Fresh 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals Alter Trajectory of Franchise
Football season is here with week zero happening this weekend for college football while we enter the final game of the preseason for the NFL.
With that, football is in full effect, which means the time is upon us for a fresh 2024 NFL Draft mock.
With a full offseason to go over needs for teams and see how odds will be put out for Super Bowl contenders, we have ourselves a potential order for how the first round looks before the season starts.
Our beloved Arizona Cardinals have found themselves with the top two choices in the draft, the first overall pick belonging solely to them and the second coming thanks to a trade with the Houston Texans back in April.
It is a perfect situation to add much-needed talent to this team and continue to build the new era of Cardinals football under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort.
For this mock, I used the current Super Bowl odds from FanDuel and inversed them so the team with the worst odds (the Cardinals) picks first and the team with the best odds (the Chiefs) picks last. So before you yell at me, direct your hate to FanDuel.
With all of that being said, the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock:
1. Arizona Cardinals:
The pick: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC
Allow me to give some detailed explanation on this pick.
The Cardinals will be in a tricky situation should this be how the 2023 season unfolds. The team is currently strapped to Kyler Murray, however, Williams is seen as a generational talent at quarterback with some believing he may be the best prospect the position has ever seen. You don't just pass up that talent.
In theory, the Cards could move this pick for a haul the likes of which we've never seen before, but a new regime that has no loyalties to Murray will likely want their own guy and Williams is what every new GM and head coach dream of. With Williams available, the Cardinals get their quarterback and face of the next era of the franchise.
2. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston):
The pick: Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Many are torn on whether or not Harrison Jr. will be a generational talent at the wide receiver spot, but he will certainly be one of the best prospects of the last 10, maybe even 15 years. The 6'4" 205lbs receiver does everything at the position with virtually no flaws. Even as a wide receiver, Harrison Jr. will have a serious chance for the Heisman Trophy.
For the Cardinals, pairing Williams with MHJ is a dream come true. These two will make sweet music together for hopefully their entire careers. You couldn't start off a draft any better if you tried.
3. Indianapolis Colts:
The pick: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Bowers has an argument like the two players drafted ahead of him to be the best player in next year's class. What Bowers has done at the tight end position is beyond historic for college football and he's a Heisman contender as the top option for Georgia.
The only gripe some have is he is perceived as "undersized" and if that is why you don't like Bowers - you don't deserve him. The Colts will be looking to add elite talent for Anthony Richardson and they won't find anything better with the third pick than Bowers.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The pick: Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina
Maye would've been QB1 in this year's draft and the only reason he won't be in 2024 is because of Williams. When looking at Maye, he checks every box. Build? Check. Arm talent? Check. Athleticism? Check. The only thing missing is a Heisman Trophy, but he has a great chance to get that this season.
For the Bucs, they need their franchise quarterback and Maye is everything they could ever dream of and so much more. If the Buccaneers are in a position to draft or trade up for Maye, they must do whatever it takes to do so.
5. Las Vegas Raiders:
The pick: Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas
A top-five pick means the Raiders may hit the reset button on this franchise. The best way to start over is to get your quarterback of the future. Insert Ewers.
Ewers isn't for everyone, but he was playing great football when he was healthy last season. Coming out of high school, Ewers was one of the top recruits at the position in the last decade. He can certainly be the face of a franchise and the Raiders would be happy to make him theirs.
6. Washington Commanders:
The pick: Olu Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State
Fashanu had a great chance to be a first-round pick in this year's draft but opted to return to Happy Valley to take his game to the next level and refine his ridiculously high-upside craft. I believe the Commanders are all-in on Sam Howell, so they will need to shore up their offensive line to make sure he stays upright.
The kind of athlete that Fashanu is at 6'6" and 320lbs may remind longtime fans of Trent Williams. If Fashanu even sniffed that potential, fans would be ecstatic.
