2024 NFL draft: Latest buzz, prospect risers, mini-mocks - ESPN

Round 1 of the 2024 NFL draft is roughly one month away. Draft boards are starting to firm up, team needs are becoming more clear and prospects are making their final on-field statements at pro days across the country. And along the way, intrigue around what every team is going to do on Day 1 is picking up.

We've heard a lot of buzz about early picks, potential trades and the quarterback market. So we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league and dish on what they've heard on the road at pro days this month.

Will Minnesota move up the board? Which first-round fits are too good to pass up? Could a sleeper team emerge in the QB hunt? We get into all that and then let Matt, Jordan and Field alternate picks in a mini-mock draft of the top 12 picks. Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they're hearing, seeing and thinking as we near April.

Jump to:
Vikings trade-up buzz | Round 1 prospect fits
Sleeper QB teams | Mini-mock of picks 1-12
Everything else we're hearing this week

Yates: The Vikings' trade with the Texans for pick No. 23 last week after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency certainly raised some eyebrows, giving them a second Day 1 selection (No. 11 being the other). People around the league with whom I've spoken believe Minnesota basically sent up a flare to any team at the top of the order that would consider a trade down that it is interested in talking. Whether that manifests a deal is to be determined, but a team willing to move back has not only a possible partner but also the certainty of where two first-round picks (the starting point in any negotiation) are in the order. The Cardinals (No. 4) and Chargers (No.