In his first 2024 NFL mock draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has the Denver Broncos staying put at No. 12 overall to select their quarterback of the future.
The Broncos land Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who might be an ideal fit for coach Sean Payton.
“NFL evaluators have described McCarthy’s processing as “elite” in my conversations with them,” Zierlein wrote on NFL.com. “Drew Brees was a great processer, but he didn’t have the same athletic ability that McCarthy offers. This just feels like a Sean Payton pick.”
McCarthy (6-3, 197 pounds) completed 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards with 22 touchdowns against four interceptions last fall (15 games).
The top three QBs in this year’s class — Caleb Williams (No. 1), Jayden Daniels (No. 2) and Drake Maye (No. 5) — go off the board before the Broncos go on the clock in Zierlein’s mock.
After Denver lands McCarthy, only one other QB (Bo Nix at No. 30) is drafted in the first round (Michael Penix is not among the top 32 picks). The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.
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