2024 NFL Mock Draft: QBs, WRs dominate early in loaded class

Round 2

Franklin has been sliding of late, but the Panthers need someone with his speed to give Bryce Young a vertical separator. Carolina is now coached by Dave Canales. who helped keep Mike Evans and Chris Godwin deadly in Tampa. He needs wide receivers like Franklin to create the ideal offensive roster for his scheme.

New England may have the worst wide receiver room in the league, and they need to get their new franchise quarterback a No.1 receivers they can feel proud of. Coleman might scare teams away with a lack of great speed, but his hands and terrific jump-ball skills will make him a deadly red zone weapon.

Robinson is a bit of tweener, as he is a bit too big for edge rusher and small for defensive tackle. Arizona just needs impactful playmakers on their defense, and Robinson's versatility might be what Gannon needs to create a defensive line that can effectively pressure the quarterback without tons of blitzing.

Washington's offensive line nearly got Sam Howell last year, and they still don't have enough skill to where their prized No. 2 pick will be kept upright with any degree of reliability. Morgan had some dominant tape during his last year at Arizona, which could help him become an immediate Day 1 starter for the Commanders.

Barton's short fall will end in Los Angeles, as a Chargers team that could use talent at basically every offensive line spot as they shift to a run-first offense. Barton flattened defensive linemen while flexing some technique that will make offensive line coaches salivate. If the Chargers don't go OT at No. 5, Barton is the dream scenario.

Tennessee spent a ton of money on their wide receiver situation in the offseason, but they largely left their front seven vulnerable. Braswell was overshadowed by Dallas Turner, but teams like the Titans will still fawn over a 255-pound speed rusher with tremendous explosion and eight sacks against SEC competition.

Sanders is not a particularly good blocker, but the Panthers might not need to use him like that. Sanders is a very promising receiver at the tight end spot that Young could connect with during his sophomore season, and he could thrive in a Dave Canales offense that got solid production out of a worse athlete in Cade Otton.

Washington's secondary was incredibly poor last season, and they need to address their struggles in that area often in the 2024 Draft. Nubin is by far the best safety in the class, as his smarts, range, and willingness to hit in run defense could play a huge role in the Commanders' defensive resurgence under Dan Quinn.

Rakestraw has been regarded as a fringe first-round player, as he will beat you up on the outside and suffocate you in man coverage with his tremendous length. Green Bay's secondary has taken some big hits in the offseason, but the combination of Rakestraw and Jaire Alexander could make the Packers tough to throw on.

Houston has enough offensive pieces to give any defense a headache, but DeMeco Ryans (a former linebacker) might want to add his preferred choice to keep building up his defense. Cooper can be a bit too wild sometimes, but his speed and vice-grip tackling make him the clear best linebacker in this iffy class.

Wilson might not be the biggest receiver in the world, but his combination of great speed and tremendous route-running will set him apart in this range. Atlanta needs one more skill position player to become a truly elite offense, and Wilson's explosive playmaking will serve Kirk Cousins well in a Falcons offense that will throw the ball more under Raheem Morris.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Michael Penix Jr. has an NFL-caliber arm

Penix has some extremely concerning injury history, his teams like the Raiders will be interested his solid accuracy down the field, quality arm strength, and willingness to fit it into tight windows. Penix might be good enough to beat out Gardner Minshew and become Las Vegas' quarterback of the future in an ideal situation.

Legette might not be the crispest route-runner in the world, but it's hard to look down at a player with tremendous speed, terrific physicality, and true deep threat potential. To get the most out of Derek Carr and take pressure off Chris Olave, Legette needs to be inserted as the No. 2 wide receiver as soon as possible.

McConkey's lack of size could scare some teams away, but his status as one of the best route-runners and playmakers with the ball in his hands that this class has to offer. Indianapolis should be all-in on getting Anthony Richardson as much help as possible, especially alongside Michael Pittman Jr. at wide receiver.

Saquon Barkley is gone, and Devin Singletary is nothing more than a temporary replacement. No back has the combination of size, acceleration, and aggressive running that Benson possesses, which will make any quarterback in any scheme comfortable with him toting the rock 15 times every game.

Tampa may not be the best tackler ever despite his size, but he can engulf opposing receivers thanks to spectacular coverage ability and ball skills. Jacksonville spent a good chunk of the offseason tearing down what was already a poor secondary, and Tampa could be a big part of the new long-term outlook.

