NFL Mock Draft 4.0 - Trade Shakes Up QB Pursuits

We bring you our fourth 2024 NFL Mock Draft, projecting the Las Vegas Raiders' selection at No. 13 and the rest of the first round.

December 31, 2022, 2022; Glendale, Ariz; USA; Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) throws a pass against TCU during the second half at State Farm Stadium. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY

The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching. 

As we get deeper into this draft cycle, it is the time of year known as "smokescreen season," when teams are rumored to be interested in major trade-ups or rumors spread that some players will have major falls. 

The key is not to be fooled by these rumors -- or completely believe them. This is a mock draft, anyway. It’s not the real thing. 

Without further ado, here is our latest mock draft.

1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC

For a long time, the question has not been who the Bears will select at No. 1. The question has been whether or not Caleb Williams likes deep-dish pizza or if he’s ever had Portillo’s chocolate cake.

2. Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

There has been recent smoke about which quarterback the Commanders might take after Williams. The wind seems to be blowing towards Daniels, who new Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could do fun things with in his offense. 

3. New England Patriots - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Patriots sprint to the podium to turn this pick in. Maye is an elite processor whose athleticism and ability to make plays on the run have flown under the radar. The Jerod Mayo era begins with a new franchise quarterback.

4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

With all the hoopla about quarterbacks, the Cardinals have their franchise quarterback in place already under a hefty contract. So, they need to find someone he can throw it to. They land the best wide receiver in the draft in Harrison, who had 2,613 receiving yards in his collegiate career.

5. PROJECTED TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (from Chargers) - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

The Vikings trade the No. 11 and No. 23 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and a 2025 first-round pick to the Chargers for the No. 5 pick in the 2024 draft.

Our first trade of the cycle! The Vikings need to find a franchise quarterback after letting Kirk Cousins walk in free agency. They move mountains to go up and get McCarthy, who has the tools and the IQ but fewer passing attempts than the other top quarterbacks in the class. 

6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants commit to Daniel Jones and find him a top target. Nabers has the explosiveness to be a dynamic No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Coach Brian Daboll will know exactly how to incorporate him into the offense.

7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

While the Titans have invested in their offensive line, they still need a left tackle to protect Will Levis. They get the best one in the class in Alt, who uses his mass and strength to ward off defenders.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Falcons need to invest in their pass rush, but a player like Odunze still being on the board is too good to pass up. They add him to their offense and make him the focal point of their passing game.

9. Chicago Bears - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

After getting their franchise quarterback, the Bears need a left tackle to protect him. Fashanu is massive and athletic and projects as an elite pass protector. 

10. New York Jets - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

The Jets also need a left tackle for the future. They go with Fautanu, who has proven he has the athleticism to remain at tackle in the NFL. He protects Aaron Rodgers and provides some stability to their line. 

11. Los Angeles Chargers (from Vikings) - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Chargers traded back and acquired future assets to build out their roster. They get a right tackle here with Fuaga, who projects to be a people-mover in the run game and should hold up as a pass protector.

12. Denver Broncos - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Broncos have to find a dominant edge rusher in this class. They do that with Turner, who has the tools and collegiate production to be a star in the NFL. Turner’s long arms and speed-to-power abilities make him make his ceiling incredibly high.

13. Las Vegas Raiders - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo 

Mitchell is the exact type of cornerback Coach Antonio Pierce would covet. He is physical, smart, and loves to compete. The Raiders need to upgrade their cornerback spot, and they get arguably the best one in the class here. 

14. New Orleans Saints - JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Saints need help on the offensive line, and they find it here with one of the strongest players in the entire class. Latham can slide in at either left or right tackle. The Saints may need both if Ryan Ramczyk misses time in 2024.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Coach Shane Steichen is one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. Brock Bowers is one of the most unique tight end prospects in recent history. This pairing makes too much sense. Bowers becomes a favorite target of Anthony Richardson’s from Day 1. 

16. Seattle Seahawks - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Seahawks have a few talented defensive linemen, but they need a dominant force off the edge. Latu has all the tools to be that player. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder posted 24 sacks in his collegiate career. 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Jacksonville needs a cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell. Arnold is one of the class's smartest, most technically proficient cornerbacks. He has been sliding recently but lands in a good spot with the Jaguars.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Bengals have Trent Brown under contract for one season, so they must find a long-term fill at tackle. They find that with Mims, a mountainous 6-foot-7, 340-pound lineman. Mims has incredible athleticism for his size and will protect quarterback Joe Burrow for years.

19. Los Angeles Rams - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

After legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s retirement, a massive gap opened in the middle of the Rams’ defensive line. They fill it with Murphy, a player who will immediately thrive in the run game and provides some pass-rush juice. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Steelers need to find a center. Powers-Johnson is the best one in the class. He is a massive 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds and clears out defenders in the run game. He fits the Steelers’ mantra of intelligence and toughness. 

21. Miami Dolphins - Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DT, Illinois 

Newton is still working his way back from a foot injury but expects to be fully healed in time for the season. After letting Christian Wilkins go to Las Vegas, the Dolphins need an interior presence, so they get a dominant force with this pick. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

This pick has remained constant. Wiggins is a supreme athlete with great speed, IQ, and competitiveness. He provides youth and a new energy the Eagles’ secondary desperately needs.

23. Los Angeles Chargers (from Vikings) Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Chargers get Justin Herbert a No. 1 receiver with their second first-round selection. Thomas was a touchdown machine in 2023 for the Tigers. He has true field-stretching ability and should mesh with Herbert well very quickly.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Tyron Smith’s departure means the Cowboys must find a new left tackle. While versatile, Barton played almost exclusively left tackle with the Blue Devils. He fills in here and immediately sparks the Cowboys' run game.

25. Green Bay Packers - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Although he goes late in the first round, Verse is arguably the best edge rusher in the class. The Packers need a dominant player off the edge opposite Rashan Gary, so Verse is a perfect match. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Robinson is a tier below the previous three edge rushers but is unquestionably the most physically gifted. At 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Buccaneers get a player they can mold into a star off the edge. 

27. Arizona Cardinals - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Cardinals got their No. 1 wide receiver earlier in the draft, and now they get their No. 1 cornerback. DeJean is one of the most athletic and technically proficient players in the class. He can also play safety and contribute on special teams. 

28. Buffalo Bills - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Buffalo needs to find a replacement for Gabe Davis. It gets one here with a height-weight-speed receiver in Mitchell, who should quickly fit into the Bills’ offense and form a connection with Josh Allen. 

29. Detroit Lions - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Lions need help in the secondary, and they land one of the top corners available with McKinstry. He is elite in man coverage, something Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn knows well. 

30. Baltimore Ravens - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Ravens are looking for a new weapon for Lamar Jackson. They find one in Coleman, a big-bodied target who had lots of success on jump balls in the end zone. He gives the Ravens a new model of receiver to use in Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme.

31. San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

If San Francisco can find a top-tier right tackle, it could elevate their offense to new levels. It hopes to find that here with Guyton, who stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 322 pounds. He has long arms and should immediately contribute on the offensive line.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

The Chiefs get a receiver who saw nothing but success when the ball was thrown his way. McConkey is an exceptional route runner with great athleticism who can also win on the outside or in the slot.

Take a look at our previous mock drafts below:

NFL Mock Draft 3.0 - Projecting Raiders, More

NFL Mock Draft 2.0 -Projecting Amid FA

2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 - Projecting Raiders Pick, More

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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