With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, mock draft season is in full swing. Every draft proves time and time again how unpredictable the draft is. With that said, it’s still fun to break down different scenarios that could play out on draft night.
Chad Reuter of NFL Network who is one of the best draft analysts in the business released a seven round mock draft on Friday. The mock draft features five trades and five quarterbacks coming off the board in round one in what would be a very exciting draft night.
The full mock draft with Reuter’s analysis is available to check out on NFL.com, but we are here to break down the exciting draft night scenarios presented in Reuter’s mock draft.
Ten Takeaways from NFL Network’s Chad Reuter’s Latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye go 2-3
A lot of talk around draft circles has revolved around which quarterback comes off the board at second overall. Jayden Daniels was a big favorite to be the second player off the board earlier this month, but a recent shift in betting odds now suggests it is a toss-up between him and Drake Maye.
In Reuter’s 2024 NFL mock draft scenario, Daniels goes second overall to the Commanders while Maye comes off the board next at third overall to the Patriots. This remains one of the biggest question marks that remains in question with just under a week until draft night.
Watch: Jayden Daniels Film Study
Giants trade up for J.J. McCarthy
A lot of speculation heading into draft night has revolved around potential trade up candidates looking to land their future franchise quarterback. In Reuter’s draft night scenario it’s the Giants who make the big move to move up the board to select J.J. McCarthy at fourth overall.
The Giants come into draft night as one of the biggest mysteries. They have a long-term need at quarterback but the question is if they’re willing to make a big splash and give up draft capital for a quarterback after signing Daniel Jones to a four-year deal last offseason?
Watch: J.J. McCarthy Film Study
Cardinals land Rome Odunze after trading down
One year ago, the Cardinals maneuvered the draft board by trading down to land future draft capital before trading back up to land Paris Johnson. While Marvin Harrison Jr. makes it enticing for the Cardinals to stand pat at fourth overall, the strength of this wide receiver class makes trading down an appealing option as well.
In this scenario, Arizona picks up future draft capital by moving down two spots and still land a blue-chip caliber wide receiver prospect in Rome Odunze.
Quinyon Mitchell first defender off the board
One big unknown headed into draft night is who will be the first defensive player to come off the board? Quinyon Mitchell has emerged as a candidate for this distinction as not only did he showcase his abilities at Toledo, but he has moved up draft boards with a very strong pre-draft process.
Mitchell answered questions about his abilities in press coverage at the senior bowl and he had a great performance at the combine showcased by a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash.
Colts trade up to land Brock Bowers
The next trade up in Reuter’s 2024 NFL mock draft projects the Colts to move up to ninth overall in a swap with the Chicago Bears. With the selection the Colts pair last year’s first round pick Anthony Richardson with a talented playmaker in Brock Bowers.
Indianapolis has been seen as a popular landing spot for the talented tight end throughout the pre-draft process. Bowers fit with the Colts would be a good one as he would give Richardson a lethal weapon in the passing game. He projects well as a run after catch playmaker, intermediate and downfield separator, and red zone threat.
Vikings stand pat, land Bo Nix at 11th overall
With Kirk Cousins’ departure in free agency, the Vikings are a strong contender to make a big splash with a trade up on draft night. In this scenario however Reuter projects Minnesota to stand pat at 11th overall and select Bo Nix.
Nix emerged as a potential first round pick in this year’s class after turning his career around at Oregon. He has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football over the past two seasons. Nix’s efficiency as a distributor, pocket presence, and decision making displayed at Oregon makes him an enticing option for teams looking to find their future franchise quarterback in this draft.
Malik Nabers falls to the Raiders
Time and time again a talented player falls down the board further than expected on draft night. In this mock draft scenario, it’s Malik Nabers who falls as he comes off the board at 13th overall to Las Vegas. Raiders would be ecstatic to see this play out as Nabers is regarded by many as one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory.
Eagles trade up for Jared Verse
The Eagles have made big moves at edge rusher this offseason as the Eagles brought in Bryce Huff and traded Haason Reddick to the Jets. In this mock draft scenario they make yet another big splash at edge rusher by trading up to 16th overall in a swap with the seahawks to select Jared Verse. While edge rusher isn’t necessarily a need for Philadelphia, this would come as no surprise as they have consistently shown that they place a premium on defensive line.
Chiefs move up for Xavier Worthy
Kansas City comes into the draft eyeing an addition at wide receiver. In Reuter’s mock draft, the back-to-back Super Bowl champions make a splash on draft night in a trade with the Rams for the 19th overall pick to secure Xavier Worthy.
Fans have speculated about the possibility of Worthy going to the Chiefs since the Texas wide receiver broke the 40-yard dash record at the NFL combine. Worthy would give Kansas City’s offense a consistent downfield threat that has been missing since the Tyreek Hill.
49ers trade up to land Kool-Aid McKinstry
The last trade up of the night also involves one of the NFL’s best teams. Reuter projects the NFC champions to trade up to 25th overall in a swap with the to reinforce their secondary. Kool-Aid McKinstry is the third cornerback off the board in this mock draft as the former Alabama star’s mirroring ability in coverage is amongst the best in this class.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: USA TODAY
