The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. With the first round scheduled or Thursday, April 25, NFL bettors have just under a month to take advantage of the value on the 2024 NFL Draft odds board. Let’s dive into the headlines from today, March 26, as we dive into the NFL draft odds movement related to quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s odds — as well as the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, both of whom are in the market for a new quarterback, creating plenty of NFL draft trade rumors.
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NFL Draft Odds Roundup: J.J. McCarthy Steam, Broncos & Patriots Trade Rumors Heat Up
J.J. McCarthy Steam Picking Up | NFL Draft Odds & Rumors
The Michigan Wolverines won the national championship this season, and their starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is likely to go off the board in the first round. The question is now where he’ll go in the first round — and the 2024 NFL Draft odds are inconclusive. Well, at least they’re inconclusive after the first overall pick — Caleb Williams is -8000 at FanDuel to be the first player off the board.
Rumors have been circulating on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, over the last 24 hours that suggest McCarthy could wind up in Washington. The Commanders currently have the second-overall pick, and NFL executives reportedly believe that the team’s general manager, Adam Peters, wants McCarthy.
The rumors have led to some serious J.J. McCarthy steam affecting the 2024 NFL Draft odds. McCarthy, who was trading at odds as long as 30-1 (3.2%) at FanDuel to go at No. 2 overall, is now trading at only 7-2 (22.2%) — a massive improvement but not one that suggests he is the favorite to go at No. 2. That honor belongs to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, who clocks in as the odds-on favorite at -125.
Denver Broncos Trade Rumors Heating Up
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a new quarterback after their ill-fated deal with Russell Wilson came to an early end. Head coach Sean Payton has since stated that it is “realistic” that the team makes a move up in this year’s NFL draft. The Broncos currently hold the No. 12 pick, at which point most top-tier quarterbacks, including McCarthy, would probably be off the board.
One likely target for a Denver trade is the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona owns the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the team still has a former first-overall pick at quarterback, Kyler Murray, on the roster. So will the Cardinals move down? Payton joked that “It’s good to be [Cardinals general manager] Monti (Ossenfort) right now,” per reporters.
Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is currently favored to go No. 4 overall with odds of -155. But if the Broncos trade up, it’ll likely be for a quarterback, and J.J. McCarthy (+250), Drake Maye (+900) and Jayden Daniels (+900) own the next-best odds to get drafted with Arizona’s selection.
What are the New England Patriots Planning? | NFL Draft Odds & Rumors
The New England Patriots shipped off former first-round quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. Although they brought in journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett and still have Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke on the roster, it’s unlikely that the Patriots see any of them as their future. Still, rumors are abuzz about whether they’ll trade down or select a quarterback with the No. 3 overall draft pick.
Team owner Robert Kraft has told reporters that he wants the Patriots to find a “top-rate, young quarterback”, and rumors about the Patriots targeting Jayden Daniels have been circulating all offseason. However, former linebacker and head coach Jerod Mayo has offered a less clear picture. He told reporters that, while the Patriots are considering Daniels, McCarthy and UNC’s Drake Maye, the team is considering all options, including a trade down.
The best “guaranteed” way for an NFL team to win, Mayo said, was to acquire more picks, a lesson he certainly would’ve learned from former head coach and general manager Bill Belichick. Belichick drafted Mayo at No. 10 overall after trading down from No. 7 in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Patriots have not selected a player with a top-10 pick since.
The favorite to go at No. 3 is currently UNC’s Drake Maye at -135, but Daniels (+200) and McCarthy (+600) are close behind. Further down the 2024 NFL Draft odds board at the selection are Harrison (+1100) and LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (+6500).
