2024 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (17-32) – Charlie Campbell

The Jaguars could go a number of directions with his pick, but one area of need is on the interior of the defensive line. Jacksonville could use an interior pass rusher and disruptor. Arik Armstead was signed in free agency, but he is not a big presence in the pass rush at this stage of his career. Here is a three-technique tackle, which the Jaguars need for operating more four-man fronts.

Murphy impressed team sources in 2023, showing the ability to defend the run and contribute to the pass rush. On the year, he totaled 29 tackles and five sacks. Murphy has good speed, functional size, and is tough at the point of attack. The 6-foot, 297-pounder is shorter and lacks some length, but he possesses some quickness and athleticism with developed strength.

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

Cincinnati must keep Joe Burrow healthy to have any shot at getting back to the Super Bowl. Here’s an upgrade at guard with a player who could also move to right tackle because Trent Brown has a huge lack of durability.

The 6-foot-6, 324-pound Fuaga was a starter and solid player for the Beavers over the last couple of seasons. He played right tackle at Oregon State, but he has the body type that could allow him to kick inside to guard as well. Multiple NFL team sources said they felt Fuaga was a second-day guard for the 2024 NFL Draft, but others stated they thought he could stay at right tackle and was worthy of being a late first-rounder. Fuaga is a force as a run blocker, but he could have problems with pro edge rushers. Hence, some teams are projecting him to guard in their schemes.

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

The Rams need more young edge-rush talent.

Verse recorded 41 tackles, nine sacks and two passes batted in 2023. He 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. In 2022, Verse totaled 47 tackles and nine sacks. He displayed functional strength, athleticism, and a steady drive. In 2021 playing for Albany, Verse recorded 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and 22 tackles. The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder has a good motor and upside.

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

The Steelers add more offensive line talent. Dan Moore could then kick inside to guard and improve the line at two spots.

In my 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, I note Mims is one of the best top talents in the entire 2024 NFL Draft. Mims is a giant monster who manned right tackle for Georgia in 2023. He has very little body fat and is a unique physical specimen with size, speed and athleticism. Team sources raved about Mims 11.2-inch hands, 36-inch arms, as well as quickness – his arms came in at the combine at 36.13 inches. They said his body is similar to that of Tyron Smith. Mims was playing dominant football before being sidelined for a while by a lower leg injury. While Mims has durability issues, he has one of the best skill sets in the 2024 NFL Draft and I have him higher than other tackles who will get drafted ahead of him.

Some sources have said that while Mims could be in the running for the best skill set of any player in the 2024 NFL Draft, he probable will slide to late in the first round because of his lack of durability and experience, which was hindered by missing games to injury in 2023. Mims’ draft stock also was dealt a serious blow when he got injured during the combine workout and could not finish it. Previously, the 6-foot-8, 340-pound Mims was a backup and rotational player for Georgia. He dominated Ohio State to close out the 2022 season and looked like he was toying with the highly touted Buckeyes defensive ends. Mims has an all-world skill set and could become a monster if he lands with the right team and stays healthy.

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

The Dolphins have a hole at guard, and Powers-Johnson has plug-and-play starting potential.

It took some time with an odd journey, but eventually Powers-Johnson turned himself into an impactful player for the Ducks. Powers-Johnson was a backup in 2021 before playing defensive line in an emergency role to close out that season. He was back to being a backup in 2022, but took over as the starting center in 2023 and had a superb season. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Powers-Johnson is a heavy center who looks like a safe pick to be a solid pro starter. He is strong, nasty, and can blast open holes in the ground game. Powers-Johnson could be a starter at guard or center.

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

The Eagles could clearly use multiple young talents at corner and safety. Here’s a big upside corner who could compete quickly.

