2024 NFL Draft Mock 6.0: Chicago Moves on From Justin Fields, Chargers Add Malik Nabers, Michael Penix Jr. to Vegas, Ravens Select Keon Coleman

1. Chicago Bears via CAR (2-15): QB Caleb Williams, USC

The Chicago Bears have a major decision looming in front of them: build around Justin Fields and trade down or take a quarterback with the first overall pick. If it were my decision, I would build around Fields and trade down for a haul of draft picks, but I think Ryan Poles takes a quarterback with the number one pick. In this case, a perfect destination for Fields would be a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, sending the quarterback to his home state of Georgia. Williams would allow Poles to reset the Bears' salary cap and give them a few seasons before they have to think about a potential extension.

2. Washington Commanders (4-13): QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Washington is in an interesting position. They have the opportunity to take their quarterback of the future, but it is uncertain who they will want to take. In my opinion, Daniels is a better prospect than Williams, but I believe Chicago will select the USC product instead, leaving the Heisman winner for the Commanders. Williams had a highlight reel season with 40 passing touchdowns to just 4 interceptions, along with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. It will be hard for Washington to pass him up.

3. New England Patriots (4-13): QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

With the departure of Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo being hired as head coach,  the Patriots are officially in a new era. This leaves them with the only option of finding their quarterback of the future. It may be tempting to take Marvin Harrison Jr., but the Patriots hope to not have to pick this high again. It is time to take a chance on a quarterback. Maye totaled 24 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns this past season, down from his 45 total touchdowns in 2022.

4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13): WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Arizona has made it clear that they still believe in Kyler Murray and will build around him as their franchise quarterback. There is nothing better to add for a quarterback than a star receiver like Harrison. There is a potential chance that the Bears or Patriots could select him, but it is more likely that he falls to Arizona.

5. LA Chargers (5-12): WR Malik Nabers, LSU

The Chargers could definitely benefit from more pass protection for Justin Herbert, but I think they will go in the direction of adding a receiver to fill the void of Mike Williams, who I believe will be released soon. Nabers brought in 14 touchdown receptions from Jayden Daniels, proving to be a desirable pick for many teams in the first round.

6. NY Giants (6-11): OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Most people think the Giants could be in a prime position to take a quarterback, but I still believe in Daniel Jones. Plugging in a lineman like Alt to protect Jones’ right side could be huge for the offense. Carmen Bricillo stepping in as the offensive line coach is an upgrade over Bobby Johnson. Bricillo would have to be tasked with the tough move into the inside as a guard for Evan Neal if the Giants do indeed take Alt.

7. Tennessee Titans (6-11): WR Rome Odunze, Washington

After Tennessee decided to trade star receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, they have had a major void at the receiver position. Adding Odunze would be the start of fixing that issue. In my opinion, Odunze is the best receiver in the draft. Odunze had 13 touchdown grabs this past year for the Huskies, totaling 1,640 receiving yards.

8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10): EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

If the Falcons make a trade for Fields, they have the luxury of taking the best player available since quarterback is their biggest need. After taking care of that, their offense will be ready to roll, besides needing another receiver in free agency or the draft. Turner would be a great addition to their aging defensive line.

9. Chicago Bears (7-10): OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Chicago’s offensive line needs to be addressed this offseason, whether it be free agency or in the draft. Selecting Fuaga would help aid the Bears quarterback, whether it is a rookie or Fields. 

10. NY Jets (7-10): OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

The Jets’ offensive line was an issue for the entire 2023 season. Of course, Aaron Rodgers’ injury did not help the team in chasing their Super Bowl dreams, but the pass protection was a mess all season long. The Jets have no option but to fix their offensive line. Fashanu would immediately start at tackle.

11. Minnesota Vikings (7-10): CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Minnesota could go in a million directions with this pick, but adding a stud defensive back like Mitchell could transform their pass defense, which surrendered the ninth most passing yards in the NFL last season. Mitchell is an excellent tackler and his athleticism will shine in the NFL Combine. Get to know his name sooner rather than later, before he is locking up receivers on Sundays.

12. Denver Broncos (8-9): EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Denver is in a very tough situation with the uncertainty of what to do with Russell Wilson. A quarterback could make sense here, but the Broncos could do anything with this pick. Adding to their defensive line could be a smart move, a unit that gave up a whopping 2,331 rush yards last season, third most in the NFL. 

13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9): QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Penix is my favorite quarterback prospect in the entire draft. After dominating in 2022, he returned to the University of Washington and led the Huskies to an appearance in the National Championship. Even though the outcome was not what Penix wanted, he showed his toughness. His ability to hit receivers in stride and step up in big moments are major reasons the Huskies won 14 games in 2023. The Raiders are eager to find their next franchise quarterback, and I believe Penix is the answer.

14. New Orleans Saints (9-8): DL Byron Murphy II, Texas

The New Orleans Saints’ biggest homework assignment this offseason is figuring out their disastrous cap situation. Currently, they are more than $80 million above the salary cap, leaving them in cap hell for yet another season. Cam Jordan is only getting older, leaving them with a need on their defensive line. Maybe Murphy is their answer.

