If there’s anything we know about the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, it’s that it will be unpredictable. Still, it doesn’t hurt to predict how things will play out. Here’s our best guess:
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) — QB Caleb Williams, Bears: For months, it felt like Williams to Chicago was a no-brainer. The Bears will make it official on Thursday night, landing one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects in years.
2. Washington Commanders — QB Jayden Daniels, LSU: With a new ownership and coach, it’s only right for the Commanders to start a new era for the organization by drafting a quarterback. Daniels is a dynamic talent that can beat opponents with his arm and legs.
3. New England Patriots — QB Drake Maye, North Carolina: The Patriots will listen to a handful of trade offers. In the end, they will stay put and address the most important position on the field.
4. Arizona Cardinals — WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: The Cardinals could be tempted to trade back. But the idea of adding perhaps the best overall player in the draft is hard to turn down. Kyler Murray will have a new WR1.
5. Minnesota Vikings (via L.A. Chargers) — QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan: The Vikings part ways with the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks to acquire Kirk Cousins’ successor. McCarthy walks into a great situation with receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
6. New York Giants — WR Malik Nabers, LSU: The Giants badly need a playmaker on offense. Nabers finished his career at LSU as the program’s all-time leader in receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003).
7. Tennessee Titans — OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame: After signing center Lloyd Cushenberry III in March, the Titans continue to strengthen their offensive line with the best tackle prospect in this year’s class.
8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama: The Falcons address their biggest need by taking Turner, who recorded 22.5 sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
9. Chicago Bears — WR Rome Odunze, Washington: Chicago gives its new franchise quarterback another weapon. Odunze was one of the top receivers in the country in 2023 with 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
10. New York Jets — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State: With Morgan Moses, 33, and Tyron Smith, 34, on one-year deals, the Jets try to find a long-term answer at tackle. The 2023 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year can make an immediate impact.
11. L.A. Chargers (via Vikings) — OT JC Latham, Alabama: New coach Jim Harbaugh values offensive linemen. Latham is a vicious run blocker and fits what the Chargers are trying to do on offense.
12. Denver Broncos — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia: Denver could trade back and acquire more picks. However, the Broncos will lean on taking the best available talent. Bowers could be a dynamic pass-catching threat for years to come.
13. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington: Penix’s injury history is concerning. But after he threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns in two seasons with Washington, the Raiders roll the dice.
14. New Orleans Saints — OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State: The Saints take Fuaga with the hope of improving up front. Fuaga was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press after he didn’t allow a sack in 351 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
15. Indianapolis Colts — CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo: Mitchell’s size, speed and ball skills should bolster the Colts’ secondary. The three-year starter had 18 passes defended in 2023 and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the combine.
16. Seattle Seahawks — OT Troy Fautanu, Washington: Fautanu reunites with former Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, as the Seahawks value his ability to play either left tackle or guard.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars — CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama: The Jaguars need an upgrade at cornerback. Arnold is a versatile player who can play inside and out.
18. Cincinnati Bengals — OT Amarius Mims, Georgia: The Bengals make protecting quarterback Joe Burrow a priority. Mims, a one-year starter at Georgia, has tremendous upside and all the tools to become a quality starter.
19. Los Angeles Rams — EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA: The Rams pair Latu with Byron Young, who had eight sacks as a rookie, to form a young pass-rushing duo. Latu had 23.5 sacks in the last two seasons with the Bruins.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers — OL Graham Barton, Duke: Barton, who spent the last three years as a starting left tackle, is projected to play guard or center, where he played 430 snaps in 2020, according to PFF.
21. Miami Dolphins — DT Byron Murphy II, Texas: After losing Christian Wilkins in free agency, Miami takes Murphy, who is a disruptive interior defender against the pass and run.
22. Philadelphia Eagles — CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson: The Eagles value Wiggins’ speed as a one-on-one cover corner. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds and allowed a 43.9% completion percentage when targeted, according to PFF.
23. L.A. Chargers (via. Vikings) — WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU: Quarterback Justin Herbert needs another weapon. Thomas led the nation in touchdown receptions (17) while his 1,177 receiving yards ranks No. 10 in school history for a single season.
24. Dallas Cowboys — OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon: The Cowboys land a new starting center in Powers-Johnson, a Unanimous All-American and 2023 Rimington Trophy winner, which goes to the best player at his position.
25. Green Bay Packers — DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa: DeJean is a starting-caliber player who can play cornerback, safety or nickel. He was a playmaking machine in 2022, collecting five interceptions, with three returned for a touchdown.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State: The Buccaneers get a steal at No. 26. Verse recorded nine sacks each of the past two seasons with the Seminoles. He has the physical traits and explosiveness to be an effective starting edge rusher in the league.
27. Arizona Cardinals — DT Johnny Newton, Illinois: Newton might be undersized but has shown he can be a dominant interior pass rusher. He was named the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after recording 52 tackles (8.5 tackles for loss) 7.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries.
28. Buffalo Bills — WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Mitchell gives the Bills’ receiver room a boost. In his lone season with the Longhorns, he caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns.
29. Detroit Lions — EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State: Robinson has exceptional speed and explosiveness. In 2023, he started in 10 games, totaling 15 tackles, four sacks and a pass-rush win rate of 20.9%, according to PFF. If the Maryland native continues to develop, he has a chance to become a dynamic pass rusher for the Lions.
30. Baltimore Ravens — OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma: Protecting 2-time MVP Lamar Jackson should be a priority after losing three starting offensive linemen this offseason. Guyton only started 14 career games at offensive tackle. Still, he can become a high-level pass protector at either tackle spot.
31. San Francisco 49ers — CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama: San Francisco picks up one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. McKinstry collected 23 passes defended in his last two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey would be a reliable target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He brings inside-and-out versatility, as he played 70.3% of his career snaps on the outside and 29.6% in the slot, according to PFF.
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