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2024 NFL mock draft: Six quarterbacks selected in first round

Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune on

Published in Football

Here's an updated version of my 2024 NFL mock draft:

First round

1. Chicago from Carolina (2-15) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Jr.

Nothing's official until the commissioner says the name, but the draft really begins with the second overall pick. Top needs: QB, Edge, OL

2. Washington (4-13) — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina, So.

According to The MMQB's Albert Breer, the Commanders hosted Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. as part of a large group of prospects coming together for top-30 visits this week. Apparently they all spent Tuesday night at Topgolf and Wednesday at the team facility. This is different. And interesting. And kind of weird, but we'll see how it plays out. The pick comes down to Maye or Daniels, and while bettors and sports books are growing increasingly confident the choice will be the Heisman Trophy winner, I'm sticking with the Tar Heel (at least for another week). His prototypical size, elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams normally invest a pick this valuable in. Top needs: QB, Edge, T

 

3. New England (4-13) — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, Sr.

Eliot Wolf, the top executive in charge of personnel, now has control of the 53-man roster and will reportedly be working closely with new head coach Jerod Mayo. I still believe the Patriots will make a pick here and it will probably be whomever Washington doesn't select between Daniels and Drake Maye, but unlike the Commanders, Wolf will probably truly entertain trading down if the price is right. The "Godfather" offer could come from the Raiders, who covet Daniels and pick 10 picks lower. The price tag: the 13th pick, Las Vegas' second-rounder, and its 2025 and 2026 first-rounders. Teams have to a pay a premium to trade up into the top 5 and draft a quarterback. New England would then target an offensive tackle at No. 13, but I don't see anything happening unless it's a deal of this magnitude. Daniels' skill set and stature is very reminiscent of three-time All-Pro QB Randall Cunningham. Top needs: QB, T, WR

4. Arizona (4-13) — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State, Jr.

Harrison to the Cardinals feels inevitable. If you were to "Weird Science" a wide receiver, the computer would almost certainly produce the No. 1 player on my Big Board. Many have suggested lightning could strike twice for GM Monti Ossenfort, and he could do a deal with the Vikings here so they could grab a QB, and then trade back up, perhaps with the Chargers, and select Harrison. Almost exactly what Ossenfort did last season in drafting another Buckeyes standout, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Honestly, what are the odds? Arizona already has 11 picks in this draft. It's more plausible the Cardinals just take their guy here. Top needs: WR, G, DL

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