The 2023 NFL season is over, but we’re already thinking about next season with our early look at the 2024 NFL draft! The draft won’t be taking place until April 25, but Sports Hub will still be providing you with football content!
That’s why we’re having a very early look at the 2024 NFL draft. As we get closer and closer to the draft, we’ll know more about which teams are taking who, and the internet will be flooded with a bunch of mock drafts.
Will we see a quarterback run early on? Who will take the consensus No. 1 wide receiver? Will the top 10 picks feature offensive lineman? These are just some of the questions surrounding the 2024 NFL draft at this stage. We’ll be trying to answer them in our mock draft of the top 10 prospects below.
A Too Early Look at the 2024 NFL Draft
A bunch of teams will be looking to draft QBs in 2024. QB play was incredibly underwhelming throughout the 2023 season. Teams such as the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders and the Atlanta Falcons could all be on the hunt for a new signal caller.
The expectation is that a number of top receivers could also go inside the top 10 in the 2024 NFL draft. There are a host of franchises that could benefit from an upgrade in the skill positions, giving their QBs some more weapons.
Linemen on both sides of the ball are also likely to go inside the top 10. It’s always incredibly important to improve in the trenches, and these guys can make huge impacts on a franchise for a number of years.
We can expect to see a host of teams try and trade up inside the top 10 picks as we get closer to draft time. Some GMs will be more aggressive in their approach to go out and get the guy they want. However, for this mock draft, we won’t be considering any trades.
Earlier this week, we redrafted the 2023 NFL rookies after their 1st season in the league!
First look at the 2024 #NFLDraft stage in Detroit. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6fe5c2xXs4
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2024
1. Chicago Bears (Via CAR)
Pick: Caleb Williams, QB USC Trojans
The Bears seem to have given up on Justin Fields who they drafted with the 11th overall pick in 2021. He broke out as a rushing QB during the 2022 season, accumulating 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. However, he struggled with injury issues last season, and also completed just 61.4% of his passes, with a passer rating of 86.3.
Since they have the first overall pick here in the 2024 NFL draft following their trade with the Carolina Panthers, it seems unlikely that they will pass up the opportunity to draft 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Williams is set to be a franchise QB and has already been compared to Patrick Mahomes.
2. Washington Commanders
Pick: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
The expectation is that the Commanders could receive a surfeit of valuable trade offers for the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Although Sam Howell did okay as the starter in Washington last year, it seems extremely unlikely he’ll be the starter next season.
Picking up the 2023 Heisman award, it’s very probable that QB Jayden Daniels will go inside the top 5. Daniels completed 72.2% of his 327 pass attempts last season, throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions in just 12 games.
We can see the 23-year-old going as high as second overall due to his dual-threat ability. Daniels rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs last season.
3. New England Patriots
Pick: Drake Maye, QB UNC
The thought is that we will see a QB run inside the top three. It’s more than likely going to be these three names as well. However, we just aren’t as certain on the order. Due to Daniels’ incredible season, we’ve had him going ahead of Maye here.
The Pats clearly need a new signal caller. It hasn’t worked out for Mac Jones in New England, despite a solid rookie campaign. Maye won eight of his 12 games for UNC last season, completing 63.3% of his passes, throwing for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Despite having a slightly underwhelming season, one that didn’t match his 2022 performance, many scouts love Maye’s arm talent. The stats look more flashy for the likes of Williams and Daniel, and that’s the only reason they’ll probably be drafted ahead of Maye.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State
With three QB-needy teams picking ahead of the Cardinals, the 2024 NFL draft looks almost perfect for Arizona. They’re set with Kyler Murray under center and so they will likely be able to take the best skill player available.
The consensus best receiver in the draft is Marvin Harrison Jr. He has had back-to-back 1000+ yard seasons at Ohio State, scoring 14 touchdowns in each campaign. Since releasing DeAndre Hopkins, and the trade for Marquise Brown not working out, the Cards need a true No.1 receiver to link up with K1.
GM Monti Ossenfort may opt to pick up even more draft capital and could trade away this pick if a good offer comes in. However, for now, we can see Arizona selecting the best player in the draft, who is already expected to make an instant impact.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
Some are expecting the Chargers to select a receiver with this pick. However, they already have Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston on the roster. Tight end Brock Bowers could be an option, but Justin Herbert needs some more protection.
With this pick, we’ve got new LA head coach Jim Harbaugh pushing for offensive tackle Joe Alt. The Notre Dame offensive lineman is considered to be the best in his position in the draft. Standing at 6-foot-8, he’ll look to use his size to his advantage. Alt allowed just four sacks over three seasons in college.
6. New York Giants
Pick: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
With Daniel Jones handed a four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants just under a year ago, it looks like New York will be sticking with Danny Dimes as their signal caller. He only started six games in 2023, but lost five of them, so will be hoping for a bounce back year.
The Giants need some o-line help, especially due to the fact that 2022 seventh overall selection Evan Neal has struggled massively. With Alt already going to the Chargers in this mock draft, we’ve gone for the next best receiver to land in New York in the 2024 NFL draft.
Malik Nabers recorded 80 catches for 1,424 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023 at LSU and could be the true No.1 receiver that the Giants are missing.
Malik Nabers has the potential to be one of the greats👀 pic.twitter.com/QR16r3jDy2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 14, 2024
7. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
The Tennessee Titans will be looking to help out their new QB 1 Will Levis in the 2024 NFL draft. That means either a new offensive lineman or receiver. Again, since we have Alt already going before this pick, we’ve got the Titans going for another pass-catcher.
Treylon Burks has failed to impress since being drafted 16th overall in 2022. With an aging Hopkins on the roster, Tennessee needs another reliable pass-catcher. Bowers could be a solid choice, but we have them taking WR Rome Odunze who will add both size and speed to the receiver room.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Dallas Turner, Edge Alabama
It’s pretty simple – the Falcons need a quarterback. Talent such as Drake London and Kyle Pitts has been wasted with players such as Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke under center. With Chicago taking Williams first overall, there’s a good chance that Atalanta trades for Fields.
They could even trade up for one of the top three picks to select one of Williams, Daniels or Maye. Another option is to trade back and pick J.J. McCarthy, or even take him here with this pick.
It seems a little too early to draft McCarthy here, though, and we can see them taking a chance on somebody like Fields. Therefore, they’re getting an upgrade in the pass rush with Dallas Turner under new defensive head coach Raheem Morris.
9. Chicago Bears
Pick: Jared Verse, Edge Florida State
With two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, Chicago has a great opportunity to make some serious improvements if they get their selections right. QB is set if they take Williams, and the o-line looks solid after they drafted Darnell Wright last year.
Bowers is still on the board at this point, but the Bears have Cole Kmet who has performed well over the last two seasons. The Bears could go for another top receiver to go with D.J. Moore, but we’ve got Harrison Jr, Nabers and Odunze all going before this pick, and there’s a bit of a drop off after that.
Therefore, the Bears are adding more pass rush help alongside Montez Sweat by picking Florida State edge Jared Verse who recorded 11 sacks last season.
10. New York Jets
Pick: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
The New York Jets won the 2022 draft with their picks of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall all inside the top 40. After a disappointing 2023 season, starting with the loss of Aaron Rodgers after just four plays, the Jets are picking high again in the 2024 NFL draft.
They’ll look to address some o-line issues here and give Rodgers better protection for 2024. With Fashanu still on the board, he could be of the starting caliber that the Jets need, especially with Mekhi Becton failing to stay healthy.
