Seven-round NFL mock draft, Round 3: Building a win-now team from active players for 2024 season

Hunter is a constant thorn in the side of offensive lines, racking up 62 sacks and four Pro Bowl nods over the past five seasons.

Darrisaw has blossomed into one of the league’s top left tackles. He’ll give his new quarterback, Lamar Jackson, a chance to execute whether he’s throwing from the pocket or on the move looking for second and third options.

New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn signed former Cowboys defenders Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong this offseason, so grabbing Lawrence here makes a lot of sense.

Surtain made his second straight Pro Bowl last season and is looking to have an even better campaign in 2024.

Wilkins is athletic enough to play inside or outside, outmaneuvering guards to disrupt plays and overpowering tackles at 5-technique.

Hendrickson has posted 13-plus sacks in three of the past four seasons, including a career-high 17.5 in 2023. The Giants snag one of the top edge rushers in the league.

Another pass rusher flies off the board, with the Titans plucking Allen after watching him rack up 17.5 sacks for a division rival in 2023.

Allen is an ageless wonder, grabbing 100 or more passes in five of the last seven seasons. He heads to the Jets as a red zone threat (43 receiving touchdowns since 2017) for mock teammate Jared Goff.

Minnesota brings Winfield back to where he played his college ball. He can follow in his father’s footsteps as a star Vikings defender.

The Falcons continue building along the line of scrimmage with one of the game’s top guards. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently said Thuney should be ready for the start of the season after having surgery on a pectoral muscle.

Bates earned a Pro Bowl nod in his first season with the Falcons after intercepting six passes and making 132 tackles.

Anderson was the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and the future looks extremely bright for him. The Broncos should love seeing him still available at this point in the mock draft.

Off-ball linebackers might not have the most positional value in today’s NFL, but Davis’ ability to read and react from the middle of the defense makes him one of the top 100 players in the league heading into Year 13.

Sweat had no issues switching from Washington to Chicago after a 2023 midseason trade, so another move to Jacksonville should not impede him as a pass rusher or run defender.

Buckner’s strength and height make him a problem as an interior pass rusher and lane-clogger in the middle of a defense.

New head coach Mike Macdonald brings Hamilton across the country from Baltimore, where he played an important part in Macdonald’s success as a coordinator.

Williams is one of the game’s top off-ball linebackers. He possesses the athleticism New Orleans has always looked for in its second-level defenders.

Cooper finished in the top 10 in receiving yards last year and there’s no reason to believe he’ll fall off in his 10th season.

Nacua stays with the Rams to team up with Baker Mayfield, who will appreciate the second-year pro’s strong hands and ability to run after the catch.

The Steelers get a powerful, intelligent blocker to help earlier mock picks Russell Wilson and Christian McCaffrey play their best.

Sneed can match up with any receiver on the field because of his size/speed combination.

Bland’s nine interceptions in 2023 included five pick-sixes, but even if he never duplicates those outrageous stats in his career, it’s tough to ignore him as an established playmaker at a crucial position.

Smith’s power as an interior blocker is formidable. The Eagles take him one spot before the Cowboys — Smith’s real-life team — come on the clock.

The Cowboys repay the Eagles for snapping up Tyler Smith by bolstering the other side of the line of scrimmage with Carter, ensuring the matchup inside continues for another season.

Fields showed enough improvement during the 2023 season to give the Packers hope that Matt LaFleur could help him take the next step.

Huff broke out for the Jets last year, leading to a large payday in free agency. He seems a good fit as a quarterback chaser in the Buccaneers’ scheme.

The 12th-year veteran is still a savvy playmaker. Mathieu returns to Houston, where he played back in 2018.

Witherspoon had a strong rookie season and should only get better.

Penix’s accuracy from the pocket could fit quite nicely in Detroit.

Smith’s a savvy passer and leader who can occasionally make defenses pay for ignoring his athleticism.

It did not take long for LaPorta to be mentioned in the same breath with real-life 49er George Kittle as a top NFL tight end out of Iowa.

Gibbs’ combination of speed, willingness to run between the tackles and receiving ability should fit nicely in the Chiefs’ offense.