Today, Ben Pawlak of The MVP Blog will be predicting all 32 first round picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.

For each player, Ben will be assigning a “Next Level Projection” to predict the career trajectory for that player, and this prediction is broken down into a few categories, ranked below from best to worst:

Perennial All-Pro: This player will make multiple NFL All-Pro teams over the course of their career and will likely become an NFL Hall of Famer.

Perennial Pro Bowler: This player will make multiple NFL Pro Bowl teams over the course of their career and will become a star player in the NFL.

Solid Starter: This player will enjoy a long, successful career as a starting caliber player in the NFL.

Boom or Bust: This player could become a very good player in the NFL, but they just as well could fail to make a significant impact in the NFL.

Bust: This player will not make a significant impact in the NFL.

Ben will also be assigning a “Pro Comp” for each prospect, assigning them a current NFL player who exhibits a similar style of play.

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Without any further ado, here is The MVP Blog’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

• Caleb’s throwing mechanics are spectacular, both in and out of the pocket, but he too often bails from the structured offense to freelance, which can be dangerous in the NFL. In particular, I’d be very surprised if his relative lack of turnovers in college (given his playstyle) immediately translates to the NFL level.
• Combination of arm strength, improvisational mind under pressure, and proven success at the college level is extremely rare.
• Compensates for underwhelming frame by only choosing to run when he has space and time to pick up yards before sliding or getting out of bounds, which shows mature decision making as a runner.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Better Kyler Murray

2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

• Takes way too many sacks, and is too eager to leave the pocket and scramble given his reckless running style and slender frame. His pass chart (statistical results based on the part of the field the QB is targeting) in the pocket under pressure also leaves a lot to be desired.
• Is at his best when throwing to his first read from a clean pocket. If he is selected towards the top of this draft (which he most likely will), he will not have the benefit of being able to develop in those types of situations.
• Will be thrown into the fire as a 23-year-old rookie with a significantly less dangerous offense around him compared to his time at LSU.
• Can throw the football a country mile and is a home run threat with his arm or legs on virtually every single down.

Next Level Projection: Bust

Pro Comp: Justin Fields

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

• Excels in the pocket, with elite decision making thanks to a patient approach, allowing him to find the right receiver beyond his first read.
• Possesses a cannon for an arm, but needs to significantly improve his accuracy downfield.
• Good athleticism and prototypical frame enables him to successfully scramble or throws the ball away just as often as he takes sacks, which will translate to the NFL level.
• X-Factor for his development is whether he can become a consistently accurate passer. If that clicks, Maye can be the best quarterback in this draft class.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Justin Herbert

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

• Despite being a sturdy 6’4″, Harrison is an electric athlete, allowing him to possess a massive catch radius.
• Makes life easier for his QB and offensive coordinator due to his schematic versatility. Can line up virtually anywhere on offense and will draw significant attention from the opposing defense.
• Technically sound as a route runner, and while he’s not elite at creating separation before the catch, he consistently wins jump balls against any cornerback unfortunate enough to be in his general area.
• In my opinion, Harrison is the best prospect in this draft class, and he is likely to be a future Hall of Famer.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Pro

Pro Comp: Julio Jones

5. Minnesota Vikings (via Mock Trade with the Los Angeles Chargers) – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

• Patience and poise in the pocket is both a blessing and a curse for McCarthy. On one hand, he allows his receivers to run their entire route and can deliver tight-window passes with perfect timing. However, this led to him taking way too many sacks in college, and he needs to learn to throw the ball away in some of those situations.

• Consistently accurate, even when under pressure, and excels in pro-level concepts, particularly play-action out of the shotgun.
• A good athlete with a decent frame, but will need to put on more muscle at the NFL level to reach his potential as both a passer and a runner.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Jared Goff with wheels

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

• Fast, agile, and explosive, Nabers is a home-run threat with the ball in his hands anytime there’s space in front of him.
• Nabers’ motor is outstanding. He clearly loves to compete and is unafraid to get physical at every point along the route tree.
• Relatively slight frame could make him susceptible to getting jammed up at the line of scrimmage against press coverage at the next level.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: D.J. Moore

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

• 6’9″, 320 pounds, and just 21-years-old, Joe Alt looks like he was made in a lab to create a franchise blind-side tackle prospect.
• Possesses elite athleticism for his size and put together an extremely impressive body of work against some of the best edge rushers in the country during his time at Notre Dame.
• His incredible size makes it hard for him to lower his center of gravity at times, but his heavy hands and mauler mentality makes it difficult for anybody to truly “win” a rep against him.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Pro

Pro Comp: Trent Williams

8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

• Great motor. Never gives up on a play, eager to track running backs downfield, and a sound tackler.
• A bit undersized, and will need to find the right combination of bulking up his frame while retaining his athleticism and explosiveness off the edge, which could take time at the NFL level.
• Three years of elite production at Alabama, with a wide variety of highlight plays, showcasing his nose for the ball and outstanding play recognition.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Better A.J. Epenesa

9. Buffalo Bills (via Mock Trade with the Chicago Bears) – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

• Sure, soft hands and elite body control make for an outstanding catch radius.
• Excellent at creating separation downfield, shifts gears to change speed and direction with ease.
• A true “X” receiver, pigeonholed by a relative lack of explosiveness after the catch and a limited route tree in college (mostly downfield and sideline routes).

