Given that the Minnesota Vikings don’t seem willing to provide Kirk Cousins a long-term contract deal, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports believes the team should be targeting a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the most recent mock, Edwards tabs Minnesota to move up to No. 3 overall in the first round by trading picks with New England.
Caleb Williams of USC, Drake Maye of UNC, and Jayden Daniels of LSU were all ranked as the best quarterbacks available and might go No. 1, but Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy locked up the top spot in the second round. Both the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to add quarterbacks, but they will have to choose which quarterback from that second round if they don’t get selected in the top 10 group fits their individual franchisees the best.
With the first overall pick on the clock, the Chicago Bears are still debating their next course of action regarding Justin Fields.
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Here is a look at the most recent CBS Sports NFL Mock Draft, which focuses on quarterback moves in the first round (2024):
1. CHICAGO BEARS: CALEB WILLIAMS, QB, USC
The truth is, nobody really knows what Chicago will do with its top pick—the first of two top-10 picks—until the Bears make a move with Justin Fields. A lot of discussion surrounds Chicago’s impending decision about Williams and whether or not to trade down for additional draft money while selecting a quarterback. The Bears will stick with Williams if they believe he could be a kind of franchise savior. If Chicago keeps its pick and can’t move Fields, things may get complicated at No. 1. Top pick is owned by the Bears.
2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: JAYDEN DANIELS, QB, LSU
The Washington Commanders need to make a deal for the first choice if they are to reunite Williams with recently hired offensive coach Kliff Kingsbury. Although Sam Howell has shown promise at times, it doesn’t seem like he is the greatest long-term choice for the job, and it’s expected that Washington will choose the next best signal caller available. The second Heisman winner from LSU in the previous five years is Jayden Daniels.
3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (MOCK TRADE WITH PATRIOTS): DRAKE MAYE, QB, UNC
Where do the Patriots and their new coach, Jerod Mayo, look at number three overall? Edwards speculates that since New England moved back in the first round, a trade might be in the works. However, given the declining early returns on former first-round pick Mac Jones, some predict that New England would select a quarterback here, either Drake Maye of UNC or Jayden Daniels of LSU, depending on who is available. Maye, who finished with 63 touchdown passes and over 8,000 yards of passing, is among the Tar Heels’ lifetime record holders. He is unquestionably a top-5 choice. Maye is the perfect combination of size, arm strength, and
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS: MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR, OHIO STATE
Without a doubt, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who would probably go No. 1 overall if that slot wasn’t so frequently held by a quarterback, is the most gifted non-quarterback prospect. Harrison is a field stretcher with an outstanding bloodline, but he also pays attention to the little things and is an absolute nightmare for opponents because of his size and athleticism. If he keeps becoming an outstanding player, there’s a potential he could surpass his gifted father at the highest level. In the event that Chicago trades its first pick, the Bears should anticipate selecting Harrison in place of a signal caller.
5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: JOE ALT, OT, NOTRE DAME
Last season, Joe Alt proved to be Notre Dame’s most reliable player, finishing among the country’s most consistent offensive linemen. In his last game with the Fighting Irish, Alt set the stage for Doak Walker finalist Audric Estime to have his best rushing performance of his career, a remarkable play that virtually guaranteed top-10 billing. Sam Hartman was also kept upright by Alt during the season. Alt is a man you can feel comfortable offering a long-term contract to.
6. NEW YORK GIANTS: MALIK NABERS, WR, LSU
Similar to Harrison, Malik Nabers has the ideal skill set to succeed right away at the next level, making him a big play waiting to happen. In terms of more playmakers, New York needs all the assistance it can get, and Nabers will be a plug-and-play standout on a much higher level. Despite Daniels’ primary goal being the Tigers, Nabers had an outstanding season and came just short of taking home the Biletnikoff. He’s not only demonstrated excellent hands and route running skills, but he’s also dangerous to bring down once the football is caught.
7. TENNESSEE TITANS: OLU FASHANU, OT, PENN STATE
Perhaps this is extra protection for the quarterback of the future? Olu Fashanu of Penn State is a cornerstone tackle who might be useful to many teams in protecting their quarterback. He could have gone all the way to the first round of the 2023 draft, but he opted to spend one more season with the Nittany Lions in an attempt to win a Big Ten championship. That speaks volumes about his mental toughness and competitive spirit. Most predict that Fashanu will be a top-10 lock and may go undrafted as the first player selected who isn’t a quarterback or receiver, unless Joe Alt of Notre Dame wins that honor.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: DALLAS TURNER, EDGE, ALABAMA
Dallas Turner, who won SEC Defensive Player of the Year after being a freshman All-American at Alabama, is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound player who looks like a first-round pick in the future. With 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks, he set career highs. Turner’s strength is his speed and athleticism; Alabama allowed him to play a variety of roles as a hybrid defender. He will be an NFL three-down threat and has little trouble fending off double teams.
9. CHICAGO BEARS: LAIATU LATU, EDGE, UCLA
Laiatu Latu, the 2023 Lombardi Award winner for college football, led the country in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and was fourth in the country in sacks per game (1.08) at the end of the regular season. His 21.5 tackles for loss this season are the most of any player in the country and the greatest total by a Bruin since Anthony Barr’s 21.5 TFLs at the end of the 2012 campaign. Chicago should select immediate starters with two picks in the top 10.
10. NEW YORK JETS: JC LATHAM, OT, ALABAMA
For the past two seasons, Alabama’s steady starting right tackle has been JC Latham. According to Bama247, 6-foot-6, 360-pound junior Cody Goodwin has started all 27 of the Crimson Tide’s previous games. Over the last two seasons, he has played 1,749 snaps and has only given up 25 total pressures and two sacks. In addition to being named to the SEC first team, he was also recognized as an All-American by Walter Camp, The Sporting News, FWAA, and the Associated Press. Latham has received jeers.
11. New England Patriots: Brock Bowers, Georgia (sham trade with Vikings)
12. Denver Broncos: Michigan native QB J.J. McCarthy
13. Texas native Byron Murphy II, DL, Las Vegas Raiders
14. Rome Odunze, wide receiver, Washington
Quinyon Mitchell, the Indianapolis Colts’ CB, and Toledo
As one of the most successful tight ends in college football history, Bowers is unquestionably Georgia’s best player of all time at the position, with 175 career receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. On third down, he’s a great option for receiving passes, and considering the He’s a low-bust, can’t-miss prospect.
Murphy led the club in quarterback hurries with ten, with five sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 29 tackles overall. Murphy leads the nation in hurries with 36 and is fourth among FBS defensive linemen with 45 total pressures and 36 total hurries this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Associated Press, an NCAA-recognized selector, named the 6-foot-1-inch, 308-pound player a second-team All-American, and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
