The 2024 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away, meaning the rumor mill is on fire. While everyone knows the Chicago Bears will select Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, what will happen with the other 31 first-round selections?
- More 2024 NFL Mock Drafts
- Expert Consensus 2024 NFL Mock Draft
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Profiles
Let’s dive into four NFL Draft burning questions, including who might trade up for a quarterback.
2024 NFL Draft Burning Questions
Will the Arizona Cardinals Trade Away the Fourth Overall Pick?
The Cardinals were arguably the most aggressive team in trade talks last year. They traded down from the third overall pick before moving up three picks later to select Paris Johnson Jr. Arizona has the fourth overall pick this year and has been at the center of trade rumors over the past several weeks. Many believe Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye will be the first three picks. Therefore, the draft might start with the Cardinals at four.
Many believe Arizona could get a king’s ransom for their top draft pick from the Minnesota Vikings. J.J. McCarthy is all but a lock to be a top-five pick, especially with multiple teams desperate to trade up for a quarterback. The Cardinals would likely acquire the 11th and 23rd picks in this year’s draft, plus a future first-rounder for their fourth overall selection. If they decide to move down, expect general manager Monti Ossenfort to trade back into the top eight picks to select one of the top wide receiver prospects.
Could There Be a Record-Breaking Number of First-Round Wide Receivers?
The NFL record for the most wide receivers drafted in the first round came in 2004. Larry Fitzgerald was the first of seven first-round drafted wide receivers that year. Yet, he was the only one with more than one Pro Bowl selection in his career. However, that record could get broken after 20 years in the books. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are top-10 locks. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr. is a likely top-20 selection. Yet, several other wide receivers could come off the board in the first round.
Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy are near first-round locks. Therefore, only one of Troy Franklin, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, Xavier Legette or Malachi Corley needs to get drafted to tie the record. Only one or two of the five likely get drafted in the first round. However, several wide receiver-needy teams are picking in the 20s, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills. Don’t be surprised if the record gets broken thanks to a run on wide receivers to end the first round.
How Many Cornerbacks Get Drafted on Day 1?
Most media conversations about the NFL Draft have been about the offensive players, as there could be only one defensive player picked in the top 10. However, that player might be a cornerback. Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold are the top two cornerbacks in the draft class by many evaluators. Both players are likely top-20 locks, with several cornerback-needy teams picking in the teens, including the Las Vegas Raiders (13th overall), Indianapolis Colts (15th) and Jacksonville Jaguars (17th).
While Mitchell and Arnold are top-20 locks, there could be four or five more first-round cornerbacks this year. Nate Wiggins and Cooper DeJean are near first-round locks. Meanwhile, Kool-Aid McKinstry is back in the first-round mix after an impressive Pro Day performance. T.J. Tampa and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. could be late first-round picks but are more likely early second-day selections. The over/under on cornerbacks drafted in the first round is 5.5 on DraftKings. I would take the under at -280.
Which Team Will Trade Back in the First Round?
Reportedly, the Tennessee Titans tried to trade back into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Will Levis. Ultimately, they moved up to the top of the second round for the former Kentucky quarterback. Meanwhile, there were two teams during the 2022 NFL Draft to trade back into the first round from the second. The New York Jets traded up with the Titans to select Jermaine Johnson II. The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to draft Devin Lloyd.
The two prime candidates to trade into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft are the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders. Both teams have two early second-round picks, giving them the draft capital to make a move. The Panthers added Diontae Johnson this offseason but still need help at wide receiver. Meanwhile, the Commanders added multiple offensive linemen in free agency but still have a hole at left tackle. Both teams have the draft capital to trade into the first round and fill their glaring need.
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 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Matthew Jones (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Erickson (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Kent Weyrauch (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Derek Brown (1.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Russell Brown (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: PJ Moran (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 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.