2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top OT slips to Steelers, Bills find Stefon Diggs replacement

A handful of trades kick-off night one of the NFL Draft in this mock scenario. Quarterbacks remain the star of the show, while the Steelers can get a quality prospect to fall to their selection at 20 overall. It was a busy day in the NFL when you look at this mock draft. Some of these picks seem like they could become reality within the month.

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

No shocking pick at number one as Caleb Williams will be the top pick in the upcoming draft. He has all the talent in the world, but some are concerned about the support system around him. It seems like it could be something that turns his career into a circus if he isn't careful. If he can be a team player at the next level, then he should have a great career in the NFL.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

We know that the Commanders will be taking a quarterback with the second overall pick. It's just a matter if they like Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy the most. They take Daniels here as he seems like the guy they are currently leaning toward. He is an electric player, but he could get bullied for his light frame.

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Depending on if Daniels or Drake Maye go number two overall, the Patriots will likely select whichever is available. Maye has a ton of talent, but he needs room to develop at the next level. With Jacoby Brissett in the fold, one should expect Maye to take a back seat to start the season. That should only help his transition to the next level.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

We reach our first opportunity for a trade back, but Arizona feels like they aren't too far away from competing. They want to get Kyler Murray set up to succeed, and they attempt that here by taking Marvin Harrison Jr. He is one of the most complete receiver prospects coming out of college in a while. He should make an immediate impact for the Cardinals.

The Giants get desperate for a quarterback and make a trade!

We have a trade to announce! With the top three quarterbacks off the board in this mock draft, one team will get desperate to move up. It seems like the Chargers are open to a trade back, and that is exactly what they do here. They only have to move back a spot and take advantage of a weak Giants team searching for a quick fix to save jobs.

5. New York Giants (Via Chargers): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

McCarthy is kind of an oddball right now when you look at where he could land in the upcoming draft. He is a smart player who has a strong arm to push the ball downfield. His limited production in a run-first offense will be a concern heading into the next level. The Giants are desperate and looking for a savior, which normally doesn't work out for either the player or team.

6. Los Angeles Chargers (Via Giants): Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

After moving back one spot and gaining extra draft capital, the Chargers select a top receiver on the board. Malik Nabers might have moved past Harrison Jr. on some club's boards. Don't be shocked if he ends up being the top pick at the position. With both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone this offseason, receiver is an obvious choice for LA.

7. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Tennessee can go in a couple of directions with this pick. They decide to add to their offensive attack to help Will Levis in his first full season as the starter. He needs to prove that he is a reliable starter for the Titans moving forward. Giving him someone like Brock Bowers will give him a better chance at showing that skill set. Tight end isn't a major need for them, but it could use an upgrade.

The Raiders move up five picks as the top offensive tackles fall

Another trade is announced in the top ten. None of the top quarterbacks remain, but there are still plenty of quality prospects available. All of the top offensive tackles remain on the board, and there are plenty of tackle-needy teams out there. Atlanta uses this to their advantage to move back a couple of picks to gain more selections this year and next.

8. Las Vegas Raiders (Via Falcons): Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

After the trade-up, the Raiders selected Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. They just lost a starting tackle in free agency, so they need a quality replacement. Las Vegas will need to figure out if Alt will start on the left or right side at the next level. He is a quality tackle coming out of college, but his best days in the NFL will likely be him on the left side.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Chicago just got their quarterback earlier in this mock draft, and now it's time to cap off his weaponry on the team. They take Rome Odunze to finish off a loaded receiver room with Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore. This is a talented group that should give Williams every opportunity to succeed. Odunze is an explosive playmaker and someone the Steelers would love to get.

10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Another team who could go in a couple of different directions with this pick, but they stick to protecting Aaron Rodgers as their top priority. Olu Fashanu was a top-10 lock early in the pre-draft process, but that seems to be slipping for some reason. He would be a fantastic pick if he slipped to the Steelers as he has in some mock drafts recently.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Minnesota failed to trade up for a quarterback in this mock draft, and it seems like they will try and get that position in round one if possible. They failed to accomplish that task here, so they go with their best player available. They could use some help at cornerback and that has them go with Terrion Arnold. Another target of the Steelers comes off the board.

12. Denver Broncos: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Mark down another team that failed to get one of the top four quarterbacks in this draft class now with Denver missing out. They have little to no quarterbacks on the roster. They are a rebuilding team, and it seems like they are in for a bad 2024 season. They go with their top player Dallas Turner. He should help their pass rush immediately.

13. Atlanta Falcons (Via Raiders): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

After their move back earlier in this mock draft, the Falcons turn their attention to defense. They added Kirk Cousins and other pieces to their offense during the free agency portion of the offseason. They need an edge rusher as Bud Dupree's future remains in question. They take Jared Verse, who is arguably the best pass rusher in this draft.

