Dr. Commish's First 2024 Mock Draft

Notre Dame's Joe Alt takes on Cincinnati's 2023 first-round selection out of Clemson, Myles Murphy. Alt is currently the 6th-ranked prospect on Dr. Commish's Big Board.

At last, the NFL regular season is over. Ron Rivera is currently unemployed, and so is legendary talent-sealer Arthur Smith. On the bright side, the order of the top 18 picks in the draft has been set in stone, giving us a slightly clearer picture of the dartboard we're blindly throwing at. A board that, to the welcome surprise of some and the chagrin of others, features the Chicago Bears twice in the top 10. Without further ado, we present to you our first official mock draft of the 2024 draft season from the Doctor himself. Wahoo!

The Current Order

1. CHI (from CAR)

2. WAS

3. NE

4. ARI

5. LAC

6. NYG

7. TEN

8. ATL

9. CHI

10. NYJ

11. MIN

12. DEN

13. LV

14. NO

15. IND

16. SEA

17. JAC

18. CIN

19. GB

20. TB

21. ARI (from CLE via HOU)

22. LAR

23. PIT

24. BUF

25. PHI

26. KC

27. HOU

28. DET

29. MIA

30. DAL

31. SF

32. BAL

The Picks

1. Chicago: Caleb Williams - QB, Southern Cal

I would have no complaints if the Bears elected to keep Justin Fields and continue to build the team around him after the growth he's shown in the pocket this season. But with the confusing offensive performance on Sunday leaving him winless against the Packers throughout his tenure, the right move for both his career and the organization's future may be to move on with the top rookie quarterback with the first pick. Now, rumor has it that Williams doesn't want to land in Chicago for the next four years; however, if the Bears choose to trade Fields, the USC star would be my top choice to replace him.

2. Washington: Drake Maye - QB, North Carolina

The Commanders are likely on their way to a complete tear-down-and-rebuild period over the next few years. Because of this, I could absolutely see them testing the trade market with this pick to bring in more young pieces later in the next few drafts. But I will refrain from hypothetical trade-back scenarios in this particular mock, leaving Washington to take the most valuable prospect left on the board in Maye.

3. New England: Jayden Daniels - QB, Louisiana State

This is the first real "shock of the mock" so far. New England has lacked a true WR1 since the Randy Moss days, and the honorable Marvin Harrison Jr., whose father was a contemporary of Moss, is still available. Not only that, but Jayden Daniels isn't even a top 10 prospect on my draft board. So why would owner Robert Kraft reach for a lesser quarterback prospect in this scenario? Well, there are two reasons I can think of off the top of my head: Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

4. Arizona: Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Ohio State

This would make me unbelievably happy. Not only does this pick give Kyler Murray an ELITE wideout and true WR1 to fill the void left by the aging now-Titan DeAndre Hopkins, but this turn of events might also open the door for a certain LSU receiver to fall past 4 down to #9 and land in the Windy City for the next half-decade.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers - TE, Georgia

Fellas, Justin Herbert needs help. The man has single-handedly made his team relevant in the playoff discussion every year of his career while healthy despite the efforts of the league's second-worst head coach (Brandon Staley) to ruin his reputation as a franchise quarterback. Luckily, he wasn't healthy this year, leaving the Chargers with a top-5 pick and a shot at Jim Harbaugh as HC. Brock Bowers is a monster, and pairing him with Herbert's elite arm could spell a new era in the AFC West (Taylor Swift reference not intended).

6. New York Giants: Joe Alt - OT, Notre Dame

This team has potential. They just need protection first and foremost. Andrew Thomas is elite, but Evan Neal has struggled mightily in his first two seasons against NFL talent. There is still potential for Neal to develop, but the Giants need help now to protect their investment at QB in Daniel Jones while he's locked in as their starter. Joe Alt can provide that for them.

7. Tennessee: Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT, Penn State

The Titans are in a similar situation; however, they don't have a cornerstone left tackle yet. Olu Fashanu is my top-ranked offensive lineman in this draft, and Tennessee could absolutely use his help up front opposite Andre Dillard.

8. Atlanta: Dallas Turner - EDGE, Alabama

I was tempted to give the Falcons another offensive skill position here, but with Arthur Smith out the door, I feel like the trend won't continue this year. Atlanta needs to juice up its defensive front, and Turner is one of the best athletes in the entire draft.

