Charles Davis 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0: Pats select J.J. McCarthy at No. 3; Vikings snatch Drake Maye (2024)

Published: Apr 24, 2024 at 08:56 AM

Charles Davis

NFL Media Analyst

Pick

1

Chicago Bears

(via CAR)

Caleb Williams

USC · QB · Junior

The only suspense left with this pick is speculating how long it will take for the Bears to turn in the card. This young man has the potential for greatness.

Pick

2

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels

LSU · QB · Senior

Plenty of noise surrounds what Washington could do with No. 2, but I believe the Commanders stick and pick their guy. A thorough evaluation by new general manager Adam Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn concludes with their selection of the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.

Pick

3

New England Patriots

J.J. McCarthy

Michigan · QB · Junior

SURPRISE! I was convinced for a while that New England would be the future home of Drake Maye, but now I'm questioning that line of thinking. In this projection, after the Pats entertain a bunch of trade offers, they ultimately choose to "run history back" in a sense, selecting another Michigan man to lead them ... albeit 196 draft slots higher than where they took Tom Brady nearly a quarter-century ago.

Pick

4

Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ohio State · WR · Junior

Yes, GM Monti Ossenfort is open for business, and this is a key spot for teams seeking a QB. (Vikings? Broncos? Raiders?) But in this scenario, the Cards stand pat. If they do trade this pick, expect another one of the draft's top WRs to still land in Phoenix on Day 1.

Pick

5

Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Alt

Notre Dame · OT · Junior

Joe Hortiz is another GM who will have his phone close to him at all times and will happily accept calls. Both he and new head coach Jim Harbaugh love their offensive linemen ... but if Arizona trades out of the No. 4 spot, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is still available when the Chargers are on the clock, Harbaugh could pivot toward the Buckeye receiver, not letting his rivalry with Ohio State get in the way of his new NFL ambitions.

Pick

6

New York Giants

Malik Nabers

LSU · WR · Junior

Plenty of QB chatter here, and it's understandable. However, if the Giants want to give Daniel Jones the best opportunity to be successful, they have to provide him with playmakers, and Nabers is the kind of explosive asset head coach Brian Daboll likes.

Pick

7

Tennessee Titans

JC Latham

See Also

Fantasy Football: SuperFlex Mock Draft for 2023Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Superflex, PPR (2023)2023 Superflex Rookie Mock Draft 4.0 - Round 1 - Dynasty Nerds2023 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft 3.0 - Drafting from the #3 Slot

Alabama · OT · Junior

Could GM Ran Carthon be open to moving back? Sure. And while Joe Alt has been mentioned here frequently by me (and many others), Latham is someone whom new OL coach Bill Callahan would eagerly embrace. Callahan could potentially get him ready to play LT, as the veteran coach did with another former Alabama RT, Jedrick Wills, just a few years ago in Cleveland.

Pick

8

Atlanta Falcons

Laiatu Latu

UCLA · Edge · Senior

Atlanta is eager to compete right now in the NFC South, and edge tops the team's list of needs, so the Falcons take the best all-around pass rusher in this draft.

Pick

9

Chicago Bears

Dallas Turner

Alabama · Edge · Junior

Head coach Matt Eberflus needs someone to help the sensational Montez Sweat get after the QB for this team on the rise.

Pick

10

New York Jets

Taliese Fuaga

Oregon State · OT · Senior

A top WR is in play here. The best TE in the draft, Brock Bowers, has also felt like a fit. But Jets GM Joe Douglas must do everything in his power to keep Aaron Rodgers on the field, and he might not want to count strictly on his veteran OT acquisitions (Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses) to get the job done.

Pick

11

Minnesota Vikings

Drake Maye

North Carolina · QB · Sophom*ore (RS)

The Vikings are armed for the fight (having acquired an additional first-round pick last month) and in position to move up if necessary in order to get their guy. In this mock, they stand pat and still get him.

Pick

12

Denver Broncos

Bo Nix

Oregon · QB · Senior

No, this week's trade for former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson does not take Denver out of the QB market. Sean Payton was never afraid to use future draft capital to secure a player he coveted while head coach in New Orleans. To move up this year, the Broncos will likely have to part with their first-rounder in 2025. ... But what if they don't have to do so?

Pick

13

Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Penix Jr.

Washington · QB · Senior

Another team that has appeared to be heavily interested in moving up to make its QB dreams come true. Here, Las Vegas takes the sixth signal-caller within the first 13 picks. Penix's propensity to throw the ball downfield fits the Raiders' swashbuckling history.

Pick

14

New Orleans Saints

Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Penn State · OT · Junior (RS)

The Saints need a left tackle, and Fashanu is their guy.

Pick

15

Indianapolis Colts

Rome Odunze

Washington · WR · Senior

The run on QBs pushes a receiver with top-10 talent down to this spot, and the Colts' second-year QB, Anthony Richardson, is thrilled.

