BOBBLEHEAD SPORTS

After a wild 4 days at the combine that included broken records, controversies, and major prospects sitting out, Aiden and I have decided to do our post-combine mock draft, before free agency shakes things up again. A few prospects have shot into the Top 32 with their combine performances, and a few have left the first round altogether. So grab a cold drink and see who we think your team will pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pick 1: Bears – Caleb Williams | QB | USC

Even though he sat out the combine, Caleb Williams is still the clear QB1 in the class and the Bears would be stupid to pass on a generational QB talent like Williams. He makes big throws both in and out of the pocket, and has the speed and agility to be a dual threat QB. The Bears already have weapons set up for him, with DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, and their 9th pick in this mock.

Pick 2: Commanders – Drake Maye | QB | UNC

Drake Maye also didn’t participate in combine drills, but measured in at over 6’4 and 223lbs with a 6’4 wingspan. He has the perfect QB body, which gives him the strength to be arguably the best deep passer in the draft. Washington needs a true franchise QB, and Sam Howell isn’t the guy. Maye would have McLaurin, Dotson, and Samuel, who are much better than who he was throwing to last year.

Pick 3: Patriots – Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU

Another mock, another 3 QB run at the start of the draft, and for good reason. Daniels is both a great passer and runner, which both contributed to a monster season where he won the Heisman Trophy. New Patriots HC Jerod Mayo has stated he wants to distance himself from Belichick, and that starts with a new “Franchise QB” to be the face of the new Patriots.

Pick 4: Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | OSU

The Cardinals are happy with Kyler Murray, so having arguably the best prospect in the draft fall to number 4 is the perfect situation. Even though he didn’t go to the combine, MHJ just seems to be amazing at everything he does as a reciever, and this gives Kyler Murray his best weapon since D-Hop left. If Kyler Murray still can’t succeed, you’ve drafted the perfect weapon for a new QB to throw to.

Pick 5: Chargers – Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame

Joe Alt did participate at the combine, and had a field day. Measuring in at a huge 6’8 and 321lbs, he ended the combine with an RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 9.92/10. Pair that with his impressive college numbers and great football IQ, he is the perfect OT prospect. Jim Harbaugh would be salivating at the chance to draft Alt and fix the Chargers woeful O-Line.

Pick 6: Giants – Malik Nabers | WR | LSU

Malik Nabers would be WR1 in any class without MHJ. He is an absolute beast who can burn man coverage and catch any ball thrown his way. 2nd in deep catches and 4th in deep yards in 2024, he is the perfect deep threat from the slot. The Giants need a QB, but the more important need is an elite WR who can support whoever they decide to put at QB.

Pick 7: Titans – Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State

If Alt is off the board, the Titans still have to address a glaring need in their O-Line. Fuaga measured in at 6’5 and 324 lbs with a RAS of 9.71. He’s arguably the best run blocker in the draft, which fits how the Titans play by pounding the rock with Derrick Henry.

Pick 8: Falcons – Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama

Dallas Turner had an amazing combine that firmly secured his place as the top edge rusher in the draft. He’s a bit on the smaller side, measuring in at 6’0 and 247lbs, but he makes up for that with his blistering speed and great strength, achieving a RAS score of 9.49. The Falcons address a clear need with possibly the best defensive player in the draft.

Pick 9: Bears – Rome Odunze | WR | Washington

The Bears pick up another weapon to support Caleb Williams with Odunze, and he will slot in perfectly next to DJ Moore. He also had a brilliant combine, running a 4.45 40yd dash and scored a 9.91 RAS. He led all college receivers with 23 deep catches and 783 deep yards, and how much fun would it be seeing Caleb Williams throwing dots to Odunze?

Pick 10: Jets – Olumuyiwa Fashanu | OT | PSU

The Jets will be hoping Aaron Rodgers can play more than 4 snaps this season, and the best way to do that is by drafting a big OT that can guard his blindside. Fashanu measured in at 6’6 and 319lbs and although he got injured after his 40yd dash, it shouldn’t do much to hurt his draft stock. His pass blocking is elite, but he’ll have to improve his run blocking to take the leap to the next level.

