2024 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (1-16) – Charlie Campbell

The Raiders didn’t take a quarterback until the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The odds are long that Aidan O’Connell can be Las Vegas’ starter, plus the team is bad and the roster doesn’t play for head coach Josh McDaniels. Thus, the Raiders could be looking for a signal-caller early in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Williams (6-1, 218) started out the 2021 season as the backup quarterback to Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma, but after Rattler struggled, Williams replaced him as the starter and put together an excellent year, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also hurt defenses on the ground with six rushing touchdowns and lots of yardage. After the 2021 season, Williams transferred to USC to follow former Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. Williams played well for the Trojans in 2022, completing 67 percent of his passes for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions. He could put together a massive 2023 season and end up as a high first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Click links to see the Raiders' picks across all rounds:

The Cardinals need a difference-maker for their defensive line.

Verse had a great start to open 2022, showing pass-rush ability and speed around the corner in a dominant performance versus LSU while recording three sacks and seven tackles. For the year, Verse recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks. He displayed functional strength, athleticism, and a steady motor. In 2021 playing for Albany, Verse recorded 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and 22 tackles. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder has a good motor and a lot of upside.

Click links to see the Cardinals' picks across all rounds:

The Cardinals need a true No. 1 receiver to replace DeAndre Hopkins.

Harrison broke out in 2022, recording 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. The sophomore was a dynamic mismatch weapon for C.J. Stroud. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison has excellent height and length with speed to get downfield. He runs routes like a smaller receiver, and he obviously learned a lot from his Hall of Fame father.

Click links to see the Cardinals' picks across all rounds:

The Broncos can get out of Russell Wilson’s contract after this season, and if they have a shot at a top quarterback prospect, it would make sense to get younger and cheaper.

Maye exploded onto the college-football scene as a redshirt freshman, showing serious arm talent. In 2022, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has good size and easy arm strength to go vertical. Maye lofts balls well, showing touch and throwing his receivers open. He could be a high first-rounder in the 2024 NFL Draft.

If Bernhard Raimann does not lock down the left tackle position this season, the Colts will need a left tackle to protect Anthony Richardson.

Fashanu could have been in the running to be the top offensive line prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft before deciding to return to Happy Valley. The 6-foot-6, 321-pounder has excellent size to go along with quickness and athleticism. Fashanu has the potential to be special.

Click links to see the Colts' picks across all rounds:

The Rams are facing a rebuild if they don’t bounce back this season. Matthew Stafford is aging, has taken a beating, and could be traded to a contender next offseason.

Suamataia was a top recruit who landed at Oregon and redshirted. In 2022, Suamataia transferred to BYU and had a breakout season, including not allowing a sack all season. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder has shocking speed and athleticism for an edge blocker of his size. Another big season could make him a high first-rounder for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Click links to see the Rams' picks across all rounds:

The Bears need more edge-rush talent.

Following a few years of development, Trice broke out in 2022 with nine sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and 38 tackles. The 6-foot-4, 267-pounder has speed off the edge alongside active hands and a nose for the quarterback. After gaining some additional playing experience, Trice could be even better because he has a good skill set and upside to develop.

Click links to see the Bears' picks across all rounds:

The Packers could use more youth at offensive tackle.

The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Mims was a backup and rotational player for Georgia, but he could become a star in 2023. Manning right tackle for Georgia, Mims is a giant monster who has very little body fat and is a unique physical specimen with size, speed and athleticism. Team sources say Mims has 11.2-inch hands and 36-inch arms, as well as quickness. They noted his physical body is similar to that of Tyron Smith. NFL team evaluators say they want to see Mims get more physical and nasty in 2023 because he plays like the big kid on the playground who doesn’t want to hurt anybody. Mims has a great skill set and could be a star and fast riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Click links to see the Packers' picks across all rounds:

Bill Belichick failed tremendously in his wide receiver evaluations in 2019 by taking N’Keal Harry over Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin. Belichick’s evaluations of wideouts have been poor in other years as well, and New England badly needs to upgrade its receiver talent.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Egbuka turned in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. He emerged as a potential No. 1 receiver or really good No. 2 wideout. At other schools, Egbuka would have had an even bigger year, but he was the No. 2 receiver for Ohio State across from Marvin Harrison Jr. Egbuka has quality size and some serious speed with the ability to separate and challenge defenses vertically.

