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.
The Arizona Cardinals don't need a quarterback, but what they do need is a weapon for their quarterback.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the more exciting prospects to come into the draft in recent years.
Everything about Harrison screams excitement. He's a mismatch for most cornerbacks in the league coming in at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds while running past most matchups. He obviously has an elite NFL pedigree with his father, Marvin Harrison, being enshrined in Canton, and the son looks set to continue the legacy.
In 2023, Harrison. Jr had 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. It's not just a benefit of playing at a big school either that's getting him the attention, as he run routes like a much smaller receiver would such is the intensity of his cuts and route running.
Harrison is an incredible player who's well worthy of the hype. It would be a shock if he wasn't the first non-quarterback off the board come draft night.
The Minnesota Vikings have been loading up picks for a reason, and that's to find a quarterback now that Kirk Cousins has departed for Atlanta.
J.J. McCarthy is a bit polarizing for some people. As a quarterback prospect, he isn't as touted as Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, but he's got some momentum to his draft stock. That and the nature of the quarterback position should see him drafted high in Round 1.
McCarthy is a good quarterback with room to grow in the NFL. He's a better athlete than some people give him credit for. He's also an excellent decision maker, which is a key attribute for rookie quarterbacks if they want to play early.
McCarthy is a bit slender at 6-foot-2 and 219 pounds, and he isn't the best deep-ball passer in the draft. These physical drawbacks is what has him behind the other QBs in the draft, though it didn't stop him throwing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions for Michigan last season.
The New York Giants would be thrilled if the dynamic Malik Nabers made his way to the Big Apple. Scouts love Nabers, and some have him on par with Harrison as the No. 1 wide receiver in this class.
Nabers had 89 recptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 playing for LSU. He's a much more dynamic deep threat than Harrison and is an excellent route runner who's been developed well at LSU.
Nabers doesn't possess elite size at 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, but he's big enough to not get bullied, which allows him versatility in a variety of offensive schemes. Nabers possesses big-play ability whenever he's on the field, and will be a valuable weapon as the Giants try to perform better in 2024.
The only downside to Nabers game is he sometimes gets stopped by press coverage, but that shouldn't be enough to atop him being a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
The Tennessee Titans need more protection for young quarterback Will Levis. Joe Alt is the top tackle prospect in what is a very deep class for the possession.
Alt is a prototypical left tackle, possessing the right size at 6-foot-9 and 321 pounds. Converted from tight end, the progress Alt has made as a tackle has been evident every year he's been on the field for Notre Dame. He possesses an excellent blend of power and speed, rarely getting beaten by either speed or power pass-rushers.
Alt has excellent technique as well. He uses his length to intiate first contact with defenders and push them around, and his lateral mobility is staggering for someone his size, and he moves like someone much smaller than him.
Alt will be a Day 1 starter and a franchise left tackle for a decade or more in the NFL, and he's the perfect addition to help a potential franchise quarterback.
This isn't a draft that's going to feature many defensive players in the top 10 or so picks, but the Atlanta Falcons simply need to improve their pass rush with their top two leaders in sacks (Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree) not returning to the team for 2024.
Dallas Turner is not an elite prospect, but he's a solid pick to be a good player for the NFL.
Turner recorded 53 tackles, 11 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for Alabama in 2023. A speed rusher who's scheme-versatile and measures in at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Turner isn't quite the finished product but packs a lot of potential.
Turner's athleticism is apparent but he needs to be taught more pass-rush moves as well as how to play more intelligently for the next level with his technique. New head coach Raheem Morris would have time to develop him, as the team will be looking for the defense to step up as the team looks to make a run for the division in 2024.
Turner will also need to be a better run defender for the next level, but that's more a matter of coaching than desire on his part. With his physical skills, he should be capable of 10-plus sacks a year with his athletic potential.
I see this as a premium trade-down spot for the Chicago Bears. Chicago could fleece a team looking for a quarterback again, given there's no defensive linemen worth a top-10 pick with Turner off the board.
No trades here, though, so the Bears could instead get a potent receiver trio going for their rookie quarterback.
The Bears have done excellently to provide Caleb Williams with weapons when he comes as the No. 1 pick, and part of that was the cheap acquisition of Keenen Allen to pair with D.J. Moore. This wouldn't necessarily preclude them from Rome Odunze, however, the third in an elite receiving trio for this class.
Odunze had 87 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns for Washington this season. While he hasn't quite had the same fanfare as Harrison or Nabers, he's a worthy top 10 pick in this draft with his dazzling speed and his route running.
