2024 NFL Mock Draft: CBS Sports releases updated mock with shake up at No. 1

With the college football regular season over, quite a few people have turned their attention to the 2024 NFL Draft. An interesting cycle where quite a few teams have major decisions to make before they are on the clock in Detroit.

CBS Sports decided to take a stab at projecting the first round, releasing an updated mock draft. There was a shakeup with the No. 1 overall pick although, it’s still a familiar face.

Bowl games and the College Football Playoff remain over the next month, with a few players getting another opportunity to show out. For now, here is how CBS Sports believes they first round will play out.

1. Chicago Bears – North Carolina QB Drake Maye

Chicago has the chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive season. This time, it will be via the Carolina Panthers. Trading it away would certainly be an option but a reset at quarterback could be needed too.

Maye will compete throughout the process to earn the top spot over a few others. If able to win out, as projected here, he would head to the Windy City and hopefully become the franchise guy.

2. New England Patriots – LSU QB Jayden Daniels

In a few days, Daniels should have a Heisman Trophy attached to his name. Winners of the prestigious award are used to being selected in this area of the NFL Draft and the LSU quarterback could be the latest.

Daniels is more than just his arm, being a dual-threat on the ground when the play breaks down. New England would potentially have a new style coming their way but the talent would be too hard to ignore.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

On Thursday, Harrison discussed the possibility of coming back to Ohio State for another season. Not being able to beat Michigan and win a Big Ten championship were his two main reasons.

However, if/when the wide receiver does decide to go to the NFL, he is likely to be the first non-quarterback selected. He will join Daniels in New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, proving how special of a player he is.

4. Washington Commanders – Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

Fashanu made the surprising decision to come back for the 2023 season at Penn State. Had he declared for the last draft, he would have been a surefire top-10 pick.

Thankfully, his stock has not dropped and it’s maybe even increased. Fashanu has a chance to be the first offensive tackle off the board — something that’s certainly not easy to do.

5. Chicago Bears – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

Taking care of quarterback at No. 1, may as well add another elite player at an incredibly valuable position at No. 5. Latu can certainly be someone who can be elite, being the only EDGE player inside the top 10.

Nobody has fewer sacks through Week 13 than the Bears. A pass rush is desperately needed in order to have the rebuild continue to move in the right direction.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – USC QB Caleb Williams

Yes, you have read this correctly. CBS Sports has Williams dropping out of the top five and somehow sliding to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A major drop for a player a lot of draft experts have as the No. 1 overall pick.

This is a projected trade as well, with Tampa Bay moving up from No. 10. If Williams is still available at this point come April, there will be more than one team willing to make a trade to land someone many consider a generational quarterback.

7. New York Giants – LSU WR Malik Nabers

With his quarterback going No. 2 overall, Nabers has seen his own stock take off this season. A 1,000-yard season was somehow improved upon, finishing with 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Giants have been looking for a No. 1 pass catcher ever since Odell Beckham Jr. left. Why not dip back into the LSU talent pool and snag an elite player for Daniel Jones?

8. Tennessee Titans – Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Alt is a prospect NFL folks have been excited about for a couple of years now. He is finally eligible for the draft and is going to be a popular name as we get closer to the first round.

Named an All-American after the 2022 season, Alt would be just the latest Notre Dame offensive line product. Moving from South Bend to Nashville is not exactly a bad deal either.

9. New Orleans Saints – Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Bowers spent the latter half of the season injured, dealing with an ankle injury. Even when he got back onto the field against Alabama, he did not look 100% and was clearly struggling.

The tight end is still going to be considered one of the best playmakers in the cycle. If New Orleans does wind up taking Bowers, they will be getting a high-caliber weapon for Derek Carr.

10. New York Jets – Alabama OT JC Latham

Latham has been playing right tackle for Alabama this season and was recently named a first-team All-SEC performer. Protecting for Jalen Milroe, there is at least one more chance for Latham to impress in the College Football Playoff.

If Aaron Rodgers is coming back next season, he is going to need more protection. Finding two tackles has been difficult for the Jets and Latham would seemingly bring some stability.

11. Las Vegas Raiders – Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
12. Los Angeles Chargers – Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
13. Buffalo Bills – Washington WR Rome Odunze
14. Denver Broncos – Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
15. Seattle Seahawks – Miami S Kamren Kinchens
16. Los Angeles Rams – Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Florida State WR Keon Coleman
18. Arizona Cardinals – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
19. Atlanta Falcons – Georgia OT Amarius Mims
20. Green Bay Packers – Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
21. Minnesota Vikings – Oregon QB Bo Nix
22. Indianapolis Colts – Miami DL Leonard Taylor III
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Penn State CB Kalen King
24. Houston Texans – Washington EDGE Bralen Trice
25. Kansas City Chiefs – Arizona OT Jordan Morgan
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Duke OT Graham Barton
27. Dallas Cowboys – Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
28. Detroit Lions – Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
29. San Francisco 49ers – South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
30. Baltimore Ravens – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
31. Miami Dolphins – Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Utah EDGE Jonah Elliss

Bowl season is upon us, meaning a few of these players could decide to opt out of the postseason. However, there is still room for money to be made by getting another game on tape. Next time NFL scouts will get a good look at prospects will be at the NFL Combine.