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2024 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Four QBs go in the first round, including Caleb Williams to the Bears and Drake Maye to the Patriots

By Trevor Sikkema

• Caleb Williams, Drake Maye go Nos. 1 and 2: The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots opt to reset with new signal-callers.

• Offensive tackles fly off the board: Three tackles go in the top 10, including Penn State's Olu Fashanu to the Commanders at No. 4.

• Draft and trade for yourself: Try PFF's Mock Draft Simulator — trade picks and players and mock for your favorite NFL team.

Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes

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ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

FIRST ROUND

1. CHICAGO BEARS (VIA CAR): QB CALEB WILLIAMS, USC

The Bears can reset their quarterback contract window here, and they should do so. Williams has recorded elite offensive grades in each of his three seasons of college football. This season is his lowest (90.3) due to the highest turnover-worthy play rate of his career (3.5%). He is capable of magical high-end plays, but there is no doubt he has to play more on schedule and in structure, on top of improving his ball security, to be able to showcase those out-of-structure plays in the NFL.

2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: QB DRAKE MAYE, NORTH CAROLINA

The Patriots are completely lost on offense, with no identity and no quarterback to build around. Maye has established himself as one of the top gunslingers in college football over the past two years. He made 38 big-time throws for an 8.7% big-time throw rate last season and has 32 such throws this year at a 7.5% clip. In both seasons, he recorded a sub-2.0% turnover-worthy play rate. Maye brings pro-level ability as a passer in all situations.

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS: WR MARVIN HARRISON JR., OHIO STATE

Wide receiver isn’t the biggest need for the Cardinals, but Harrison is the best player on the board in this scenario. You could make that case for him at the very top of the draft, too. There simply isn’t much you can point to for MHJ that isn’t already at an NFL-caliber level — his size, speed, smoothness, route running, reliable hands and football IQ are all ready for the pros. His evaluation is simple: Draft him, and he’ll be your WR1.

4. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: T OLU FASHANU, PENN STATE

The Commanders could certainly entertain a quarterback with a top-10 pick, but with Williams and Maye off the board, they grab an ace in the trenches instead. Fashanu has rare movement skills in pass protection for a 6-foot-6, 320-pounder. He has never recorded a single-season pass-blocking grade below 84.0, posting an 88.4 mark in that category this season to pair with a career-best 70.5 run-blocking grade.

5. CHICAGO BEARS: EDGE LAIATU LATU, UCLA

The Bears have done a nice job accumulating talent in the offensive trenches, and they need to do the same on defense. They currently have the lowest team pass-rushing grade and are tied for the fewest sacks.

Latu has been the most productive edge rusher in the FBS over the past two seasons. He has the highest pass-rush grade (93.9), the second-most pressures (128) and the fourth-best pass-rush win rate (21.6%). His consistent production puts him at the top of the class.

6. NEW YORK GIANTS: WR MALIK NABERS, LSU

The Giants could also take a peek at the 2024 quarterback class here, but instead of taking QB3, which feels like a reach, I have them grabbing their next WR1.

Nabers has been one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football this season. The 6-foot, 200-pound receiver boasts a 93.2 receiving grade and more than 1,500 receiving yards. For more of a traits-based data point, he is in the 74th percentile of separation created, showing how often he can manufacture space for the quarterback to throw as one of the best route runners in the class.

7. NEW YORK JETS: T JOE ALT, NOTRE DAME

It looks like we won’t see Aaron Rodgers this season after all. This upcoming offseason is all about the Jets building up their playoff chances with him in 2024.

Sometimes when an offensive tackle is 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, as Alt is, you’ll see all sorts of balance or weight distribution issues, not to mention a lack of leverage in the trenches. But that’s not the case with Alt. His footwork is fluid, and his balance allows him to generate power from his lower body through his hands in a smooth fashion. He has been a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish and is a pro-ready left tackle.

8. TENNESSEE TITANS: T JC LATHAM, ALABAMA

This should be an offensive trenches pick for the Titans. And luckily for them, there are plenty of potential matches in the top 10.

Latham is a massive offensive tackle prospect at 360 pounds, but he looks like a dancing bear with how well he can move at that weight. His sheer size provides a plus in the running game and when displacing defensive linemen via combo blocks or single blocks. He has played as both a right guard and a right tackle during his college career.

9. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: QB JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU

The Saints are still just one game back from the NFC South lead and hosting a playoff game, but they are far too inconsistent (and far too frustrating) to feel confident about them beyond this season. They need a complete and total reset, and that means picking a quarterback.

Daniels is the biggest riser in the draft class to this point. An afterthought for many going into the year, Daniels had a Heisman-worthy season at LSU. He recorded elite season grades as a passer and a runner to garner the top overall quarterback grade in the FBS (94.7). He has drastically improved both how he takes care of the football (see 2022) and how he sees the field and executes big-time plays (see 2023).

10. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: TE BROCK BOWERS, GEORGIA

An edge rusher would be a good pick here for the Buccaneers, but Bowers is a top-five talent in the class, and the opportunity to draft him at this point is too good to pass up. He has recorded elite overall offensive grades in each of the past three seasons as the top tight end in college football. He immediately improves both the run and pass games for Tampa’s offense.

11. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: WR ROME ODUNZE, WASHINGTON

Are we trying to score points, or are we trying to score points?

There aren’t many receivers who move like Rome Odunze at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. He ranks in the 53rd percentile of open targets created, which is not common for players with his build. He is also in the 96th percentile for contested catches, hauling in more than 70% of such targets this season.

12. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: DI JER’ZHAN NEWTON, ILLINOIS

A defensive tackle doesn’t exactly move the needle for a team that was supposed to be in a competing window and is disappointing in basically every way, but it would be a welcomed pick for what the Chargers' defense needs. Newton has the total talent package to be a three-down defensive lineman who can affect the run game and a pass-rusher with an explosive first step and violent, fast hands.

13. CINCINNATI BENGALS: T TALIESE FUAGA, OREGON STATE

Jonah Williams is in the final year of his deal and might not be back next season — a hole that could be patched with one of the best right tackles in the FBS last season, Taliese Fuaga.

Fuaga is a people mover. He established himself as one of the best run blockers in America while working on the right side for the Beavers this season. He has earned a 90.7 run-blocking grade while recording a positive grade on 17.5% of his run-blocking snaps. His footwork doesn’t cover as much ground as for some of the other top tackles in pass protection, but Fuaga is an NFL starter at tackle or guard.

14. BUFFALO BILLS: WR KEON COLEMAN, FLORIDA STATE

Coleman is alluring because of his physical dominance. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he brings both power and speed to the position as an “X” receiver. Because of this, he has some of the best highlight contested catches in college football this year — although he hauled in only 10 of his 30 contested targets. However, if your flavor of wide receiver is based on separation skills, he’ll be lower in your rankings. He ranks in the last percentile this year for separation created in single coverage.

15. DENVER BRONCOS: DI LEONARD TAYLOR III, MIAMI (FL)

Taylor is still learning to be consistent as a pass-rusher, but his best pass-rush reps from the three-technique position are as good as anyone’s. He has notched 50 pressures and a 15%-plus pass-rush win rate in each of the past two seasons. He’s an investment, but the Broncos could use more pass-rush juice at any spot, especially along the interior.

16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: EDGE DALLAS TURNER, ALABAMA

Turner is one of the more athletic edge rushers in this class. He is listed at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds as an outside linebacker type of edge player. If you covet first-step explosiveness when evaluating edge rushers, he’ll be high on your list. He would be a big addition for the Seahawks' pass-rush group.

17. LOS ANGELES RAMS: CB KOOL-AID McKINSTRY, ALABAMA

After trading Jalen Ramsey this past offseason, the Rams need new top talent at the cornerback position. McKinstry is a steady, confident cover cornerback whose specialty is in press coverage. His 82.6 coverage grade in single-coverage situations ranks in the 89th percentile among all cornerbacks in college football.

18. ARIZONA CARDINALS (VIA HOU): EDGE JARED VERSE, FLORIDA STATE

Verse got off to a bit of a slow start in 2023, but has been back to his dominant ways over the past six games. Since Week 9, he has racked up the second-most pressures and generated the second-highest pass-rush win rate in college football. He is a powerful player at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds who can win as a defensive end and a stand-up edge linebacker.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE CHOP ROBINSON, PENN STATE

Robinson has been a bit boom-or-bust with his production as an edge rusher this season, but the “boom” is eye-popping. He has three games with a 30%-plus pass-win rate, and two of those games were above 40%. In terms of explosiveness and twitch, he might be the best this class has to offer.

20. GREEN BAY PACKERS: T AMARIUS MIMS, GEORGIA

The Packers' offense has looked much better as of late. But investing in the offensive line is still a good first-round strategy in 2024.

If Mims declares for the draft, he is going to be a classic case of volume of snaps versus projected potential, as was the case for his former teammate Broderick Jones. He has played less than 700 snaps over the past two years due to opportunity and injury. But he is 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, and when we’ve seen him in action, he has held his own in the SEC. Mims' physical tools are first-round worthy, but he is still learning the ropes of technique and anticipation. Proper development will be big for him in his quest to become a long-term NFL tackle.

21. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: QB BO NIX, OREGON

Unless the Vikings continue to ride with pending free agent Kirk Cousins, they’ll be heavily interested in the 2024 quarterback market.

Nix once again had a very impressive year as Oregon's signal-caller. He finished the season with a 92.2 passing grade and an 87.3 passing grade under pressure, making only one turnover-worthy play under pressure all season. While he brings NFL-caliber arm talent, his season was not as demanding as it was for others. His season average depth of target was below 7.0, and his percentage of total passing yards that came through the air was below 40%.

22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO

Mitchell has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in college football over the past two seasons. He leads the FBS in total forced incompletions from 2022-2023 (35) and has an incredible 95.1 cumulative coverage grade during that time. He doesn’t have many reps in press coverage (51 of his 861 coverage snaps in the past two years), but if an NFL team is OK with that, they're getting a damn good player. The Colts rank 18th in press coverage snaps so far in 2023.

