One year after considering trading the first pick in the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears are now expected to use their top pick on USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Executives project that Williams will be the first overall selection, acquired from the Carolina Panthers a year ago, as they prepare for the draft following the scouting combine.
Conversations with decision-makers during and after the combine have helped form a rough top 10 based on their expectations. The consensus is that quarterbacks will be the top picks, followed by offensive linemen and wide receivers. Only a few defensive players made the projected top 10 according to these conversations.
Last year, executives correctly predicted seven of the top 10 players selected, with a few misses on players like offensive lineman Peter Skoronski and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. This year, four players received votes on all six mock drafts, with Williams being the unanimous choice for the Bears at number one.
The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are expected to select quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye respectively, as part of the overall consensus for the top 10 picks. Other players like Joe Alt, Dallas Turner, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also received votes for various teams in the first round.
A general theme among the executives is the possibility of trades shaking up the order, with some suggesting that certain teams may look to move down to acquire more picks. As the draft approaches, the landscape may change, but for now, the expectation is that quarterbacks will dominate the early selections in the draft for the 2024 NFL season.
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