Calvin Watkins’ 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0: Top WRs go early; surprising pick for Cowboys? (2024)

We’re almost here. The NFL draft is Thursday and we expect trades, quarterbacks and offensive linemen to dominate the conversations. Will quarterbacks go in the top three? New England, Washington, Chicago, Minnesota and Denver need quarterbacks.

Do the New York Giants need one, too? Will receiver Rome Odunze get picked ahead of Malik Nabers?

Joe Alt is the best offensive lineman in the draft, right? The Cowboys need a defensive tackle. They need a linebacker. They need a center. They need a guard. They need a running back. Do they have enough picks to get impactful players?

Here’s our Mock Draft 3.0 with what we think will happen and what might surprise you:

1. Chicago: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

What should happen: The Bears get the quarterback of the future. Again.

What might surprise you: The Bears get the quarterback of the future. Again.

2. Washington: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

What should happen: If it’s not Daniels ... Drake Maye, come on down.

What might surprise you: Dan Snyder breaks into the draft room and demands Washington takes a wide receiver.

3. New England: Drake Maye, QB, UNC

What should happen: The Pats really want Daniels, but go for the next best thing.

What might surprise you: The Pats trade down for more picks and get J.J. McCarthy late in the first round.

4. Arizona: Marvin Harrison, WR, Ohio State

What should happen: You draft a guy whose dad is a Hall of Famer wide receiver.

What might surprise you: The Cardinals keep this pick. It’s expected the Cardinals move down.

5. LA Chargers: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

What should happen: You draft the best non-quarterback playmaker in the draft and that’s at wideout.

What might surprise you: Marvin Harrison is still around at No. 5, guess where he’s going.

6. NY Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

What should happen: Giants need more playmakers for QB Daniel Jones.

What might surprise you: The Giants draft a quarterback for the future.

7. Tennessee: Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame

What should happen: You bolster the offensive line with a QB few have confidence in.

What might surprise you: The Titans get a quarterback by moving up or moving down.

8. Atlanta: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

What should happen: Falcons finished 2023 with 8 INTs so get a corner, right?

What might surprise you: The Falcons bolster the defensive line and get a pass rusher.

9. Chicago: Taliese Fuaga, T, Oregon State

What should happen: You can’t go wrong with Fuaga or JC Lathan at tackle.

What might surprise you: Bears trade this pick to get another impactful player.

10. New York Jets: JC Latham, T, Alabama

What should happen: Somebody needs to protect Aaron Rodgers.

What might surprise you: You move up and get a WR. Rodgers to Harrison .... TD, J-E-T-S.

11. Minnesota: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

What should happen: This team will move up and get a quarterback. There is no disputing this.

What might surprise you: Well, it takes two to dance. So you get the best pass rusher available.

12. Denver: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

What should happen: Moving up to get a quarterback is mandatory.

What might surprise you: McCarthy is still available here. Are teams that high on him?

13. Las Vegas: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

What should happen: Get the best tight end in the draft to help with that passing game.

What might surprise you: Why not get a quarterback?

14. New Orleans: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

What should happen: The DeSoto product begins his pro career in Louisiana. Good start.

What might surprise you: Olumuyiwa Fashanu is available and would fit.

15. Indianapolis: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

What should happen: Colts drafted five CBs since 2021. Why not get another?

What might surprise you: Selecting a young pass rusher brings more depth.

16. Seattle: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

What should happen: You draft a first-team All-America who finished with 11 sacks and 15 TFL in 2023.

What might surprise you: Geno Smith needs protection. Draft a tackle.

17. Jacksonville: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

What should happen: The GM said it’s time to add to the secondary.

What might surprise you: It’s the draft; the GM does something else.

18. Cincinnati: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, Penn State

What should happen: With all the expected trades in the top 10, he falls.

What might surprise you: The Bengals, with four picks in the Top 100, trade down.

19. LA Rams: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

What should happen: The Rams need those picks now. So improve the pass rush.

What might surprise you: Can they trade up and draft Byron Murphy?

20. Pittsburgh: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

What should happen: He’s recovered from a broken leg and Steelers find a Week 1 starter.

What might surprise you: Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton is around and gets bypassed.

21. Miami: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

What should happen: The offensive playmakers are fine. The defense needs more.

What might surprise you: Newton is still here. Drafting a guard is possible.

22. Philadelphia: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

What should happen: A young corner is what’s needed.

What might surprise you: Last year’s draft class was disappointing.

23. Minnesota: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

What should happen: Worthy’s 40 time at the scouting combine pushed him into first round.

What might surprise you: The Vikings own this pick.

24. Dallas: Amarius Mims, T, Georgia

What should happen: You know what to do with Tyler Smith now. Keep him at guard.

What might surprise you: Dallas moves up to get Byron Murphy.

25. Green Bay: Graham Barton, T/G, Duke

What should happen: You draft one of the better interior linemen in the draft.

What might surprise you: With five picks in the top 100, they use all of them.

26. Tampa Bay: Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma

What should happen: With Baker Mayfield secure, now you help the line.

What might surprise you: Kool-Aid McKinstry is left on the board.

27. Arizona: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri

What should happen: It’s time to get a pass rusher with the potential to produce.

What might surprise you: Drafting an interior offensive lineman.

28. Buffalo: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU

What should happen: Bills need a new WR, and Thomas fills a need.

What might surprise you: They don’t draft a wide receiver.

29. Detroit: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

What should happen: A young team gets a player who should get plenty of snaps.

What might surprise you: Lions draft a quarterback.

30. Baltimore: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

What should happen: Ravens add to a secondary that tied for third-most INT (18) in 2023.

What might surprise you: Why not get a wide receiver for Lamar Jackson?

31. San Francisco: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

What should happen: The 49ers get better with a rising talent.

What might surprise you: Tackles Jordan Morgan and Kingsley Suamataia will be around.

32. Kansas City: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

What should happen: You get a player with 2 INTs and 7 PBUs last year.

What might surprise you: Finding a receiver would help Pat Mahomes.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.