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Davante Adams

10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

• Scheme-friendly, with the ability to line up anywhere and run virtually any route.
• Possesses an excellent blend of athleticism, muscle, speed, and agility. Can make defenders miss, break tackles, and gain yards on his way to the ground.
• Good blocker, but likely won’t be asked to do a ton of blocking in the NFL unless he puts on some more weight.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: George Kittle

11. Los Angeles Chargers (via Mock Trade with the Minnesota Vikings) – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

• Prototypical size and strength for a franchise blindside blocker.
• Excellent technique ensures that he will be an instant starter in the NFL.
• Much more dominant as a pass protector, can improve his run blocking technique by being more aggressive and eager to initiate contact.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Ronnie Stanley

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via Mock Trade with the Denver Broncos) – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

• Ball hawk who consistently took on the opposing offense’s best receiver while at Alabama.
• Excellent footwork, but can be a little too grabby in man coverage.
• Scheme fit for zone-heavy defenses looking for an outside cornerback who could start at some point during his rookie season.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Daron Bland

13. Las Vegas Raiders – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

• Muscular frame, electric athleticism, and elite instincts make him a prototypical cover corner prospect.
• Extensive experience with outrageous statistics during his time at Toledo, but some scouts may be put off by the level of competition he faced in the MAC conference. Will his game translate?
• Textbook technique and is physical enough to disrupt receivers at all phases of their route tree without getting too grabby, so he shouldn’t draw too many flags at the NFL level.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Rasul Douglas

14. New Orleans Saints – JC Latham, OT, Alabama

• Exclusively played at right tackle at Alabama, and most teams probably view him as an NFL prospect at that position.
• Massive, muscular frame. Overpowers his opponent as a run blocker, and can stand up to bull-rushing pass rushers with ease.
• Struggles to keep up with faster, more creative pass rushers who can bait him into lunging and over-extending.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Braden Smith

15. Indianapolis Colts – Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

• The most versatile defensive back prospect I’ve ever scouted. At Iowa, DeJean played outside corner, slot corner, as a nickel-back in zone coverage, both spots at safety, and was an outstanding punt returner. As a result, it will be very interesting to see how he is used by the team that drafts him.
• Outstanding athlete with great size, but he is coming off of a broken fibula.
• Shows excellent footwork and technical prowess both in coverage and as a tackler.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Jabrill Peppers

16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington

• Will be a 24-year-old rookie in the NFL.
• Relative lack of size will likely force him to be a guard at the NFL level.
• Is a tad over-eager to latch onto blocks rather than letting the play develop, likely a byproduct of his outstanding foot speed.

Next Level Projection: Bust

Pro Comp: Cody Whitehair

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

• Ideal measurables for a top perimeter cover corner. 6’1″ with long arms and a wiry frame that could probably use some muscle to physically hang at the NFL level against bigger “X” receivers.
• Possesses elite speed and outstanding footwork to track routes both to the outside and in-breakers as well.
  Needs to improve his discipline and focus, particularly as a tackler and getting off blocks in the run game, but his great instincts and nose for the ball are encouraging in regard to improving these aspects of his game with time.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Carlton Davis

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State

• Ideal size, build, and athleticism for a plug-and-play right tackle at the NFL level.
• Uses his athleticism to routinely get to the second level in the run game, driving defenders back with heavy hands, strong footwork, a relentless motor and a finisher’s mentality.
• Struggles against faster, more savvy edge rushers. Is he a better fit at guard in the NFL?

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Kaleb McGary

19. Los Angeles Rams – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

• 23-year-old who temporarily retired from football 3 years ago due to a neck injury, which likely removes him entirely from some teams’ draft boards.
• Ultra-productive in college. Extremely smart defender who knows how to use his length to find the perfect angle to rush into the backfield.
• While his NFL Combine showing was underwhelming, his tape doesn’t lie, and at UCLA, he was a sack/TFL machine.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Jaelan Phillips

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Graham Barton, G/C/OT, Duke

• The most versatile offensive lineman at the top of this draft class. Capable of playing at guard (his usual position at Duke), center, or even at tackle in a pinch.
• Very solid measurables, but dealt with some seemingly minor injury issues this past season.
• Mean blocker who is at his best in the run game, where he can use his athleticism and footwork to overpower defenders as soon as the ball is snapped. Relatively underwhelming length could be a problem at the next level though.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Connor Williams

