2024 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Minnesota Vikings Trade Up For J.J. McCarthy

The free agency downpour has slowed to a sprinkle, so it’s time to reassess draft needs.

A team like the Chargers suddenly needs a wide receiver badly, while the Bears are in better shape there. The Vikings need a quarterback, and in this mock draft, they move up aggressively to get one.

Here we go.

1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC

This one can be written in pen now. The Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers and are all set to draft the USC star. Williams has outrageous -5000 odds to be the No. 1 overall pick over at FanDuel, if you feel like wagering $50 to make a profit of $1 (don't do this).

2. Washington Commanders: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Maye’s odds to be drafted second: +130 at FanDuel

The odds have flipped, as Jayden Daniels is now the favorite to be the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Maye isn’t as athletic as Daniels but I still think he’s the better passer and will be the choice. The odds pay out better now than they ever have for Maye to go No. 2.

3. New England Patriots: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Daniels’ odds to be drafted third: +230 at FanDuel

The Patriots signed bridge quarterback Jacoby Brissett in free agency, and all signs point to a quarterback here. J.J. McCarthy is picking up a little momentum to go top-3, but Daniels would likely be the pick if this is how the board falls.

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

Harrison’s odds to be drafted fourth: -230 at FanDuel

The Vikings will make an overture to trade up, but unless they offer their 2025 first-round pick in addition to Nos. 11 and 23, it’s not enough for me. The Cardinals' current offensive roster composition is screaming for a No. 1 wideout, and dropping to 11 would put that in peril.

Harrison, Jr. checks every box, and is the clear-cut best non-quarterback prospect in the draft. If Minnesota wants to make an offer Arizona can’t refuse, then fine. But if not, the Cardinals will stick and pick a new best friend for Kyler Murray.

5. Minnesota Vikings (via Los Angeles Chargers): QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Trade compensation: No. 11 overall, No. 23 overall, 4th-round pick, 2025 3rd-round pick
McCarthy’s odds to be drafted fifth: +450 at FanDuel

The Chargers are suddenly in flux on offense after the departures of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The favorite to land here is Malik Nabers, and he would be a nice addition for Los Angeles, but an offer from Minnesota might be too enticing to pass up.

With Harrison, Jr. off the board, the Chargers can drop to 11 and hope that one of their targets makes it there, while picking up more draft capital.

6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Nabers’ odds to be drafted sixth: +130 at FanDuel

If the Giants want McCarthy, they are in pretty good position to trade up a spot or two to make it happen. But they could also give Daniel Jones one more season to turn things around, and add a stud in Nabers to help him out. 

7. Tennessee Titans: T Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Alt’s odds to be drafted seventh: +100 at FanDuel

A bit of a fall for Alt, who some expect to go in the top-5. It’s hard to see him getting past the Titans, who can add some protection for Will Levis after adding wideout Calvin Ridley in free agency.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama

Odds Turner is the first defensive player taken: -210 at FanDuel

It takes awhile, but a defensive player comes off the board. After a lot of focus on the Falcons’ offense, they add a potential game-changer on the edge.

9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The Bears have D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen at receiver but the value here is fantastic. Talk about setting up Caleb Williams for success as a rookie.

10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Odds the Jets draft Bowers: +300 at FanDuel

The Jets have long been paired with offensive tackles but did address that spot in free agency, which allows them to take a premium weapon for Aaron Rodgers.

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

Odds Fuaga is the first offensive lineman drafted: +340 at FanDuel

The Chargers grab an upper-tier offensive tackle prospect as they begin to rebuild around Justin Herbert.

12. Denver Broncos: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Odds Mitchell is first defensive player taken in draft: +380 at FanDuel

The Broncos may be in the mix for a quarterback, but drafting Bo Nix is too rich right here, so they take a cornerback to pair with Pat Surtain. Mitchell has been a fast riser.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: CB J.J. Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Same scenario for the Raiders. Will look at the quarterback prospects but could opt for a corner.

14. New Orleans Saints: T Olu Fashanu, Penn State

I had an edge rusher going to the Saints last time but the signing of Chase Young helps mitigate that need. This time the Saints opt for a talented tackle who many thought would be a top-5 pick a couple months ago.

15. Indianapolis Colts: DE Jared Verse, Florida State

Odds the Colts take a DL/Edge with their first pick: +550 at DraftKings

The Colts need to add another weapon in their passing game but the value is too good here to pass up. Verse will give them another cornerstone piece getting after quarterbacks.

16. Seattle Seahawks: G/T Troy Fautanu, Washington

Fautanu can plug in as a starting guard immediately, and can also play tackle down the road if the need arises.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Brian Thomas, LSU

The Jaguars watched Calvin Ridley slip away to a division rival, so they regroup by taking a high-upside receiver in the middle of the first round.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: T J.C. Latham, Alabama

Odds Bengals take an OL with their first draft pick: -200 at DraftKings

The Bengals lost Jonah Williams in free agency, so a tackle makes perfect sense in the first round. They get a good one here.

19. Los Angeles Rams: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois

Odds of the Rams taking a DL/edge with their first pick: +115 at DraftKings

It’s very simplistic to mock a defensive tackle to the Rams following the retirement of Aaron Donald. But I am a simple man.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Odds of the Steelers taking an OL with their first pick: -140 at DraftKings

Sticking with the same pick as last time. Powers-Johnson can start immediately.

21. Miami Dolphins: G Graham Barton, Duke

The flashy Dolphins won’t be able to throw the ball all over the field without an upgrade on the offensive line. Barton is a flexible piece that will help.

22. Arizona Cardinals (via Philadelphia Eagles): Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Trade compensation: No. 27 overall, No. 90 overall

Latu has generally been mocked higher than this, but some pass-rush-needy teams addressed that spot in free agency, resulting in a fall.

The Cardinals take advantage by trading the last of their three third-round picks to land a sorely-needed edge rusher. Latu has a neck issue that is a potential concern, but otherwise checks every box.

23. Los Angeles Chargers: WR AD Mitchell, Texas

The Chargers are the favorites to take Malik Nabers at No. 5 overall. If they trade down, someone like Mitchell could be on the radar to help replenish the wide receiver group.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Guyton played mostly right tackle at Oklahoma but has the traits to switch to the left side.

25. Green Bay Packers: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Odds Packers draft an offensive lineman with their first pick: +130 at DraftKings

David Bakhtiari is officially moving on, so the Packers take a swing at replacing him. The upside is vast for Mims, who could grow with the rest of a young offense.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Byron Murphy, Texas

The Buccaneers love having a dominant defensive front, and they add to it here with Murphy.

27. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Eagles come out pretty good in this trade scenario, still landing a top-tier cornerback prospect while adding a third-round pick on Day 2.

28. Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Odds the Bills draft Xavier Worthy: +500 at FanDuel

Josh Allen can throw the ball a mile, so why not grab a guy that can cover that ground in record time? This is a match made in big–play heaven.

29. Detroit Lions: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The Lions bolster their secondary with DeJean, who can be used in a multitude of different roles depending on what’s needed game to game.

30. Baltimore Ravens: G/T Jordan Morgan, Arizona

The Ravens need some help on the offensive line. Morgan could be tried out at right tackle initially, or Baltimore could just insert him on the interior of the line at guard.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Edge Chop Robinson, Penn State

The 49ers love bolstering their pass-rush. After losing some big names the past couple of years, Robinson gives them a potential game-wrecker that can play alongside Bosa for a long time.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Hollywood Brown should be the go-to perimeter target in 2024, but McConkey could contribute as a rookie and then take on a bigger role moving forward if Brown rebuilds his value and cashes in elsewhere after one season with Kansas City.