2024 NFL mock draft: plenty of tackles and quick quarterbacks
The Bucs’ roster has several obvious gaps, particularly at tackle and the interior offensive line. As there always are, there are a number of strong prospects coming out of college this year, so general manager Jason Licht has several options to consider in order to improve the Bucs in 2023 and return to the postseason.
There have been no trades made in this mock draft, which is Bucs Wire’s first for the full first round. Look below to see who the Bucs have chosen:
1. USC quarterback Caleb William is a first-round pick of the Chicago Bears.
There has been discussion about whether or not Justin Fields will play for the Bears in the upcoming season, but as April approaches, that seems less and less likely. In light of this, the Bears decide to trade Fields to another team and choose Williams to be their future signal-caller.
2. Drake Maye, quarterback, North Carolina Commanders
The commanders will be more than happy for Maye to travel to Washington once Williams is selected. With the most salary cap space in the NFL, the Commanders can assemble a team around Maye, who has shown some serious talent while at UNC.
3. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels of the New England Patriots
The Patriots could take a lot of different paths in this situation, but a new signal caller will probably usher in a new era. Heisman Trophy winner Daniels (2023) has the potential to grow into a versatile weapon at quarterback the following season.
4. Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the fourth Arizona Cardinal.
Easily selected by any club picking high that doesn’t require a quarterback, Harrison Jr. is regarded as one of the more certain prospects in recent memory. The Cardinals, for example, may select a deadly weapon for quarterback Kyler Murray.
5. Malik Nabers, WR from LSU, is a Los Angeles Charger
If the Chargers need anything, it’s more weapons for Justin Herbert. Nabers is regarded by many as the second-best wide receiver prospect behind Harrison Jr. (though some prefer Huskies wideout Rome Odunze). Quentin Johnson’s first season didn’t seem promising, and Keenan Allen is growing older.
6. New York Giants: Kentucky Joe T. Alt
The Giants have time to determine their quarterback strategy, but not before appointing a protector for the chosen quarterback. Any club in need of a tackle to support the offensive line would greatly benefit from having Alt, a huge tackle who projects there at the next level.
7. Penn State T Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Tennessee Titans
This also follows from the same principle. Since the Titans appear intent on signing quarterback Will Levis, acquiring a player who can shield him makes sense. Fashanu can do that; he is one of the finest tackle prospects available in this year’s draft.
8. Alabama Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Turner, Dallas
Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree led the Falcons in sack totals with 6.5 apiece. With Turner considered the top in the class following a 10-sack season at Alabama, Atlanta’s decision to choose an EDGE looks like the next natural move toward improving their roster.
9. Brock Bowers, a Georgia TE, is a Chicago Bear.
In this case, wideout would also be a wise choice, but the end effect is the same: Caleb Williams gains a weapon for the Bears. Throughout his time at Georgia, Bowers was a world-beater, and Williams would have a dependable target right away at a position that is difficult to fill.
10. Rome Odunze, WR for the Washington Washington Jets
Following his time in Washington alongside Michael Penix Jr., Odunze is another highly rated wide receiver. In New York, Aaron Rodgers will want to throw to some really talented players, and Odunze and Garrett Wilson together might be a terrifying combination for opposition defenses.
11. Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, Minnesota Vikings
DeJean was a standout cornerback at Iowa. He can also play safety and slot, and he is versatile as a defensive back. To strengthen the unit, he would be a wise choice because the Vikings could use all three of those defensively.
12. Clemson CB Nate Wiggins of the Denver Broncos
Talented defensive back Wiggins might be a good fit for Denver. Patrick Surtain II, a cornerback for the Broncos, is a fantastic talent, but Wiggins’ addition might bolster the secondary on both sides.
13. Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton of the Las Vegas Raiders
Though they could likely do more to strengthen their defense, the Raiders need assistance almost everywhere. With 7.5 sacks in a stellar season at Illinois, Newton may be a good fit for Las Vegas according to defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce.
14.ย Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State is the New Orleans Saints’ย
Ryan Ramczyk was a good tackle for New Orleans, but his knee cartilage problem has made it unclear if he will stay in the organization. Let Fuaga step in, as he can aid safeguard Derek Carr for the Saints in the upcoming campaign.
15. Terrion Arnold of Alabama, a wide receiver, is the Indianapolis Colts’ fifteenth pick.
Another team that might emerge for a variety of reasons in this situation is the Colts. They need depth at cornerback, though, and Arnold’s instinctive play and short-area quickness would still satisfy them even if some other prominent defensive backs were absent.
16. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE of Florida State Verse by Jared
Verse may make his job on the edge easier for Seattle, which addressed the defense last year with the great selection of Devon Witherspoon. Mike Macdonald, the defensive head coach, would be happy to have him join the Seahawks after seeing him excel as a tyrant in the pass rush at Florida State.
17. UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu of the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars will capitalize if Verse and Latu stick around, even though they might not. Josh Allen, a pass rusher, is about to become a free agent. Either Jacksonville re-signs Allen and joins him with Latu to form a potentially lethal defensive line, or they find a suitable replacement in Allen.
18. Alabama’s Cincinnati Bengals Latham, T.J.C.
Given their significance on the football field, tackles are always in demand. In an attempt to improve the questionable line behind quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals will attempt to select Latham, one of Alabama’s numerous anticipated first-round picks, in this mock draft.
19. Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell of the Los Angeles Rams
Despite being a bit of a late bloomer in the draft, Mitchell would provide significant value to the Rams secondary. After losing Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, the squad is still missing a key player. If Mitchell can live up to his agility and ball-playing abilities, the Rams may fill a significant void.
20. Ardarius Mims of Georgia plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers
An offensive tackle is a valuable asset for teams with quarterback turnovers. Mims’ comically large frame and strength could be a big asset to Mike Tomlin’s Steelers, regardless of whether Justin Fields, Kenny Pickett, or someone else is taking snaps in Pittsburgh.
21. Miami Dolphins: Oregon C. 21. Powers-Johnson Jackson
Powers-Johnson is brought in to take the offense to the next level for the Dolphins, who have an abundance of weapons at almost every skill position. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, two open speedsters, can have more free space the more protection Tua Tagovailoa receives. Powers-Johnson, on the other hand, is a legitimate center who can immediately fit into the Dolphins scheme.
22. Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry plays for the Philadelphia Eagles
For a Philadelphia squad with an abundance of offensive talent, defense will be the best course of action. Although McKinstry isn’t an ideal prospect, the Eagles might be unable to pass up on him at this point due to his strength and ball-playing abilities.
23. LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is the 23rd-ranked player for the Houston Texans.
Naturally, Thomas Jr. is a capable wide receiver, but Nabers is the more well regarded LSU wideout of the two. Even with Tank Dell and Nico Collins joining Houston’s wide receiving corps, he still managed to catch 17 touchdowns for 1,177 yards in 2023. This is a choice that would please C.J. Stroud.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma
Did it actually happen that the Cowboys would select an offensive lineman if they made a first-round selection? All joking aside, Guyton has played admirably at the tackle position at Oklahoma and might possibly be a young replacement for impending Cowboys free agent Tyron Smith.
25, Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, Green Bay Packers
Byron Murphy II may contribute to the Packers’ potential as a surprise candidate to go deep into the playoffs in 2024. Despite his slight stature, his explosiveness off the line makes him a potentially valuable addition to Green Bay’s defensive line in the future.
26. The Alabama Edge of the Tampa Bay Bucs Braswell Chris
Braswell, the fifth player from Alabama chosen in this mock, provides the Bucs with a major need. The last two seasons have seen Tampa Bay’s pass rush perform mediocrely, but Braswell might take the place of an aging Shaq Barrett and team up with Yaya Diaby and Calijah Kancey to create a formidable defensive line. Given Braswell’s strength and high-motor play, Todd Bowles would probably be a huge fan.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Troy Franklin, a wide receiver from Oregon
Although it may be improbable, Arizona needs to completely restructure their wide receiving corps, and this could be one way to achieve it. Franklin is a smaller receiver with exceptional speed who might be a good No. 2 receiver to go along with Harrison Jr., despite Harrison Jr.’s weight of over 200 pounds.
28. Jordan Morgan, T, Arizona Buffalo Bills
Here we have another tackle. Morgan benefited himself from his performance in the Senior Bowl and any additional QB protection. Josh Allen could do well to substantially expand Buffalo’s offensive options the following season.
29. Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. plays for the Detroit Lions.
There is another late riser who might not be here: Rakestraw Jr. Although the Lions would be thrilled to have him if he is, improving their secondaryโwhich was among the worst in the NFL in 2023โcould easily send them back to the NFC championship game the following season. Rakestraw Jr.’s injury history is the only thing to be concerned about.
30. Thirty. Baltimore Ravens: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Wide receiver Zay Flowers of the Ravens is presently the subject of an off-field inquiry; McConkey would make sense as a complement to Flowers or as a way to further enhance the passing game between Flowers and Lamar Jackson for the Ravens.
31. Washington T Troy Fautanu of the San Francisco 49ers
Adding a tackle on the other side would further protect Brock Purdy, even though Trent Williams is undoubtedly one of the finest in the league. For the 49ers, who have minimal expectations going into the offseason, Fautanu might be a useful addition.
32. Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman of the Kansas City Chiefs
Coleman might be an intimidating wideout to support the offense, which is much needed by the Chiefs for Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs may find Coleman to be a useful one-on-one target because of his size, but there are still concerns about his ability to break away at the point of attack.