Caleb Williams plans to visit the Chicago Bears next week to meet more coaches, undergo medical testing, and become more familiar with his future team.
It's simple to predict Williams going to the Bears at No. 1. The challenge is predicting the rest of the first round of the NFL draft.
At No. 2, will Washington choose Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye?
How far will J.J. McCarthy be chosen?
What is the expected number of quarterbacks to be chosen in the first round?
Williams impressed a large group of Chicago's coaches at his pro day and made a strong impression on coach Matt Eberflus after their one-on-one meeting.
During the NFL's league meetings this week, Eberflus shared, “Just him and I in the room together, just really hearing his journey. His journey, from being a little guy. What I gleaned from that is how his mother and father love him very much. Very supportive. You could see his character, his football character there, his football knowledge as I talk through that. It was a really good visit.”
The Bears already traded Justin Fields, who was picked 11th overall in 2021, to make way for Williams.
The questions begin with who will be chosen at No. 2.
Here's the second edition of the AP’s 2024 mock draft without any trade predictions:
1. Chicago Bears: CALEB WILLIAMS, QUARTERBACK, USC
Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is the unanimous No. 1 pick, and the Bears may finally have a long-term solution at the most critical position.
2. Washington Commanders: JAYDEN DANIELS, QUARTERBACK, LSU
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is a great fit for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who found success with dual-threat QB Kyler Murray in Arizona. Coach Dan Quinn called Daniels a “game-changer” — another indication he’s the choice over Maye.
3. New England Patriots: DRAKE MAYE, QUARTERBACK, NORTH CAROLINA
New coach Jerod Mayo spoke highly of Maye, who will be the second QB New England selects in the first round since Tom Brady's departure. Mac Jones, the 15th overall pick in 2021, was traded to Jacksonville. “The exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that,” Mayo said this week. “He has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s definitely something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.”
4. Arizona Cardinals: MARVIN HARRISON, JR., WIDE RECEIVER, OHIO STATE
Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, was the best WR on the field last season. However, he skipped offseason workouts while LSU’s Malik Nabers has excelled, leading to speculation that Harrison might slide. His tape is enough.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: MALIK NABERS, WIDE RECEIVER, LSU
New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh prioritizes offensive linemen, but Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are no longer with the team. Justin Herbert needs playmakers. Nabers provides them with a physical receiver who has elite ball skills and explosive route-running ability. He caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs last season.
6. New York Giants: ROME ODUNZE, WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON
Odunze possesses the physical attributes, quickness, and abilities to be among the best. He made 92 receptions, gained 1,640 yards, and scored 13 TDs in 2023. The Giants have not had a receiver with 1,000 yards since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.
7. Tennessee Titans: JOE ALT, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, NOTRE DAME
The 6-9, 321-pound Alt is a skilled and versatile player widely known as the top blocker in a strong draft class. His father, John Alt, was a highly-regarded left tackle in Kansas City. The Titans need to safeguard Will Levis after allowing an NFL-high 64 sacks last season.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DALLAS TURNER, EDGE, ALABAMA
After acquiring QB Kirk Cousins and WR Darnell Mooney in free agency, the Falcons can focus on defense and select the best pass rusher in the draft. Turner is an athletic edge rusher with the physical attributes, speed, and quickness to pursue playmaking QBs.
9. Chicago Bears: JARED VERSE, EDGE, FLORIDA STATE
The Bears turn to defense after picking Williams first and acquire a player who possesses the abilities to be an elite pass rusher.
10. New York Jets: BROCK BOWERS, TIGHT END, GEORGIA
After dealing with the offensive line in free agency and adding Williams to team up with WR Garrett Wilson, the Jets give Aaron Rodgers another playmaker by choosing the best tight end in the draft. Bowers has the versatility to line up anywhere and he's a reliable blocker.
