Super Bowl 58 is gone, and with it, the first-round order for the 2024 NFL draft is set. As repeat Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs will pick last again and the 49ers will have the penultimate selection at No. 31 overall.
Senior Bowl practices did affect the stock of some players. Another factor was the recent hiring of several new NFL coaches to reset the types of prospects several teams need.
The biggest question remains right at the top, where the Bears need to decide whether they are keeping Justin Fields as their starting quarterback. If they are, they will likely trade the tohp pick. If they aren't, they could still move down but also can stay put to grab their new franchise quarterback.
Before teams start figuring out what they can do in NFL free agency, here are Sporting News' latest mock draft projections:
NFL DRAFT: Big board of top 100 players overall, rankings by position
NFL Mock Draft 2024
1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
- Caleb Williams, QB, USC (6-1, 218 pounds)
The Bears are sitting on the fence on whether they will stick with Justin Fields or trade him, knowing Williams is sitting right there as a potential transcendent talent at the game's most important position. They could also keep Fields and trade out of this pick for someone who wants Williams, including Kliff Kingsbury and the Commanders right behind them. Either way, with his arm, athleticism, and top-level execution, and experience, Williams will be the first QB off the board.
2. Washington Commanders (4-13 last season)
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Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (6-4, 210 pounds)
Although reuniting new OC Kingsbury with Caleb Williams seems ideal for the Commanders, they can still get a dynamic, exciting upgrade from Sam Howell with another dual-threat Heisman Trophy winner. Daniels has tremendous zip as a downfield passer on top of being an explosive runner. He can fit well with Kingsbury, too, as the mobile Kyler Murray once did as the No. 1 overall pick in Arizona.
3. New England Patriots (4-13)
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Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (6-5, 220 pounds)
The Patriots have already waved the white flag on Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, neither of whom worked out as pocket passers. Here they can go for the much bigger arm and athletic upside of Maye, who is a better version of Howell, his Tar Heels predecessor. They should look at QB first before addressing other offensive skill needs, and Maye makes easy sense should Williams and Daniels be off the board.
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (6-3, 202 pounds)
Harrison, the namesake son of the Colts' Hall-of-Famer, has a case to be the best overall prospect in this class as a dominant No. 1 receiver with immense physical skills. The Cardinals would love getting Harrison for Kyle Murray to complement youngsters Trey McBride and Michael Wilson with Marquise Brown heading into free agency.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
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Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (6-7, 316 pounds)
The Chargers need to keep boosting their offensive line with Rashawn Slater holding down left tackle and another first-rounder in Zion Johnson at left guard. Alt is very athletic and would be a strong, long-term bookend for Slater to better protect Justin Herbert.
6. New York Giants (6-11)
- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (6-0, 200 pounds)
The Giants need to get a true No. 1 wide receiver to help the quick Wan'Dale Robinson and speedy Jalin Hyatt. New York will love Nabers' smooth, versatile route-running and big-play pop after the catch.
7. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State (6-6, 321 pounds)
The Titans need to add more size and physicality to their offensive line after using a first-round pick on left guard Peter Skoronski last year. Fashanu can be huge to help protect Will Levis and also boost the run blocking at left tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
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Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (6-2, 217 pounds)
Nix has the big arm and accuracy to get the Falcons on the right track with a franchise QB under coach Raheem Morris and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, fresh from the Rams. Nix can help Atlanta better unlock young weapons Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)
- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 240 pounds)
The Bears used a second-round pick to land former Commanders star Montez Sweat, coming off a 12.5-sack season that gave him his first Pro Bowl nod, but they could use an explosive young end opposite him. Turner is a fine pass rusher and an all-around impact defender who also makes plays vs. the run.
10. New York Jets (7-10)
- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (6-4, 240 pounds)
The Jets could also think about offensive line help given that was a major issue for their non-Aaron Rodgers quarterbacks. Then again, Rodgers will like that Bowers is a mismatch-creating weapon who would play perfectly off Garrett Wilson downfield and Breece Hall out of the backfield.
11. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
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Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois (6-2, 295 pounds)
The Vikings need to beef up their defensive front and find a potential nose tackle replacement for Harrison Phillips. Newton is a natural run-stopper with some untapped pass-rush upside.
12. Denver Broncos (8-9)
- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (6-3, 202 pounds)
The Broncos will be trying to move on from Russell Wilson through another trade and will need a tough, athletic playmaker to replace him as their new leader under Sean Payton. McCarthy would be a good fit after those other QBs are off the board.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson (6-2, 185 pounds)
The Raiders need to improve their secondary with a versatile corner to better support Maxx Crosby and the pass rush. Wiggins is currently at the top of a strong DB class and will likely be the first cover man on the board.
14. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
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Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State (6-6, 234 pounds)
The Saints need to work on their offensive line, specifically at tackle. Trevor Penning isn't an answer on the left side, and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is constantly banged up. Fuaga is a complete blocker who can get the job done in both the running and passing games.
