CBS Sports releases 2024 NFL Mock Draft with 6 QBs selected in first round

Early on, it looks like the quarterbacks are going to dominate this year’s NFL draft cycle. Teams are always looking to find a new young stud at the sport’s most important position and this go-round, a ton of talent is expected at the top.

In fact, in CBS Sports’ updated 2024 Mock Draft, six signal callers were selected in the first round. Three of them came in top top five, with some teams making franchise-altering decisions. Injuries have played a role in projected decisions too.

NFL scouts will be watching college games closely over the final weeks of the regular season, seeing if anyone emerges. For now, here is the latest first-round projection from CBS Sports.

1. Arizona Cardinals – USC QB Caleb Williams

It’s going to be a race to the bottom for Williams. Deemed a generational quarterback prospect, teams will be fighting to get the No. 1 overall pick and select another player guided by USC head coach Lincoln Riley.

Arizona would have some decisions to make once drafting Williams, particularly with Kyler Murray. But grabbing Williams would be a great start to what seems to be a rebuild in the desert.

2. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – North Carolina QB Drake Maye

In any other draft cycle, Maye would be an easy top overall pick. There might even be some debate out there about taking the UNC quarterback ahead of Williams.

Maye has shown to be a special passer and is an incredible athlete — just look at his family history. Chicago would be hitting the reset button at quarterback here, likely moving on from Justin Fields.

3. Chicago Bears – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

If you’re going to select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, may as well take the best receiver in the class at No. 3. Harrison has been labeled as a special prospect, proven with a WR being taken inside of the top three.

More than anything, this is a position of need for the Bears. The front office did make a nice addition with DJ Moore but making sure Maye has plenty of weapons would be accomplished by selecting Harrison.

4. New York Giants – Oregon QB Bo Nix

In the blink of an eye, the quarterback situation became messy in New York. After giving Daniel Jones a four-year contract extension, he tore his ACL on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

Nix is somebody with a ton of experience during his time at Auburn and Oregon. The Giants selecting him would be a potential plug-and-play with the hopes of instant success in a loaded NFC East.

5. Denver Broncos (via NE) – Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

CBS Sports worked up a trade for this one, having the Broncos move up to take an offensive tackle to protect Russell Wilson. It’s been a struggle so far this season, ranking 26th in sacks allowed heading into Week 10.

Fashanu would have been a top-10 pick had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He decided to go back for another year of college and is now widely considered OT1 to this point.

6. Los Angeles Rams – Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton

“There are plenty of Aaron Donald similarities with Newton rushing from the inside,” CBS Sports’ analysis read. “Natural pick here.”

Everyone in the NFL is looking for the next Donald but having a similar type of player on the roster is a scary thought. Eventually, Newton would turn into his full-time replacement (instead of partner) as well.

7. Green Bay Packers – Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

Despite Fashanu being selected at No. 5, CBS Sports actually has Fuaga as their top overall offensive tackle in the class. Maybe going a bit under the radar at Oregon State, he could be one to watch as the draft cycle rolls on.

The Packers are looking for more help up front but rarely take an offensive player in the first round. Jordan Love was their latest (2020) and before then, you have to go back to 2011. If Fuaga wound up being the selection, it would be a rarity in Green Bay.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Washington WR Rome Odunze

Washington’s offense has gotten a lot of love this season and while the quarterback usually starts the conversation, it quickly transitions to the wide receivers. Odunze might be the best of the bunch and is certainly having a 2023 season to back it up.

Listed at 6’3, 215 pounds, Odunze already has the size to compete at the NFL level. A good combine and his stock should continue to shoot up.

9. New England Patriots (via DEN) – Michigan QB JJ McCarthy

With the Patriots dropping back in the draft, CBS has them taking another quarterback in the first round. And if history tells us anything, they have success with QBs out of Michigan.

McCarthy has been the main reason the Wolverines offense is operating at a high level this season. He is on pace to have career highs in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns. A potential Mac Jones replacement here at No. 9.

10. Tennessee Titans – Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

If the Titans have found something with Will Levis, they need to find a way to protect him. Taking Alt out of Notre Dame would be a great pick, continuing the great OL draft history the Fighting Irish have.

Alt was a first-team All-American during the 2022 season and should have some more honors coming his way soon. Tennessee would have a tackle spot locked down for the foreseeable future with him on the roster.

11. Atlanta Falcons – Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson

12. Washington Commanders – Georgia TE Brock Bowers

13. Indianapolis Colts – Florida State WR Keon Coleman

14. Oakland Raiders – LSU QB Jayden Daniels

15. Arizona Cardinals – LSU WR Malik Nabers

16. New York Jets – Washington OT Troy Fautanu

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Miami DL Leonard Taylor

18. Buffalo Bills – Minnesota S Tyler Nubin

19. New Orleans Saints – Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka

20. Minnesota Vikings – Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

21. Dallas Cowboys – Miami S Kamren Kinchens

22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Penn State CB Kalen King

23. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

24. Cincinnati Bengals – South Carolina WR Xavier Legette

25. Seattle Seahawks – Clemson LB Barrett Carter

26. San Francisco 49ers – Duke OT Graham Barton

27. Miami Dolphins – Arizona OT Jordan Morgan

28. Jacksonville Jaguars – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

29. Detroit Lions – Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

30. Baltimore Ravens – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Texas WR Xavier Worthy

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Washington EDGE Bralen Trice

Plenty of time still separates now and the 2024 NFL Draft. Players still have multiple games to play before going through the entire process. Ultimately, the big day will come on Thursday, April 25 in Detroit, MI where 32 players will hear their names called in the first round.