2024 Rookie Mock Draft 3.0
With the 2024 NFL Draft completed, it's time for one final rookie mock draft.
The NFL Draft is in the books. After months of speculation, we finally know where our favorite players will be starting their NFL careers. I won’t lie, I struggled to put together this mock because we now have draft capital and landing spot to grapple with in addition to the most important factor: talent. Here’s how it shook out.
1.01: Marvin Harrison Jr. // Arizona Cardinals // WR
Prev: 1.01
This is about as prime of a spot amidst the bad teams at the top of the draft that it could get for Harrison. Would we have worried a bit more if Harrison had landed with a team that has a dilemma at QB or possibly a rookie QB? Now we don’t have to worry about that. Harrison is paired with the still-young Kyler Murray, who finally looked like himself, throwing 6 TDs in his final 3 games. Should be fun. Talented, targets, and touchdowns have Harrison locked in here at 1.01.
1.02: Malik Nabers // New York Giants // WR
Prev: 1.02
It’s a tale as old as time: Do we value landing spot? Or do we trust talent?
I have been bit by trusting landing spot in the past, but we are learning. Don’t fret this pick here as Daniel Jones is in a make-or-break season with the Giants. If Danny Dimes can somehow turn it around, it’s a win. If not, the Giants are drafting high again next year and have the potential for the next young quarterback. Nabers is still an elite prospect. Even landing in New York, don’t forget that.
1.03: Rome Odunze // Chicago Bears // WR
Prev: 1.03
Odunze might have some competition in year one with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore but I love this setup in years two and three. The ability for a young receiver to gain chemistry with the first overall pick, Caleb Williams, could prove invaluable. If Williams is the transcendent quarterback that scouts think he could be… watch out. Odunze has real top-10 potential value in dynasty leagues.
1.04: Brian Thomas Jr. // Jacksonville Jaguars // WR
Prev: 1.04
A lot of rookie drafts will have Thomas higher as he seems to be set up for success with a young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. While I do love Thomas quite a bit, the fact that teams from the 10th spot to the 23rd spot in the first round passed on him, has me scratching my head. Could there be something to that? Potentially. Do I think Thomas will be a better version of Calvin Ridley from 2023? Absolutely.
1.05: Xavier Worthy // Kansas City Chiefs // WR
Prev: 1.05
This was the big shock wave we all were waiting for in the first round. With the potential suspension looming with Rashee Rice and the addition of Hollywood Brown, it felt like the Chiefs were going to address the position. The league shivered a touch when the Chiefs took Worthy 28th overall. With Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball shorter and shorter every year since Tyreek Hill’s departure, Worthy should help to liven up this Super Bowl-winning offense. Worthy has the best setup possible.
1.06: Jonathan Brooks // Carolina Panthers // RB
Prev: 1.11
Brooks is the only running back who received any type of “valuable” draft capital. I know a lot of people are down on the landing spot for Brooks but I would ask you to step back and ask why? Miles Sanders has his best days behind him. We get to pair Brooks with a young QB in Bryce Young, who should be better in his second season.
I truly felt like Brooks was the only running back that had three-down potential. With the ACL being the only knock for me on Brooks, I am willing to take the risk here in the mid-first ahead of several spicy receiving names.
1.07: Xavier Legette // Carolina Panthers // WR
Prev: 1.07
Legette and that beautiful southern accent have me swooned and this ranking here at 1.07 proves it. Now look, ADP is not going to reflect this as many other drafters will take different players before Legette. But the fact that Legette earned first-round draft capital, is paired with a young quarterback who I still believe in, and has help in the form of Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen has me gaining confidence in Legette. I don’t feel as though Legette will ever reach the heights of the top 3 receivers in this draft, but he could be a solid WR2 for us in dynasty leagues.
1.08: Keon Coleman // Buffalo Bills // RB
Prev: 1.10
Aside from Kansas City, Buffalo adding a receiver in the first round is what we all had set up on our bingo cards. Coleman was technically selected in the second, but with the first pick in the second after moving back, Coleman walks into a beautiful position in Buffalo. Coleman could potentially see the most snaps of any receiver taken in the draft with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis leaving in free agency. Coleman will have the opportunity to impress early and often. I am growing on the thought of Coleman in the NFL, especially as Josh Allen’s WR1.
