CBS Sports updates 2024 NFL Mock Draft ahead of Week 12 of college football with new No. 1 pick

Somehow, there are just two weeks remaining in the college football regular season. It’s flown by us all, with conference title races and the College Football Playoff race coming down to the end. Of course, the other aspect everyone is interested in is how these players will translate once they move on to the NFL.

With a look ahead to what could come this April, CBS Sports has updated their 2024 NFL Mock Draft. The order still has a long way to go but the picture is certainly becoming a lot clearer.

You might find a surprise at the top, with the two main quarterbacks likely dominating the NFL Draft discussion in the coming months. This is just the beginning, with plenty more to come before Roger Goodell calls a name in Detroit.

1. Chicago Bears – North Carolina QB Drake Maye

Could there be a debate about which player goes No. 1 overall? CBS Sports certainly thinks so, predicting Maye to be the selection from Chicago.

Any other draft class, Maye would be the runaway top pick, end of discussion. Even so, the general consensus over the last year has been Caleb Williams being in that category. But as the draft draws closer, the conversation should begin to expand.

2. New York Giants – USC QB Caleb Williams

Much like Maye would be in Chicago, the Giants drafting Williams would be a reset for the franchise. Despite recently paying Daniel Jones nearly $40 million over the next four years, it would be too difficult to pass up a new franchise quarterback.

No matter where Williams is selected, he is viewed as a special prospect. His ability as a runner combined with his arm talent could turn him into an instant superstar in the NFL.

3. New England Patriots – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

2007 was the last time a wide receiver went in the top three, with Calvin Johnson being taken by the Detroit Lions at No. 2. If it were not for the quarterbacks available, Harrison would have the opportunity to match or beat Megatron’s draft position.

Harrison still has some work to do in college, potentially pushing for an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. But the first non-QB team in the draft will be patiently waiting for him.

4. Arizona Cardinals – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

With Kyler Murray returning last week, Arizona is likely seeing their chances at the No. 1 overall pick slipping. But already getting a nine-game head start, they should wind up being in the top five somehow.

Jonathan Gannon is a defensive-minded head coach and will want to get his hands on a pass rusher early on. None better than Latu, keeping a West Coast player in the same region.

5. Chicago Bears – Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton

Nothing like taking a player right in your backyard, with Newton hypothetically having a short move from Champaign to Chicago. Newton would be just the third Illinois player taken by the Bears since 1986.

After drafting a quarterback at No. 1, Chicago would still be looking to get better at the line of scrimmage. Finding a defensive tackle capable to stopping the run and rushing the passer at a high level is rare and Newton potentially brings the whole package.

6. Green Bay Packers – Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

Had Fashanu declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, there would have been an argument for him to be OT1 in the class. But coming back to Penn State likely sealed him as the top protector coming out, getting another year of college experience under his belt.

Green Bay taking an offensive player in the first round would make history as well. Jordan Love in 2020 was the last but before him — OT Derek Sherrod in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State.

7. Los Angeles Rams – Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

Everyone is aware of the offensive weapons Los Angeles has at their disposal. In order to make another run at the Super Bowl in a loaded NFC, some help is going to be needed on the defensive side.

Specifically off the edge, getting some blockers off Aaron Donald. Arguably none are better than Robinson in this draft cycle, hypothetically being back-to-back selections for Penn State.

8. Tennessee Titans – Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Bowers recently returned from an ankle injury and made an impact for Georgia against Ole Miss. Viewed as one of, if not the, best weapons in college football, the Titans would be getting an incredible player if they wind up landing Bowers.

A little SEC East connection would be formed as well. Bowers and Kentucky‘s Will Levis may have not been celebrated too much by fans in Nashville during their college days but certainly would if both are wearing a Titans jersey.

9. Atlanta Falcons – Michigan QB JJ McCarthy

Atlanta has accumulated a ton of offensive talent but has not found the right quarterback quite yet. Desmond Ridder has been replaced by Taylor Heinecke at times this season, showing there is not too much investment in the former Cincinnati product.

McCarthy would give the Falcons a fresh start by selecting him No. 9 overall. Michigan has really turned to McCarthy to run the offense this season, putting his development on full display.

10. Washington Commanders – Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Only one team has given up more sacks in 2023 thus far than the Washington Commanders. A new offensive tackle is needed to protect whoever the quarterback will be moving forward, potentially Sam Howell.

Alt would be just the latest Notre Dame product to be taken in the first round. A former All-American, you will not hear too much criticism of his game.

Remaining picks in for 2024 NFL Mock Draft via CBS Sports

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LSU QB Jayden Daniels
12. New York Jets – Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
13. Denver Broncos – LSU WR Malik Nabers
14. Los Angeles Chargers – Miami DL Leonard Taylor III
15. Indianapolis Colts – Washington WR Rome Odunze
16. Las Vegas Raiders – Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
17. Buffalo Bills – Florida State WR Keon Coleman
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
19. New Orleans Saints – Alabama OT JC Latham
20. Arizona Cardinals – Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
21. Minnesota Vikings – Oregon QB Bo Nix
22. Dallas Cowboys – Duke OT Graham Barton
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Penn State CB Kalen King
24. Houston Texans – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
25. Miami Dolphins – Houston OT Patrick Paul
26. Seattle Seahawks – Clemson LB Barrett Carter
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
28. San Francisco 49ers – Miami S Kamren Kinchens
29. Baltimore Ravens – Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
30. Detroit Lions – Washington EDGE Bralen Trice
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Texas WR Xavier Worthy
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Utah EDGE Jonah Elliss

Two games remain in the regular season before college football switches gears to bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Plenty of money can still be made, especially with some high-profile games still on the schedule.