The NFL offseason begins next week. The legal tampering period kicks off Monday, and by Wednesday, unrestricted free agents are free to sign with other teams. That also means trades can happen.
Will the Chicago Bears trade quarterback Justin Fields, allowing them to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in next month’s 2024 NFL draft?
Whether or not Chicago trades Fields next week or next month, it is still expected to take Williams. However, the rest of the first round could feature multiple trades, with as many as four quarterbacks landing in the top 10.
In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, Dane Brugler has seven trades happening in the first round, with three among the top seven picks. As expected, Brugler has Williams going No. 1.
What about the Washington Commanders at No. 2?
Brugler has the Commanders selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
From team to team, there is split opinion on how to rank the projected top three quarterbacks. With Williams already off the board, would Washington general manager Adam Peters prefer Maye or Jayden Daniels?
Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard sat down with both Maye and Daniels at the combine, the latest step in their process. Peters has said that getting the “person” right is the key to nailing this pick — and that fact-finding mission is still ongoing.
As for Daniels, it is no surprise that he goes No. 3 overall — but not to New England.
Brugler has the Atlanta Falcons moving up from No. 8 to take Daniels, which would mean Kirk Cousins didn’t sign with Atlanta.
As for the Vikings, Brugler has Minnesota retaining Cousins and moving up to No. 7 to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This would be an ideal move for the Vikings as they can remain in win-now mode with Cousins while sitting McCarthy for a couple of seasons behind Cousins, allowing him to develop.