NFL Draft Update: All Eyes On Chicago
There is starting to have some clarity when it comes to the 2024 NFL with much of the draft order already finalized.
When it comes to the NFL news, the deadline just passed for underclassmen to declare for the 2024 draft. Most of the big names will be available for the draft.
Quarterbacks Caleb Williams of USC and Drake Maye are among the top NFL draft prospects according to the NFL draft odds
When looking at the top players by position, Williams is priced at -900 to be the top pick. When it comes to the odds for the top players at other positions, Ohio State’s MarvinHarrison Jr. (+1000) leads the receivers, Florida State’s Jared Verse (+8000) tops the edge rushers Notre Dame’s Joe Alt (+10000) leading the offensive linemen.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
What Will Bears Do at No. 1?
The trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Panthers resulted in Carolina’s first-round pick going to Chicago. With the Panthers winning two games, that selection will be the No. 1 pick.
USC’s Williams is viewed as a franchise-changing quarterback so that leaves the Bears with some decisions to make. There have been reports that Williams doesn’t want to play for the Bears.
An interesting development is that the Bears have shown interest in hiring Kliff Kingsbury, a former college and NFL head coach. He also was on the USC staff in 2023 and working with Williams. If Kingsbury is brought in to call the offensive plays for the Bears, will that change Williams’ mind when it comes to playing for the Bears?
Chicago could pick Williams with the top selection and trade current starting quarterback Justin Fields for more draft picks. The Bears could trade down and look to add more offensive playmakers for Fields to throw to or address the offensive line.
The Bears traded down to No. 10 to pick up a fourth-round selection and then picked offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the first round and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second round. With picks No. 1 and 9, there will be a chance to add more impact players.
Drafting Caleb Williams & hiring KK would be the best thing ever (for the rest of the NFC North).
Caleb without Kingsbury:
4500 yds, 42 TD, 5 INT, #Heisman
USC 11-3Caleb with Kingsbury:
3600 yards 30 TD 5 (no Heisman)
USC 8-5HIRE THIS GUY @ChicagoBears !!
— Mike Wickett 🇺🇲🎙🏈🏀👨👧👧👩👦🤘🚀 (@mikewickett) January 19, 2024
Harrison Ready to Catch On
Receivers don’t often go first overall as the last time it happened came in 1996 when USC’s Keyshawn Johnson was picked at the top of the draft by the New York Jets.
Ohio State’s Harrison is talented enough to be the first player chosen even though he comes in tied for the third-best odds to be the first pick.
Harrison is priced at -450 by the NFL odds to be the first non-quarterback selected in the draft.
He is followed by Florida State’s Verse at +500 and a pair of offensive linemen.
Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Alt are priced at +600 and +900 to be the first non-QB to be picked.
Receivers Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington are showing up in the top 10 in multiple 2024 NFL mock drafts.
Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu are defensive players to keep an eye on.
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When Do the Top Quarterbacks Land?
The big news when it comes to the quarterback position was that Texas QB Quinn Ewers and Ole Miss starter Jaxson Dart are both coming back to college. Also, Washington State’s Cameron Ward originally announced his intentions to enter the draft. However, he changed his mind and transferred to Miami.
After Williams and Maye, it is Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels who has the third-best odds among the quarterbacks followed by Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy according to our sportsbook
What could be more interesting is watching the teams willing to pick a quarterback early in the draft.
Washington has the No. 2 pick and the jury is still out on Sam Howell as the starter for the Commanders. The New England Patriots pick third and could go for a QB.
It seems unlikely that the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers address the quarterback position. That doesn’t mean that they would possibly trade down to quarterback-needy teams.
Top 10 Draft Order
- Chicago Bears (from Carolina 2-15)
- Washington Commanders (4-13)
- New England Patriots (4-13)
- Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
- New York Giants (5-12)
- Tennessee Titans (6-11)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- Chicago Bears (7-10)
- New York Jets (7-10)
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Questions of the Day
Which player has the best odds to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Southern California’s Caleb Williams is viewed as the top prospect available in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Which team holds the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The No. 1 overall pick belongs to the Chicago Bears, who own the Carolina Panthers’ selection.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
