class. Alt is the first of many building blocks the team needs before thrusting a young quarterback under center.
6. New York Giants - Rome Odunze (WR - Washington)
Christian's Grade: 86.42 (Pro Bowl)
The Giants are interested in the quarterbacks, but the two I believe they're most intrigued by are gone. They pivot to Odunze, a pro-ready receiver and a noticeable upgrade to the barren room of pass catchers in New York.
7. Tennessee Titans - JC Latham (OT - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 81.50 (Quality NFL Starter)
With Alt off the board, the Titans swing on a high-upside tackle prospect with every tool in the toolbox. Pairing offensive line guru Bill Callahan with Latham could result in a top-five player at his position by the time he reaches his prime.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Terrion Arnold (CB - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 82.93 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Falcons have three options: edge rusher, cornerback, or trade out. Here, they take Arnold to begin the A.J. Terrell contingency plan while massively upgrading their No. 2 cornerback spot.
9. Las Vegas Raiders - Jayden Daniels (QB - LSU)
Las Vegas sends No. 13, No. 77, No. 148, and a 2025 third-round pick to Chicago for No. 9 and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Christian's Grade: 77.00 (NFL Starter)
After a slight fall, Antonio Pierce and company move up to select a familiar face. Daniels joins an offense with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, two high-quality wideouts. Having that benefit went well for Daniels at LSU.
10. New York Jets - Brock Bowers (TE - Georgia)
Christian's Grade: 85.50 (Pro Bowl)
The Jets are more win-now than ever before. The regime is on its last legs. Despite adding Mike Williams, they must continue putting pieces around Aaron Rodgers to push for a playoff spot in a loaded AFC. Bowers, like Harrison, has a case for the best player in the class and would be a massive upgrade in New York.
11. Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Nabers (WR - LSU)
Christian's Grade: 86.50 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Chargers will start Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston as their wideouts in 2WR sets this fall, and that's probably not good enough. After trading down, they take a player they may have selected at No. 5. Nabers gives Justin Herbert a dynamic weapon, especially after the catch, and elite upside.
12. Denver Broncos - Dallas Turner (EDGE - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 82.82 (Quality NFL Starter)
After missing on all four quarterbacks, the Broncos pivot to a best-player-available approach and select Turner. Turner's length, bend, and athleticism give him massive potential. Getting to the quarterback is necessary in the AFC West, and Turner helps to achieve that.
13. Chicago Bears - Olu Fashanu (OT - Penn State)
Christian's Grade: 78.59 (Quality NFL Starter)
After hearing Odunze's, the player I believe sits atop their big board, name called, the Bears move back and upgrade their left tackle position. Fashanu would join Darnell Wright as a young tackle duo to keep Caleb Williams upright, something the team couldn't always provide their last quarterback.
14. New Orleans Saints - Adonai Mitchell (WR - Texas)
Christian's Grade: 77.49 (NFL Starter)
The Saints have one good wideout in Chris Olave and some secondary pieces, but they must upgrade the position. Mitchell's effort is a question, but his film suggests there's an elite player somewhere in him. His NFL Scouting Combine performance also didn't hurt his stock.
15. Arizona Cardinals - Quinyon Mitchell (CB - Toledo)
Arizona sends No. 27, No. 66, and a 2025 second-round pick to Indianapolis for No. 15 and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Christian's Grade: 80.79 (Quality NFL Starter)
After standing pat at No. 4, the Cardinals use their abundance of draft-pick riches to move up and get their new No. 1 cornerback. Mitchell is a do-it-all player with great ball skills and an excellent feel in space. He'd give this defense a legitimate weapon.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Troy Fautanu (OL - Washington)
Christian's Grade: 76.44 (NFL Starter)
The Seahawks don't have a massive need at tackle, but the interior of their offensive line is well below average. Drafting Fautanu in an Alijah Vera-Tucker role and plugging him in at guard to begin his career could be lucrative for a franchise in transition.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Byron Murphy II (DT - Texas)
Christian's Grade: 84.47 (Pro Bowl)
It isn't the sexiest pick, but the Jaguars are thin at defensive tackle. Murphy is the best player available, possessing massive upside as an interior game-wrecker.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Taliese Fuaga (OT - Oregon State)
Christian's Grade: 81.60 (Quality NFL Starter)
While the Bengals signed Trent Brown this offseason, they still must look at a long-term solution. Fuaga is a people-mover with great athleticism and an upward trajectory throughout his college career. He'd help to keep Joe Burrow healthy, potentially as a guard to start, but as a bookend tackle for a long time.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Verse (EDGE - Florida State)
Christian's Grade: 79.06 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Rams won't be able to replace Aaron Donald, but they need to find ways to generate pressure. Insert Verse, a powerful edge with great athleticism and translatable skills. Verse may never be a 12-sack player, but his film suggests that's in his range of outcomes.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Amarius Mims (OT - Georgia)
Christian's Grade: 64.56 (NFL Backup)
The Steelers must upgrade a tackle position. Broderick Jones struggled as a rookie but would return to his natural position by the Steelers selecting Mims. Mims is a ball of clay with excellent movement skills and natural power. If the flashes from his limited sample are real, this could be the best value pick yet.
