CBS Sports releases updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft ahead of Week 9 of college football

Through the first eight weeks of the college football season, the NFL Draft picture has changed dramatically. While the top of the board has remained the same, CBS Sports’ updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft saw some big shakeups with Week 9 approaching.

Caleb Williams has been seen as the top pick since the end of last season, and the Chicago Bears are currently in position to draft him via the pick from the Carolina Panthers. However, Drake Maye — viewed as the second-best quarterback of the group — finds himself barely inside the top five picks. Of course, there are a few factors involved in that, including team needs.

Here’s how CBS Sports sees things shaking out in its updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft ahead of Week 9.

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC

It’s been an up-and-down few weeks for Caleb Williams, but there’s not much doubt about his status as the potential No. 1 overall pick. He’s a mainstay atop 2024 NFL mock drafts, and CBS’ projection is no different.

In last week’s loss to Utah, Williams completed 24 of 34 passes for 256 yards and failed to throw a passing touchdown for the first time this season. However, he still ranks second in the country with 23 passing touchdowns this season entering a possible bounce-back game against Cal.

2. Arizona Cardinals — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

One of the top non-quarterbacks in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, Marvin Harrison Jr. showed off his difference-making ability last week. He had 162 yards and a touchdown for Ohio State in a 20-12 victory at The Shoe to keep the Buckeyes undefeated.

“Maserati Marv” is widely viewed as a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, and rather than having the Cardinals select a quarterback, CBS has them taking him at No. 2 overall in its updated 2024 mock draft. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to cement his status, starting with this week’s game against Wisconsin in prime time.

3. Chicago Bears — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

With two likely top-five picks in the draft, the Bears have a few directions they could go if things stay as they are now. They have a clear need at pass rusher, and adding Laiatu Latu would be an impressive way to fill that spot.

Latu is one of the top EDGEs in the Pac-12, ranking second in the league with 6.5 sacks this season and totaling 10.0 tackles for loss so far. He’s an anchor of the UCLA defense and would be a major addition for any NFL team.

4. Denver Broncos — Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State

A likely top-10 pick last year, Olu Fashanu has improved his stock this season after returning to Penn State. He’s the key piece of the Nittany Lions’ offensive line and would be an intriguing addition for the Broncos if they don’t move on from Russell Wilson.

Penn State’s offensive line struggled last week against Ohio State, but the Nittany Lions have still only allowed 8.0 sacks through Week 8. After last week’s loss, they’ll look to rebound against Indiana on Saturday.

5. New York Giants — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Drake Maye is viewed as the No. 2-ranked quarterback in this year’s draft class behind Williams, but CBS Sports has him falling to No. 5 overall in its updated mock draft. The North Carolina quarterback has seen his Heisman Trophy stock rise as of late, although the Tar Heels suffered their first loss of the season last week against Virginia.

Maye leads the ACC with 321.3 passing yards per game, and he’s made some big plays this year to get NFL teams’ attention. He’ll try to help UNC get back on track this week against Georgia Tech.

6. New England Patriots — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Now the Heisman Trophy favorite, J.J. McCarthy has become one of the nation’s top quarterbacks this year. He has Michigan in strong position for both the Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff, taking a perfect record into the bye week this week.

McCarthy ranks second in the nation in completion percentage as he proves himself to be a true dual threat with his arm and his legs. The schedule ramps up in November, though, after a matchup against Purdue out of the off week.

7. Green Bay Packers — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Joe Alt has been a stalwart on the Notre Dame offensive line, and his name is up there with Fashanu as one of the top players at the position. If the Packers are sold on Jordan Love, Alt would be a great addition to the line to help protect him.

Notre Dame’s goal this year is to win the Joe Moore Award as the top offensive line in the nation, and Alt is one of the keys to making that happen. The Fighting Irish were off last week for the bye, but return to the field this week against Pitt in South Bend.

8. Los Angeles Chargers — Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

For the second straight year, it looks like one of the top defensive players in the draft could come out of Illinois. Jer’Zhan Newton is one half of the “law firm” up front that wreaks havoc on opposing offenses, and he’s looking more and more like a top-10 pick.

Newton has 4.5 tackles for loss this year along with 3.5 sacks for the Fighting Illini, becoming a bright spot despite this season’s struggles. He’ll miss the first half of next week’s game against Minnesota out of the bye, though, due to a late targeting call against Wisconsin.

9. Tennessee Titans — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Malik Nabers is in the midst of a breakout year for LSU, emerging as Jayden Daniels’ top target. As a result, he’s in the conversation to be a top-10 pick with a rising stock.

Nabers leads the SEC with 122.6 receiving yards per game to go with nine touchdown receptions, as well. LSU is now on a bye week, but facees a big test next week against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

10. New Orleans Saints — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

He’s Harrison’s top running mate, but Emeka Egbuka is still one of the top wide receivers in the nation. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Ohio State have to wide receivers drafted in the top 10, and CBS Sports’ mock draft projects just that.

Egbuka missed last week’s game against Penn State due to injury, but still ranks 19th in the Big Ten with 303 receiving yards this season. He’ll have a chance to make his return this weekend against Wisconsin.

Nos. 11-30

11. Las Vegas Raiders — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
12. Minnesota Vikings — Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami
13. Indianapolis Colts — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
14. Washington Commanders — Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
15. Los Angeles Rams — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
16. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans) — JC Latham, OT, Alabama
17. New York Jets — Graham Barton, OT, Duke
18. Cincinnati Bengals — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
20. Atlanta Falcons — J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
21. Buffalo Bills — Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
22. Dallas Cowboys — Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
23. Pittsburgh Steelers — Kalen King, CB, Penn State
24. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns) — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
25. Seattle Seahawks — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
26. San Francisco 49ers — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
27. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
28. Baltimore Ravens — Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
29. Detroit Lions — Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
30. San Franciso 49ers — Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
32. Philadelphia Eagles — Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

The 2024 NFL Draft is still a long way away, but teams will surely be dialed in to the big college football games the rest of the season. Only a few weeks remain until conference championships and the College Football Playoff, meaning the sprint to the finish line is about underway.