2024 NFL Mock Draft: NFC East makes noise as Commanders take J.J. McCarthy, Eagles trade up for defensive help

Caleb Williams didn’t have to work out at the USC pro day to be the No. 1 overall pick, but he did so anyway and checked all the boxes in front of the Bears brass. Caleb to Chicago is a foregone conclusion at this point.

NFL Media reported earlier this week that in talking to executives of other teams who know new Commanders GM Adam Peters well, the popular answer to whom they’ll select at No. 2 overall is J.J. McCarthy. Let me make this clear: I’m fully aware it’s smokescreen season and that the rumors will be flying all the way until draft night. But for the sake of this mock, let’s explore this possibility. McCarthy to Washington.

The Patriots select Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye here. The LSU standout was impressive at his pro day this week. And perhaps more importantly, he weighed 210 pounds. His weight was a potential concern for teams earlier in the draft process, especially after Daniels opted not to get measured at the NFL Scouting Combine. Daniels is plenty heavy enough to be a potentially game-changing QB for new head coach Jerod Mayo.

Not only do the Cardinals stick at No. 4, but they take Malik Nabers instead of Marvin Harrison Jr. Nabers absolutely rocked his pro day and has better short-area explosiveness than his Ohio State counterpart. Lots of people still have Harrison ahead of him, but it’s not a consensus like it was after the college football season.

Instead of taking Marvin Harrison Jr., whom Jim Harbaugh knows very well from playing against Ohio State, the Chargers collect an extra first-round by moving back six spots in a trade with the Vikings. Drake Maye has a connection to Vikings QB coach Josh McCown going back to high school, so the two reunite as Minnesota finds its replacement for Kirk Cousins.

If the Giants miss out on the top QBs, this is the next-best scenario. New York jumps at the opportunity to drop in a WR1 into what’s been a lackluster passing offense in recent years.

Will Levis got a No. 1-caliber WR in Calvin Ridley during free agency. Now it’s time for him to get a franchise cornerstone protecting his blindside. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is the man for the job.

The Falcons brought in Kirk Cousins to elevate the offense to new heights, and they draft Dallas Turner to do the same on the defensive side of the ball. He’s everything you want in an NFL edge rusher.

Similar to Atlanta, the Bears got a lot better offensively with the additions of D’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen and then Caleb Williams. But they still need a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, so they look to the uber-productive Jared Verse out of Florida State.

Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers were tempting here, but beefing up the offensive line in front of Aaron Rodgers was more important. Drafting Taliese Fuaga will ensure New York puts out the best five players to protect the future Hall of Fame QB.

The Chargers pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. but gain the No. 23 overall pick as well as Rome Odunze, who would be fighting for the No. 1 WR spot in other draft classes.

With the top-four QBs off the board, the Broncos turn to the defensive side of the ball. Having Terrion Arnold and Pat Surtain II as the starting outside corners will be a big luxury for Vance Joseph’s defense.

Neither Aidan O’Connell nor Gardner Minshew seems like the long-term answer in Vegas, but once the Raiders do find one, they’ll already have a franchise left tackle in Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

Big move from the Eagles! GM Howie Roseman has traded up in Round 1 for three straight drafts and four of the past five, and he does so again here. Knowing the team’s starting cornerbacks are aging and that Quinyon Mitchell is potentially the No. 1 CB in this class, Roseman gets aggressive in helping the Philadelphia defense.

The Colts would have loved Mitchell here, but getting Anthony Richardson a big, explosive, speedy wideout works, too.

The Seahawks lost guard Damien Lewis and center Evan Brown in free agency, and they haven’t re-signed their other guard from last season in Phil Haynes. That tells me they’re locking in on offensive line in Round 1, and Troy Fautanu is a worthy choice. He played left tackle at Washington but will probably be best suited inside in the NFL.

The Jaguars signed veteran Ronald Darby after releasing Darious Williams, but they need more firepower at the position. Nate Wiggins has the length, speed and press-coverage chops to give opposing WRs fits in the AFC South.

Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Brock Bowers?! As long as Joe Burrow stays healthy, he’d be in for a massive season.

Poor Byron Murphy II, who will be tasked with replacing one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history. He won’t be Aaron Donald, but he can be an interior disruptor from Day 1 — similar to several Rams rookies from last season.

Russell Wilson will get the first crack as QB1, with Justin Fields waiting for his opportunity. Regardless of whom is the starter, the Steelers will have two Georgia tackles protecting them in Broderick Jones and Amarius Mims.

Terron Armstead said he’ll play in 2024, but the 5-time Pro Bowl tackle will turn 33 years old in July and has only averaged 10 starts per season during his career (not counting his rookie campaign). History says the injury-prone Armstead will again deal with issues in 2024, so JC Latham would not be a massive (literally) insurance policy, but he could battle Austin Jackson for the starting right tackle spot.

The Saints move down eight spots and still get the third edge rusher off the board. Laiatu Latu, who may slip because of his medical history, is one of the best pass rushers in this class when he’s on the field.

Center Jackson Powers-Johnson is Jim Harbaugh’s type of offensive lineman: tenacious, nasty and always getting the job done in the trenches. Los Angeles recently signed Bradley Bozeman, but he’s not the long-term answer, so maybe Powers-Johnson starts his NFL career at guard before moving over to center.

The Cowboys need a Tyron Smith replacement. Tyler Smith can move over to the left side while another Tyler (Guyton, out of Oklahoma) slots in at right tackle.

The Packers have used 12 of their past 13 first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball — with the lone offensive player being Jordan Love — and I expect that to continue this year. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. didn’t test great at the combine, but he’s energetic, physical and productive. He’ll fit in just fine on this Green Bay defense.

The explosive Chop Robinson replaces Shaq Barrett in Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals improve their edge-rushing presence by bringing on Darius Robinson, who can help on the interior as well.

The Bills basically released their entire secondary due to salary cap reasons, and while they did re-sign some of their own, they need more. Cooper DeJean will not only help in coverage but is also a very capable run-stopper, blitzer and return man.

GM Brad Holmes preached continuously at the combine that the Lions will focus on adding the best player available from their draft board. In this case, I believe that to be Adonai Mitchell, who joins Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in creating a dangerous receiving trio in Detroit.

The Broncos challenged Michael Penix Jr. during his meeting with them at the combine, and based on this pick, they must have liked what they heard. Denver moves back into the first round to snag the Heisman Trophy runner-up to compete for the starting job from Day 1.

The 49ers haven’t drafted an offensive tackle since 2021, and that was in the fifth round. That changes with the selection of Jordan Morgan, who can compete for the right tackle job right away and hopefully become the long-term replacement for Trent Williams on the left side.

Ladd McConkey just knows how to get open, and you know Patrick Mahomes will find ways to get him the ball. With Marquise Brown and McConkey in Kansas City, Andy Reid’s offense won’t be questioned in 2024.