Charlie Campbell 2024 NFL Mock Draft, March 18 – A Four-Round Mock Draft After Free Agency

Justin Fields did not develop as a pocket passer enough to warrant passing on one of the good quarterbacks at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, Chicago has its choice among Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. Coming from the Chiefs organization, I could see general manager Ryan Poles being comfortable taking Williams. It will be interesting to see if the Bears staff meshes well with Williams during pre-draft meetings.

In 2023, Williams completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also notched 11 rushing touchdowns. Williams (6-1, 214) possesses an excellent skill set to become a pro starter because he is an accurate passer with a strong arm. On the ground, Williams is a slippery and dangerous runner who possesses surprising speed and toughness. His greatest strength is his ability to ad lib his team into a big play. Williams is tremendous at scrambling and throwing on the run to make something out of nothing. However, Williams has a huge problem with holding the ball too long. He puts a lot of pressure on his offensive line, leading to him taking a lot of hits. Williams has a lot of talent, but he needs development for the NFL.

Williams started out the 2021 season as the backup quarterback to Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma, but after Rattler struggled, Williams replaced him as the starter and put together an excellent year, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also hurt defenses on the ground with six rushing touchdowns and lots of yardage. After the 2021 season, Williams transferred to USC to follow former Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. Williams played well for the Trojans in 2022, completing 67 percent of his passes for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions.

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The new Washington regime can start fresh with its own quarterback. Considering Kliff Kingsbury has been hired as the offensive coordinator, I could see the Commanders preferring Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye.

Daniels completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He notched 10 rushing touchdowns as well. Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who showed improvement as a passer throughout the 2022 season with LSU. He has a quality arm and is a dangerous runner with shocking speed. While he has plenty of room for growth, he became more consistent with pocket-passing accuracy and reading the field as he gained experience. Team sources said they feel Brian Kelly did a nice job of developing Daniels.

Daniels completed 69 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also went for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. While playing for Arizona State in 2021, Daniels completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,380 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was impressive in 2019, showing playmaking ability as a passer and runner while producing points for the Sun Devils, but he did not look as good in the short 2020 season.

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Mac Jones can be added to the expansive list of poor picks made by Bill Belichick. Without Tom Brady there to cover up the stink, Belichick’s drafting failures were exposed. The Patriots need to find a franchise quarterback. Jacoby Brissett is not a long-term starter, and I find it hard to believe that New England is going to pass on a quarterback. The Patriots could have traded down already if they weren’t going to take a quarterback.

The 6-foot-4, 223-pound Maye has good size and is very accurate, especially working the middle of the field. He lofts balls well, showing touch and throwing his receivers open. On top of his passing ability, he can make some things happen with his feet and has some mobility. Maye could be a lethal pocket passer in the NFL. Some sources have said Maye could be a more athletic version of Jared Goff.

In 2023, Maye completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also notched nine rushing touchdowns. Maye exploded onto the college-football scene as a redshirt freshman, showing serious arm talent. In 2022, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

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The Cardinals take a true No. 1 receiver for Kyler Murray. Having a big outside receiver like Harrison would give Murray a true mismatch weapon. Harrison is a great fit for the Arizona offense as well.

In 2023, Harrison turned 67 catches into 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He broke out in 2022, recording 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. The sophomore was a dynamic mismatch weapon for C.J. Stroud. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Harrison has excellent height and length with speed to get downfield. He runs routes like a smaller receiver, and he obviously learned a lot from his Hall of Fame father. However, the younger Harrison is much bigger than his father and is more like a A.J. Green- or CeeDee Lamb-type receiver for the next level.

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The Chargers have a lot of directions they could go with this pick, but after cutting Mike Williams and trading away Keenan Allen, it would make sense to give Justin Herbert another receiver. Here’s a speed mismatch problem and big-play threat for Los Angeles.

Nabers totaled 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. While Kayshon Boutte was supposed to be LSU’s No. 1 wide receiver in 2022, Nabers outplayed him and was a steady contributor for Jayden Daniels. Nabers caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns that season. He has quality size at 6-foot, 195 pounds and is very fast with awesome separation skills. Nabers has special athleticism and route-running that could make him a dynamic outside and slot receiver at the pro level.

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The Giants need a receiver upgrade and are in great position to land a No. 1 wideout. Between Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, New York is in a safe spot to land a mismatch weapon.

Odunze played well in 2023, making some clutch catches and using his size to be a weapon on the sideline. He finished the year having caught 87 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. With Michael Penix at quarterback in 2022, Odunze broke out for Washington, recording 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. Odunze (6-3, 212) has good size, but he could have problems separating from NFL defensive backs and will have to win on a lot of contested catches. Odunze is phenomenal at winning contested catches along the sideline because he is deadly on back-shoulder throws.

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The Titans could go a variety of directions, but they need better pass protection for Will Levis. Alt is a safe pick to be a solid starter for Tennessee.

Alt (6-7, 317) broke into Notre Dame’s starting lineup at left tackle as a freshman in 2021 and remained on the blind side for the rest of his college career. He started out his time with Notre Dame playing some tight end before settling in at left tackle. Alt is big with long arms, has good strength in the upper body, uses his hands well, and has good technique. Alt was consistent and productive. However, he has issues with his anchor because he is stiff and doesn’t bend well. That lack of bend will be challenging to fix given how tall Alt is, but he still is a very safe pick to be a good NFL starter.

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The Falcons could use more young talent on the edge. Here’s a lightning-fast edge rusher to help hunt the quarterback.

