2024 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper, Field Yates release 3-round mock draft, predictions for first 100 picks

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates have released their latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, featuring three rounds and selections for the first 100 picks of this season’s iteration.

Throughout the process, Kiper Jr. and Yates have changed a myriad of things, but the picture is becoming more and more clear as we’re less than two weeks until the Chicago Bears are on the clock. We may have a tremendous idea of who they’re picking, but the questions remain following the legendary franchise.

So where will college football’s best and brightest from the past couple of seasons end up? Here’s Kiper Jr. and Yates’ latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, their biggest one yet as the clock ticks down towards Detroit. Kiper is handling the odd picks, while Yates will select for the even teams in this version.

1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB – USC

Surprise, surprise. We kid of course as Williams has been the projected No. 1 pick since 2024 mocks started. It’s a no brainer for Kiper Jr. with the first pick in the mock draft.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is in, while Justin Fields is out. The latter was traded to Pittsburgh. Williams is now the new face of the franchise and arguably the most talented QB the Bears ever had.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU

Daniels goes next to become the new face of the Commanders’ franchise. The Heisman Trophy winner has all the tools to succeed at the next level. Yates believes Washington fancies him over other potential quarterbacks.

Putting him in the right offense is key though. Kliff Kingsbury could certainly unlock more of his dual threat capabilities. It’ll be a welcome change for the Commanders after some subpar play over the last couple of seasons.

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina

The Patriots get their quarterback as well with Maye, according to Kiper Jr.’s pick. He’s got the size, the arm and the IQ to succeed at the NFL level. Kiper is firmly in the camp of Maye to New England.

Now, it’s about the Patriots franchise itself. A new era could mean success as they usher into a different look, style and scheme. A trade down is still a possibility, but Kiper is riding it out with the former Tar Heels star.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Ohio State

A can’t miss prospect. Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver in the class and that’s despite him not testing at all ahead of the draft. It doesn’t affect Yates’ opinion.

Just go look at his tape throughout his college career. Just try and stop him. Doubling him will just open up the rest of the offense or Harrison Jr. will beat you anyway. It’s an easy pick for Arizona if they stick.

5. Minnesota Vikings (via mock trade with LAC): J.J. McCarthy, QB – Michigan

A trade! McCarthy is going to the Vikings after Minnesota used its extra first round pick to move up in the top five with the Chargers, plus another in 2025.

McCarthy is the fourth quarterback off the board here as well. He lost one game in college, won a national title and has the prototypical tools. But he’s definitely in the second tier behind the top three.

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR – LSU

The Giants get their playmaker as well and it’s not a bad consolation prize. If you can’t get Harrison Jr., you might as well get Nabers after he tore up the field in Baton Rouge.

Nabers aided Daniels to a Heisman at LSU and he can run the entire route tree. Some analysts might even try to put Nabers above the Ohio State star.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT – Notre Dame

So here’s where Alt ends up within the first round of the NFL Draft. He’s been a popular selection around this section anyway and nothing changes here, even for Kiper.

The Titans get a good one though. Alt should be able to protect whoever is taking snaps behind center next season as a day-one starter and be a franchise piece for the next decade.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, OLB – Alabama

Dallas Turner was a menace for the Crimson Tide over the course of his college career. He seemingly just fits Atlanta right? He logged 10 sacks last year and 22.5 for his career and put up 32.5 tackles for loss.

Raheem Morris might hit a home run with this type of pick in the 2024 draft. Yates seems to think so as well. The Falcons could get an instant pass-rushing starter here. Turner’s been penciled into Atlanta all offseason. You might as well write it in pen.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR – Washington

Odunze is the latest wide receiver to go in the first 10 picks and the Bears get a great tandem. Williams and Odunze were on opposite sidelines in college, but now they get to play together.

Boy this would provide such a great amount of juice to the franchise. Odunze could be an instant star in Chicago with a Heisman winner throwing him the football. Kiper loves this fit.

10. New York Jets: Troy Fautanu, G – Washington

Troy Fautanu established himself as one of the best offensive lineman in college football over the last season. With Washington’s offense taking the sport by storm, he was as big of a part of the Huskies as anyone.

The collection of talent among available offensive lineman is as good as it’s been in many, many seasons, and Fautanu is a big piece of that. Yates believes capturing him to protect Aaron Rodgers would be a huge move for the Jets.

Kiper, Yates Mock Draft Continued — Picks 11-32:

11. Los Angeles Chargers (via mock trade with MIN): JC Latham, OT – Alabama
12. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell, CB – Toledo
14. New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT – Penn State
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB – Alabama
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT – Texas
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR – LSU
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT – Oregon State
19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, OLB – UCLA
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, OL – Duke
21. Miami Dolphins: Jared Verse, DE – Florida State
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Amarius Mims, OT – Georgia
23. Los Angeles Chargers (via mock trade with MIN through CLE/HOU) : Xavier Worthy, WR – Texas
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT – Oklahoma
25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB – Iowa
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, OLB – Penn State
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Nate Wiggins, CB – Clemson
28. Buffalo Bills: AD Mitchell, WR – Texas
29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, DL – Missouri
30. Baltimore Ravens: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB – Alabama
31. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Morgan, OT – Arizona
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Legette, WR – South Carolina

Round 2:

After the pomp and circumstance of Round 1 on Thursday, Round 2 and 3 will bring the opportunity for more dreams to come true during the 2024 NFL Draft. Some big time prospects will remain in high demand, with many theorizing star quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix will still be available.

