With a ton of deals already happening in free agency, we now look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft later this month. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is a heavy favorite to go first overall to the Chicago Bears, who just traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move that signaled they’re locked in on Williams. With his odds so steep, however, we’ll focus on who could go second overall to the Washington Commanders. LSU standout Jayden Daniels seems like the most likely option, but it’s still a toss-up. Continue reading for the NFL Draft futures.
Before we lay out the odds, preview, and prediction, check out our NFL betting odds and Super Bowl odds for 2025.
Yes, this isn’t a big list, but Daniels, Drake Maye, and JJ McCarthy are the only three who are currently in the mix to go second. It would be pointless to put Williams’ +3500 odds because it’s clear the Bears are making him the priority.
Daniels is at +150 and most of the chatter is that Washington will select the LSU star. After all, they traded Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks and currently have veteran Marcus Mariota as the starter. That’s probably not going to be the case for Dan Quinn come Week 1. Daniels is coming off a fantastic 2023 campaign for the Tigers, completing 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Daniels essentially reinvented himself after a poor start to his college career at Arizona State where many doubted he’d ever turn out to be an elite QB. Well, he is and the California native is undoubtedly one of the top names, if not the top, on the Commanders’ list ahead of April 25th. He’s a great athlete and the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, also rushing for 1,134 yards and 11 scores. Daniels is the real deal.
Maye is considered the second-best or third-best quarterback in this draft class. He spent three seasons at UNC and the last two as their starter. His 2022 campaign was actually better but 23′ was still respectable. completing 63.3% of his throws for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Maye is a pretty advanced QB though and can also run the football well. He’s a Josh Allen-type guy with size, a strong arm, and athleticism. Some believe Maye has the highest ceiling of all the QBs in this class and that’s including Williams. He has all the tools, it simply comes down to putting it all together at the next level. Maye is certainly a possibility at second overall to the Commanders.
Sure, success in college doesn’t always translate, but it’s hard to ignore McCarthy’s mind-boggling 27-1 record at Michigan, where he capped it all off with a national title back in January. Jim Harbaugh has been blowing McCarthy’s horn for weeks, urging NFL teams to take a chance on the signal-caller, who was phenomenal for the Wolverines. McCarthy had a 72.3 completion percentage in 23′ for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing just four picks. Yes, his numbers weren’t massive, but it’s important to note Michigan’s WR room wasn’t great and they ran the ball a lot with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards balling out. Although McCarthy has received minimal top-five buzz, he’s a proven winner and showed at his Pro Day in Ann Arbor that he can make all the necessary throws, even the ones he was doubted for before the showcase. I’d say his chances at going second are lowest of this trio, but anything is possible on draft night. He has the resume and experience.
Daniels is getting the most second overall buzz and there’s even the possibility the Commanders will trade back since they have Mariota. In my eyes though, it’s a foregone conclusion they will draft their next QB on April 24th and I have a feeling it will be Drake Maye. He fits the system best. The -120 odds look good.
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