Final Jack Bethel 2024 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
We’ve made it to the best week of the NFL calendar year: Draft Week. Without a doubt, this year is the most controversial and chaos-inducing yet. Will Jayden Daniels be the second QB selected? Will a team trade up into the top five? Who will be the first defensive player off the board? How many pass catchers Round 1? Look no further. Let’s dive into my final mock of the year.
It is quite possible my first mock, developed last month, could prove to be more accurate. In that case, please read that here: 2024 Mock Draft 1.0
It is also possible the top ten selections go in the order everyone and their mother is predicting — 1. Williams, 2. Daniels, 3. Maye, 4. Harrison Jr., 5. McCarthy (Vikes trade), 6. Nabers, 7. Alt, 8. Turner, 9. Odunze, 10. Bowers. But that is just no fun. This is my attempt at fun.
If you wouldn’t like to read in depth, please scroll to the end of the selections or click HERE as I have provided a summary of the overall draft. Enjoy :)
- Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
No need to explain here. Has been a lock for the last two years. I will say, however, Williams enters the best situation for a #1 pick quite possibly in NFL history.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels to Commanders isn’t as much of a lock as 1, however, my sources are telling me it’s closer than you might think. Kliff Kingsbury is salivating at the kind of schemes he can draw up with the reigning Heisman winner under center.
3. New England Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Here is where the real fun begins. I’m sticking with my original mock here. Not Drake Maye, but my top player in the entire draft: MHJ. No pass catcher in recent years comes close, and the Pats opt for a generational receiver as oppose to a QB they could be looking to trade away in three years. However, look out for New England either trading back into Round 1 or selecting a QB on Day 2 (Nix or Penix if they fall).
TRADE ALERT: Arizona trades #4 overall for #11 overall and #23 overall to Minnesota
4. Minnesota Vikings (via ARI): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Vikes trade up one spot higher than what everyone is mocking. I’m told Minnesota favors Maye slightly over the Michigan QB, and they don’t waste anytime to show it.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
If the Chargers stay put here, this is a much more realistic scenario then one might think. WR is the top need for LA, however, Coach Harbaugh loves having an intimating front and just can’t pass on the generational talent of Alt. Although both draft classes are deep, the OT class is more top-heavy. Watch for WR to be addressed Day 2 and 3.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Sticking with my original mock here. Danny Dimes lacks a true WR1. Nabers can surely provide that (although I do wish he could slip to 10 to the other New York team). Watch for this pick as a sneaky JJ McCarthy landing spot.
7. Tennessee Titans: Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington
With Alt off the board, the Titans have the first somewhat reach of the draft. Tennessee badly needs help protecting sophomore QB Will Levis, and Fautanu is versatile enough to play really any of the five positions. I really wanted to put Fautanu’s former teammate, Odunze, here, but I just couldn’t justify it with the Calvin Ridley signing.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama
It’s almost certain the first defender off the board is to Atlanta, right? I’m sticking with Dallas Turner here. He provides enough upside here and its just a little too rich for me for guys like Latu and Byron Murphy II here.
Could Rome Odunze continue the first round run of skill positions for Atlanta? Maybe.
TRADE ALERT: Chicago trades #9 overall for #11 overall and #35 overall to Arizona
9. Arizona Cardinals (via CHI): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Two years in a row, Arizona is involved in multiple top ten trades on draft night. After missing out on the MHJ sweepstakes, they settle for a nice constellation price in Odunze.
10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Sticking with my original selection here. I put Bowers in the same conversation as Kyle Pitts coming out of college, and the latter went top four. Offensive line could very well be the selection here, but ARod gets in the ear and gets himself another weapon.
11. Chicago Bears (via ARI): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
No, not a wide receiver. However, with their newly acquired 2nd Round selection (35th) via trade down, wideout will be a near certainty there. Instead, you can never have too much protection for your rookie quarterback. And who better than to protect Williams than his high school teammate, Olu Fashanu.
12. Denver Broncos: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
McCarthy’s (somewhat) slide ends at 12. Luckily, he’s brought into a situation where his biggest competition for QB1 is Zach Wilson. McCarthy facing his collegiate coach twice each year calls for popcorn (If there’s no better game on.)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Although there’s a chance this is Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix, I don’t think Vegas pulls the trigger. Instead, they go with a sure-fire starter Day 1 in Fuaga.