A good size at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Odunze would shine with such talented teammates next to him taking the attention, should Chicago decide to go this route.
Another potential trade candidate, the New York Jets have been rumored to be interested in Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers if they stay put at No. 10. Odunze is gone, but Bowers would make a lot of sense as the Jets go hard for a Super Bowl.
An elite weapon that can be a Day 1 starter on most teams, Bowers would provide an upgrade in New York for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He's not dissimilar to the 49ers' own George Kittle as well, though not quite the same blocker.
At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, however, he does very Kittle-esque things with the ball. Bowers is wicked good after the catch with the ability to generate a ton of yardage. He doesn't shy away from contested balls either.
While Bowers didn't run the biggest route tree at Georgia and needs to work on his blocking, he's still a dangerous weapon that provides the kind of instant firepower the Jets need on their all-in push.
The Los Angeles Chargers could go a few different ways if they break their No. 5 pick into multiple first-round selections. Receiver is an obvious need but there isn't anyone worth taking here, so the team could find someone for the secondary given Asante Samuel Jr. was the only viable player there.
Arnold is an excellent athlete who's also a very smart cornerback as well as a good size at 6-foot-0 and 189 pounds. He's scheme-versatile in both the man and zone, and also is a willing and able run defender.
Arnold had 12 passes defended and five interceptions for Alabama this season. While prospects like Quinyon Mitchell and Nate Wiggins might be a bit more special, athletically, it's Arnold who possesses the skills to be a safe selection as a No. 1 corner in the league.
This might be a weak defensive draft, at least when it comes to top prospects, but Arnold is one of the few whom teams can be confident in.
We now get to the part where teams are in serious need of quarterbacks but aren't in a spot to grab any of the big three in this draft. The Denver Broncos have no quarterback worth keeping, but they can't trade down because they wouldn't be in a spot to get Bo Nix or Michael Penix.
Nix isn't on the same level as the three quarterbacks before him, but he does have some attributes that stand out and could see him succeed in the NFL anyway. Nix is an instinctive quarterback with good size (6-foot-3, 214 pounds) who makes smart decisions with the football, and while he isn't the most special talent in terms of arm strength, it's not a liability either.
Nix threw for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2023, adding six rushing touchdowns as well. More important than the stats, Nix demonstrated the poise and field vision that's needed to make a transition to the NFL.
There is some things to work on. Nix needs to improve his footwork and avoid getting skittish in the pocket, and that affects his normally reliable processing abilities.
It'll be up to Denver to coach him up in that regard.
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a weird position. They absolutely need a quarterback but could also go a few different ways with their pick given they're in a new regime unlike the Broncos.
It's close, but I think the Raiders could pull the trigger given the need for quarterbacks in this league.
Penix is much more physically talented than Bo Nix, but the former is also much more erratic. Penix threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2023 while adding three touchdowns on the ground playing for Washington.
Similar in size to Nix (6-foot-2, 216 pounds), there's no doubt Penix has the arm to be an elite quarterback at the next level. There's been some concerns on his processing, but looking at the tape, he routinely made smart decisions and went through his progressions. Of particular note is his ability to diagnose and defeat blitzing schemes, very important in the NFL as blitzing to rattle rookie quarterbacks is a theme in the NFL.
There are concerns with Penix. He's had troubles staying healthy in college and he can make bad decisions on the occasions where he does get rattled, but he looks like well worth taking a gamble on.
The New Orleans Saints could take an EDGE here as well, but the team needs some better blocking desperately. Olumuyiwa Fashanu can take over for bust Trevor Penning, as he has a good size (6-foot-6, 312 pounds) and the ability to man the blind side.
Fashanu's aforementioned measurables as well as his wingspan make him the prototypical size for a elft tackle. He has a relentless motor and has the athleticism to ride the pocket against speed rushers. He's also functionally strong enough to be a left tackle.
Where Fashanu needs to improve is his technique, as he can be caught in bad situations in run blocking situations and his pad level can sometimes be a bit high.
He might need some minor coaching, but he can be a high-level blindside protector in the NFL.
The Indianapolis Colts have some major needs in the secondary as they try to combat Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Stroud and (potentially) Will Levis for the next decade or more.
Quinyon Mitchell has some major upside, perhaps the most at the position in this draft.
Mitchell might be a small-school prospect where concerns about the level of competition arise, but he helped answer those questions with an excellent Senior Bowl and then NFL Combine, which confirmed his first-round status.
