Cincinnati Bengals Raveled Their 2024 Next Signing
For fans of more than half the league’s teams, it’s already time to contemplate that offseason staple: the NFL mock draft.
With the regular season coming to an end on Sunday, eighteen franchises have already started planning for the 2024 campaign. And while the draft is officially underway with Monday night’s College Football Playoff championship game and the January 15 deadline for players to declare approaching, the combine, free agency, and trades will surely affect the upcoming months.
Thus far, just the top 18 choices have been determined. But here’s our most recent 2024 NFL mock draft, which includes a ballpark idea of how the remaining spots might work out:
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Justin Fields made an impressive final push, and the Bears’ locker room is clearly behind him. But this is not a decision that will be made by popular vote within the organization. Landing Williams, an abundantly creative and dynamic passer, had to be all general manager Ryan Poles could have hoped for when he swung the trade with the Carolina Panthers last year that would give the team this pick. In taking Williams, Chicago can set itself up with a more favorable timeline to compete as it continues to build out its roster and provide the support that Fields lacked for most of his tenure.
2. Washington Commanders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell was formerly seen to be one of the few bright spots on an otherwise unimpressive Washington team. Rather, the second-year quarterback led the NFL in sacks (61) and interceptions (19) at the end of the season, and he may now be in line to be replaced at North Carolina by his successor. Maye, who is athletic and strong-armed, might give a team that has been struggling behind centre some much-needed hope.
3. New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Whatever happens to Bill Belichick, New England is bound to undergo an offensive makeover. Although Daniels hasn’t been touted as a lock to go among the top three picks alongside Williams and Maye, the Heisman Trophy winner possesses a very appealing set of qualities. Even if his deep passing and agility may be his best qualities, his poise in the pocket should reassure any front office when projecting him to the next level.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals will likely root hard for quarterbacks to be taken with the first three picks atop the draft, as it’s the only way the team can land the premier non-passer in the class. If Harrison is available for Arizona, he’s a no-brainer. With the best wide receiver prospect in years paired with emerging standout tight end Trey McBride, Kyler Murray would have the makings of a very impressive receiving corps.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams could be on shaky ground for a franchise with a rough short-term financial outlook. No matter what the team decides regarding the veteran pass catchers, the receiving corps needs to become more dynamic for the Chargers to properly take advantage of Justin Herbert’s talent. Nabers, who can stress defenses both as a deep threat and in racking up yards after the catch, can certainly help in that department.
6. New York Giants – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
It’s been a rough go for Evan Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has floundered at right tackle. Maybe Joe Schoen isn’t ready to cut bait just yet, but he also shouldn’t be dissuaded from looking to make serious improvements to a front as Daniel Jones prepares to return as the starting quarterback in 2024. Alt is about as steady as offensive line prospects come, and he could make for a fine pairing with Andrew Thomas if he can handle flipping to the other side.
7. Tennessee Titans – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Expect Ran Carthon to embrace a more complete roster overhaul after starting the process last season. Carthon has already shown a proclivity for building up front after taking left guard Peter Skoronski No. 11 overall last year, and the fleet-footed Fashanu would help the offense turn the page as the team prepares for a new era with Will Levis behind center.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
The quarterback question is going to hang over the franchise all offseason after Arthur Smith’s firing, but there doesn’t seem to be a suitable solution here for an otherwise playoff-ready roster. Still, there should be no problem with picking up Turner, a dynamic and explosive edge threat who would recalibrate a lackluster pass rush.
9. Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
While Matt Eberflus would surely be interested in boosting a defense that ended the season on a serious upswing, there’s too much potential firepower here to pass up. Odunze’s knack for boxing out defensive backs and plucking jump balls makes him a fitting complement to DJ Moore in what would be the franchise’s most formidable receiver tandem since Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Catering to Aaron Rodgers is still the priority above all for Gang Green. While revamping the offensive front is necessary, it seems like a stretch to think any rookie could come in and provide Rodgers with sufficient protection. Bowers, meanwhile, boasts the superlative ball skills and run-after-catch ability to be an immediate asset in the passing game as someone who can help ease the burden on Garrett Wilson.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Retooling a subpar pass rush is likely a necessity for Minnesota, especially with Danielle Hunter’s free agency looming after a 16½-sack season. Though Latu will carry medical concerns after he retired at Washington due to a neck injury before transferring to UCLA, the Lombardi Award winner has a strong case to be considered this class’ most skilled edge rusher.
12. Denver Broncos – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Aidan O’Connell tossing two touchdowns in the regular-season finale should serve as a reminder that this secondary still is a problem. At 6-2 and 185 pounds with the fluidity to stick with receivers at every level of the field, Wiggins would make for an imposing cornerback tandem with Patrick Surtain II.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
A good bit of faith is required in this projection, as McCarthy is hardly a finished product as a potential early first-round prospect – and he hasn’t even declared his intentions for next year yet. But his athleticism and arm strength will position him to be selected far earlier than some might expect based off his production. After the failed Jimmy Garoppolo move, it’s time for the Raiders to make a substantial investment in a young quarterback to develop for the long term.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
Improving the interior line should be an essential step for a Jacksonville team that was too often undone by self-inflicted mistakes. The Jaguars can bolster their chances for long-term stability up front by bringing on Fautanu, a fluid protector who looks ticketed for a move from left tackle to the inside due to his 6-4, 317-pound frame.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Put aside the receiver question for now, as the Bengals have some degree of insurance on Tee Higgins with the potential use of the franchise tag. A replacement for Jonah Williams at right tackle should be on the to-do list, and the 6-7, 340-pound Mims’ massive potential makes him an attractive long-term bet.
19. Green Bay Packers – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Between a bevy of potential free-agent safeties and the overall state of the secondary, the back end of Green Bay’s defense looks due for change. Whether at cornerback or safety, DeJean offers the playmaking prowess to lift a unit that ranked 31st in the NFL with just seven interceptions last year.