14. New Orleans Saints: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
This might be a bit high on the corner class, however, the Marshon Lattimore contract situation force’s the hand of New Orleans. Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell are the Tier 1 corners in my mind, and the Saints opt for the guy with SEC experience.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The cornerback run starts a bit earlier than expected. Mitchell fills a top need in Indianapolis, and as I mentioned in my first mock, I can see him having a rookie season that mirrors Sauce Gardner.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
In my first selection here, I had a different player, but same position. Pick your poison, however, I see Verse going right around this range. Once thought of as a top ten pick, Verse falls into a solid rotation in Seattle.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Jacksonville missed out on the Big 3, however, this scenario works out perfectly for them. Thomas Jr. falls right into their lap, and the Jags jump at the chance. Although addressing the need in free agency, Jacksonville lacks a true WR1 for Trevor Lawrence.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
If Thomas Jr. slips just one more spot, the Bengals would love adding another Tiger (especially with the Tee Higgins situation). However, Cincy will gladly upgrade their defensive front with the Murphy, who some say may be the first defender off the board.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Believe it or not, the Rams haven’t had a first round selection since 2016. With the pick, why not pick a guy who’s already here? Latu can bring that spark left to the defense looking to fill the inevitable Aaron Donald void.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Sticking with my selection here for Pitt. For the second straight year, the Steelers pick an offensive tackle out of Georgia. Hopefully, Russell Wilson will be nice to this guy (or maybe Justin Fields?).
21. Miami Dolphins: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Sticking with this pick as well. After losing both Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis up front, the Fins address their biggest hole. Newton was quietly one of the best players in the country last year, and Miami gives him that first round status he deserves.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
No need to change this pick, either. Trash stays trash. Although, he very well could become an All-Pro punt returner (hurts me to say that), CeeDee Lamb will cook him twice a year.
23. Arizona Cardinals (via MIN via HOU via CLE): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Arizona found their WR1. Now, it’s time they find their CB1. I don’t love this situation for Wiggins, however, the Cardinals need to address their top two needs with the first round selections.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
I really want to go with Graham Barton here, but I just don’t see Jerry Jones going center in the first round. Guyton can develop into a starting caliber tackle for the Boys.
25. Green Bay Packers: TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Do I think this will happen? Probably not. However, with the how the board is shaking out, it’s a real possibility. Green Bay needs a corner and Tampa is as good as any left on the board (not bias).
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
A guy that is quietly very well respected and coveted in this edge class, Robinson falls into a great situation. He can come in Day 1 and replace the void left by Shaquil Barrett.
TRADE ALERT: Arizona trades #27 overall for #34 overall and 2025 2nd-Round selection to New England
27. New England Patriots: (via ARI via HOU): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Same spot for Penix as my original mock, just different team. New England was quietly waiting and finally decides to jump back in and get their future QB1. Penix to MHJ is something I need to see on Sundays.
28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Will the Bills trade up? They stay put here and draft a Tee Higgins replica in my mind. Mitchell can come in and help out Josh Allen on Day 1.
29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
Much like the other Robinson defender selected a few picks prior, Darius does not have much hype surrounding him. Yet, he quietly keeps jumping up boards, making him a great fit in Detroit.
30. Baltimore Ravens: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Baltimore lost three of their five starters up front, making this pick inevitable. Luckily, this offensive draft class is deep. If not Latham, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson could be the pick here and transition to guard.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Whoa! Another wideout for San Fran?? Let’s give them another South Carolina pass catcher to complement Deebo. Legette can come in and replace Brandon Aiyuk, who will most likely be traded Day 2.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
It just really doesn’t seem right for the man that broke the 40 yard dash record to not go Night 1. In this case, he’s paired with the best quarterback on the planet. Mahomes finally gets a wideout on Thursday night.
Key Takeaways
Patriots take MHJ at #3, Grab Penix at #27
- Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Penix Jr. become teammates
- Trade back up to take Penix at #27
Vikings Trade Up to #4 for Drake Maye
- Minnesota swings big for their new QB1
Chargers stay put and take Joe Alt at #5
- Titans reach at #7 with Troy Fautanu
NFL Draft Record of Offensive Players
- 20 of 32 selections offensive players
- No running backs or safeties
5 QBs selected in 1st Round: 3 in Top 4, No Nix
- Caleb Williams to Chicago at #1
- Jayden Daniels to Washington at #2
- Drake Maye to Minnesota at #4
- JJ McCarthy to Denver at #12
- Michael Penix Jr. to New England at #27
- Bo Nix not selected
7 WRs Selected, Texas/LSU with multiple picks
- LSU — Malik Nabers (#6) & Brian Thomas Jr. (#17)
- Texas — Adonai Mitchell (#28) & Xavier Worthy (#32)
- 49ers surprise selection with Xavier Legette (#31)
Hope you enjoyed! :)
