From now until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit, the “experts” will release mock drafts on an almost weekly basis.
This is your one-stop shop for the latest predictions including the top five picks, players rising and falling, surprise selections and potential trades.
The experts highlighted this week are NFL.com’s Dan Parr and CBS Sports’ Kyle Stackpole and Josh Edwards.
Pick No. 1 (Chicago Bears)
Parr, Stackpole, Edwards: USC QB Caleb Williams
The belief is that the Bears are going to need a “historic haul” to move off the No. 1 pick. So unless another team is willing to pay the price, Chicago will land the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, who has thrown for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23.
Pick No. 2 (Washington Commanders)
Parr: UNC QB Drake Maye
The debate between who will be the second quarterback off the board is ongoing, but here, Parr believes it will be Maye. He is a little raw, with just two years of starting experience. Nonetheless, Maye seems to be the real deal after passing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions from 2022-23.
Stackpole, Edwards: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
Daniels has a strong case of his own too. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.
Pick No. 3 (New England Patriots)
Parr: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
It would be surprising if the Patriots opt to not select one of the top three quarterbacks with their first pick. But if New England is not in love with who is left, it could land the best playmaker in the draft. Harrison Jr. would be the true alpha No. 1 wide receiver the team’s been missing, posting 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.
Stackpole: UNC QB Drake Maye
Edwards: UNC QB Drake Maye (traded to Minnesota Vikings)
Edwards believes the first trade of the 2024 NFL Draft could come at pick No. 3 and it will be the Vikings striking a deal with the Patriots to land Maye. It’s uncertain if QB Kirk Cousins will return to Minnesota in 2024. Maye would allow a smooth quarterback transition.
Pick No. 4 (Arizona Cardinals)
Parr: LSU QB Jayden Daniels (traded to Atlanta Falcons)
If Daniels somehow falls to No. 4, Parr thinks the Falcons could make a trade with the Cardinals to move up and land their next franchise quarterback under head coach Raheem Morris’ new regime.
Stackpole, Edwards: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
This is the ideal scenario for Arizona, which is looking to add another weapon for QB Kyler Murray. Harrison Jr. would be that and then some.
Pick No. 5 (Los Angeles Chargers)
Parr, Edwards: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt
The Chargers could go several different ways with their first-round pick, but all three of these “experts” believe they will strengthen their offensive line. Selecting Alt, who allowed four sacks in his collegiate career, would certainly do that.
Stackpole: Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu
However, Los Angeles may have its eyes on another offensive tackle, according to Stackpole. Fashanu didn’t allow a sack in more than 680 pass-protection snaps over the past two seasons. This will be completely based on preference and the team really can’t go wrong with either.
Players on the rise
Parr: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (No. 10, traded to Las Vegas Raiders)
Stackpole: McCarthy (No. 13 to Las Vegas Raiders)
Edwards: McCarthy (No. 12 to Denver Broncos)
McCarthy’s draft stock has been rising ever since he led the Wolverines to a national championship. He could very well be a top-10 pick when it’s all said and done, and the “experts” clearly believe he’s flirting as one now. McCarthy threw for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions from 2022-23.
Players falling
Parr, Stackpole, Edwards: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean (Pick No. 25 to Green Bay Packers)
DeJean currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ best cornerback and No. 7 overall prospect on its big board, but all three “experts” seem to believe he will have to wait much longer to hear his name called. The versatile defender had 116 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed and three touchdowns from 2022-23.
Surprise picks
Parr: Oregon QB Bo Nix (No. 18, traded to Denver Broncos)
Parr thinks the Broncos could move down in a trade with the Bengals and still land QB Russell Wilson’s replacement. Nix is an intriguing prospect after having a breakout season in 2023, passing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Stackpole: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (No. 26, traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
It would be surprising if the Buccaneers didn’t do whatever it takes to re-sign QB Baker Mayfield. But if Tampa Bay is somehow unsuccessful, it could turn to the former Huskies quarterback who led his team to a national championship appearance in 2023. Penix Jr. threw for 9,544 yards, 66 touchdowns and 19 interceptions from 2022-23.