Sources felt Mitchell played himself into being a potential first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft during his final season, and Mitchell only affirmed that with a dominant Senior Bowl and an excellent performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. In 2023, Mitchell recorded 41 tackles, an interception and 18 passes defended. He was one of the most dynamic ball hawks in college football during 2022, when he racked up 42 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defended. The 6-foot, 195-pound Mitchell has an excellent skill set of size, speed and athleticism. Team evaluators noted Mitchell is raw and needs development, but there is no doubt that Mitchell could be a good pro corner with coaching.

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

TRADE! I have this pick going to Arizona in the Vikings move to go up to the fourth pick for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. After taking Rome Odunze at No. 11, Arizona tackling its defense with a cornerback and edge rusher with its picks in the 20s. The Cardinals badly need more pass-rush talent, and if they wait until pick No. 27, all the first-round rushers could be easily gone.

Robinson (6-3, 250) played defensive end for Penn State, but for the NFL, he may have to move to outside linebacker given his size. In 2023, Robinson totaled 15 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted over seven games. He recorded 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, one forced fumble and 26 tackle in 2022. Playing for Maryland in 2021, he had 19 tackles and two sacks.

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

Obviously, the Cowboys lost Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz in the offseason. Dallas could draft a tackle like Guyton to be the starter at left tackle, which would allow Tyler Smith to stay at guard and let T.J. Bass take over at center.

The 6-foot-7, 328-pound Guyton is said to be an athletic freak with a special combination of size, speed and length. He started five games in 2022 for the Sooners after starting out his career at TCU. In 2021, he played offensive tackle and h-back with the Horned Frogs. Team sources say Guyton has all the ability, although needs to get more consistent. They have said Guyton is a good kid, but immature. Guyton possesses a lot of upside to grow as he gains experience. Multiple team sources said Guyton has first-round potential and think he could be a riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.

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

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves to draft defense in the first round even though some of his picks have been disappointments. One of those disappointments was Darnell Savage, who is now with the Jaguars. DeJean could compete immediately to be a slot corner and safety for the Packers.

DeJean recorded 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes batted in 2023 before his season ended early. He was all over the field for Iowa in 2022, making big plays while totaling 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound DeJean is a gritty and instinctive defender. While he can play outside cornerback, some team sources feel DeJean would be best as a hybrid safety and nickel corner in the NFL, similar to a C.J. Gardner-Johnson or Brian Branch. That would allow DeJean the freedom to use his instincts to make plays. Teams love DeJean’s versatility because he has starting ability at three positions in the secondary. Sources have also raved about DeJean’s character and intangibles, and I think he is a top-20 talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

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

Tampa Bay could use a pass rusher, but they are all off the board. If the Bucs get cleaned out on rushers, they could consider adding more young cornerback talent. Carlton Davis was traded away, and Tampa Bay could use a corner with No. 1 potential to go with Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum.

In 2023, McKinstry recorded 32 tackles, zero interceptions and seven passes broken up. Most freshmen didn’t play immediately for Nick Saban, but McKinstry was an anomaly, notching 26 tackles, an interception, a pass broken up and a sack in 2021. In 2022, McKinstry recorded 35 tackles, a sack, an interception and 15 passes broken up. The 5-foot-11, 199-pounder possesses, size, length, straight-line speed, and physicality. However, he is a press-man corner only and does not look like a good fit for a zone or off-man scheme.

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

The Cardinals badly need more cornerback talent. Here’s a potential No. 1 cover corner.

Wiggins has height to go along with serious speed and athleticism. The 6-foot-1, 173-pounder is fast and fluid to run the route and prevent separation. He needs to add some strength to tackle as a pro, but he is the most talented cover corner in the 2024 NFL Draft in terms of keeping receivers from getting open. In 2023, he recorded 28 tackles, six passes broken up, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. Wiggins broke into the starting lineup in 2022 with 39 tackles, an interception and 11 passes defended.

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

The Bills could stand to add more receiving playmakers for Josh Allen.

In terms of size, speed, athleticism and upside, Thomas is probably second only to Marvin Harrison Jr. among the wide receiver prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Thomas has mismatch size and is a fast wideout with the ability to challenge teams vertically. In 2023, he totaled 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. Thomas has a great skill set with a ton of upside to develop. There is some rawness to his game, as he plays small. He needs to play to his size.

