Mike Edwards’ Mock NFL Draft 2024: Picks 1-10
With the 2024 event just weeks away, NFL Draft season is in full flow with analysts, pundits and fans continuing to make big takes and predictions on who will go where.
Our college expert Mike Edwards’ mock includes trades across the board in the first round, with a handful of surprise selections added in. Let’s take a look at the opening ten picks…
1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
No surprises here. The consensus number-one pick across the league, Williams has incredible arm strength and accuracy, along with an ability to improvise outside of the pocket. Finally, the Bears get their so-coveted franchise quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Similar to the Bears, who traded away their starting QB Justin Fields to the Steelers, the Commanders will take a QB after trading away last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks. There are some concerns about how his physique will hold up at the pro level, his ability far outweighs any worries, as his production at LSU shows.
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The first real jigsaw piece of the 2024 draft. It has been heavily rumoured the Patriots are tempted to trade down, but I think they have to take a QB here to really kickstart the post Bill Belichick era. Maye has all the traits to be a prototypical franchise player for New England.
4. Minnesota Vikings (via mock trade with the Arizona Cardinals) – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Although the Cardinals will be tempted to take Marvin Harrison Jr, I don’t think they will turn down the draft haul the Vikings are willing to give up to move into fourth position. I project it would take both first-round picks no.11 and no.23 alongside their first in 2025 to move up.
It’s a lot, but well worth it after having let Kirk Cousins leave in free agency. McCarthy has been impressing recently, so this feels like a move that is too good to turn down.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Miles Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
After having to move on from wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams due to cap space difficulties this offseason, the Chargers are given a gift of being able to pick the best non-QB player in the draft. Harrison Jr will form a legendary partnership with Justin Herbert in LA.
6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
There has been talk of the Giants wanting to take a QB, but the top players in the position are already off the board and I think Daniel Jones deserves one more year to prove he can be their long-term quarterback.
The Giants should look to add playmakers this year and could take either Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, I think Nabers has slightly more upside and big play ability, and that’s exactly what the Giants are desperate to add.
7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
With Rome Odunze still on the board, the Titans could be tempted to add another star WR next to the newly acquired Calvin Ridley, However I think the prudent move is to give young QB Will Levis a dominant left tackle in Joe Alt; a dependable player in both the pass and run game.
8. Atlanta Falcons – WR, Rome Odunze, LSU
The Falcons add another superstar to their offense to ensure Kirk Cousins has all the weapons needed to vault the Falcons back into playoff contention. Scouts have highlighted Odunze’s ability to play both outside and in the slot, as well as having the ability to catch passes in traffic with his exceptional hands. His addition will prove to be significant for Atlanta.
9. Indianapolis Colts (via mock trade with the Chicago Bears) – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
After taking QB Caleb Williams with the 1st overall pick, the Bears only have this pick, No.75 and No.122 for the remainder of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a result, I think it would be prudent to trade down and acquire more picks to surround Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible.
The Colts jump at the chance to trade up by giving the Bears the No. 15, No. 116 and a 2025 second-rounder to select Brock Bowers, who Indy have been rumoured to admire strongly.
10. New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
The Jets could take a left tackle with this pick, but the signing of Tyron Smith makes it more likely they will go elsewhere. With no elite playmakers left on the board, the right tackle is an area with question marks, particularly as there are doubt Morgan Moses will be fit for the start of training camp.
Taliese Fuaga has exceptional power and balance that will significantly improve the Jets offensive line and help protect Aaron Rodgers in 2024.
