2024 NFL Mock Draft: WRs dominate early, Ravens get stronger in trenches
By Mike Luciano
The 2024 NFL Combine has come and went with its usual bombast, which means that it is time to fully kick 2024 NFL Mock Draft season into high gear. Rebuilding teams like the Chicago Bears and contenders like the Baltimore Ravens will both be trying to add future stars.
With the top of this year's quarterback class standing out as one of the best collections of talent at the position in years alongside historically deep classes at offensive tackle and wide receiver, this is a good year to be looking for an impact player on that side of the ball.
While there is certainly much that will change over the next few months, the top players in this class are starting to take shape. Now that many prospects have become household names with impressive testing scores, it's time to look at the first round and see where the top names will end up.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: QBs dominate top of order
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Williams seems to be the favorite for the Bears' top pick, and it doesn't take much effort to see why. With All-World arm talent, playmaking ability, and deep accuracy, trading Justin Fields and acquiring Williams could help Chicago kick off their next era in grand style. If he fixes his pocket presence, the Bears will truly be in business.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
If you were to build a quarterback in a lab, Maye is that ideal prospect. With ideal size at 6-4, an arm that will be Top 10 in the league instantly, and plus escapability, Washington could find their franchise quarterback with this pick. Maye and Kliff Kingsbury could write their names all over the Commanders' record books.
NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye go 1-2
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Patriots would move on from Mac Jones by picking a player who is the complete opposite in Daniels. Pairing impeccable downfield accuracy with electric playmaking, Daniels will overcome concerns about his slight frame and only one year of truly elite production to help set Jerod Mayo up for success in New England.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Harrison is considered the top player at any position in the draft by many and the best wide receiver prospect in years, making this a no-brainer pick for Arizona. Harrison will enter the league as a premier downfield target and playmaker after the catch, giving Kyler Murray the perfect No. 1 receiver he needs to get the Cardinals back to respectability.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Chargers will try to build from the inside out under Jim Harbaugh, prioritizing skill at the line of scrimmage. Not only would Bowers be a solid blocker at a position of need, but his unique receiving skills are so special for his size that Justin Herbert could land a No. 1 target who helps carry the Los Angeles passing game as Keenan Allen ages.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
With New York likely to give Daniel Jones one more shot (against all odds), the least they can do is getting him better skill position players. Nabers has elite speed and challenges Harrison for the best route-running in this class. The Giants can throw Nabers into the lineup right away and watch his explosion cause problems for defenses.