Will Helms’ 2024 NFL Mock Draft: J.J. McCarthy to Washington Sparks 6 QBs in Top 12

We’re approaching the final stretch before the 2024 NFL Draft. The hot topic recently has been Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s draft stock and how high he could go. In this mock, we’ll explore what might happen if McCarthy went to the Washington Commanders.

We’ll also see five quarterbacks go in the top 10 — will a sixth go later?

2024 NFL Mock Draft

1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

This is as easy as it’ll ever be to predict a pick. While Caleb Williams is not my top quarterback in the draft, he seems to be the consensus No. 1 option, and he certainly has a high enough ceiling to make him a franchise quarterback.

2) Washington Commanders: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

I’m still skeptical of J.J. McCarthy being the pick at No. 2, especially because offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is known for a more Air Raid system. However, there seems to be serious smoke about McCarthy going earlier in the draft than people think.

MORE: NFL Insiders Reporting a Potential Surprise Pick by the Commanders at No. 2

McCarthy only attempted 24 passes more than 10 yards downfield against ranked opponents last year, so while the potential is there, we’ve never seen him in a superstar role.

3) New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

It seems like nobody knows which of Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels teams prefer at the top, but in this scenario, the Patriots get their choice of top quarterback.

In past mocks, I’ve had New England getting Daniels by default, but here they take him by choice. Daniels’ athleticism and ability to create are impressive and give him the immediate ability to upgrade an offense while he gets more practice reading NFL defenses.

4) Minnesota Vikings (From ARI): Drake Maye, QB, UNC

Trade: Vikings receive No. 4, No. 66 picks; Cardinals receive No. 11, No. 23, 2025 first-round pick

Minnesota packaged multiple Day 2 picks to move up to 23, presumably to position themselves for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. In this situation, the Vikings would certainly not be alone in their pursuit of the fourth pick. It’s a stiff price to pay, but here, I’ve given them the 66th pick back, because, without it, Minnesota is off the clock until pick 108.

Drake Maye‘s film shows he can be a high-level prospect with a bit more polish and consistency. There are certainly some in the NFL and the media (Our Ian Cummings included) who believe Maye is every bit as talented as Williams.

5) Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Two things can be true in regards to McCarthy and his former head coach Jim Harbaugh. One, Harbaugh genuinely likes McCarthy as a prospect and believes he will succeed. Two, Harbaugh’s constant hyping of McCarthy can help Harbaugh’s new team.

If McCarthy goes in the top four, the Chargers get whoever they want at No. 5. Here, that’s Marvin Harrison Jr., my top prospect and one of the best receiver prospects we’ve ever seen.

6) New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

I initially balked at the idea that Malik Nabers could go above Harrison in the draft. I still think Harrison is the better prospect, but Nabers is a bonafide WR1 in any other year. I’ll say it, we’re talking about Harrison as one of the best receiver prospects ever, but Nabers isn’t far behind.

7) Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Tennessee

I’ve considered the Titans as a potential trade partner for teams looking to take a top edge rusher or even a fifth quarterback. But with Joe Alt sitting right there, I believe it’d be unwise for Tennessee to take its chances later in the draft. If Will Levis is to succeed, he needs a left tackle.

8) Las Vegas Raiders (From ATL): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Trade: Raiders receive No. 8 pick; Falcons receive No. 13, No. 44 picks

Quarterback is king, and while we haven’t heard much about the Raiders gunning for a signal-caller in this class, it would be hard to believe that Las Vegas truly wants to run it back in 2024 with Aidan O’Connell.

This is essentially just giving up a second-rounder to move up and draft Michael Penix Jr., whose accuracy and ability to go over the middle could be very successful.

9) Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Here, Chicago takes advantage of other teams going with quarterbacks and receivers to take Dallas Turner with its own first-round pick. Turner’s hand usage and quickness give him great pass-rushing upside and will help Chicago build on its strong defensive showing at the end of last season.

10) New York Jets: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

While the Jets certainly need help on the offensive line, the top of this receiver class is excellent, possibly tempting them to take one of the top pass catchers in the draft. With this in mind, Rome Odunze could excel as both a deep threat and jump-ball receiver.

11) Arizona Cardinals (From MIN): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

After trading back and picking up two extra first-rounders, the Cardinals have the needs and picks to take the best player available. Here they snag Terrion Arnold, a complete corner who could have an excellent NFL career.

12) Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Five quarterbacks in the first eight picks forces Denver’s hand here, but the Broncos potentially get the best quarterback for them here. Bo Nix excels at getting the ball out in space and maximizing yards after catch for his playmakers. In the right system, he’s a major upgrade.

13) Atlanta Falcons (From LV): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

After trading back, the Falcons still have their pick of edge rusher or corner. Here, Nate Wiggins‘ athleticism gives them a deployable chess piece on defense. Wiggins weighed in a bit lighter than I would have liked at the NFL Combine, but there’s still much to like about the Clemson corner.

14) New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

If it wasn’t apparent that the Saints would target an offensive tackle before, it is now that Ryan Ramczyk is reportedly not 100%. Olu Fashanu has the highest upside of any offensive lineman in the draft and still has a bit before he reaches his full potential.

15) Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Quinyon Mitchell to Indianapolis is quietly becoming one of my favorite mock draft pairings. Mitchell is highly athletic and has excellent ball skills, giving him a skill set that should lead to plenty of opportunities for big defensive plays.

16) Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas

I never know which direction the Seahawks will go in Round 1, but getting Byron Murphy II here would fill a need and bring some interior pass-rushing ability. He’s not bad against the run either in a division with plenty of downhill rushers.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Brock Bowers has been comped by some to Evan Engram, allowing teams to go one of two ways with that. The less common thing to see is that team draft that player, but I think Engram and Bowers could work well in tandem.

MORE: Former NFL Executive Teases Big Fall for Brock Bowers

Bowers can line up inside or flex out in the slot, where Jacksonville has a need for a playmaker.

18) Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

If the board falls to Cincinnati like this, I’d expect the Bengals to take their favorite of the top offensive linemen and hope he can upgrade that unit. Taliese Fuaga is extremely strong, though he can sometimes be a bit raw in pass protection.

19) Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

We as media members are not privy to every internal conversation, especially on the injury front. But assuming all is well, Laiatu Latu is my top edge rusher in the draft. The opportunity to get a talented local player at a position of need might be too much to pass up for the Rams.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

I haven’t gone this direction for the Steelers, but if Mike Tomlin is determined to make the offense into a downhill power running attack, Jackson Powers-Johnson makes sense here.

He’s a powerful run blocker who is one of the younger players in the class and has gotten better every year in college.

21) Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington

Miami needs an overhaul of nearly the entire offensive line, so getting a guy with excellent positional versatility is a smart way to maximize this pick. Troy Fautanu played tackle in college, but his length makes it more likely that he’ll be a guard at the next level.

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

After trading Haason Reddick to the Jets, this would be a dream scenario for the Eagles. Jared Verse has a high ceiling and would immediately upgrade Philadelphia’s pass rush. If he falls this far, it’s a no-brainer.

23) Arizona Cardinals (From CLE via MIN via HOU): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

I’ve typically had the Cardinals taking Harrison at the top of the draft, so I’ve never had them in this position with their second first-rounder. Yet, needing a receiver here, Arizona takes Brian Thomas Jr., an elite red-zone threat who could develop into a true No. 1 option.

24) Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Amarius Mims is inexperienced, with less than a full season as a starter under his belt at Georgia, but he was dominant when healthy in Athens. Mims is powerful and could slot in at right or potentially even left tackle for the Cowboys.

25) Green Bay Packers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

JC Latham has the potential to be one of the top tackles in the draft and is as technically sound as you’ll find in the draft. He’s probably a right tackle at the next level, but it’s a position the Packers could stand to upgrade.

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Tampa Bay has been a tough team to peg in the draft, but after re-signing Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield, it may be time to look at the defense.

MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft

Chop Robinson didn’t have the elite production of some of his peers, but his athleticism and tape shows he has the potential to be a solid starter at the next level.

27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Johnny Newton, IDL, Illinois

This caps off an excellent first round for Arizona, as they grab one of the top players at a position of need with their third of three first-rounders. Johnny Newton has slid a bit in most mock drafts simply because he hasn’t worked out publicly this offseason, but he’s an extremely talented interior defender.

28) Buffalo Bills: Cooper DeJean, S, Iowa

After parting ways with both starting safeties, Buffalo needs a playmaker defensively. While Cooper DeJean hasn’t worked out this spring while he recovers from a broken leg, he’s incredibly athletic and a willing tackler, giving the Bills a versatile chess piece to use defensively.

29) New England Patriots (From DET): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Trade: Patriots receive pick No. 29; Lions receive picks No. 33 and 103

There are several WR-needy teams at the end of the first round, so New England bypasses them by giving up an early fourth-rounder to move up four spots. Obviously, the story with Xavier Worthy is his elite speed, but he also showed nuance as a route runner last year.

30) Baltimore Ravens: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The more I watch Keon Coleman, the more I’m convinced he was misused a bit in Tallahassee. Coleman led the country in targets on screens, even though he struggled some after the catch. In a more balanced offense and a defined role in Baltimore, he could thrive in a limited route tree.

31) San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, G, Duke

Graham Barton is a guy who could go much sooner in the draft, but if he drops to San Francisco, he’s a perfect fit. Barton has positional versatility and the ability to excel as both a zone and gap-scheme blocker, something the 49ers would covet with Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

If there’s any team who can afford a risky, but high-upside pick, it’s the Chiefs. Tyler Guyton is enormous and flashed elite potential at Oklahoma, but he also showed some issues with consistency. If he pans out, Kansas City has a high-level starter for years to come.

2024 NFL Mock Draft | Teams Without a First-Round Pick

33) Carolina Panthers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

It’s purely “best player available” for the Panthers here, as long as they hit an important position.

Jaycee Horn has flashed elite skills, but can’t stay healthy. If he does, then the Panthers have two high-level corners. If not, Kool-Aid McKinstry is a natural replacement for the former first-round pick.

34) Detroit Lions (From NE): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

Xavier Legette is as close to an A.J. Brown clone as you can find. While the fact that he was a late breakout may scare some teams, the traits and senior-year production are there. Legette has elite acceleration and long speed for his size and slots in really well in Josh Reynolds’ role from last season.

42) Houston Texans (From MIN): Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

In a sea of ridiculously athletic linemen, Kingsley Suamataia doesn’t necessarily stand out. Nevertheless, he’s a solid offensive lineman with room to get better.

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With multiple second-round selections, the Texans are in position to be strategic and take the best player available at a position of need. It feels weird, but Houston doesn’t have a glaring hole that forces them to reach at any one particular position.

54) Cleveland Browns: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

I’ll be interested to see the order in which the first linebackers go off the board. It’s an athletic group, but each one has his share of question marks.

Edgerrin Cooper was extremely productive in college and has the athleticism to play immediately in a variety of roles at the next level.

All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!