7. Los Angeles Rams:
The pick: Joe Alt Jr., Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
The Rams could consider a quarterback with a top-10 pick, but Matthew Stafford will still be under contract and they have way too many needs to draft what would be the fourth-best quarterback with a top-seven pick. There is no position more important for the offense, other than quarterback, than a true left tackle, and Alt Jr. is precisely that.
Plugging in Alt Jr. instantly makes this offensive line better and gives Stafford the bodyguard he needs to get back to form.
8. New England Patriots:
The pick: Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
If the Patriots are drafting this high then that should mean Mac Jones' job as the starting quarterback should be in jeopardy. Even if it isn't there's no denying he needs more help out wide. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a fine number two receiver, but the Patriots still need a true number one receiver.
Egbuka is only the number two receiver at Ohio State because MHJ is present. Egbuka would be the top option for virtually every other program in the country. This is a safe pick in the top 10 and someone who can finally give a Patriots quarterback a worthy WR1.
9. Chicago Bears (via Carolina):
The pick: Jared Verse, Edge Rusher, Florida State
The value of Verse with the ninth pick is absurd, but here we are with what may be the steal of the draft. The Bears roster is devoid of cornerstone players and Verse is the definition of such. Had he entered this year's draft Verse would've likely been a first-round pick, but he decided to return to school and bet on himself to be even better.
With the pure athleticism he has plus his track record of success, he could be selected within the top-five picks next year. The Bears will gladly add him to their rebuilding defense.
10. Tennessee Titans:
The pick: JC Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
I am a firm believer the Titans do not have their quarterback of the future on their team, but they may still give Will Levis an extra year to change that narrative. The best thing they can do for his chances to be such is to continue investing in their offensive line.
Latham will be the third guy along with Fashanu and Alt Jr. for rights to OT1 in the 2024 class and he's got every opportunity to shine for the Crimson Tide this year. Drafting Latham and Peter Skoronski in back-to-back drafts is a great way to turn this offensive line into a strength for the team.
11. Chicago Bears:
The pick: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
The Bears get one of the best values in this mock once again with McKinstry falling to them at 11. Although McKinstry has one of the best nicknames ever for a defensive back, second only to Sauce Gardner, he stands out as a shutdown corner who can erase one side of the field for his defense. Plugging McKinstry and Verse into this defense will go a long way toward its rebuild.
12. Atlanta Falcons:
The pick: Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher, Alabama
Honestly, Turner may just be a top-five pick if he plays to his potential. While he took a step back in production a year ago, Turner remains one of the most intriguing talents in next year's draft. The Falcons must consider a quarterback here if Desmond Ridder proves not to be the guy, but getting a talent as superb as Turner may be too much to pass up.
Being able to say you had four straight first-round picks where you added a blue-chip tight end, wide receiver, running back, and edge rusher is great for team building.
13. New York Giants:
The pick: Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington
While I am a fan of Jalin Hyatt, the Giants still need more help at wide receiver. Odunze profiles as more of a WR1 than Hyatt does and will give Daniel Jones a dynamic one-two punch at receiver. In Odunze, the G-Men are getting a big-bodied target with box-out ability and prowess in the red zone.
With Hyatt taking the top off the defense and Darren Waller working the middle of the field, Odunze would fill out the rest of what the Giants need and complete their offense.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers:
The pick: Jer'Zhan Newton, Interior Defensive Line, Illinois
Cameron Heyward should be headed to Canton, Ohio one day, but he's likely to begin mulling retirement sooner rather than later. The Steelers would be wise to draft his successor or in a best-case scenario get him a new best friend across from him.
Newton is quite simply a game-wrecker. The 6'2" 295lbs beast has 109 tackles and nine sacks over the last two seasons and his best days are yet to come. Plus, he just looks like a Steelers defender.
15. Denver Broncos:
The pick: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Linebacker, Clemson
The Broncos will need to continue to improve their roster until they can move on from Russell Wilson. A best-player-available philosophy would be their best strategy rather than to force needs. Thankfully, Trotter Jr., whose father was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Eagles, is a one-stop shop for everything you could want out of a defender. Trotter Jr. is the quarterback on the defensive side of the ball that Denver is looking for to complete their unit.
