Miller’s Final NFL Mock Draft: Projecting All 32 First-Round Picks with Fowler’s Insider Intel

The NFL Draft is the ultimate nexus of hope, strategy, and subterfuge. In the final hours before Commissioner Roger Goodell takes the podium, the rumor mill churns at a fever pitch, and draft boards are locked in. Leveraging the exhaustive film study and prospect evaluation of Matt Miller alongside the latest league-wide intelligence from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, we project all 32 first-round picks in a mock draft that cuts through the smoke to find the most likely outcomes.

The Top of the Board: Quarterback Chaos and a Surprise at No. 2

The first three picks have long been assumed to be quarterbacks, but the order remains fluid. According to Jeremy Fowler’s latest intel, the Chicago Bears’ selection of USC’s Caleb Williams is “as close to a lock as you get in this process.” The real drama begins at No. 2.

While many mock drafts have North Carolina’s Drake Maye here, Fowler reports that the Washington Commanders’ decision is “down to the wire” and that the franchise is conducting “extensive, final meetings” with multiple prospects. The buzz in league circles suggests a potential shocker: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and his elite dual-threat capability have gained serious momentum. Miller’s evaluation notes Daniels’ Heisman-winning explosiveness as a separator in a tight race.

Our Projection:

• 1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
• 2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
• 3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

This leaves the Arizona Cardinals, at No. 4, as the first major pivot point of the draft. They are prime candidates to trade down, but if they stay, the pick is clear.

Mid-Lottery Pivots: The Run on Non-QB Talent Begins

With the top three quarterbacks off the board, teams can address other glaring needs. Fowler indicates the Cardinals have received “serious calls” for the fourth pick, but a premium player at a premium position is too good to pass up if they stand pat. Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus top non-QB in this class, and Miller grades him as a “Day 1 All-Pro caliber” player.

The Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, are a wildcard. Harbaugh’s history suggests a physical, run-first identity. While a tackle like Joe Alt makes sense, Fowler hears the Chargers are “enamored with the top offensive skill players.” This leads to a slight surprise with the selection of the draft’s most dynamic weapon.

Our Projections (Picks 4-12):

• 4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
• 5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
• 6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
• 7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
• 8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
• 9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
• 10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
• 11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
• 12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The Vikings, per Fowler, are “aggressively exploring all avenues” to secure a quarterback, but in this scenario, they stay put and land the national champion. The Broncos’ pick of Bo Nix, a high-floor quarterback prospect with elite processing, fits Sean Payton’s system perfectly, according to Miller’s evaluation.

Trade Winds and Defensive Surges in the Teens and Twenties

This is where the draft truly becomes unpredictable. Teams with specific needs will look to move up, while clubs with multiple holes may trade back. Fowler’s intel suggests the Indianapolis Colts at No. 15 are a “firm stay-and-pick” team, zeroing in on a defensive playmaker. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22 are a prime candidate to move up for a specific target.

One of the biggest stories is the slide of the defensive tackle class. Miller notes that while this group is talented, team needs and the run on offensive players could cause a slight fall. However, a team like the Las Vegas Raiders, who Fowler says are “desperate for impact on the defensive front,” will stop the slide for a player like Texas’ Byron Murphy II.

Our Projections (Picks 13-24):

• 13. Las Vegas Raiders: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
• 14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
• 15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
• 16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
• 17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
• 18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
• 19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
• 20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
• 21. Miami Dolphins: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
• 22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
• 23. Minnesota Vikings: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
• 24. Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The Eagles, prioritizing secondary help, grab the speedy Wiggins. The Vikings double-dip with a trade-up using their second first-rounder to select the most technically refined pass rusher in the class, per Miller’s scouting report.

The Final Run: Contenders Fill Critical Holes

As the first round winds down, playoff-caliber teams look for the final piece of their puzzle. The Green Bay Packers need to bolster their secondary, while the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions seek to add toughness in the trenches. Fowler mentions the San Francisco 49ers are “open for business” at No. 31, but a player at a position of need falling could make them stay put.

Our Projections (Picks 25-32):

• 25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
• 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
• 27. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
• 28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
• 29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
• 30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
• 31. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
• 32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Chiefs, as they often do, find a perfect schematic fit. Pairing Xavier Worthy’s historic speed with the arm of Patrick Mahomes is a terrifying proposition for the rest of the league, and Miller notes his vertical threat ability is “exactly what Kansas City’s offense lacked at times in 2023.”

Conclusion: A Night of Quarterbacks and Unpredictable Twists

This final mock draft, synthesized from Matt Miller’s film-based evaluations and Jeremy Fowler’s league intelligence, paints a picture of a first round dominated by offensive firepower. A record-tying six quarterbacks could hear their names called, alongside a deep and talented class of wide receivers and offensive tackles. The defensive talent, while strong, may see a slight wait on Thursday night as teams prioritize franchise-altering offensive players.

Ultimately, the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round will be defined by the decisions at the very top. If the Commanders indeed pivot to Jayden Daniels, the cascade effect will be felt throughout the league. One thing is certain: in the war rooms of Las Vegas, hope springs eternal, and every selection carries the weight of a franchise’s future.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.