2024 NFL Mock Draft: AFC contenders land potential steals in back half of Round 1; Bears pair QB with top WR

In just under two weeks, Caleb Williams will join the Bears as the No. 1 pick.

The Commanders are meeting with Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy and Drake Maye next week, but it seems like the Heisman Trophy winner will be the pick here.

A trade down wouldn’t be shocking considering the other needs the Patriots have, but by far the biggest priority is locking down a franchise QB. They draft Drake Maye believing he can be that guy.

If the Cardinals move down, they miss out on Marvin Harrison Jr. They opt to stay and take one of the best WR prospects in recent memory.

“There are multiple [quarterbacks] that we are in love with just on an outright basis,” Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said this week. Based on everything that has transpired during the pre-draft process, I have to believe J.J. McCarthy is one of them.

The Giants miss out on a QB, but they get Daniel Jones a bona fide No. 1 WR for the first time in his career.

I don’t think I’ve changed this pairing during mock draft season, and I’m not going to start now.

I so badly wanted to give the Falcons Rome Odunze, but new head coach Raheem Morris is a defensive guy, Atlanta badly needs an edge rusher and Dallas Turner has all the tools to consistently disrupt QBs from Day 1.

Unable to find a trade partner to move back, the Bears give Caleb Williams a big-time weapon in Rome Odunze. The No. 1 pick would be set up very nicely in Chicago.

Drafting Brock Bowers was tempting here, but beefing up the offensive line in front of Aaron Rodgers was more important. Drafting Taliese Fuaga will ensure New York puts out the best five players to protect the future Hall of Fame QB.

Jim Harbaugh wants to build through the trenches, and JC Latham would be an immediate upgrade over current right tackle Trey Pipkins.

The Broncos add a top-10 talent to a tight end room that didn’t do much of anything last season.

Instead of selecting the fifth quarterback off the board or reinforcing the offensive line, the Raiders opt to select Quinyon Mitchell to play opposite Jack Jones.

Already an elite pass blocker, Olu Fashanu will be able to keep Derek Carr upright from the moment he arrives in New Orleans.

It was between Brian Thomas Jr. and Terrion Arnold. Ultimately, getting Anthony Richardson a big, explosive, speedy wideout was too good to pass up.

The Seahawks lost guard Damien Lewis and center Evan Brown in free agency, and they haven’t re-signed their other guard from last season in Phil Haynes. That tells me they’re locking in on offensive line in Round 1, and Troy Fautanu is a worthy choice. He played left tackle at Washington but will probably be best suited inside in the NFL.

The Jaguars signed veteran Ronald Darby after releasing Darious Williams, but they need more firepower at the position. Terrion Arnold has the production, physicality and mindset to challenge receivers in the AFC South and across the league.

The Bengals need to protect Joe Burrow at all costs, and Amarius Mims can slide in at right tackle while Trent Brown mans the left side.

Laiatu Latu gets to stay in California, and the Rams get a technician at the pass rusher position

The Steelers get their replacement for Mason Cole at center.

Despite already having Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips — albeit coming off major injuries — the Dolphins continue stocking the defensive line with Jared Verse, who is too talented to pass up here.

The Eagles cornerbacks aren’t getting any younger, and Cooper DeJean can do a bit of everything in the secondary (in addition to being a dangerous punt returner).

First Jim Harbaugh goes offensive line, and then he goes defensive line. Byron Murphy II should be gone before this point, so the Chargers get a steal.

The Cowboys need a Tyron Smith replacement. Tyler Smith can move over to the left side while another Tyler (Guyton, out of Oklahoma) slots in at right tackle.

The Packers have used 12 of their past 13 first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball — with the lone offensive player being Jordan Love — and I expect that to continue this year. Kool-Aid McKinstry brings length and high-football IQ to the secondary.

The explosive Chop Robinson replaces Shaq Barrett in Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals improve their edge-rushing presence by bringing on Darius Robinson, who can help on the interior as well.

Good value here for the Bills, who get the No. 4 WR off the board without having to trade up.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr. just feels like a Dan Campbell guy. His energy and physicality will be welcomed in the Lions secondary.

The Ravens draft the best available offensive lineman to make sure they have the best protection possible for Lamar Jackson.

The 49ers WR corps for 2024 appear set (we’ll see what happens with Brandon Aiyuk), but adding Ladd McConkey would give Brock Purdy an inside-out weapon who just knows how to get open. And in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, McConkey would shine.

Absolute steal for the Chiefs, who get a player who should probably go top 20 at the end of Round 1.