16. New Orleans Saints:
The pick: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU
Michael Thomas may never be healthy again and even if he is, a.) he's on the wrong side of 30 and b.) you can never have too many wide receivers.
Insert the local kid who could be a superstar for the Tigers this season. Nabers was the top option on the Tigers last season and it wasn't even close. But beyond production is a big-play receiver who is destined to be the next great LSU receiver. Pairing Nabers with Chris Olave will make whoever is the quarterback for the Saints in 2024 a very happy man.
17. Green Bay Packers:
The pick: Andrew Mukuba, Safety, Clemson
The Packers could finally draft a first-round wide receiver but I feel like it's simply a tradition at this point. Instead, they'll get a high-level safety for a unit that could be facing a lot of changes next season.
Darnell Savage is solid, but he will be a free agent after this season and you don't want to overpay for solid. Mukuba will be one of the top defensive backs in the nation and a more than welcomed addition to this secondary.
18. Seattle Seahawks:
The pick: Michael Hall Jr., Interior Defensive Line, Ohio State
The Seahawks are investing in Geno Smith, which puts the potential need for a quarterback out of reach. The offense as a whole is a pretty set-in-stone unit, so turning to the defensive side of the football for upgrades makes the most sense.
Dre'Mont Jones is expected to be a major factor for the defensive line, but Seattle would be wise to get him a buddy to terrorize opponents. Hall Jr. is an absolute monster and beast of a human that takes this defense to the next level.
19. Minnesota Vikings:
The pick: Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback, Washington
Will Kirk Cousins be a Viking in 2024? Who knows, but even if he is, it is far time Minnesota drafts his heir apparent. Penix Jr. won't be everyone's cup of tea since he is a left-hand thrower, but he's an absolute gunslinger who is going to put up video game numbers again this season.
With Penix Jr. at the helm throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, this potential offense could be a top-10 unit from day one.
20. Houston Texans (via Cleveland):
The pick: Barrett Carter, Linebacker, Clemson
The Texans sure wish they traded this pick instead of what is currently the number two pick, but they can make up for it by drafting a high-level football player who can elevate this defense. Head coach DeMeco Ryans is going to want his quarterback for the defense and perhaps even someone who reminds him of himself in his heyday with the Texans.
Carter will be duking it out with his own teammate for the top linebacker spot in the class and Ryans will happily make him the leader of his defense.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars:
The pick: JT Tuimoloau, Edge Rusher, Ohio State
It remains to be seen if Travon Walker will be worthy of his number-one overall pick status, but the best thing the Jaguars can do for his development is get him a partner in crime.
Tuimoloau is more than just a fun name to say as he's one of the highest recruited prospects at his position ever. Between his seemingly limitless ceiling and the athletic profile that teams crave in their first-round picks, Tuimoloau would be a picture-perfect pairing across from Walker.
22. Miami Dolphins:
The pick: Blake Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
The Dolphins' roster is pretty solid on paper, but they need help on the offensive line. Terron Armstead is a quality option at left tackle but the options across from him leave much to be desired. Fisher is already playing right tackle at a high level for the Fighting Irish, so this would be a great best-case scenario for his NFL future.
Fisher is the kind of pick that shores up and secures your offensive line for your franchise quarterback.
23. Los Angeles Chargers:
The pick: TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State
The Austin Ekeler situation has made it very unlikely that he'll be back with the Bolts beyond this season. Should that be the case, the Chargers can get his replacement with the luxury of a talented roster on day one. Henderson played just eight games last season due to injury, but he's one of the best and most versatile backs in all of college football when healthy.
He would be a seamless replacement in this offense for Ekeler and a fantasy football darling.
24. Detroit Lions:
The pick: Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa
The Lions were unconventional in the first round of this year's draft, taking a running back and a linebacker with their two picks. They obviously don't care what the media rankings and mock drafts have them do, but I will still have them take arguably the best cornerback in the draft in DeJean.
