Jabari’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 - Post-Free Agency
The new league year has started and free agency is off to a hot start. With big free agents on the move such as Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins and Derrick Henry, this NFL free agency has been nothing short but entertaining. In this mock I will not be doing trades and my selection process will be based on what I believe the teams should do and why.
Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams (QB, USC, Junior)
The consensus number one overall pick for the past two years now. Williams is what they call in baseball a 5 tool player. He displays elite arm talent, decision making, accuracy and athleticism. This is a no brainer for the Chicago Bears.
Washington Commanders:Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU, Junior)
I wouldn’t be surprised if I switch this pick again before the draft. Jayden Daniels is a special talent. Rushing for 1,134 and 10 touchdowns and throwing for 3,812 and 40 touchdowns, Jayden Daniels shows to be dominant both in the air and on the ground. The Commanders are in need of a dynamic playmaker at the QB position and Jayden Daniels fits the profile.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, North Carolina, Senior)
Though Maye had a down year from last year, he displays elite size, arm talent and athleticism. Drake Maye draws comparisons to pro bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, who displays almost identical traits.
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison (WR, Ohio State, Junior)
Marvin Harrison is probably the best player in this draft. With no flaws in his game, Harrison will be an instant upgrade to the Cardinals receiver room and a reliable option for Kyler Murrary.
Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU, Junior)
Malik Nabers is a top three receiver in this year's draft. Nabers provides elite short area quickness and separation that is a desperate need in Los Angeles with the departures of Kennan Allen and Mike Williams. Nabers should make a day one impact as the Chargers who look to establish a new young receiving core to grow with Justin Herbert
New York Giants: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington, Senior)
Daniel Jones gets a new WR1 as he looks to have a bounce back season. Rome Odunze has an elite NFL frame. At 6’3 215lbs, Odunze is elite in contested catch situations on top of being a versatile route runner with excellent hands.
Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt (OT, Notre Dame, Junior)
Joe Alt is the best tackle in this year's draft who possesses elite size at 6’8 and 322lbs. According to PFF.com, Alt only gave up 4 sacks in his three years at Notre Dame which will help solidify an offensive line to protect their potential franchise Quarterback in Will Levis.
Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama, Junior)
Dallas Turner is an immediate day one starter. Turner possesses elite speed to power ability and is the most explosive pass rusher in the draft. He should help vastly improve a Falcons pass rush that ranked bottom six in the league.
Chicago Bears: Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OT, Penn St., Junior)
Olumuyiwa Fashanu would have been the first tackle taken in last year's draft if he were to have come out. Fashanu is the most talented tackle in this draft and one of the youngest players in the draft. With the proper coaching, Fashanu’s has future pro bowl/all pro potential.
New York Jets: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia, Junior)
The Jets get a steal as they select a top 5 player in Brock Bowers at number 10 overall. Since stepping on campus in Athens Georgia, Bowers has been arguably the top pass catcher in college football. To go along with Garret Wilson and Breece Hall, the Jets look to create the best young core group of offensive weapons that the league has to offer.
Minnesota Vikings: J.J McCarthy (QB, Michigan, Junior)
J.J. McCarthy is the winningest Quarterback in this draft. Coming off a CFB Championship McCarthy only has one loss in his collegiate career. Though his numbers may not jump at you, the former 5 star recruit has tremendous potential and prototypical size and athleticism. The Vikings look to unlock that potential and pairing him with All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson sure will help with that.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon, Senior)
Though this may seem like a reach, Bo Nix is perfect for Sean Payton’s offense. Nix has the most starts than any of the quarterbacks coming out in this year's draft with 61 starts. To go along with that, he also has the highest completion percentage at 77%. Nix makes good and quick decisions along with possessing the ability to escape with his legs.
Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga (OT, Oregon St., Junior)
The Raiders get an absolute mauler at tackle with Taliese Fuaga. Fuaga has the physicality and mentality that every coach dreams of. With good NFL size, footwork, and a physical and nasty mentality, Fuaga fits new Head Coach Antonio Pierce's vision of building the Raiders from inside out.
New Orleans Saints: JC Latham (OT, Alabama, Junior)
JC Latham was named 2nd team All American according to the AP Poll. Latham has tremendous lower and upper body strength. With long arms, tremendous footwork and quick hands, Latham will be a much needed upgrade at tackle that he Saints most desperately need.
Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo, Junior)
Though playing in the Mid-American Conference, Quinyon Mitchell is one of the best corners in this year's draft. With elite speed, strength and ball skills, Mitchell has all the tools in the world to be the future number one corner for the Colts.
Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas, Junior)
Though Byron Murphy does not provide elite NFL size, he does provide elite impact. According to Pro Football Focus, Murphy placed elite pass rush and run stop grades at 91.5 and 80.5. With great twitchiness and an elite combination of strength and balance, Murphy should be a day one starter for the Seahawks.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson, Junior)
Nate Wiggins posted the fastest 40 yard dash time out of all the corners this year at 4.28 seconds. Wiggins has great NFL size at 6’2 and a 30.5 inch wingspan. With good hips for his size and elite speed, Wiggins will be able to run with the higher end of NFL receivers.
