2024 NFL Mock Draft: Changes among defensive players in the top 10 – April 23

Drake Maye
NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 10/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/11)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (7/17)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC Image for USC

It’s not clear why, but to start the season, Justin Fields styled himself after Drew Bledsoe, a statue-esque quarterback who held the ball way too long in the pocket and took tons of sacks. Fields ran just twice following the opening drive versus the Buccaneers. He rebounded after that, especially after returning from injury, but he was woeful against the Packers to close out the year. With the No. 1 pick will locked up, the Bears will draft a quarterback after trading Fields.

Caleb Williams supplanted Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma, then put together massive performances at USC.

If you haven’t visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we’ve finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.

Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it at the top. It’s $7.99 per month, but you’ll get a super-fast site with no ads. If you don’t want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

Also, if you’d like to support the site, check out my book! It’s available on Amazon, and it’s called A Safety and a Field Goal.

Take a look:

A Safety and a Field Goal

You can buy it here. It has some NFL Draft-related topics, so like I said, if you want to support the site, this is a great way to do it!

NFL Team Logo for Commanders Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Image for LSU

The Redskins had major blocking issues that weren’t giving Sam Howell much of a chance. Howell, however, was benched twice, so the experiment is over. The Redskins will select a quarterback with this pick.

Jayden Daniels is an accurate passer and a dangerous runner who possesses a quality arm. Rumors indicated that the Redskins liked Maye more than Daniels, but some sources have said that the Redskins are inclined to draft Daniels.

NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Image for NCar

Mac Jones sucks. The Patriots weren’t in a position to land a franchise quarterback in previous versions of this mock draft, but they are now that they are locked into the No. 3 spot. Jones is gone, so the Patriots will be selecting a quarterback.

Drake Maye is an athletic quarterback with good accuracy and field vision. His mechanics need a bit of work, but he’s still an elite quarterback prospect.

NFL Team Logo for Vikings Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan Image for MICH

I don’t often predict trades in my mock draft, but I’m going to make an exception in this instance because we know Minnesota is aiming to move up after acquiring pick No. 23. The Vikings can trade Nos. 11 and 23, as well as a 2025 first-round pick to the Cardinals for No. 4.

The Vikings are obviously moving up for a quarterback. They have nothing at the position, so I understand their desperation to make a move. Ideally, they’d go to No. 3 and land one of the three studs, but they might be limited in what they can do.

J.J. McCarthy is an accurate quarterback with a solid arm and mobility.

NFL Team Logo for Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State Image for OSU

When I previously updated my mock draft, the Chargers still had Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on the roster. Since then, Williams has been cut, while Allen was traded. Justin Herbert needs a new No. 1 receiver.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a 6-foot-4 receiver who happens to be a huge mismatch weapon. He was sorely missed in the college football semi-final versus Georgia when he suffered a concussion. Jim Harbaugh had a great look at how dominant Harrison can be, so he may select the receiver who went for five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown against his defense this past season.

NFL Team Logo for Giants New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Image for LSU

The Giants have to be thrilled that the Vikings are moving up for a quarterback. That means that they’re locked in for one of the top two receivers in this class. This is huge for a team that has zero talent at the position.

Malik Nabers is quick and athletic. He outplayed Kayshon Boutte when the two were in school together.

NFL Team Logo for Titans Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame Image for ND

The Titans could go back-to-back offensive linemen. They drafted Peter Skoronski to replace Nate Davis, and they could use this pick to find someone to fill Taylor Lewan’s shoes.

Joe Alt is a former tight end who has moved to left tackle. He has good size, length, and athleticism.

NFL Team Logo for Falcons Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA Image for UCLA

The Falcons can’t possibly go into the 2024 season with Desmond Ridder as the starter again. However, this is too early to draft J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix. Plus, Atlanta may go after a veteran anyway, given that the team is ready to win now. The Falcons may decide to fix their edge rush instead.

Laiatu Latu is a dangerous pass rusher with incredible athleticism and a strong frame. There was some fear that he could fall, however, due to injury concerns. However, many teams have cleared Latu medically, so he’s live to be chosen in the top 10 again.

Pick change; previously Dallas Turner, DE

NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama Image for ALA

The Bears traded for Montez Sweat, which improved their defense greatly in the second half of the year this past season. However, there’s not much of a pressure beyond Sweat on the edge, so Chicago could pick someone to complement Sweat, though doing so after moving down would be wise.

Dallas Turner is a dynamic pass-rushing threat with immense upside who has drawn comparisons to Brian Burns.

Pick change; previously Laiatu Latu, DE

NFL Team Logo for Jets New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia Image for UGA

The Jets are no longer locked into a tackle at No. 10 in the wake of the Tyron Smith signing. They can afford to go best player available, which in this case is a tight end. The Jets have nothing at the position, so I’m sure Aaron Rodgers would be in favor of this selection.

Brock Bowers is an elite athlete and a mismatch weapon.

NFL Team Logo for Cardinals Arizona Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington Image for Wash

Mike Jurecki is the best team reporter in the business. He has never gotten anything wrong about the Cardinals as far as I know. He said that if Arizona obtained a top-three pick, it would trade out of it and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers to replace DeAndre Hopkins because the team is stuck with Kyler Murray’s contract. The Cardinals, however, aren’t in such a position because they defeated the Eagles in a very Pyrrhic victory. Besides, they are likely to move down from No. 4. Given their vast resources, however, it wouldn’t surprise me if they move up for a top-three receiver. I could see them doing a trade with the Bears, for example, to leap the Jets for Rome Odunze.

Odunze has great size, but there are some concerns about separation ability.

NFL Team Logo for Broncos Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon Image for ORE

Russell Wilson’s days in Denver are finished. Sean Payton will want to find his own quarterback to establish as the face of the franchise.

Bo Nix has a solid arm and scrambling ability.

NFL Team Logo for Raiders Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington Image for Wash

It’s becoming more apparent that Michael Penix Jr. is going in the first round. The Raiders just might be the team that drafts him.

Michael Penix Jr. is a smart quarterback with a huge arm. He’s a 24-year-old with a dubious injury history, but is otherwise a terrific prospect.

NFL Team Logo for Saints New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State Image for PSU

The Saints wanted Myles Murphy in the 2023 NFL Draft, so they could draft a talented edge rusher to help the mediocre pass rush. And speaking of the pass rush, the Saints don’t have a left tackle to defend against it because Trevor Penning has been a major bust. They may take the best edge rusher or tackle available.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu looks like a franchise left tackle. He is a massive blocker with elite athleticism for the position.

NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama Image for ALA

The Colts need cornerback help to combat all the firepower the Jaguars and Texans have at receiver.

Terrion Arnold is a quick and athletic cornerback with average height.

NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Cooper DeJean, S/CB, Iowa Image for Iowa

The Seahawks could address the offensive line, but they’re incredibly weak in the secondary despite drafting Devon Witherspoon last year. They could opt for another defensive back with this pick.

Cooper DeJean is an instinctive and versatile player.

Pick change; previously Talies Fuaga, OT/G

Go to: Round 1 (17-32)  | Round 2 (33-64)  | Round 3 (65-100)  | Round 4 (106-140)  | Round 5 (144-184)  | Round 6 (180-223)  | Round 7 (222-258)  | 

Go to 2024 NFL Mock Draft by Charlie Campbell





NFL Picks - Oct. 12


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 9


NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 8


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4