In the latest edition of the mock draft 4.0, an unexpected twist has shaken up the quarterback rankings. Jayden Daniels has been projected to be drafted ahead of Drake Maye, raising eyebrows in the football world.

Caleb Williams' announcement that he will not participate in USC's bowl game has led to speculation that he may have taken his final collegiate snap. With 142 days remaining until the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams is considered to be a strong contender for the first overall pick. Despite this, mock draft 4.0 still places him as the top quarterback prospect, with the New England Patriots looking to trade up from their current second overall pick to secure him.

In a hypothetical trade scenario, the Chicago Bears would receive New England's 2024 first-round pick (No. 2), along with additional picks, in exchange for their 2024 first-round pick (No. 1). This trade is reminiscent of the Bears' move in 2017 to acquire Mitchell Trubisky, emphasizing the team's desire to select the right quarterback after passing on Patrick Mahomes that year.

However, in this mock draft, the Bears opt to stick with their current quarterback, Justin Fields. The decision is motivated by the need to ensure they make the correct choice, given the stakes involved. The team possesses multiple draft picks that include numbers 2, 5, 34, 71, 102, and 104 in the 2024 draft, providing ample opportunities to build around Fields.

Fields' future in Chicago also hinges on his performance during the remaining regular season games. Despite not being drafted by GM Ryan Poles and the team's previous miss on Mahomes, the Bears have faith that Fields can prove himself worthy of leading the franchise. The team's abundance of salary cap space allows for flexibility in deciding whether to exercise his fifth-year option in the upcoming summer.

With the trade down to the second overall pick, the Bears have the opportunity to bolster their receiving corps by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The addition of Harrison to a group that includes D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Tyler Scott, plus tight end Cole Kmet, raises expectations of a playoff-caliber team in the 2024 season. The Bears also intend to target an edge rusher with their other first-round pick.

While much debate is expected in the months leading up to the draft, this mock scenario presents an intriguing possibility. It is worth noting that Jayden Daniels, who had an impressive season and has shown significant growth since transferring from Arizona State, has been considered by some as a potential candidate to be drafted before Drake Maye. While most may not see this happening, the idea has not been entirely dismissed within the league. Daniels' skill set draws comparisons to that of Lamar Jackson, making him an intriguing prospect.

Drake Maye, on the other hand, is recognized as a talented quarterback, although his potential range of performance is seen as a spectrum. While he possesses immense potential, comparisons are drawn between him and both Trevor Lawrence (considered his ceiling) and Daniel Jones (regarded as his floor). This indicates that Maye may require a suitable supporting cast to maximize his abilities.

As the mock draft process continues, there remain several months to analyze and speculate on these projections. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be filled with discussions and debates surrounding the upcoming NFL Draft. Stay tuned as more draft coverage unfolds, and for in-depth analysis, be sure to tune into "With the First Pick," a year-round NFL Draft podcast featuring NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, available on various podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

With exciting scenarios to explore and intriguing prospects to evaluate, the countdown to the 2024 NFL Draft has begun, leaving football enthusiasts eager to see how these predictions materialize on draft day.