Miller's seven-round NFL mock draft

27.03.2024, 21:14 espn.com

We're one month away from the 2024 NFL draft. The 2023 season is long over, and we've seen top prospects make their cases at all-star events, the combine and pro days. There is still time for change as we learn more and more about how all 32 teams plan to approach the draft, but we're certainly getting a clearer picture of how this class stacks up -- and who could get drafted.

So it seems like a good time to predict all 257 names that will be called -- and when they will be called over the course of seven rounds. I found landing spots for 11 quarterbacks, including five in Round 1. And two of those first-round passers were picked here after projected trades up the board.

Here are my predictions for Rounds 1-7. I provided complete breakdowns for the first three rounds then picked my favorite fit in each Day 3 round. Let's get to it, starting with the Bears' easy call at No. 1 and wrapping up with Mr. Irrelevant for the Jets at No. 257. (Compensatory picks are denoted with an asterisk.)

Jump to a round:1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Bears trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh cements their selection of a quarterback at No. 1 overall. Williams is not only the best one in this class, but also the best of the past decade. A talented creator under center, he accounted for 120 touchdowns in his three-year college career (93 passing, 27 rushing) to just 14 interceptions. The Bears have built a fantastic supporting cast, allowing Williams the chance to see instant success. He'll be a Week 1 starter and could have a C.J. Stroud-like impact here.

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Everything is new in Washington -- ownership, general manager and coach. And there will be a new quarterback, too. Daniels' dual-threat ability is an ideal fit for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's version of the Air Raid offense. With back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards and a nearly perfect QBR of 99.5 on passes over 20 yards, Daniels would thrive with wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson opening things up down the field. The Commanders will have a tough decision to make between Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye, but I see Daniels as the clear-cut QB2. He is also ready to play immediately after starting 55 games in college; Maye might have more upside, but Daniels is ready to excel right now.

The Vikings made an early move to acquire pick No. 23 in the draft from the Texans, and it would allow their front office to aggressively come up the board from No. 11 for a top-three quarterback. I have Minnesota sending Nos. 11 and 23, along with a 2025 first-rounder, to New England for this third pick. The Vikings badly need a solution under center. The Patriots' hole there is less dire in the short term since they have a solid bridge option on the roster in Jacoby Brissett. The extra draft capital would allow for better roster building under exec Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo as the architects of this post-Bill Belichick team.

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Maye is big-armed and mobile, with the tools to thrive under coach Kevin O'Connell. With a star left tackle in Christian Darrisaw, arguably the league's best receiver in Justin Jefferson and a very good WR2 in second-year player Jordan Addison, the Vikings' offensive supporting cast is perfect for a rookie quarterback. Maye is raw, and in many situations it would be best for him to sit and learn for a year, but the Minnesota structure could get him on the field early. He has thrown for 7,929 yards and 62 TD passes over the past two seasons.

Take a look at the top plays from Drake Maye during his time at North Carolina.

With quarterbacks going 1-2-3 to start the draft, I could see the Broncos getting on the phone and sending a package to Arizona for the No. 4 pick to get QB4. I think it would take something in the realm of pick No. 12, a 2025 first-rounder and a 2026 first-rounder. The deal is molded like the deal the 49ers made in 2021 to move up for Trey Lance, and yes, it's an expensive trade package. But if Broncos coach Sean Payton lands his quarterback, no one will care much about the cost to move up to get him. The Cardinals, meanwhile, would have multiple first-rounders in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

McCarthy is a tough, instinctive and accurate quarterback with above-average mobility and great play from the pocket. I'm not saying he's Drew Brees, but the style of play would fit very well with what Payton ran in New Orleans. McCarthy is relatively inexperienced with just 28 starts in college, but he left Michigan with a 27-1 record. He completed 72.1% of his passes and threw only four picks last season, and his third-down QBR of 86.7 was 11th-best in the nation. McCarthy would be a sure bet to beat out Jarrett Stidham and start Week 1 for Denver.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Besides the Bears' selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1, this is the easiest pick in the draft. Harrison is No. 2 overall on my board and is on par with greats like A.J. Green and Larry Fitzgerald as a prospect. He is explosive, has expert-level route-running traits and displays body control few 6-foot-3 receivers possess. And in this spot, Harrison would have All-Pro potential right out of the gate thanks to quarterback Justin Herbert being on roster. Harrison caught 155 balls for 31 touchdowns in three years at Ohio State and is as polished as they come at wide receiver. With Keenan Allen traded and Mike Williams cut, the door is wide open for a WR1 to enter and dominate.

