Ash Till 2024 NFL Top-50 Mock Draft
By Ash Till
Hi, I’m Ashley Till, every year I produce a top-50 mock, incorporating what I think could happen alongside the majority of my top-50 prospects. Hope you enjoy it, so let’s get into what should be an exciting draft in Detroit.
1. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This was always going to be the pick ever since the number one pick was confirmed on the 31st of December. The Bears get their true franchise QB.
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Would I take Daniels? Absolutely not with Drake Maye there, but there is a lot of noise saying its Daniels. Commanders take their QB and then look to address other issues with 6 picks inside the top 100.
3. New York Giants
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Giants move up to snag Drake Maye before anyone else can get in front of them. It’s the last roll of the dice for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. They trade away picks 6, 47, and a 2025 2nd to jump up.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
The price is set too high for any team to match to get QB4, so the Cardinals stick and pick and get their alpha wide receiver.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
I find it difficult to see the Chargers passing on one of these stud wideouts. If you cut Williams and trade Keenan then you better be doing it for a reason. Rome is the truer X receiver out of the two on the board, and I feel Rome has more of what Harbaugh would covet.
6. New England Patriots
Joe Alt OT Notre Dame
The Patriots surprise us all by passing on a QB after the trade down and taking Joe Alt. Alt is most people’s consensus tackle 1 and is in most people’s top 5, so why is he dropping to 7 in most mocks? I’m struggling to drop JJ McCarthy into this roster the way it looks and with Alt on the board. I’ve heard a lot of rumblings that offensive tackles will fly off the board in round 1. The current over/under in round 1 is currently 9.5 and it’s not like the Patriots don’t have a huge hole at left tackle. It wouldn’t shock me that if it’s not QB, Alt is the pick after the trade down.
7. Minnesota Vikings
JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
With New England passing on QB after the trade down, the Vikings see it as an opportunity to move up. The Titans are more likely to move out if Alt isn’t there so the deal happens. The key to the trade though is the Vikings holding onto pick 23 as they give up 11, 108, and their 2025 first-round pick. I don’t think you can get a better landing spot for a rookie QB, than in Minnesota.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
This pick is starting to look like a certainty with mocks and the betting market, but keep an eye on Mitchell out of Toledo and Murphy out of Texas being other options for the Falcons.
9. Chicago Bears
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Bears only have four picks in the whole draft, but if Nabers or Odunze are here at 9, I’m not sure you can move out. Keenan Allen is in the final year of his contract and DJ Moore needs to be paid in 2 years so the best player available is the pick in Chicago.
10. New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Tackle is 100 percent on the cards with versatile guys like Fuaga and Fautanu, and without a second-round pick, the Jets could trade down. This team badly needs some more weapons if you’re all in on this Aaron Rodgers era. Bowers is a unicorn prospect and alongside Wilson, that’s a terrifying tandem.
11. Tennessee Titans
Olu Fashanu OT Penn State
The Titans have done everything they can so far this offseason to build around Will Levis. The only thing missing for me is that premier left tackle. This draft couldn’t be better for that need, with the 6’ 6 pass-protecting stud from Penn State after the trade down.
12. Indianapolis Colts
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Colts leapfrog the Raiders to get their CB1. This is a team that were in on trading for L’Jarius Sneed so it wouldn’t shock me if the guy who has aced the pre-draft process is their target. If they stick and pick keep an eye on Cooper DeJean who is perfect for Gus Bradley’s cover-3 scheme. The Colts traded picks 15, 82, and 2025 5th. for picks 12 and 147.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
This pick for me is between Arnold and Latham for the Raiders, knowing how Telesco drafts. Pierce apparently loves Arnold and looking at their corner back room I can’t argue with that as the pick.
14. New Orleans Saints
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
With Ryan Ramczyk’s health a major concern and Trevor Penning struggling a lot at left tackle I can see Fautanu being the pick here at 14 with the versatility he could bring.
