EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|2024 NFL Draft rumors: Jayden Daniels' 'dream world' team, New York eyeing trade for QB

NFL fans have EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Centerjust one more day left until a hallmark event of this offseason: the 2024 NFL Draft. More than 200 former college standouts will continue their careers at the professional level.

Thanks to a talented group of players at key positions like quarterback and wide receiver, there's plenty of intrigue surrounding Round 1 Thursday night.

Here are some of the latest rumors about what could happen tomorrow night in Detroit:

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Las Vegas Raiders would be 'dream world' result for Jayden Daniels

LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Daniels is predicted to be a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Currently, the Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick, followed by the Washington Commanders at No. 2 and the New England Patriots at No. 3.

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Multiple teams have inquired about trading into the top three for Daniels or one of the other top quarterback prospects in this class. Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Las Vegas Raiders are one of those teams to contact Washington regarding a trade.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that Daniels is "cool" with going to Washington but a "dream world" scenario would be reuniting with his former college coach and current Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce.

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New York Giants looking to trade up for QB

ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano reported Wednesday that Maye is New York's favorite quarterback in the first round. But if a deal doesn't materialize for the Giants to trade up, Graziano says team officials like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as well.

"I've been told the Giants and Vikings are the two teams that have been most active in discussions with the Patriots about the No. 3 pick," Graziano wrote in a column Wednesday. "And that if Washington takes Daniels at No. 2, the Giants would be very interested in trading up to No. 3 for Maye."

Graziano added that the Giants may be willing to take Penix Jr. as early as No. 6.

New England Patriots leaning toward drafting Drake Maye at No. 3

New England has been less clear about their top-three selection than Chicago or Washington. De-facto general manager Eliot Wolf told reporters last week that the Patriots are "open for business" in trade talks.

In the days leading up to the draft, that seems to have changed. Sports Illustrated's senior NFL reporter Albert Breer said this morning on Instagram he feels that "Drake Maye is going to become a New England Patriot."

Breer added that the team will listen to offers up until they're on the clock in Round 1 but he feels pretty good they'll go with Maye.

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Texas' Xavier Worthy is in contention for WR4

The 2024 NFL Draft features a talented crop of wide receiver prospects. After the consensus top three - Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers in some order - there's a drop-off to the next crop of prospects.

LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. is commonly the fourth wide receiver taken in mock drafts, including the latest USA Today mock draft. But ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says Texas' Xavier Worthy is in the conversation for the fourth wide receiver drafted in Round 1 with Thomas Jr.

Worthy set an NFL Scouting Combine record in the 40-yard dash with a 4.21 official time and that could power a rise to Round 1.

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Michigan linebacker Junior Colson could break into the first round

The 2024 NFL Draft is widely considered a weaker class for the off-ball linebacker position but one player could make it into the first round: Michigan's Junior Colson.

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero included Colson in his annual list of four potential surprise first round players.

Pelissero notes the former Wolverine star won the Lott IMPACT trophy in 2023. The two prior winners, Will Anderson Jr. in 2022 and fellow Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson in 2021, were both top-five selections in their respective draft classes.