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
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Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (6-1, 209 pounds)
The Colts need to upgrade their secondary, and DeJean, coming out of the same school as Colts' legend Bob Sanders, is the kind of versatile outside-inside playmaker they could use. DeJean is physical and a dynamic playmaker.
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
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Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (6-4, 248 pounds)
The Seahawks need to improve their pass rush for new, pressure-minded coach Mike Macdonald. Verse has a history of high production and is a well-rounded end who can also be an asset against the run.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
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J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama (6-7, 340 pounds)
The Jaguars need a strong, athletic rock to put opposite fellow former Crimson Tide star Cam Robinson. Latham can be a dominant right-side force to replace Anton Harrison, who might be better suited at guard.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (6-4, 215 pounds)
The Bengals might be OK letting Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd go in free agency, maybe following former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to Tennessee. That's because they will be in the wheelhouse to land Coleman. Coleman is a strong technical receiver after the catch with some big-play and red-zone pop, a la Higgins.
19. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
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Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington (6-4, 256 pounds)
The Rams need to keep adding to their pass rush on the outside. Trice has great appeal with his strength and relentless to get after quarterbacks, making him a good early get for new defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
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Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama (6-1, 195 pounds)
The Steelers have enjoyed the big-time presence of former Crimson Tide star Minkah Fitzpatrick in their secondary. McKinstry would be a welcome upgrade in outside coverage with his playmaking flair and shutdown upside.
21. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama (6-0, 196 pounds)
The Dolphins need to think more about the near future at corner given Jalen Ramsey is 29 and Xavien Howard is 30 and coming off an injury-marred season with too much invested in the position, contributing to salary cap issues. Arnold is a smooth playmaking corner with nice size who would be groomed well under Ramsey.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
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Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (6-0, 196 pounds)
Mitchell can provide the Eagles an answer to their own cornerback needs with his downfield speed and solid size is encouraging to also stay well with outside receivers.
23. Houston Texans (from Browns)
- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA (6-5, 265 pounds)
The Texans should be looking for some front-four pass-rush help opposite 2023 first-round pick Will Anderson Jr. Jonathan Greenard, Derek Barnett, and Jerry Hughes are all unsigned for 2024, and Latu has some versatile pop across the line after his breakout season with 13 sacks.
24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
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Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas (6-1, 308 pounds)
The Cowboys have some free-agent concerns for the inside of their defense minus Dan Quinn, as both Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore are pending free agents. Murphy can provide needed powerful punch, as teams have seen he can play much bigger than his size.
25. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
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Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia (6-7, 340 pounds)
The Packers need to address the near future at left tackle in front of Jordan Love, as oft-injured David Bakhtiari, now 32, is a potential cut candidate. Mims is a smooth pass protector who also moves very well in the running game.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
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Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama (6-3, 255 pounds)
The Buccaneers, assuming they re-sign Mike Evans, will pivot from targeting an immediate first-round replacement for him and go for the best impact defensive player available. They have needs at linebacker and corner for Todd Bowles, based on weaknesses and free agency, but they could also use a speedy playmaking asset on the outside with Shaquil Barrett now 31.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans)
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Jackson Powers-Johnson, G, Oregon (6-6, 320 pounds)
The Cardinals landed right tackle Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 6 overall in the 2023 draft. Now, they need to go to work on their interior blocking. Powers-Johnson had a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, showing off his power and quickness, and he can be a rock for them at either guard or center.
28. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
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Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU (6-4, 205 pounds)
The Bills have two good young targets for Josh Allen in Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid, but Gabe Davis is a pending free agent and Stefon Diggs is showing signs of decline at 30. Thomas would give Allen the classic big-bodied No. 1 with his hands, strength, physicality and route-running prowess.
29. Detroit Lions (12-5)
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Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri (6-0, 188 pounds)
The Lions' big issues with downfield cornerback coverage finally burned them for good against the 49ers in the NFC championship game. Rakestraw, a rising prospect worth watching in the pre-draft process, will be attractive to Aaron Glenn because of aggressive, fearless, and physical man-to-man coverage.
30. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
- Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (6-3, 230 pounds)
The Ravens might not be able to re-sign Patrick Queen, so Cooper would be a great replacement target in the Mike Macdonald-less defense with his speed, quickness, and top-rate coverage skills. He also is coming off a huge pass-rush year with the Aggies, recording eight sacks.
31. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Troy Fautanu, G, Washington (6-4, 317 pounds)
The 49ers could also think about addressing right tackle, but their interior has been rather weak, too, and they have three pending free-agent guards. Fautanu is a physical force, but his agility and quickness are ideal for their zone blocking.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
- Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (6-4, 196 pounds)
The Chiefs need to consider getting out of Marquez Valdes-Scantling's contract and replacing him with a dynamic, intermediate-to-deep threat to better complement Rashee Rice. Mitchell is an ideal fit for Patrick Mahomes with his speed.
