2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears land Caleb Williams, enhance pass rush; Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow get playmakers

There was some real temptation to trade a veteran quarterback with my second NFL mock draft of the year, and there's also just too obvious an option when it comes to a trade not to take it.

When the Vikings acquired another first-round pick from the Texans they made their intention quite clear: They are preparing to make a move up in this draft for a quarterback. Now, it's also possible the Vikings believe this draft class is much better than next year's class and they want to load up on this impressive first round. 

But it's more likely they're chasing a quarterback after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency, so I've got them trading up to No. 5 with the Chargers, who have a lot of holes on the roster after cutting Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen. 

This could make things particularly spicy with the Giants possibly hunting a quarterback and the Patriots and Cardinals possibly willing to move out of the No. 3 and No. 4 holes, respectively. 

In short, the Vikings will have their fair share of suitors, and it shouldn't be surprising to see them move up either ahead of the draft (to No. 4) or during the draft (No. 5). 

For more draft content, check out our latest prospect rankings and mock drafts, as well as our new weekly podcast, "With the First Pick," featuring former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. (Check out the latest episode below.)

NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

From Carolina Panthers Round 1 - Pick 1 Caleb Williams QB USC • 6'1" / 215 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd PAYDS 3328 RUYDS 185 INTS 5 TDS 36 The trade of Justin Fields all but seals this pick for the Bears, not that it wasn't already locked in before that.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Drake Maye QB North Carolina • 6'4" / 225 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st Washington could move out of the second spot if someone offers it a haul, but the feeling is new ownership wants to get "their guy" at quarterback to ignite a passionate fanbase.

Round 1 - Pick 3 Jayden Daniels QB LSU • 6'4" / 210 lbs Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st The Patriots are a trade-out candidate here as well, but like the Commanders, they want to grab their guy in this QB-rich draft, and they do so with the Heisman winner, who pairs nicely with the sneakily unathletic Jacoby Brissett.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State • 6'4" / 205 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 4th The Cardinals have to get a wide receiver here, and they might view Harrison as a franchise-altering WR to pair with Kyler Murray.

Mock Trade from Los Angeles Chargers Round 1 - Pick 5 J.J. McCarthy QB Michigan • 6'3" / 219 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 2nd The Vikings' intent is very clear with their weekend move, acquiring an additional first-round pick: They are preparing to move up for a quarterback. If three quarterbacks are off the board to start, J.J. McCarthy is probably their guy. He's widely regarded in NFL circles and the Vikings move up here with the Chargers, who are happy to drop back for a pair of firsts (11 and 23).

Round 1 - Pick 6 Malik Nabers WR LSU • 6'0" / 200 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd The Giants would probably like to upgrade at quarterback for the long haul, and I wouldn't count them out in the McCarthy hunt, but if they stand pat, they'll be thrilled with a blue-chip receiver.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Joe Alt OT Notre Dame • 6'8" / 322 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 2nd The Titans have to focus on improving Will Levis protection, and with Brian/Bill Callahan on board grabbing a stud OL makes a ton of sense.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Dallas Turner EDGE Alabama • 6'3" / 247 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st A great example of how free agency shapes the draft: The Falcons were players for a QB or a WR before going big on the open market. Now they can focus on the defensive side of the ball with all their additions.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Jared Verse EDGE Florida State • 6'4" / 260 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 2nd Chicago could certainly go WR or OL here to help Williams, but the Bears grabbed Keenan Allen and have to feel adding another EDGE could push this defense into really compelling territory.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Rome Odunze WR Washington • 6'3" / 215 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 3rd The Jets should be doing backflips here being able to add a player like Odunze as another weapon for Aaron Rodgers after improving the OL in free agency.

Mock Trade from Minnesota Vikings Round 1 - Pick 11 Brock Bowers TE Georgia • 6'4" / 230 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 1st The Chargers are able to trade down and scoop up a weapon for Justin Herbert. Bowers fits perfectly with what Jim Harbaugh wants to do on offense.

Round 1 - Pick 12 Byron Murphy II DL Texas • 6'0" / 306 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 4th The Broncos have plenty of holes and getting better on the defensive line should certainly be a priority.

Round 1 - Pick 13 Terrion Arnold CB Alabama • 6'0" / 199 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 5th Hearing Arnold talk, he sure does sound like the type of guy Antonio Pierce would love to have on his defense.

