2024 final first-round mock draft: KC Chiefs land impact starter in round 1
Let's take our final look at the first-round to see who we project the Kansas City Chiefs (and other teams) to take on opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
By Price Carter
It's the best day of the year: Draft Day!
While the big show is still a few hours away, it's never too late to get in a final mock draft. On Thursday, we will be doing a round 1 mock to look at how the opening night could play out for the Chiefs. The goal here was to create a scenario in which the Chiefs don't necessarily take the same couple of players who are frequently projected to them.
To keep up with all of the best prospects taken tonight in the NFL Draft, make sure to bookmark the Arrowhead Addict Big Board, a Chiefs-specific draft board tailored to the team's roster needs.
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It's always been Caleb for Chicago, for over a year we've known he would go with this pick. Lots of QBs look good in structure and without pressure in their face. Caleb's ability to thrive in chaotic situations and improvise is what makes him an elite QB prospect. It's a new era in Chicago.
2. Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Fresh off of one of the most explosive and productive seasons in college football Daniels lands in Washington. The Commanders offense already has talent but now factoring the running element of Daniels with quality backs and receivers their offense just got much more dynamic.
3. Minnesota Vikings - Drake Maye, QB, UNC
The Vikings trade with the Patriots to get their guy. New England does not have the infrastructure in place to develop a QB with a top pick, so they trade down to get more talent. The Vikings get the second-most talented QB in the draft, who lands in an incredible situation. Daniels over Maye could be a draft blunder for years.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals lock in one of the best players in this draft in Harrison. Don't let his process trick you into thinking Harrison isn't the top receiver in this class. Size, speed, route running... Harrison has it all and Arizona is happy to stick and pick at 4.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers would love out of this pick, but there's no way Jim Harbaugh is sending J.J. McCarthy to the Raiders or Broncos. So they stick and pick the top tackle in the class. Slater and Alt have the potential to be the best tackle tandem in the league.
6. New York Giants - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Daniel Jones and Drew Lock aren't stopping the Giants from investing in the QB position. McCarthy needs some time before he starts, and the Giants can give him that while they let their other QBs start. A former 5-star recruit, McCarthy lost two college football games in his career and runs a pro-style offense. There's lots to like about McCarthy.
7. Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Bears stay aggressive to build the offense around Caleb Williams by trading up from 9 to get Odunze. Falcons are a threat to take him at 8. The Bears get a receiver who can help replace Keenan Allen who only has one year left on his contract and Caleb Williams gets to build rapport with another rookie.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Even after signing Darnell Mooney and the litany of first-round skill players the Falcons can't pass on Nabers here. They know they have a limited window with Kirk Cousins and they need to elevate him as much as possible. Nabers makes that offense one of the scariest in the league.