Yahoo Sports 2024 NFL Draft simulations: Latest mock draft simulators predict first round
The 2024 NFL Draft begins tomorrow and fans couldn't be more anxious to see where the biggest college football stars will continue their careers. Mock drafts and simulations have been dropping galore in an effort to predict how each round will play out. However, that is a fool's errand. No man, woman, or computer can possibly predict how the draft will go. It's utter madness. That doesn't mean we can't try though.
The difference between simulations and mock drafts is the removal of the human element. Sure, we might all evaluate prospects differently, but a simulation should essentially remove any bias we may have for one prospect or another. Of course, the counterargument would be that the GMs and coaches in charge of making decisions for each team are, in fact, human.
Regardless, these simulations serve as a great method of determining which players are being valued the highest when the draft rolls around. Here are the latest simulations as we approach the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Latest 2024 NFL Draft Simulations:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nabers will go before Harrison
JR Radcliffe, using the ESPN mock draft simulator, discovered that LSU's Malik Nabers could potentially be the first wide receiver off the board, as opposed to Marvin Harrison Jr., who has been considered the top wideout in this class for as long as anyone can remember. Radcliffe writes, "The whole point of trying one simulation is that you're bound to get some chaos, and let's get started on that front (because trust me, more will follow). Nabers going before fellow receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is sure to be a controversial choice."
ESPN: Each of the top-four weapons to go in the top-ten picks
Seth Walder believes that each of the four biggest weapons in the upcoming draft -- Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Brock Bowers will go in the top-ten, meaning only one pick in the top-ten would be used on a defensive player (No. 8 Atlanta). Walder delves a little deeper too though, wondering if that incredible run of weapons early on will also mean a drop for the next tier of weapons in guys like Brian Thomas Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Legette, Keon Coleman, and more. While Thomas is still mostly a lock for a first-round pick, the other two may unfortunately suffer the consequences of the best options at wideout going so early. Others though could fall into the early-to-mid second round.
Pro Football Focus: Raiders double up on tight ends?
Por Football Focus gives us, the fans, the opportunity to conduct a few simulations of our own. Chaos can certainly ensue throughout them. In some, there have been instances where Marvin Harrison Jr. falls as low as pick No. 7 to the Tennessee Titans, which would be nuts considering both the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) and New York Giants (No. 6) are both in the market for a weapon out wide. However, an arguably bigger head-scratcher is seeing the Las Vegas Raiders' simulation occasionally drafting Brock Bowers at No. 13. Not only would that be a pretty massive fall from the Georgia tight end, but the Raiders are just one year removed from taking a tight end at pick No. 35, Michael Mayer.
While the strategy of taking the best player available is never a bad idea, Mayer played surprisingly well last season and could be in for a breakout during his sophomore season. If the Raiders draft Bowers as a slot weapon not to be used on the line, there could be some value here, but initially, this move would certainly be an unexpected choice for Vegas.
Pro Football Network: Jayden Daniels to fall outside the top-5?
Pro Football Network's draft simulator is known for being very in-depth and offering a lot of options when playing as your favorite team. That doesn't mean it isn't prone to some strange choices. For example, some of Pro Football Network's simulations have Jayden Daniels falling as far as pick No. 10 to the New York Jets. Considering that Rodgers is over 40 years old and coming off a massive ACL injury, there may be some interest in a quarterback for the team. However, expecting Daniels to be available at ten is probably not the smartest move.
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft:
Where: Campus Martius Park in Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
Date: Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 27
Time: 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, Fubo (free trial)
Stream the draft: Watch the 2024 NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Draft 2024 simulations: How will the first round play out?
