The 2024 NFL Draft is just over two months away, and the jockeying for quarterbacks is just beginning.
Our NFL reporters gathered for a virtual mock draft, with each representing the team they cover. We encouraged writers to trade picks to move up or down as they saw fit, and they weren’t shy. Two teams made trades in the top 10 to grab quarterbacks, as four signal-callers went in the first nine picks, and another team acquired a veteran QB via trade. Here’s how it all shook out:
It’s a new era in Chicago. It’s difficult to see the Bears and general manager Ryan Poles passing on a quarterback with the first pick two years in a row. As tempting as it would be to acquire a haul of draft picks, it’s important to highlight and evaluate why Williams would be worth that much draft capital in the first place. Poles will do that. He played an important role in the Chiefs’ draft evaluation of Patrick Mahomes as Kansas City’s college scouting director in 2017. In Williams, the Bears get a QB with rare gifts. They also get to reset their books and project more for the future with a rookie quarterback under contract. — Adam Jahns
Whatever noise the rumor mill spits out over the next few weeks, don’t assume the Commanders’ new football leaders have already reached a consensus. Due diligence requires consideration of trading up to secure Williams, a D.C. area native, or moving down — a significant haul would accelerate the current roster “recalibration,” as coach Dan Quinn described it. However, the most likely outcome is choosing between Maye and LSU QB Jayden Daniels. We’ll go with the younger of the two (Maye is 21, Daniels is 23) with the prototypical size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and arm talent, and familiarity with a version of the “Air Raid” system new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury runs. — Ben Standig
Trade: Falcons send No. 8, No. 43 and a 2025 first-round pick to Patriots for No. 3
The Falcons tried the patience game at quarterback last time, drafting Desmond Ridder in the third round and convincing themselves that would work. It didn’t. Owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay say they think this team can win now with a good quarterback. If that’s the case, waiting at No. 8 and leaving the draft telling everyone that you wanted J.J. McCarthy all along is not going to work. The dynamic Daniels is worth the price because of what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his most recent Big Board: “Daniels forces opponents to defend him like Lamar Jackson.” — Josh Kendall
% of 3rd down pass attempts that resulted in a 1st down in 2023:
48.21 – Jayden Daniels
48.10 – J.J. McCarthy
43.82 – Bo Nix
42.31 – Caleb Williams
39.29 – Drake Maye
37.93 – Michael Penix pic.twitter.com/P867fU48dH— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 5, 2024
Had New England stayed at No. 3 and selected Harrison, the Cardinals, who have several needs, would have entertained offers to move back. GM Monti Ossenfort moved back last year and has the draft capital to do so again. But not this time. Not with Harrison still on the board. The Cardinals desperately need playmakers to surround quarterback Kyler Murray, and Harrison is the best in the draft. He provides immediate big-play ability to an offense in need. — Doug Haller
GO DEEPER
2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Who are the top 100 prospects in this year’s class?
I tried to trade down, but with the top three quarterbacks off the board, I did not get any bites. There is certainly a chance that new head coach Jim Harbaugh will look to take an offensive lineman at this spot. But I was unwilling to pass up the opportunity to draft a blue-chip receiver for Justin Herbert. The Chargers could be forced to move on from Mike Williams for cap reasons. Quentin Johnston, a 2023 first-round pick, had a rough rookie year. Supplying Herbert with weapons will always be a good team-building strategy. — Daniel Popper
Despite some chats about moving up to No. 3, nothing…
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