1.09: Ladd McConkey // Los Angeles Chargers // WR
Prev: 1.12
It is clear to me that scouts were paying attention to McConkey’s Senior Bowl and pro day. McConkey now gets to take his elite route running to a barren receiving room in Los Angeles to be paired with Justin Herbert. I know that the addition of Jim Harbaugh has people worried that this team has now turned into a run-first offense, but McConkey will be the number one for Herbert.
McConkey will dominate in the short crossing game and play some in the slot, for a team that just lost Mike Williams, but more importantly Keenan Allen. Could we be seeing a little Keenan-lite here in McConkey? I am betting on it.
1.10: Brock Bowers // Las Vegas Raiders // TE
Prev: 1.09
It is with much chagrin that I rank Bowers here at 1.10. What a weird spot and fit for Bowers in Las Vegas. Who will his quarterback be? Why did they draft Bowers with the position seemingly taken care of with Michael Mayer?
I must admit I don’t like anything about this. I really like Bowers’ production. Who doesn’t? But this could be a messy situation for us in fantasy.
1.11: Caleb Williams // Chicago Bears // QB
Prev: 2.02
Have we ever seen a first-overall quarterback with a better setup than Caleb Williams in Chicago? DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift are prepared to help Williams lead the Bears toward a playoff berth. But one thing that I love more than anything is the addition of Rome Odunze. Keenan and Moore will help a lot in 2024 and potentially 2025, but the chance for a young quarterback to grow up in the league with a star rookie receiver in Odunze will prove invaluable.
1.12: Adonai Mitchell // Indianapolis Colts // WR
Prev: 1.06
Mitchell fell further than I thought but I still don’t hate it. He lands in a great spot with a young quarterback. He is also going to have help from Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, so he won’t be the focal point of attention all the time. I am not sure he will reach WR1 heights while he is beside Pittman and with a running quarterback, but I still like Mitchell’s talent. I probably like this landing spot more than most.
2.01: Ricky Pearsall // San Francisco 49ers // WR
Prev: Unranked
I liked Pearsall through the Combine process, but I didn’t think he had this type of hype. We have all seen the one-handed grab that might have been the best catch in college football in 2023, but Pearsall’s route running and downfield ability were better than average. The big problem? Guys named Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and maybe most importantly, Christian McCaffery.
I’m interested in Pearsall in my rookie drafts, but I feel like he’s going to fall because of the other 49ers receivers. To me, rightfully so. If one of Deebo or Aiyuk is moved this offseason, Pearsall could definitely move up into the 1.08 range for me.
2.02: Ja’Lynn Polk // New England Patriots // WR
Prev: Unranked
I’ve tried to be hush-hush about Polk around guys in my leagues and in the Sode Shack. I loved Polk’s route running and ball-catching abilities and thought he would be my nice little third-round sleeper. Well, so much for that. The New England Patriots selected Polk in the second round to pair him with their new rookie quarterback, Drake Maye. I have also been vocal about my love for Maye. The question will be is Jerod Mayo going to continue the New England ways of not letting us have any valuable offensive pieces for this offense? I am going to bet that Mayo wants to change things up a bit and maybe we see a different side to this team. Polk could quickly become the WR1 in New England faster than we think.
2.03: Trey Benson // Arizona Cardinals // RB
Prev: 1.08
I didn’t love Benson falling to the 3rd round, but running backs being drafted high in the NFL Draft is becoming a thing of the past. I’m also more optimistic than most on the landing spot. James Conner is entering his 8th season in the NFL at age 28 and has missed 7 games over the past two seasons. Emari Demercado is a JAG. Benson doesn’t have much in his way to NFL relevance. I liked Benson’s tools coming out of Florida State and I am not going to let draft capital sway me. It won’t be long before Benson gets his shot with Murray and Harrison in that offense.
2.04: Blake Corum // Los Angeles Rams // RB
Prev: Unranked
I didn’t love Corum coming into the league because I didn’t feel like he possessed a true three-down skillset. But it is hard to look at Corum in a Sean McVay offense and not be a bit intrigued. Kyren Williams flew into insane relevance out of nowhere in 2023, but aside from Williams, there is nothing left behind him on the depth chart. Corum is in an electric Rams offense, and if Williams gets injured (remember, he has a small frame at 5’9” and 194 pounds), Corum could be a league-winner.
2.05: Dallas Turner // Minnesota Vikings // EDGE
Prev: 2.07
Turner might have been the second EDGE off the board, but I still have him as my EDGE1. Entering a rotation with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel is encouraging from a team perspective but nothing that should keep Turner off the field. Turner’s obliteration of the Combine still has my head spinning and the thought of Brian Flores using Turner in fun ways as a pass rusher has me feeling confident that Turner is a locked and loaded EDGE1 by the end of the season.