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB NATE WIGGINS, CLEMSON

The Steelers’ cornerback room outside of Joey Porter Jr. is aging fast. They need to continue to invest in that area.

Wiggins’ athleticism and build (6-foot-2) make him perhaps the stickiest cover cornerback in this class. He is on the slender side at 185 pounds, which does show up in strength situations, especially run defense. But it doesn’t cause him to back down from physicality at the catch point. That, plus his fantastic recovery speed and ball skills, make for a first-round player.

24. HOUSTON TEXANS (VIA CLV): WR ADONAI MITCHELL, TEXAS

The offense is humming with C.J. Stroud at the helm, but that shouldn't stop the Texans from keeping their foot on the gas and taking some new receiver talent in the upcoming draft.

Mitchell has been a money-down machine. He leads the Texas Longhorns in touchdowns with 10, five more than the next-closest player, while his 10 first-down receptions are three more than his next-closest teammate.

You want the receivers who teams prioritize when they need a catch. Plus, he moves really well for a player who is 6-foot-4.

25. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: WR XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA

This is crazy to read, but it’s true: the Chiefs need more firepower on offense. Tight end Travis Kelce is one of the greatest ever to do it, but he is aging. Rashee Rice has been productive as a rookie, but they need more than just those two players, even when they’re on.

Legette stands at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds and has crazy athleticism for a receiver his size. He would give the Chiefs an advantage they don’t currently have.

26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: EDGE BRALEN TRICE, WASHINGTON

Trice has been on an absolute tear down the stretch of the 2023 season. His 49 total pressures since Week 9 are the most in the FBS — by double digits. At 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, he bases his pass-rush plan around his strength and a nasty bull rush. His relentless mentality is something the Jags would welcome alongside Travon Walker and Josh Allen.

27: DALLAS COWBOYS: IOL GRAHAM BARTON, DUKE

With Tyron Smith getting older and Terence Steele struggling, the Cowboys might be in for some shifting along the offensive line over the next few years.

They have good flexibility with Tyler Smith, who could play tackle or guard. And by drafting Barton, they could have another multi-positional lineman. Barton plays left tackle for the Blue Devils, but his long-term home might be as a guard due to his lack of length. If the Cowboys don’t get the chance to take a tackle late in the draft, drafting Barton and kicking Smith out to tackle when the time comes could be a great play.

28. DETROIT LIONS: CB COOPER DeJEAN, IOWA

This draft season, there will be a good debate about whether DeJean projects best at outside corner or free safety. He has the size at 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds to play both, but his best attribute is how he sees the field and his playmaking ability when the ball is in the air. He has seven interceptions and 11 forced incompletions over the past two years.

29. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: CB TERRION ARNOLD, ALABAMA

The Niners look like an absolute machine right now and could very well be the champs when all is said and done. Corner is one of the few spots on their roster that you could identify as an area of improvement. Arnold, a first-year starter, has burst onto the scene this year, earning an 87.5 coverage grade with five interceptions in 2023, thanks to very impressive body control and athleticism for the position. He could be a candidate to go much higher come April.

30. BALTIMORE RAVENS: EDGE LANDON JACKSON, ARKANSAS

The Ravens are getting good production out of veterans such as Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. However, a defensive line investment could still be in the works this offseason, especially if that play is Landon Jackson.

Jackson is 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, and the way he can explode out of his stance and generate speed-to-power at that size is rare. He can play multiple spots in Baltimore’s defense.

31. MIAMI DOLPHINS: OL TROY FAUTANU, WASHINGTON

The Dolphins have room to add talent at tackle and along the interior. Enter Fautanu, who has been one of the most impressive linemen in the country at left tackle this season for the Huskies, but his home base in the pros might be as a guard or center. He’s recorded an 87.4 pass-blocking grade and allowed just two sacks this year.

32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: CB T.J. TAMPA, IOWA STATE

Cornerback seems like the easiest position to have the Eagles target in a mock draft. Tampa feels like a player they’d gravitate toward, as he is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. His long arms show up in the nine forced incompletions he’s recorded this season. He doesn’t play as much press coverage as one might expect for a player of his measurables, but his time spent in off-coverage has only improved his instincts.

SECOND ROUND

33. CAROLINA PANTHERS: WR BRIAN THOMAS JR., LSU

Even though I like the idea of an offensive lineman for Carolina at the top of the second round, I don’t have an interior player who I believe is worth it above a pick like Thomas. The breakout LSU receiver has been one of the best vertical-threat players in college football this season and has tallied 23 explosive plays of 15 yards or more.

55. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR LADD McCONKEY, GEORGIA

Despite his measurables at 6-foot 185 pounds, McConkey is a legit receiver who isn’t just confined to slot duties. He has the long speed to consistently threaten vertically but also possesses fantastic stop-start ability for crisp route running. He could be a high-volume guy for the Browns.

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