Several NFL teams in need of a quarterback, including the Denver Broncos, are currently positioned outside the top 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft order. If they wish to secure one of this year’s top prospects at the crucial quarterback position, they’ll likely need to trade up.
In the latest 2024 NFL mock draft by CBS Sports, the Broncos make a bold move, jumping into the top 10 to acquire a new franchise quarterback. However, the player they select comes as a surprise.
Despite LSU’s Jayden Daniels still being available, the Broncos set their sights on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy after trading up to the No. 7 pick in this mock draft.
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports commented on the move, stating:
“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.”
While fit can significantly influence a quarterback’s success when transitioning to the next level, it’s difficult to imagine any team trading up for McCarthy over Daniels purely based on talent, production, and potential.
The Atlanta Falcons emerge as significant beneficiaries of this projection. With the Broncos trading up for McCarthy, the Falcons have the opportunity to snag Daniels with the very next pick.
Adding the dynamic Heisman Trophy winner to an offense already boasting explosive weapons such as Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts would undoubtedly be thrilling to watch.
Despite four quarterbacks being selected in the top 10, this first-round mock draft doesn’t feature another signal-caller thereafter. This leaves other top prospects like Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix waiting until Day 2 to hear their names called.
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