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants' offense ranked No. 29 in offensive points last season (14 per game), as quarterback Daniel Jones tore the ACL in his right knee and the offensive line surrendered 85 sacks (most in the league). They have already improved the roster by signing offensive linemen Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor, but the wide receiver room is a little thin. Nabers has electric yards-after-catch speed and a diverse skill set that would work well in conjunction with Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson to give the Giants one of the fastest receiver corps in the league. His 120.7 yards per game led the nation, and his 3.7 yards per route run were second best among all FBS pass-catchers.

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

After allowing 64 sacks last season (fourth most in the league), it is time for the Titans to figure out a new starting five on the offensive line. Lloyd Cushenberry was added at center, but the left tackle spot is absent of starting-level talent and Andre Dillard is gone after one season. Alt started 33 games in college and allowed just six sacks -- including only two in the past two seasons. He was also penalized only five times in college. He's pro-ready with great length and impressive mobility at 6-9. His run blocking isn't always full of pancake blocks, but Alt is a finisher with fantastic Day 1 ability and upside.

Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama

The offensive side of the ball is set in Atlanta -- now it's time for coach Raheem Morris to get a playmaker for the defense. Turner took over for Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama and notched 22.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in his career. Given that the Falcons finished 21st in sacks (42) and 32nd in pass rush win rate (30.9%) last season, Turner's impact would be appreciated. The Falcons could go cornerback here, too, after grabbing just eight interceptions last season as a team, but the value of a Round 2 corner is much better than a Round 2 pass-rusher.

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Get your franchise quarterback at No. 1 overall and find his new best friend at No. 9. That's the model for the Bears in this draft if no trade-back opportunities are attractive. (Chicago has four total picks and none beyond Round 4.) Adding Odunze to a pass-catcher group that includes Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett makes this offense dangerous. The junior wideout is coming off a season with 92 catches, 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

If it were me, I'd be going offensive tackle or wideout here. But after the Jets acquired offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and wide receiver Mike Williams, it feels like they are all-in on winning this season with Aaron Rodgers returning from a torn Achilles. That means going with the biggest impact player at No. 10, and Bowers fits. He can operate from the slot and be Rodgers' safety valve and hot-route artist. Bowers played 40 games over three years in college, caught 26 touchdowns and had only eight drops. He missed some time during the 2023 season with an ankle injury, but he is a top-five player in the class in terms of NFL readiness and expected impact.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

After a trade down, the Patriots can get a building block left tackle in Fashanu. In 21 games as a starter at left tackle, he allowed one sack and eight pressures. The Patriots' offensive line allowed 47 sacks last season (ninth-most in the league) and lost starter Trent Brown in free agency. Plugging in Fashanu at left tackle and moving Mike Onwenu to right tackle suddenly makes things look pretty good here. This is a talented tackle class, but it's light on the left side. Trading out of No. 3 would mean the Patriots miss out on the top-end quarterbacks in this class, but adding a near-lock at left tackle and exploring alternate QB options is a good team-building play.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

After trading back from No. 4, the Cardinals can still land someone who can become a WR1 and be a top-flight downfield target for quarterback Kyler Murray. Thomas led the nation in receiving touchdowns last season (17) and fills a hole with Marquise Brown off to Kansas City in free agency. Thomas' vertical speed and catch radius would be great for the Cards, who currently have Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch slotted into the two starting receiver spots.

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The Raiders signed veteran Gardner Minshew in free agency and have Aidan O'Connell returning b