Perhaps the only thing that rivals the fun of filling out a March Madness bracket is creating a mock draft. The possibilities are endless, and there's always the feeling of satisfaction when some of your picks come to fruition on draft night. Of course, there's also the feeling of disappointment if your mock doesn't match up with reality. 

No matter how it ultimately shakes out, a mock draft is extremely helpful. It allows you to have a much better idea which positions teams are looking to fill with their first-round pick. It can also help you determine which teams may decide to move either up or down in the first round. 

There were no trades in my mock draft, but based on how I have things playing out, no one had to move anywhere. The Giants, for example, got the player they are reportedly interested in who can possibly challenge Daniel Jones this season. The Vikings were rewarded for their patience and, like New York, were able to select a quarterback with the 11th overall pick. The Bills, who recently traded top wideout Stefon Diggs, also stayed put, but were still able to select one of the draft's top-ranked receivers. 

Will things actually play out that way? It's hard to say, but one thing we do know is that quarterback names will be flying like hot cakes during the draft's opening night. Several teams are in need of a quarterback, and that will ultimately make for an interesting night. 

Without further ado, here's a complete look at my first round mock draft.

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Round 1
2024 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 1
USC • 6'1" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3633

RUYDS

121

INTS

5

TDS

41
No surprise here. The Bears replace Justin Fields with the top-rated QB prospect in the draft. Williams' glittering college career included 93 touchdowns against just 14 picks. He'll look to take full advantage of a restocked Bears offense.
Round 1, Pick 2
North Carolina • 6'4" / 225 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3608

RUYDS

449

INTS

9

TDS

33
Maye lands in D.C. after lighting up the ACC during his two years as North Carolina's starting QB. He'll get the keys to a revamped offense that continues to feature veteran wideout Terry McLaurin.
Round 1, Pick 3
LSU • 6'4" / 210 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PAYDS

3812

RUYDS

1134

INTS

4

TDS

50
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner put up video game-like numbers during his final season at LSU. He tossed 40 TDs, completed over 72% of his passes and also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.
Round 1, Pick 4
Ohio State • 6'4" / 205 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

67

REYDS

1211

YDS/REC

18.1

TDS

15
The first non-QB selected is the draft's top-ranked wide receiver prospect. Harrison rewrote the Buckeyes' career receiving record book despite playing with multiple quarterbacks during his Ohio State career.
Round 1, Pick 5
LSU • 6'0" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

89

REYDS

1569

YDS/REC

17.6

TDS

14
Justin Herbert gets a new weapon after losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Jayden Daniels' favorite target last season caught 14 touchdowns and averaged 17.9 yards per catch during his final year at LSU.
Round 1, Pick 6
Michigan • 6'3" / 219 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

4th

PAYDS

2991

RUYDS

202

INTS

4

TDS

25
Big Blue gets a quarterback to compete with Daniel Jones. McCarthy comes to the NFL after leading Michigan to its first national title since 1997.
Round 1, Pick 7
Notre Dame • 6'8" / 322 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd
The Titans beef up their offensive line by adding Alt, who is hoping to duplicate his father's career as a Pro Bowl offensive tackle.
Round 1, Pick 8
Alabama • 6'3" / 247 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st
Atlanta addresses its pass-rush issues by selecting Turner, who racked up 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last fall.
Round 1, Pick 9
Alabama • 6'6" / 342 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

5th
I'm going against conventional wisdom and have the Bears selecting an OT instead of either a pass rusher or WR. The Bears need help at those positions, too, but I think they'll prioritize OT given their need to protect Williams.
Round 1, Pick 10
Oregon State • 6'6" / 324 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd
Like the Bears, the Jets get a top-tier tackle prospect who can help protect franchise QB Aaron Rodgers.
Round 1, Pick 11
Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

5th

PAYDS

4903

RUYDS

8

INTS

11

TDS

39
Penix's stock is on the rise, and it's easy to see why. He threw 67 touchdowns during his final two years at Washington, and he should continue to put up numbers in Minnesota with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
Round 1, Pick 12
Georgia • 6'4" / 230 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

56

REYDS

714

YDS/REC

12.8

TDS

7
The first tight end taken off the board, Bowers caught a whopping 26 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia.
Round 1, Pick 13
Toledo • 6'0" / 193 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st
It took a little bit, but the first cornerback is off the board. Mitchell goes to Las Vegas after terrorizing receivers during his highly productive career at Toledo. He leaves the Rockets as the school's all-time leader in pass breakups (46).
Round 1, Pick 14
Penn State • 6'6" / 312 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st
The Saints get an offensive lineman who didn't allow a sack in 365 pass-blocking snaps in 2023.
Round 1, Pick 15
Alabama • 6'0" / 199 lbs