Click links to see the Patriots' picks across all rounds:

Cade Otton could emerge as a nice pro, but the Bucs could take a weapon to go with him. With their receivers aging, they could use a young mismatch playmaker.

Bowers was a freshman sensation for the Bulldogs in 2021 and was a huge receiving weapon in helping them win their first National Championship since 1980. Immediately, Bowers (6-4, 230) was a mismatch threat with excellent speed, athleticism, and run-after-the-catch ability. In 2021, Bowers recorded 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He totaled 63 receptions in 2022 for 942 yards and seven touchdowns. The Bulldogs have had other good young talent at tight end and wide receiver, so Bowers doesn’t see everything funneled his way, as they spread the ball around, but Bowers is definitely special prospect for the NFL.

Click links to see the Buccaneers' picks across all rounds:

The Commanders need more offensive line talent.

Alt (6-7, 317) broke into the starting lineup at left tackle as a freshman in 2021 and has started 21 straight contests on the blind side. He started out his career playing some tight end for Notre Dame before settling in at left tackle. Alt has good size and length to block on the edge. Handling speed rushers and playing with good leverage will be points of emphasis for him as an upperclassman.

Click links to see the Redskins' picks across all rounds:

Pittsburgh needs a No. 1 corner to go with Joey Porter Jr.

While Joey Porter Jr. received all of the attention in 2022, King was Penn State’s best cornerback and made more big plays for the program. King totaled 30 tackles, three interceptions, 21 passes defended and one forced fumble on the year. At 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, King has adequate size, but he is a silky-smooth cover corner who can run the route and prevent separation. King has outstanding instincts, route recognition, awareness, and ball skills. That leads to make making superb plays routinely.

King is a “dog” who is a tough, physical and willing hitter. He may not have elite speed, but his fabulous instincts make him a step faster. King has No. 1 corner potential for the NFL.

Click links to see the Steelers' picks across all rounds:

The Bears need a difference maker on the defensive line.

Smith was a dynamic freshman for the Tigers in 2021, and the former five-star recruit made an instant impact for them, recording four sacks and 19 tackles. There was a ton of hype coming from LSU that he was poised to have a monster 2022 season, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against Florida State and missed the year. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder has excellent size and length with the upside to build on his fantastic debut. Smith could break out and dominate in 2023.

Click links to see the Bears' picks across all rounds:

The Titans signed DeAndre Hopkins, but he is a short-term solution.

Worthy (6-1, 163) is a quick, shifty, undersized playmaker who can get open vertically and is a threat to score on any reception. Worthy had an impressive debut in 2021 with 62 catches for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2022, he turned 60 receptions for 760 yards and nine scores. During both seasons, Worthy dealt with inconsistent quarterback play.

Click links to see the Titans' picks across all rounds:

The Dolphins could use more offensive line talent.

The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Latham has a good skill set and upside. He could start at guard or tackle and emerge as another top offensive line prospect from Alabama. Latham did not allow a sack in 2022 and very few pressures. He could be a riser during the 2024 NFL Draft process.

Click links to see the Dolphins' picks across all rounds:

Atlanta signed Calais Campbell, but he is a short-term rental. Here is a long-term starter for the inside of the team’s line.

The fast and relentless Newton has some dangerous interior rush ability for the NFL while also being a contributing run defender. In 2022, Newton recorded 5.5 sacks, 59 tackles and three passes batted. He picked up 3.5 sacks in 2021. At 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, Newton is shorter and lacks length, so he will have to develop the ability to hold up against NFL mass.

Click links to see the Falcons' picks across all rounds: