Bucky Brooks 2024 NFL mock draft 4.0: DT Byron Murphy II is first defender taken; Bengals select WR (2024)

Pick

1

Chicago Bears

(via CAR)

Caleb Williams

USC · QB · Junior

The Bears are all in on the spectacular playmaker from USC. Williams has been the odds-on favorite to land in Chicago since the beginning of the process. General manager Ryan Poles makes it official on Thursday evening.

Pick

2

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels

LSU · QB · Senior

Despite a reportedly bumpy start to their relationship, the Commanders and Daniels come together at No. 2, with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner bringing plenty of excitement to the nation's capital.

Pick

3

New England Patriots

Drake Maye

North Carolina · QB · Sophom*ore (RS)

Eliot Wolf scoops up the quarterback with the prototypical size, athleticism and arm talent. Maye's uneven final season at North Carolina does not discourage the Patriots from placing their faith in the 21-year-old.

Pick

4

Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ohio State · WR · Junior

The silky smooth pass catcher is the WR1 Kyler Murray needs to take the Cardinals' offense to another level.

Pick

5

Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Alt

Notre Dame · OT · Junior

Jim Harbaugh's commitment to the running game could make the offensive line a priority in the draft. Alt is a technician with the toughness and tenacity the Chargers' new coach covets in his front-line players.

Pick

6

New York Giants

Malik Nabers

LSU · WR · Junior

If the Giants remain committed to quarterback Daniel Jones, they must add more explosive playmakers to the lineup with big-play potential. Nabers is a catch-and-run specialist who can score from anywhere on the field.

Pick

7

Tennessee Titans

Taliese Fuaga

Oregon State · OT · Senior

The rugged edge blocker adds some grit and toughness to a front that wants to bully opponents at the point of attack.

Pick

8

Atlanta Falcons

Byron Murphy II

Texas · DT · Junior

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New head coach Raheem Morris adds an explosive interior defender to the rotation to jump-start the Falcons' pass rush.

Pick

9

Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze

Washington · WR · Senior

As a physical playmaker with a high IQ and positional flexibility, Odunze is a perfect complement to veteran studs DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in the receiving corps. Caleb Williams has quite the arsenal to work with.

Pick

10

New York Jets

Brock Bowers

Georgia · TE · Junior

Operating in win-now mode with Aaron Rodgers at age 40, the Jets snag a big-bodied pass catcher with the capacity to dominate the middle of the field.

Pick

11

Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy

Michigan · QB · Junior

Kevin O'Connell gets his quarterback without climbing the board through a blockbuster trade. McCarthy flourished in a managerial role at Michigan, but he possesses the talent to evolve into a playmaker as a pro.

Pick

12

Denver Broncos

Jared Verse

Florida State · Edge · Senior

Sean Payton's essentially rebuilding the Broncos from scratch, and a premier pass rusher is a critical need. Verse is an energetic QB hunter with the potential to rack up double-digit sacks in the NFL.

Pick

13

Las Vegas Raiders

JC Latham

Alabama · OT · Junior

Beefing up the offensive line is a top priority for a team that wants to control the trenches. Latham is a bully at the point of attack with the size, strength and power to excel as a mauler on the edges.

Pick

14

New Orleans Saints

Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Penn State · OT · Junior (RS)

The Saints must upgrade their bookend protection to help Derek Carr flourish as a passer. Fashanu is a work in progress, especially as a run blocker, but his natural talent and tools could help him develop into an elite player down the road.

Pick

15

Indianapolis Colts

Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo · CB · Senior

General manager Chris Ballard is all about drafting talented prospects with prototypical traits and athleticism. Mitchell is the freakiest cover corner in the draft, with a dynamic game that matches his supreme gifts.

Pick

16

Seattle Seahawks

See Also

Steelers mock draft reaction: Dane Brugler hits on Pittsburgh's biggest needs early

Troy Fautanu

Washington · OL · Senior

The ultra-versatile blocker reunites with his college offensive coordinator (new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb), giving Seattle a plug-and-play option at multiple spots.

Pick

17

Jacksonville Jaguars

Terrion Arnold

Alabama · CB · Sophom*ore (RS)

Adding a high-IQ cover corner with positional flexibility could help the Jaguars match up with the rising offenses in the AFC South.

Pick

18

Cincinnati Bengals

Brian Thomas Jr.

LSU · WR · Junior

Thomas is an athletic playmaker with the size, speed and ball skills to thrive as a WR3 playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Pick

19

Los Angeles Rams

Dallas Turner

Alabama · Edge · Junior

The Rams could use more juice off the edge to help replace the sack production lost via Aaron Donald's retirement.

Pick

20

Pittsburgh Steelers

Amarius Mims

Georgia · OT · Junior

The extra-EXTRA large edge blocker (6-foot-7 3/4 and 340 pounds with 36 1/8-inch arms and 11 1/4-inch hands) would help the Steelers control the trenches as they transition to a ground-and-pound squad under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Pick

21

Miami Dolphins

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Oregon · IOL · Junior

Beefing up the line could help the Dolphins upgrade an offense that struggled against physical defensive fronts last season.

Pick

22

Philadelphia Eagles

Nate Wiggins

Clemson · CB · Junior

With Vic Fangio taking over as defensive coordinator, the Eagles must add a man-to-man corner with the potential to handle matchups against the opponent's No. 1 wideout.

Pick

23

Minnesota Vikings

(via CLE through HOU)

Laiatu Latu

UCLA · Edge · Senior

Brian Flores' aggressive scheme could benefit from a dynamic defender with explosive skills on the edge. Latu is the most polished pass rusher in this year's draft class, with a game built for the NFL.

Pick

24

Dallas Cowboys

Graham Barton

Duke · OL · Senior

Barton brings five-position flexibility. The Cowboys could reshuffle the offensive line to put the best five blockers on the field, with Barton boasting the ability to be a plug-and-play starter at multiple spots.

Pick

25

Green Bay Packers

Cooper DeJean

Iowa · DB · Junior

After bringing in a new defensive coordinator (Jeff Hafley) and high-priced safety (Xavier McKinney), Green Bay adds another big defensive piece in DeJean, who supplies athleticism and versatility to the rotation. The Iowa standout is a Swiss Army Knife with the instincts and ball skills to thrive in a "see ball, get ball" system.

Pick

26

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chop Robinson

Penn State · Edge · Junior

Todd Bowles can't resist taking a dynamic defender with outstanding speed, quickness and explosiveness. Though Robinson did not put up big numbers as a pass rusher at Penn State, he possesses the tools scouts covet in premier pass rushers.

Pick

27

Arizona Cardinals

(via HOU)

Darius Robinson

Missouri · DL · Senior

Adding a disruptive pass rusher is a top priority for the Cardinals. Robinson provides inside/outside versatility with a game that could see him evolve into a Cam Jordan-like playmaker at the point of attack.

Pick

28

Buffalo Bills

Jer'Zhan Newton

Illinois · DT · Senior

Despite bringing DaQuan Jones back on a two-year deal, the Bills need to plan for the future on the defensive interior. Newton is a versatile one-gap penetrator with a nonstop motor and exceptional first-step quickness.

Pick

29

Detroit Lions

Kool-Aid McKinstry

Alabama · CB · Junior

The Lions must upgrade the secondary to neutralize top quarterbacks in the NFC. McKinstry is a sticky bump-and-run corner with outstanding instincts, awareness and ball skills.

Pick

30

Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Guyton

Oklahoma · OT · Junior (RS)

General manager Eric DeCosta needs to address the edges with Morgan Moses traded away and Ronnie Stanley struggling with injuries. Guyton is an intriguing option as a potential Day 1 starter at right tackle, yet he has enough athleticism to eventually make a move to the left side of the line.

Pick

31

San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Morgan

Arizona · OT · Senior

With Trent Williams entering the twilight of his career, the 49ers have to find an eventual replacement on the edge. Morgan is a sound blocker at the point of attack with diverse skills that could enable him to play on either side of the offensive line.

Pick

32

Kansas City Chiefs

Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Missouri · CB · Junior (RS)

The loss of L'Jarius Sneed could prompt the Chiefs to seek CB help at the bottom of Round 1. Rakestraw is a rock-solid cover corner with superb tackling skills.