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With the 2024 NFL Draft starting tonight, it's time to produce our final mock draft. As usual, there is a ton of intrigue at the top of the board. The Chicago Bears have the #1 pick after owning it last year but trading it to the Carolina Panthers. We are all but certain of the direction in which Chicago is going, but things could get interesting immediately thereafter. Trades are expected to be fast and furious, too, so fasten your seatbelts for a wild ride on Thursday night.'
A chaotic first round is probably in the cards'(when is any first round not chaotic?), but let's try to sort it out by projecting picks 1 through 32.'
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Like Bryce Young to the Panthers in 2023, the first pick of the NFL Draft appears to be a slam dunk. Only time will tell if it's the right choice (early returns suggest Carolina did not make the right one). Anything other than Williams here would be an absolute shocker.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
This is where the draft really begins. We pretty much know that Washington is going with a quarterback, but it remains to be seen if it will be Daniels, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy. Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, comes with the highest upside.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The NFL Draft is expected to begin with quarterback, quarterback and quarterback. At least 2 of the top 4 signal-callers will still be on the board when New England selects at #3. McCarthy is making a surge up big boards, but Maye would be the smarter move.'