49ers fill their biggest need in this 1st-round mock NFL Draft

With the NFL Draft creeping ever closer, Niner Noise takes a look at how the first round might play out for all 32 teams when it begins.

When the season is over, the only other part of the season that truly makes me passionate is the NFL Draft and how all 32 teams set up for their future.

There's something fascinating about watching it all play out, as the NFL has truly turned it into a spectacle.

Truly, there's nothing quite like it.

For the first time in a while (2021, to be exact), the San Francisco 49ers will actually have a first-round pick as thefallout from the trade for quarterback bust Trey Lance has now played out. Good thing, too, it was starting to get a little boring for us fans.

Read More: Which 49ers' potential 'legacy' draft picks would be the best fit?


With it being draft season, it's also mock draft season. Once again Niner Noise will be bringing you a mock draft this year, maybe a second one (we'll see).

But some house rules:

• We aren't doing trades (with one exception), simply too much of a hassle
• The choices for these picks are a combination of media hype, draft rumors and gut intuition
• This is all just for fun, let's not make it a big deal if there's a pick you don't like

With free agency still raging, there's also a teeny chance some of these picks become redundant, but we can't help that.

But wiith that in mind, let's get started with our first mock draft for 2024.

32-team 2024 mock NFL Draft

There are some people out there who think Caleb Williams is a colossal bust, who has a horrible attitude and think he's been overhyped given USC didn't have the successful year people expected.

It really doesn't matter. He will be the No. 1 pick, and the Chicago Bears already traded Justin Fields. Williams (6-foot-1, 214 pounds) is considered a generational prospect by minds much smarter than ours at this sort of thing.

Williams had 3,633 yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing touchdowns and five interceptions for USC last season to solidify the hype for him being the No. 1 pick for 2024. He's an accurate passer with a strong arm, some good running skills to get him out of trouble and cause some damage, and he's a tough football player.

Some might have some issues with how he carries himself and some slight controversies and stories in the media have been a bit weird, but Chicago would be loathe to overthink this selection.

This is essentially a free pick thanks to Carolina handing them this selection.

The Washington Commanders face a choice: Do they go with Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy for their pick at quarterback? While there's been some rumors surrounding McCarthy and Washington, the kind of quarterback that offensive coordinator likes to work with makes Jayden Daniels the best fit.

Daniels has gotten rave reviews for his senior season at LSU, and some people think he could be a Lamar Jackson clone for the next level. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback has an ideal size for the next level with athleticism rarely seen in quarterbacks.

Daniels really shone as a senior, throwing for for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions and rushing for 1,134 yards and another 10 touchdowns for the Tigers. While he's not likely to be a candidate for the No. 1 pick, he's played himself into contention for the second overall pick.

As mentioned, Daniels is a Lamar clone for the next level. He boasts incredible speed and agility but is also capable of making all the throws needed at the top level. While he isn't blessed with the most powerful arm in the world, it's still more than enough that it won't be a liability.

There's been some smokescreens surrounding McCarthy, but it seems hard to believe that the New England Patriots would take him here. Drake Maye is a much superior prospect that the team would love to have.

Maye is a good size for a quarterback at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, and he threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions this past season despite losing his best receiver in Josh Downs to the NFL.

Maye doesn't have the hype of Williams or the athletic wow factor of Daniels, but what he does have is excellent touch that allows him to sink throws wherever he needs it to be. He's not the most powerful thrower in this draft but has perfect function in terms of arm strength, and he has some underrated athletic ability, which allows him to break open some big plays with his legs.

The one facet of his game that he could stand to improve is his pocket presence. He has been guilty of holding the ball too long and not reading the play sufficently enough to avoid pressure.

If he gets better at this, however, he could be the best quarterback in this draft.