NFL mock drafts 2024: Compare latest from Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah, more experts

NFL mock drafts are like opinions: everyone has one.

That's certainly the case in 2024. From the time one draft ends until the next one begins, mock drafts pop out from just about everywhere across the internet. With the NFL Combine starting on Thursday, "Mock Draft Season" is really going to start heating up.

While everyone has mock drafts, not everyone has the expertise to back up their projected picks. Fortunately, some experts across the NFL media landscape add to their impressive track records year after year.

Though most people have Caleb Williams going first overall to the Bears, there's plenty of uncertainty from there in a draft loaded with top-tier offensive tackles and wide receivers and lacking the same type of top-tier defensive talent as past drafts.

Sporting News is taking a look at several of the top mock drafts before the start of the combine. Here's how several experts see the first round taking shape:

MORE: NFL Draft big board of top 125 players

Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Iyer's latest mock draft was released on Feb. 28:

Noteworthy: 

— Three wide receivers go in the first 10 picks, then it takes until the final five picks of the first round until any others are off the board. 

— It's a loaded offensive tackle class, as seven OTs — the most of any position — are off the board by the end of the first round.

— There are only two defensive players in the first 14 picks of the draft, but there's a bit of a run on that side of the ball to wrap up the first round. The final 18 picks feature 10 defensive players.

Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)

Kiper's latest mock draft was released on Feb. 28:

Noteworthy: 

— Only four quarterbacks get drafted in the first round of Kiper's mock draft — no Bo Nix and no Michael Penix Jr. 

— The Bears really take a swing at upgrading the offense, first by drafting Williams first overall then by landing Malik Nabers, who some have projected as high as the top five.

— Six cornerbacks are off the board in the first round of this mock, the most of any defensive position and trailing only offensive tackle (7) for any position overall.

Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft (NFL Network)

Jeremiah's latest mock draft was released on Feb. 20:

Noteworthy: 

— Most mock drafts have three quarterbacks going in the top three picks, but that isn't the case in this one. Marvin Harrison Jr. goes third overall to New England, and Jayden Daniels slides to No. 6.

— There are no defensive players in the top 10 of this mock draft, as the usual crop of elite talents just isn't there on that side of the ball this year. In this mock, it's all quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive tackles in the top 10.

— Brock Bowers has largely been mocked as a top-10 pick. Here, he slides all the way down to the Bengals at No. 18.

Todd McShay's mock draft

McShay has not yet released his first full mock draft for 2024.

Dane Brugler's mock draft (The Athletic)

Brugler's latest mock draft was released on March 5:

Noteworthy: 

— Brugler's projecting a trade-filled first-round. There are seven trades made in the draft, including the Falcons moving up to third overall and the Panthers moving into the first round by dealing with the Ravens.

— The first defensive player in the draft doesn't go off the board until No. 13, and it's not a Power Five player. It's the rapidly rising Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell.

— McCarthy reaches his highest spot in the draft so far, landing at No. 7 to the Vikings who trade up to land the Michigan quarterback.