Turner is a fast edge rusher who can burn tackles with speed off the edge. He has a ton of upside and potential for the NFL, but requires additional development. He needs more pass-rushing moves and has to be taught technique, rush angles, depth of rush, and finding the sweet spot. If Turner is developed well, he could be an elite quarterback hunter at the pro level. Turner recorded 53 tackles, 11 sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles in 2023. With Will Anderson commanding attention on the other side in 2021, Turner (6-3, 247) had a phenomenal freshman debut for the Crimson Tide. Turner showed serious pass-rush potential in 2021 with 8.5 sacks and 30 tackles while rotating with other defenders. In 2022, Turner collected 37 tackles and four sacks, but he was far more disruptive than the numbers indicate.

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Taking Verse at No. 9 is a reach, but the medical concerns with Laiatu Latu could cause teams to prefer the safer player in Verse. Chicago has a bigger need for an edge rusher to go with Montez Sweat compared to another receiver or offensive tackle.

Verse recorded 41 tackles, nine sacks and two passes batted in 2023. He had a great start to open 2022, showing pass-rush ability and speed around the corner in a dominant performance versus LSU while recording three sacks and seven tackles. In 2022, Verse totaled 47 tackles and nine sacks. He displayed functional strength, athleticism, and a steady drive. In 2021 playing for Albany, Verse recorded 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and 22 tackles. The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder has a good motor and upside.

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The Jets need more weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Here’s a mismatch weapon.

For the NFL, Bowers is a mismatch receiver who offers quickness, exceptional route-running, great hands, and phenomenal ability after the catch. He could be a dynamic receiving weapon as a pro. When it comes to blocking, Bowers fights hard and does pretty well. However, he is undersized for the NFL and could have issues as an in-line blocker against defensive linemen as a pro. In 2023, Bowers recorded 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns. He missed some time with a high ankle sprain. Bowers was a freshman sensation for the Bulldogs in 2021 and was a huge receiving weapon in helping them win their first National Championship since 1980. Immediately, Bowers (6-3, 243) was a mismatch threat with excellent speed, athleticism, and run-after-the-catch ability. In 2021, Bowers recorded 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He totaled 63 receptions in 2022 for 942 yards and seven touchdowns.

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The Vikings grab their replacement for Kirk Cousins.

McCarthy completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. He had three rushing touchdowns as well. McCarthy put together a strong 2022 season, leading Michigan to the college football playoff and completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also did some damage on the ground with 306 yards and five scores. The 6-foot-3, 196-pounder has the upside to improve with experience. He has a quality arm, mobility, size, and experience playing in a high-pressure environment. McCarthy lacks some passing instincts, and some NFL team sources have compared him to Will Levis and Daniel Jones.

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Denver has missed out on the top quarterbacks, and this could be too high to take Bo Nix. If the Broncos can’t trade down, they could consider adding some help to their defensive front seven. Here’s a difference-maker for their defensive line.

Murphy impressed team sources in 2023, showing the ability to defend the run and contribute to the pass rush. On the year, he totaled 29 tackles and five sacks. Murphy has good speed, functional size, and is tough at the point of attack. The 6-foot, 297-pounder is shorter and lacks some length, but he possesses some quickness and athleticism with developed strength.

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The Raiders could use more offensive line help. Here’s a tackle to pair with Kolton Miller.

The 6-foot-6, 342-pound Latham has a good skill set and a ton of upside. He did not give up a sack in 2022 and allowed very few pressures while manning right tackle. There is no doubt that Latham is a powerful athlete with the ability to generate movement at the point of attack. He makes winning blocks look easy thanks to serious strength and an ability to sustain. However, Latham is more of a right tackle than a left tackle for the NFL given his feet and movement skills.

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The Saints go with the best player available to add more protection for Derek Carr.

For the next level, Fashanu (6-6, 312) has the size and length to make it tough for defenders to get by him. However, he is not an elite athlete on the edge with rare movement skills or quickness. He can move defenders up front in the ground game, but he is not all that nasty in his style of play. Fashanu looks like a future NFL starter at left tackle, but not an elite one. He does not look like a top-10 prospect like a Penei Sewell. As a pro, Fashanu might be more similar to an adequate starting tackle like Russell Okung rather an elite tackle like Sewell.

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With having to face C.J. Stroud for many years to come, the Colts could use a No. 1 cover corner. JuJu Brents is better as a No. 2, and Kenny Moore fits in the slot, if he is even re-signed. Here’s a No. 1 outside corner for the Colts.

Sources feltl Mitchell played himself into being a potential first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft during his final season and he only affirmed that with a dominant Senior Bowl and excellent performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. In 2023, Mitchell recorded 41 tackles, an interception and 18 passes defended. He was one of the most dynamic ball hawks in college football during 2022, when he racked up 42 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defended. The 6-foot, 195-pound Mitchell has an excellent skill set of size, speed and athleticism. Team evaluators noted Mitchell is raw and needs development, but there is no doubt that Mitchell could be a good pro corner with coaching.

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The Seahawks could use more talent on their offensive line. Fautanu could start out at right tackle and also has the ability to move inside and start at guard.

The 6-foot-6, 324-pound Fuaga was a starter and solid player for the Beavers over the last couple of seasons. He played right tackle at Oregon State, but he has the body type that could allow him to kick inside to guard as well. Multiple NFL team sources said they felt Fuaga was a second-day guard for the 2024 NFL Draft, but others stated they thought he could stay at right tackle and was worthy of being a late first-rounder. Fuaga is a force as a run blocker, but he could have problems with pro edge rushers. Hence, some teams are projecting him to guard in their schemes.

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