Credit: Bella Schreiber

Join WSPN’s Bowen Morrison as he shares his predictions for who will be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

The National Football League’s (NFL) 2024 Draft will be taking place on Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27 in Detroit, Michigan. During these three days, seven rounds of 259 draft picks will be selected by 32 different teams. In this draft, college players from across the country will be living out their childhood dreams of being selected by one of the 32 teams. My predictions for the top prospects in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft are as follows:

1. Chicago Bears (via trade with Carolina Panthers) – Caleb Williams (Quarterback – University of Southern California)

It’s clear that the Chicago Bears need a quarterback because of the departure of Justin Fields. The best option for the Bears here would be Williams. Williams is an incredible prospect, and he is one of the best quarterback’s we’ve seen in recent years.

2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels (Quarterback – Louisiana State University (LSU))

Sam Howell was traded from the Commanders to the Seattle Seahawks recently for the backup quarterback position. The best quarterback option for the Commanders at the second pick would be Daniels. Reports from Commander Country show that they are very interested in Daniels.

3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye (Quarterback – University of North Carolina)

Mac Jones was recently traded from the Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth round pick. Arguably, the second best quarterback in the 2024 draft class is Maye, and that is who I believe will be taken by the Patriots with the third pick in the draft.

4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr. (Wide Receiver – Ohio State University)

With the generational talent that Harrison Jr. has, many believe that he will be taken before the number four draft pick. However, the importance of the quarterback position and the talent that is in the draft class is too good for these teams to dismiss. Harrison’s traits as a wide receiver are comparable to his father’s, a member of the Hall of Fame.

5. Los Angeles Chargers – Brock Bowers (Tight End – University of Georgia)

It is almost undeniable that Bowers is one of the best tight end prospects that has entered the draft. I believe there is an absence of a capable starting tight end on the Chargers, so I think they will choose Bowers for their fifth round pick.

6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers (Wide Receiver – LSU)

Nabers is a close number two to Harrsion Jr., but there is still a strong chance that he will get selected before Harrison Jr.. I think that New York will pick Nabers due to the lack of talent in their current wide receivers. Naber’s route running makes him stick out as one of the best wide receiver prospects in this draft.

7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt (Tackle – Notre Dame University)

Alt is one of the best tackles to enter the draft in a long time. He is fundamentally sound and a great prospect. The Titans line lacks talent, and with the addition of Alt I think they will improve at the tackle position substantially.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner (Edge Rusher – University of Alabama)

I think the Falcons desperately need talent on their defensive line. Turner would be a great option for Atlanta at pick eight. Turner is a very interesting prospect and, in my opinion, he has the potential to be a premier edge rusher in the NFL.

9. Chicago Bears – Troy Fautanu (Tackle – University of Washington)

Fautanu was a great tackle for the Washington Huskies. He would be a great addition to the offensive line to help protect Caleb Williams.

10. New York Jets – Byron Murphy (Defensive Lineman – University of Texas, Austin)

Murphy was a standout player at Texas, as he showed out at the combine and earned his spot in the first round. I think Murphy would be a superb addition to the Jets defensive line.

11. Minnesota Vikings – Jared Verse (Edge Rusher – Florida State University (FSU))

With the departure of Danielle Hunter in free agency, the Vikings need a replacement for their defense. I believe Verse is a good replacement for Hunter.

12. Denver Broncos – Rome Odunze (Wide receiver – Washington University)

The Broncos need a new addition to the receiver room after primary wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns. Odunze may be an even better option compared to Jeudy.

13. Las Vegas Raiders – Terrion Arnold (Cornerback – Alabama)

The Raiders are in need of many defensive positions, but a good place to start is with Arnold. He is a great prospect and would probably be a great help to the Raiders’ defense.

14. New Orleans Saints – Braden Fiske (Defensive Linemen – FSU)

Fiske wasn’t very highly thought of coming out of college. However, Fiske really showed out during the senior bowl and the combine, and earned his spot at pick 14.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Ga’Quincy “Kool-aid” Mckinstry (Cornerback – University of Alabama)

At the no. 15 pick, Mckinstry would be the second Alabama cornerback taken in this draft. The Colts need to plug holes in the defense. Mckinstry would be a safe pick for the Colts at pick 15.

