Kiper, Yates NFL Mock Draft: Vikings, Rams, Giants Trade for McCarthy, Penix Jr., Nix

The New York Giants traded up to get a quarterback in the newest mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates; it just may not be the QB you're expecting.

USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye led off the mock. Kiper then projected the Minnesota Vikings to send three first-rounders to the Los Angeles Chargers in order to move up from the 11th pick, leapfrog the Giants, and select Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.

New York, which has been linked to McCarthy, did eventually get a quarterback, acquiring the No. 38 pick from the Tennessee Titans to take Oregon's Bo Nix.

Kiper and Yates projected a third QB-centric swap as the Los Angeles Rams moved up and opened the second round with Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

This year's draft is likely to place the scarcity of starting-caliber quarterbacks in stark relief.

McCarthy is the No. 33 overall player on Bleacher Report's 2024 big board yet looks increasingly like he'll be a top-10 pick. Nix (No. 62) and Penix (No. 89) could also be picked well ahead of where they generally sit in the class.

But there are multiple factors working against general managers to necessitate taking such an aggressive approach. An early run on quarterbacks would thin out the depth at the top end. In addition, there's a clear gulf between Daniels/Maye and McCarthy, from McCarthy to Nix/Penix and then from Nix/Penix to the next best signal-callers.

After Penix — South Carolina's Spencer Rattler (No. 66) is the sixth QB on B/R's big board — you have to wait all the way until No. 168 when you finally hit Tulane's Michael Pratt.

Trading up and taking a quarterback a little earlier than you might have wanted will be the cost to guarantee you don't miss out entirely on the position.