The 2023 NFL regular season is in the books and the playoffs are here for 14 of the league's teams. For the 18 other teams, they need to look ahead to improving themselves in the offseason, first in free agency and then in the 2024 NFL draft.
With the college football season also ending with Michigan's CFP championship game win over Washington, that means the page is flipped to the Senior Bowl to kick off the heart of the pre-draft process.
The intersection of one set of playoffs ending and another beginning ahead of Super Bowl 58 is the ideal time to check in with updated first-round projections.
Here's Sporting News' latest mock draft for the first 18 picks in the order, based on how the selections settled in Week 18:
NFL DRAFT: Big board of top 100 players overall, rankings by position
NFL Mock Draft 2024
1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (6-3, 202 pounds)
The Bears might think about moving on from Justin Fields as their franchise QB despite his strong play down the stretch. They also could look to deal this pick for the second consecutive offseason to get a haul in return. But if they stay and stick with a rising Fields, it would be awesome to pair him with Harrison, after seeing the huge impact of getting D.J. Moore.
2. Washington Commanders (4-13)
- Caleb Williams, QB, USC (6-1, 218 pounds)
The Commanders can bring the Washington, D.C., native home and get a desired franchise QB option for their looming new coaching staff after they hit the wall with overwhelmed Sam Howell. Williams, despite some disappointment to end his Trojans career, remains the complete dual-threat dynamo and worthy team leader.
3. New England Patriots (4-13)
- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (6-5, 220 pounds)
The Patriots have already waved the white flag on Mac Jones, who didn't work out at all as a pocket passer. Here they can go for the much bigger arm and athletic upside of Maye, who is a much better version of Howell, his Tar Heels predecessor.
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (6-3, 201 pounds)
The Cardinals won't be re-signing Marquise Brown and need a true No. 1 target as they don't have another such option to complement go-tight end Trey McBride for Kyler Murray. Odunze is the ideal replacement as an explosive size-speed vertical threat.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 240 pounds)
The Chargers need to be concerned that Khalil Mack will be 33 in February and Joey Bosa, who's 28, simply cannot stay healthy to provide the needed impact. Going for Turner as a developing cornerstone makes sense as he has lot of former teammate Will Anderson Jr.'s game in him.
6. New York Giants (6-11)
- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (6-7, 316 pounds)
The Giants know how valuable Andrew Thomas is as their stalwart starting left tackle but now should be aware that 2020 first-rounder Evan Neal is becoming a bust on the other side. They can use this pick to upgrade Neal and complement Thomas nicely with Alt.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-11)
- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (6-4, 260 pounds)
The Buccaneers did land YaYa Diaby but Shaquil Barrett will turn 31 in November and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka hasn't really met expectations as a 2021 first-rounder. They need someone to put on the other side from Diaby and can stay in state to find their desired disruptor.
8. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State (6-6, 319 pounds)
The Titans need a new franchise left tackle to replace Taylor Lewan and Fashanu offers immense athleticism and agility to be a rock for a long time.
9. Las Vegas Raiders (7-10)</
