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Jordan Katz’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Post Super Bowl

Posted on February 12, 2024

With the Super Bowl having come and gone, we are officially on the road to the NFL Draft! There are lots of changes from the previous mock draft, including multiple teams moving up for a quarterback, and offensive linemen galore in this first round. There are a few more trades in this mock draft than the last one, so this will look more like a traditional mock draft for me. Let’s dive into it.

ROUND ONE

1) *TRADE* Washington Commanders (from Bears): Caleb Williams, QB USC- The Bears have played the early portion of the offseason perfectly. They have teased Caleb Williams as an absolute lock and are dangling Justin Fields in trade offers through the media. Not only does this allow them to gauge Fields’s market, but they can also gauge who is willing to throw some extra draft capital at them to move up for Williams.

That team still feels like the Washington Commanders. Following the hiring of Dan Quinn as Head Coach, the Commanders poached Kliff Kingsbury as Offensive Coordinator. Kingsbury coached Williams last season at USC, and the last time those dots were connected the Cardinals abandoned Josh Rosen for Kyler Murray. This hypothetical trade will pick up more steam over the next few months.

The Trade: Washington trades the 2nd overall pick, the 36th overall pick, a 2025 2nd round selection, and a 2025 4th round selection to the Chicago Bears for the 1st overall pick and the 143rd overall pick.

2) *TRADE* Chicago Bears (from Commanders): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State- If the Bears had changed regimes this offseason, I would buy the Caleb Williams hype a lot more. When a regime change occurs, they like to bring in “their guy,” at quarterback. Justin Fields finished the season strong for the Bears, and now they have the chance to give him one of the best receiver prospects we have seen since AJ Green. For now, the Bears trading out of the first pick is still my prediction.

The Trade: See the Number One Pick.

3) New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU- New Head Coach Jerod Mayo is likely to bring a defensive mindset to the Patriots from the jump. Defensive coaches typically like quarterbacks that can avoid turnovers, and extend drives on third down. Jayden Daniels excels at both of these things. Daniels is a playmaker with his legs and has a terrific understanding of 50/50 throws. There are rumors of New England trading out of this pick, but if they keep it, they will likely pick a quarterback of the future.

4) Arizona Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR Washington- Odunze is the darling of many draft pundits. While Harrison Jr. is the headliner of this receiving class, Odunze’s fluidity in his routes and ability to win 50/50 balls down the field has some thinking he could be the best of the bunch. The question is not whether Odunze is worthy of the selection; it’s if he will be. 

Not only does Arizona need a playmaking receiver, but they also need one of the talented offensive linemen at the top of the board. If Harrison is available, it’s easy. If he’s not…

5) *TRADE* Atlanta Falcons (from Chargers): Drake Maye, QB North Carolina- Atlanta is a quarterback away from potentially having a stranglehold on the weakest division in football. They will likely take a look at Justin Fields, but should Chicago hold him, they will try to fly up this draft board for one of the top quarterbacks.

Maye had a roller coaster run at North Carolina, but the upside is outrageous. He throws the best deep ball in the draft and he creates with his legs. If he cleans up some easy mechanical fixes, he can be a superstar at the next level.

The Trade: Atlanta trades the 8th overall pick, the 43rd overall pick, and a 2025 2nd round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 5th overall pick and the 106th overall pick.

6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR LSU- If the Giants are unable to grab a number one receiver this offseason, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll need to be on the hot seat immediately. Nabers is a bonafide playmaker; his ability in routes is so much better than people realize because of his release off the line of scrimmage and his ability to set up defenders in the route. On top of that, he’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands. This is a layup for the Giants.

7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame- As mentioned in Mock Draft 1.0, the Titans are in a prime spot to land a franchise tackle in this draft to protect Will Levis. Joe Alt appears to be the consensus top tackle on the board, which makes him the selection here. 

8) *TRADE* Los Angeles Chargers (from Falcons): Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama- We have now turned this mock draft completely on its head. Many think the entire top 10 are going to be on the offensive side of the ball. However, Arnold is a massive need for the Chargers.

