Mel Kiper 2024 NFL Mock Draft: McCarthy to Vikings, Nix to Broncos as 5 QBs Go Top-12

Now that the first wave of free agency is done, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has released his third mock draft of the offseason.

The top four picks remain the same from his previous mock from Feb. 28. Caleb Williams is going No. 1 to the Chicago Bears, followed by Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders, Drake Maye to the New England Patriots and Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals.

Among the notable changes is the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos both taking quarterbacks. Since Kiper didn't project any trades in this mock, he has the Vikings landing J.J. McCarthy at No. 11 and Broncos taking Bo Nix at No. 12.

It seems like a given that both Minnesota and Denver will come out of the draft with a quarterback.

Once Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, Minnesota immediately jumped out as a quarterback destination early in the draft.

The Vikings appear to be positioning themselves to trade up. They acquired a second first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in a trade with the Houston Texans in which they gave up a 2024 second-rounder (No. 42 overall), sixth-rounder (No. 188) and a 2025 second-rounder.

Kiper called the Vikings "the most interesting team in this draft" after their trade with Houston.

Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Vikings have arranged a private workout with McCarthy that head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will attend.

If there's a concern for both the Vikings and Broncos in their quest for a quarterback, it's the New York Giants with the sixth overall pick. Kiper has the Giants using that selection on Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported on March 15 that some people within the NFL believe McCarthy is the player the Giants want. They don't have to make as big of a jump to ensure they get him if they want to make a trade.

Of course, the Cardinals sitting at No. 4 might be more inclined to take an offer from the Vikings or Broncos knowing they will get more from a team trading up seven or eight spots instead of just two.

Kiper suggested the Broncos could look to trade down a few spots, recoup some additional draft assets and end up with Nix. They have eight picks this year, but six of them are in the fourth round or later.

ESPN's NFL draft guru also noted Broncos head coach Sean Payton "might see a little Drew Brees" in Nix because he's a "super-fast processor who can make every throw and was one of the most productive passers in college football the past two seasons."

Based on Kiper's current projection, a total of five quarterbacks will come off the board in the top 12 picks. If this scenario plays out, it will mark the second time five quarterbacks have been taken in the top 12.

It previously happened in 1999 with Tim Couch (No. 1 overall), Donovan McNabb (No. 2), Akili Smith (No. 3), Daunte Culpepper (No. 11) and Cade McNown (No. 12).