Mel Kiper 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Giants, Rams Trade Up for Bo Nix, Penix Jr. in Round 2

Having run through the first round of the 2024 NFL draft multiple times already, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. added the second round to his latest mock released Wednesday.

Among the notable second-round picks Kiper had were the New York Giants trading up to No. 33 overall to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and the Los Angeles Rams acquiring the No. 37 pick to add Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

The Carolina Panthers, whose first pick is the 33rd selection, already own the Giants' second-round choice (No. 39 overall) from the Brian Burns trade.

Kiper's projection has New York sending the 47th pick, which it acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the Leonard Williams trade, and a second-rounder in 2025 to move up 14 spots to get Nix:

"Surprised? Maybe we shouldn't be. Daniel Jones is locked in as the Giants' starter in 2024, but the team could part ways with him next offseason, when his guaranteed money drops. And if general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are down on Jones after a tough 2023 that ended with a torn ACL in November, now is the time to start thinking ahead at the position."

There have been rumblings about the Giants potentially targeting J.J. McCarthy in the first round, but Kiper is projecting a scenario that allows them to add a top wide receiver prospect (Malik Nabers) with the sixth pick before addressing the quarterback spot.

The Rams are a sneaky quarterback destination, though probably not in the first round because they have more pressing roster needs. Matthew Stafford is 36 years old and missed eight games during the 2022 season due to injury issues.

Kiper projected the Rams to trade three picks (No. 52, 83 and 196) to the Los Angeles Chargers for the right to select Penix.

Jimmy Garoppolo is only signed to a one-year deal and Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round pick last year, spent his entire rookie season on the reserve/non-football illness list.

If the Rams were to draft Penix, they could allow him to develop for at least one season before taking over as Stafford's successor.

The Rams haven't drafted a quarterback in the first two rounds since Jared Goff was the No. 1 pick in 2016.