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

Football fans are counting down the weeks to the 2024 NFL Draft, and mock drafts are starting to look more and more alike across the board.

The NFL Combine and the early stages of NFL free agency are in the books, and that typically allows draft analysts a better idea of what teams need and are targeting with each of their early selections.

Some quarterback vacancies have been filled. The Falcons aren't likely to draft a quarterback early after signing Kirk Cousins, so the No. 8 pick now becomes a potential landing spot for the first defensive player in 2024.

That makes many want to focus on picks 11-13, where the Vikings, Broncos, and Raiders will all be drafting with needs at quarterback.

There isn't yet a consensus on what those teams will do. Some draft analysts have J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and even Michael Penix Jr. coming off the board with those selections. Others have the teams eschewing quarterback and opting for elite talent at other positions.

As always, a few NFL writers are even trying to mix up their mocks by projecting trades that could shake up the 2024 draft altogether.

With that in mind, Sporting News is breaking down several top mock drafts with the bulk of NFL free agency in the books. Here's how several experts see the first round taking shape.

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Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Iyer's latest mock draft was released on March 19:

Noteworthy: 

— Five quarterbacks go within the top 12 picks, as the Vikings and Broncos take J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix, respectively. Neither team made a significant quarterback addition during free agency (no, Sam Darnold does not count), so each team considered a signal-caller in a loaded class is reasonable.

— Drake Maye is ahead of Jayden Daniels in this mock, albeit by one pick. The UNC and LSU products are believed to be competing to be the Commanders' No. 2 overall pick.

— The offensive slant of the 2024 NFL Draft is undeniable. Five quarterbacks, four receivers, and 11 offensive linemen are included within the top 32 selections. Tight end Brock Bowers brings the total number of offensive players selected in the first round to 21. 

MORE: NFL Draft big board of top 125 players

Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)

Kiper's latest mock draft was released on March 19:

Noteworthy: 

— Like Iyer's draft, five quarterbacks are selected within the top 12 picks, including three going consecutively to start it off. The major difference? Washington goes with Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye this time.

— Combine star Xavier Worthy, who blazed the fastest 40-yard dash in the event's history, goes 26th overall to the Buccaneers. He pairs with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in what would be a dynamic receiving corps around Baker Mayfield.

— Five cornerbacks are off the board in the first round of this mock, good for half of the defensive players taken in the first round. Kiper is among the few notable analysts to have Iowa State's T.J. Tampa in the first round, so that explains why his mock skews toward cornerback when teams aren't looking to beef up their offenses (22 of 32 first-round picks).

Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft (NFL Network)

Jeremiah's latest mock draft was released on March 19:

Noteworthy: 

— Jeremiah gets a little crazy with this one, as he has the Vikings trading up to No. 4 to get J.J. McCarthy. Four quarterbacks have never gone consecutively to start a draft, so a trade-up from Minnesota could make history.

— Jeremiah is also the only analyst to have Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of his mock draft. He has the Washington product going to the Raiders at 13 because he thinks Penix "is a unique fit for the Raiders’ style of play."

— Bo Nix doesn't make the cut in this mock draft despite Penix's inclusion. That's partially because the Broncos — one of Nix's top projected landing spots — went with tight end Brock Bowers at 12 overall rather than a quarterback.

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 runs on quarterbacks, receivers, and offensive tackles ensures that a defensive player doesn't come off the board until the 13th pick. That would be Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, who seems increasingly likely to be the first cornerback selected after his stellar showing at the NFL Combine.

— This is another mock that has McCarthy rising. He goes at No. 7 overall to the Vikings, who trade up to get him. That jump isn't as high as the leap the Vikings make in Jeremiah's mock, but clearly, draft analysts believe that Minnesota likes McCarthy.