15. Washington Commanders
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The second big shock of the draft. The Commanders pair picks 36 and 40 to move up to 15 with Denver who trade out now altogether from round one. The Commanders have lost Sweat and Young over the last 8 months so it wouldn’t shock me if they package 36 and 40 to move back into round one for a huge need at Edge.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas
If Fautanu falls to 16, it’s a no-brainer for me to connect the dots with Ryan Grubb, but don’t dismiss their need for Defensive line. The amount Christian Wilkins got in free agency and extensions to Brown and Buckner. Defensive tackle has become a very expensive position to manage in roster construction. With a pending decision on Dre’Mont Jones’ contract in 2025, Murphy could be in play.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Just because that front office took a tackle last year doesn’t sway them from Fuaga who is the best player available here at 17. Cam Robinson is in his last year of that contract and Brandon Scherff is up there in age. A player like Fuaga here can really cement down a difference-maker on that right side.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
The Bengals have big decisions to make at wide receiver with Tyler Boyd a free agent, and Tee Higgins looking likely to be on another team come 2025. One thing is for certain: Mike Brown has huge sway in this franchise, which could bring another receiver over tackle debate. Worthy though is not just speed, he put up 900 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, which takes some doing. Pairing him with Chase and Higgins for 2024 is one scary thought.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Peter Schrager is convinced the first ever, first-round pick of the Sean McVay era will be on the offensive side of the ball. With that said and the run on offensive lineman a name to watch out for could be Graham Barton. Versatile and athletic, Barton can help keep the Stafford era alive for another few years.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
I get the feeling the Steelers are after a plug-and-play day-one starter on the offensive line. Latham is a clean and productive Right Tackle that can come straight in at that position, allowing you to move Jones over to the left, which I think would give better balance to this offensive line.
21. Arizona Cardinals
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Monti Ossenfort isn’t afraid to move around the board to get his guys, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they move up from 27 for a corner or edge. Here I have them taking Verse who is for me the last remaining of the big 3 edge rushers. They trade 27 and 90 for pick 21.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Why change the habit of a lifetime as the Eagles go back to the Georgia Bulldogs, but this time for Amarius Mims. He’s raw but with the intangibles he has, he could end up being an absolute steal at 22.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Darius Robinson Edge/IDL Missouri
The Vikings held onto this pick to grab some much-needed help rushing the passer inside and out. If you’re starting Jerry Tillery in 2024 then you’re in all sorts of problems on the defensive line.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Is this what Jerry Jones was getting at when he said the Cowboys were all in this year? Is receiver the pick at 24? A lot of analysts have said there is no consensus at WR4 so why is Brian Thomas Jr. always the fourth guy off the board, not in this scenario as the Cowboys get a number 2 across from CeeDee Lamb.
25. Green Bay Packers
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
This roster could go in any direction, but I have them going back to Iowa for their first pick after Van Ness last year. The Packers don’t take guys under 190 pounds so it’s DeJean over Wiggins here.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
After dealing Carlton Davis to the Lions, there isn’t really a scenario where the best corner available doesn’t land in Tampa.
27. Miami Dolphins
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
After the trade down the Dolphins take a lineman. Similar to the situation in New Orleans, you have a player in Armstead who has questions about his health, and Austin Jacksons’ play is up and down. Guyton needs some work but he has attributes like burst and fluidity that are hard to teach.
28. Buffalo Bills
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The other Texas receiver comes off the board and there is a new alpha in Buffalo. Mitchell has elite body control and a knack for coming down with the ball in moments you believe he has no chance of winning. With Diggs and Gabe Davis gone, this cushions the blow in that passing offense.
29. Detroit Lions
Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
The Lions have always loved freakish athletes and I am convinced that’s where they go with pick 29. Robinson has the energy to match what Campbell brings as a coach and that 4.49 speed really shows up in his relentless effort to get to the Quarterback.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Ravens go back to ‘Bama for their cornerback room. Marlon Humphrey and Kool-Aid McKinstry would be a tough physical tandem going into 2024.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
Frazier is a match made in heaven for their wide zone scheme and bulking up the middle of that line would personally be a wise decision. This is the time to load up on plug-and-play players and not projects while Brock Purdy is on that rookie deal.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Not many have had linebacker pegged in the first, but one team that could grab one is the Chiefs. Willie Gay has left town and Bolton is in his final contract year. Could we see something similar to the Lions last year when they selected Jack Campbell? Colson is an awesome player who commands the field with his instincts and tone-setting. Personally, I love the fit and the value.
33. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
There is always movement at the top of round 2 and I can see the story of day 2 being who wants Nix and who wants Penix. There is also nearly always a team that trades down twice in round one and I can see that being Denver. Sean Payton said they would be aggressive in the draft and that could mean being aggressive in moving around to rebuild this roster and it starts with the first pick of round 2. Denver move back up using one of the picks in the Commanders’ trade to snag their QB perfect for Sean Payton. They trade 36 and 121 for this move.