11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. MCCARTHY, QUARTERBACK, MICHIGAN
Despite participating in a run-heavy offense, McCarthy’s draft stock has been increasing after guiding Michigan to a national championship. He’s a victor who brings numerous intangible qualities along with a strong arm. The Vikings replaced Cousins with Sam Darnold on a one-year deal so they wouldn’t have to play McCarthy right away.
12. Denver Broncos: QUINYON MITCHELL, CORNERBACK, TOLEDO
Mitchell ran a 4.33 second 40-yard dash at the combine, and teaming him with Patrick Surtain II would provide the Broncos with an remarkable pair.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: TERRION ARNOLD, CORNERBACK, ALABAMA
Arnold is an outstanding cover guy tough enough to be an asset against the run and has excellent ball skills. The Raiders already made a splash on defense in free agency, signing DT Christian Wilkins.
14. New Orleans Saints: TALIESE FUAGA, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, OREGON STATE
The massive Fuaga, 6-6, 324, excels in pass protection and is a people-mover as a run blocker. He's considered the second-best tackle behind Alt and projects to be an immediate starter at right tackle.
15. Indianapolis Colts: BYRON MURPHY, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, TEXAS
The Colts enhance the interior of their defensive line by introducing the powerful Murphy in the middle.
16. Seattle Seahawks: OLUMUYIWA FASHANU, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, PENN STATE
The 6-6, 321-pound Fashanu is already an elite pass blocker on the right side. He didn't surrender a sack in college.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: BRIAN THOMAS, JR., WIDE RECEIVER, LSU
Thomas amassed 1,177 receiving yards on 68 receptions and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. The Jaguars lost WR Calvin Ridley in free agency and signed Gabe Davis so Thomas would step in as the No. 1.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: TYLER GUYTON, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, OKLAHOMA
Guyton is a mammoth (6-8, 322) and athletic tackle versatile enough to play either side.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle from Michigan.
Kris Jenkins, the son of a two-time All-Pro nose tackle, has the skill to cause trouble in the middle of a defensive line as a top run-stopper. He could help fill the gap left by the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: J.C. Latham, offensive tackle from Alabama.
Latham is a strong and athletic tackle who claims he is able to play on the left side.
21. Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, offensive lineman from Washington.
Fautanu is a versatile lineman who can play as a tackle or fill the gap at guard for Miami, which lost starter Robert Hunt. His lateral running ability suits Mike McDaniels’ offensive scheme.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, cornerback from Iowa.
DeJean did not allow any touchdowns in coverage last season and he's versatile, so the secondary-needy Eagles can use him in different ways.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jer’zhan Newton, defensive tackle from Illinois.
Newton is a disruptive interior defender who brings a physical presence in the middle of the line along with exceptional ability to get to the quarterback.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Amarius Mims, offensive tackle from Georgia.
The Cowboys acquire a standout at the combine in Mims, who has exceptional speed for a huge man (6-7, 340). He can fill the void left by Tyron Smith, who signed with the Jets.
25. Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, cornerback from Clemson.
Wiggins has top-notch speed, is versatile, and is a playmaker.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, offensive lineman from Oregon.
Powers-Johnson is the widely agreed upon top center/interior offensive lineman in the draft. The Buccaneers snatch a projected top 20 player to anchor the middle of their line.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Laiatu Latu, edge player from UCLA.
Latu was the best defensive end in college last season, having earned both the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards. He will provide the Cardinals with a pass rusher possessing game-changing skills.
28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver from Texas.
The 6-3 burner clocked a 4.34-second 40 at the combine. He would replace Gabe Davis and team up with Stefon Diggs to give Josh Allen another playmaker.
29. Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, cornerback from Georgia.
Steps in right away to strengthen the defense for the NFC runner-up Lions.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan, offensive tackle from Arizona.
Morgan is a versatile lineman who played tackle but can move to guard.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, offensive tackle from Duke.
Barton fits well in coach Kyle Shanahan’s run schemes and is a versatile pass protector who can play tackle or guard.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., cornerback from Missouri.
Fills an immediate need for the two-time defending Super Bowl champs following the trade of L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee.
