While free agency has been the talk around the NFL world lately, the focus will reset to the upcoming draft in no time. The 2024 NFL Draft is less than six weeks away. Unfortunately, it will feel like a lifetime to many NFL Draft nerds. So, let’s pass the time and dive into some burning draft questions, including what the Super Bowl champions will do this year.
- More 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Profiles
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 NFL Mock Drafts
- Expert Consensus 2024 NFL Mock Draft
2024 NFL Draft Burning Questions
Can Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. Both be First-Round Picks?
Everyone wants to talk about the big three at the quarterback position – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Barring something unforeseen, those three quarterbacks should be the top three selections in the draft. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy’s draft stock has skyrocketed into the top 10 picks, especially since many consider his floor 11th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. However, will there only be four first-round quarterbacks?
Last year, there were only three quarterbacks drafted in the first round. Yet, we could see six first-round quarterbacks this year, with Nix and Penix getting selected late on Day 1. There are too many teams that need a quarterback for these two to slide into the second round. Whether it’s a team that lacks a 2024 starter like the Denver Broncos or needs a guy of the future like the Los Angeles Rams, this year’s quarterback class is one of the best in recent memory.
Will a Running Back Get Picked Before the Third Round?
The past two NFL Draft classes have had multiple elite running back prospects. Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III were second-round picks in 2022 but are two of the top younger running backs in the NFL. Meanwhile, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were top-12 picks last year. Despite splitting the backfield work, both running backs were outstanding as rookies and have bright futures ahead of them. Unfortunately, there won’t be a first-round running back this year.
However, could one come off the board before the start of the third round? The top two running backs in the draft class are Jonathon Brooks and Trey Benson. After we saw a running back carousel during free agency, the Dallas Cowboys are a prime candidate to select a running back late in the second round. Yet, if they don’t draft a running back, the first one might not come off the board until the Los Angeles Chargers pick 69th overall.
How Many Edge Rushers Will Get Drafted on Day 1?
Almost every mock draft has at least three first-round edge rushers – Dallas Turner, Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu. While everyone has a different order for the trio, they are unanimously the top three edge rushers. How early they come off the board will impact if there is a fourth or fifth first-round edge rusher this year. While the 2024 NFL Draft class is offensive-heavy, two of the top edge rushers could come off the board in the top 10 picks.
After the Atlanta Falcons landed Kirk Cousins in free agency, they are a prime candidate to select an edge rusher with the eighth overall selection. The Chicago Bears could also take an edge rusher with the next pick. If that happens, the third edge rusher likely doesn’t make it out of the top 20, meaning Chop Robinson and Darius Robinson are likely first-round players. With multiple teams picking in the 20s needing edge rusher help, expect five to come off the board on Day 1.
What Will the Kansas City Chiefs Do With the 32nd Overall Selection?
There has never been a three-peat Super Bowl winner in NFL history. Yet, I wouldn’t bet against the Chiefs pulling off the feat next season. However, they must have an excellent draft class to win three consecutive championships. Almost every mock draft after the NFL Combine had Kansas City taking a wide receiver with their first-round pick, with many of them having the team selecting Xavier Worthy. While everyone would love to see the speedy receiver catch passes from Patrick Mahomes, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
Last year, the Chiefs had a massive need at wide receiver. Yet, they waited until the second round to draft one. Rashee Rice looks like a star in the making during his rookie season, eliminating the team’s need for a go-to No. 1 wide receiver. Instead, they could take an interior offensive lineman. Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey are free agents after the 2024 season, while Joe Thuney could be a cap casualty, potentially leaving Kansas City with massive holes along the interior of their offensive line.
2024 NFL Mock Drafts
Here are a few early predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft. We’ll continue to add our 2024 NFL Mock Drafts leading up to the start of Round 1.
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Thor Nystrom (1.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Matthew Jones (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Kent Weyrauch (1.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Erickson (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Russell Brown (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: PJ Moran (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Mike Fanelli (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Marco Enriquez (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Dennis Sosic
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Two-Round Writer Collaborative
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top 20 Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Early Picks & Predictions
- Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft with Trades: Picks & Predictions
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
