2024 NFL Mock Draft: Massive QB Trade Shakes Up Top 10

Two teams swap top-10 slots and end up with new franchise quarterbacks in this updated first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Feb 28, 2024

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Massive QB Trade Shakes Up Top 10 /

The top quarterbacks always drive the lion's share of the conversation surrounding the NFL Draft every year, and this year's impressive class of signal-callers is no exception.

It wouldn't be surprising to see quarterbacks go with each of the first three picks in this year's draft, regardless of which teams end up picking at those slots.

In the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, there's a huge trade that shakes up the top 10, with both teams involved ending up with new franchise quarterbacks to lead their respective offenses.

The New England Patriots trade down from the No. 3 pick in this mock, swapping spots with the Atlanta Falcons at the No. 8 spot. With their new premium slot in the top three, the Falcons grab LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, while the Pats opt for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy after moving down.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy — McCarthy's upside could make him a top-10 pick / Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

It's not clear what kind of compensation would change hands between the two teams in this scenario, but it could be a win-win for both sides. The Falcons end up with the better prospect in Daniels, but the Patriots could land a massive haul of premium draft picks in return for moving down five spots, and they're still able to land a high-upside passer of their own in McCarthy.

Daniels and McCarthy follow USC's Caleb Williams (No. 1, Chicago Bears) and North Carolina's Drake Maye (No. 2, Washington Commanders) as the only quarterbacks to crack this first-round projection, all of them coming off the board in the top eight picks. That scenario would leave other big names like Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. still available heading into Day 2.

To check out the full first-round mock draft at CBS Sports, click here.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Updated 4-Round Projections

Published Feb 28, 2024

LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more. Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com