ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has unveiled his inaugural mock draft for the 2024 NFL Draft, and it features a noteworthy emphasis on quarterbacks. Kiper predicts that four teams will opt for quarterbacks as their top picks in this draft.
In his mock draft, Kiper forecasts the selection of three quarterbacks in the first three picks.
To kick things off, he envisions the Chicago Bears, holders of the No. 1 pick, selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Kiper speculates that this choice could result in the Bears parting ways with their current quarterback, Justin Fields.
Moving to the second overall pick, Kiper predicts the Washington Commanders opting for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. His reasoning revolves around the belief that the incumbent quarterback, Sam Howell, doesn’t quite fit the bill, and Daniels would be a more suitable addition.
With the third overall pick, Kiper envisions the New England Patriots choosing UNC quarterback Drake Maye. This decision appears straightforward to him, given Maye’s considerable potential, the presence of a new regime in New England, and the Patriots’ growing dissatisfaction with their current starter, Mac Jones.
As for the fourth quarterback in Kiper’s mock draft, he anticipates the Seattle Seahawks selecting J.J. McCarthy, the Michigan quarterback and national champion, at the No. 16 spot. However, he also leaves the possibility open for the Atlanta Falcons to pick McCarthy if they bring Jim Harbaugh on board as their new head coach.
Interestingly, Kiper points out that it wasn’t too long ago when three quarterbacks were chosen as the first three picks in the 2021 draft. In that draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers secured Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance as their respective quarterbacks in the top three selections. Furthermore, Justin Fields and Mac Jones were also among the top 15 picks.
Could we be witnessing a repeat of history with quarterbacks dominating picks one through three in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft? Only time will tell.
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