Famous NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah revealed his most recent 2024 mock draft on Tuesday, effectively putting the cat among the pigeons. With coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos projecting that four quarterbacks would be selected in the first eight picks, they are on the outside looking in. For example, Jeremiah’s simulation shows that the Atlanta Falcons selected Michigan passer J.J. McCarthy at No. 8 overall, dispelling the current rumours that McCarthy is Payton’s new beau. In fact, the 21-year-old’s profile is rising so quickly that Jeremiah is considering the possibility that four signal-callers be selected in the first five picks.
“It’s not impossible, but it would be extremely crazy if four of the top five picks were quarterbacks,” Jeremiah stated during a Thursday conference call.
On April 25, Payton may want to trade up to get his next quarterback, but for now, the fundamental absence of the necessary draft collateral is crushing any and all hopes of that kind. With the disastrous Russell Wilson trade, mortgaging the farm didn’t work, so if Payton was willing to give up everything, Jeremiah thinks he had better have fallen hard for a top rookie prospect. Sean (Payton) will find what he’s searching for at this position. That’s not the kind of move you make for a guy you like. You do that kind of thing for a guy you believe has a chance to be truly exceptional, Jeremiahe clarified.
It is generally true that in the cloak-and-dagger game of draft curveballs and sliders, there is no smoke without fire. McCarthy’s particular set of skills is becoming easier to find via the breadcrumb trail.
McCarthy would be a perfect fit for what Payton is looking for under centre because of his good mechanics and strong football IQ, according to Jeremiah. He remarked, “There’s a lot to like with him.” “McCarthy’s thinking is incredibly fast. He releases things quickly. Simply put, everything goes really well. He never grows tired of finishing tasks.” If Payton and the Broncos choose to remain at their present pick position of No. 12 overall, the real test of the 2024 draft will be how quickly they can shift gears.
Jeremiah thinks moving out of the spot is a good idea because it may get back a valuable second-round pick, but maybe Denver holds fast and chooses Oregon quarterback Bo Nix instead? “McCarty and Nix would be the two that make a lot of sense if they’re going to stick and pick there, I think both of those guys do that really well,” Jeremiah stated.