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

I think the targets for this pick could from a distinct group that includes Jackson Powers-Johnson, Johnny Newton, Darius Robinson, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ennis Rakestraw. Powers-Johnson and McKinstry are gone in this version, amd I think Newton is the best remaining player among the five. Newton would give the Lions a pass-rushing three-technique to team with Alim McNeil and D.J. Reader.

Sources with NFL teams said they feel Newton has boom-or-bust potential. On the positive side, he is a dangerous interior rusher who has natural pass-rush ability that is hard to find from a defensive tackle. On the negative side, Newton can get destroyed as a run defender and has size limitations. He also seems to turn his play on and off. Newton is known to be a good worker who loves football, so that helps teams think he will do everything possible to turn into a good pro.

The fast and athletic Newton produced well in the pass rush over the past few seasons. He totaled 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes broken up in 2023. 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, 304 pounds, Newton is shorter and lacks length, so he will have to develop the ability to hold up against NFL mass to be a three-down starter. If he can’t develop his run defense, Newton might be a rotational player as an interior designated pass rusher.

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

TRADE! I have the Raiders moving back into the first round to take Penix in a trade with the Ravens. To move from No. 44 to No. 30 would roughly cost Las Vegas its third-round pick, which is not a huge price to pay to move up for Penix. In a division with Pat Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Raiders know they need a quarterback who can generate points and big plays with his arm. Penix is a good fit for Antonio Pierce and Luke Getsy. The big question is if GM Tom Telesco is on board with Penix being his franchise quarterback. There are some similarities between Penix and Justin Herbert in terms of experience and arm talent, so perhaps Penix is a good fit for Las Vegas.

In 2023, Penix completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He scored three rushing touchdowns as well. The former Indiana Hoosier turned in a breakout season for Washington in 2022. His previous high total of 1,645 yards in 2020 was almost tripled, as he threw for 4,641 yards while completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for four touchdowns.

The Tampa, Florida product Penix has a live arm and can fire missiles downfield. He is at his best throwing downfield outside the numbers as Penix deep ball is superb. Penix needs to improve his footwork, and field vision as he will throw into coverage constantly. The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder has some athleticism and running ability to make some things happen with his feet, but he needs development to become a more consistent passer and see the field adequately to start at the pro level. Penix’s accuracy can be inconsistent, and teams have concerns about his age alongside having already suffered two torn ACLs.

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

The 49ers could take the best player available here, and Robinson could definitely be a candidate for that with the 31st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. After cutting Arik Armstead, San Francisco signed some decent veterans, but the team could use a long-term starter across from Nick Bosa. Robinson is similar to Armstead and could be a nice fit for the 49ers.

Robinson (6-5, 285) was a really solid football player for the Tigers in 2023, recording 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumbles. With good height, length, weight, and strength, Robinson offers the flexibility to play defensive end or tackle at the pro level. He could be a power base end who moves inside to defensive tackle in the sub package. Robinson is a good player who would be a first-rounder if he had speed and more juice. The lack of explosion had many teams grading Robinson on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has a shot at sneaking into the first round as there are not 32 players with a first-round grade in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

Click links to see the 49ers' picks across all rounds:

The Chiefs could use a long-term left tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes.

The cousin of Lions All-Pro Penei Sewell, Suamataia was a top recruit who landed at Oregon and redshirted. In 2022, Suamataia transferred to BYU and broke out, including not allowing a sack all season. The 6-foot-4, 329-pounder has shocking speed and athleticism for an edge blocker of his size. He is a physical and powerful run blocker who has the quickness and athleticism to be a capable pass protector. Suamataia could stand to add some lower body strength, and he was inconsistent in the back half of his final season, especially in pass protection. With a great skill set, Suamataia has a lot of upside and could be a very good starter at left tackle, right tackle, or guard in the NFL.

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