9. Chicago: Malik Nabers - WR, Louisiana State

Had Harrison Jr. not been in this draft, Nabers would have easily been my pick to land in Arizona at #4, which very well could still happen if Chicago keeps their quarterback. Malik Nabers is my "guy" among offensive prospects in this draft class, and teaming him up with Caleb Williams and DJ Moore is a tantalizing opportunity that GM Ryan Poles should take advantage of with little hesitation.

10. New York Jets: J.C. Latham - OT, Alabama

We all know what the Jets desperately want: A healthy franchise quarterback who can elevate their talented roster and win them a Super Bowl next year. Barring an unexpected transition to Jeopardy host or witch doctor, Aaron Rodgers is their man for the job. But with the 40-year-old QB having spent the 2023 season on injured reserve with an Achilles rupture, even that is uncertain. Building a 6'6", 350 lb. wall in front of him could ease that uncertainty.

11. Minnesota: Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry - CB, Alabama

The Vikings have many holes to fill on the defensive side and will likely be looking for Kirk Cousins' long-term replacement at QB. In this particular case, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would elect to re-sign star edge-rusher Danielle Hunter, making EDGE less of a need and more of a luxury. As a result, Minnesota takes a swing at a position they've lacked a difference-maker at for years by drafting arguably the best pure boundary defender in the class in McKinstry.

12. Denver: Jared Verse - EDGE, Florida State

I was hoping to sneak both Turner and Verse into the top 10, but this draft is just unbelievably loaded with high-end talent at the most important positions. The Broncos have some exciting young players in-house off the edge and could be in the market for a veteran here, so I considered DeJean or Newton at this spot. But Jared Verse is a premier EDGE talent with no known health concerns, and could give DC Vance Joseph (or his replacement) another elite impact player to build a defense around.

13. Las Vegas: Nate Wiggins - CB, Clemson

In this mock, the Raiders continue their habit of ruining NFL talent from Clemson (Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen, Hunter Renfrow). Wiggins is a high-upside playmaker in the secondary, and should develop into a solid piece in the Las Vegas secondary for years.

14. New Orleans: Rome Odunze - WR, Washington

By the time you read this, the Washington Huskies may or may not be the 2024 CFB National Champions; either way, Rome Odunze is a massive part of why their season has lasted this long. With an aging, oft-injured star receiver in Michael Thomas set to hit free agency this offseason, the Saints could look to replace him with a younger, more reliable version of himself.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Cooper DeJean - DB, Iowa

And for the second year in a row, the Hawkeyes send a white defensive back to the NFL via the draft.

16. Seattle: Laiatu Latu - EDGE, Cal-Los Angeles

With the midseason Leonard Williams trade, the Seahawks have some level of ability up front on defense. In bringing in Latu, the Seahawks bring in a true alpha off the edge to complete an already promising pass-rush with Boye Mafe, Darrell Taylor and Uchenna Nwosu.

17. Jacksonville: Terrion Arnold - DB, Alabama

Another versatile defender from Alabama makes his way into the first round of the draft, strengthening the Jags' secondary and paving the way for a Travon Walker breakout season in 2024.

18. Cincinnati: Amarius Mims - OT, Georgia

As tempting as it was to send Keon Coleman to Cincinnati with this pick, I believe the Bengals have finally learned the importance of investing deeply in Joe Burrow's safety in the pocket moving forward. Mims is my top tackle left on the board, and would provide the Bengals with another massive bookend up front opposite Orlando Brown Jr.

19. Green Bay: Taliese Fuaga - OT, Oregon State

David Bakhtiari is not reliable, and the Packers aren't prone to reaching for a position of greater need when they can fill a hole with good value. With no top options left in the secondary, Fuaga gives HC Matt LaFleur a cornerstone right tackle, opening the door for the incumbent Zach Tom to make his case on the other side.

20. Tampa Bay: Demeioun "Chop" Robinson - EDGE, Penn State

The Bucs could go a number of ways here, but I think the wisest path would be to bring in a young edge-rusher to provide some juice up front and potentially replace Shaquil Barrett long-term. "Juice" is exactly how I'd describe Chop's game, and his value should not be passed up this far into the draft.

21. Arizona: Jer'Zhan Newton - IDL, Illinois

Newton's slide ends here as the Cardinals opt to select the "best player available."

22. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Guyton - OT, Oklahoma

The Rams solidify their protection on Matthew Stafford's blindside.

23. Pittsburgh: Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Toledo

The Steelers bring in another defensive back to solidify a developing secondary.

24. Buffalo: Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State

OC Joe Brady and star QB Josh Allen receive a true X-receiver opposite Stefon Diggs.

25. Philadelphia: Kamari Lassiter - CB, Georgia

Another Bulldog defender lands with the Eagles as GM Howie Roseman reunites Lassiter with former secondary mate Kelee Ringo.

26. Kansas City: Brian Thomas Jr. - WR, Louisiana State

Patrick Mahomes finally gets the elite deep threat he's been missing since Tyreek Hill left.

27. Houston: T'Vondre Sweat - IDL, Texas

The big man stays home to provide the up-and-coming Texans with a rock wall in their front four on defense.

28. Detroit: J.T. Tuimoloau - EDGE, Ohio State

Aidan Hutchinson receives help off the edge in the form of an old rival in Tuimoloau.

29. Miami: Jordan Morgan - OT, Arizona

An aging Terron Armstead is replaced with a star left tackle from the former Pac-12.

30. Dallas: Graham Barton - OL, Duke

The Cowboys continue to strengthen a formidable offensive front.

31. San Francisco: Troy Fautanu - OL, Washington

The O-Line run continues, providing the 49ers with stability up front outside of an aging Trent Williams.

32. Baltimore: Emeka Egbuka - WR, Ohio State

The Ravens provide MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson with sure hands following a drop-riddled 2023 season.

My Heart Goes Out to This Man

Colts running back Tyler Goodson walks back to the locker room following a crucial failed 4th-and-1 conversion attempt sealing Saturday's 23-17 loss to Houston.

Please, everyone, show this man some mercy. Dude had all the pressure in the world on his shoulders and was expected to catch a horrible pass to give his team a small chance to maybe win a tough game with a potential playoff berth on the line against top-2 candidates for each of the OROY, DROY and COTY awards, while playing for a team that wasn't expected to push for a playoff spot this year and would've likely been steamrolled in the Wild Card round. I wouldn't have expected even Christian McCaffrey to have made that catch with that throw, and if he did, he'd be my MVP frontrunner again. Expecting a young player who hadn't yet felt this level of pressure to make an incredible play to save his team's playoff chances and then blaming him for not catching that pass is asinine.

And not only was the play itself unreasonably difficult, but he's publicly taken full responsibility for the play which he was not fully responsible for. In an emotional post-game interview, he was told by an off-screen teammate, "it's okay, it was a tough throw," to which he responded (while holding back tears), "It still touched my hands." The guilt he's undoubtedly felt over the past 16 hours would've been too much for many to bear, especially at his age, but he's handled it like a pro. With encouragement from his family and his teammates, he's keeping his head high. I believe his best football is still ahead of him, and letting this one moment define his entire career moving forward would be a mistake.

Dr. Commish's 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

We made it. The 2024 football offseason is mere days away with the final NFL regular season games wrapping up tomorrow, followed by the College Football National Championship on Monday. For those of us here in the Doctor's Office, this means only one thing: draft season is nearly upon us.

Now, don't get too excited yet; this isn't a mock draft. Dr. Commish has far more film left to observe and loads more data to collect before he can make a diagnosis. This is merely the initial lineup of the players that are, in his opinion, the most intriguing prospects of this year's high-powered class. Dr. Commish has also included his initial suspicions as to which athletes at each position could possess the best traits in the class in one particular area, as well as his personal favorite prospect in each phase of the game (labeled as his "guys").

Top 10 Overall (Reminder: this is NOT a mock draft)

1. Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Ohio State

He isn't a perfect player, but the 2023 Ohio State offense may be the "generational" talent for this class, at least among the more well-known phases of the game. With a blend of great size and athleticism, Harrison Jr. combines high-level route running with an elite ability to adjust to the ball after the throw and make catches happen. He is HIM. Pro Comp: Justin Jefferson with elite physical tools.