The headlines about DeJean will be about him being a white corner, but the dude knows ball and creates turnovers while shutting down guys lined up in front of him. DeJean is a top-end talent and a slam dunk for Detroit.
25. New York Jets:
The pick: Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Texas
The Jets do what has never been done for Aaron Rodgers in his career and draft a wide receiver in the first round. It'll be needed, too, as Gang Green has very underwhelming options not named Garrett Wilson.
In Worthy, the Jets are adding a dynamic weapon who's been one of college football's best receivers the last two seasons. Worthy will enter this year with massive expectations that could very well play him out of this draft position. Until then, Worthy and Wilson are a terrifying duo.
26. Baltimore Ravens:
The pick: Kalen King, Cornerback, Penn State
The Ravens have Marlon Humphrey and a box of scraps at cornerback. That needs to change for this defense to assert itself as an elite unit. King was arguably and quietly the best corner for the Nittany Lions in 2022 and that's with Joey Porter Jr. being a top-32 pick this year.
He may not be the tallest corner at 5'11", but he shadows his opposition and is what many would describe as an eraser. Sounds exactly like what Baltimore needs.
27. Dallas Cowboys:
The pick: Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tight End, Texas
The Cowboys don't have a ton of needs on paper, so the best player available was the direction I went here. Dalton Schultz was a major factor in the offense for the last few years, but he's in Houston now.
I like Jake Ferguson, but if you can get an upgrade then what's stopping you? Sanders is TE1 in a class that doesn't have Brock Bowers and he'll play in a big-play offense that has several other round-one players. Sanders working in this offense makes the Cowboys virtually unguardable.
28. San Francisco 49ers:
The pick: Bo Nix, Quarterback, Oregon
I'll be completely transparent with you - this is one of my absolute favorite fits for any 2024 quarterback. Nix was perfectly constructed for Kyle Shanahan's offense thanks to his cannon of an arm and dynamic rushing ability.
I do understand there will be some holdout for Trey Lance, but until he proves otherwise, the Niners should be in the quarterback market. Nix was built for this 49ers offense.
29. Cincinnati Bengals:
The pick: Blake Corum, Running Back, Michigan
Joe Mixon can't stay out of the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Mixon is also an aging running back with good money invested in him. The Bengals should do the best thing they can and move on from Mixon or at worst draft his replacement.
Corum was a Heisman candidate before his late-season ACL injury. Once he's back to 100% health, there won't be much stopping him from being the top running back in the nation and perhaps RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft.
30. Buffalo Bills:
The pick: Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
The Gabe Davis experiment has yet to work and he's set to hit free agency after this season. Even if Davis is bought back, the Bills need a better option across from Stefon Diggs. Franklin is a big play ready to happen, similar to Davis but more consistent.
Adding Franklin to this offense gives the Bills more speed for big-armed Josh Allen to take the top off of defenses with. Franklin is a legit Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate in this offense.
31. Philadelphia Eagles:
The pick: Javon Bullard, Safety, Georgia
There are few holes on the Eagles' defense, but the safety position could get them in a lot of trouble on the backend. We can safely insert another Georgia defender into this team with Bullard while also filling a glaring hole for this otherwise flawless unit.
Some places actually list Bullard as a cornerback, but the bottom line is you can plug him into this secondary and cash out on his playmaking prowess.
32. Kansas City Chiefs:
The pick: Bralen Trice, Edge Rusher, Washington
Trice is highway robbery at the end of the first round and I had to think twice about the picks made ahead of him to make sure he wasn't snubbed. Nope, it's simply a really good draft class and the Chiefs will wisely pounce on Trice's slip to the end of round one.
Trice had one of the quietest 10-sack seasons I can remember and will play on a team with National Title aspirations. If all goes accordingly, expect Trice to be taken much higher than 32, but for now, he fills the hole left by Frank Clark.
