2024 NFL Draft: CBS Sports shakes up latest mock draft in a big way after NFL Combine

A big step in the NFL Draft process took place over the weekend, with all 32 teams in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. Some of the best available players this April were on full display, taking part in drills to give coaches, scouts, and general managers a better idea of who they could draft.

Following the Combine, CBS Sports has shaken up its latest first-round mock draft. The biggest might be three quarterbacks being selected at the top but one of the names might surprise you.

CBS Sports even predicts a trade to take place inside of the top 10. If it were to play out, we would have a fun Thursday night ahead of us in just over a month.

1. Chicago Bears – USC QB Caleb Williams

Chicago still has a decision to make, at least publicly, between keeping Justin Fields and the No. 1 overall pick. However, the general consensus is that Williams will end up with the Bears while Fields is traded away.

While Williams did not participate in the NFL Combine, his draft stock has not taken a hit. Everyone in Chicago will be hoping they finally have a franchise quarterback.

2. Washington Commanders – LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Being able to select the Heisman Trophy winner at No. 2 overall would be a good feeling. Especially for a franchise such as Washington, who has been searching for stability at the quarterback position for quite some time.

Daniels can make highlight real plays both through the air and with his legs. Washington may have hired a defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn but taking a quarterback seems like the easy choice.

3. New England Patriots – Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Once dubbed the best quarterback in the history of Michigan football by former head coach Jim Harbaugh, everyone instantly thought of Tom Brady. Well, the New England Patriots selecting McCarthy would only grow the discussion surrounding the two.

McCarthy elevating into the top three would be considered a surprise, with his draft position being widely discussed. Fresh off a national championship, he might wind up being the biggest riser of the class.

4. Arizona Cardinals – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

A few wide receivers turned heads at the NFL combine with impressive performances. But make no mistake about it, Harrison is still likely the first WR off the board in Detroit.

Harrison might be the top pick in the draft if teams did not consider position values. Arizona is desperate to get help for Kyler Murray and nobody better than Harrison.

5. Minnesota Vikings (via LAC) – North Carolina QB Drake Maye

Kirk Cousins still has a chance to wind up in Minnesota but if he decides to leave, Minnesota would be without a franchise guy. And if Maye slips down toward No. 5, CBS projects a trade to move up six spots.

Many people will have Maye as the No. 2 quarterback in the class, just behind Williams. Watching the duo compete in the NFC North over the years would be fascinating to watch.

6. New York Giants – Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

In what’s thought to be an incredibly deep offensive tackle class, Fashanu is the first one taken off the board in CBS Sports’ mock draft. Nobody allowed more sacks than the Giants in 2023 — by a mile — and it’s a position of serious need.

Fashanu could have declared last offseason and would have been a high draft pick. Returning to Penn State paid off and in this scenario, he will be heading to the Big Apple to block for Daniel Jones.

7. Tennessee Titans – Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

When you draft an offensive tackle in the top 10, you hope they can become a Day One starter. Alt is expected to be exactly that with the Titans.

Notre Dame has a great track record of producing blockers up front. Tennessee hopes Alt will be just the latest and be there to protect Will Levis for the foreseeable future.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Verse has been a popular name when it comes to the Draft for over a year now. He produced at Florida State in 2023 and then put on a solid showing at the Combine.

Atlanta might be on the hunt for a quarterback but likely needs to make a trade in order to get one. Selecting somebody like Verse to bolster the defense, if staying put at No. 8, would be a great move for the Falcons.

9. Chicago Bears – LSU WR Malik Nabers

What’s the best way to compensate the quarterback you just selected No. 1 overall? Find an elite receiver eight picks later to pair with him.

Nabers sliding to Chicago would be a massive win for the franchise. He, alongside D.J. Moore, would provide two great weapons for Williams heading into his rookie season.

10. New York Jets – Washington WR Rome Odunze

The Jets desperately need to find a way to block for Aaron Rodgers, who is fresh off his Achilles injury from last season. However, two offensive tackles taken a few spots ahead may mean it’s too difficult to pass on a player like Odunze.

Rodgers can never be short of talented receivers, already having Garrett Wilson. Odunze would bring something new to New York and cause plenty of opposing defensive coordinator headaches.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN) – Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
12. Denver Broncos – Texas DT Byron Murphy II
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
14. New Orleans Saints – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
15. Indianapolis Colts – Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
16. Buffalo Bills – LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Alabama OT JC Latham
19. Los Angeles Rams – Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Oregon IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
21. Miami Dolphins – Georgia TE Brock Bowers
22. Philadelphia Eagles – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
23. Houston Texans – Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
24. Dallas Cowboys – Washington IOL Troy Fautanu
25. Green Bay Packers – Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Florida State WR Keon Coleman
27. Arizona Cardinals – Georgia OT Amarius Mims
28. Seattle Seahawks – Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
29. Detroit Lions – Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
30. Baltimore Ravens – Duke OT Graham Barton
31. San Francisco 49ers – Missouri EDGE Darius Robinson
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Texas WR Xavier Worthy

Most of these players will now turn their attention to their respective Pro Days. Some more risers could be on the way, hoping to solidify a place in the first round in Detroit.