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Jess Root

Final 2024 1st-round mock draft: Cardinals make big trade up from No. 27

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET in Detroit. After weeks and months of analysis and speculation, NFL teams will select 32 players in the first round to join their teams.

The Arizona Cardinals, along with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, have two selections in the first round.

Quarterbacks are expected to be selected with the first three selections.

But how will it go?

Below are my final projections and predictions for the first round.

Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams

Syndication: USA TODAY

There is no secret here. The Bears traded Justin Fields and Williams has only visited Chicago. They need a quarterback and Williams is the best in the draft.

Washington Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders traded away Sam Howell in the offseason and are not interested in coming off the pick. Daniels had the best season among quarterbacks in contention here, winning the Heisman Trophy. North Carolina’s Drake Maye will be under consideration but most feel confident Daniels will be the pick.

New England Patriots: North Carolina QB Drake Maye

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots could trade out of the pick with a big enough offer, but anybody trading up would be targeting a quarterback. Maye is the guy.

Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Because they traded down a year ago and traded back up, many feel that the Cardinals will do it again. They have been connected to teams looking to potentially trade up and select a quarterback, like Minnesota, Denver or Las Vegas.

However, they need a receiver and Harrison is the best one in the draft.

(MOCK TRADE) Minnesota Vikings: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings move up here to get a quarterback. They move up from No. 11 overall and give the Los Angeles Chargers, who had the pick, No. 11, a Day 3 pick this year and a first-round selection in 2025 so the Vikings move up to No. 5.

They take McCarthy, the fourth quarterback in five selections.

New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers

Malik Nabers 8 dives for a ball as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.

While the Giants probably wanted McCarthy, they go with Nabers, who many believe could have a higher ceiling in the NFL than Harrison.

Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans need a tackle and Alt is the best of the group. This pick feels natural.

Atlanta Falcons: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

While Alabama’s Dallas Turner was the favorite with minus odds to be the eighth pick, Latu’s odds have shortened in recent weeks. Both are +200 to go eighth overall. With the shift in odds, the Falcons, who need a good pass rusher, take the most polished in the class.

Chicago Bears: Washington WR Rome Odunze

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have a great set of weapons for Williams — De’Andre Swift at running back, tight end Cole Kmet and receivers D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and now Odunze.

New York Jets: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch during the third quarter as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

The Jets could go tackle here or another defensive player, but Bowers gives them sure production as a rookie to help Aaron Rodgers on offense.

(MOCK TRADE) Los Angeles Chargers: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) goes up against Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) during the third quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.

After moving back to No. 11 and picking up extra picks this year and a first-round pick next year, they go with tackle help to protect QB Justin Herbert. He gives left-right tackle versatility. Coach Jim Harbaugh would be very familiar with Fashanu because of the Big Ten connection.

(MOCK TRADE) Arizona Cardinals: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals are aggressive in finding pass-rushing help and love Turner. They are thrilled when the Falcons take Latu. They send Denver picks Nos. 27, 35 and 104 for Nos. 12 and 76.

The Broncos want to trade back because they have their eyes on another quarterback but don’t want him at No. 12 and don’t have a second-round pick.

Las Vegas Raiders: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders could go QB but with four off the board, they will instead go defense. They can make their secondary very good with Mitchell, the most athletic cornerback of the class.

New Orleans Saints: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Fuaga gives the Saints toughness on the offensive line, which they need to protect Derek Carr.

Indianapolis Colts: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts add a stud cornerback for their defense.

Seattle Seahawks: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks have not had a great edge presence in years. They hope Verse can be that guy.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) runs back a punt for a touchdown at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Iowa City. The touchdown was overturned after review.

Getting offensive line help would be useful, but if the Jags can cover and defend better, it will be better for Trevor Lawrence.

Cincinnati Bengals: Washington OT Troy Fautanu

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals now have a young, talented replacement for Jonah Williams, who signed with Arizonain free agency.

Los Angeles Rams: Texas DL Byron Murphy Jr.

Murphy isn’t Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason, but you see flashes of what Donald did well in him.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama OL JC Latham

Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) celebrates with a cow bell in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields now at quarterback, the Steelers make sure to give them protection with the steady play of Latham.

Miami Dolpins: Illinois DL Johnny Newton

Sep 17, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton (94) sacks Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins in free agency but can replace him with the best defensive player in the Big Ten.

Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) smiles after breaking up a pass to South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor (8) during the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Clemson won 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles’ secondary is aging. They add Wiggins, who is athletic and fearless despite a lean frame.

Minnesota Vikings: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

31. San Francisco 49ers – Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State

The Vikings lost Danielle Hunter and added Jonathan Greenard in free agency. They can pair him with the super-athletic Robinson.

Dallas Cowboys: Georgia OT Amarius Mims

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This pick makes too much sense for the Cowboys, who need tackle help.

Green Bay Packers: Duke OL Graham Barton

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers need help at multiple positions on the line to protect Jordan Love. Barton played tackle in college but is projected to be able to play across the line, so the Packers get needed versatility.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: West Virginia C Zach Frazier

Oct 1, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa needs a center badly. Frazier is going to be good from Day 1.

(MOCK TRADE) Denver Broncos: Oregon QB Bo Nix

The Broncos’ patience pays off. They get a quarterback in Nix and added a second-round pick in the trade back.

Buffalo Bills: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) catches a ball for a touchdown against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

After trading Stefon Diggs, the Bills need an alpha receiver and, outside of Harrison, Nabers and Odunze, Mitchell has the traits to be that guy.

Detroit Lions: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) celebrates after a missed field goal by LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions could go with Oregon O-lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, but McKinstry being on the board is too good to pass up.

Baltimore Ravens: LSU WR Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas Jr 11 runs the ball as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.

Speed! He gives the Ravens breakaway speed to throw down the field, adding him to the weapons that Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are.

San Francisco 49ers: Missouri DL Darius Robinson

Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) and Missouri Tigers defensive back Daylan Carnell (13) celebrate during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Niners parted ways with Arik Armstead and now get to replace him with a defender with the same inside-out versatility.

Kansas City Chiefs: Georgia WR Xavier Worthy

Nov 13, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

After a questionable receiving corps in 2023, the Chiefs now have Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown (signed in free agency) and Worthy, the fastest player ever at the NFL combine. That speed at receiver is going to be a problem for everyone in the league.

More Cardinals and NFL coverage

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

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