Pick 11: Vikings – Byron Murphy II | DT | Texas 

Byron Murphy II was anothe standout performer at the combine, impressing scouts with his athletic abilities and also his drill work. The Vikings are losing Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport, so Murphy will be a much needed boost to their weakened D-Line.

Pick 12: Broncos – JJ McCarthy | QB | Michigan

The Broncos are in desperate need for a QB after informing Russell Wilson that they intend to cut him. JJ McCarthy isn’t going to amaze you with his athletic ability, but he’s got all the fundamentals to be a solid starting QB in the NFL. He didn’t make too many big throws at Michigan, but when he did, he was accurate and showed off his big arm.

Pick 13: Raiders – Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo

Quinyon Mitchell impressed scouts with his athleticism at the combine, running a 4.33 40yd dash and performing well in the CB drills. He blankets any receiver he’s defending, only allowing 43.5% completion and allowing 0 TDs in 13 games this season. The Raiders need to fix their averaget defense, and in a division with Mahomes and Herbert, an elite CB1 will be crucial.

Pick 14: Saints – JC Latham | OT | Alabama 

Latham looks like he was built in a lab. Standing at a mammoth 6’6 and weighing 335lbs, Latham is like a brick wall, he stands his ground and loves to pancake pass rushers. The Saints O-Line was a disaster last year, especially in the run game, where they were ranked 31st in YPC. Ryan Ramczyk still has a huge question mark over his head, so the Saints would love a new OT that has a relatively high floor.

Pick 15: Colts – Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia

Everybody has heard about Brock Bowers at this point. He’s one of the best TE prospects of the last 10 years, up there with Kyle Pitts. However, TE is a position that a lot of teams don’t value as highly, hence Bowers sliding down the board. The Colts current TE is Mo Alle-Cox, and no disrespect to him, but they could certainly use an upgrade. Another weapon for Anthony Richardson to throw to next year, Bowers is an incredibly reliable target who can also perform well in the trenches.

Pick 16: Seahawks – Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA

All throughout the draft process Latu was fluctuating between a Top 10 pick to a Round 3 pick due to his medical issues. Well, he passed the medical tests at the combine, and then put on a show for the scouts. The Seahawks would love to add a pass rushing threat, and Latu would easily slot into their 3-4 defense. 

Pick 17: Jaguars – Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama

Terrion Arnold didn’t have the greatest combine performance, but he is still an athletic CB that would pair perfectly with Tyson Campbell in the secondary. The Jaguars are now in a division with CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson, so having 2 quality corners will be crucial.

Pick 18: Bengals – Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia

After another season ending injury for Joe Burrow, the Bengals have to adress their O-Line issues. Amarius Mims is an incredible athlete, standing at 6’7 and weighing 340lbs, but he’s not a polished prospect. He only played 803 snaps at Georgia and showed elite flashes but still has areas that need improvement.

Pick 19: Rams – Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson

The Rams land a super athletic CB in Nate Wiggins, who is fresh off running a 4.28 40yd Dash at the combine. He boasts a 43.9% completion percentage and had his best game against the best QB he faced (Drake Maye). The Rams traded away Jalen Ramsey last season, and Wiggins would be the perfect player to step in and become their CB1.

Pick 20: Steelers – Jaxson Powers-Johnson | C | Oregon

It’s a popular pick in mock drafts for good reason. The Steelers need a center to bolster their O-Line, and pair with Broderick Jones. Powers-Johnson has arguably the highest floor of any player in the draft, and I believe at worst, he’ll be a plug and play center for the next 10 years. He’s incredibly strong and incredibly consistent, allowing 0 sacks, 1 hit, and 3 hurries over his entire collegiate career.

Pick 21: Dolphins – Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa

The Dolphins already have their CBs for 2024, with Jalen Ramsey and Cam Smith. But with the departure of DeShon Elliott, they are without a SS. Cooper DeJean can be their SS, but he’s a utility guy. He can play some snaps at SS, he can move back and play Slot CB, he can play as an outside CB. He is the most versatile corner, and Mike McDaniel would have a field day working DeJean in to his defensive lineups.

