2024 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Williams goes to Bears, Patriots avoid QB in latest CBS Sports projections
The Chicago Bears are on the clock ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. They have a decision to make involving Justin Fields with quarterback Caleb Williams marked as the best player in the latest CBS Sports first-round mock. The wild-card round of the playoffs is over and most the first round draft order is set, including several franchises expected to go with a first-round quarterback, including Chicago, Washington and Atlanta.
There is a group of premium options at the position, but in this updated mock, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. does not come off the board in the opening round. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who made his intentions known Sunday along with Wolverines star running back Blake Corum, may not hear his name called on Day 1 either.
LSU and Alabama are the college football programs gunning for first-round supremacy this cycle. Each has multiple players who are expected to be selected on Day 1, according to Josh Edwards.
Here is the latest first-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft after the wild-card round of the playoff:
1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC (Bears)
Will Chicago move on from Fields and keep its No. 1 pick? That seems to be the sentiment here. Caleb Williams remains in the top spot despite other quarterbacks with near-equal talent levels gaining on him. He put together another terrific season before sitting out the Trojans’ Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. USC underachieved as a team, but NFL types had to respect his resiliency and will to keep fighting during a disappointing year in Los Angeles. If Washington wants Williams, the Commanders are going to have to make a trade to get him.
2. Drake Maye, QB, UNC (Commanders)
Numerous mock drafts expect New England to slide into this position and take Drake Maye after Washington moves to No. 1, but Edwards doesn’t see it that way. If Chicago keeps its top pick and goes with Williams, Washington will have a decision at No. 2. Maye was one of the career record-holders for the Tar Heels after throwing for more than 8,000 yards and finishing with 63 touchdown passes. He is a sure-fire top-five pick. Maye checks all the NFL boxes in terms of size, arm strength and ability.
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (Patriots)
New England goes best-available here at No. 3 instead of taking a quarterback? It’s certainly possible, as long as the Patriots have a quarterback in mind later. If there was ever a can’t-miss player on the outside, Marvin Harrison Jr. is that guy. Michigan tried a variety of exotic coverages against the nation’s top pass-catching threat and he still surpassed 100 yards with a couple acrobatic grabs. Not only is Harrison a field-stretcher with an elite blood line, but he does the little things right and is a matchup nightmare due to his size and athleticism. There’s a chance he could be better than his talented father at the next level if he continues to develop as an elite player.
4. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State (Cardinals)
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Several teams could use a cornerstone tackle to protect their quarterback and Arizona is near the top of that offensive lineman wish list. Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu would likely have been a first-round pick in the 2023 draft cycle, but chose to return to the Nittany Lions for another season to try and win a Big Ten Championship. That says something about his mental makeup and will to win as a player. Most project Fashanu as a first-round lock early, potentially off the board as the first non-quarterback or receiver taken.
5. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (Chargers)
Often projected to go inside the top 10, Brock Bowers’ draft grade seemed to settle around the middle of the first round. However, Edwards pushes Georgia’s top draft prospect into the top five of his latest mock which means the Chargers would place a premium on an added weapon for Justin Herbert. One of the most productive tight ends in college football history and certainly the best player all-time at the position between the hedges, Bowers finished with 175 career catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
6. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (Giants)
New York has several options from which to choose with its early first-round spot if they’re going with a pass-catcher here. Malik Nabers finished one vote shy of winning the Biletnikoff this season after a splendid campaign with the Tigers as Jayden Daniels’ top target. Not only has he displayed great hands and route-running ability, but he’s a menace to bring down after catching the football. It’ll be interesting to see if Nabers is the top wideout taken or if Washington’s Rome Odunze is the selection.
7. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (Titans)
Why not go here with this selection if you’re Tennessee? Joe Alt graded out as one of the nation’s most consistent offensive linemen. In what could be his final game with the Fighting Irish, Alt helped pave the way for Doak Walker finalist Audric Estime’s career-best rushing outing. He kept Sam Hartman upright throughout the season, too. Alt is a guy you can give a long-term contract to and feel good about it up front.
8. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (Falcons)
Where will the Heisman Trophy winner land? Atlanta needs a quarterback and an elite option should be available in this spot. Jayden Daniels is one of the rare five-year starters at the college level after transferring to LSU from Arizona State earlier in his career and saved his best for last. Not only is he an elite passer, but Daniels is by the far this cycle’s best outside of the pocket and on the move. In the open field, Daniels routinely makes defenders miss at the second with his speed. He continues to surge up draft boards.
9. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama (Bears)
The SEC’s defensive player of the year, Turner is arguably the most athletic frontline defender in the country and shined this fall without playing in the shadow of former Alabama first-round pick Will Anderson Jr. The former freshman All-American stands 6-4, 250 pounds and passes the eye test with what you want to see for a future first-round selection. He posted career-bests this season with 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Often used as a hybrid defender who Alabama allows to roam in various roles, Turner’s strength is his speed and athleticism.
10. JC Latham, OT, Alabama (Jets)
Ranked before the season as one of the top player at his position, JC Latham held up his end of the bargain as a dominant force in the SEC for the league champion Crimson Tide. Among his most notable strengths on tape, Latham’s ability to explode out of his two-point stance and get immediate depth between himself and edge rushers is impressive. He has some of the strongest hands at the position this draft cycle and routinely slings defensive linemen away from pursuit. Tennessee needs help up front and Latham fills that void.
11. Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA (Vikings)
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UCLA’s best player on defense in several years, Laiatu Latu ranked No. 1 nationally in tackles for a loss per game with 1.8 and fourth in sacks per game with 1.08. He ended the regular season with 21.5 tackles for a loss (1st in the nation) and 13 sacks. He also ranked second on UCLA with 49 total tackles (28 solo, 21 assisted). Latu also won the Ted Hendricks Award (nation’s best defensive end), the Lombardi Award (top lineman embodying the values of Vince Lombardi), was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive First Team and was a CBS Sports-247Sports All-American.
12. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama (Broncos)
Terrion Arnold was a redshirt sophomore in 2023 and earned first-team All-America from Associated Press voters. He projected over the past several weeks as a first-round pick, which would guarantee him at least $12 million. Many mock drafts, including this one, have predicted Arnold will be taken within the first 15 picks. After this month’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, Arnold raised speculation about a potential return to Alabama when he said, “We’ve got unfinished business.” However, despite a viral social media graphic stating he would return, Arnold never specifically said he would come back in 2024.
13. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson (Raiders)
14. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (Saints)
15. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama (Colts)
16. Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois (Seahawks)
17. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (Jaguars)
One of college football’s most dynamic playmakers this season, Coleman produced 50 receptions for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also served as Florida State’s punt returner. Over 25 returns, he averaged 12 yards a return with a season-long return of 72 yards. He played a couple years at Michigan State before entering the transfer portal after spring practice as one last cycle’s top threats.
18. Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State (Bengals)
19. Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia (Packers)
20. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU (Buccaneers)
21. Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State (Cardinals)
22. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (Rams)
23. Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYU (Steelers)
24. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State (Dolphins)
25. Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington (Eagles)
Trice led all FBS edge rushers during his sophomore season in run-game win rate (29.5%) and was second in pass-rush win rate (22.4%), according to Pro Football Focus. This season was equally impressive with 41 total stops and five sacks entering the College Football Playoff. Then, he was unblockable during the Huskies’ win over Texas to reach the title game. Judging by his film, Trice never seems to tire and his explosiveness is noticeable on every snap he plays at Washington.
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26. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (Chiefs)
27. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (Texans)
28. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington (Lions)
29. Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma (Bills)
30. Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota (Cowboys)
31. Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona (49ers)
32. Gabe Murphy, UCLA (Ravens)
With Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka returning to school, Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell slides up into the Chiefs’ projected spot at No. 26. The same goes for the Ravens and the final pick of the first round (projected). Ohio State edge JT Tuimoloau was the slated selection here but the Buckeyes’ pass rusher decided over the weekend to return for his senior season in the Big Ten. With that, we’ve updated the projected pick to UCLA’s Gabe Murphy, who plays the same position and is equally productive.