The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books and several players turned in performances that are expected to see their respective draft stocks rise.
From now until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit, the “experts” will release mock drafts on an almost weekly basis.
This is your one-stop shop for the latest predictions including the top-five picks, players rising and falling, surprise selections and potential trades.
The experts highlighted this week are CBS Sports’ Kyle Stackpole, Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness and Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina.
Pick No. 1 (Chicago Bears)
Stackpole, McGuinness, Catalina: USC QB Caleb Williams
Williams didn’t participate in any drills or medical evaluations at the Combine because he wants his tape to do the talking. Fans may have mixed opinions on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, but after throwing for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23, he should be the first to hear his name called.
Pick No. 2 (Washington Commanders)
Stackpole, McGuinness: UNC QB Drake Maye
The debate for who the second quarterback off the board is ongoing, and this week, the “experts” lean Maye. The 21-year-old has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football for the past two years, throwing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Catalina: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
The decision is not unanimous, however. Catalina thinks it will be Daniels heading to Washington instead. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has a strong case, too, after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.
Pick No. 3 (New England Patriots)
Stackpole, McGuinness: Daniels
Catalina: Maye (traded to Minnesota Vikings)
All three “experts” believe that whoever is still on the board at pick No. 3 won’t be waiting too long. One “expert” also thinks that the team that ends up making the selection is up for debate. Catalina predicts Minnesota will strike a deal with New England to land QB Kirk Cousins’ replacement. That would be surprising as the Patriots can’t run it back with QB Mac Jones in 2024, but if they aren’t in love with who is left, they could address the position later in this quarterback-rich draft.
Pick No. 4 (Arizona Cardinals)
Stackpole: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (traded to New York Giants)
Stackpole believes history could be made in the 2024 NFL Draft. Four straight quarterbacks have never been selected to start the draft, but he thinks the Giants could trade up with the Cardinals to take QB Daniel Jones’ replacement. McCarthy’s draft stock has been rising ever since he led the Wolverines to a national championship and after a strong showing on Saturday, he could sneak into the top five. McCarthy threw for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions from 2022-23.
McGuinness, Catalina: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
This is the ideal scenario for the Cardinals, who are in desperate need of adding to QB Kyler Murray’s arsenal. Harrison Jr. would be the true No. 1 wide receiver Arizona has been missing, posting 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.
Pick No. 5 (Los Angeles Chargers)
Stackpole: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Chargers could go several different ways with their first pick, but if Harrison Jr. is somehow still available, it’s a no-brainer.
McGuinness: LSU WR Malik Naber
McGuinness believes even if Harrison Jr. is off the board, Los Angeles will still elect to add another weapon for QB Justin Herbert. Nabers may be the next-best wide receiver in the draft, having posted 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.
Catalina: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt
Catalina thinks the Chargers will opt to strengthen their offensive line instead. The massive 6-foot-8, 322-pound tackle would certainly do that after allowing just four sacks in his collegiate career.
Players on the rise
Stackpole: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell (No. 26 to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Catalina: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell (No. 29 to Detroit Lions)
Stackpole: Texas WR Xavier Worthy (No. 28 to Buffalo Bills)
There may not have been two players that raised their drafts stocks more than these two former Longhorns. Mitchell (4.34 seconds) and Worthy (NFL Combine record 4.21 seconds) showed off their blazing speed in the 40-yard dash. Coupling that with productive 2023 seasons from both Mitchell (845 yards and 11 touchdowns) and Worthy (1,014 yards and five touchdowns), they could be cementing themselves as first-round locks.
Players falling
Stackpole: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 29 to Detroit Lions)
McGuinness: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 22 to Philadelphia Eagles)
Catalina: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 27 to Arizona Cardinals)
McKinstry currently ranks as PFF’s fifth-best cornerback and No. 21 overall prospect on its big board. However, doctors found a Jones fracture in his right foot during his medical evaluation at the combine. He didn’t end up working out in Indianapolis and his draft stock may take a hit because of it. McKinstry is expected to be 100 percent before training camp, but his medicals could scare some teams away.
Surprise picks
McGuinness: Oregon QB Bo Nix (No. 19 to Los Angeles Rams)
Nix threw the most touchdowns (45) in college football last season while protecting the ball very well with just three interceptions. However, the Rams using their first-round pick on a quarterback with Matthew Stafford still locked up through the 2026 season doesn’t make much sense. Nix could learn behind Stafford, but for how long is the question? If Nix is still available at Los Angeles’ second-round pick, there’s a stronger argument for taking a chance on the 24-year-old.
