This pick has seemed like a lock since the moment Williams was granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft. He has a rare ability to make plays from inside and outside the pocket, and as his game matures, I expect him to become one of the top five quarterbacks in the league — something this franchise hasn’t had since the AFL-NFL merger.

Daniels’ maturation as a quarterback this past year should land him in Washington. His performance with the Tigers in 2023 provided a tremendous boost to his draft stock, helping him to separate from the pack and project as a future starter. While his electric running style definitely turned heads last season, it was his improvement operating within the pocket — especially over the second half of the season — that really impressed. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will love working with Daniels.

The Patriots have taken a back seat to Josh Allen and the Bills in the AFC East since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. So you can’t blame New England if it might want a physical, strong-armed passer like Maye, who can emulate the game of Buffalo’s Pro Bowl passer. Like Allen coming out of Wyoming, one of the biggest knocks on Maye is his inconsistency. I think offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt would embrace an opportunity to help the young man maximize his talents.

The Daniel Jones Era could be coming to a close in New York. Remember, he wasn’t this administration’s pick, and the Giants signed Drew Lock in March to the sort of deal a team often gives a veteran before selecting a first-round quarterback. McCarthy wasn’t required to throw the ball 40 times per game at Michigan thanks to the team’s effective ground game, but he showed himself capable of threading passes into tight windows, moving effectively within the pocket and running for big gains when given the chance. The Giants trade a second-round pick this year and next (while possibly receiving a 2024 Day 3 selection in return) to jump up two slots, out-offering other potential suitors looking to leap into the Cardinals’ spot.

Harrison’s ability to stretch defenses vertically will make the Chargers’ run game (and the team’s other receivers) more effective. He’ll be a downfield factor who will thrive on play action, as well as a strong target in the middle of the field who can take the ball the distance.

The Cardinals would likely love to swing a trade like this because they would receive additional draft capital and only have to drop two spots, putting them in position to still land an elite receiver or edge rusher. Dallas Turner could be the pick here, but I’m running with Odunze, who will bulk up a severely lacking group of pass catchers. His game reminds me of Charger-turned-Jet Mike Williams’, but he has more strength and explosion after the catch. I expect him to be a dynamic playmaker for years to come.

We’re less than one week away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft (April 25-27 in Detroit). One thing I’ve learned covering this event over the past 20 years is that there will be a few surprises in store for those tuned in — moves that few, if any, mocks projected in the lead up.

Below I’ve laid out one of countless potential scenarios for the seven-round event, trying to predict a few surprise — yet plausible — selections. Although I’ve limited trades to only Rounds 1 and 2 (six total) below, you’ll almost certainly see at least a dozen more next Friday and Saturday.

This exercise is meant to provide a general idea of when a player might be picked over the course of the weekend so you can get a sense of where your team might find value at a position of need. But, in the end, it’s really about thinking outside the box about what could happen — and not just what everyone expects.