This mock draft is a predictive mock draft, not a who-they-should-take mock.
It’s just a plain, old predictive mock, one that you can grade for accuracy (and I really don’t give a crap how it works out).
I have LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels going second to the Washington Commanders, but I shake it up some after that.
The Pats, in return, add much-needed draft capital and then take Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No.
The second trade I have in this mock is the Philadelphia Eagles going up to a corner.
Denver would trade back and take Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and add some much-needed draft picks to their books.
So there you have it, the basics of my 2024 final mock draft.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
Alright, this is a little explanation for those of you who, based on the last few days, are not following along. That would be most of you.
Instead of being a who-should-take mock, this one is predictive in nature. I don’t really care how it turns out; it’s just a standard predictive mock that you can grade for accuracy. This is not how it should go, but this is how I believe it will proceed. A distinction exists.
Let’s return to my mock now.
We take a 1-0 lead in all of our predictive mocks. For that reason, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who the Chicago Bears will select with the first overall pick, is the reason for this. It is simple to do so.
Much more difficulty arises.
I have Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU coming in second, but I change things up a little bit after that. The New York Giants, who are ranked No. 6 against No. 3 in the draft of Drake Maye of North Carolina. They agree to part with No. 6, a second-round pick this year and the following year to the New England Patriots in order to acquire Maye.
In exchange, the Pats add desperately needed draft capital and select Michigan quarterback J. D. J. McCarthy, in the No. 6, a player they are rumored to be infatuated with in conversations with league players. In my opinion, Maye is superior, but either way, it would benefit both sides.
The Philadelphia Eagles moving up to a corner is the second trade I have in this mock. In order to acquire Alabama corner Terrion Arnold, I have them trading up with the Denver Broncos to the 12th spot. They would forfeit their first-round selection, No. 22, which is the second this year (No. 50) and fourth to seal the deal in 2025.
In exchange for some much-needed draft picks, Denver would trade back to acquire Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
The essential elements of my final mock draft for 2024 are thus presented to you. Whatever you do with it, I’m sure you’ll cry out when three picks are blown into it.
In-depth analysis of the draft is available twice a week on “With the First Pick,” our year-round NFL Draft podcast featuring NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former general manager of the Vikings Rick Spielman. “With the First Pick” is available on all podcast platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
