2024 NFL mock draft: Top-15 pick predictions off free agency - ESPN

Editor's note: This mock draft originally posted on Thursday morning but has been updated off a flurry of additional moves.

Money has flown around the NFL this week, as a slew of free agency deals and big-name trades have impacted rosters around the league. And in turn, those moves — and in some cases, non-moves — have impacted how the 2024 NFL draft might unfold. In fact, the impact has been so large that I had to rework some of my original picks with a second version of this mock draft, accounting for the Thursday trade of Chargers receiver Keenan Allen to the Bears and the Friday draft pick deal between the Vikings and Texans.

So let's sort through the shifting team needs, prospect targets and potential strategies of franchises slated to pick in the top 15 of April's first round, basing our predictions off all the action we've seen. Keep in mind that plenty of free agent signings still lie ahead and the draft landscape could continue to change, further influencing pick projections.

But for now, here's a crack at how signings, trades, cuts and departures might have an impact on each team picking in Nos. 1-15 — and the prospect that makes the most sense to fill roster holes. And a new addition: I now have a projected trade involving teams in the top 15. (I'll have a more complete updated mock draft in early April — stay tuned.)

Jump to a projected trade

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

While Justin Fields has not yet been traded, it would seem logical that Chicago would accept a reasonable offer. The QB dominoes are still falling, but even if no offer bubbles up soon, I believe the Bears are taking a QB first overall and starting over under center. Fields was 20th or worse last season in QBR (46.1), yards per pass attempt