ESPN releases updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft ahead of bowls, College Football Playoff

ESPN released its updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft ahead of the bowl season and the College Football Playoff.

Matt Miller detailed each pick throughout the first round of April’s selections. There aren’t too many surprises, but some guys really increased their stock.

Let’s dive into the latest ESPN NFL Mock Draft before full-go with the postseason.

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB – USC

This has been the projection since Williams stepped onto the field this season. The former Heisman Trophy winner is seen as a generational prospect.

The Bears have Justin Fields at the moment, but he’s long been seen as expendable this year. Chicago might need a total reset and new face of the franchise.

2. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina

The Patriots need a quarterback. That’s blatantly obvious at this point considering Mac Jones’ struggles. The team went 20 years without having that problem.

Maye is the next man up, but that could change. The Tar Heels quarterback has prototypical size and a cannon for an arm. Is he enough to warrant positive change in New England?

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

The Cardinals were initially in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes, but if they stick with Kyler Murray, you might as well get him a generational playmaker.

Is Harrison Jr. a Hall of Famer like his father? Hardly at this point. But he was a Heisman finalist and the Biletnikoff winner, given to the best receiver in college football. Instant impact type of player.

4. New York Giants – Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU

Daniel Jones is under contract and undrafted Tommy DeVito is having the time of his life winning three of four starts. The Giants still need a quarterback.

If the Heisman Trophy winner falls here, New York might be wise to scoop him up. Daniels fully blossomed into a dual threat that is nearly unstoppable. A big swing might be needed here.

5. Washington Commanders – Olu Fashanu, OT – Penn State

The Commanders, whether they have Sam Howell long term or not, need to protect the quarterback. Why not take the best one available at this spot?

He’s only allowed one sack this season and the Commanders would love to cut down on their own number. 58 sacks allowed is brutal through 13 games.

6. Tennessee Titans – Dallas Turner, EDGE – Alabama

The Titans need an edge so why not draft one? Okay, bad puns aside, Turner is an immediate plug and play for Tennessee.

Turner is arguably the best defensive player in the draft so the Titans should beef up the pass rush here. Maybe an offensive pick, but it’s hard to pass on the Crimson Tide star.

7. Las Vegas Raiders – J.J. McCarthy, QB – Michigan

Now it gets really interesting here. The Raiders basically have no quarterback. No, Jimmy Garappolo nor Aidan O’Connell is the answer. Las Vegas also, likely, needs a new head coach.

Can we interest you in a McCarthy and Jim Harbaugh combination? Yes? No? Anyway, McCarthy is polished but does flourish more with talent around him. Still, this could be a solid pick.

8. Chicago Bears – Malik Nabers, WR – LSU

To pair with Caleb Williams, the Bears would be wise to draft him another playmaker. Nabers is as good as he gets and some considered him better than Marvin Harrison Jr., at least this year.

Nabers can go up and get it and stretch the field. That’s something the Bears’ offense severely lacks so let’s see if they get the QB-WR combo.

9. New York Jets – Joe Alt, OT – Notre Dame

Protection, protection and some more protection. Aaron Rodgers is due back in 2024, if not later this season, and he needs to be protected at all cost.

In those four plays under duress, Rodgers never got comfortable in the pocket and of course, tore his Achilles. Alt is a game changer and a stalwart tackle for the next decade.

10. Los Angeles Chargers – Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia

Bowers is arguably the best playmaker within the top 10 picks here. The Georgia tight end can catch every pass, make guys miss, run them over and block, which is key.

Heck, this guy can run the football as well. With oft injured wide receivers, the Chargers would be wise to give Justin Herbert an instant impact tight end.

Rest of ESPN’s First Round Mock Draft

11. Atlanta Falcons – Terrion Arnold, CB – Alabama
12. Seattle Seahawks – Jared Verse – Florida State
13. New Orleans Saints – Keon Coleman, WR – Florida State
14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Rome Odunze, WR – Washington
15. Los Angeles Rams – Tyler Guyton, OT – Oklahoma
16. Indianapolis Colts – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB – Alabama
17. Denver Broncos – Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB – Missouri
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Jer’Zhan Newton, DT – Illinois
19. Tampa Bay Bucs – Xavier Worthy, WR – Texas
20. Arizona Cardinals – Kalen King, CB – Penn State
21. Green Bay Packers – JC Latham, OT – Alabama
22. Minnesota Vikings – Nate Wiggins, CB – Clemson
23. Buffalo Bills – Laiatu Latu, EDGE – UCLA
24. Houston Texans – Chop Robinson, EDGE – Penn State
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Xavier Legette, WR – South Carolina
26. Detroit Lions – Brian Thomas Jr., WR – LSU
27. Kansas City Chiefs – Adonai Mitchell, WR – Texas
28. Dallas Cowboys – JT Tuimoloau, EDGE – Ohio State
29. Philadelphia Eagles – Kamari Lassiter, CB – Georgia
30. Miami Dolphins – Kingsley Suamataia, OT – BYU
31. Baltimore Ravens – Chris Braswell, EDGE – Alabama
32. San Francisco 49ers – Taliese Fuaga, OT – Oregon State

These picks, of course, are subject to change throughout the course of the winter. Players could return to college, injuries happen, etc. It’s a long way until Detroit for the upcoming draft.