Pick

16

See Also

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR, Superflex League (2023)

Seattle Seahawks

Troy Fautanu

Washington · OT · Senior

The 'Hawks could use some shoring up of their offensive line, and they don't have to go far, tapping this versatile blocker from the University of Washington. Fautanu gets to stay in town and work with his college offensive coordinator and O-line coach.

Pick

17

Jacksonville Jaguars

Terrion Arnold

Alabama · CB · Sophom*ore (RS)

The board falls perfectly for the Jaguars in this simulation, as they get their pick of the litter at their top position of need.

Pick

18

Cincinnati Bengals

Brock Bowers

Georgia · TE · Junior

Another top-10 talent pushed down by QB machinations, but not to fret! Getting to work with Bengals QB Joe Burrow -- who will make immediate and skillful use of Bowers -- softensthe blow.

Pick

20

Pittsburgh Steelers

Amarius Mims

Georgia · OT · Junior

The Steelers continue to upgrade their offensive line, looking to get this inexperienced -- but supremely talented -- youngster ready to play right tackle, spurring a move of last year's top pick, Broderick Jones, to his natural spot on the blind side. Consideration will be given to grabbing a center here, too. (Graham Barton? Jackson Powers-Johnson?)

Pick

21

Miami Dolphins

Graham Barton

Duke · C · Senior

Agile physically and mentally, Barton moves from college left tackle to NFL center (he did start five games at the pivot early in his Duke days) and anchors Mike McDaniel's lightning-speed offensive attack.

Pick

22

Philadelphia Eagles

Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo · CB · Senior

The Toledo product has done nothing but impress throughout the pre-draft process (SEE: his Senior Bowl week lockdown of Power Five receivers, as well as his explosive athletic display at the combine). The Eagles fortify their secondary with this ballhawk.

Pick

23

Minnesota Vikings

(via CLE through HOU)

Jared Verse

Florida State · Edge · Senior

The small-school standout (Verse spent his first three years of college at Albany) leveled up to Power Five stardom (his past two years at Florida State) through talent, effort and grit. He helps ease the free agency departure of elite edge rusher Danielle Hunter.

Pick

24

Dallas Cowboys

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Oregon · C · Junior

Dallas struck gold back in 2013 with the first-round selection of center Travis Frederick. The Cowboys go mining at the position once again, nabbing last season's Rimington Trophy winner (college football's top center). JPJ packs a punch -- and the man can move, as well.

Pick

25

Green Bay Packers

Cooper DeJean

Iowa · DB · Junior

I listed DeJean as a DB, instead of a CB, because of his exceptional versatility. He can run, cover, tackle, catch ... and return punts at an elite level, too. DeJean and All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon would give Green Bay extra special teams.

Pick

26

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chop Robinson

Penn State · Edge · Junior

Tampa banks on the potential and expected elevation of this speedy edge rusher whose numbers should improve in the NFL. I think a center is a possibility here, too.

Pick

27

Arizona Cardinals

(via HOU)

Jer'Zhan Newton

Illinois · DT · Senior

Rising defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will find plenty of ways to utilize this hard charger. Missouri's combo DE/DT, Darius Robinson, has to be in the discussion here, too. And the cornerback position also merits thought.

Pick

28

Buffalo Bills

Brian Thomas Jr.

LSU · WR · Junior

This was a position of need before the trade of Stefon Diggs to Houston. QB Josh Allen gets to mentor this intelligent and fast receiver who will draw plenty of attention from other suitors along the way on draft night.

Pick

29

Detroit Lions

Kool-Aid McKinstry

Alabama · CB · Junior

The Lions' culture has been clearly established, and McKinstry fits it very well with his down-in/down-out toughness. After all, the young man went through his pro day -- and performed quite well -- despite knowing he needed foot surgery.

Pick

30

Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Guyton

Oklahoma · OT · Junior (RS)

Head coach John Harbaugh has mentioned upgrading the offensive line, and Guyton will help do that. The former tight end has been a right tackle in college, but has the attributes to move to the blind side.

Pick

31

San Francisco 49ers

Roger Rosengarten

Washington · OT · Junior (RS)

Having gone without a first-round pick in each of the past two drafts, the 49ers can proceed in a variety of directions here. Arizona OT Jordan Morgan has to be in mix, but Rosengarten fits San Francisco's RT profile and gives off the vibes of another former Washington tackle, Kaleb McGary, with his play.

Pick

32

Kansas City Chiefs

Adonai Mitchell

Texas · WR · Junior

My favorite Longhorn receiver in this draft. Kansas City likely will consider selecting an offensive lineman, especially someone with LT ability. But given the uncertainty of Rashee Rice's situation, the Chiefs grab a playmaker to pair with the ultimate playmaking QB, Patrick Mahomes.