As the 2023 college football season kicks off in full force this weekend, it's a good time to chime in with Sporting News' second NFL first-round mock draft for 2024. The class remains loaded with elite offensive talent right from the top with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the nation's best wide receiver.
While some prospects already look like can't-miss and are headed into a good slot in the top 32 picks, there's bound to be a lot of fluctuation with the stock of many other players. For now, with the order based on reverse consensus Super Bowl 58 odds, here are our preseason projections for how things will play out on the night of April 25 in Detroit:
BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 50 prospects in 2024 NFL Draft
NFL Mock Draft 2024
1. Arizona Cardinals
- Caleb Williams, QB, USC (6-1, 218 pounds)
The Cardinals can't ignore the fact their current former Oklahoma QB, Kyler Murray, is coming off major knee injury and may not be the same passer or runner going forward in relation to his mega contract. Either with them going that way or another team trading up, Williams isn't slipping out of the top two as next year's clear-cut most dynamic overall QB prospect.
2. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (6-3, 202 pounds)
Harrison has the massive game to match his Hall of Fame name with size, speed and strength to dominate as a No. 1 receiver. The Cardinals, who would have the shot to also get Williams if they are the worst team in the league, should want to pair him with a long-time top go-to guy. It's telling rookie third-rounder Michael Wilson has been quickly appealing at wideout behind Marquise Brown once DeAndre Hopkins was cut.
3. Indianapolis Colts
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State (6-6, 321 pounds)
Fashanu is working to establish himself as both the best outside pass protector and overall best blocker in the draft. As there are real questions on whether Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith can hold up well at the tackles, the Colts should be in the market to better protect 2023 first-rounder Anthony Richardson.
4. Tennessee Titans (6-5, 220 pounds)
- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (6-7, 316 pounds)
The Titans drafted quarterback Will Levis, left guard Peter Skoronski and running back Tyjae Spears to continue to remix their offense in the 2023 draft but they nee some more help at the tackle with uncertainty over former Eagles first-rounder Andre Dillard on the left side. Alt is a smooth pass protector with such nimble feet for his monstrous frame. He also can push bodies out of the way in the running game.
5. Washington Commanders
- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 240 pounds)
The Commanders would like to start seeing big-time returns from Chase Young again, but he's unsigned for 2024, along with fellow starting 4-3 end Montez Sweat. Turner is set up for a massive year to boost his already dynamic production as next in line after Will Anderson Jr.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (6-4, 248 pounds)
Should Todd Bowles remain the Bucs' coach for 2024, it will be imperative he lands a fresh pass-rushing and havoc-wreaking disruptor for his 3-4. Verse continued his big-time sack production in transferring from Albany and made a wise choice to return to the Seminoles for a second season to built on his all-around havoc-wreaking skills
7. Los Angeles Rams
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama (6-1, 195 pounds)
The Rams traded Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins in the offseason and although they tried to restock their cornerbacks some, without a first-rounder, it was difficult to land a similar ace shutdown talent with great ballhawking skills. McKinstry qualifies as just that.
8. Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
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Javon Bullard, S, Georgia (5-11, 180 pounds)
The Bears have venerable Eddie Jackson leading them at safety. He's still playing well but he will turn 30 near the end of this season. Bullard is a dynamic upfield player who racks up tackles with good pass-rush moves for his position He also has a nose for interceptions in coverage.
9. Atlanta Falcons
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Laiatu Latu, DT, UCLA (6-5, 265 pounds)
The Falcons need to start to think about a starting disruptive replacement for two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett, who will turn 30 during the '23 draft. Latu is an explosive disruptor with great instincts as an inside pass rusher.
10. New England Patriots
- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (6-4, 240 pounds)
The Patriots are working hard to make the right tight end combination work for their passing and blocking games now with Bill O'Brien back as the offensive coordinator. With Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry signed only through 2023, they should be in the market for for a new No. 1. Bowers is a dominant, prolific mismatch-creating target who can truly be a "new Gronk as a receiving threat.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Kalen King, CB, Penn State (5-11, 188 pounds)
The Steelers drafted Joey Porter Jr out of the Nittany Lions but they might need to go corner again with Levi Wallace going into free agency and Patrick Peterson being a short-term option at 33. King is looking like a big-time on-ball playmaker this season with the ability to develop shutdown skills for the NFL.
12. Chicago Bears
- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (6-0, 200 pounds)
The Bears got D.J. Moore to be a No. 1, but have free agent concerns elsewhere for Justin Fields at wideout next year should Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool continue to underwhelm. Nabers has a little of Moore in him as a smooth route-runner who shows great quickness and burst after the catch.
13. Green Bay Packers
- Graham Barton, OT, Duke (6-3, 311 pounds)
The Packers failed to get some top offensive tackle depth behind aging and oft-injured David Bakhtiari on the left side in 2023 and they also have issues on the right side. Barton is developing well into a sturdy potential long-term pass protector for Jordan Love.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
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Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (6-5, 220 pounds)
The Raiders will be thinking more of the successor to Jimmy Garoppolo in the 2024 draft as Aidan O'Connell is more of a pure backup to develop, despite a strong first preseason as the third-stringer. Maye has standout accuracy and athleticism plus efficient production to think he can thrive well in Josh McDaniels' system.