15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8): DL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

The Colts could go in a variety of directions here, but boosting their defensive line could be the right move. Indianapolis allowed 22 rushing touchdowns last year, fourth most in the league. Newton could help aid them in that area as he has a knack for disrupting opposing backfields. 

16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8): TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Somehow Bowers fell all the way to the middle of the first round in this mock, but it is no surprise to me. Tight ends are difficult to draft in the top 10. Look at Atlanta’s decision to take Kyle Pitts, for example. If Bowers falls to 16, Seattle could be a good landing spot based on fit and value.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8): C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

The Jaguars could definitely use help in their secondary, but offensive line is a need. Trevor Lawrence could use a new center and Powers-Johnson is the highest rated one in the draft.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): OT JC Latham, Alabama

Cincinnati would love to see Bowers fall to them at 18, but that is unlikely to happen. Latham would be a solid consolation pick for them. I am sure Joe Burrow would be happy to get some more protection on the offensive line. You can never have enough help on the offensive line when you have to face the ferocious pass rushes of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore for a total of six games every season.

19. LA Rams (10-7): EDGE Jared Verse, FSU

Verse was a projected top 10 pick heading into Florida State’s 2023 season, but he has slightly slipped down draft boards. However, his athleticism and explosiveness are truly elite. Verse would wreak havoc next to Aaron Donald.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean missed the end of Iowa's 2023 season with a leg injury, but he will likely still be a first round pick. Pittsburgh’s secondary needs help, especially if Patrick Peterson is a cap casualty. 

21. Miami Dolphins (11-6): CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The future of Xavien Howard is uncertain, but my best guess is that the Miami Dolphins will be moving on from him, leaving a major void in their secondary. Arnold could step in opposite Jalen Ramsey and be a lockdown corner from day one. Arnold finished with five interceptions this past season for the Crimson Tide.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Philadelphia’s defense allowed the second most passing yards and passing touchdowns this past season. It was only one year ago that the Eagles had the best pass defense in the NFL, allowing just 3,057 pass yards in their trip to the Super Bowl in 2022. Wiggins would add size and high zone upside to Philadelphia’s defense.

23. Houston Texans via CLE (11-6): WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

Would it be smart for Houston to take a lineman to protect C.J. Stroud? Sure, but being able to throw another playmaker into their offense could take their offense to an even higher level. Franklin racked up 23 touchdowns over the last two years with Bo Nix at quarterback. I would imagine Houston adds a lineman in Day 2 or in free agency.

24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Dallas is in a position to take the best player available here. McKinstry tallied 22 pass deflections over the last two years for Alabama and would bring immediate explosiveness to the Cowboys’ return game.  

25. Green Bay Packers (9-8): T Amarius Mims, Georgia

The future of David Bakhtiari is unknown. He is 32 years old and has played in just 13 games over the last three seasons. Looking for their next franchise tackle could be the best move to aid Jordan Love after a great 2023 campaign. Mims comes with high risk, but there is high reward potential as well. Could be worth the gamble for the Pack.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8):  CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

It would be pretty ironic to see Tampa end up in Tampa Bay, but it is definitely a possibility. The Buccaneers have a good amount of needs to address in the offseason, so this pick could go in a million directions. Tampa is a projected Day 2 pick right now, but I think that his value and talent are being underrated.

27. Arizona Cardinals via HOU (10-7): OT Troy Fautanu, Washington

After taking Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, the Cardinals have the chance to fuel their offense even more by selecting an offensive lineman. This tackle class is extremely deep, so there will likely be a handful of options here for Arizona. Fautanu was excellent in pass protection and was a reason that Michael Penix Jr. was sacked just 11 times in 2023.

28. Buffalo Bills (11-6): WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The Bills have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. Getting under the salary cap is their biggest priority. The secondary will likely be a major need, with anticipated cap casualties for Rasul Douglas and Taron Johnson. However, it is unlikely the Bills bring back Gabe Davis, leaving a void in their receiving corps. Thomas excelled with Daniels, hauling in 17 touchdowns with nearly 1,200 receiving yards. 

29. Detroit Lions (12-5): CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Detroit allowed the sixth most passing yards and passing touchdowns this past season, so it is clear that their secondary needs reinforcements. Lassiter is not afraid of getting involved in the run game and demonstrated his reliability in zone coverage during his time with the Bulldogs. 

30. Baltimore Ravens (13-4): WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

If Coleman is Baltimore’s pick, that would mark the second year in a row that the Ravens took a wide receiver in the first round (Zay Flowers in 2023). Coleman would bring size to Baltimore’s receiving corps and had a tremendous junior year, grabbing 11 touchdown scores for the Seminoles.

31. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

San Francisco is in a position that every team wishes to be in. They have the power to take the best player available and have limited holes in their roster heading into the 2024 season. This offseason, they will have to address right tackle and retool their secondary.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6): WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Kansas City finished the 2023 season with an NFL-leading 44 drops. Despite that, the Chiefs still found a way to win the Super Bowl, thanks to a historic comeback from Patrick Mahomes. Mitchell had a storied college career, finishing with 18 touchdowns across three seasons, with two being at Georgia and his final one being at Texas.