Mitchell is a very speedy corner with good size at 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds. In 2023, Mitchell had an interception and 18 passes defended. which followed up a breakout 2022 season where he had five interceptions and 19 passes defended.
He is a very aggressive corner who always wants to make a play, so there are concerns he could be caught out trying to do that in the NFL. He'll need to control those instincts if he goes to the Colts, given the high caliber of quarterbacks in that division.
The Seattle Seahawks could use this pick for more offensive line talent, but they also desperately need to improve the pass rush by giving a complement to Boye Mafe.
Jared Verse would be a solid pick halfway through the first round.
Verse has shown himself to be an excellent pass-rusher in his two seasons at Florida State, recording nine sacks apiece in those seasons. He also had 29.5 tackles for loss in those two years, demonstrating his ability to get into the backfield.
Verse is slightly undersized, but not overly so at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds. He's a pure pass-rusher, with a wide array of moves to beat defenders and a relentless motor that allows him to make plays. He's a natural athlete with the skills to back it up.
The flaw with Verse is he's a loss as a run defender, getting pushed around and not being a force in those plays. Whoever gets him will need to coach him up to make sure he doesn't end up as a situational pass-rusher in the NFL.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, like the Colts, need a cornerback to help keep pace in the AFC South. The team had a disappointing end to the season, and now need a No. 2 corner opposite Tyson Campbell or risk losing more ground to the Texans.
Wiggins is a good height but is a bit underweight at 6-foot-1 and 173 pounds. He's a smart, competitive corner who had six passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack for Clemson in 2023.
Wiggins is a versatile player who can play both a man- and zone-based scheme. He's not quite the physical talent of Quinyon Mitchell or possess the skills of Terrion Arnold, but he's got the necessary ability to thrive in the NFL.
For the next level, Wiggins needs to improve his tackling as he let some plays through him at Clemson that should have been stopped. He's a bit stiff in the hips, too, so he needs to be carefull that speedy and slick receivers don't take advantage of him.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a constant threat to win the Super Bowl but always seem to be just lacking in the protection department. Cincy is hurting a bit as well, given Jonah Williams defected to the Cardinals, so the team needs a right tackle desperately.
This would be a dream situation for the Bengals. There's some doubts that J.C. Latham can be a left tackle in the NFL, but he's a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle who can start in Week 1 and also move inside to guard if need be.
Latham is an ideal size to be a tackle in the NFL at 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds, but he lacks the necessary feet and movement skills to stick as a left tackle in the NFL. His technique is otherwise good, however, and he has the strength to push people around, He's a smart player who can handle whatever defenders throw at him.
Latham could fall, given teams won't want to stick him on the blindside and he's a right tackle for the NFL, but he's still a Day 1 starter who can start for over a decade.
Exactly what the Bengals need.
To the relief of 49ers fans everywhere, Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald has finally retired as one of the most dominant defenders in NFL history.
What's a relief to the Niners is a problem for the Rams, however, who need to find a replacement.
Byron Murphy can remind people of Donald in a few ways. He's a bit undersized for the position (6-foot-0, 297 pounds) but is an excellent disruptor at the point of attack, with five sacks for Texas in 2023.
Despite being short for the position, Murphy was also a good run defender for Texas, taking advantage of his natural leverage to penetrate into the backfield and blow up plays. He has a wicked first step, too, and the result is the taller offensive linemen he plays again can have problems with him getting in and under.
Murphy does have concerns, of course, given his size and playing against consistently bigger blockers at the NFL level, but he looks worth taking a first-round pick on.
Dan Moore isn't cutting it as a tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they are looking toward a new future with both quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on the roster.
No matter who the quarterback is, they need more protection.
Taliese Fuaga is an interesting prospect. He's a raw talent with good size (6-foot-6, 324 pounds) but might be more suited to be a right tackle who can also play guard in the NFL. Further to his raw abilities, Fuaga uses his excellent strength to dominate in the run but needs work as a pass protector.
Where Fuaga fits in the NFL will be determined by his development in pass protection. He needs to use his feet and lateral movement better, and he can't rely on size and strength alone to stop edge rushers.
If he does that, he should be a strong right tackle for the NFL.
The Miami Dolphins need to bolster the offensive line, and they're going to have plenty of options come their pick in the first round. Given they need interior help and an understudy to the oft-injured Terron Armstead, Troy Fautanu could be suitable as a guard who can eventually move to right tackle and let Austin Jackson move to the blindside.