Mock Trade from New Orleans Saints Round 1 - Pick 14 JC Latham OT Alabama • 6'6" / 342 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st The Chargers have enough ammo to move back up in the draft and grab a mauling offensive lineman in Latham, who can start on the right side for them from jump street.

Round 1 - Pick 15 Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo • 6'0" / 193 lbs Projected Team Indianapolis PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 2nd The Colts could use a few more quality pieces in their secondary.

Round 1 - Pick 16 Laiatu Latu EDGE UCLA • 6'5" / 265 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 4th Very curious to see what Seattle does without Pete Carroll's influence on the drafting philosophy. I would GUESS the Seahawks are more likely to trade back, but for now they can take Latu here.

Round 1 - Pick 17 Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU • 6'2" / 209 lbs Projected Team Jacksonville PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 1st The Jags missed out on Calvin Ridley and that could end up making receiver a priority for them in the draft.

Round 1 - Pick 18 Adonai Mitchell WR Texas • 6'2" / 205 lbs Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 3rd Offensive line could be a priority, but with Tee Higgins set to leave after a tag year the Bengals could certainly end up going receiver here.

Round 1 - Pick 19 T'Vondre Sweat DL Texas • 6'4" / 366 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 3rd The Aaron Donald retirement makes this a little easier to project, although suggesting we know what the Rams will do with a first-round pick is silly since it's the first since 2016.

Round 1 - Pick 20 Amarius Mims OT Georgia • 6'8" / 350 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 1st We know this won't be a quarterback! But the Steelers could certainly use some help protecting their two new quarterbacks, and we've seen the Steelers willing to dip their toe in the UGA pool.

Round 1 - Pick 21 Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT Penn State • 6'6" / 312 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st The Dolphins could look to boost their pass rush with injuries a problem on that side of the ball. I'm going to give them some OL depth knowing they'll need to protect Tua long term.

Round 1 - Pick 22 Ladd McConkey WR Georgia • 6'0" / 185 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 1st If there's a quality UGA prospect available you can bet Howie Roseman will consider drafting him.

Mock Trade from Los Angeles Chargers Round 1 - Pick 23 Chop Robinson EDGE Penn State • 6'3" / 254 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 31st POSITION RNK 3rd This pick has been actually traded twice and now mock traded twice! Dizzying! The Saints just signed Chase Young, but it's just a one-year deal so depth should be important.

Round 1 - Pick 24 Graham Barton OT Duke • 6'5" / 314 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 4th The Cowboys have seen some serious attrition on the offensive line, and they've been more than willing to grab their guys in the draft.

Round 1 - Pick 25 Troy Fautanu IOL Washington • 6'4" / 317 lbs Projected Team Green Bay PROSPECT RNK 35th POSITION RNK 6th Offensive line isn't a pressing need, but there's nothing wrong with building out some depth after the departure of David Bahktiari.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Taliese Fuaga OT Oregon State • 6'6" / 324 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 54th POSITION RNK 4th This offensive line class is deep and will offer teams on the back end of the draft a chance to create a run.

From Houston Texans Round 1 - Pick 27 Nate Wiggins CB Clemson • 6'1" / 182 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 38th POSITION RNK 2nd Was tempted to double dip at WR here, but getting a stud defensive prospect for Jonathan Gannon is probably a priority.

Round 1 - Pick 28 Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama • 5'11" / 199 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 1st The Bills lost a ton of players in the secondary and I can't not see Sean McDermott trying to restock things via the draft.

Round 1 - Pick 29 Cooper DeJean CB Iowa • 6'0" / 198 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 57th POSITION RNK 9th Brad Holmes loves defensive backs, and DeJean fits with a Dan Campbell-style team.

Round 1 - Pick 30 Cooper Beebe IOL Kansas State • 6'4" / 335 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 32nd POSITION RNK 6th The Ravens have the running back, but who is blocking for Derrick Henry? I think they trust their draft picks, but may continue drafting and developing.

Round 1 - Pick 31 Troy Franklin WR Oregon • 6'3" / 180 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 36th POSITION RNK 6th YAC production is something the Niners love and we don't know what will happen with Brandon Aiyuk for the long haul.

Round 1 - Pick 32 Ricky Pearsall WR Florida • 6'1" / 192 lbs The Chiefs added Hollywood Brown in free agency, but could keep improving the WR depth chart in the draft without putting too much pressure on a young player.