The books have closed on the 2023 NFL Draft. Seeds for playoff runs were planted. Franchise quarterbacks were selected. The Detroit Lions, uh, took a unique tack and swam upstream against current trends with a running back-inside linebacker combination in the first 20 picks.
But now that 2023’s roster building has been limited to undrafted free agents and a handful of under appreciated veterans, we’re free to set our sights on next year’s draft. We’ve only got a vague idea of who’ll be at the top of 2024’s proceedings, though it’s a safe bet reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams will be somewhere up there. After that, all we have is some game tape, college stats and a general idea of who’ll show out at the combine and make themselves undeniable on Day 1.
So, after thoroughly biffing this year’s mock draft — I, sadly, did not have two running backs in the first dozen picks or a Houston Texans trade-up — I’ve set my sights toward 2024. Here’s my entirely-too-early, sure-to-be-extremely-wrong look at next year’s draft. The draft order is based on our similarly too-early power rankings post-free agency.
1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Replacing Tom Brady won’t be easy, but a year with Kyle Trask (maybe) at QB1 has its benefits. Either Trask outperforms expectations and Tampa winds up nowhere near the top of the draft, or the Bucs collapse into a puddle and float to the top of the draft to select Williams. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has all the tools to be an MVP candidate on Sundays.
2
Indianapolis Colts: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Anthony Richardson needs someone to throw to, especially if he’s going to follow the Josh Allen path from “all potential, inconsistent production” to “bonafide star.” Who better than the son of an Indianapolis legend? Harrison absolutely shredded college defenses in 2022 and would head up a young wideout corps featuring Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.
3
Arizona Cardinals: DL Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
The Cardinals need inexpensive help just about everywhere. Adding the versatile Hall would be give them flexibility when it comes to adding talent along the defensive line.
Hall doesn’t have big numbers, but he’s got Jalen Carter-type upside as an athletic monster who can handle his business over center or slide over and shoot gaps. He’s equally intimidating against the run and pass; Arizona badly needs a three-down presence to help fix a foundering defense.
4
Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse was trending toward a top 20 pick before returning to Florida State for 2023. That’s a risky call, but it pays dividends for now since he’s the most established and impactful pass rusher in his class at this early date.
The path from FCS Albany to the ACC wasn’t too steep for Verse, who had 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his Seminole debut. Now he joins a Browns team in need of defensive talent up front alongside Myles Garrett.
5
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Las Vegas resisted the temptation to trade up in the first round of the 2023 Draft for a quarterback. That’ll give Jimmy Garoppolo one year to prove he’s more than a stopgap option. If the Raiders struggle their way to a top five selection, a new QB will be in the cards.
In this scenario, luck falls in the team’s favor and the second-best prospect slides all the way to No. 5. Maye will have to avoid the late-career slump that pushed Sam Howell to the fifth round after emerging as a stud, but if he can build on his 2022 he’ll be Vegas’s huckleberry.
6
Los Angeles Rams: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Los Angeles has been in need of an upper crust blindside protector since Andrew Whitworth retired with a Super Bowl ring on his finger. Alt has the chops to be a worthy replacement. He’s 6-foot-7 with room to grow and allowed just three quarterback pressures — no sacks — through Notre Dame’s entire 2022 season.
7
Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Arizona enriched its draft coffers thanks to the trade that made Will Anderson Jr. a Texan — and another lean year in Houston could make this pick even more valuable. For now it lands at No. 7, where the Cards can pick up a different pocket-collapsing Alabama pass rusher. Turner has all the traits to beef up a pass rush that lost its top two sack leaders in 2023 and would pair with Hall Jr. to give Jonathan Gannon an intimidating 1-2 punch up front.
8
Tennessee Titans: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Peter Skoronski was a great start, and I fully believe he can be an impactful tackle in the NFL. But there’s still a hole on the other side of the line that would be, in theory, occupied by either Andre Dillard or Nicholas Petit-Frere. Until one of them steps up, offensive line remains a priority in Nashville. Fashanu is big and mean and has the skills to pair with Skoronski and keep whomever is throwing passes in 2024 upright.
