Welcome to the 2024 NFL Draft: A Consensus of Expert Opinions
The anticipation is palpable as we approach the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. With so many knowledgeable experts weighing in, there is a wide range of opinions on how things will unfold. But amidst the diversity of predictions, there are some emerging consensuses that we at Kosport Magazine have identified. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying.
The Top Three Picks: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye
It’s no surprise that the Chicago Bears will be selecting USC’s Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. But the consensus is that the Washington Commanders will follow suit with LSU’s Jayden Daniels at No. 2, leaving North Carolina’s Drake Maye available for the third pick. However, there is some variation in who will ultimately land Maye, with four of the six mock drafts predicting the New England Patriots to make the pick, while one has the New York Giants trading up and another has the Minnesota Vikings doing the same.
Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals
The Cards are expected to land the draft’s top receiver, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., with the fourth pick. While most mock drafts have Arizona making the pick at No. 4, our own Ryan Wilson predicts that they will trade down and then move back up to secure Harrison at No. 5 overall.
J.C. Latham to the Los Angeles Chargers, Joe Alt to the Tennessee Titans
The consensus is that the Chargers will target an offensive lineman with their first pick, and the experts have identified J.C. Latham as their top choice. All six mock drafts have Latham going to L.A. As for the Titans, they are expected to address their need at tackle with Joe Alt, with all experts predicting him to land in Tennessee.
The First Defensive Player: Dallas Turner to the Atlanta Falcons
It’s widely expected that the Falcons will select Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner with their pick. While one mock draft has them trading down to make the pick, the rest have them taking Turner at their original spot. This has been the consensus since the NFL Scouting Combine.
Michael Penix Jr. in the Top 20
While the top quarterbacks like Williams, Daniels, Maye, and J.J. McCarthy are expected to go early, there is now a consensus that Indiana’s Michael Penix Jr. will also be selected in the first round. Most experts predict that he will land with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Offensive Linemen to the Saints and Cowboys
The New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys have clear needs on the offensive line, and the experts have identified Olu Fashanu as the top choice for the Saints and Tyler Guyton for the Cowboys. With top interior linemen Troy Fautanu and Graham Barton expected to be off the board by the time the Cowboys make their pick, these selections make sense for both teams.
Defensive Lineman to the Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are expected to address their need on the defensive line, with Christian Wilkins leaving in free agency and Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb coming off season-ending injuries. The experts predict that Miami will select either Jared Verse or Laiatu Latu to bolster their defensive front.
The Eagles Trading Up
In a surprising consensus, all six mock drafts predict that the Philadelphia Eagles will trade up in the first round. The only question is which pick they will target and whether they will go for a cornerback or an offensive lineman. Either way, it’s clear that the Eagles are looking to strengthen their team through the draft.
Both Texas WRs and Both Alabama CBs in the First Round
Finally, the experts predict that both Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy from Texas, as well as Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry from Alabama, will be selected in the first round. While there is some variation in the order in which they will be picked, it’s clear that these four players are highly coveted by NFL teams.
Summary:
The 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a consensus of expert opinions emerging on the top picks and players to watch. From the top three picks of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, to the expected selections of Marvin Harrison Jr., J.C. Latham, and Joe Alt, there is a lot of anticipation for how things will unfold. Keep an eye out for Michael Penix Jr. and the offensive linemen to the Saints and Cowboys, as well as the Eagles trading up and both Texas WRs and Alabama CBs being selected in the first round. Stay tuned to Kosport Magazine for all the latest updates and analysis on the 2024 NFL Draft.