2.06: Jared Verse // Los Angeles Rams // EDGE
Prev: 2.08
If we liked the landing spot for Blake Corum, the same can be said for Verse on the opposite side of the ball in LA. There’s a strong case to be made that Verse could lead the rookie edge rushers in snaps in 2024 due to the lack of depth for the Rams and the need for some pass-rush talent in a post-Aaron Donald world. The Rams brilliantly maneuvered to line up former teammate Braden Fiske alongside Verse, Kobie Turner, and Young makes me feel like the Rams might have one of the best young pass rush groups in the league. Verse is another safe pick to me. Draft with confidence.
2.07: Jayden Daniels // Washington Commanders // QB
Prev: 2.04
After amassing over 1,100 yards and 10 TDs in his final year at LSU, Daniels’ rushing prowess at LSU is going to give him a safe floor in the NFL. With Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and now Luke McCaffery, Daniels will also have the ability to prove himself as a passer. This new regime in Washington is giving their young franchise QB plenty of opportunity. Can he convert that opportunity to success? We’ll see.
2.08: Laiatu Latu // Indianapolis Colts // EDGE
Prev: Unranked
Latu looks like the best pass rusher of the draft: 34 TFLs and 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons. I watched a video recently of Chris Long saying, “If his neck can hold up, he is going to be great.” That statement is a bit polarizing for me. I see the talent and optimism with Latu but I also can’t forget about the past. The fact that he was pretty much done with football is why I have him knocked here a bit. The linemen in the NFL are bigger and faster than college, and while I hope Latu stays healthy for us in IDP, I want to hedge my bets a bit in case he doesn’t.
2.09: Drake Maye // New England Patriots // QB
Prev: 2.05
Just because something once was doesn’t mean it always will be, and that could be the case here for Maye in this New England offense. I’m still with Nate Tice and love Maye’s game more than most. His accuracy might be the best of the class, and while he doesn’t have the elite assets that Williams or Daniels do, I’m bullish on the receiving crew the Patriots have put together. Are the Patriots under Jerod Mayo going to continue to yield very little in the fantasy department? Possibly. But Mayo and Maye might change that perception in New England for the positive.
2.10: Ben Sinnott // Washington Commanders // TE
Prev: Unranked
I was keeping my eye on Sinnott, hoping to scoop him up in the 4th or 5th. Slotting him at 2.09 might be a bit too high but I’m intrigued by what Sinnott brings to the Washington offense. A tight end is an ideal weapon for not only a rookie quarterback but a rushing quarterback at that. I want to leave all my drafts with Sinnott.
2.11: Edgerrin Cooper // Green Bay Packers // LB
Prev: 2.12
I understand that Junior Colson is going to be LB1 off most boards and I’m OK with that. Colson was a bit more efficient than Cooper in the tackling department, amassing 256 tackles in 3 years while Cooper had 205 in 4 years. But the big play ability was the separator for me. Cooper piled up 30.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks (8 of which came in his last season), and 2 interceptions in his time at A&M. Colson will see the field sooner and will have a higher floor, but the big play ability is the reason I am swooned by Cooper. Quay Walker is on notice.
2.12: Malachi Corley // New York Jets // WR
Prev: 2.11
No matter what, I had to have Corley ranked in my top two rounds because I simply love the player. However, I must admit that he didn’t land in the best situation. Playing alongside Aaron Rodgers as a rookie can be both extremely beneficial and maddening at the same time. Coming from someone who has rostered both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson in previous years, knowing when to start these guys can prove to be the downfall of your squad from week to week.
But there isn’t much in the way of talent aside from Garrett Wilson, so if Corley can gel with Rodgers early and show his unreal YAC ability for a quarterback who doesn’t quite have the arm he used to, Corley could have real boom potential.
3.01: Junior Colson // Los Angeles Chargers // LB
Prev: Unranked
While I spilled the beans on what I thought about Colson in Edgerrin Cooper’s write-up, Colson deserves to be here at the start of the 3rd round. Colson simply has too many things going in his favor to bury much longer. Pairing him with his college head coach in the NFL plays for me and I have been quite outspoken about how little I am worried about the linebackers in front of him. Will Colson have the best career of all the linebackers drafted this year? Maybe. Does he have the best potential to see meaningful playing time in 2024? Without a doubt.
