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Jeff Ratcliffe’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 — Final

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Today’s the day. The 2024 NFL Draft is here, but there’s enough time to channel our inner Kevin Costner and get one more mock draft in. This is my final mock of this year’s predraft process. Unlike previous mocks where I messed around with ideas and scenarios, the goal for this mock is to be as close to the real thing as possible. Will I get there? Of course not, but based on all the intel, betting odds, beat writer reports and rumor mills, here’s how I see the first-round unfolding.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 — First Round

1. Chicago – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 14: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs for a first down on a fourth down play during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 14, 2023 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)

Write it in stone.

2. Washington – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts from the sideline during the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers on January 1, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)

While we can’t necessarily do the same thing at No. 2, the momentum is there for Daniels to be the second pick. He’s currently -850 to go in this spot.

3. New England – Drake Maye, QB, UNC

CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 18: North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) during a college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers on November 18, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire)

The Patriots beat said the team really wants a quarterback in the first round. The easiest way to get one is to stick and pick. While some thing JJ McCarthy could go in this spot, I’m sticking with the chalk. Maye is -280 to be the third overall pick.

4. Arizona – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) rushes the ball during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)

Despite widespread rumors that the Cardinals could trade out of this spot, the betting markets say that’s a longshot. They’re currently -350 to not trade here. That makes this selection a gimme putt with Harrison -370 to be the fourth pick.

5. Minnesota (trade with LA Chargers) – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 03: Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after the Big 10 Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and Purdue Boilermakers on December 3, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

Unlike Arizona, the Chargers are slight favorites to trade out of this spot at -118. Both Minnesota and the Giants are rumored to covet McCarthy, but the Vikings get the job done offering the 11th overall pick and next year’s first to get up to this spot. McCarthy is the favorite at five (+250), is -172 to go under pick 5.5, and +240 to go to the Vikings.

6. NY Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

BATON ROUGE, LA – OCTOBER 14: LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) scores a touchdown during a game between the LSU Tigers and the Auburn Tigers on October 14, 2023, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire)

With the Vikings leapfrogging them, the Giants go with the next best player on the board and grab Nabers. They’re -230 to go wide receiver and Nabers is the favorite to be the sixth pick (+145).

7. Tennessee – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

This pick hasn’t changed in any of my five mocks, and why should it? Alt is the heavy favorite at seven (-190) and is -350 to be the first offensive lineman selected.

8. Atlanta – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Likewise, I’ve had this pick in all five mocks as well. Like Alt, Turner is the favorite to be the first selected at his position (-110) and to go in this spot (+170)

9. Chicago – Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas

The Bears could go in several directions with this pick, but Murphy came screaming up the board over the last 24 hours. He’s now the betting favorite at nine (+175) and is -125 to be a top 10 pick.

10. NY Jets – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) celebrates during the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the UCLA Bruins on September 30, 2022 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire)

With a 40-year-old quarterback, the Jets continue to push all in and get Aaron Rodgers a big-bodied weapon on the perimeter. Yes, Odunze is -172 to go under pick 8.5, but the odds at seven, eight and nine suggest a realistic chance of him sliding to this spot.

11. LA Chargers (trade with Minnesota) – JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Jim Harbaugh kicks off his tenure by solidifying the trenches. Latham’s betting markets have shifted significantly over the last day, with him now -162 to go under pick 10.5. Yes, this is an over, but only barely.

12. Denver – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Broncos are favored to draft a quarterback with their first pick (+160), but it’s tough to see them reaching in this spot. If they stick and pick, edge is the next most likely spot at +185. Latu’s line is 16.5, but he’s -166 on the under.

13. Las Vegas – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Like Denver, cooler heads prevail in Vegas, and the Raiders don’t reach for a quarterback. They’re favored to go offensive line here (+150) and Fuaga is -144 to go under pick 13.5.

14. New Orleans – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

There are very few locks in the first round, but the Saints going offensive line with their first pick seems to be one of them according to the betting markets. They’re currently -700 to pick an offensive lineman in this spot. Fashanu has the same line as Fuaga, but he’s -160 on the over.

15. Indianapolis – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 09: Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown in the third quarter during the Georgia Bulldogs game versus the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)

The slide is over for Bowers. While many have him going to the Jets at 10, his betting odds suggest this range is more likely. He’s favored to go over pick 11.5 at -136. The Jets remain the betting favorite to draft him (+190), but the Colts aren’t far behind at +300.

16. Seattle – Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Like many teams in the first round, the Seahawks are favored to go offensive line with their first pick (-155). Fautanu’s pick line is 15.5, and he’s favored to go over (-192).

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17. Jacksonville – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Mitchell is a slight favorite to go under pick 15.5, but with offensive linemen flying off the board, corner ends up dropping. He slides to the Jags, who are favored to draft a corner at -185.

