Peter Schrager’s First 2024 NFL Mock Draft Has Giants Trading Up To No. 4, Taking QB

Mike McDaniel | Apr 16, 2024

Nov 13, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Fox Sports sideline reporter Peter Schrager on the sidelines / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL draft just over a week away, NFL Network reporter Peter Schrager released his first mock draft, which includes four quarterbacks off the board in the first four picks, including one that has a starter already in place.

Schrager's surprise pick came at No. 4, as he predicted that the New York Giants would trade up with the Arizona Cardinals and select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has received plenty of pre-draft buzz, as he's flown up draft boards after working out for scouts this spring.

Schrager 2024 Mock Draft 1.0 Top Ten. @nflnetwork @NFLMedia @gmfb pic.twitter.com/7quV2TC1xb

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 16, 2024

The Giants trading up to select McCarthy would be notable, especially considering that starter Daniel Jones is returning to the lineup healthy this fall and is under contract thanks to a four-year, $160 million extension that he signed in March of 2023. However, an injury riddled and underwhelming 2023 season opened the door to the possibility of the Giants moving on from Jones following the 2024 season, when there is an out-clause in his contract that would allow the franchise to cut him.

Drafting McCarthy would certainly expedite the exit process for Jones from New York, and would signal a changing of the guard at the position, perhaps by Week 1 in September. It will be interesting to see if the Giants pull the trigger come draft time next week.