3.02: Bucky Irving // Tampa Bay Buccanneers // RB
Prev: Unranked
Irving posted great numbers in the Oregon offense and led the FBS in receptions with 56 in 2023. That alone has me interested to see what more Irving has to offer.
3.03: Roman Wilson // Pittsburgh Steelers // WR
Prev: Unranked
Wilson’s 12 TDs in 2023 are impressive for any receiver in that Michigan run-focused offense. The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has me leery to rank Wilson any higher but pairing him alongside George Pickens, I am paying attention.
3.04: Jalen McMillian // Tampa Bay Buccaneers // WR
Prev: Unranked
The tide turned for Tampa Bay as Baker Mayfield took the helm in 2023. Yes, Mike Evan and Chris Godwin are in the way, but Godwin is not secure there long-term. Patience will be key starting out with McMillian but the talent is there.
3.05: Chop Robinson // Miami Dolphins // EDGE
Prev: Unranked
Robinson was one of my favorite prospects coming into the Combine and he only solidified that with his testing. He has a unique skill set and could see some early playing time in Miami. But with his lack of production at Penn State, are we seeing Odafe Oweh 2.0? He fell here to the 3.05 to hedge my bets in case.
3.06: Payton Wilson // Pittsburgh Steelers // LB
Prev: Unranked
We can only let Wilson fall so far here because what if he stays healthy? The 6’4” freak who ran a 4.43 40 at the Combine is begging for our attention. Pittsburgh brought Patrick Queen in via free agency and quickly put him on notice by drafting Wilson. I genuinely don’t know how the offseason or season will shake out for these LBs but you have to be ready in case Wilson gets his shot. He could be THAT good.
3.07: Marshawn Lloyd // Green Bay Packers // RB
Prev: Unranked
Lloyd fumbled the ball more in college than Aaron Rodgers had passes in 2023. OK, bad joke, but the fact remains that Lloyd had fumbling issues at both USC and South Carolina. But his skillset and frame suggest he could be a nice addition to that Green Bay running back room. Could Lloyd bust? Sure, but I’ll take a shot in the 3rd.
3.08: Johnny Newton // Washington Commanders // DT
Prev: Unranked
Newton was my favorite DT out of this class, and had he not been recovering from a Jones fracture, he could’ve gone higher. Newton had what I like to see from my defensive linemen coming out of college and that was production, stacking up 187 tackles, 27.5 TFLs, and 18 sacks in 4 years at Illinois. Newton could end up being a real gadget in Dan Quinn’s defense even despite the team’s current IDLs, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Have patience with Newton. It’ll pay off.
3.09: Ray Davis // Buffalo Bills // RB
Prev: Unranked
Call it Kentucky bias but I like what Davis brings to the table. He is a bit short, but his large frame provides the ability for him to gain tough yardage. He is surprisingly efficient out of the backfield as a receiver and I wouldn’t call James Cook a world-beater. He is a valuable insurance back at the least and who knows what that young Buffalo offense could look like this season. Davis could get his chance soon.
3.10: Cooper DeJean // Philadelphia Eagles // DB
Prev: Unranked
I see the unreal athleticism that DeJean possesses, but I also see a murky landing spot. Without much knowledge as to where DeJean might fit into that defense, it’s hard to rank him much higher. But were DeJean to get a role closer to the line of scrimmage and potentially fill the punt and kick return duty, you could have a league winner on your hands. Keep in mind, though, this is still a defensive back. Enjoy how good he could be but don’t get your head out over your skis.
3.11: Byron Murphy II // Seattle Seahawks // DT
Prev: Unranked
I see the upside that Murphy possesses but I can’t help but wish there was a little more production from him at Texas. Murphy fits into that line nicely in Seattle and pairs well alongside Leonard Williams. What if I am wrong about Murphy and he can stack sacks in the NFL? He would be a screaming value here at 3.11.
3.12: Troy Franklin // Denver Broncos // WR
Prev: Unranked
The draft community all took a collective gasp as we watched Franklin run the most haphazard gauntlet drill in recent memory and his draft stock has suffered since then. Could this provide us a nice opportunity to grab Franklin as a value while he is reunited with his college quarterback Bo Nix? Without a doubt. But he will have to weave his way through that depth chart first to return value here at the 3.12.
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This was an interesting rookie draft, I like where you have most of the players slotted. I am going on record here saying that the LA Rams are going to lead the NFL in sacks this season. Drafting Verse & Fiske in the first 2 rounds was brilliant for McVay and they're going to be the team to beat in the NFC West.