18. Cincinnati – Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

Offensive line is the betting favorite for Cincinnati (+110), so they grab the top interior guy on the board in Barton. His line is pick 21.5, but he’s a massive favorite to go under (-240).

19. LA Rams – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The betting markets like the Rams to go offensive line here (+130), but defensive line/edge isn’t far behind at +190. This seems to be the range for Verse with him currently sitting at -114 on either side of pick 19.5.

20. Pittsburgh – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Only the Saints have shorter odds than the Steelers’ -390 to go offensive line with their first pick. They grab the Georgia product who is -162 to go under pick 21.5.

21. Miami – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Like the Rams just two picks earlier, Miami is favored to go offensive line (-180) but opts for the second favorite position on their board with an edge (+210). Robinson’s line is 25.5, and he’s -130 to go under.

22. Philadelphia – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The cornerback slide is real, and Howie Roseman takes full advantage. The run-on offensive linemen and edge rushes drops Arnold right into the Eagles’ lap. This is much later than his -122 to go over pick 15.5 would suggest, but there’s always a surprise player or two who drops in the first round.

23. Minnesota — Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

With their second pick in this round, the Vikings bolster their secondary with the moveable chess piece out of Iowa. DeJean figures to go in this range with his line currently at pick 23.5.

24. Dallas – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Cowboys go “all-in” on offensive line with this pick, which aligns with the -250 odds to select the position first. Guyton is -900 to go in the first round and is -200 to go under pick 27.5.

25. Green Bay – Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC, Oregon

Matt LaFleur’s squad is favored to go offensive line (-125), so they grab the top center in this year’s class. The betting markets have Powers-Johnson -230 to go under pick 32.5. He’s also -210 to go in the first round.

26. Tampa Bay – Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri

Like Powers-Johnson, Robinson is heavily favored to be picked on Day 1 (-270). He’s -160 to go under pick 28.5 and the Bucs are favored to select a defensive lineman/edge (+170).

27. Arizona – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

With Marvin Harrison on the board earlier in this round, the Cards grab help in their secondary. The betting markets like McKinstry to go under pick 28.5 (-154). He’s also -600 to be a first-round pick.

28. Buffalo – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 03: LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) runs with the ball after catching a pass during a college football game against the Florida State Seminoles on September 03, 2023 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)

Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are out, and the Bills are -320 to go wide receiver in this spot. Sure, this might be a bit later than some might think for Thomas, but it isn’t crazy. His line has shifted two picks over the last 24 hours from 19.5 to 21.5 and he’s -122 on the over.

29. Detroit – Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois

Dan Campbell said the Lions would consider trading out of this pick if their guy isn’t there. While the odds favor their guy to be a corner (+160), defensive line is close at +230. The Illinois product is -140 to go under pick 29.5 and is -310 to go in the first.

30. Las Vegas (trade with Baltimore) – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 29: Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns during the Valero Alamo Bowl football game at the Alamodome on December 29, 2022 in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire)

All signs point to Penix going in the first round, with him currently -350 to go under pick 32.5. With none of the teams in the back end of the round in need of a quarterback, we’re going to have to see a trade for him to be picked in this range. The Raiders package this year’s second (pick 44) along with their 2025 second rounder to get up and select Penix. Betting markets currently have Vegas as the favorite landing spot for Penix at +170.

31. San Francisco – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 11: Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (#1) tries to break away from the tackle of TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (#21) during the college football game between the Texas Longhorns and TCU Horned Frogs on November 11, 2023 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)

With rumors of a Brandon Aiyuk trade swirling, John Lynch grabs the speedster out of Texas. Worthy’s line is heavily favored to go over pick 27.5 (-210) but is also -800 to be a first-round pick.

32. Kansas City – Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

Why not round out this thing with another offensive lineman? Morgan is the tenth in the first round and he goes to a Chiefs team that is favored to select the position (-125). He’s currently -170 to go under pick 32.5.

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So, there you have it. In addition to the 10 offensive linemen (over 9.5 -220), we have five quarterbacks (over 4.5 -400), five wide receivers (under 6.5 -335), and one tight end. That’s a total of 21 offensive players (under 21.5 -182). That leaves us with 11 defensive players (over 10.5 -186): six defensive linemen/edge (no line) and five corners (under 5.5 -670). By conference, this mock has 10 players from the SEC (over 9.5 -235), eight from the PAC-12 (RIP, and over 7.5 +140), five from the BIG 10 (over 5.5 -125), four from the Big-12 (over 3.5 -162), and three from the ACC (under 4.5 -715). There’s also one independent (Alt from Notre Dame) and one Group of Five school (Mitchell from Toledo).

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