16. Seattle Seahawks – Laiatu Latu (Edge Rusher – University of California, Los Angeles)

The Seahawks are in a tough position with this draft pick. It’s clear that they need some explosive pieces to put together their offense, however, drafting Latu at this pick will be best for them.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinyon Mitchell (Cornerback – University of Toledo)

Jacksonville has been on the cusp of becoming a great team for a while. They need help in their defense, and Mitchell is a great choice for them.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Taliese Fuaga (Tackle – Oregon State University)

Cincinnati has been having problems with their offensive line for a couple years now, and Fuaga out of Oregon State is a needed, yet safe, pick for the team.

19. Los Angeles Rams – Cooper DeJean (Cornerback – University of Iowa)

The Rams have many problems on their team, however, I think their defense is where they need the most help. DeJean out of Iowa is a somewhat safe bet for the Rams at pick 19.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Payton Wilson (Linebacker – North Carolina State University)

I believe the Steelers are a few key pieces away from having an all around solid defense, and drafting Wilson will help them get there.

21. Miami Dolphins – Jer’Zhan Newton (Defensive Linemen – University of Illinois)

Recently, the Dolphins lost their star Defensive Lineman Christian Wilkins to free agency. The addition of Newton, if it were to happen, would be a good replacement for Wilkins on the Dolphins defensive line.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Nate Wiggins (Cornerback – Clemson University)

The Philadelphia Eagles need some help in their cornerback room, and I think that Wiggins’ blazing speed will help the Eagles tremendously.

23. Houston Texans (via trade with Cleveland) – Keon Coleman (Wide Receiver – FSU)

Coleman, the jump ball specialist. Coleman’s athletic ability is tremendous and will assist the Texans offense in the regular season and into the playoffs.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Troy Fautanu (Tackle – Washington University)

Fautanu is a great tackle prospect coming out of Washington and will definitely help the Cowboys offensive line protect Dak Prescott.

25. Green Bay Packers – Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Tackle – Pennsylvania State University)

Two back-to-back tackle picks in this draft are definitely necessary for both of these teams. Protecting a young quarterback like Jordan Love is incredibly important for the Packers. Fashanu is a great pick for the Packers here.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson (Edge – Pennsylvania State University)

Robinson is the next great edge rusher coming out of Penn State. His ability to tear through offensive lines will definitely translate to the next level for the Buccaneers.

27. Arizona Cardinals (via trade with Houston) – JC Latham (Tackle – University of Alabama)

The Arizona Cardinals let up 42 sacks last year. I think that this tackle prospect out of Alabama will assist Arizona’s offensive line in the future.

28. Buffalo Bills – Jarrian Jones (Cornerback- FSU)

Jones coming out of Florida State is a great choice for the Bills at pick 28. After the departure of Tre’Davious White, the Bills are in need of help with their secondary. Jones is a great cornerback and a very exciting prospect.

29. Detroit Lions – J.J. McCarthy (Quarterback – University of Michigan)

Despite many draft experts’ opinions, I believe McCarthy will fall to the Lions at pick 29. It will be incredibly beneficial for a raw prospect like McCarthy to sit behind a veteran like Jared Goff for a year or two.

30. Baltimore Ravens – Brian Thomas Jr. (Wide Receiver – LSU)

With MVP Lamar Jackson throwing the ball to Thomas Jr., his potential is very high. I think he is the right choice for the Ravens in this position.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Kamari Lassiter (Cornerback – University of Georgia)

In my opinion, Lassiter is an incredibly enticing prospect and I believe that he deserves to go higher in the draft. However, I also believe that many NFL teams will make the mistake of overlooking the prospect that Lassiter is. He is incredibly physical at the line of scrimmage and phenomenal in man coverage. He will succeed in the NFL with these traits.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Xavier Worthy (Wide Receiver – Texas)

Worthy’s record breaking speed at the combine raised his draft stock very high. If the Chiefs were to add Worthy’s abilities to their offense, I believe they will be virtually unstoppable throughout the regular season and playoffs.