2024 NFL Draft: CBS Sports shakes up new mock, predicts key QB landing spots

The 2024 NFL Draft is creeping closer, and mock drafts keeps coming. And CBS Sports came out with a bit of an unorthodox exercise.

The wildcard in this version, done by Chris Trapasso, is predicting where veteran quarterbacks will be signed in free agency, which begins in less than two weeks, or be traded. And with quarterback seats getting filled, the draft order is thusly affected.

The proposed quarterback-franchise pairings in the mock are as follows: Baker Mayfield to the Atlanta Falcons, Kirk Cousins to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson to the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Fields to the Seattle Seahawks and Jacoby Brissett to the New England Patriots.

And those proposed signings shaped this mock draft in some fascinating ways.

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

No real surprises here, as things are increasingly trending toward the Bears using the first overall selection on Williams. And in this exercise, the Bears have shipped Fields to the Seahawks for some unspecified ransom.

Williams has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. He just needs to clean up some fumbles and a few other bad habits to keep ascending.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Perhaps the first surprise of this mock, Daniels could certainly be the second quarterback selected, although most have him slotted in as QB3. His downfield passing acumen and playmaking with his legs are both extremely exciting tools for NFL teams.

The big concern for Daniels is his slight build and the concerns about injuries. Time will tell how he can fill out his frame to last better in the NFL.

3. Minnesota Vikings (from NE): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

And the fun really begins. In this mock, the Patriots are content with rolling out some combination of Jacoby Brissett, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at quarterback. That leave the No. 3 pick open for a team to trade up for a signal caller.

That’s the Vikings here, and they go after the top quarterback left on the board in Maye. With prototypical size and plus athleticism, Maye is even considered QB1 for some evaluators, even if by a slim margin.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Arizona need not overthink this pick. They’ve got a quarterback that they’re locked in to and adding a blue chip pass catcher for the foreseeable future never hurts.

Harrison is a rare combination of high-level athleticism in a 6-foot-4, 200-plus pound frame at wideout. He’s as pro-ready as players come out of the draft.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Chargers are a wildcard in this draft, with the potential to trade out or make a pick at a number of positions. And they start building themselves in the image of their new head coach with a bruising, powerful lineman.

Fuaga is not considered the top tackle for most, but he’s the exact type of punishing, powerful player that Jim Harbaugh loves. Plus it would give the Chargers a pair of tackles on rookie contracts.

6. New York Giants: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Perhaps the most polarizing player in the draft, McCarthy was never asked to drop back and win games for Michigan in college. People rightly question if he can do it in the NFL.

But the arm talent is there, McCarthy is a decent, tough athlete — but suffers from some weight concerns, like Daniels — and he’s sure to light it up in interviews. Could the Giants shock the world with the No. 6 pick on draft day?

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Few draft pairings have been as popular as Alt to the Titans. Tennessee needs offensive line help, specifically at tackle, and Alt’s combination of experience, length and power have him as the top tackle for many.

Plus, Alt has lots of upside as a road-grading run blocker, perfect to extract the most out of the remainder of Derrick Henry’s career.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Latu was one of, if not the best edge rusher in college football in 2023. And NFL teams can never have too much ability to rush the passer.

Latu brings experience and a technician’s ability with his hands and footwork. He might not be the most explosive athlete off the edge, but he knows how to win.

9. Chicago Bears: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Nabers is a bolt of lightning, capable of scoring basically any time he touches the football. And he’d be a strong pairing with his new teammate under center in Chicago.

The bigger question is whether or not Nabers makes it this far, as many suspect he could be picked even higher. His ceiling is probably the pick after Harrison.

10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

It’s a good year to need offensive line help, and the Jets need offensive line help. Fashanu is a special athlete at tackle, agile and strong and still young. He’s yet to turn 21.

He’s exactly the sort of talent the Jets can just drop in at either of the tackle spots to protect their significant investment under center.

Picks No. 11 through 32 in this mock draft

11. New England Patriots (via MIN): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
14. New Orleans Saints: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
15. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
16. Seattles Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
19. Los Angeles Rams: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
21. Miami Dolphins: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
23. Houston Texans: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
24. Dallas Cowboys: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
25. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
28. Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
29. Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
30. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
31. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia