Midseason Mock Draft: Where Have all the Quarterbacks Gone?
Midseason Mock Draft: Where Have all the Quarterbacks Gone?
We're tapping into our late 90s alternative with the headlines…but where do the QBs land in this latest mock draft?
It’s the midway point of the NFL season and with that the playoff and NFL draft order pictures are falling into place. It also means we’re getting a clearer look at which underclassmen will enter the 2024 NFL draft—and where they’ll be ranked.
The top of the draft is loaded with teams who have a major need at quarterback, but the once strong ‘24 class of passers looks like a two-man race with Caleb Williams (USC) and Drake Maye (UNC) standing out at the top.
Will we see teams jockeying for position and willing to mortgage the future to get into the top two picks for a quarterback? Will the Chicago Bears say “no thanks” and restart the clock at quarterback? And what do the New England Patriots—currently holding the No. 3 overall selection—do if Williams and Maye are gone?
Glad you asked. Let’s get into it.
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) — QB Caleb Williams, USC
Will Ryan Poles be able to resist the urge to draft a player many scouts are calling the next Patrick Mahomes? The best-case scenario for the Bears is that Justin Fields returns from injury soon, plays well, and increases his trade value. Chicago can then ship Fields somewhere—hello, New Orleans—and draft Williams to reset the clock for paying a quarterback while also giving GM Poles more time to build a team around a quarterback he’s choosing.
2. New York Giants — QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Daniel Jones isn’t it. He never has been, no matter how much the Manning Family liked him. The Giants messed up drafting him in the top 10 and they messed up extending his contract last offseason. The best thing ownership can do is cut bait and start over. Maye is a Justin Herbert clone who could push for the No. 1 overall spot. He’s that good.
3. New England Patriots — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
The Patriots just miss out on the top quarterbacks in the class. Rather than reaching on J.J. McCarthy, drafting a blue chip left tackle is the move for a franchise at a cross roads. The Pats could, in this scenario, jump into the quarterback market in Round 2 and land a Jayden Daniels (LSU), Bo Nix (Oregon) or Michael Penix (Washington) who have tons of college starting experience.