Fautanu is a physical and athletic offensive lineman who specializes as a run blocker. He has the versatility, too, with a good size (6-foot-4, 317 pounds) to play either tackle or guard.
Fautanu doesn't have the arm length for the blindside, so he has to make sure he develops his technique further for the NFL. He's a strong player who can get his hands inside and lock up defenders, but he can also be overaggressive and be prone to errors.
Nonetheless, he should be an excellent guard at the very least, and I believe he has what it takes to stick as a tackle.
The Philadelphia Eagles started strong last year, but the horrific secondary caught up with them and the season ended with a whimper more than anything else. Philly needs multiple upgrades within the secondary.
Kool-Aid McKinstry entered the season with some serious hype as a potential top-10 selection, but that cooled a bit as his play didn't quite reach the heights it needed to.
He should still, however, be a first-round pick at some point in the draft.
McKinstry had seven passes defended but no interceptions for 2023. He didn't play badly, but not as well as people thought he would. His height is slightly short, but otherwise fine at 5-foot-11 and 199 pounds, and he's a fluid athlete, a good run defender and strong press corner.
There's some concern over his speed and whether or not faster receivers can give him the slip, and he might be better as a zone corner. The other question is whether he can be a boundary corner or needs to move to the nickel.
Brian Thomas Jr. isn't on the same level as the top receivers in this draft, but the Chargers would be delighted to get him as part of the Chargers-Vikings trade in this mock. Thomas Jr. should be the fourth receiver off the board and it isn't out of the question he gets picked in the top 20.
Thomas Jr. is an exciting blend of size and speed. He can be a mismatch at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds but is also a vertical threat who was a touchdown machine for LSU. Additionally, Thomas Jr. had 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023, demonstrating his scoring ability.
The receiver isn't the finished product, however. He's good at routes that utilize his straight-line speed but struggles on the routes that require him to cut and use his hips to gain separation. He can struggle when pressed by corners also, which will need to be coached out.
There's room for him to grow, however, and the Chargers will definitely find a spot for him on the field early in 2024.
Tyron Smith is gone and Tyler Smith will permanently be the left tackle, so the Dallas Cowboys will need to look at a new right tackle as they look to capture the NFC and finally get to the Super Bowl in 2024.
Tyler Guyton would be an upgrade on Terence Steele, and can also play guard if Dallas wants to stick with Steele for now.
Guyton is a big guy with left tackle potential at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds. He's a mauler who possesses significant athleticism, and he's a smart blocker who can use his footwork to mitigate pass-rushers.
Where Guyton is a question mark is some of his technique. He sometimes leaves his chest open in contests, which can allow stronger pass-rushers to take advantage, and whether or not he can be a left tackle or not is still up in the air.
In a strong tackle class, however, Guyton has some impressive credentials and can start right away for a team that will need him too.
The Green Bay Packers traded cornerback Rasul Douglas while safety Darnell Savage left in free agency, so they need some upgrades in the secondary.
Cooper DeJean is a versatile defensive back prospect who can play almost any position.
DeJean had two interceptions and five passes defended for Iowa before injury ended his season, but he was on his way to backing up his 2022 campaign where he had five interceptions and eight passes defended. His versatility is on display, but probably projects best as a nickel or a safety at the next level.
There's no doubting the ball skills of DeJean or his capabilities as a run defender. He's an excellent zone-coverage cornerback, but there are some concerns with man coverage as he can find himself in tricky situations with his back to the ball where he panics.
Those concerns aside, DeJean looks a good choice for a team looking for a versatile defensive back who can make plays on the ball.
The question is whether or not that aggressiveness can be curbed.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to improve their blocking on the interior in 2024 if they hope to back up their 2023 season which included a surprise playoff win.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is the best pure interior lineman in the draft.
Powers-Johnson is a NFL-ready center who can make his mark in Week 1. He's already an excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 328 pounds, an excellent athlete and possesses good technique with his hands, which allows him to beat defenders to the punch.
While Powers-Johnson doesn't possess the length to move outside of center or guard, he's an excellent fit especially for a zone-based system and plays with an impressive physicality.
He isn't the sexiest pick in the draft, but he's a safe pick to be a strong NFL starter for the long term.
The Cardinals had a better pass rush than most expected them to in 2023, but they still lack that special talent at EDGE to give them a truly strong defense.
Laiatu Latu is an exciting prospect, albeit with some big concerns.
