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

The countdown to the 2024 NFL Draft is on, and in just a couple of weeks, fans will finally know which players their teams are selecting with their coveted early-round draft picks.

Per usual, the early stages of the draft will revolve around quarterbacks. As many as six signal-callers could go in the first round, and as each draft draws nearer, the order in which they will come off the boat is becoming clearer and clearer.

There are still plenty of mysteries about the 2024 NFL Draft. Many are wondering who will be the first defensive player off the board, and others are keeping a close eye on the pecking order at offensive tackle and wide receiver.

With that in mind, Sporting News is breaking down several top mock drafts ahead of the actual draft to see how 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 April 1:

Noteworthy: 

— Five quarterbacks go within the top 12 picks, and notably, Drake Maye comes off the board as the No. 2 quarterback. He and Jayden Daniels are expected to be the draft's second and third picks in some order, though Michigan's J.J. McCarthy is gaining momentum late as a top-three possibility.

— Speaking of McCarthy, he lands with the Vikings in this mock. That seems to be the most popular landing spot for him, and Minnesota could ultimately trade up for the national championship winner if they are smitten with him.

— Offense is expected to dominate the early portion of the 2024 NFL Draft. This mock sees just 10 defensive players selected in the first round and only two in the top 14 picks.

MORE: NFL Draft big board of top 125 players

Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)

Kiper's latest mock draft was released April 10:

Noteworthy: 

— Unlike Iyer's draft, only four quarterbacks are selected in the first round of Kiper's latest mock. Neither Michael Penix Jr. nor Box Nix make it into the first round, but four quarterbacks go in the top five. Notably, Kiper has Daniels ahead of Maye and the Vikings trading up to the No. 5 pick to get McCarthy.

— The Broncos and Raiders both pass on quarterbacks in the first round. Instead, the Broncos go with an athletic, high-upside cornerback who can partner with Patrick Surtain II in Quinyon Mitchell, and the Raiders address their weaknesses on the right side of the offensive line with physical tackle Taliese Fuaga.

— As part of their projected trade down, the Chargers get both of Minnesota's first-round picks. If Los Angeles lands JC Latham to upgrade its blocking and Xavier Worthy to add speed to its offense, that would be a successful start to the Jim Harbaugh era. 

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 ensure 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 going in the top 10. 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.