The NFL should hire an auctioneer to replace Commissioner Roger Goodell to announce all first-round draft picks this year.
Next up for bid is this shiny No. 3 pick. Do you hear he has three players in the second round? There are three seconds. Can I hear more than one first round decider? I have multiple firsts. Sounds like an unprecedented blockbuster package? Multiple firsts pitched to the general manager behind him for a one-time… two-time quarterback!
One of the most unpredictable NFL drafts in history is scheduled to begin Thursday in Detroit at 8 p.m.
After the Bears officially announced what had been known for months and selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, the commander will choose between quarterbacks Jaden Daniels and Drake Maye. The long-awaited turmoil is expected to accelerate further.
From that point on, anything is possible, including surpassing the record set in 2022 with nine trades made in the first round.
For the first time since 1983, they have the potential to take six quarterbacks in the first round, including four within the first four or five picks, both of which have not happened thus far. It wasn’t.
It all comes against the backdrop of the offseason collapse of the 2021 draft class. In that class, four of the five first-round quarterbacks (all top 15 picks) were traded to backup jobs.
“The 2024 draft has a chance to be something really special.” [quarterback] Class,” said Mark Dominik, SiriusXM NFL analyst and former Buccaneers general manager. “I think there are other quarterbacks in this class who are definitely going to be players, not just the top three or four.” [who] There’s a chance. This class is rich in both quality and quantity. ”
Where Daniels, Maye and fellow quarterbacks JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix will end up is anyone’s guess given the expected disruption of trade activity.
“Obviously, it’s still a pretty risky thing to do,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said of drafting a quarterback. “Just because something is dangerous doesn’t mean we’re afraid of it. It’s uncertain, but we have to take our swing, and that doesn’t give us pause.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is looking for a “top-tier young quarterback,” but pseudo-general manager Elliott Wolf has said he will pick a few spots from No. 3 if that group’s preferences don’t match the consensus. There is also a possibility of trading.
“We’re open to anything,” Wolf said.
If the Patriots stay, the Cardinals and Chargers, who have the No. 4 and No. 5 picks respectively, will be at the center of the draft given that they have their franchise quarterbacks.
Is it better to trade down for more picks, or to stay within range of potential players like offensive tackle Joe Alt and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabors?
“This is a franchise-building situation for the Cardinals,” said NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah. “This is their moment here.”
Who wants to trade? Let’s start the list with the Giants (6th) and Vikings (11th and 23rd). Both are reportedly in talks with the Patriots.
The Giants should give up less than the Vikings since their trade partner will only drop a few spots, but they have already traded one of their second-round picks to acquire pass rusher Brian Burns. .
The Vikings were highly motivated after unexpectedly losing Kirk Cousins to the Falcons in free agency, much to the chagrin of All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.
The Broncos (12th) and Raiders (13th) are also in the quarterback market, and the division rivals will either trade up or be content with acquiring a fifth and sixth quarterback. There is a possibility that there will be some bargaining to determine whether or not to do so. .
A potential quarterback acquisition would push highly-touted prospects into steal territory, including Harrison, Nabors, receiver Roman Odunze, tight end Brock Bowers and top defensive prospects. It’s going to happen.
“We have a lot of special players on offense,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. “Top-level blockers, dynamic playmakers, and they all have different flavors.”
There could be a scenario where a defensive player isn’t selected in the top 10 for the first time in history, but if that happens, general manager Howie Roseman, who is targeting a cornerback, would salivate at the chance for the Eagles to trade up from No. 22. It might become.
The rival Bills (No. 28) and Chiefs (No. 32) could face off again, looking to outwit each other for the No. 1 receiver.
“I love trading,” Roseman said.
If that’s the case, he’ll probably have a lot to like.