14. New Orleans Saints: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

It is a deep and talented wide receiver group coming out of the draft this year. Brian Thomas Jr. could be an option for the Steelers in round one, but he gets picked by the Saints before they have a chance. He is a fast receiver who excelled in an explosive offensive style at LSU. He needs to work on some things at the next level, but he should raise draft boards as the draft gets closer.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

If Cooper DeJean stayed healthy this past season, then he would have been a lock for the top 15. Right now, that projection is up in the air. He is healthy and ready to go heading into the draft, which should help his stock. The Colts just re-signed some starters in the secondary from last season, but DeJean could provide a chess piece who can play all over their secondary. Another option for the Steelers comes off the board.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The biggest riser in this draft class thus far has been Quinyon Mitchell. He was projected to be a late second-round pick after the college season ended. He will be a first-round pick, and he could wind up being the top cornerback selected when it is all said and done. The Seahawks will want to rebuild up a quality defense under their new Head coach. Mitchell is another option for the Steelers coming off the board early.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Jacksonville added a lot of pieces to their offense during free agency. It seems like they might turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball early in the draft. They take Jer'Zhan Newton out of Illinois with their selection. He is someone not getting much attention heading into the draft, but he is a quality player who should make an immediate impact as a starter.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Bengals do it again and take a top cornerback prospect from the Steelers before they even have a shot at selecting them. Cincinnati goes with Nate Wiggins here. He is a superb athlete with a lot of starting experience coming out of college. The Bengals need a starter on the outside, and they find an upgrade over who they had last season.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

A return of Laiatu Latu in this mock draft going to the LA Rams. He would be a great story about staying in LA after playing his college ball just around the corner. He is a great pass rusher and someone who dominated Senior Bowl practices. With Aaron Donald gone, the Rams need to find prospects who can fortify their defense for now and into the future.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Shockingly, the Steelers have Taliese Fuaga sitting there at pick 20. They take him without hesitation. They have shown a good chunk of pre-draft interest but might be limited since he will likely go earlier in the first round. There are a ton of other directions the Steelers could go with this pick, but they would be foolish to bypass Fuaga if he is available.

21. Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

A little run-on offensive tackles here as Troy Fautanu slips some in this mock draft. He has been rising draft boards for a while now. He is a supreme athlete at the position and is someone who can either be a guard or tackle at the next level. Miami could use some help on the offensive line, especially if they invest a ton of money into Tua.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Philadelphia has a couple of holes to fill in this upcoming draft. but they decide to go cornerback here. Kool-Aid McKinstry might have the best name coming out of college this year. He has seen a lot of heavy interest from teams in the pre-draft process, including the Steelers. The Eagles get a quality starter for their defense who has a lot of experience coming out of college.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Minnesota went defense earlier in this mock draft with their first selection. This is a later first-round pick, so they could go with someone like Michael Penix Jr. here if they like him enough. They keep to their draft board in this instance and take Byron Murphy II, who is listed as the top defensive tackle by most experts covering the draft. Minnesota gets a top corner and defensive lineman to help their group.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, C, Duke

Tyler Biadasz left for the Washington Commanders in free agency. Dallas has a gaping hole at center, and the draft is a perfect option to fill that void. Graham Barton can play multiple positions, but he is projected to be a center by most. Barton is the best athlete among the interior offensive linemen coming out of college. The Cowboys get a quality replacement for Biadasz.

25. Green Bay Packers: Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut

Green Bay has a couple of needs on the offensive line, but they decided to go guard here. It would be somewhat of a shocker to see Christian Haynes go this early in the draft, but every year proves to have someone picked much earlier than projected on night one. Haynes is one of those in this mock draft, but his talent is something that doesn't make this seem like too much of a reach.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

Nightmares are starting to get recognized for the Steelers here as a deep run on interior offensive linemen has happened in a hurry toward the end of the first round. This leaves Zach Frazier as the only center option left on the board to start day one. Jackson Powers-Johnson goes to Tampa to fill the void left behind by their recently retired long-time starter.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

With Fuaga going to the Steelers earlier, Amarius Mims drops some in this mock draft. The raw athletic right tackle coming out of Georgia is a quality prospect here. The Cardinals will be able to move Paris Johnson over to the left side and allow Mims to stay in his comfortable spot. Both Harrison Jr. and Mims are two quality selections in round one for the Cardinals.

28. Buffalo Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Stefon Diggs was just traded to the Houston Texans in a shocking move that came out of nowhere. Buffalo also lost Gabe Davis in free agency, so their receiving core is gone. They need to add at least one or two top receivers from this class to help replace their starters from last season. They start by selecting speedy receiver Xavier Worthy out of Texas.

29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

We reach another somewhat "shocking" pick here by Detroit. Darius Robinson has been climbing draft boards ever since his strong showing at the Senior Bowl. He has all the makings of who the Lions want to be and what kind of culture they will make. Robinson can play inside or outside at the next level, which will only strengthen the Lion's defense.

30. Baltimore Ravens: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Baltimore will go with the best player available almost every time. They do have a hole on their offensive line and that is the direction they go here. JC Latham out of Alabama has sunk draft boards after some have characterized him as "lazy". He should be a quality right tackle to replace Morgan Moses on the offensive line.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

A massive run-on offensive tackles in the first round continues here. In retrospect, it's a good thing the Steelers went the way they did, despite center still being a problem. San Francisco would like to upgrade their offensive line with future contracts coming. They take Tyler Guyton to become their starting right tackle of the future.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

This could be a spot for a team to move back into the first round to take a quarterback like Penix Jr. That did not happen in this mock draft, and the Chiefs went with a receiver with insane skills. Adonai Mitchell has a ton of skill, but he just needs to smooth that over at the next level. Going to Kansas City will only make the Chiefs more likely to win another Super Bowl.