21. Miami Dolphins - Xavier Worthy (WR - Texas)
Christian's Grade: 80.40 (Quality NFL Starter)
Giving Mike McDaniel all of the fast players seems unfair, but Worthy would help transition the team out of the Tyreek Hill era into a new one. Add the fact that the Dolphins currently plan to start Braxton Berrios, and it's hard not to like this pick.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Chop Robinson (EDGE - Penn State)
Christian's Grade: 69.71 (Potential NFL Starter)
The Eagles have more significant needs, but many players at those positions are gone. Robinson has immense potential, with elite athleticism and production despite minimal refinement. Sliding him in a rotation with Milton Williams as a down defensive end or kicking him out to rush opposite Bryce Huff are both viable options.
23. New England Patriots - Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - LSU)
Christian's Grade: 80.97 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Patriots are devoid of talent at wide receiver behind Demario Douglas, and adding a three-level ball-winner with movement skills and elite athleticism could benefit whoever is throwing passes. Thomas is far from a finished product. With a new regime in place, he would actually have a chance to succeed in New England.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Jackson Powers-Johnson (C - Oregon)
Christian's Grade: 84.00 (Pro Bowl)
Replacing Tyler Biadasz with a higher-upside player is the type of “all-in for this year” move the Cowboys should make. A receiver makes sense, but with so many off the board, adding an elite mover in the mold of Creed Humphrey and Tyler Linderbaum is the more responsible pick.
25. Green Bay Packers - Nate Wiggins (CB - Clemson)
Christian's Grade: 72.92 (NFL Starter)
The Packers need cornerbacks, and Wiggins has traits that could translate to success in the new Jeff Hafley defense. Wiggins has a thin frame, but he possesses elite speed and good length and effort. He'd slide in as the No. 2 cornerback immediately.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Laiatu Latu (EDGE - UCLA)
Christian's Grade: 82.80 (Quality NFL Starter)
The most pro-ready edge rusher falls to the Bucs at No. 26, and they pounce at the chance to upgrade the position. Latu is a better athlete than many anticipated, and his handwork is the best in the class.
27. Indianapolis Colts - Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB - Alabama)
Christian's Grade: 78.50 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Colts select a building block in their secondary after trading back. McKinstry has been off the radar for a while, primarily due to his lack of athletic testing, but the film is nearly on par with Terrion Arnold's. The Colts scoop up that value.
28. Buffalo Bills - Darius Robinson (EDGE - Missouri)
Christian's Grade: 76.14 (NFL Starter)
The Bills have a few needs, but another piece in the defensive line room is critical. Robinson could challenge Von Miller and A.J. Epenesa for the No. 2 EDGE role while kicking inside on obvious passing downs. The Bills must generate more pressure, and this selection would fast-track that.
29. Detroit Lions - Graham Barton (OL - Duke)
Christian's Grade: 74.50 (NFL Starter)
The Lions signed Kevin Zeitler this offseason, but he and Graham Glasgow have a combined age of 65. A look to the future suggests a guard is necessary, and Barton gives them someone ready to compete with the incumbent and free agent acquisition for a starting role:
30. Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Guyton (OT - Oklahoma)
Christian's Grade: 70.21 (Potential NFL Starter)
The Ravens have zero quality tackles on their roster. They are basically forced to take one here, but Guyton's upside suggests they'll be okay. Though he hasn't yet put it all together, he's an upgrade on both sides of the Baltimore line.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Jordan Morgan (OT - Arizona)
Christian's Grade: 68.70 (Potential NFL Starter)
The offensive linemen continue to fly off the board, with Morgan representing the tenth one selected in the first 30 picks. Morgan is excellent in pass protection and, with some refinement, can be a great run blocker.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jer'Zhan Newton (DT - Illinois)
Christian's Grade: 83.00 (Quality NFL Starter)
The Chiefs fall into one of the best players in the class, with Newton sliding in next to Chris Jones to help generate pressure. Instead of reaching on an edge rusher, they land a high-upside defensive tackle.