Projected Team

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

2nd
Arnold goes to Indianapolis after a highly productive college career at Alabama. Last year, he picked off five passes and batted down 12 more for the SEC champs.
Round 1, Pick 16
Washington • 6'4" / 317 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

1st
Fautanu won't have to travel far to continue his football career. He's a Pro Bowl-caliber player who saw time at both tackle and guard in college.
Round 1, Pick 17
Texas • 6'0" / 306 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st
The reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year also scored two offensive touchdowns at Texas. Keep that in mind when Doug Pederson's offense is near the goal line this season.
Round 1, Pick 18
LSU • 6'2" / 209 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

68

REYDS

1177

YDS/REC

17.3

TDS

17
Joe Burrow gets another former LSU standout to throw to. This also gives the Bengals flexibility should Tee Higgins depart next offseason.
Round 1, Pick 19
Florida State • 6'4" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd
Verse's slide ends here. Los Angeles gets a highly consistent and productive player who had 18 sacks, 29.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in his two seasons at Florida State.
Round 1, Pick 20
Clemson • 6'1" / 182 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

4th
Pittsburgh gets another young cornerback a year after drafting Joey Porter Jr. in the second round. The duo will look to contain opposing AFC North quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson.
Round 1, Pick 21
Oregon • 6'3" / 328 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

2nd
The draft's top-ranked center prospect is taking his talents to South Beach. Powers-Johnson's skill set should benefit Tua Tagovailoa while making an already talented offense even better.
Round 1, Pick 22
Alabama • 5'11" / 199 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

3rd
As you can see, cornerbacks are starting to come off the board at a frenzied pace. The Eagles get some help for a defense that finished 30th in points allowed in 2023.
Round 1, Pick 23
Illinois • 6'2" / 295 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

2nd
With their QB in tow, the Vikings address their other pressing need on the defensive line. Newton was a one-man wrecking crew at Illinois who became the school's first player in 29 years to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Round 1, Pick 24
Georgia • 6'8" / 350 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

4th
Mims falls to the Cowboys, who don't pass up the chance to select him despite their other needs at receiver and cornerback. Mims' addition should bolster Dallas' running game.
Round 1, Pick 25
Iowa • 6'0" / 198 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

5th
Green Bay will likely either pick a pass rusher or cornerback with this pick. I have the Packers taking DeJean, who had a whopping three interception returns for scores in 2022.
Round 1, Pick 26
Duke • 6'5" / 314 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

51st

POSITION RNK

8th
Tampa Bay gets an experienced tackle who made 38 starts at Duke. Barton has experience at both tackle and center.
Round 1, Pick 27
UCLA • 6'5" / 265 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

3rd
Arizona also needs offensive line help, but it would almost be impossible for the Cardinals to pass up the chance to draft Latu, who had 23.5 sacks, 34 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles during his two seasons at UCLA.
Round 1, Pick 28
Georgia • 6'0" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

6th

REC

30

REYDS

478

YDS/REC

15.9

TDS

3
Buffalo gets its receiver who can help fill the void of Stefon Diggs' departure. While his college stats aren't terribly impressive, McConkey stood tall in big games throughout his career at Georgia.
Round 1, Pick 29
Missouri • 6'5" / 285 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

5th
Last year's NFC title game reinforced Detroit's need to get better on defense. Coming to the rescue is Robinson, the top player on a Missouri defense who led the Tigers to an 11-2 record in 2023.
Round 1, Pick 30
Oklahoma • 6'7" / 322 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

38th

POSITION RNK

6th
The general consensus is that the Ravens are taking Guyton if he's still on the board. Guyton allowed no sacks on 355 pass-blocking snaps during his final season at Oklahoma.
Round 1, Pick 31
Penn State • 6'3" / 254 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

4th
The 49ers are likely targeting an edge rusher, offensive tackle or cornerback with this pick. I have them taking Robinson, who should quickly help improve San Francisco's pass rush.
Round 1, Pick 32
Texas • 6'2" / 205 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

55

REYDS

845

YDS/REC

15.4

TDS

11
Texas has two top-ranked receiver prospects in Mitchell and Xavier Worthy. I have the Chiefs choosing Mitchell largely due to his size (6-foot-4, 190 pounds).