Cincinnati Bengals: Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama, Junior)
Terrion Arnold was named 1st team All American according to the AP Poll. To go along with smooth footwork in and out of his breaks, Arnold is also elite in the run game. Ending the year with a 90.6 grade against the run, per Pro Football Focus, Arnold displays the desirable aggression that you look for in both phases of playing the possession.
Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA, Senior)
Laiatu Latu is the most polished pass rusher in this draft. Latu possesses great agility and ability to bend around the edge. If it weren’t for him having to medically retire in 2021, Latu could have very well been the first pass rusher taken off the board in this draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU, Junior)
The second LSU receiver comes off the board in the first for the Steelers. Brian Thomas Jr. ran the 3rd fastest 40 yard dash at 4.33 seconds. At 6’3 and 209lbs, Thomas had the 3rd most deep catches in college football according to PFF and finished the year with 17 touchdowns. Thomas will be a versatile weapon to a Steelers receiving room that is in need of talent.
Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu (T/G, Washington, Junior)
Troy Fautanu played a pivotal part in the success that the Washington Huskies had this year. Starting at guard and tackle while in college, Fautanu has the experience and footwork to be a solid tackle and a pro bowl caliber guard at the next level.
Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama, Junior)
On top of having the best name in the draft, Kool-Aid McKinstry is also one of the top corners in the draft. McKinstry is extremely balanced in his back pedal and has great arm length. His awareness sets him apart and should be a great addition to an Eagles secondary that had its struggles last year.
Minnesota Vikings (via Houston Texans): Jarred Verse (EDGE, Florida St., RS Junior)
Jarred Verse has an excellent get off for a rookie coming into the draft. Verse does not have long arms which will hurt against bigger tackles, but Verse does provide good power in speed to power moves and also has violent hands.
Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims (OT, Georgia, Junior)
Amarius Mims stands at 6’8, 340lbs and has a lot of untapped potential. Where Mims lacks in his inexperience and heavy feet, he makes up for it with heavy hands and good hand placement when he engages in blocks. Dallas fans will have to be patient as Mims is a work in progress but he does have the potential to be a good player at the next level.
Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa, Junior)
Cooper DeJean was a Jim Thorpe award finalist (best defensive back in college football) and is rated Pro Football Focus number one corner in this year's draft. The Junior corner possesses excellent ball skills and the ability to be a big factor with the ball in his hands. Though he struggles with the ability to turn his hips in man coverage, DeJean offers a lot of defensive versatility with starts at corner and safety.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jackson Powers-Johnson (C, Oregon, Junior)
College Football Rimington trophy winner for best center, Powers has strong hands and great footworks for double team blocks and getting to the second level. Though the length leaves more to be desired, Jackson Powers has a broad build and great upper body strength. It is not the sexiest pick, but the Buccaneers will be filling a need with a good player to help protect Baker Mayfield.
Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma, RS Junior)
Tyler Guyton has the NFL size and athleticism that every team looks for in a tackle. Standing at 6’8 and 322lbs, Guytin has tremendous movement and possesses the ability to pull and operate in space. Though Guyton is tall, at times he struggles with standing straight up out of his stance which hurts his leverage when attempting to engage in blocks. With the right coaching, he can be a good starter in this league.
Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas, Junior)
Adonai Mitchell is one of the more talented receivers in this draft. Mitchell ran a 4.34 in the forty-yard dash which was third amongst all receivers. Mitchell is a very fluid route runner and has great footwork and awareness when making catches along the sideline. One thing that is concerning is Mitchells fire from game to game. Mitchell has all the talent in the world but has to bring it on a game to game basis.
Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB, Missouri, Junior)
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is a long armed corner that is very patient and has good feet. Rakestraw has good hips and is very good in zone coverage. Plays on the ball leaves more room to be desired but Rakestraw should be a good player for the Detroit Lions who desperately need help in their secondary.
Baltimore Ravens: Chopp Robison (EDGE, Penn St, Junior)
Chopp Robison was an excellent player at Penn St. Robison played one of his best games this year against the eventual champs Michigan Wolverines. Extremely explosive and plays with natural leverage, Robison is a day one starter for the Baltimore Ravens.
San Francisco 49ers: Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois, Junior)
The San Francisco 49ers add to an already strong defensive line by drafting defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton. Newton was highly productive during his time at Illinois recording 8 sacks in his final season. Newton provides an explosive first step and a high motor that will provide even more pressure to an already disruptive defensive line.
Kansa City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas, Junior)
Xavier Worthy recorded the fastest forty-yard dash time in NFL history at 4.21. Worthy will be an elite screen and deep threat at the next level. Worthy does have a small frame at 5’11 and 165lbs which can be concerning, but he does possess the toughness needed to play at the next level.