2. Caleb Williams - QB, Southern Cal

Formerly labeled as a "generational prospect", Williams' inability to elevate his team into the playoff conversation (not his fault) has dragged his hype train off the rails and deep into the lake that the Pac-12 Conference drowned in before the season. That being said, Caleb has unbelievable potential, and could quickly become a top 5 quarterback in the NFL if he lands in the right situation. Pro Comp: A less weird Aaron Rodgers.

3. Brock Bowers - TE, Georgia

Formerly the "little man" to Darnell Washington's "big boy", Bowers is the best non-Iowa tight end to enter the NFL Draft since former top-5 pick Kyle Pitts, whose career was abruptly ended in 2021 when he was selected by infamous weapon-killer Arthur Smith to join the high-opportunity, low-competence assault tank in Atlanta. The bright side with Bowers is that if he does end up in a Falcons uniform, he can be used as a high-level lead blocker on the goal line for Tyler Allgeier. Pro Comp: A watered-down, less cool George Kittle.

4. Drake Maye - QB, North Carolina

If Caleb Williams is the next Aaron Rodgers, Drake Maye could be the next Peyton Manning (without the five-head). If you're looking for a guy who can execute your offense at an elite level, Maye is the perfect prospect for you. Pro Comp: Justin Herbert from the East Coast.

5. Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT, Penn State

Olu Fashanu could have gone to the NFL last season and would've likely been a top 5 pick. But not all heroes wear capes, and the elite left tackle decided to return for another season solely to help protect Penn State's new starting quarterback Drew Allar (NIL had nothing to do with it, I promise). Rumors are, he could slide as far as pick 10 to Chicago. Pro Comp: Christian Darrisaw but hopefully drafted by a contender.

6. Joe Alt - OT, Notre Dame

Although Fashanu may be the top offensive lineman on my board, Joe Alt (lovingly nicknamed "The Irish Monster" by draft analysts closest to him) makes a strong case to take his place. Listed at 6'8" and 315 lbs., Joe Alt is huge, and his PFF grade was highest among all offensive tackles at 90.7 (shoutout PFF, not a sponsor but love them). Pro Comp: Catholic school Kolton Miller.

7. Malik Nabers - WR, Louisiana State

This dude can do everything. He's my "guy" in this draft, at least on offense. I also heard rumors that he might be struggling with some off-field issues (nothing concrete yet) which may drop him out of the top 9, potentially giving the Bears a dilemma similar to the Jalen Carter-Darnell Wright decision from last year's draft (but with much more talented players). Pro Comp: Tyreek Hill in Ja'Marr Chase's body.

8. Dallas Turner - EDGE, Alabama

Like with the aforementioned offensive tackles, the top of this year's edge-rush class could reasonably be given to multiple different players. In my opinion, the choice between these top three really comes down to preference, and I personally prefer Laiatu Latu. However, due to reasons beyond anyone's control, he ends up lower on my list than he'd normally be. Dallas Turner is my second-favorite edge rusher in the deep 2024 class, and therefore he takes the cake in this scenario. Pro Comp: Why look further than his 2022 partner in crime (figuratively), Will Anderson Jr.?

9. Jared Verse - EDGE, Florida State

I really liked Jared Verse going into the 2023 draft cycle, and he was slated to be my top EDGE this time through after choosing to return to Tallahassee for another season. But he lacked dominance for much of the season, and slowly lost steam as a potential top 5 pick. However, following the Jordan Travis injury, Verse returned to form for the home stretch, and got out just in time to avoid the PR disaster that was the 2023 Orange Bowl. He may not be my "guy" anymore, but he's definitely thrown his name in the ring to reclaim that throne in the near future. Pro Comp: He gives me Bryce Huff vibes with even higher upside.

10. Laiatu Latu - EDGE, Cal-Los Angeles

For all those asking: no, Latu isn't my "guy" on defense. But he's a beast. Literally the only thing keeping him from a top 5 listing is this haunting fact: the dude had to medically retire from football in 2020 with a neck injury. Pro Comp: STRONG Josh Allen vibes (not the quarterback who got snubbed from this year's Pro Bowl).

