The 2024 NFL draft is still a month away and things have changed in terms of quarterback buzz. For weeks, it was assumed that three quarterbacks would be selected in the first three picks. Now the talk is of four quarterbacks in four picks if the Minnesota Vikings move up.
In a new first-round mock draft, four quarterbacks are selected in four picks and five are selected in the first round. There are four trades.
1. Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams
No surprise here. There will be no drama with this selection.
2. Commanders: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
The question for the second pick is whether it will be Daniels or Drake Maye. The Commanders like his mobility and playmaking skill. He is somewhere between Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson.
3. Patriots: North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Maye makes it three for three on quarterbacks and the Pats now have a guy to build around.
4. (Trade) Vikings: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings trade up! They give up the 11th and 23rd picks and their first-round pick in 2025 to the Arizona Cardinals to go up to No. 4 and get McCarthy to be the replacement for Kirk Cousins.
5. Chargers: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Chargers replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams with Harrison. Cardinals fans will be upset with this but watch the next pick.
6. (Trade) Cardinals: LSU WR Malik Nabers
The Cardinals did not want to miss out on the receivers and the Giants wanted to get a quarterback. The Cardinals give the Giants picks No. 11 and 27 to go up to No. 6 and get Nabers, who some believe might be better than Harrison.
7. Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
This also an easy projection. The Titans need protection for Will Levis.
8. Falcons: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
The Falcons land the first pass rusher off the board.
9. (Trade) Giants: Washington WR Rome Odunze
The Bears, who do not have a second-round pick, want more picks and the Giants want a receiver. While Odunze is perfect for the Bears, they already have D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. They get No. 11 and the Giants’ second-round pick so the Giants can have No. 9.
10. Jets: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
The Jets need to win now and have addressed the offensive line. Bowers is safe and will be productive as a rookie. He will be great for Aaron Rodgers.
11. Bears: Texas DT Byron Muprhy II
The Bears lost Justin Jones to the Cardinals in free agency. This pick, began as the Vikings’, was traded to the Cardinals, then to the Giants then to the Bears. The Bears pick up a big guy for the defensive interior. They need a better defense so Caleb Williams doesn’t feel like he is playing for USC again.
12. (Trade) Jaguars: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
The Broncos wanted McCarthy but the Vikings beat them to him, so they trade out of the pick, getting No. 17 and a second-round pick to trade back. The Jags draft the first cornerback to help that Jacksonville defense.
13. Raiders: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
Whether it ends up being Aidan O’Connell or not starting at quarterback, the Raiders need to protect him. Fuaga is the second tackle off the board.
14. Saints: Washington OT Troy Fautanu
Tackles go back-to-back as the Saints get protection for Derek Carr.
15. Colts: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
DeJean has the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. Indy faces C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence twice a year. They need guys who can cover.
16. Seahawks: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Can the Seahawks find a strong edge presence? They have Leonard Williams inside. Verse gives them power off the edge.
17. Broncos: Oregon QB Bo Nix
The Broncos get their quarterback, although it isn’t their first choice. Sean Payton will like coaching Nix.
18. Bengals: Illinois DL Johnny Newton
The Bengals add beef in the middle of the defense with Newton.
19. Rams: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
Some have Mitchell as the top CB in the draft. He falls and is a steal for the Rams, who need to build their defense differently with Aaron Donald now retired.
20. Steelers: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
The Steelers cut Mason Cole. They get their replacement starting center.
21. Dolphine: Penn State OL Olu Fashanu
The Dolphins give Tua Tagovailoa more protection so he can get the ball to his receivers.
22. Eagles: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
The Eagles are strong up front. They need help in the secondary and get athleticism in Wiggins.
23. Cardinals: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
The Cardinals entered the draft having neglected receiver and the edge. They address both positions in the first round and pick up a first in 2025 to boot.
Latu is the most productive pass rusher in the class and has been cleared of the concerning neck injury that had him medically retire before he came back with UCLA and had two healthy seasons.
24. Cowboys: Alabama OT JC Latham
The Cowboys lost Tyron Smith. They add Latham. They are again solid at tackle.
25. Packers: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
David Bakhtiari was released. The Packers add youth to the tackle position to protect Jordan Love.
26. Buccaneers: Duke OL Jackson Barton
The Bucs get a guy with lots of versatility but will probably play guard in the NFL.
27. Giants: Florida State DL Braden Fiske
Fiske was unblockable at the Senior Bowl and showed he is an athletic freak at the combine. The Giants can put him next to Dexter Lawrence and cause problems.
28. Bills: LSU WR Brian Thomas
Stefon Diggs and Thomas for Josh Allen? Please!
29. Lions: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry is tough and knows what it is to win. Dan Campbell will love that for his secondary.
30. Ravens: Texas WR AD Mitchell
The Ravens now have passing weapons, adding Mitchell to Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews.
31. 49ers: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
The 49ers got worse at right tackle when Mike McGlinchey left and Colton McKivitz took over. Guyton might start over him in 2024 but should take over in a year at least.
32. Chiefs: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
The Chiefs signed Hollywood Brown so Mahomes now has two speedy receivers to throw the ball to.
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