Second Round
33. CAR - Ladd McConkey (WR - Georgia)
34. LAC - T.J. Tampa (CB - Iowa State)
35. ARI - Edgerrin Cooper (LB - Texas A&M)
36. WAS - Xavier Legette (WR - South Carolina)
37. LAC - Adisa Isaac (EDGE - Penn State)
38. TEN - Cooper DeJean (CB - Iowa)
39. CAR - Zach Frazier (C - West Virginia)
40. WAS - Kingsley Suamataia (OT - BYU)
41. GB - Payton Wilson (LB - NC State)
42. HST - T'Vondre Sweat (DT - Texas)
43. ATL - Tyler Nubin (S - Minnesota)
44. LV - Christian Haynes (G - Connecticut)
45. NO - Bo Nix (QB - Oregon)
46. IND - Troy Franklin (WR - Oregon)
47. NYG - Cole Bishop (S - Utah)
48. JAX - Mike Sainristil (CB - Michigan)
49. CIN - Kris Jenkins (DT - Michigan)
50. HST - Keon Coleman (WR - Florida State)
Houston sends No. 59, No. 123, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to PHI for No. 50.
51. PIT - Ricky Pearsall (WR - Florida)
52. LAR - Ruke Orhorhoro (DT - Clemson)
53. PHI - Patrick Paul (OT - Houston)
54. CLV - Michael Hall Jr. (DT - Ohio State)
55. MIA - Cooper Beebe (G - Kansas State)
56. DAL - Jonathon Brooks (RB - Texas)
57. BLT - Christian Mahogany (G - Boston College)
Baltimore sends No. 62 and No. 130 to Tampa Bay for No. 57.
58. GB - Chris Braswell (EDGE - Alabama)
59. PHI - Kamari Lassiter (CB - Georgia)
60. BUF - Beau Brade (S - Maryland)
61. DET - Braden Fiske (DT - Florida State)
62. TB - Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE - Texas)
63. SF - Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB - Missouri)
64. KC - Caelen Carson (CB - Wake Forest)
Third Round
65. CAR - Bralen Trice (EDGE - Washington)
66. IND - Kamren Kinchens (S - Miami)
67. WAS - Roger Rosengarten (OT - Washington)
68. NE - Spencer Rattler (QB - South Carolina)
69. LAC - Kiran Amegadjie (OT - Yale)
70. NYG - Trey Benson (RB - Florida State)
71. ARI - Roman Wilson (WR - Michigan)
72. NYJ - Michael Penix Jr. (QB - Washington)
73. DET - Malachi Corley (WR - Western Kentucky)
74. ATL - Ja'Lynn Polk (WR - Washington)
75. CHI - Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C - Georgia)
76. DEN - Jalen McMillan (WR - Washington)
77. CHI - Devontez Walker (WR - North Carolina)
78. WAS - Ben Sinnott (TE - Kansas State)
79. ATL - Jonah Elliss (EDGE - Utah)
80. CIN - Max Melton (CB - Rutgers)
81. SEA - Junior Colson (LB - Michigan)
82. IND - Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB - Clemson)
83. LAR - Javon Baker (WR - UCF)
84. PIT - Tanor Bortolini (C - Wisconsin)
85. CLV - Blake Fisher (OT - Notre Dame)
86. HST - Theo Johnson (TE - Penn State)
87. DAL - Michael Pratt (QB - Tulane)
88. GB - Jaylen Wright (RB - Tennessee)
89. TB - Braelon Allen (RB - Wisconsin)
90. ARI - Brandon Dorlus (DT - Oregon)
91. GB - Dominick Puni (G - Kansas)
92. TB - Beaux Limmer (C - Arkansas)
93. BLT - Jermaine Burton (WR - Alabama)
94. SF - Gabriel Murphy (EDGE - UCLA)
95. KC - Javon Baker (WR - UCF)
96. JAX - Jaden Hicks (S - Washington State)
97. CIN - Cade Stover (TE - Ohio State)
98. PIT - Kris Abrams-Draine (CB - Missouri)
99. LAR - Blake Corum (RB - Michigan)
100. WAS - Marshawn Kneeland (EDGE - Western Michigan)
