Seven-round NFL mock draft, Round 7: Building a win-now team from active players for 2024 season

The strength of Odunze and the speed of Jaylen Waddle (drafted by the Panthers in Round 2 of this exercise) would make an excellent combination for No. 1 overall pick Patrick Mahomes in Carolina.

The 31-year-old Kupp is coming off a second straight injury-impacted season (he’s played just 21 games since his prodigious 2021 campaign). Here, though, Washington pairs him with an outside threat (fourth-round pick Drake London) who complements his game.

Usually viewed as a 5-technique, Allen has displayed versatility by playing every position up front, an advantage for the Patriots.

In 2022, Ward received the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career, a 56.8, and was sidelined towards the end of the season due to a shoulder injury. However, the three-time Pro Bowler still demonstrated his capacity to effectively compete against superior receivers.

Following two challenging years, Hopkins managed to stay fit enough to hit the 1,000-yard milestone with Tennessee in 2023. The experienced veteran has the potential to replicate this achievement in the current season.

First-round pick Dak Prescott and Goedert could be a great duo in the Giants’ passing attack, with the veteran tight end again becoming the big-play threat he was in 2021, when he posted a career-high 830 receiving yards (averaging a robust 14.8 yards per catch) with Philadelphia.

The 24-year-old projects as a top-five player at the position in the next few years because of his athleticism and strong hands. Kincaid and first-round pick C.J. Stroud would grow together in the Titans’ offense in 2024.

In his eighth professional season, Clark had one of his best performances in recent years. The veteran Packer earned his third Pro Bowl appearance after achieving 7.5 sacks in 2023.

In his second professional season, Raimann developed into a reliable left tackle for the Colts and is expected to maintain this upward trajectory in 2024.

In his rookie year in 2023, Branch performed outstandingly with 74 tackles, 13 passes defended, three interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble for the Lions. As a former second-round pick, he is projected to be one of the NFL’s leading nickel defenders in 2024.

Floyd is returning to the team that picked him as the ninth overall in 2016. At 31 years old, he achieved 39.5 sacks for the Bills and Rams in the last four years, surpassing his previous record of just 18.5 sacks during his four seasons with Chicago.

Pierce provides the run-stopping ability the Broncos require to prevent their AFC West foes (in this exercise, Anthony Richardson and Jahmyr Gibbs‘ Chiefs, Derrick Henry‘s Chargers and Joe Mixon‘s Raiders) from controlling the second-half clock.

When healthy, Alexander can be a strong defensive player, but injuries caused him to miss 13 games in 2021 and nine games in 2023.

In our draft version, Indy’s general manager, Chris Ballard, secures the dynamic tight end prospect who was picked 13th overall by the Raiders, two places before Indy’s actual pick in April’s real draft.

The Jaguars could keep Godwin outside or move him to the slot, as the Buccaneers are looking to do in 2024.

The Bengals have selected a potent 4-3 base end for their line. Verse, who was the 19th overall pick by the Rams in April, I believe, will make a bigger impact as a rookie than most anticipate.

White, an emerging talent who amassed 990 rushing yards and caught 64 passes in his second year with the Buccaneers, is snapped up by Seattle.

Johnson deserves to be in the conversation with Kenny Moore (a sixth-round pick by the Panthers in this exercise) about the top slot corner in the game because of his sticky coverage against all types of inside receivers.

The Rams select the ascending second-year guard to anchor the line in front of Baker Mayfield.

The six-time Pro Bowler wants “to be one of those one-helmet guys,” as he said this offseason while explaining his desire for an extension in Pittsburgh. So, in this exercise, the Steelers snap him up, allowing him to keep his preferred headgear.

Despite breaking his leg to prematurely end a standout 2023 season and then suffering a gunshot wound this offseason, Dell practiced with the Texans in June and would be an excellent fit for the Dolphins in the Jaylen Waddle role.

Philadelphia gambles on Hockenson’s return as a red-zone threat following a knee injury he sustained late last season.

Armstead, who is currently 30 years old, has only played 21 regular-season games in the last two seasons. However, he continues to demonstrate his ability to succeed with his quickness and strong hands when he is at his best.

The Cowboys passed on Ramsey during the 2016 NFL Draft, but they could see him as a solid pick-up here — much like last year’s veteran CB addition, Stephon Gilmore.

Mostert achieved his first 1,000-yard season and scored a record-setting 18 times on the ground last year in Miami. However, due to his age and past injuries, the Packers still have him on their roster late in the game.

Benton just flashed potential as a top-notch nose tackle in his rookie season, and in this world, the Bucs could use an active and strong interior presence without Vita Vea in the middle.

Injuries have limited Williams over the past two seasons, but he expects to be ready to rock in September. If healthy, he and Amon-Ra St. Brown comprise a productive duo for Houston in this simulation.

Allen’s a nice fit in Buffalo, as his game is similar to current Bills standout DT Ed Oliver.

Lockett brings some speed to A.J. Brown‘s power for this mock’s Lions, making rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. as effective as possible.

Smith did not choose to return to his former team two years ago, but the Ravens don’t give him an option this time around.

In this undertaking, the Niners give Bo Nix a strong trio of pass catchers in Davante Adams, Sam LaPorta and Rice, who needs a clean season and offseason to be picked higher in future mocks.

Two years ago, the Chiefs discovered a late first-round gem in Karlaftis. In a fitting move, Kansas City concludes this draft by picking the dynamic edge, whose sophomore campaign of 10.5 sacks is merely a hint of his future potential.