We’re one month away from the 2024 NFL draft. The 2023 season is long over, and we’ve seen top prospects make their cases at all-star events, the combine and pro days. There is still time for change as we learn more and more about how all 32 teams plan to approach the draft, but we’re certainly getting a clearer picture of how this class stacks up — and who could get drafted.
So it seems like a good time to predict all 257 names that will be called — and when they will be called over the course of seven rounds. I found landing spots for 11 quarterbacks, including five in Round 1. And two of those first-round passers were picked here after projected trades up the board.
Here are my predictions for Rounds 1-7. I provided complete breakdowns for the first three rounds then picked my favorite fit in each Day 3 round. Let’s get to it, starting with the Bears’ easy call at No. 1 and wrapping up with Mr. Irrelevant for the Jets at No. 257. (Compensatory picks are denoted with an asterisk.)
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh cements their selection of a quarterback at No. 1 overall. Williams is not only the best one in this class, but also the best of the past decade. A talented creator under center, he accounted for 120 touchdowns in his three-year college career (93 passing, 27 rushing) to just 14 interceptions. The Bears have built a fantastic supporting cast, allowing Williams the chance to see instant success. He’ll be a Week 1 starter and could have a C.J. Stroud-like impact here.
2. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Everything is new in Washington — ownership, general manager and coach. And there will be a new quarterback, too. Daniels’ dual-threat ability is an ideal fit for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s version of the Air Raid offense. With back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards and a nearly perfect QBR of 99.5 on passes over 20 yards, Daniels would thrive with wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson opening things up down the field. The Commanders will have a tough decision to make between Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye, but I see Daniels as the clear-cut QB2. He is also ready to play immediately after starting 55 games in college; Maye might have more upside, but Daniels is ready to excel right now.
Projected mock trade: Minnesota moves up for a QB
The Vikings made an early move to acquire pick No. 23 in the draft from the Texans, and it would allow their front office to aggressively come up the board from No. 11 for a top-three quarterback. I have Minnesota sending Nos. 11 and 23, along with a 2025 first-rounder, to New England for this third pick. The Vikings badly need a solution under center. The Patriots’ hole there is less dire in the short term since they have a solid bridge option on the roster in Jacoby Brissett. The extra draft capital would allow for better roster building under exec Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo as the architects of this post-Bill Belichick team.