Arnold is one of the big risers from the last mock draft. He’s a complete corner with excellent ball skills and he’s a very willing tackler. Daniel Jeremiah has him as his sixth-ranked player, and he’s likely not the only one connected in the football realm who loves Arnold’s game. It’s bold to have him as high as 5, but this is the time in the Mock SZN to be bold. 

The Trade: See Pick #5.

9) Chicago Bears: Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State- The other big riser from a month ago to now is Taliese Fuaga. He has incredible power at the point of attack, and many think he can be a left tackle at the next level if needed because of his footwork. Fuaga could be in the mix for the top tackle if he puts on a show in Indianapolis next month.

10) New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT Penn State- Fashanu has dropped a bit on some boards because people feel that he walls off defenders in the run game instead of finishing, which is accurate. They also feel his lower body has some stiffness when he’s facing some athletic pass rushers. This is where we need to have a conversation.

His technique may not be picture perfect; fine. The man did not allow a sack for two straight seasons! What are we even doing here? Fashanu is a slam dunk, and anything on the contrary is insane.

11) Minnesota Vikings: Byron Murphy II, DT Texas- Byron Murphy’s quick twitch ability as a pass rusher has him coveted by many in the middle of this draft. Minnesota needs a few things on the defensive side of the ball, so they could go several directions here on draft day. There are also rumblings of the Vikings looking for an heir to Kirk Cousins’s throne, so keep an eye on that as we get closer to the draft.

12) Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB Oregon- Another pick that is staying the same from Mock Draft 1.0. Bo Nix excels in the short to intermediate passing window, and he has NFL-level athleticism. In a west coast scheme like Sean Payton’s, Nix stands a great chance to be successful at the next level. 

13) Las Vegas Raiders: Troy Fautanu, OL Washington- Vegas needs a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball. They need a future quarterback, but I think they look to trade back into round one to accomplish that task. At 13, a well-rounded offensive lineman like Fautanu who can play guard or tackle at the next level makes more sense. 

14) New Orleans Saints: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia- Bowers is the mystery of the first round. He’s a do-it-all tight end with YAC ability and can make a day-one impact on any offense. The problem is that high-profile tight ends have not had the best run of late. If he makes to New Orleans, which needs a playmaker to pair with Chris Olave, he should be the selection.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA- The opportunity to select the top edge player at 15 rarely happens in drafts. Latu is a well-rounded pass rusher and has the best move-set by far of any edge rusher in this draft. If he tests well at the combine, he is going to fly up draft boards.

16) *TRADE* Dallas Cowboys (from Seahawks): JC Latham, OT Alabama- This is a terrific offensive line class, but that does not impact the necessity for the Dallas Cowboys to make sure they snag the player of their choice. Tyron Smith is in the latter stages of his career, and they could use a replacement.

JC Latham is better served on the right side at the next level, but his ability in the run game and his power at the point of attack is going to be very attractive to Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

The Trade: Dallas trades the 24th, 56th, and 87th overall selections to the Seattle Seahawks for the 16th overall pick and the 119th overall pick.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU- Calvin Ridley is unlikely to return this offseason, which means the Jags receiving core goes from average to thin. Brian Thomas Jr., is the “best of the rest,” at the receiver position in this draft. He wins from the slot and the boundary, and he scored a nation-best 17 touchdowns this past season. That red zone target is something the Jaguars desperately need. 

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia- Offensive line is the Bengals’ biggest need this offseason. Many are extremely high on Mims because he has a massive frame and powerful strikes. He has elite length and can re-anchor well. Despite some injury concerns, Mims should go in the first 40 picks.

19) Los Angeles Rams: Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama- The Rams revamped defense played well in 2023. Adding more defensive weapons this offseason could help them take a step forward next year. Turner has a great first step and he can dip-and-bend around the edge with the best of them. He just happens to be inconsistent, and he struggled at times this year as the primary pass rusher. When he’s right, he’s a force.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona- Morgan is a really interesting prospect. He is a fluid mover in his kickslide and can cut off athletic edge rushers easily. The concern is the lack of power in his punches. He walls off defenders rather than attacking them. If he can add some power to his frame, he could be a really good left tackle at the next level.

21) Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL Oregon- Around this time last year NFL fans became more familiar with the names of Joe Tippmann and John Michael Schmitz. This year, that name to know is Jackson Powers-Johnson.

Powers-Johnson has experience at multiple spots up front and he’s an excellent pass protector along the interior. This may be a little high for him, but Powers-Johnson is going to go in the first 40 picks in April.

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma- I’m surprised at the amount of buzz on Guyon and Amarius Mims given their lack of tape. What it goes to show all of us is the way NFL teams think. If there is a guy with gifted athleticism and length, they believe they can coach them into a quality NFL player. Guyton has those physical gifts, and does show a lot of fluidity in his lower body. The beauty of this fit is that he can sit behind Lane Johnson and learn the finer points of offensive line play.

23) Houston Texans (via Browns): Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL Illinois- Newton is a little undersized, but he can do it all along the interior. He’s quick off the ball, he’s got a quality moveset of rips and spins, and he understands how to set up opposing linemen to win the rep. Newton may lack elite athleticism, but the dude produces at every turn. Some team is going to get a steal in the back end of round one or the top of round two.

24) *TRADE* Seattle Seahawks (from Cowboys): J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan- McCarthy is going to have to sit initially (perfect for the Seahawks who have Geno Smith for one more go) because he struggles to take the top off the defense and has a tendency to force throws into unrealistic windows. However, there is a lot of upside here.

McCarthy understands how to check the ball down, he’s terrific at off-platform throws, and he has a live arm. If given the chance to sit and learn how to read coverages better, McCarthy could be an elite game manager at the next level.

The Trade: See #16.

25) *TRADE* Las Vegas Raiders (from Packers): Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington- The most polarizing of the quarterbacks in this draft is going to be Michael Penix Jr. The good is phenomenal; he throws a terrific 50/50 ball, he understands back-shoulder placement, and he can let it rip down the field. The bad is horrific; his footwork is poor which causes wild throws, he doesn’t go through progressions, and he’s inconsistent on the “layup” throws. His chances at the next level are going to be solely based on where he winds up. 

The Trade: Las Vegas trades the 44th overall pick and a 2025 2nd round pick to the Green Bay Packers for the 25th overall selection.

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edgerrin Cooper, ILB Texas A&M- This off-ball linebacker class is too good to not see one sneak into the first round. Cooper is an elite athlete who excels in man coverage and can also rush the passer. He’s a game wrecker in the middle, and Head Coach Todd Bowles would love to select a chess piece at the second level of the defense.

27) Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa- DeJean has made a lot of headlines during this offseason already (if you know, you know), but they are warranted. He drives out of his break incredibly well, he’s got good ball skills, and he’s a very willing tackler. He’s incredibly worthy of a first-round selection. Arizona also needs secondary help, so the fit works as well. 

28) Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas- One of the more interesting sagas of this offseason will be Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills. Regardless of the outcome, the Bills need a real number two receiver. Gabe Davis is up and down, and he likely doesn’t return in free agency anyway.

Mitchell is a really interesting prospect. He’s a fluid mover for a big-body receiver, he adds an element in the red zone, and he’s a better athlete than he’s given credit for. 

29) Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama- I have maintained that McKinstry is going to skyrocket after he tests well at the combine. Right now, many are questioning if he has the straight-line speed to trail receivers at the next level. Those questions will be answered next month, good or bad. 

30) Baltimore Ravens: Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State- This feels like a yearly occurrence with the Baltimore Ravens. Some guy who has no business sliding down the draft board falls into their lap and becomes a star player.

Some feel that Verse is the top edge player in the class because of his versatility and ability to win reps from multiple spots along the defensive front. He would thrive in the Ravens’ defense.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo- Ball skills, elite athleticism, and excels in off coverage; that is the holy trinity for San Francisco cornerbacks. Mitchell fits that mold. If he makes it to this selection, the Niners will sprint to the podium.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn State- Robinson is an interesting evaluation because there is a lot of upside as a pass rusher despite average athleticism. He has a great get-off, and he understands leverage and how to use it to his advantage. He may not have a high ceiling like most first-round edge rushers, but he should be a very productive pro.