34. New England Patriots
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
We’ve pegged these two QBs together most of the draft process and after Denver, we now see New England who passed on a guy at 3 to get their new QB at 34. Penix can sling it and with Jacoby Brissett as a mentor for his first year, I think Penix could shine in New England given the right tools.
35. Arizona Cardinals
TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
The Cardinals grab another need taking the tough corner out of Iowa State. Coming away with Harrison, Verse, and Tampa, that’s a great haul for GM, Monti Ossenfort.
36. Carolina Panthers
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
The Panthers arguably had the worst line last year, so pairing your Franchise QB with one of the class’s best interior offensive linemen is a very good idea at the top of round 2 after the trade down. JPJ could play center or guard long-term in Carolina.
37. New England Patriots
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
The Patriots’ wide out room has been a head-scratcher for some time with no 1,000-yard wide receiver since Julian Edelman and Tom Brady’s final year with the team. I really think a player like McConkey would be a perfect fit at wide receiver. Now with Alt, Penix, and McConkey things are looking a lot better for the Patriots. They trade pick 47 they acquired from the Giants and 103 for 37.
38. Tennessee Titans
Johnny Newton, IDL, Illinois
The Titans will miss what Autry brought to the defensive line. Sebastian Joseph-Day is more of a nose tackle and by adding Newton they bring some pass-rushing quality and ability to move around on that defensive line. For me, he is a first-round talent.
39. Carolina Panthers
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
The Panthers add a new superstar linebacker to the franchise, looking to get the future replacement for Shaq Thompson, who is set to turn 30 and coming off a broken fibula.
40. Denver Broncos
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
The Broncos now after securing the quarterback look to the other side of the ball and take Melton to play opposite Pat Surtain.
41. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
The Packer go offensive line at 41, Morgan is athletic and excellent in pass pro, Bakhtiari is going to be sorely missed from this franchise, and although Rasheed Walker played okay stepping in last year, Morgan’s upside is too good to pass up at 41 as he could also play guard too.
42. Houston Texans
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
The Texans grab arguably the best nickel corner in the draft. He’s a coach’s dream and a player with a 10-year upside on this defense.
43. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons could easily take a corner at 8, but after Turner, they grab one of my favourite corners in the draft at 43. Rakestraw isn’t afraid to put his body on the line defending the run and in pass defense he uses his eyes better than most DBs in the draft.
44. Las Vegas Raiders
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Antonio Pierce takes a guy he worked with while at Arizona State. Pearsall gives them a versatile wideout that can operate inside and outside, with some of the best hands in the class. He can be the third guy behind Adams and Meyers but with the capability of being more in 2025.
45. New Orleans Saints
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Polk has picked up a lot of buzz as a top-50 pick and it would not shock me if he comes off the board between 42 and 52 of the draft. The Saints grab a perfect compliment in that wide receiver room.
46. Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Colts brought back Julian Blackmon, but I can see them targeting a replacement for the future on day 2. The first safety comes off the board at 46.
47. Los Angeles Chargers
Brandon Dorlus, Edge/DL, Oregon
A new system needs new pieces and I love what Dorlus can bring to this Chargers front. This guy could become a star in Jesse Minter’s scheme after the trade down from 37.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
The Jaguars take the Calvin Ridley replacement here at 48. Franklin offers great value at this spot.
49. Cincinnati Bengals
Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson
The Bengals brought in Sheldon Rankins practically on a 1-year deal, cutting him in 2025 could be an easy decision giving them a 9.5 million cap saving. if they move on from BJ Hill as well as a free agent in 2025, Defensive tackle could be far more of a need than some people may have you think.
50. Cleveland Browns
Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
The Browns move up from 54 to 50 to complete the top 50 mock, They trade picks 54 and 156 to the Eagles for an edge, who brings toughness and power, perfect for the physical division of the AFC North.
Ash Till
Guest Contributor
Ash has followed the NFL since 2010. He is a writer and podcaster for First and Ten, he also specialises in salary cap dynasty leagues within the fantasy sphere. Ash is a Chargers fan and has also produced content on the team for other outlets.
Follow Ash on Twitter/X @tillsa9909s