By 
Qwan’tez Stiggers: NFL prospect despite not playing college football
Qwan’tez Stiggers’ journey from various day jobs to a highly anticipated NFL draft pick is a rare feat.
The importance of hitting on a top-5 pick in the NFL draft cannot be overstated. A good pick can set a franchise up for future – or even immediate – success. A bad one can set a roster back several years.
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday night with its first round. While the first overall pick appears to be clear-cut, there still is not a consensus for how the rest of the top five will pan out.
While it is likely at least three teams in the top five will take a quarterback this year, it’s still unclear which prospect will end up with each team.
Here are the latest predictions for the top five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft according to the latest mock drafts from draft analysts around the web.
NFL MOCK DRAFT: Six QBs make first-round cut as trade possibilities remain
2024 NFL Draft projections
No. 1 overall pick
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California
Davis writes: “Williams has drawn (unfair) comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and peak Russell Wilson – which certainly means he’ll be expected to settle a position that’s usually been in flux in the Windy City for the past century. A multi-threat weapon who can make throws with the highest level of difficulty, Williams should essentially complete Chicago’s rebuild.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California
Davis writes: “The only suspense left with this pick is speculating how long it will take for the Bears to turn in the card. This young man has the potential for greatness.”
Courtney Cronin, ESPN: Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California
Cronin writes: “Drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick has felt like a foregone conclusion since Chicago traded quarterback Justin Fields to Pittsburgh last month. The Bears are the only NFL franchise to never have a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season and will rely on Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, to put an end to their decades-long QB futility.”
No. 2 overall pick
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Davis writes: “No quarterback in this draft possesses the 2023 Heisman winner’s elite combination of running and passing ability, Daniels capable of a backbreaking bolt to the end zone via land or air.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Davis writes: “A thorough evaluation by new general manager Adam Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn concludes with their selection of the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.”
John Keim, ESPN: Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Keim writes: “Daniels creates chaos for defenses and not just with his legs. At the NFL’s annual meetings last month, Commanders coach Dan Quinn praised Daniels’ ability to process quickly in the pocket… Daniels’ ability to create will be the difference.”
No. 3 overall pick
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Davis writes: “Maye slipped a bit in 2023 after being the ACC Player of the Year in 2022 but also didn’t have the same weapons at his disposal. If he does need a season – or maybe less – to dial into the NFL, New England does have veteran QB Jacoby Brissett as a stopgap.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: New England Patriots – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Davis writes: “SURPRISE! I was convinced for a while that New England would be the future home of Drake Maye, but now I’m questioning that line of thinking. In this projection, after the Pats entertain a bunch of trade offers, they ultimately choose to “run history back” in a sense, selecting another Michigan man to lead them…”
Mike Reiss, ESPN: New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Reiss: “One thing is known: The Patriots are targeting a quarterback. One thing remains a wild card: Which quarterback they believe suits them best. The hunch is Maye’s combination of physical traits and intangibles wins out in the end.”
No. 4 overall pick
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Davis writes: “[A]t some point, you can’t turn down premium players who fill major needs. Harrison would certainly do that for a club that clearly lacks anything resembling a WR1 following the free agent departure of Hollywood Brown.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Davis writes: “[I]n this scenario, the Cards stand pat. If they do trade this pick, expect another one of the draft’s top WRs to still land in Phoenix on Day 1.”
Josh Weinfuss, ESPN: Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Weinfuss writes: “It’s hard to pass on arguably the best player in the draft, and that’s Harrison. It just so happens the Cardinals need a WR1. He’ll be a foundational player for Arizona and will give quarterback Kyler Murray the kind of offensive playmaker who could eventually take the Cardinals to the playoffs.”
No. 5 overall pick
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (proposed trade with Los Angeles Chargers)
Davis writes: “The Vikes have been expected to deal up for a quarterback to replace departed starter Kirk Cousins since acquiring a second first-round pick from the Texans last month… McCarthy displayed ample physical tools over 28 college starts and has renowned intangibles.”
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Davis writes: “Joe Hortiz is another GM who will have his phone close to him at all times and will happily accept calls. Both he and new head coach Jim Harbaugh love their offensive linemen…”
Kevin Seifert, ESPN: Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (proposed trade with Los Angeles Chargers)
Seifert writes: “This trade was the cleanest way to ensure the Vikings got a first-round quarterback and true successor to Kirk Cousins… In terms of coaching and personnel, McCarthy lands in the best spot of all the first-round passers.”
CALEB WILLIAMS: ‘He laughs. He cries’: Likely No. 1 pick’s relatability, big arm go back to high school days
2024 NFL draft: How to watch on cable TV and streaming
- When: April 25-27, 2024
- Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
- Cable: ESPN; ABC; NFL Network
- Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; Hulu+ Live TV; fuboTV
HOW TO WATCH: Catch all seven rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft with a subscription to fuboTV
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