9
New Orleans Saints: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
New Orleans resisted the temptation to draft a Day 1 tight end, but the need remains for an upper-flight blocker and receiver up front for Derek Carr. Bowers is that guy. He’s dynamic downfield and capable of finishing catches through traffic, insulating Carr from any age-related decline that may loom.
10
Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
He’s a blazing fast athlete set to keep Ohio State’s string of devastating NFL wideouts intact. He’s not quite Marvin Harrison Jr., but he’s a field-stretching threat with good size and the speed to outrun safety help over the top. The Bears got an alpha WR from Carolina when they added D.J. Moore. With Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool each facing free agency, they use another pick gleaned from that trade to add more wideout help.
11
Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The Falcons are content to roll with Desmond Ridder, Tyler Allgeier and eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson as part of a run-heavy offense in 2023. If that fails to pan out, Penix could be the next man up as a mobile quarterback who can thrive on the ground as well as make big throws through the air. His 2022 transfer to Washington paid off big dividends; another such season could cement his place as a Day 1 prospect.
12
New England Patriots: OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Bill Belichick traded back from No. 14 so the Steelers could select Broderick Jones. Taking Christian Gonzalez at No. 17 suggests offensive tackle will remain a low-key need through the next season — especially with Trent Brown a pending free agent next spring. Suamataia is a space-clearing beast whose drive and effort in the run game will make him a Belichick favorite early, though his pass blocking will need to improve for him to be a Day 1 pick.
13
Denver Broncos: WR Zakhari Franklin, UTSA (but currently in the transfer portal)
Franklin has more than 2,100 receiving yards his last two seasons and is averaging an even touchdown per game over that stretch. Taking him over Troy Franklin (no relation) is a risk, but the UTSA star’s production and playmaking may give him too much upside to pass up — particularly if Sean Payton needs a playmaker to revive Russell Wilson’s career.
14
Chicago Bears: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Both Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will be free agents in 2024. Mooney will likely be an extension candidate, while Claypool’s future is less certain. If either fails to pan out, Worthy would be a proper running mate for D.J. Moore. While offensive line remains a concern, the run of top 12 tackles instead gives Justin Fields another target in the passing game.
15
Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are stopgap solutions at linebacker. Trotter Jr., who is capable of filling multiple roles on Sundays, would be a long term solution in Pittsburgh.
16
Green Bay Packers : DL J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
The Packers love spending first round picks on defenders and love dropping Day 1 assets on guys who were formerly highly touted blue chip recruits. Tuimoloau, 2021’s No. 2 overall prospect and a 277-pound monster capable of filling multiple positions up front, fits both categories.
17
Washington Commanders: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
If Nix continues to play like he did in 2022 he’ll have forced his way into Day 1 consideration. The Commanders mostly sat out the 2023 quarterback market, instead opting for a year of Jacoby Brissett and whatever Sam Howell brings to the table behind center. Nix could provide an upgrade to that depth chart — or fade into Day 3 if he regresses this fall.
18
Baltimore Ravens: DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Re-signing Lamar Jackson means the Ravens don’t need a quarterback. But bolstering the defense is always a priority, and Williams is just the kind of line-bending, lane-destroying tackle Baltimore loves. He had five sacks in nine games as a freshman.
19
Minnesota Vikings: S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
Harrison Smith is 34 years old and the Minnesota secondary around him is unimpressive. Mukuba brings a high-ceiling replacement who can track down deep balls and erase opposing WR1s with supreme athleticism and awareness.
20
New York Giants : TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
A run on pass catchers kept the Giants from adding a first round wideout. Daniel Jones needs targets, and Sanders has the chops to be a weapon at tight end. He’s big, sure-handed and a total load to bring down once he has the ball. He might not stretch the field, but he’d be a perfect complement to the short-range passing game that revived Jones’ career in 2022.
