One week after the 2023 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay is already looking ahead towards next year’s iteration.
That’s right, McShay has released his way-too-early 2024 NFL Mock Draft. Plenty could change between now and then, and the ESPN analyst recognizes that, prefacing his predictions with a warning.
“Now, this is an extremely early prediction,” wrote McShay. “I’ve only watched limited tape on next year’s prospects, and most of this is based on early talk around the league and what I’ve seen from 2024-eligible players while digging in on 2023 tape. There’s a reason I call it the ‘way-too-early’ mock. … Take it for what it is; we still have an entire college season and a long draft-process ahead. A lot will change.”
Alas, here’s what McShay is hearing, including two blockbuster trades at the top of his 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
ESPN’s Todd McShay way-too-early 2024 NFL Mock Draft:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via projected trade with Arizona Cardinals via Houston Texans) — QB Caleb Williams, USC Trojans
- Arizona Cardinals — WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes
- Washington Commanders (via projected trade with Indianapolis Colts) — QB Drake Maye, North Carolina Tar Heels
- Tennessee Titans — EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Arizona Cardinals (via projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — DB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Indianapolis Colts (via projected trade with Washington Commanders) — TE Brock Bowers, Georgia Bulldogs
- Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State Seminoles
- Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) — EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State Buckeyes
- New England Patriots — OL Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State Nittany Lions
- Pittsburgh Steelers — LB Bralen Trice, Washington Huskies
For Todd McShay’s full 2024 NFL Mock Draft, CLICK HERE.
As you can see, regardless of the exhilarating trades at the top of his predictions, McShay is settled on one thing, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye will be the top two quarterbacks selected in next year’s draft.
We’ve seen in recent seasons that predictions regarding college quarterbacks don’t always hold true, as was the case with players such as Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell. Nevertheless, its tough to see how these two signal callers aren’t the top choices next season, with Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the way as the first non-quarterback selected.
Additionally, McShay has Alabama’s Dallas Turner as the first defensive player off the board, which would give that honor to the Crimson Tide for a second straight season, following Will Anderson being the No. 3 overall pick last week.
Time will tell if Todd McShay’s predictions come true, but it’s fascinating to look ahead nonetheless.
