2024 NFL mock draft: 5 QBs taken in the Top 15; Bills, Vikings make blockbuster moves
Two big trades steal the headlines.
By John Blair
The 2024 NFL Draft is only a few days away, and with teams now having their draft boards set it’s time for me to unveil my last mock draft of the year. In this mock draft, I have included several significant trades including the Buffalo Bills making a big move up the draft board to find a replacement for Stefon Diggs, and the Minnesota Vikings trading up for their quarterback of the future.
NFL Draft Notebook's 2024 final mock draft
. Caleb Williams. 57. Caleb Williams. . 1. Caleb Williams. QB, USC. player.
After the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there was no doubt who would be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams has all the traits needed to become the best quarterback in Bears history and will have plenty of surrounding talent in Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet.
Jayden Daniels. player. . Jayden Daniels. 2. . QB, LSU. 58. Jayden Daniels. Best Fits
The Commanders could go with three quarterbacks here in Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy. They go with the multidimensional Daniels with this pick though. He is easily the most athletic quarterback in the class and has improved as a passer by leaps and bounds each of the past two seasons. He also has a similar style to their starting quarterback Marcus Mariota who the team signed earlier this offseason.
Only two players in the history of the Southeastern Conference have averaged 400-plus yards of total offense per game
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 28, 2023
No. 1 - Jayden Daniels - 412.2
No. 2 - Joe Burrow 402.6 pic.twitter.com/7OFgXiJCM8
. . J.J. McCarthy. J.J. McCarthy. J.J. McCarthy. player. QB, Michigan. 3. 47.
The Patriots have a history of reaching for picks in the draft and they do the same this year when they take Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. What concerns me the most with McCarthy is that he has missed his share of open throws and was helped a ton by Michigan’s offense last season which saw the team use a lot of play-action passes.
NFL Draft Trade 3
The first trade of the 2024 NFL Draft happens when the Vikings give up the No. 11, 23, and their two fourth-round choices to move up and take their future franchise quarterback.
Drake Maye. . Drake Maye. 60. QB, North Carolina. Drake Maye. 4. player. .
Drake Maye who is my second highest-rated quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, possesses one of the better arms in this class and can hurt teams by either throwing in the pocket or when asked to throw off platform.
"He has good arm strength, good vision and he's very, very intelligent. He is very consistent with his decision-making. He is aggressive when you give him some freedom in regards to checking a route or plays. He's a good, total-package kid."
- North Carolina OC Phil Longo on Maye
NFL Draft Trade 4
. 16. . Marvin Harrison Jr.. 5. player. Marvin Harrison Jr.. WR, Ohio State. Marvin Harrison Jr..
One of the biggest surprises in the 2024 NFL Draft is when the Buffalo Bills make a huge jump up the draft board and take Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. To make this move the Bills give up their first, second, two fourth round picks in this year’s draft and a first and second-round pick in 2025. This move gives the Bills an upgrade over Stefon Diggs who the team traded to Houston, and allows them to be a Super Bowl contender still.