2024 NFL mock draft: Six quarterbacks selected in first round

5. L.A. Chargers (5-12) — Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame, Jr.

For me, this pick still comes down to a pass catcher or pass protector. Either way, new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz will have franchise QB Justin Herbert's best interests in mind. I can't fathom them passing on Harrison if he's still available. Perhaps they auction off the pick to the Vikings, Broncos or potentially the Giants so one of those teams can draft J.J. McCarthy. Do a deal with the G-Men, stockpiling more draft assets and still getting your guy the following pick would be a feather in the cap of Hortiz. Otherwise, Alt cemented his elite status at the combine in Indy. Top needs: WR, T, DL

6. New York Giants (6-11) — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU, Jr.

The G-Men will definitely be working the phones, trying to move up for a quarterback, but it won't be J.J. McCarthy. If Drake Maye is available at No. 3, I could see GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll pushing all their chips into the middle of the table, and striking a deal with the Patriots to secure Maye as Daniel Jones' replacement. Big Blue hasn't had a true No. 1 receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. so why not go back to that Louisiana well. Nabers is elite after the catch and a terror in the open field. Top needs: WR, CB, RB

7. Tennessee (6-11) — Olu Fashanu, T, Penn State, Jr.

There's a good chance Joe Alt is the player the Chargers have been targeting all along, and a possibility Alt is in play for the Giants at No. 6 if he's still available. GM Ran Carthon might have to turn elsewhere to upgrade starting QB Will Levis' protection. Fashanu and Levis were teammates for the tackle's freshman season in Happy Valley before the QB transferred to Kentucky. You may have noticed Fashanu being drafted in the middle of most recent mock drafts, and not in the top 10. Frankly, I'm a little perplexed. There's still room for improvement in the run game, but when its all said and done, he could end up being this draft's best pure pass-protector. Top needs: T, DL, S

8. Atlanta (7-10) — Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama, Jr.

It's very possible there's only one defender drafted in the top 10 and if a team decides to leapfrog the Bears for one of the top-3 receivers or an offensive tackle, we may not get that. If GM Terry Fontenot rebuffs those trade overtures and the Falcons do take the only defender in the early part of the first round, it would be the first time since the merger (1970) there was only one. Only two defenders were drafted in 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2021. The Last time was 1969, when "Mean" Joe Greene was selected by the Steelers at No. 4 and that was it. Turner's impressive performance in Indianapolis — 4.46 40-yard dash and a 40.5 inch vertical jump — validated the former five-star recruit's immense potential at the next level. Top needs: Edge, DL, T

9. Chicago (7-10) — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington, Jr.

GM Ryan Poles currently only has four draft picks to play with ... well, three after the Bears draft Caleb Williams, so trading down definitely makes sense. Maybe someone wants Odunze or Brock Bowers? In this scenario, J.J. McCarthy is still available. Otherwise, Odunze features elite size, speed and strength with excellent hands, and Keenan Allen is only signed for another season. Even if Chicago extends him, Allen will turn 32 on the last day of the draft. Top needs: QB, Edge, WR

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