The Best of the Rest: 11-50

11. Cooper DeJean - DB, Iowa

12. Rome Odunze - WR, Washington

13. Demeioun "Chop" Robinson - EDGE, Penn State

14. Nate Wiggins - CB, Clemson

15. Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry - CB, Alabama

16. Jer'Zhan Newton - IDL, Illinois

17. J.C. Latham - OT, Alabama

18. Terrion Arnold - DB, Alabama

19. Amarius Mims - OT, Georgia

20. Taliese Fuaga - OT, Oregon State

21. Graham Barton - OL, Duke

22. Jayden Daniels - QB, Louisiana State

23. Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State

24. Troy Fautanu - OL, Washington

25. J.T. Tuimoloau - EDGE, Ohio State

26. Tyler Guyton - OT, Oklahoma

27. Adonai Mitchell - WR, Texas

28. Kingsley Suamataia - OL, Brigham Young

29. T'Vondre Sweat - IDL, Texas

30. Jordan Morgan - OT, Arizona

31. Kamren Kinchens - S, Miami (FL)

32. Xavier Worthy - WR, Texas

33. Leonard Taylor - IDL, Miami (FL)

34. Byron Murphy II - IDL, Texas

35. Bralen Trice - EDGE, Washington

36. Patrick Paul - OT, Houston

37. Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Toledo

38. Emeka Egbuka - WR, Ohio State

39. Kalen King - CB, Penn State

40. Troy Franklin - WR, Oregon

41. Jeremiah Trotter - LB, Clemson

42. Ja'Lynn Polk - WR, Washington

43. Kris Jenkins - IDL, Michigan

44. Kamari Lassiter - CB, Georgia

45. Maason Smith - IDL, Louisiana State

46. Chris Braswell - EDGE, Alabama

47. Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Washington

48. T.J. Tampa - CB, Iowa State

49. Ja'Tavion Sanders - TE, Texas

50. Braelon Allen - RB, Wisconsin

My "Guys"

Offense: Malik Nabers - WR, Louisiana State

I already covered him a bit, but he's really a special kind of player. Furthermore, LSU has a strong history of producing elite receiver talent (DJ Chark Jr., Terrace Marshall Jr., Racey McMath), and Nabers might be next in line.

Defense: T'Vondre Sweat - IDL, Texas

I love T'Vondre Sweat. I just love the Longhorns' D-line in general from this year. Byron Murphy made a strong case for this spot in their CFP game. But when you have a BIG boy that can move like Sweat does, with that elite of a name, there's no competition. Not to beat a dead horse, but the Bears could be in line to take him in the first round too. Pairing T'Vondre with fellow Sweat-man Montez would give Green Bay the "Love Sweats" for years to come.

Special Teams: Tory Taylor - P, Iowa

Statistically, he's the greatest college punter of all time. But occasionally, stats can paint the wrong picture, especially when it comes to punt yards for an Iowa team that ranked dead-last in FBS in each of the past two seasons. But having personally witnessed hundreds (if not thousands) of Tory Taylor punts with my own two eyes, I can confirm that our Aussie golden boy has a golden leg. In fact, and I'm not exaggerating here, but Taylor may be the closest thing this highly-talented draft class has to a true generational talent at his position.

Awards

QB

Best Arm: Caleb Williams

Best Legs: Jayden Daniels

Best Mind: Drake Maye

HB

The Tank: Braelon Allen

The Missile: Bucky Irving, Oregon

The Vision: Blake Corum, Michigan

WR

Best Hands: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Most Explosive: Malik Nabers

Most Versatile: Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Route Technician: Xavier Worthy

TE

Brock Bowers wins all

OL

Most Imposing: J.C. Latham

Best Athlete: Olu Fashanu

Best Tats: Rusty Feth, Iowa

Most Pro-Ready: Joe Alt

DL

Best Anchor: T'Vondre Sweat

Best Rusher: Jer'Zhan Newton

Freakiest Specimen: Maason Smith

EDGE

The Juice: Chop Robinson

The Bull: Bralen Trice

Most Likely to Succeed: Jared Verse

LB

Highest Upside: Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Best All-Around Player: Payton Wilson, NC State

Also Exciting But Not Mentioned Yet: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

DB

Best Man: Terrion Arnold

Zone Boy: Kamari Lassiter

Best Boundary Corner: Kool-Aid McKinstry

Most Versatile: Cooper DeJean

S

Kamren Kinchens Award for Most Outstanding Safety: Kamren Kinchens

Best Iowa Football Player Not From Iowa: Cole Bishop, Utah

Other

Good Guy Award: Nate Wiggins

Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Tory Taylor

Best Overall Athlete: Cooper DeJean