The draft is a difficult event to predict a few days in advance, so a year in advance it's impossible! Every year, a Jayden Daniels or a Travon Walker will emerge from the shadows at the last moment, while other players will collapse.
The TDA editorial team tried the experiment a year ago, with more than adequate success. A look back at a 2024 mock draft carried out in June 2023. The position of the NFL franchises was modeled on the Las Vegas predictions on that date.
1 – Arizona Cardinals: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Actual pick: New England Patriots, pick number 3
As expected, Drake Maye was in the top 3 of the draft, but just not in first place. After another good season at UNC, despite a weak cast, he will have the difficult mission of replacing Tom Brady.
2 – Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Actual pick: Arizona Cardinals, pick number 4
Once again no surprise, Marvin Harrison Jr. was the first non-quarterback chosen by the Cardinals. Author of another good season, he has only reinforced the expectations around him. To do as well as dad, you will have to go to Hall of Fame.
3 – Indianapolis Colts: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Actual pick: New York Jets, pick number 11
Expected to be a phenomenon as he had shown great things in a small sample, Olu Fashanu confirmed in 2023 that he was one of the best in the position. If his relative weakness against the run cost him the top 10, he remains a player to build on.
4 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Actual pick: Chicago Bears, number 1 pick
Caleb Williams had his ups and downs during the 2023 season, but he showed enough talent to become the No. 1 pick in the draft. Seen as a rare phenomenon for some, he will have the mission of restoring hope to Bears supporters.
5 – Tennessee Titans: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Actual Pick: Minnesota Vikings, pick number 17
Not a modern and explosive rusher, Dallas Turner met expectations during this 2024 season. If he was relegated to the second part of the first round (like all defenders), he remained, as expected, a top defender.
6 – Washington Commanders: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Real choice: Return to university
With the change in the college environment, which offers better pay, many players have remained in college. Quinn Ewers had a good season, without being extraordinary. He logically decided to treat himself to one more season to enjoy a weaker vintage. He will be one of the players to watch in 2025.
7 – Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Actual Pick: Los Angeles Rams, pick number 19
Like Turner, he was ejected from the top 15, but like the Alabama player it is not because of his performances on the field. Still as physically dominant, he represents a more classic version of the defensive end, perfect for the Rams.
8 – Chicago Bears: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Real choice: Return to university
Another return to university. If JT Tuimoloau showed in sequence that he was an excellent player, his inconsistency still makes him an unknown. Depending on his 2024 season, he can finish top 10 in the next 2025 Draft or fall to the second day. He will have to mature.
9 – New England Patriots: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Actual pick: Los Angeles Chargers, pick number 5
Here is a player who did even better than expected. The top 10 objective has become top 5, a fair reward for this mountain which demonstrates extraordinary regularity. Like at Notre Dame, he should be part of an above-average squad.
10 – Los Angeles Rams: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Actual Pick: Green Bay Packers, pick number 255
An industrial accident, that’s what Kalen King’s 2023 season looked like. Unanimously expected to be in the top 50, he had a disastrous season as number 1 cornerback. Undisciplined, out of shape and slow, he showed nothing. He also missed his post-season, in short, he lost control.
11 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Actual pick: New Orleans Saints, pick number 41 (2nd round)
Before the season, he was Alabama's No. 1 cornerback. Overtaken by Terrion Arnold, Kool-Aid McKinstry went down to the second round after a season below expectations. Despite everything, he remains an extraordinary athlete who will have his chance to shine in the NFL.
12 – Los Angeles Raiders: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Real choice: Return to university
After a complicated start to the season, especially in tackling, Denzel Burke found the rhythm to ultimately make for an interesting exercise. Like many Ohio State players, he returned to college and will have the opportunity to solidify a spot in the top 50 for the next Draft in 2025.
13 – Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Actual Pick: Las Vegas Raiders, pick number 13
Brock Bowers is unsurprisingly the number 1 tight end. A true phenomenon, complete and decisive, he will have the difficult task of energizing the Raiders' attack. In any case, he will be the star of the attack from day 1, a heavy responsibility.
14 – New York Giants: Maason Smith, DL, LSU
Actual Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars, pick number 48 (2nd round)
It's difficult to fall on LSU's defenders, as Matt House's coaching seemed to make the entire group regress in 2023. Maason Smith has never had his full potential. A chance to finally see him blossom in the NFL. Big risk, but potentially big reward.
15 – Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Actual pick: Kansas City Chiefs, pick number 63 (2nd round)
A risky choice at the time of the mock, Kingsley Suamataia partially met expectations by sneaking into the second round. However, it remains far from the potential imagined during the first mock, and it will still have to progress to become essential.
16 – Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Actual pick: Washington Commanders, pick number 36 (2nd round)
In a class poor in defensive tackle, Jer'Zhan Newton was an intriguing profile. Finally “falling” in the second round, he was nevertheless radiant on the field and only had his physical dimensions against him. He may very well be the bargain of the draft in 5 years.
