Mock draft roundup: Three teams trade into top 10 for QBs

From now until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit, the "experts" will release mock drafts on an almost weekly basis. 

This is your one-stop shop for the latest predictions including the top five picks, players rising and falling, surprise selections and potential trades.

The experts highlighted this week are NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli and USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz.

Pick No. 1 (Chicago Bears)

Jeremiah, Fornelli, Middlehurst-Schwartz: USC QB Caleb Williams

There is growing belief that the Bears could work out a trade for QB Justin Fields this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, which means it's only a matter of time until they select Williams with the first overall pick. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner has thrown for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23.

Pick No. 2 (Washington Commanders)

Jeremiah, Middlehurst-Schwartz: UNC QB Drake Maye

The debate between who will be the second quarterback off the board is ongoing, but this week, the "experts" lean towards Maye. The 21-year-old has just two years of starting experience but has proven a lot in a short amount of time, passing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions from 2022-23.

Fornelli: LSU QB Jayden Daniels (traded to Atlanta Falcons)

Fornelli believes the first trade of the 2024 NFL Draft could come at pick No. 2 and it will be the Falcons striking a deal with the Commanders, who "had their hearts set on Williams," to land Daniels. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Pick No. 3 (New England Patriots)

Jeremiah, Fornelli: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

It would be surprising if the Patriots opt to not select one of the top three quarterbacks with their first pick. But if they are not in love with who is left, they could take the best playmaker in the draft. Harrison Jr. would be the true No. 1 wide receiver New England's been missing, posting 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.

Middlehurst-Schwartz: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

The "experts" aren't in complete agreement, however. Middlehurst-Schwartz thinks without a "quick-fix solution at quarterback on the open market," the Patriots must take a chance on the "electric" Daniels.

Pick No. 4 (Arizona Cardinals)

Jeremiah: LSU WR Malik Nabers

With Harrison Jr. already off the board, Jeremiah believes the Cardinals will select arguably the second-best wide receiver in the draft. Nabers is the No. 1 wide receiver Arizona has been missing, posting 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.

Fornelli: UNC QB Drake Maye (traded to Minnesota Vikings)

If Maye somehow falls outside of the top three, expect multiple teams to call the Cardinals to trade up. Fornelli thinks it will be the Vikings, who would have likely moved off QB Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

This is the ideal scenario for Arizona, which is looking to add another weapon for QB Kyler Murray. Harrison Jr. would be that and then some.

Pick No. 5 (Los Angeles Chargers)

Jeremiah, Fornelli: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt

The Chargers could go several different ways with their first-round pick, but two of these "experts" believe they will strengthen their offensive line. Selecting Alt, who allowed four sacks in his collegiate career, would certainly do that.

Middlehurst-Schwartz: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Los Angeles does need a playmaking tight end with Gerald Everett set to become a free agent. Bowers would only strengthen QB Justin Herbert's arsenal after posting 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns catches from 2021-23.

Players on the rise

Jeremiah: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (No. 8 to Atlanta Falcons)

Fornelli: McCarthy (No. 9, traded to Pittsburgh Steelers)

Middlehurst-Schwartz: McCarthy (No. 12 to Denver Broncos)

McCarthy's draft stock has been rising ever since he led the Wolverines to a national championship. He could very well be a top-10 pick when it's all said and done, and the "experts" clearly believe he's flirting with that territory now. McCarthy threw for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions from 2022-23.

Players falling

Jeremiah, Fornelli, Middlehurst-Schwartz: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

At the beginning of the offseason, many viewed Penix Jr. as a first-round pick. However, that's not the case this week as he isn't projected to be taken in any of the "experts'" mock drafts. If the former Huskies quarterback, who led his team to a national championship appearance in 2023, does fall out of the first round, he shouldn't have to wait too long on day two. Penix Jr. threw for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions from 2022-23.

Surprise picks

Jeremiah: LSU QB Jayden Daniels (No. 6 to New York Giants)

Although Daniels falling outside of the top five would be enticing for the Giants, it still feels unlikely that New York would move off of QB Daniel Jones after handing him a four-year, $160 million contract last offseason. The start to Jones' NFL career has been far from perfect, but in 2022, he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions, rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns and led his team to a postseason win. Adding the best available playmaker makes the most sense.