NFL mock draft roundup: Six QBs could be selected in first round

The 2023 NFL season officially came to an end on Sunday night as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII.

From now until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit, the "experts" will release mock drafts on an almost weekly basis. 

This is your one-stop shop for the latest predictions including the top five picks, players rising and falling, surprise selections and potential trades.

The experts highlighted this week are Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson and NFL.com's Cynthia Frelund.

Pick No. 1 (Chicago Bears)

Sikkema, Wilson: USC QB Caleb Williams

The belief is that the Bears are going to need a "historic haul" to move off the No. 1 pick. As long as they don't, Chicago should land the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, who has thrown for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23.

Frelund: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt

This would be one of the most shocking scenarios to play out, especially since the Bears could likely move down and still acquire the 6-foot-8, 322-pound offensive lineman. But Alt would strengthen Chicago's offensive line after allowing just four sacks in his collegiate career.

(TRADE) Pick No. 2 (Denver Broncos)

Sikkema: UNC QB Drake Maye

The first trade of the 2024 NFL Draft is a massive one with the Broncos dealing their 2024 first-round pick, 2025 first- and second-round picks and 2026 first-round pick to land their future franchise quarterback. Maye is a little raw, with just two years of starting experience. But he seems like the real deal after passing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions from 2022-23.

Pick No. 2 (Washington Commanders)

Wilson: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

The debate between Maye and Daniels is ongoing, but here, Wilson believes Daniels is the second quarterback off the board. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Sikkema: USC QB Caleb Williams

This is an absolute dream scenario for the Commanders, and it is likely to remain that way. But never say never.

Pick No. 3 (New England Patriots)

Sikkema: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Wilson, Frelund: UNC QB Drake Maye

Pick No. 4 (Arizona Cardinals)

Sikkema, Wilson, Frelund: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

The first unanimous agreement between this week's "experts" comes at pick No. 4. This would be the ideal scenario for the Cardinals, who have lacked a true alpha No. 1 wide receiver. Harrison Jr. would be exactly that, posting 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.

Pick No. 5 (Los Angeles Chargers)

Sikkema: Washington WR Rome Odunze

Many "experts" like Sikkema believe the Chargers will add to QB Justin Herbert's arsenal with their first-round pick. Odunze could very well be the pick after posting 167 receptions for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns from 2022-23.

Wilson: Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu

If Los Angeles is comfortable with Herbert's playmakers, however, it may opt to strengthen its trenches. Fashanu would do exactly that after not allowing a sack in more than 680 pass-protection snaps over the past two seasons.

Sikkema: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Arnold has quickly established himself as the top cornerback in this year's draft with 63 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, five interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2023. The Chargers could go several different ways but adding Arnold to their secondary could be a good decision with an already talented offense.

Players on the rise

Sikkema: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (Pick No. 10 to Washington Commanders)

Wilson: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (Pick No. 13 to Las Vegas Raiders)

McCarthy's draft stock has been rising ever since he led the Wolverines to a national championship. He could very well be a top-10 pick when it's all said and done, and the "experts" clearly believe he's flirting as one now. McCarthy threw for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions from 2022-23.

Players falling

Sikkema: Georgia TE Brock Bowers (Pick No. 18 to Cincinnati Bengals)

Frelund: Georgia TE Brock Bowers (Pick No. 15 to Indianapolis Colts)

Bowers currently ranks as PFF's best tight end and No. 6 overall prospect on its big board after posting 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns from 2021-23. However, other positions may be valued more, which could cause him to fall into the lap of a very grateful team.

Surprise picks

Trevor Sikkema: Oregon QB Bo Nix (Pick No. 30 to Minnesota Vikings)

Sikkema believes another trade could occur at the end of the first round just as it did at the top. The Vikings trade their 2024 second-round pick and 2025 third-round pick to land QB Kirk Cousin's replacement. Nix had a breakout season in 2023, passing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Ryan Wilson: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (Pick No. 20 to Pittsburgh Steelers)

It seems like the Steelers are still all in on QB Kenny Pickett and will do whatever it takes to help him succeed in 2024. But if Penix Jr., who's thrown for 9,544 yards, 66 touchdowns and 19 interceptions from 2022-23, is still available, he would be difficult to pass up.