Peter Schrager 2024 NFL mock draft 2.0: Six QBs among first 13 picks; Eagles, Chiefs, Lions trade up

This one is a done deal, in the same way Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning were before Williams at No. 1 overall. 

So much drama last week due to reports suggesting Daniels might not want to play in Washington, but I still have the Heisman Trophy winner going second overall. The LSU passer did his best Wednesday to shut down the rumors and speculation once and for all, telling reporters, “Whoever calls my phone, (when the) commissioner gets up and says my name, I’ll be blessed, and they’re going to get my all.”

Despite numerous “trade back” rumors, I believe New England will stick to their decision and choose Maye. This is a scenario where the Patriots may be open to hearing offers, but I don’t think they will actually accept any. Of course, I could be mistaken. Have you ever seen a luxurious house listed for sale that never gets bought? Essentially, the owner just enjoys having it on the market. I believe a similar situation is unfolding here.

I had the Cardinals trading out of the No. 4 slot in my first mock draft, and I haven’t heard anything from the general manager or head coach to tell me otherwise. That said, with three selections in the top 35 … At some point, you use one on a blue-chip player when he’s there and stop accumulating picks — despite whatever “godfather” offer could arise for this spot, potentially via the Vikings or Giants. 

I look forward to a fun game of chicken here with any of the J.J. McCarthy-interested teams, specifically Minnesota, as I don’t see L.A. trading the pick within the division to Denver or Las Vegas. Could the Chargers pass on the mockosphere’s typical OT1 (Joe Alt) and two hyped wideouts (Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze) for Latham? Yes. The tackle is 340 pounds and a total fit for Jim Harbaugh — not to mention, GM Joe Hortiz presumably wouldn’t mind adding an Alabama product, having come up under Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore. Harbaugh doesn’t care about your draft board. He never has.

New York will scrutinize J.J. McCarthy and Joe Alt closely. Even though there are discussions about picking Rome Odunze, I’ll go with the majority’s opinion and choose Nabers.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH TENNESSEE TITANS

The Vikings anxiously awaited the Chargers’ and Giants’ selections and have no desire to experience further stress. In order to advance by four places, Minnesota offers Tennessee a range of future selections, including a first-round pick, while retaining the No. 23 overall. McCarthy finds himself in the optimal immediate circumstance of all the top quarterbacks this year. Keep in mind that GMs Ran Carthon and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah share a professional history from their time together in San Francisco.

I don’t see Atlanta taking another wideout (Rome Odunze) or tight end (Brock Bowers) with a top-10 pick. The Falcons go defense, nabbing the 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Caleb Williams gets what Andrew Luck got in T.Y. Hilton so many years back — a draft-class partner in crime. Keenan Allen is only signed through the 2024 season. I’ve been hearing that the Colts are a team that could move up into this spot if the right pass catcher is still available. But in this exercise, I’ll keep Chicago at No. 9. 

Even with stud OTs Joe Alt and Taliese Fuaga on the board, I think the Jets go pass catcher here. If Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers are both gone, Bowers could be the pick. He’s as clean a tight end prospect as you’ll find. 

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Tennessee trades down and still gets the all-world offensive tackle (one of the draft’s top overall prospects) at No. 11 — plus a bunch of future Minnesota picks. Nice work from Ran Carthon.

I’m not sure how this all works out for the Broncos. They could very well go up and get J.J. McCarthy, or they could hang tight at No. 12 and take Nix … or they could stay put and take the best player available (QB or non-QB). I do know there are fans of Nix in the building. Let’s see.

I’ll follow the crowd and suggest Penix to the Raiders. Typically, when many people in the league claim to hear something, it’s often true.

The Saints remain at No. 14 and acquire the skillful tackle with impressive potential, meeting a significant need in New Orleans.

In this situation, I envisage the Colts remaining in their current position and choosing Murphy, a rapidly advancing DT, despite the potential for them to trade down or up tonight. Murphy may even be chosen earlier than expected.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

GM Howie Roseman makes his move, sending Seattle one of his two second-rounders (either No. 50 or 53) to jump up six spots for a corner. Vic Fangio is the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, and he’ll mold the rookie to his liking.

