Insider names QB 'most likely to slide' out of first round of NFL Draft

It's been said throughout April that up to six quarterbacks could become first-round picks during the 2024 NFL Draft that gets underway next Thursday night. 

According to a Friday afternoon report shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Bo Nix of the Oregon Ducks could be the noteworthy player at the position who doesn't hear his name called until Friday. 

"Based on discussions with multiple sources with knowledge of the manner in which the first round is likely to unfold, the former Oregon quarterback is the most likely to slide," Florio explained. 

While the Chicago Bears are widely expected to draft Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans first overall, it's unclear who the Washington Commanders will select via pick No. 2 among North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye, LSU Tigers signal-caller Jayden Daniels and Michigan Wolverines star J.J. McCarthy. The New England Patriots likely will grab one of those three players with the third pick unless they trade down in the draft order. 

Say, for the sake of argument, no trade occurs and McCarthy stays on the board through the fourth pick. The Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and New York Giants have all been linked in recent stories with the national champion. McCarthy remains a polarizing prospect among numerous analysts, but it seems a lock he will be a top-11 selection, at worst. 

As for Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr., a Friday report indicated the Las Vegas Raiders will draft him with the 13th overall pick assuming he makes it that far on Thursday night. Thus, the math shows that at least a couple of quarterback-needy teams will be left standing without a top-rated prospect at some point during the draft's first round. 

Multiple reporters have suggested a team such as the Giants or Broncos could move up in the draft's second round for Nix. However, Florio pointed out that a club willing to go up to overall pick No. 33 may want to just jump to No. 32 to get the potential fifth-year option attached to Nix's rookie contract. 

"Of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class, Nix is the most likely to linger," Florio concluded. That may be wonderful news for a team hoping to land a different type of playmaker on Thursday and Nix on Friday evening.