According to Kiper Jr. and Yates, the duo won’t have to wait long. They’re both picked early in Round 2, with quarterback-needy teams making trades to secure their services. Check it out below, along with a slew of fascinating pass-catchers who were picked in Round 2.

33. Los Angeles Rams (via mock trade with CAR): Michael Penix Jr., QB – Washington
34. New England Patriots: Keon Coleman, WR – Florida State
35. Arizona Cardinals: Roger Rosengarten, OT – Washington
36. Washington Commanders: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB – Georgia
37. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Tampa, CB – Iowa State
38. New York Giants (via mock trade with TEN): Bo Nix, QB – Oregon
39. Carolina Panthers (via NYG): Ladd McConkey, WR – Georgia
40. Washington Commanders (via CHI): Kingsley Suamataia, OT – BYU
41. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ): Patrick Paul, OT – Houston
42. Houston Texans (via MIN): Maason Smith, DT – LSU
43. Atlanta Falcons: Malachi Corley, WR – Western Kentucky
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL – Oregon
45. New Orleans Saints (via DEN): Ricky Pearsall, WR – Florida
46. Indianapolis Colts: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR – Washington
47. Tennessee Titans (via mock trade with NYG through SEA): Adisa Isaac, DE – Penn State
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE – Western Michigan
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT – Illinois
50. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Max Melton, CB – Rutgers
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen McMillan, WR – Washington
52. Carolina Panthers (via mock trade with LAC): Mike Sainristill, CB – Michigan
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Edgerrin Cooper, LB – Texas A&M
54. Cleveland Browns: Troy Franklin, WR – Oregon
55. Miami Dolphins: Cooper Beebe, G – Kansas State
56. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathon Brooks, RB – Texas
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Frazier, OL – West Virginia
58. Green Bay Packers: Payton Wilson, LB – NC State
59. Houston Texans: Kamari Lassiter, CB – Georgia
60. Buffalo Bills: Cole Bishop, S – Utah
61. Detroit Lions: Javon Bullard, S – Georgia
62. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Adams, OL – Illinois
63. San Francisco 49ers: Dru Phillips, CB – Kentucky
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Braden Fiske, DT – Florida State

Round 3:

Finishing off the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, Round 3 features the largest assortment of picks, with a litany of compensatory picks awarded at the end of the round. Even though the first two rounds saw a myriad of talents go off the boards, Round 3 still has ample contributors available.

One of those names is former projected top overall pick Spencer Rattler. This iteration has him finding home in Denver with the Broncos. Here’s the finale of Kiper Jr. and Yates’ three-round mock draft.

65. Carolina Panthers: Chris Braswell, LB – Alabama
66. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Haynes, G – UConn
67. Washington Commanders: Roman Wilson, WR – Michigan
68. New England Patriots: Devontez Walker, WR – North Carolina
69. Los Angeles Chargers: Kris Jenkins, DT – Michigan
70. Tennessee Titans (via mock trade with NYG): Junior Colson, LB – Michigan
71. Arizona Cardinals (via TEN): Mohamed Kamara, OLB – Colorado State
72. New York Jets: Jaden Hicks, S – Washington State
73. Detroit Lions (via MIN): Bub Means, WR – Pittsburgh
74. Atlanta Falcons: Cam Hart, CB – Notre Dame
75. Chicago Bears: Kiran Amegadije, OT – Yale
76. Denver Broncos: Spencer Rattler, QB – South Carolina
77. Las Vegas Raiders: Jaylen Wright, RB – Tennessee
78. Washington Commanders (via SEA): Jonah Elliss, EDGE – Utah
79. Atlanta Falcons (via JAX): Ruke Orhorhoro, DT – Clemson
80. Cincinnati Bengals: Javon Baker, WR – UCF
81. Seattle Seahawks (via NO/DEN): Zak Zinter, G – Michigan
82. Indianapolis Colts: Dominick Puni, G/OT – Kansas
83. Carolina Panthers (via mock trade with LAR): Ben Sinnott, TE/HB – Kansas State
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Hall Jr., DT – Ohio State
85. Cleveland Browns: Trey Benson, RB – Florida State
86. Houston Texans (via PHI): Tyler Nubin, S – Minnesota
87. Dallas Cowboys: Cedric Gray, LB – North Carolina
88. Green Bay Packers: Calen Bullock, S – USC
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Jones, CB – Boston College
90. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): DeWayne Carter, DT – Duke
91. Green Bay Packers (via BUF): Brennan Jackson, OLB – Washington State
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via DET): MarShawn Lloyd, RB – USC
93. Baltimore Ravens: Kamren Kinchens, S – Miami
94. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Wiley, TE – TCU
95. Kansas City Chiefs: Blake Fisher, OT – Notre Dame
96. Jacksonville Jaguars (compensatory pick): Christian Jones, OT – Texas
97. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory pick): Blake Corum, RB – Michigan
98. Pittsburgh Steelers, (via PHI; compensatory pick): Brandon Coleman, OT – TCU
99. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory pick): Brandon Dorlus, DT – Oregon
100. Washington Commanders (via SF; compensatory pick): Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE – Texas