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.

Allen typically is considered a 5-technique but has played every spot up front, which is a bonus for the Patriots.

Ward was given the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career in 2022 (56.8) and missed time down the stretch last season with a shoulder injury, but the three-time Pro Bowler still flashes the ability to make plays against better receivers.

After two down years, Hopkins stayed healthy enough to reach the 1,000-yard mark with Tennessee in 2023. The savvy veteran is capable of doing so again this 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.

Clark’s eighth pro season was one of his best in recent years, with the longtime Packer earning his third career Pro Bowl appearance after recording 7.5 sacks in 2023.

Raimann grew into a solid left tackle for the Colts last season, his second as a pro, and he should continue that progress in 2024.

Branch had an excellent rookie year in 2023, logging 74 tackles, 13 passes defensed, three picks, a sack and a forced fumble for the Lions. The former second-round pick figures to be one of the NFL’s top all-around nickel defenders in 2024.

Floyd returns to the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2016. The 31-year-old had 39.5 sacks for the Bills and Rams over the past four years after earning just 18.5 during four seasons in 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.

Alexander can be a stopper outside when healthy, but he missed 13 games in 2021 and nine games in 2023 due to injury.

In our draft, lndy general manager Chris Ballard lands the dynamic tight end prospect who went 13th overall to the Raiders — two spots ahead of where Indy picked — 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 pick a strong 4-3 base end for their line. I think Verse — who was chosen 19th overall by the Rams in April — will be more of an impact player as a rookie than many expect.

Seattle grabs an emerging talent in White, who accumulated 990 rushing yards and caught 64 passes in his second year with the Buccaneers.

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 takes a chance that Hockenson will return as a red-zone threat after suffering a knee injury late last season.

Armstead is now 30 years old and logged just 21 regular-season games over the past two seasons, but he still has the ability to win with quickness and strong hands when on his game.

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 recorded his first 1,000-yard season and scored an NFL-high 18 times on the ground last year in Miami, but his age and injury history cause him to still be on the board late for the Packers.

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.

The Chiefs found a late first-round steal in Karlaftis two years ago. Fittingly, Kansas City closes out this draft by selecting the active edge, whose 10.5-sack sophomore campaign is just a sign of things to come.