2024 NFL mock draft 2.0: 6 QBs and multiple trades
In the final edition, we see six quarterbacks selected and three trades.
It’s finally here. Draft day.
With that comes my final stab at predicting each pick in the first round.
Enjoy.
Chicago Bears (VIA CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This pick is a no-brainer: Williams is the best QB in the draft.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
There has been tons of traction between Daniels and the Commanders. I’m not buying the rumors of him not wanting to play in Washington. I think he’s their guy.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
The Patriots could possibly trade out of this spot if offered a king’s ransom, but they simply can’t go into the season with Bailey Zappe as their starter. Maye could turn things around in New England.
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison Jr. is a can’t-miss prospect. He’ll immediately serve as the team’s top receiving option.
TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (VIA LAC): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Vikings need to do whatever it takes to get a QB in this year’s draft. They have the ammunition to do so, it just depends on whether they covet the guy available enough. McCarthy is my No. 3 QB and he’ll be a perfect fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense that prioritizes quarterbacks under center, play-actions and crossers over the middle.
New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers will add a level of explosiveness the team has lacked since the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. If they want to roll with Daniel Jones for one more season, they need to add a playmaker.
Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans need OT help and Alt is the best in the class. This is a perfect marriage.
Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Falcons need to stop procrastinating and address the pass-rush group. Latu is the best pure pass rusher in the draft. If Atlanta’s medical staff clears him, he should be the pick. However, I wouldn’t rule out a trade-down for better value.
Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Williams could advocate for his former H.S. teammate Olu Fashanu, but Odunze would be a nice compliment to Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. Odunze and Williams have already begun working on their chemistry.
New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Don’t let the TE tag fool you — not only is Bowers one of the best pass catchers in the draft but he’s also one of the most explosive players in the draft. Rodgers and Bowers would be fun to watch.
TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers (MIN): JC Latham, OT, Alabama
This is a Jim Harbaugh type of tackle. Latham is a bully. He would be a perfect fit for what Harbaugh wants to do in LA.
TRADE: Philadelphia Eagles (VIA DEN): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
I’m buying the rumors of the Eagles wanting to trade up, and Denver is a perfect partner. I like Quinyon Mitchell a little more, but I think they’ll prefer Arnold — and it’s easy to see why.
Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Raiders need a QB, and reports say they really like Penix. Aside from the injury history, there isn’t much to dislike. He’s got a really strong arm with an accurate deep ball.
New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Saints desperately need to come out of this draft with an OT. Fashanu is the best pass-protector in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
It’s mind-boggling that Turner fell this far. If he does, the Colts should sprint the card in.
Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Teams are flagging Fautanu for his medicals, but if Seattle clears him, it’s a perfect marriage.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Jaguars could look at WRs, but CB is a pressing need. Mitchell is the best in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Murphy is a steal at No. 18. He’ll contribute right away, wreaking havoc on the interior.
TRADE: Washington Commanders (VIA LAR): Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
There has been buzz about the Commanders trading back into the first round for a top tackle. After the Rams miss out on the top-two pass rushers and Murphy II, they add some picks early in the second round. The Commanders get their right tackle of the future.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
It’s a surprise that Fuaga fell this far. The Steelers like to draft offensive linemen early, and here, they get a versatile guy who can play guard and tackle.
Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The run of OL continues. Barton can play anywhere along the line and fill a major need for the Dolphins.
TRADE: Denver Broncos (VIA PHI): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Broncos need a QB, but I doubt they felt comfortable with Nix at No. 12. So, they move back 10 spots, get Sean Payton’s guy and add a second-round pick.
Los Angeles Chargers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
After trading Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams, the Chargers WR room is murky. Thomas is a perfect fit. He’ll allow Justin Herbert to air the ball out much more often.
Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Cowboys have a good history of developing tackles. Guyton has the traits to be a dominant tackle in the NFL, he’s just very, very raw.
Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
I’d be surprised if DeJean falls this far. But if he does, it’s a no-brainer for the Packers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
The Buccaneers could use a pass rusher. Luckily for them, a top-3 edge rusher falls right into their laps.
Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
With the way the board has fallen, I’d assume Arizona is pleased to get Newton this late in the first round.
Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
After trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and letting Gabe Davis walk in free agency, the Bills desperately need a pass catcher. Mitchell is an athletic freak some of the surest hands in the draft.
Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
I really wanted to put Mike Sainristil here, but No. 29 is a little too rich for him. McKinstry, like Sainristil, fits the bill of a Dan Campbell guy. The Lions need help on the outside, and the former Crimson Tide is one of the best cover-corners in the class.
Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins has outstanding coverage ability. Paired with Marlon Humphrey, the Ravems secondary could be formidable.
San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Trent Williams is entering the back end of his career, so the 49ers draft his eventual replacement in Paul.
Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Though they’ve won without Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs miss his speed. Worthy, Mr. 4.21, would fill that role.