2024 NFL Mock Draft with blockbuster trades and a star WR for NY Jets

5. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Here is where things get interesting. I have the Vikings trading up with the Chargers, sending their other 2024 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the process, to acquire their quarterback of the future.

The Giants will seriously consider drafting J.J. McCarthy if he's still on the board at No. 6, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them move up. The Broncos will also be very interesting in trading up for a quarterback.

The Vikings simply have more draft ammunition to make the best offer. The Chargers are very much looking to trade down, making them an obvious trade partner.

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants would've liked to see one of the quarterbacks fall to them at No. 6, and they were likely working the phones in an attempt to move up. I don't think anyone in that building will complain about landing Malik Nabers, though.

Nabers is a bonafide superstar of a wide receiver prospect who immediately gives the Giants a blue-chip talent to build around on offense. Expect the Giants to come away with a quarterback at some point in the draft — it just might not be in Round 1.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

There's been a late push for Alabama's JC Latham to be the first offensive tackle off the board, but my gut still says Joe Alt is the guy. The Tennessee Titans are an obvious landing spot for a tackle, and Alt can slot in as a day-one starting left tackle with All-Pro potential.

8. Atanta Falcons: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Byron Murphy II has seen his draft stock skyrocket over the last week, going from a mid-to-late Day 1 prospect to a possible top-10 pick. The Atlanta Falcons are a prime destination for the first defensive player in this class, and there's some steam behind Murphy going this high.

Expect the Falcons to also consider players like Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu at this spot, but Murphy's rise is real. Atlanta could also trade down with a team like the Jets, Saints, or Colts, who could all move up to secure an offensive weapon/lineman.

9. Chicago Bears: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

I nearly penciled in Alabama's JC Latham at this spot, but Olu Fashanu just makes much more sense for the Bears. With Darnell Wright already manning the right side of the offensive line, Fashanu is a much better fit as a plug-and-play starting left tackle.

Latham has seen his stock rise significantly in the pre-draft process, but he falls a little further than expected in this projection. Alt and Fashanu are the top offensive tackles off the board — just like everyone predicted back in January.

10. New York Jets: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Jets seem likely to target a pass catcher in the first round, and with Washington's Rome Odunze still on the board, this is an obvious pick. Odunze shouldn't fall any further than this spot.

The Jets could consider Georgia tight end Brock Bowers here or even an offensive lineman like Alabama's JC Latham, Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga, or Washington's Troy Fautanu. But Odunze appears to be their top target.

It wouldn't be shocking to see them move up to No. 8 to secure him. A trade-down with a team like the Saints or Colts is also on the table, but if Odunze is available at this spot, I don't think the Jets would pass on him.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE): JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Chargers moved back to No. 11 in the draft to select Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham. Despite a pressing need at wide receiver, the Chargers seem dead-set on drafting an offensive tackle early.

The team could address wide receiver later with their second first-round pick (acquired in the Vikings trade). Here, they grab a plug-and-play right tackle who has been rumored to go as high as the fifth overall pick.