- Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Photo Cred: Pro Football Network
The Chicago Bears acquired this pick from the Carolina Panthers in a trade last March. The Bears are also in dire need of some sort of spark on offense, and that starts at the quarterback position. Justin Fields, the current Bears starting quarterback, has ultimately struggled with the team and is currently being shopped on the trade market, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons being named potential candidates. Caleb Williams would provide the Bears with a foundational piece that they could build around at the quarterback position, something they have long sought for.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Washington Commanders drafted Sam Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft to resolve a glaring issue they had at the position. However, Howell has not proved his worth to the team, and was subsequently benched in the 2023 season for Jacoby Brissett. Washington is looking for a franchise quarterback to help them reach the next level of play, and Jayden Daniels would provide them with just that. Ultimately, it will depend on whether or not the organization is sold on Howell or if they feel they need to move on and find a new talent.
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The New England Patriots have a similar issue to the Commanders where they have two quarterbacks on their roster (Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe) that have not proven that they are starting-caliber in the NFL. Mac Jones was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the fifteenth overall pick, and has had a disappointing career after a strong rookie year. Bailey Zappe (selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft) simply does not have enough experience under his belt to justify earning the starting position in Foxborough. Drake Maye throws an accurate ball and operates well under pressure. While the Patriots have other glaring issues that need resolved, such as offensive line and wide receiver, a starting-caliber quarterback would bode well for them.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Photo Cred: USA Today
The Arizona Cardinals are in no need of a quarterback, with Kyler Murray proving his worth at the starting position in Phoenix. Nonetheless, the Cardinals have other glaring issues that need tending to, and wide receiver is a big one with them losing DeAndre Hopkins to the Titans, one of Murray’s top targets. Harrison Jr. is currently mocked as the best available player in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots all have issues at their quarterback position. Harrison Jr. has a massive catch radius and is also a very smooth route runner, which will lead to a great deal of success in the NFL for any team who drafts him.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Los Angeles Chargers are in a similar situation with the Cardinals where they have a quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert, but could use help in just about every other position. The Chargers’ main struggles as of late have been with the offensive line, and they are trying to look very much different than they did last season with new HC Jim Harbaugh coming in to help the team rebuild and land a playoff spot. With the Chargers’ salary cap issues as well, the team is largely going to have to look much different from what they looked like in 2023. Alt would help the Chargers build a layer of protection for Justin Herbert as well as pave the way for a run-heavy offense that was near the bottom of the league last year.
6. New York Giants – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The New York Giants have had Daniel Jones at the helm since 2019. Jones was a first-round draft pick and the team had high expectations for him out of college. Unfortunately, Jones has not lived up to those expectations so far, despite the Giants bringing in star offensive pieces like Darren Waller and Sterling Shepard for him. The Giants are looking to make a push in the NFC, and J.J. McCarthy would help them do that with his fearless play style and accurate throwing.
7. Tennessee Titans – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Tennessee Titans may have found their quarterback of the future in Will Levis. While the Titans had many breakout players on offense in 2023, they are still looking for more offensive talent that will help Derrick Henry and the team make a playoff push in 2024. Malik Nabers would help them do that with his versatility in the catch and run game as well as his ability to track a deep ball and make contested catches downfield. Nabers would also pair up with DeAndre Hopkins, allowing a young quarterback in Will Levis to have multiple playmakers at his disposal.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Photo Cred: NBC Sports
While the Atlanta Falcons are concerned about their quarterback position, they may turn to fill a need on the other side of the ball in the cornerback position where they have struggled immensely on the field. A.J. Terrell has proven to be a solid defensive back for the team, but they could still use some major help in that department, especially with Jeff Okudah suffering an injury midseason in 2023 and proving to not be entirely reliable when he was on the field. The Atlanta Falcons’ cornerbacks also did not generate a single interception the entire season; Nate Wiggins would be able to help them generate turnovers.
9. Chicago Bears (again) – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Chicago Bears have two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and would be able to help their ailing offense with a natural open-field runner in Rome Odunze. Odunze would benefit Caleb Williams as well by giving him a formidable weapon in the passing game and take the Bears’ offense to unforeseen heights. Odunze could also be the #1 wide receiver in any other draft class, but with generational talents ahead of him like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, he would be the third wide receiver selected in the 2024 draft class. The only knock against him would be his speed, but he makes up for it with his physicality and ability to get open.
10. New York Jets – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The New York Jets are in desperate need of OL help to protect Aaron Rodgers, and Olumuwiya Fashanu would help them significantly in developing a strong offensive line. The only reason Fashanu isn’t the first offensive lineman projected to get drafted ahead of Joe Alt is because of an injury he suffered in the NFL Combine running his 40-yard dash. Nonetheless, Fashanu’s natural strength, quickness, and ability to control the edge against dominant edge rushers make him a desirable candidate for any offensive line.
