2024 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders, Commanders Make Shocking QB Picks

Check out the big QB surprises in this first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Jan 28, 2024

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders, Commanders Make Shocking QB Picks /

Even this early in the process, a consensus has developed at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft board, with the same pair of quarterbacks usually coming off the board with the first two picks.

USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are the usual suspects, but the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports has a big surprise at the No. 2 spot.

After sending Williams to the Chicago Bears at No. 1, this projection has the Washington Commanders opting for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels over Maye with the No. 2 selection.

Considering the season Daniels just had, putting up ridiculous numbers on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy, this scenario really shouldn't be that much of a surprise. He made huge improvements as a passer last season, and has rare playmaking ability as a runner, making him a true dual-threat weapon at the game's most important position.

Maye doesn't have to wait long to hear his name called in this projection, though, landing with the New England Patriots at the very next pick.

Daniels at No. 2 isn't the only quarterback surprise in this first-round mock, as the Las Vegas Raiders take the fourth passer off the board at the No. 13 spot, grabbing Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.

There's a solid debate to be had between McCarthy, Oregon's Bo Nix, and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. as the next-best quarterback prospect in this year's class, but none of them feel worthy of a top-15 pick at the moment. Especially considering neither Nix nor Penix make the cut in this projection, taking McCarthy that high seems like even more of a reach, with the other quarterbacks in his tier still on the board heading into Day 2.

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

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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