If this was a question of talent, Latu would be going in the teens at the absolute latest and could even push Dallas Turner to be the first EDGE off the board. Latu is a special story, coming back from a neck injury where he was told he had to end his career at Washington.
Latu refused to do so, transferring to UCLA where he got medical clearance to resume playing.
Teams do have medical concerns over his neck, however, which could see a serious slide for Latu that could surprise people. Latu's talent wins out here, though, after 13 sacks, two interceptions, two passes batted and two forced fumbles for the Bruins in 2023.
Latu will be one of the prospects where his draft range is extremely fluid. Will someone higher in the draft feel he's worth the risk? Will he fall to Round 2?
It's impossible to say.
The Buffalo Bills are in desperate need for receiving help, and that was before they ended up trading Stefon Diggs after they tired of his diva antics. Xavier Worthy has done more than any other receiver to boost his draft stock, and would be a potent deep threat for quarterback Josh Allen.
Worthy is small at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, but his record 4.21 40-yard time demonstrates why teams love him. He's not just a sprint athlete either, with 75 receptions for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 for the Longhorns.
Worthy is an excellent route runner with the versatility to line up either in the slot or outside. A smart offense will be able to utilize him in mismatch situations where he can use his speed to maximum advantage.
Worthy's slight frame does cause some concern, however, as he will routinely get outbodied by almost every defensive back he comes up against.
That's not a huge problem in of itself, but it will limit how he plays in the NFL.
Aidan Hutchinson is obviously an elite EDGE, but Marcus Davenport was a bust for the New Orelans Saints and can't be trusted to provide a consistent presence. Chop Robinson would be an excellent choice for the Detroit Lions here, as they look to find a way to go one step closer in 2024.
Robinson is an EDGE with good size at 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, a relentless motor and an excellent first step, using his athleticism to get sacks. Robinson had four sacks and two forced fumbles in only seven games for Penn State this year.
Robinson isn't the complete package yet, and will need to improve his run defense including his recognition skills and block shedding. For 2024, he can be a situational pass-rusher on obvious passing downs.
The former Nittany Lion has the tools to be a strong EDGE in the NFL, and the pass-rushing capabilities to contribute right away.
He's a perfect pick for Detroit.
Ronnie Stanley has never played 16 games in a season in his career, and the offensive line needs upgrading anyway.
Jordan Morgan can serve as an understudy before taking over at left tackle.
An experienced tackle at Arizona, Morgan is a favorite here at Niner Noise for the 49ers' own pick at No. 31. He doesn't quite make it here, however, as the Ravens would heartbreakingly swoop in just before.
A good size at 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, Morgan is a good blend of strength and athleticism that has the potential to be a strong left tackle in the NFL. He's more nimble than he looks and has the ability to move laterally to handle speed rushers.
Morgan does have some things to work on in the NFL. He can be a bit aggressive in the run game and allow savvy defenders to get by him, and he needs to fix some deficiencies in his pass defense such as using his hands to beat defenders to the punch.
With some development, something Baltimore is good at, Morgan can be a steal at No. 30.
The Niners might not get Jordan Morgan, but they get a very intriguing tackle prospect of their own in Amarius Mims, the man mountain out of Georgia who is full of talent and also the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in this draft.
A mammoth 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds with some incredible athleticism, long arms that are perfect for a tackle and a mean streak that serves him well in the trenches, Mims on the surface is a perfect prospect to be a left tackle and a high draft pick.
What's caused Mims to fall is a lack of durability and experience at Georgia, as well as an inability to finish the NFL Combine. What will suit the 49ers, however, is the need at right tackle, meaning he can play there immediately and be an understudy to the best left tackle in the game in Trent Williams.
Mims needs a bit of polishing up to realize his potential, but the Niners just need the patience to bring it out.
They have time to do that, though, and in the short term be an upgrade at right tackle.
The Kansas City Chiefs will find it harder to repeat in 2024 with more talent leaving, but it's by no means impossible with quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm.
It wouldn't hurt to give him some more talent at the receiving position, though.
Adonai Mitchell had 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for Texas in 2023. He followed that up with a strong combine, and while not as fast as his teammate, Xavier Worthy, he's still very explosive in his own right.
An excellent size at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Mitchell is a more versatile receiver and better route runner than Worthy. While not possessing his explosiveness or straight line speed, Mitchell releases well at the line of scrimmage and is more than a match for NFL defensive backs.
Mitchell's strong NFL Combine pushed him to the Round 1 bubble, and for a team that needs talent at wide receiver, he's in a perfect spot to make an impact early.