Fiske went from a fairly average prospect to a must-have pick in the Top 75 choices, as his showstopping NFL Combine performance confirmed his amazing athletic ability and quick burst off the line. The Bengals have been through a lot of change up front in recent years, and Fiske could be an explosive way to address those departures.

Philadelphia struggled at linebacker last year, and Wilson's rabid playing style makes him a flexible pass rusher and coverage star who could lock up some of the best tight ends in the NFC. He has some injury concerns (multiple ACL tears), but the Eagles will use one of their two second-rounders to roll the dice.

The Steelers may have nailed it with Broderick Jones last season, but the offensive line is far from finished. The physicality and aggression that attracted Pittsburgh to Jones last year are present in the toolsy Suamataia, who was arguably the best left tackle in the Big 12 last season.

The Rams are still in talent acquisition mode as they try to fix their defense, and pairing Trice on the edge with Newton inside could give their front four a major kick in the rear end. Trice could be a true edge-setter as a wide defensive end, as he is one of the best in this class at shedding blocks and pursuing his target.

A trio of Pearsall in the slot with DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown on the outside might give Philly the best combination of wide receivers in the NFC. Pearsall is good for one or two jaw-dropping catches every day thanks to some of the best hands in this class, and he is such a smooth route-runner that moving to the pros shouldn't be too taxing.

Sweat's recent DUI arrest could cloud his stock, and he would have no one to blame but himself if that happened. The Browns might be willing to end his slide earlier than most, however. Cleveland's lack of star power on their interior defensive line is still an issue, and the 362-pound Sweat will be able to eat up space and stuff the run on Day 1.

Miami's defense is still a work in progress, with the recent release of Xavien Howard leaving Jalen Ramsey all alone in a secondary that is still in flux. The Dolphins will likely target players with scheme versatility and speed to fit with their organizational ethos, and Melton's last year at Rutgers showed more than enough of those two traits.

The Cowboys have broken up their elite running back tandem, as Ezekiel Elliott was ditched two years ago while Tony Pollard joined the Titans. Brooks has injury concerns, but his time at Texas showed off top-shelf athleticism. Brooks' explosive playmaking is impressive enough, but Dallas should also feel comfortable about running him between the tackles.

With Frazier's broken leg likely impacting his stock, his tape was a textbook example of high-IQ center play. Between steamrolling interior linemen as a run blocker due to his wide frame and showing impressive handling of gaps and stunts, the Bucs could find a new center for Baker Mayfield following Ryan Jensen's retirement.

Beebe's game is akin to watching a combine harvester slicing down a cornfield. Even with some rigidity on tape, Beebe was a reliable starter who barely gave up any pressures in pass protection. The Packers can keep adding to Jordan Love's offensive line with Mims and Beebe becoming two new muscular starters for years to come.

Ryans' Dan Quinn-inspired style of defense requires length and strength from its cornerbacks, and Jackson's 6-3 frame paired with peak athleticism helped him hold his own against elite passing offenses like Washington and USC. Jackson's ceiling is clearly a Pro Bowl talent, which would make it impossible to throw on him and Derek Stingley Jr.

Buffalo's recent roster detonation helped take them from a worthwhile secondary to one that is well below average. Bullard flies all over the field like the Tasmanian Devil, and his football IQ makes him one of the best play recognizers while defending both the run and pass. The Bills should feel confident in starting him next to Taylor Rapp.

Detroit's wide receiver room is generally lacking outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown due to the odd development of Jameson Williams. Corley is a store brand version of Deebo Samuel, as his limited route tree is counteracted by terrific playmaking as a runner, solid speed, and quality hands the Lions will love.

Elliss is an undersized end with only one year of great production, but Baltimore's defense will place a premium on his red-hot motor, run-stuffing, and refined pass rush technique that will help him contribute as a rookie. Elliss will join a depleted Ravens defensive line that lost Jadeveon Clowney and will lean on youngsters like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.

Orhorhoro put up preposterous numbers at his Pro Day and the NFL Combine, and they back up tape that shows an incredibly disruptive player with some explosion that will make any defensive coach soon. Having given up on Javon Kinlaw, the 49ers could bring another ultra-athletic defensive lineman into the mix.

Kansas City's key to success will be making sure Patrick Mahomes is both kept upright and able to throw to open receivers down the field. If the Chiefs want to spend a top pick on a tackle who could blossom into a starter, a four-year player like Paul with NBA-player length and ferocious upper-body strength seems like a solid archetype to target.