The NFL should hire an auctioneer to take commissioner Roger Goodell’s place on stage this year as the one who announces every first-round draft pick.
The next item up for bid is this shiny No. 3 pick. Do I hear three second-rounders? I’ve got three seconds. Do I hear multiple first-rounders? I’ve got multiple firsts. Do I hear an unprecedented blockbuster package? Multiple firsts going once … going twice … sold to the general manager in the back desperate for a quarterback!
One of the most unpredictable NFL drafts of all time is set to begin at 8 p.m. Thursday in Detroit.
After the Bears make what has been known for months official and select quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, the much-anticipated chaos will ramp up with the Commanders expected to decide between quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.
From that point on, anything is possible, including topping the record, set in 2022, of nine trades made during the first round.
Six quarterbacks could be taken in the first round for the first time since 1983, including four within the first four or five picks — neither of which has previously happened.
All against the backdrop of the offseason implosion of the 2021 draft class, which has had four of its five first-round quarterbacks — all top-15 picks — traded into backup jobs.
“The 2024 draft really has a chance to be a special [quarterback] class,” SiriusXM NFL analyst and former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said. “Not only the top three, four guys, but I think there’s other quarterbacks in this class that are going to certainly be guys [who] have a chance. There’s a good quality and quantity in this class.”
Where Daniels, Maye and fellow quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix end up is anyone’s guess because of the flurry of trade activity expected.
“Obviously it’s still a pretty risky thing,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said of drafting a quarterback. “Just because something is risky doesn’t mean you are scared of it. It is uncertain, but we have to take our swing, and that doesn’t give us any pause.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is looking for a “top-rate, young quarterback” but pseudo-general manager Eliot Wolf still could trade down a few spots from No. 3 if his preference in that group doesn’t match the consensus.
“We’re open for anything,” Wolf said.
If the Patriots stay put, the Cardinals and Chargers, who hold the No. 4 and No. 5 picks, respectively, become the draft’s pivot points given that they have their franchise quarterbacks.
Is it better to load up on picks via a trade down or stay within range of a premium prospect like offensive tackle Joe Alt or receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers?
“This is a set-your-franchise-up situation here for the Cardinals,” NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah said. “This is their moment here.”
Who wants to trade up? Start the list with the Giants (No. 6) and Vikings (No. 11 and No. 23), both of whom reportedly have been in talks with the Patriots.
The Giants should be able to give up less than the Vikings because their trade partner would be dropping only a few spots, but they already traded one of their two second-round picks to acquire pass-rusher Brian Burns.
The Vikings are highly motivated after unexpectedly losing Kirk Cousins to the Falcons in free agency, much to All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson’s chagrin.
The Broncos (No. 12) and Raiders (No. 13) also are in the quarterback market and the division rivals could wind up playing chicken to see if either trades up — or if they are willing to settle for the fifth and sixth quarterbacks taken.
A potential run on quarterbacks would push highly graded prospects like Harrison, Nabers, receiver Rome Odunze, tight end Brock Bowers and the top defensive prospects into steal territory.
“There are a lot of special players on the offensive side of the ball,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. “Top-level blockers, dynamic playmakers — and they are all a different flavor.”
There are plausible scenarios where no defensive player is picked in the top 10 for the first time in history, which could have cornerback-searching general manager Howie Roseman salivating at the chance for the Eagles to trade up from No. 22.
The rival Bills (No. 28) and Chiefs (No. 32) could go head-to-head again, trying to outmaneuver each other for a No. 1 receiver.
“I like the trades,” Roseman said.
He should have plenty to like then.