17 – Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Real choice: Return to university
Another returning Ohio State player. In an XXL vintage of receivers, Emeka Egbuka preferred to play it safe and wait until the following season. Finally number 1 receiver, he will have everything to gain during the 2024 season, but succeeding Marvin Harrison will not be easy.
18 – Los Angeles Chargers: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
Actual pick: Cleveland Browns, pick number 54 (2nd round)
Like Newton, physical dimensions may have affected Michael Hall Jr.'s value, but he remains a second-round player who will have the opportunity to quickly earn a starting spot. Difficult to do well at Ohio State, but paradoxically he will have more margin now.
19 – Seattle Seahawks: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
Actual pick: Dallas Cowboys, pick number 73 (3th turn)
The editorial team's favorite a year ago, Cooper Beebe failed to make the top 50. Yet powerful and versatile, he surely suffers from a lack of mobility which makes him a guard, not a tackle. He will have the opportunity to learn alongside Zack Martin in a team specializing in line development. Good news for him.
20 – Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Actual Pick: Atlanta Falcons, pick number 8
Chosen 8th choice in the draft to everyone's surprise, Michael Penix will perhaps have the chance to… spend 4 to 5 years on the Falcons bench. Beyond the grotesque situation of the franchise, Michael Penix is a player with an overpowering arm but a crystal body. XXL risk, he will at least have time to learn the games book.
21 – New Orleans Saints: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Actual Pick: Kansas City Chiefs, pick number 28
A real rocket with a tumultuous university career, Xavier Worthy nevertheless obtained a first round after record physical tests. New weapon of the Chiefs, he will have the difficult task of becoming the future “Tyreek Hill”, even if Andy Reid compares him more to Desean Jackson.
22 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Actual pick: Philadelphia Eagles, pick number 40 (2nd round)
So versatile that he scared some teams, so Cooper DeJean fell to the second round. Despite everything, his incredible 2023 season earned him a top 50 and a perfect team to showcase his talent. Something to be optimistic about for him.
23 – Miami Dolphins: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Real choice: Return to university
Ohio State player and… back in college again. Donovan Jackson is an ultra-solid and improving player in the passing game. Another good season and he can hope to be a first rounder. More than ever, Ohio State will need to be watched closely for the draft.
24 – Baltimore Ravens: Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Actual Pick: Undrafted
With Kalen King, here is the other industrial accident. A physical monster, he regressed spectacularly technically, seeming not to be in control of his body. Signed by the Jets, he will have to begin a redemption arc that may be long.
25 – Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Actual Pick: Miami Dolphins, pick number 21
The ultimate prospect may be him. Very raw but with enormous potential, Chop Robinson will finally experience the Florida sun rather than the Michigan fog. Enough to give him time to grow. In any case, the compatibility with the team seems ideal.
26 – New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Actual Pick: Tennessee Titans, pick number 7
JC Latham was never unanimous during the draft process, but his physical abilities and his experience made him a top 10. Expected as the one who will solve the tackling problems for the Titans, he will have a lot of pressure from on day 1.
27 – Dallas Cowboys: Connor Colby, OL, Iowa
Real choice: Return to university
Also back in college, Connor Colby walked away from the first round. Too weak in the passing game, he seems not to progress as expected. He will need a big improvement this season to claim to play a major role in the draft.
28 – Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Actual pick: New York Giants, pick number 6
Malik Nabers late first round: An anomaly now that we've seen the 2023 season. The LSU receiver has more than lived up to expectations and will now be tasked with filling the No. 1 role in the Giants' offense. Not an easy task.
29 – Buffalo Bills; Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Actual pick: Denver Broncos, pick number 102 (3rd round)
The ultimate deep threat, Troy Franklin had a productive season in 2023. But structural weaknesses and a substandard physique caused him to fall early in the fourth round. However, he remains a player capable of contributing from day 1.
30 – San Francisco 49ers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Actual Pick: Cincinnati Bengals, pick number 18
Inexperienced prospect, Amarius Mims is such a physical monster that he seemed inevitable even a year ago. While he represents a risk, the potential is absolutely crazy. Good news for Bengals who want to renew the position.
31 – Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Actual Pick: Philadelphia Eagles, pick number 155
Good team, but bad turn. If Jeremiah Trotter had given rise to fantasies a year ago given his potential and his dad's name, he finally fell into line. The beautiful story is, however, at the end of the wait, since the son joins the father's franchise.
32 – Kansas City Chiefs: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Actual pick: Green Bay Packers, pick number 58 (2nd round)
Javon Bullard benefited from a “Georgia bonus” a year ago, as the defenders of this university seem to benefit from great value in the draft. Unfortunately for him, it was “only” in the second round that he found a home. Despite all this demonstrates the player's talent and he will have a role from the first year.
