NFL Draft 2024: Examining Predictions for Top QBs in Latest Expert Mocks

Some years, not many quarterbacks get taken in the first round of the NFL draft. For example, 2022, when only Kenny Pickett was the only QB selected within the first 32 picks, going to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20.

There will surely be multiple quarterbacks getting taken on the opening night of the 2024 draft, which is set for April 25-27 in Detroit. There could even be multiple QBs selected consecutively to begin the event.

Here's a look at where some recent mocks have been projecting the top quarterbacks in the class to get taken in the 2024 draft.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

NFL Network's Rhett Lewis: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: No. 1 to Chicago Bears

No surprise here. It was widely assumed the Bears would take Williams at No. 1 since the end of the season, and it became all but a certainty when they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month.

Williams will be the new franchise quarterback in Chicago and will try to help turn the team around. The Bears haven't made the playoffs since the 2020 season, and they haven't finished with a winning record since the 2018 campaign.

"I don't think we need to spend much time debating the direction the Bears will go here," Kiper wrote.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: No. 3 to New England Patriots

ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid: No. 3 to New England Patriots

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman: No. 3 to New England Patriots

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

NFL Network's Rhett Lewis: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: No. 3 to New York Giants (via trade with New England)

Recent mocks have been mostly split in regard to where Maye will land. Some have him going No. 2 to Washington, while others have him making it to New England at No. 3.

Of course, it's also possible Maye doesn't go to the Commanders and then the Patriots still decide not to take the former North Carolina QB.

"Will the Patriots trade back or stay put to select a QB?" Reid wrote. "That's the biggest question for New England and why many view this as the most intriguing pick of the first round."

If the Pats trade down, a team like the Giants could trade up. Would New York view Maye as a long-term upgrade to Daniel Jones at quarterback? Zierlein seems to think so, as his mock has the Giants moving up to take the former Tar Heel.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: No. 3 to New England Patriots

NFL Network's Rhett Lewis: No. 3 to New England Patriots

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: No. 2 to Washington Commanders

Most mocks seem to believe Daniels will either go to Washington at No. 2 or drop one pick later to New England at No. 3. There doesn't appear to be a ton of belief that the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will fall any further down the board.

Zierlein thinks the Commanders could go for a mobile quarterback for an offense that will now be led by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the former Cardinals head coach.

"I see the Commanders giving their new OC another dual-threat quarterback in Daniels," Zierlein wrote.

At this point, though, it's still too early to tell which way Washington could be leaning and whether New England could be in play for Daniels.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: No. 5 to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Los Angeles Chargers)

ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid: No. 4 to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Arizona Cardinals)

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman: No. 4 to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Arizona)

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: No. 4 to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Arizona)

NFL Network's Rhett Lewis: No. 10 to Denver Broncos (via trade with New York Jets)

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: No. 4 to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Arizona)

While most mocks have Williams going at No. 1 and then Daniels and Maye coming off the board with the next two picks (in some order), many believe the draft could start with four consecutive QBs getting taken. And the Vikings could be the team to make that happen.

Minnesota needs a quarterback after Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. The Vikings could use a young QB to build around, as their current top player at the position is offseason acquisition Sam Darnold.

McCarthy has climbed up the draft boards in recent months. Perhaps he'll be heading to Minnesota, if the team can swing a trade that puts it in position to land the former Michigan quarterback.