2024 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Trade Up, Make Surprising QB Pick
There are a handful of quarterback-needy teams currently sitting outside the top 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft order, and if they want one of this year's top prospects at the game's most important position, they'll have to trade up.
That's what happens in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, as the Denver Broncos make the leap into the top 10 to grab a new franchise quarterback, but the one they choose is a huge surprise.
Despite having LSU's Jayden Daniels still on the board, it's Michigan's J.J. McCarthy who ends up being the Broncos' target after trading up to the No. 7 pick in this mock draft.
Here's what Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports had to say about the move:
My lone trade has Denver jumping in front of Atlanta to get the QB it wants in Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy didn't throw in college nearly as often as the other QBs in this class, but he's a tremendous athlete with a strong arm who can throw from multiple arm angles and gets through his progressions quickly. He's the kind of QB Sean Payton will want to lead the Broncos.
Fit can definitely go a long way toward determining success for quarterbacks when they transition to the next level, but in terms of pure talent, production and potential, it's hard to imagine any team trading up for McCarthy over Daniels.
The Atlanta Falcons are the biggest winners of this projection, as the Broncos trading up for McCarthy leaves them the opportunity to select Daniels at the very next spot. Adding the dynamic Heisman Trophy winner to an offense already loaded with explosive weapons (Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts) would be fun to watch.
After putting four quarterbacks in the top 10, this first-round mock doesn't have another signal-caller the rest of the way, leaving other top prospects like Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix waiting until Day 2 to hear their names called.
To check out the full mock draft at CBS Sports, click here.