21
New York Jets: DL Maason Smith, LSU
Free agent addition Solomon Thomas could be the answer next to Quinnen Williams, but he’s only signed through 2023. Smith would provide an inexpensive replacement capable of bringing more to the front seven thanks to his blend of size (6-foot-5, 300 pounds), strength and athleticism. Of course, he’ll have to put a 2022 season marred by injury behind him to get there.
22
Los Angeles Chargers : CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
McKinstry would pair with Asante Samuel Jr. to give LA a potent 1-2 punch of young corners and, importantly, provide insurance should JC Jackson continue to struggle as a Charger. Kool-Aid allowed just a 62.3 passer rating when targeted last season.
23
Seattle Seahawks: IOL Connor Colby, Iowa
Interior linemen weren’t selected on Day 1 in 2023 and Colby might not be the best in class next spring — Alabama’s JC Latham is a more athletic pick — but Colby’s Iowa pedigree and rock solid performance despite the Brian Ferentz of it all makes him a safe bet. He’s got quick feet and power and ruins linebackers at the next level in the run game. That’d be a boon for the Seahawks, even with their now-stacked receiving lineup.
24
Detroit Lions: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Detroit blatantly passed up edge rushers this spring by going running back-inside linebacker with its first two picks. 2024 offers a chance to remedy that, even with a pick in the back half of the first round. Sawyer is a powerfully built disruptor with an innate sense of when a sack is near and how to close on a quarterback. He’s primed for a big year in 2023 — and potentially a draft slot outside the Lions’ reach.
25
Jacksonville Jaguars: S James Williams, Miami
Williams has the size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) to have a Kyle Hamilton-type presence for the Hurricanes in 2023. He’d stay in state and punch up a roster that’s thin at safety and in need of secondary help in general. The big safety can crush ball carriers near the line of scrimmage and hold his own in man coverage.
26
Miami Dolphins: IOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Both Miami’s starting guards from 2022 are slated to hit free agency in 2023. Beebe is a rock solid interior lineman who has played both tackle and guard at K State and hasn’t given up a sack since 2020. He’d be an asset keeping Tua Tagovailoa upright and healthy — or whomever is starting for the Dolphins next fall.
27
San Francisco 49ers: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Brandon Aiyuk something something. Franklin isn’t just a big frame capable of boxing out cornerbacks for contested passes — he’s also a dynamite run-after catch threat who averaged nearly 15 yards per catch last season. Kyle Shanahan loves guys like that because they mitigate the risks of his often shaky quarterbacks. Franklin would be a familiar asset in San Francisco.
28
Dallas Cowboys: RB Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
It’s an Arkansas guy who plays a position Jerry Jones loves. Dallas will be in the market for an RB1 if Tony Pollard plays out his franchise tag without signing an extension. Sanders would be an immediate, low-cost fit.
29
Buffalo Bills: S Calen Bullock, USC
Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde remain great, but each is on the wrong side of 30. Bullock offers the team an opportunity to reload and keep its secondary strong. He’s a rangy centerfield type who’d be an asset for the Bills’ cornerbacks in help situations.
30
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Burke was stellar as a freshman but regressed in 2022. That makes No. 30 a potential bargain for an Eagles team with an aging duo at cornerback.
31
Cincinnati Bengals: S Javon Bullard, Georgia
A dynamite cornerback or safety — two positions of need for a Bengals roster that’s been hemhorraging veteran talent in 2022. Bullard does a little bit of everything well and was a trustworthy blitzer last fall (3.5 sacks).
32
Kansas City Chiefs: DL Jer'Zahn Newton, Illinois
Newton wouldn’t fill a need, but his talent and versatility could make him too valuable for the Chiefs to pass up. Both Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi are slated for free agency next spring, and while Jones is unlikely to go anywhere Nnadi might depart. Newton would be a proper replacement and follow a recent trend of Illini players drastically boosting their draft stock under Bret Bielema.
