Three-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Patriots deal for Justin Fields in one of five first-round trades
Quarterbacks will once again be the story of the NFL draft in 2024, but it won’t just be the prospects coming into the league making all the headlines. I expect two veteran signal-callers — Justin Fields and Russell Wilson — to be on the move, which will significantly impact the league’s Annual Selection Meeting.
In my three-round mock draft, I project the Bears will decide to move on from Fields and select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. In my forecast, the Bears send Fields to New England. The Patriots would swap first-round selections with Chicago this year and also give up a 2024 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2025 pick in the deal, similar to the trade between the Packers and Jets for Aaron Rodgers last year. I’m also projecting the Broncos will part with Wilson before next season, with Atlanta signing the veteran after his release. The contract extension signed by Wilson before the 2022 season will likely prevent a trade, and he also has a no-trade clause in that deal.
Throw in five soon-to-be rookies finding new homes in the top 33 selections, and you have a quarterback carousel that would draw crowds at Coney Island.
There are seven compensatory picks projected at the end of the third round of this mock. The first four are awarded to teams for losing 2023 free agents, as projected by Over the Cap. The final three reflect the projected compensation gained from teams hiring minority candidates away from the Rams, 49ers and Buccaneers for head coach/general manager openings.
Williams’ combination of physical tools and natural feel for the position point to an excellent NFL career. Defensive coordinators will hate that even if they manage to disguise their coverages, Williams will patiently review his options on the move and gain yards as a runner if no targets are available.
Washington’s beginning again at quarterback, banking on Daniels to lead the team. New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury might appreciate Daniels as much as he did Kyler Murray’s dual-threat ability when he was head coach of the Cardinals.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Bears take the Patriots’ trade compensation package for Fields to get a future star receiver to make Williams’ transition to the NFL easier. Harrison has room to grow at the next level, but his size/speed combination, body control and elusiveness with the ball in his hands are already tough for corners to handle.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
With Harrison off the board, the Cardinals acquire a 2025 first-round pick, along with a third-rounder this year, to swap places with Denver. Head coach Sean Payton gets his new quarterback.
Bowers has a chance to be the best player not named Caleb Williams in this draft because of his combination of reliable hands, strong running and blocking ability.
Will Anderson Jr.’s production dropped in his final year at Alabama (34.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks to 17 and 10) but he proved his combination of power and speed was NFL-ready. I expect to see the same from Verse, who was no less of a problem for offensive lines in 2023 than he was in the previous season, even if his numbers were slightly less impressive in ‘23 (17 TFL, 9 sacks in ‘22; 12.5 and 9 in ‘23).
Brad Hopkins, Michael Roos, Taylor Lewan … Joe Alt. It just makes sense for this big, agile left tackle to play for the Titans.
After using their last three top-10 picks on offense, the Falcons shore up the secondary with the feisty, strong and versatile Arnold.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH CHICAGO BEARS
Fashanu possesses the intelligence, length and athleticism to start at left tackle immediately for the Patriots, who could lose Trent Brown in free agency.
If the Jets can sign a free-agent receiver or trade for a veteran at the position to help Aaron Rodgers, then they’ll line up a tackle at this spot. The team could play Alijah Vera-Tucker at left tackle and put Fuaga on the right side.
