It doesn’t take a crystal ball to forecast that the Bears will take Caleb Williams with the No. 1 choose of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Penciling in that foregone conclusion ought to barely register as making a prediction.
What occurs with the opposite prime quarterbacks?
Which groups are going to commerce up or commerce down?
Which gamers can be picked increased or decrease than the consensus opinion?
These are the spots the place the sudden may occur starting Thursday evening.
Listed below are The Publish’s 5 daring predictions for the NFL Draft:
1. That is probably the most quarterback-heavy first spherical of all-time
For the reason that widespread draft period started in 1967, solely thrice (1971, 1999, 2021) have quarterbacks been picked No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.
Solely as soon as (1983) has the primary spherical included six quarterbacks.
So, what do you get once you mix quarterbacks in 4 of the primary 5 slots for the primary time ever with six going within the first spherical?
A double dose of historical past.
The Bears (No. 1), Commanders (No. 2), Patriots (No. 3), Giants (No. 6), Vikings (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12), Raiders (No. 13) and Saints (No. 14) are all within the quarterback market.
There could also be others, too.
Two groups that don’t get Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy with the primary 4 picks will transfer across the board to beat the others to the punch in order that Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix don’t slide the best way Will Levis did to the Titans (No. 33) final yr.
2. The Giants and Jets swap spots after the Vikings and Broncos commerce up
After the Vikings and Broncos empty the coffers to get into the highest 5 in a manner that Giants normal supervisor Joe Schoen isn’t prepared to do, MetLife Stadium’s co-inhabitants make a commerce involving No. 6 and No. 10.
What makes this tough is that — apart from quarterback — the groups have comparable wants at receiver (Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr.), tight finish (Brock Bowers) and offensive sort out (Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga and JC Latham).
Schoen and Joe Douglas share some intel on their very own projections and what they assume groups in between are pondering to get the job executed.
What makes it attainable is that the Jets are in win-now mode — prepared to deal future picks — and the Giants have holes all around the roster.
Begin the package deal with a mid-rounder this yr and a 2025 second-rounder.
3. Three Texas teammates (and a Clemson star) smash mock drafts
There are believable situations the place no defensive participant is picked within the prime 10 for the primary time ever. Every time the primary defensive participant is chosen, the most definitely title to be known as is Dallas Turner — adopted carefully by fellow edge rusher Laiatu Latu, in keeping with BetMGM.
Look no additional than the current string of $90 million-plus contract extensions given to defensive tackles to know that inside pocket-pushers are extremely valued.
When the free-agent worth goes up at a place, the draft sees a ripple impact.
That makes a winner out of defensive sort out Byron Murphy, who’s our daring choose to be the primary defensive participant taken.
Texas receiver Xavier Worthy nonetheless is being not noted of first-round mocks.
He hardly ever is picked increased than No. 24 to the Cowboys regardless of the Steelers’ want for a receiver at No. 20.
Worthy, who set the NFL Mix report by operating a 4.21-second 40-yard sprint and provides worth as a returner, isn’t solely a first-round choose however a top-23 choose. Regulate the speed-obsessed Chiefs (No. 32) making calls to maneuver up.
If Worthy is in, who falls out? Fellow Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell and Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, each of whom have some crimson flags.
4. Brandon Aiyuk will get traded from the 49ers to the Chargers
In a callback to the A.J. Brown (Titans to Eagles) and Marquise Brown (Ravens to Cardinals) trades throughout the first spherical of the 2022 draft, the 49ers commerce the disgruntled Aiyuk simply days after normal supervisor John Lynch stated he hopes the receiver is a career-long 49er.
First, the Chargers commerce again a number of spots from No. 5 to choose up further draft capital whereas nonetheless touchdown one of many desired top-four offensive tackles.
The Chargers then package deal a excessive second-round choose (No. 37) with some newly gained capital to deal for Aiyuk.
Shedding receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in a single offseason was not the best way to assist Justin Herbert take the subsequent step, however the Chargers have way more salary-cap house now ($31.5 million) than they did a month in the past.
Different veterans on commerce watch embody receivers Courtland Sutton and Tee Higgins, pass-rusher Matthew Judon and cornerback Patrick Surtain.
5. The Rams don’t make a first-round choose … once more
The Rams’ final first-round choose was quarterback Jared Goff in 2016.
5 completely different trades are liable for Los Angeles not having a first-rounder within the final seven years.
When you assume that’s a drought, contemplate that Washington made simply three first-round picks from 1969-90.
Lastly, the Rams are scheduled to choose No. 19. “Scheduled” being the important thing phrase.
The Rams deal the choose once more — both for a veteran who matches their win-now mindset or for a package deal of picks impressed by normal supervisor Les Snead’s current monitor report of mid- and late-round hits.