Pick 22: Eagles – Kool Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama

The Eagles are set to lose Avonte Maddox and Kevin Byard, so it makes sense to draft an athletic CB like McKinstry to help a secondary that was getting torched at the back end of last season. He is incredibly smart and is quick to adapt to new defensive schemes, which is perfect for an Eagles team still looking to contend. He has fallen in mock drafts this year, but he is definitely a first-round prospect.

Pick 23: Texans – Jared Verse | EDGE | FSU

What Jared Verse lacks in arm length, he makes up for with his brute strength and passion. He never gives up on the play, which led to him being one of the best pass rushers in college football. Texans fans, imagine a 2 headed demon in Verse and Anderson Jr rushing the QB every down. 

Pick 24: Cowboys – Graham Barton | OT | Duke

The Cowboys are set to lose longtime OL Tyron Smith, so it makes sense to plug that hole with a flexible guy like Graham Barton. He can play any position on the O-Line, so he can fill in at either guard or tackle next to Tyler Smith. A WR could be in play, but the class is deep enough they can pick one up later.

Pick 25: Packers – Jer’Zhan Newton | DT | Illinois

Newton is small for a DT, standing at 6’2, but he’s also the most polished DT in the draft class. He’s a great pass rusher, utilising quick hand movements and great block shedding ability. The Packers need to upgrade their D-Line, so having a guy like Newton fall this far would be a dream scenario for the Packers.

Pick 26: Buccaneers – Troy Fautanu | OG | Washington

The Bucs have some solid pieces on their O-Line, but with LG Aaron Stinnie becoming a free agent, now is the perfect time to draft a long term starting guard. He can struggle with run blocking, but is an exceptional pass blocker and can play any position in the IOL. I could see him being drafted as high as 17, so the Bucs get a steal at 26.

Pick 27: Cardinals – Chop Robinson | EDGE | PSU

Chop Robinson is one of my favourite players of this draft class. His combine was amazing, running a 4.48 40yd dash and showing out in the drills, boosting his draft stock in the process. He’s a raw prospect, he has the speed and the strength but needs to develop his pass rush moves to become an elite edge rusher. The Cardinals are in rebuild mode, so they have plenty of time to develop Chop before they are back in contention.

Pick 28: Bills – Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | LSU

The Bills have the WR4 of a receiver heavy draft fall into their laps at pick 28. He blew people away at the combine running a 4.33 40yd dash while measuring in at 6’3. He had an outstanding RAS score of 9.97/10, which is the 10th highest of any WR since 1987. I believe a team would trade up for him into the top 20, but with no trades, he falls to 28.

Pick 29: Lions – Eric Rakestraw Jr. | CB | Missouri 

We have the Lions picking Rakestraw again due to his fit in their offensive scheme. Although he had a subpar combine, he should still sneak into the first round. The Lions need a CB, and Rakestraw fills the need with a high ceiling to potentially be a long term starter.

Pick 30: Ravens – Adonai Mitchell | WR | Texas

With OBJ leaving in free agency, the Ravens need a WR to compliment young star Zay Flowers. Adonai Mitchell had an amazing combine, running a 4.34 40yd dash and dominating in the vertical and broad jump. He would be the perfect deep threat to pair with Flowers, and the Ravens offense would be soaring.

Pick 31: 49ers – Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma

The 49ers don’t exactly have many glaring weaknesses that need to be fixed, but 1 spot they could sure up is their RT. Trent Williams is dominating on the left, but the right may need an upgrade. Guyton is 6’7 and 327lbs, the perfect guy to plug into the O-Line to keep their Superbowl window open.

Pick 32: Chiefs – Xavier Worthy | WR | Texas

Speed Kills. Worthy lit up the combine with a record 4.21 40yd dash and, in turn, flew up everyones draft boards. Speed shouldn’t be the only factor we analyse though, as we saw with John Ross. Worthy is 6’1, and although he weighed in at 172lbs, he is still a great deep threat who has been tearing it up at Texas for 3 years. Chiefs need to give Mahomes some receiving help, and why not try and replicate Tyreek Hill.

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