The Jags were left at the altar when Calvin Ridley signed with Tennessee during free agency — I think that stung and is still stinging. Teams don’t typically love to take wide receivers who weigh less than 180 pounds this high in the draft, and Worthy tipped the scales in Indianapolis at just 165. But, boy, does he play bigger than his size. He runs routes, is tough, smart and, of course, owns the record for the fastest 40 time in NFL Scouting Combine history.

The selection of Bo Nix is messing up my mock draft: some players who seem like top-15 picks are falling slightly. Fuaga is a powerhouse likely to start at guard right away. If Cincinnati is at number 18 and he’s available, it’s a surefire win. I find it hard to envision this scenario actually happening, but surprisingly, this is where we stand!

PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS

Kansas City moves all the way up to No. 19 and lands one of the last remaining “top” tackles. The 6-foot-8, 340-pounder from Georgia could have the highest upside of any player at his position in this year’s class. I’d circle the Rams as a potential trade-back team tonight — if I’m being honest, I see them as a potential multiple-time trade-back team. In this trade, Los Angeles moves down to the end of Round 1, picking up Kansas City’s second- and fourth-round picks (Nos. 64 and 131) in the process.

I still think there’s a giant move to be made by Pittsburgh at WR. Could it be for Brandon Aiyuk? If not, Thomas is a special talent who helped himself at the combine as much as any player at the position. I had this match in my first mock and am holding steady here. 

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Detroit crowd goes wild as the Lions get aggressive and give up a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) to move up eight spots for Verse, a physical presence on the edge who fits as a complement to Aidan Hutchinson. 

PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Big, athletic tackle who stays local and gets to play for his college offensive coordinator. Fautanu has a wide draft range, with the potential to go in the top 10 or at a spot around here. 

The Vikings, who have already secured their new quarterback through a deal, remain in their position and acquire one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. Mitchell, an impressive individual and a highly respected prospect from a smaller school, is a bargain at No. 23. Brian Flores would be thrilled to incorporate Mitchell into his defense.

The Cowboys hold the No. 24 spot and select one of the remaining O-line prospects with a first-round grade. Guyton, although more of a project than the tackles chosen before him, is a suitable match for Dallas.

New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is thrilled to receive an elite defender on the back end. DeJean can play any position in the secondary and contribute on special teams. I think the versatile playmaker goes somewhere in the 20-to-32 range tonight. 

Tampa might’ve had the best offseason of any team in the league to this point, retaining many key assets from last year’s Divisional Round squad. Offensive line is still an area of need, though. Barton played tackle and center at Duke — he could do either in the NFL. 

Robinson could be the most underrated prospect in this draft class and it wouldn’t shock me if he’s among the top 20 picks. This defensive lineman, with his versatility, experience, and high energy, has garnered substantial attention in the league. In the first round, the Cardinals manage to fill two significant gaps by acquiring a wide receiver and a pass rusher.

Opinions are divided among NFL teams regarding Latu. While some are big fans, others express serious worries about his history of injuries. Should he still be available at this point, Buffalo may find it difficult to overlook him.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DETROIT LIONS

Yes, they’re already paying Bradley Chubb and soon will have to pay Jaelan Phillips. As we learned last year, though, you can never have too many pass rushers. And there’s a drop-off in talent at the position after Chop. 

Tonight, Kool-Aid’s stock could significantly increase. I’m aware of teams that are genuinely enamored with him. Nick Saban has been actively endorsing him to anyone who pays attention. The pipeline from Alabama to Baltimore is indeed a reality.

If Mitchell remains available, this choice could be logical. Think of it as a safety measure for a WR room that’s currently the talk of the league.

PROJECTED TRADE; PICK ACQUIRED FROM KANSAS CITY CHIEFS THROUGH LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams, perhaps too busy enjoying their Draft House in Hermosa Beach, trade back again, dropping out of the first round entirely. The Patriots package their second- and third-round picks (Nos. 34 and 68) to move back into Round 1 — and ahead of the Panthers (No. 33) — to grab a receiver and the accompanying fifth-year option on his rookie contract. L.A. enters Day 2 with 14 total picks after Thursday night’s deals.