Mel Kiper NFL Mock Draft 2024: QB McCarthy to Seahawks, Raiders Get CB, Cowboys Go OT

The Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys are three teams with a lot of questions to find answers to this offseason.

One of the easiest ways for those teams to find answers will be in the 2024 NFL draft.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided some insight into what those teams might be thinking in the first round when his first mock draft of the season dropped on Tuesday.

The legendary draft guru has the Seahawks taking Geno Smith's successor in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 16 overall. He gave the Raiders cornerback Terrion Arnold from Alabama at No. 13, with the Cowboys landing Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the 24th pick.

Seattle's approach in the draft will likely come into greater focus when it hires a new head coach. Pete Carroll, who is moving to the front office, had been in that role since January 2010.

Smith is under contract through the 2025 season, but the Seahawks could get out of it as soon as this offseason with only a $17.4 million dead cap hit. He's been incredibly productive over the past two seasons with 7,906 passing yards and 50 touchdowns.

McCarthy could be a difficult prospect to evaluate because the system he played in at Michigan was run-heavy and didn't ask him to carry the offense like other 2024 prospects at the position needed to do. His 332 attempts this season were tied for 53rd among FBS quarterbacks.

Heisman winner Jayden Daniels only threw 327 passes, but he was also a huge factor in the run game with 135 rushing attempts for LSU.

Kiper noted he considered giving the Raiders a quarterback, but opted for Arnold because he gives them their "best chance to get a true No. 1 cover corner" that they need playing in the AFC West against Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Per B/R's NFL scouting department, Arnold would be a massive reach at No. 13 because he's the 111th-ranked prospect in the 2024 class.

Morgan, who is the No. 7 prospect on B/R's big board, would fill a potential need for the Cowboys. They have two big free agents along the offensive line in left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin.

Dallas is currently $11 million over the projected salary cap with Smith and Martin not under contract. CeeDee Lamb is eligible for an extension this offseason. Dak Prescott, who will be entering the final year of his current contract, could also be in line for a lucrative new deal.

Smith is still very good and was just named to the All-Pro second team, but he's also 33 years old and the Cowboys might have to spend a lot of money this offseason to secure their long-term future.

If Jerry Jones decides not to pay everyone, Smith could be the odd-man out if the Cowboys like one of the tackles in this draft and believe he can step to play at a high level right away.