2024 NFL Draft could make history with quarterback selections

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is one of the biggest risers throughout this year's predraft process, but could he end up as a top-four pick?

Although such a scenario might seem outlandish, it's possible it could come to fruition, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. During an appearance on "The Athletic Football Show," Russini — who was on-site at this week's NFL Scouting Combine — reported that quarterbacks could come off the board with the first four picks in April's draft. 

"I had a very smart general manager tell me [they could see quarterbacks going Nos.] 1, 2, 3 [and] 4," Russini said.

USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels and McCarthy are seen as the consensus top four quarterbacks in this year's draft. Williams is expected to be selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick, whereas Maye and Daniels are believed to be in the mix for the second and third overall selections. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots — two teams that could benefit from upgrading at quarterback — hold the second and third picks, respectively.

However, there's been plenty of buzz surrounding potential movement near the top of the draft. The Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are among the teams reportedly interested in trading up for a top-three pick to land a quarterback.  

If either one of those teams cannot trade up or Chicago, Washington or New England decide not to move down, perhaps a bidding war for Arizona's fourth pick breaks out, which would align with Russini's report.

The Cardinals have no reason to draft a quarterback, as Kyler Murray is under contract through the 2028 season, but could benefit from holding onto the No. 4 pick. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr., arguably the top prospect in the draft and could be available, and Arizona lacks a quality No. 1 target for Murray. 

Even so, if a team is willing to pay a premium for the fourth pick and Arizona could still move down to a spot where it can select a wideout, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort would have to consider trading back. Depending on the return, it wouldn't be shocking to see Ossenfort strike another deal to move down in the draft, especially since he did so last year. 

If these events unfold, the Los Angeles Chargers, who hold the fifth overall pick, would be one of the biggest winners of the draft come April. While Chargers play-by-play announcer Matt "Money" Smith recently floated the idea that Los Angeles could trade back in the draft, it seems unlikely the team would pass up the opportunity to pair Harrison with QB Justin Herbert. 

Four signal-callers being selected with the top four picks of the draft would be unprecedented. In fact, the record for most quarterbacks taken in the top 10 of a single draft is four, which occurred in both 1949 and 2018. Nonetheless, with as much quarterback talent as the 2024 draft has and the lack of it in the 2025 class, we might see history be made on April 25.