Josh Frey’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft (2.0): Two Big Trades, Vikings Land Their QB of the Future
The 2024 NFL Draft is a month away.
With the scouting combine and the big first wave of free agency behind us, draft needs for each team have begun to get a little clearer. Here is a look at another 2024 NFL mock draft in which two teams make trades to move up for quarterbacks.
Josh Frey’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft (2.0)
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC
The Bears just traded Justin Fields meaning they need a new starting quarterback. Caleb Williams steps in and takes on the job in a strong position to succeed.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU
There have been rumblings that J.J. McCarthy could be in play here, but if Washington is going to select a quarterback here, they need to find a player with the highest ceiling. Jayden Daniels’ combination of arm talent and athleticism can find a way to thrive even with limited weapons at his disposal.
3. New England Patriots: J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan
There is a lot of steam surrounding J.J. McCarthy, particularly since he weighed in at 219 pounds at the combine. The Michigan product is a proven winner at the collegiate level, and now, New England can try to turn him into a winner at the NFL level, similarly to their last Michigan quarterback.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best receiver in this class, and Arizona desperately needs help in that department if they want to provide Kyler Murray with adequate help on the offensive side of the ball.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Fifth overall may be early for a tight end, but Brock Bowers can help transform the Los Angeles Chargers offense. They have lost Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Gerald Everett, and Mike Williams this offseason, meaning they need to revamp their group of pass catchers and quickly.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU
Quarterback could be on the table here, but with Daniel Jones under contract for the next three seasons, they certainly don’t need to rush into selecting a new player at the position. Instead, New York grabs the best receiver available by selecting Malik Nabers.
7. Minnesota Vikings (trade with TEN): Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina
- MIN gets: No. 7
- TEN gets: Nos. 11, 108, 157, 2025 third-round pick
The Tennessee Titans will be looking for an offensive tackle here, but with so much talent at the position, they can afford to make this trade for extra picks. Meanwhile, Minnesota goes ahead and snatches up Drake Maye before he can fall any further.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher, Alabama
Dallas Turner is an elite athlete coming off the edge, and Atlanta loves finding spectacular athletes with eye-popping measurements. The Falcons’ pass rush gets much scarier with Turner playing alongside Grady Jarrett.
9. Las Vegas Raiders (trade with CHI): Michael Penix, Quarterback, Washington
- LV gets: No. 9
- CHI gets: Nos. 13, 77
It only takes one team to believe before it could become a frenzy to scoop up the remaining QBs in this draft class. Michael Penix is a very talented passer, but his injury history has been scary. Las Vegas takes a chance with this trade and pick.
10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
The Jets will run this pick to the podium. Of course, Tyron Smith will help fix some of their offensive line problems in 2024, but he is a short-term fix to a long-term problem. Joe Alt can be the long-term solution.
11. Tennessee Titans (trade with MIN): Olu Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State
The Titans need to find a new left tackle, and they get one of the top prospects at the position in Olu Fashanu.
12. Denver Broncos: Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo
Rather than taking a shot at a quarterback after five flew off the board, Denver decides to ensure they can solidify their secondary with Quinyon Mitchell.
13. Chicago Bears (trade with LV): Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington
Rome Odunze very well could go in the top 10, so Chicago being able to trade down to No. 13 and still land him is a bargain. The Bears found their franchise QB with the first overall pick, and now they have another receiver for him to throw to.
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State
The Saints have worrying health concerns at both tackle spots with Trevor Penning and Ryan Ramczyk. As a result, another offensive tackle should be near the top of their wishlist, and they land a very talented one in Taliese Fuaga.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama
Indianapolis’ biggest weakness on defense remains their pass coverage. Terrion Arnold can help solidify a talented group to ensure that area gets better in 2024.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, Offensive Tackle, Washington
The Seahawks need to improve their pass protection around Geno Smith. Fautanu is not entirely polished in run blocking, but he can neutralize a pass rush as well as anyone in this class.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas, Wide Receiver, LSU
The Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley, and they could use another big receiving target for Trevor Lawrence if they want to improve their offense this year. Brian Thomas can be exactly that after leading the FBS in touchdowns last season.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas
Trey Hendrickson has been a stud of a pass rusher off the edge for the Bengals, but their interior defensive line could use some help. Byron Murphy can provide that support from the defensive tackle spot.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson
Do the Rams have other areas on their roster that could use some help? Absolutely. However, their pass coverage struggled mightily last season and might only suffer more with the loss of defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Nate Wiggins should provide a bit of a buffer there.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa
Cooper DeJean is one of the more versatile defensive backs in this year’s draft class, and the Steelers need to bring more young talent to their cornerback room after parting ways with Patrick Peterson.
21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon
Pick a spot on the offensive line, and the argument can be made that the Miami Dolphins need it. Jackson Powers-Johnson is easily the best center in this class, and he can be the anchor in the middle of that o-line to help work towards improvement.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
The Eagles are an aging team at the cornerback position, and they need an influx of youth to rejuvenate a defense that absolutely crumbled down the stretch of the 2023 season. Kool-Aid McKinstry comes with some risk, but he has the size and athleticism to contribute at the NFL level.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Johnny Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
The Vikings failed to land a stalwart defensive tackle in free agency, and since they were able to hold onto the 23rd overall pick, they have a natural path towards landing one here in Johnny Newton.
24. Dallas Cowboys: JC Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Strength on the offensive line used to define the Dallas Cowboys, but that has quickly changed over the past few years. They no longer have Tyron Smith to hold down the left tackle spot, so they take a shot on JC Latham.
25. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Since 2011, Jordan Love is the only offensive player that the Green Bay Packers have drafted in the first round. It’s time to change that trend by giving their young quarterback a new offensive lineman to protect him in Tyler Guyton.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, Edge Rusher, UCLA
Tampa Bay should target the best player available with this pick. Laiatu Latu’s testing excelled at the combine, and he is a very technically sound pass rusher who should be able to contribute immediately.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Verse, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Sticking with the pass rushing theme, the Arizona Cardinals opt to take Jared Verse. After solidifying their wide receiver room with Marvin Harrison Jr., they land Verse to help improve a pass rush that put together only 33 sacks in 2023.
28. Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, Florida State
After losing Gabe Davis in free agency, the Bills could use another big-bodied receiver with supreme athletic skills to create big plays downfield. Keon Coleman can help do that after recording 11 touchdowns this past season at Florida State.
29. Detroit Lions: Darius Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
The Lions landed a fantastic edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson a couple years ago, and now, they can further enforce their defensive line with a very versatile player in Darius Robinson.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas
Odell Beckham Jr. was a great one-year experiment for the Baltimore Ravens, but they need a long-term solution at receiver opposite Zay Flowers. Adonai Mitchell finally got a chance to show what he can do after transferring to Texas in 2023, and he is worth a late first-round selection here.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Suamataia, Offensive Tackle, BYU
Trent Williams is only getting older, and the 49ers haven’t gotten particularly fantastic play from the other tackle position in the past couple years. Kingsley Suamataia is very young (turned 21 years old in January), and while he still is a work in progress, he is a very athletic offensive tackle prospect with fantastic measurements.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Texas
The Chiefs have been looking for a Tyreek Hill replacement for the past couple years, so why not try the guy who just broke the NFL Combine record for the 40-yard dash?
Vikings’ Inaction Points Toward Targeting a Specific Position in 2024 NFL Draft
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.