21. Miami Dolphins – Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

• Relentless rusher. Gives 110% on every single down and is a nightmare matchup for interior lineman with poor post-snap blocking technique.
• Uses low center of gravity and violent hands to squeeze his way through the line and into the backfield. 7.5 sacks as an interior lineman in the Big 10 Conference is extremely impressive.
• A tad undersized and could become even better with a more muscular body type.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Ed Oliver

22. Denver Broncos (via Mock Trade with the Philadelphia Eagles) – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

• McConkey is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none type of prospect. His traits (size, speed, agility, strength) are merely decent, but his per-play production in college was fantastic (16 yards per reception).
• While not a traditional red zone threat (just 2 TD’s in college), he is a QB’s best friend to get in rhythm. He has sure hands, great route running, and a fully developed route tree.
• Ceiling is most likely an extremely reliable #2 receiver for an offense.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Chris Godwin

23. Los Angeles Chargers (via Mock Trade with the Minnesota Vikings) – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

• Underwhelming overall production in college, but rose to the occasion time and time again in the biggest moments during his time at Georgia and Texas. Red zone threat who can score in a variety of different ways as an “X” receiver.
• Outstanding measurables with prototypical size and frame. NFL ready who should contribute in a big way to the offense he is drafted into.
• Excellent route runner who uses smooth footwork and top-tier body control to get separation from his man and haul in tough catches.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Better Jakobi Meyers

24. Dallas Cowboys – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

• Athletic freak. Picture-perfect 6’4″ frame with blistering straight-line speed with great post-catch instincts, making him a home run threat on virtually every snap.
• While his route tree is very limited (mostly go routes and other downfield routes from the “X” spot), he expertly uses body language to throw off defenders and create separation. Effortlessly hauls in deep bombs and has a knack for timing over-the-shoulder grabs to catch and run.
• Posted 17 yards per reception and 17 touchdowns last season, but last season at LSU was his lone year of great production at the college level.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Tee Higgins

25. Green Bay Packers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

• 6’8″, 340 pounds of muscle at just 21-years-old. Long arms, massive hands, and is a smooth forward mover.
• Lacks experience, with just 8 career starts at Georgia.
• Has a hard time lowering his center of gravity due to his height and length.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Jordan Mailata

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

• At just 21-years-old, he was an AP 1st Team All-American in his lone season as a starter at Oregon.
• Equally dominant as a run blocker and a pass protector thanks to elite strength and excellent technique.
• Stout, square frame makes him a plug-and-play starting center at the NFL level.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

Pro Comp: Ryan Jensen

27. Arizona Cardinals – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

• Underwhelming college career who lacks a ball hawk’s mentality (and counting stats).
• Excellent tackling technique, great work ethic on the field to shed blocks and has the frame to match physicality.
• Projects as a versatile, scheme-friendly defensive back who is best in press coverage.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Desmond King II

28. Chicago Bears (via Mock Trade with the Buffalo Bills) – Jordan Morgan, OT/G, Arizona

• Morgan needs to add weight (muscle) to play left tackle at the next level. As a result, some teams could primarily view him as a guard.
• Outstanding footwork and athleticism, but susceptible to powerful counter-moves in pass protection.
• He tore his ACL in college, but bounced back from injury last season to put together a great season.

Next Level Projection: Bust

Pro Comp: Cole Strange

29. Detroit Lions – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

• 23-year-old who began his college career at Albany before transferring to Florida State. Consistently improved each year and racked up increasingly impressive numbers during his time in college.
• Excellent bull rusher with the size and strength to beat overpower opposing tackles off the snap.
• Intimidating athleticism, but needs to refine his footwork and pass-rush technique.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Za’Darius Smith

30. Baltimore Ravens – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

• Chop’s traits are off the charts. Extremely muscular, ridiculously quick off the edge, and boasts freakish measurables.
• Lacks elite college production and probably won’t be a Day 1 starter in the NFL.
• Projects best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Pro Comp: Odafe Oweh

31. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

• Ideal size to play both left and right tackle. 6’8″, 322 pounds with strong arms and heavy hands.
• Started just 14 games over the past two seasons, so he probably isn’t a Day 1 starter in the NFL, particularly at left tackle given his lack of experience playing that position in college.
• Craves physicality, sets a good pad level, and finishes his blocks, all things development coaches love to see from young offensive lineman.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Rob Havenstein

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Paul, LT, Houston

• 23-years-old, but possesses a prototypical frame for a franchise left tackle. 6’8″, 331 pounds with massive arms and broad shoulders.
• Totaled 44 starts at left tackle during his time at Houston, and could be a Day 1 starter in the NFL.
• Needs to work on his balance and footwork, in pass protection but his impressive motor and excellent technique in run blocking is encouraging for his development.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

Pro Comp: Orlando Brown Jr.

Who is your favorite prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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Author: Ben Pawlak

Published: 4/25/24 at 8am EST

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Sources/Works Cited:

Google Images, Google, https://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en.

“Official Site of the National Football League.” NFL.com, https://www.nfl.com/combine/.

“Overall Rankings: 2024 NFL Draft”. NFLDRAFTBUZZ.COM, https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/.