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

Ahead of Week 9 of the college football season, ESPN has updated their 2024 NFL Mock Draft to reflect the play we’ve seen over the last couple of months.

ESPN’s NFL Draft Analyst Justin Reid handled the selections, and there are some obvious picks, along with some that may surprise some people. Nevertheless, both have the chance to change over the coming weeks, with ample time remaining in the college football season.

Here’s where Reid has the best and brightest in college football ending up. It’ll provide a pretty great idea of which uniform some potential stars will be wearing in 2024, and what teams are looking for moving forward.

1) Chicago Bears (via CAR) — QB Caleb Williams, USC

USC may have suffered back-to-back losses, but that isn’t stopping the hype behind Williams. ESPN believes he’s a sure-fire choice for the top overall selection, and it’s hard to argue with that overwhelming sentiment.

Williams has amassed 2,277 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns in 2023, while adding 143 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to his resume. He’ll be the first overall pick next season, barring something unforeseen. It’s just a matter of who gets him.

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

“Maserati Marv” — shoutout Gus Johnson, comes in at second overall in Reid’s mock draft. The Ohio State star will be a premium selection, and could completely overhaul a team’s offense come 2024.

In this case, Reid has the Cardinals landing the stud pass catcher. In 2023, Harrison has amassed 42 receptions for 766 yards and six touchdowns. He’d be more than welcomed by whoever the quarterback is in Arizona.

3) Denver Broncos — QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

When the Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, they believed they wouldn’t have to worry about the quarterback position for many moons. However, Maye would be too good to pass up.

The North Carolina signal caller has amassed 2,249 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 201 yards and five touchdowns, as well. He’d be a welcome addition in Denver, especially with his big arm.

4) New York Giants — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

Similar to the Broncos above, the Giants believed they figured out their offensive line when they selected Evan Neal two seasons ago, with the No. 7 overall selection. Well, it’s been an unmitigated disaster thus far for Neal in New York, so the team could look to move him to guard and find a new bookend opposite Andrew Thomas.

Enter Fashanu. He’ll likely be the top offensive lineman on the board come April, and the Giants wouldn’t be able to turn their card in quick enough.

5) Chicago Bears — EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

The next in a long line of Alabama pass rushers is Turner. He’s amassed 34 tackles and eight sacks thus far for the Crimson Tide in 2023, and he’s proven he’s arguably the top pass rusher in the sport.

With the Bears already drafting Caleb Williams in Reid’s mock draft, they’re looking at the defensive side of the ball with their second pick in the top ten, and Turner would be a fantastic candidate.

6) Washington Commanders — OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

The Commanders need offensive line help, it’s as simple as that. After watching their division rival land Fashanu, Washington is feeling the vibes, and Reid has them drafting Alt with their selection.

He’d immediately become a starter along the Commanders offensive line. In a division featuring many tremendous pass rushers, Washington would love to sure up their tackle spot with someone like Alt.

7) New England Patriots — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

A dominant tight end ending up in New England? It almost makes too much sense for Bowers to be with the Patriots in 2024.

He would fit their offense perfect, and immediately become the top option on their team. It’d be far from the situation Kyle Pitts is stuck in with the Atlanta Falcons, that’s for sure.

8) Las Vegas Raiders — CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

The Raiders could look a number of different directions in the 2024 NFL Draft. They could go with a quarterback, they could move to improve their offensive line, or they could look defense in April.

When you’re playing against Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a season, it’s a good move to sure-up your secondary. Reid has them grabbing Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry for that reason.

9) Green Bay Packers — OT JC Latham, Alabama

The Packers thought they’d be contenders in the NFC North this season, but it hasn’t worked out that way for Green Bay. There’s a myriad of reasons for that, but part of the problem has been injuries along the offensive line.

You’ve got to protect the quarterback. The Packers motion to do that with their selection of Latham in Reid’s mock draft, and it’s one that’ll have Jordan Love smiling if it comes true.

10) Tennessee Titans — CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Titans don’t figure to be drafting another quarterback, although we wouldn’t rule it out. However, a defensive back would be a smart move for a team that has trouble against the pass, so that’s where Reid is going.

Clemson’s Nate Wiggins has been playing at a high level his entire collegiate career. He’d be a sure-fire way to rebuild the Tennessee secondary in short order.

ESPN Updated 2024 NFL Mock Draft — Picks No. 11-32:

11) Indianapolis Colts — WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers — EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
13) Cincinnati Bengals — WR Rome Odunze, Washington
14) New York Jets — OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
15) New Orleans Saints — WR Malik Nabers, LSU
16) Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) — DL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
17) Los Angeles Chargers — CB Kalen King, Penn State
18) Los Angeles Rams — OT Patrick Paul, Houston
19) Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington
20) Minnesota Vikings — EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
21) Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
22) Seattle Seahawks — EDGE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
23) Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
24) Jacksonville Jaguars — EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
25) Detroit Lions — EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
26) Buffalo Bills — S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
27) Dallas Cowboys — OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
28) Baltimore Ravens — DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
29) Miami Dolphins — OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
30) Philadelphia Eagles — OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
31) San Francisco 49ers — CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
32) Kansas City Chiefs — WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

As you can see, there’s a tremendous amount of talent lined up to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. While this is where ESPN’s Justin Reid has them ending up at the moment, a ton could change from now until April, but we can’t wait to see what each of them can do in the NFL regardless.