2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears take Caleb Williams, then make trade with QB-needy team; NFC contenders bolster OL

Chicago essentially starts over with a new offensive operation with coordinator Shane Waldron and now Caleb Williams. The selection of Williams allows the franchise to trade Justin Fields and receive additional draft assets.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s background leads me to believe that he would be more interested in the more mobile Jayden Daniels rather than Drake Maye. Kingsbury would probably prefer Caleb Williams because of his background working with him at USC, but surrendering so much draft capital in a trade is counterproductive to the team’s rebuild.

If someone wanted to argue that New England’s roster is not in a position to drop in a rookie quarterback, I would not push back. To play devil’s advocate, the Patriots have not been in a position to pick this early since 1993, so there is no guarantee they will find themselves in a position to take a quarterback when the time is right.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the top prospect eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft. If not for teams having needs at the quarterback position, he would go earlier. Kyler Murray gets a Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins level playmaker for the Arizona offense.

Los Angeles is deep in salary cap debt but has not proven willing to push its debt forward so that could mean the end of either or both of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The Chargers used their first-round pick on wide receiver Quentin Johnston but he did not do enough as a rookie to suggest he will be able to shoulder the burden of replacing a veteran.

New York is a prime candidate to trade back if someone is willing to come up. They will be in a position to take a higher priority need rather than feeling compelled to go best player available, which Brock Bowers may be in this scenario.

Tennessee made it known it intends to build around Will Levis during the coaching search. One way to make that clear is to protect him with an improved offensive line and add some skill talent. The Titans accomplish one of those two goals at No. 7 overall with the selection of Joe Alt.

Dallas Turner may not be the most well-rounded edge rusher prospect right now but he is a young player who is still developing. Atlanta has lacked a pass rusher capable of drawing the opponent’s attention, but the hope is that Turner changes that narrative.

It is unlikely that Denver is going to be able to sit back and land a replacement for Russell Wilson. There is a stretch of teams (Minnesota, Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans) outside the top 10 that could be interested in a quarterback. Sean Payton moves up in the draft order to secure a smart, tough and proven winner.

The Titans, Jets and Patriots are the three teams most desperate for offensive tackle help. Tennessee has made its choice so that leaves New York with the next best option: Olu Fashanu. Fashanu has played left tackle for the Nittany Lions but the Jets may need upgrades at both spots.

Minnesota misses out on an opportunity to take a quarterback in the first round. With Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport on track to hit free agency, the Vikings account for some of that potential loss with the selection of Laiatu Latu. The medical reports are going to be critical in where he is picked but one would be hard-pressed to find a more capable pass rusher in this draft class.

After selecting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall, the team takes Rome Odunze with the idea of pairing him with D.J. Moore. Chicago is slowly assembly a unit that could take big leaps forward in Shane Waldron’s first year as offensive coordinator.

Las Vegas has to make better use of its first-round picks. Over the past five years, the Raiders have drafted Tyree Wilson, Alex Leatherwood, Damon Arnette, Henry Ruggs, Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs and Johnathan Abram in the first round; Wilson and Jacobs are all who remain on the roster.

New Orleans is similar to Philadelphia in that both invest in the offensive and defensive lines. Cam Jordan will turn 35 before the season and Payton Turner has appeared in just 15 games over his three seasons in the NFL. Carl Granderson performed well when available this past season, but the Saints need more reliable depth at that spot.

Indianapolis squeezed all of the juice out of the lemon this season but Quinyon Mitchell raises the ceiling at cornerback. Those who were asked to play significant roles will now fill out the depth chart and provide functional depth. The Colts could go in a number of directions with this pick, including pass rusher and defensive tackle.

Unlike Las Vegas, Seattle has made the most of its first-round draft picks with Charles Cross, Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks hope the trend continues in 2024 with the selection of Byron Murphy II, who has risen as quickly as any prospect in this draft class.

Calvin Ridley is a free agent. Zay Jones could theoretically be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Christian Kirk is realistically entering the final year of his contract with the way that it is structured. There is a lot of uncertainty at the position but Brian Thomas Jr. offers a bit of stability.

Cincinnati’s offensive line still struggled this year despite more investment over the past two years. Jonah Williams is an unrestricted free agent next month so JC Latham steps into a starting role.

Los Angeles has treated its offensive line as an afterthought for years but Matthew Stafford’s career is drawing to a close sooner rather than later. His replacement will likely not manipulate pockets and understand where pressure is coming from quite as well. It is important for the Rams to invest in the unit now.

Pittsburgh released Chuks Okorafor recently after Broderick Jones stepped in at right tackle. Jones played on the left side at Georgia so he could flip back to that side allowing Amarius Mims to stay on the right side.

Miami has multiple interior offensive linemen who are slated to hit free agency next month. Jackson Powers-Johnson has the size to play multiple spots but projects to center where starting center Connor Williams is one of those players slated to hit free agency.

Philadelphia sticks to its tendencies by addressing the line of scrimmage with its first-round pick. Brandon Graham is nearing the end of his playing career and Derek Barnett moved on last year. It sounds as though as Haason Reddick could be the next on his way out. The addition of Chop Robinson accounts for change that is happening at a vital position.

Cooper DeJean is a smart, tough defensive back who can be deployed in a variety of ways in DeMeco Ryans’ defensive scheme. His primary role is as a cornerback opposite Derek Stingley Jr., who really started to look like the player he was expected to be in 2024.

Troy Fautanu has played left tackle at Washington but he may be best-suited moving inside. Tyron Smith is a free agent but Tyler Smith also has the flexibility to play inside or out. The Cowboys have options as they look to put their five best linemen on the field.

Green Bay’s course of action in the NFL Draft will become more clear after free agency. Are Jaire Alexander and the Packers on the same page? Do they have faith in Carrington Valentine entering his second season?

Graham Barton has played left tackle in Durham but has positional flexibility. The interior offensive line was a point of weakness this season and it became even more so when Ryan Jensen announced his retirement.

Arizona’s focus should be adding talent that fits its culture. Johnny Newton is a high-motor interior defender who is able to provide pass rush. The Cardinals used their first pick on Marvin Harrison Jr.

Tyler Guyton is a well-built right tackle whose best football is still ahead of him. Wide receiver may be the popular choice for folks in Orchard Park but there are multiple ways to invest in Josh Allen.

Sticking with the theme, Jordan Morgan has played left tackle for Arizona but some may project him inside. Detroit has a few interior blockers scheduled to hit free agency so Morgan steps into a starting role on a team fighting to take that next step toward Super Bowl contention.

Marlon Humphrey has battled injuries in recent years missing 11 games over the past three seasons. Players stepped up in the secondary when called into action but the Ravens sink some draft capital into the position.

San Francisco turned the starting right tackle role over to Colton McKivitz after Mike McGlinchey departed in free agency. Successful, stable offensive lines need maintenance and that means investing in the unit.

Kansas City’s offense suffered from drops through most of the season but the Chiefs stuck with them and those players, outside of Kadarius Toney, delivered when called upon in the playoffs. The selection of Keon Coleman encourages long-term stability at the position, however.