2024 NFL Mock Draft: New 1st-Round Forecast Filled with Big Trades, Surprises
We’re getting to the point in the NFL Draft process where trades are becoming more frequent in mock drafts, giving fans even more potential scenarios to consider for their favorite teams as we look ahead to April. In the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from NFL.com, three big trades take place among the top 12 selections, including two in the top 10 where quarterbacks are targeted. The first big move comes at the No. 4 spot, where this projection has the Atlanta Falcons trading up from No. 8 to land LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This move makes sense for both teams, as the Cardinals move down after missing out on Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 3, New England Patriots), and still land an elite wide receiver prospect in Washington’s Rome Odunze after dropping down four spots. For the Falcons, they’re able to fill their massive need at quarterback with the last of this year’s remaining blue-chip passers.
They’re not the only team to make a top-10 move for a quarterback in this mock, as the Las Vegas Raiders move up from No. 13 to No. 10, swapping spots with the New York Jets to select Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. With both of this year’s elite offensive tackle prospects off the board, a move down from No. 10 would make sense for the Jets, while the Raiders land a high-upside quarterback after leapfrogging other QB-needy teams picking ahead of them (Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings).
Another big trade in this mock features one of this year’s best pass-catchers, as the Cincinnati Bengals move up from No. 18 to No. 12, trading places with the Denver Broncos to pick Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. That would be a massive surprise, considering the Bengals haven’t traded up in the first round in nearly 30 years. Bowers would fill a huge need for the Bengals, and give Joe Burrow another dynamic weapon to pair with Ja’Marr Chase. After watching four quarterbacks come off the board ahead of them, moving down would be the best scenario for the Broncos, who end up adding additional picks and still landing a new quarterback in Oregon’s Bo Nix.
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