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

Round 3

After trading away Brian Burns, Carolina needs to bring in one more edge rusher to complete their new-look defensive line. Isaac isn't going to defend the run like Jadeveon Clowney will, but he has great speed off the edge. With more raw power than most rushers his size, Isaac should have no trouble getting snaps as a rookie.

Colson, the heartbeat of a legendary Michigan defense last year, is arguably the best coverage linebacker in this class. While he can struggle disengaging from blocks, Colson's ability to glide around the field and detonate on ball-carriers make him more attractive to an Arizona team who needs playmakers in this area.

Dan Quinn needs more players to make his defense what he envisions, and a player like Dorlus can help thanks to his unparalleled versatility across the defensive line. Washington took a sledgehammer to their once-mighty defensive line last year, and Dorlus could be a player who helps revitalize their pass rush.

Amegadjie needs to show that his freakish combination of technical ability and mauling will translate from Ivy League action (where they don't tackle in practice) to the pros. If he strikes gold, however, the Patriots will likely end up with a star in the making who could emerge as a regular starter. He's boom or bust, but the boom is mouth-watering.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Blake Corum could become a starting running back

Corum is still in the mix, even after Los Angeles' running back signings. Not only will Jim Harbaugh reunite with the engine of his Michigan offenses, but he will add someone with a unique combination of big play potential and one-cut power running that helped him become a menace in the red zone. Justin Herbert will like having another skill position player in the mix.

Rattler has an electric arm and surgical accuracy to go along with some of the best playmaking out of structure in this class. The Giants seem ready to give Daniel Jones another shot at quarterback, but giving him some competition with Rattler behind him will guard them against another tough regression from the No. 6 pick.

Sainristil might be a tough projection in the pros due to his physical limitations. Arizona might need a player like him to star in the slot, however. With great turnover-creation skills and fabulous mirroring skill in man coverage, Sainristil and McKinstry could be the top two cornerbacks for the next decade of Cardinals football.

The Jets' safety room was the weakest part of their defense last season, and Chuck Clark coming off an AC injury isn't the best for New York's vaunted secondary. Hicks may not have great speed, but his size, versatility, and heat-seeking style all fit in with the defensive backs Robert Saleh has drafted in the past.

The Lions did sign Kevin Zeitler to replace Jonah Jackson, but injuries up front could lead them to use one of their better draft picks on a versatile lineman who can slide in as both a tackle and guard. Puni has that special trait, as he has solid footwork and fires off the snap with a vengeance. Detroit could name Puni their eventual successor to Zeitler.

Not only is Green one of the more physical cornerbacks in this class, but he may have had the best individual game of any cornerback who faced off against Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. The Falcons secondary could go from good to great with Green and AJ Terrell on the outside and Jessie Bates back at safety.

The Bears have their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, and they spent serious resources in the offseason on skill position players like Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift. Polk could complete this new influx of talent, as he is a precise route-runner with more big play potential than most Day 2 wideouts.

Denver's defense improved near the end of last season, but it is nowhere near one of the best in the league despite a solid secondary. Jenkins is a 99th-percentile run-stuffer and one of the strongest players in the draft, which will help him fit in on a Broncos defense that needs linemen who can take on multiple blockers up front.

The Raiders signed a few backup running backs this offseason, but they lack an experienced leader after Josh Jacobs joined the Packers. Estime may not have the most wiggle or speed, but he is a bruising one-cut runner with the consistency needed to become a bell cow for Antonio Pierce's amped-up style of play.

The disappointment from Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin in their rookie seasons made things much bleaker for the Washington defense. In keeping with Quinn's defensive ethos of length and strength on the perimeter, Hart's excellent man coverage tape at Notre Dame makes him a perfect Commanders corner.

Hall is never going to be an elite run-stuffer, but that's why Atlanta has Grady Jarrett. The undersized tackle has great slipperiness when rushing the passer, and he has already developed a worthwhile bullrush and rip move to aid him in this endeavor. Hall should be a rotational player with the Falcons on Day 1.

This tight end class is not particularly deep, but Johnson stands out as one of the better athletes and blockers in this group. Cincinnati has one of the better passing games in the league, which could be more conducive to getting the most out of Johnson as a receiver after Penn State failed to do so.

Seattle's never-ending quest to get more offensive line talent is continuing, but Van Pran might be able to become a long-term starting center with the profile needed to move to guard if warranted. A three-year starter who handled himself well against future pros in the SEC, Van Pran and the Seahawks could be a perfect Day 2 match.

While USC's defense was hard to watch at times, it was by no means Bullock's fault. While he can be moved easily with his eyes, Indianapolis values raw athleticism as much as any team in the AFC. Bullock is a 6-3 defensive back that can cover ground and evolve into a true ball-hawking safety.