15. New York Giants
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Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (6-1, 209 pounds)
The Giants need to think about this position more after drafting Deonte Banks in 2023 with Adoree' Jackson headed to free agency next year. DeJean is a big, durable well-rounded corner who's just as comfortable working upfield as he is in coverage.
16. Denver Broncos
- Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (6-3, 305 pounds)
The Broncos need to keep boosting themselves in the new three-man front of Vance Jospeh with Frank Clark being a flyer opposite newcomer Zach Allen. Taylor is a tough and stout run stopper who is developing as a pass rusher to be a more attractive 3-4 end.
17. Houston Texans (from Browns)
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 205 pounds)
The Texans drafted Tank Dell for C.J. Stroud, but there's a chance they need to further remix their receiving corps in 2024, so it makes sense to go with someone else he likes. Egbuka would make it two out of three years two dynamic Buckeyes wideouts went in the first round. He compares well to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave behind Harrison.
18. Minnesota Vikings
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Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Vikings need to reboot with speed and quickness in the pass rush to help Danielle Hunter after needing to move Za'Darius Smith after only one season with Marcus Davenport not feeling like a starting 3-4 answer. Robinson is explosive getting to the QB and can boost his stock with getting bulkier and stronger to hold up better vs. the run.
19. Miami Dolphins
- Maason Smith, DT, LSU (6-5, 300 pounds)
The Dolphins will need to replenish their defensive front next year and Smith can do everything up front with a nice blend of power, relentlessness and technique.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State (5-10, 214 pounds)
Henderson is a game-breaking power runner with some special and explosive receiving skills to ensure he can be a three-down workhorse. The Chargers should think about him as a potential replacement for pending free agent Austin Ekeler after not drafting a back in 2023.
21. Seattle Seahawks
- Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington (6-3, 214 pounds)
The Seahawks did re-sign Geno Smith but he will turn 33 soon and his deal is good through only the 2025 season. Penix would be an intriguing stash with some local flair finishing his college career in Seattle. He has the natural strong arm to deliver the deep ball and still is working on making mobility a bigger part of his game.
22. Baltimore Ravens
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Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (6-1, 215 pounds)
Benson is the type of power runner Baltimore can invest in early to clean up the injury-riddled JK Dobbins-Gus Edwards mess to better support Lamar Jackson and also open up the downfield passing game. Benson's first-round status will depend him becoming a bigger receiving asset.
23. New Orleans Saints
- Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan (6-3, 285 pounds)
The Saints got gutted at defensive tackle in 2023 free agency, losing David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle to division rivals. The Saints can tap into the Wolverines for help from Jenkins, He is well-rounded with good tackling pop against the run and has some room to improve as an impact inside pass rusher.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Josh Newton, CB, TCU (6-0, 195 pounds)
The Jaguars need to get some more viable coverage behind Tyson Campbell and will have some free-agent issues at the position next season. Newton offers a nice-sized ace versatile cover man who can handle both zone and man well.
25. Detroit Lions
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Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (5-11, 202 pounds)
The Lions signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson for only one season and rookie Brian Branch will need help in 2024. Thinking coverage first for subpackages, Kichens can be an absolute rangy force for former cornerback Aaron Glentn running the secondary.
26. New York Jets
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JC Latham, OT, Alabama (6-6, 326 pounds)
Look Latham to keep rising boards as a premier equal pass protector and run blocker who can get into the Tristan Wirfs pre-draft realm. After the Jets have battled the Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown adversity, they could use to solidify the edge for the second year of Aaron Rodgers at QB.
27. Dallas Cowboys
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Calen Bullock, S, USC (6-3, 190 pounds)
The Cowboys will likely need a replacement for Jayron Kearse in 2024. Bullock offers a lot for his size, with the speed, quickness, footwork and nose for making big plays on the ball.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (6-3, 201 pounds)
The Bengals might be able to work out a deal to keep Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase together, but they are bound to lose Tyler Boyd and need more options than late-round rookies Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas. Odunze has the body to be a big-play big slot with his speed, quickness, toughness and elusiveness, especially in a short-to-intermediate area.
29. Buffalo Bills
- Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington (6-4, 256 pounds)
The Bills need to revamp the pass rush with Von Miller turning 36 next year. Trice doesn't give up as a relentless pass rusher with his great combination of strength and determination to finish.
30. San Francisco 49ers
- Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois (6-2, 295 pounds)
The 49ers also need to think about tapping into a strong defensive tackle class early to address depth. He can offer a little bit of everything in their rotation at first before maybe tapping into some pass-rush upside behind his sound run play.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
- Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia (6-4, 310 pounds)
If the Eagles end up fine with Cam Jurgens at guard to replace Isaac Seumalo, they should be thinking about 35-year-old Jason Kelce's successor at center. Van Pran is a highly athletic anchor who doesn't give up on his blocks. Plus, he's a Bulldog, so that tracks.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
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Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson (6-4, 295 pounds)
The Chiefs are dealing with some drama with Chris Jones this preseason but they should think about their defensive interior front regardless with Derrick Nnadi unsigned past 2023. Orhorhoro's quickness into the backfield to blow up pass and run plays will be attractive.
