2024 NFL Draft: ESPN releases updated 7-round mock draft with big trades

We are getting closer to the 2024 NFL Draft, with the process rolling on. Multiple Pro Days have occurred, with teams getting a look at some players who did not participate in the NFL Combine. Draft stocks have been adjusted as such, with a few guys rising near the top.

To celebrate, ESPN’s Matt Miller has released an updated seven-round mock draft. From Chicago at No. 1 overall to the New York Jets having the final two selections on Saturday — Miller projected all 257 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Miller has thrown in a couple of big-time trades near the top and his predictions would make history if they occurred in April. Important decisions will have to be made as general managers look to upgrade their franchises in big ways.

1. Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams

For a while, the Bears were in limbo between using the No. 1 overall pick or sticking with Justin Fields. But general manager Ryan Poles made his decision and traded Fields away to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, all attention is on Williams. Chicago is hoping he can finally be the quarterback the franchise has been needing for decades, bringing some stability and elite-level play to the position.

2. Washington Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Dan Quinn is taking over in Washington and despite being a defensive-minded head coach, a new quarterback is desperately needed. Nobody better than Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, out of LSU.

The Commanders already have a nice group of skill players to surround their future quarterback with. OC Kliff Kingsbury should have a lot of fun pairing them with a player some believe is worthy of being taken No. 1.

3. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade via NE): North Carolina QB Drake Maye

The moment Kirk Cousins moved on and signed elsewhere, Minnesota entered the race for a quarterback. A hefty trade was required to move up eight spots and cost them two first-round picks from this year’s draft.

However, there is some familiarity between Maye and the Vikings. QB coach Josh McCown coached Maye when he was in high school and the duo goes way back. Relationships could play a factor here and provide a motive for Minnesota to move up.

4. Denver Broncos (mock trade via ARI): Michigan QB JJ McCarthy

If Denver were to move up and draft McCarthy, they would be making history in the modern draft era. Never have quarterbacks been the first four selections in a draft. Three QBs have gone on multiple occasions but McCarthy’s selection would be historic.

The Broncos let go of Russell Wilson and Sean Payton needs somebody new under center. After having a ton of success with Drew Brees out of the Big Ten, Payton will be hoping a similar relationship can be built with McCarthy.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Since being hired, Jim Harbaugh has expressed his desire to be a physical football team, especially at the line of scrimmage. You’d expect an offensive lineman based on his words but sometimes, a prospect is too good to pass up.

Harrison falling out of the top five would be a major surprise, even if the Chargers keep the pick. Their wide receiver room has undergone changes this offseason and Justin Herbert needs a new, elite No. 1 target.

6. New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers

The Giants have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018. Some serious help is needed at the position and luckily, this one one of the deepest WR classes out there.

A lot of buzz has surrounded Nabers and him potentially being selected higher than Harrison, especially have his LSU Pro Day. However, Miller still has him as the second wide receiver off the board and heading to New York City.

7. Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Six skill position players had to be taken before getting to an offensive tackle. But Tennessee will not be complaining, being able to select Alt out of Notre Dame and sure up a tackle spot for the next decade.

Alt has been a popular name in the draft for a couple of seasons now. If he does fall in the Titans’ lap, he will be protecting Will Levis in the AFC South.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

Finally, a defensive player! After eight offensive guys taken at the top of the draft, Miller has Atlanta taking his best EDGE rusher in the class and from a familiar territory.

The Falcons have spent the past few offseasons building up their offense, capped by signing Cousins in free agency. Drafting Turner gives them a much-needed pass rusher as they look to compete in the NFC South.

9. Chicago Bears: Washington WR Rome Odunze

Chicago has already put together a great group of defense, with the offensive being the main issue. So, after taking Williams, the best way to support him is by drafting one of the elite wide receivers available in the draft.

Williams will already have DJ Moore and Keenan Allen to work with, two veteran guys. Adding Odunze into the mix gives the Bears an elite trio that not too many rookie quarterbacks have ever seen.

10. New York Jets: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

For years, Green Bay neglected to draft first-round receivers for Aaron Rodgers. If the Jets do wind up selecting Bowers, it will mark the second consecutive skill position star they have taken in an attempt to win a Super Bowl with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Bowers is the clear-cut top tight end in the class, with another player at the position not being taken until early in the third round.

11. New England Patriots (mock trade via MIN): Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
12. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade via DEN): LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Oregon QB Bo Nix
14. New Orleans Saints: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
15. Indianapolis Colts: Texas DT Byron Murphy
16. Seattle Seahawks: Washington OT Troy Fautanu
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
19. Los Angeles Rams: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
21. Miami Dolphins: Alabama OT JC Latham
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
23. New England Patriots (mock trade via MIN): Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
24. Dallas Cowboys: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
25. Green Bay Packers: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
27. Arizona Cardinals: Duke IOL Graham Barton
28. Buffalo Bills: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
29. Detroit Lions: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
30. Baltimore Ravens: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
31. San Francisco 49ers: Arizona OT Jordan Morgan
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Texas WR Xavier Worthy

Second round of Matt Miller’s 2024 NFL mock draft

Thursday night gets all of the attention at the NFL Draft, with first-round picks usually being on-site, getting to shake the hand of Roger Goodell. However, teams still find instant-impact players at the top of the second round on an annual basis.

Maybe if there are two positions to fill on the roster, one gets taken in the first round and the other is filled on Friday. Some big-name players will be coming off the board in Miller’s mock draft.

33. Carolina Panthers: South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
34. New England Patriots: Florida State WR Keon Coleman
35. Arizona Cardinals: Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
36. Washington Commanders: Missouri EDGE Darius Robinson
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
38. Tennessee Titans: Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
39. Carolina Panthers: BYU OT Kinglsey Suamataia
40. Washington Commanders: Houston OT Patrick Paul
41. Green Bay Packers: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
42. Houston Texans: Florida State DT Braden Fiske
43. Atlanta Falcons: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Washington OT Roger Rosengarten
45. New Orleans Saints: Michigan WR Roman Wilson
46. Indianapolis Colts: Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland
47. New York Giants: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: LSU DT Maason Smith
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Florida WR Ricky Pearsall
50. Philadelphia Eagles: NC State LB Payton Wilson
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley
52. Los Angeles Rams: USC S Calen Bullock
53. Philadelphia Eagles: North Carolina WR Devontez Walker
54. Cleveland Browns: Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat
55. Miami Dolphins: West Virginia C Zach Frazier
56: Dallas Cowboys: Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
57: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kansas State G Cooper Beebe
58: Green Bay Packers: South Dakota State C Mason McCormick
59: Houston Texans: Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
60. Buffalo Bills: Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa
61. Detroit Lions: Oregon WR Troy Franklin
62: Baltimore Ravens: Michigan CB Mike Sainristil
63: San Francisco 49ers: Michigan DT Kris Jenkins
64: Kansas City Chiefs: Georgia S Javon Bullard

To check out Miller’s entire seven-round mock draft, you check can it out on ESPN’s website.