Carson is only sliding due to the fact his 2021 and 2022 seasons were marred by injury. When he's on the field, he shows off NFL measurables, quality press-man performances, and enough aggression at the catch point to make him perfect for a Rams defense that has lost multiple big names in the secondary.

He may not be his dad (Jerry Rice) as a receiver, but Rice was such an effective red zone and big play weapon that he averaged one touchdown every 5.2 times he touched the ball. His success in Pittsburgh, or the NFL in general, will be determined by how well he translates solid workout speed to the field.

Fisher is a throwback tackle, as his game is all about power. While he looked inferior playing next to Joe Alt, Cleveland might be willing to take a chance on him due to his spectacular run-blocking ability. His athleticism isn't overwhelming, but he should eventually grow into a worthwhile pro tackle.

Walker is a weird evaluation, as he only played a handful of games at North Carolina and had to work with and lacks a very nuanced route tree. Any team taking him is hoping his speed and verticality make him a deep threat in the pros, and Houston seems like a team with the firepower to get it done.

You can tell Trotter's dad was a Pro Bowl linebacker, as he is the most intuitive linebacker in this class. With football smarts and a willingness to take on contact, Dallas will bring in another strong inside linebacker who can help replace the recently retired Leighton Vander Esch.

Kneeland never recorded more than 4.5 sacks in four years in college at Western Michigan, but the combination of people-moving power at the line of scrimmage and genuine versatility will make a Green Bay team that put a ton of developmental energy into Rashan Gary interested in selecting him.

Rachaad White is an uninspiring top running back, and the 245-pound Allen would be a big dose of muscle and hard-nosed determination in the Tampa Bay backfield. While he has 35 touchdowns in three seasons, Allen will need to show any potential as a receiver to become a starter for the Buccaneers.

Irving is a "trust the tape" prospect, as a sub-200-pound running back with iffy workout numbers isn't the most attractive back in the world. James Conner is still a serviceable power back, but Irving's hard-charging style and slippery broken tackle ability will help Kyler Murray drag the Arizona offense out of the muck.

Bishop is a smaller player in terms of length, but he's got a fair deal of football smarts and the ability to excel in both man and zone concepts. Safety has been a need in Green Bay for years, and Bishop could be a 6-2 sledgehammer who lays the boom the Packers' new-look defense.

McMillan got the short end of the stick at Washington, as a team that gave him a bigger role would have highlighted his quick feet and playmaking in contested catch situations. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin back, McMillan can compete with Trey Palmer for WR3 snaps in Tampa Bay.

You can teach the finer points of wide receiver play, but you can't teach someone to be 6-6 and 230 pounds with better-than-average speed and a freakish wingspan that makes him a red zone weapon. Baltimore needs someone who can get downfield and make plays in the red zone, and Wilson can check those two boxes.

With impressive change of direction skills and a willingness to lay some haymakers on ball-carriers, Phillips is a hotheaded corner with the athleticism and ball skill needed to eventually become a starter. San Francisco needs multiple new defensive backs, and Phillips could be the best of the bunch available here.

Newton is a handsy corner who can play man coverage as well as any Day 2 defensive back. Kansas City needs to draft a corner after L'Jarius Sneed became a Titan, and Newton could replace the press-man skills Sneed brought to the table. His potential might be capped by his average long speed.

While Laiatu Latu got most of the shine, Murphy became a viable pro prospect in his own right due to a combination of silky pass-rush moves and speed that helps him blow past tackles. The Jaguars inked Josh Allen, but Trent Baalke liked to reinforce areas of strength. A smaller rusher, Murphy could be a situational sack producer as a rookie.

Burton is a headache, as he had an on-field altercation with a female Tennessee fan and went to six schools in eight years. Burton will still get picked high thanks to electric route-running and blinding speed. Cincinnati will try to both keep him focused on football and supplement an expensive wide receiver room.

Pittsburgh will end Haynes' mini-slide, as concerns about how he operates in space and at the second level are overruled by his overall athletic ability and heavy hands when he explodes off the snap. The Steelers' interior offensive line has been a problem for years, and Haynes will help.

Rosengarten could get picked much higher than this, as the right tackle who played next to Troy Fautanu was incredibly light on his feet and masterful at handling speedy rushers. The Rams need a long-term succession plan for Rob Havenstein, and Rosengarten could easily be that prized developmental piece.

Sinnott is a solid receiver, but he may be the best blocking tight end with. shot of being picked in the first two days. With Sinnott excelling in both areas, Kliff Kingsbury could make him a frequent underneath target for the Commanders' new franchise quarterback that aids the Austin Ekeler-led running game.