Guys like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy would be huge additions to any team looking to upgrade their signal-caller. However, most of these players will likely be gone before 90% of the league gets the opportunity to make a pick. USA Today’s Michael Middelhurst-Schwartz has three quarterbacks going in the first three picks after all.
Here are some predictions for where the top quarterbacks in this year’s class will be drafted.
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Caleb Williams, USC
It’s been more than two years since Caleb Williams was not regarded as the best quarterback in college football. He’s been the guy at the top of everyone’s draft boards for a long, long time.
Now that his time has finally come, he’s sure to be taken with the first overall pick, but the question of who will take him still lingers. The Chicago Bears hold the first pick, and reports indicate that the Bears are leaning towards trading Justin Fields away to keep a quarterback on a rookie contract. However, that is not how everyone sees it.
Here is where a few mock drafts have him going.
USA Today: Chicago Bears, 1st overall
Pro Football Network: Chicago Bears, 1st overall
The Ringer: Chicago Bears, 1st overall
Drake Maye, UNC
Widely considered the quarterback with the highest ceiling of the draft, Maye has all the physical tools that scouts look for in a franchise quarterback.
He thrives as a vertical passer and could do well in an offense with great deep ball receivers like Seattle or Washington, who holds the second overall pick. He may lack mobility and struggle with his pocket presence, according to some scouting reports, but there is so much to love about Maye that his flaws certainly don’t outweigh his talent.
USA Today: Washington Commanders, 2nd overall
Pro Football Network: Washington Commanders, 2nd overall
The Ringer: New England Patriots, 3rd overall
Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels may have won the Heisman in 2023, but in such a loaded quarterback class, Daniels is still considered just the third best at his position. Daniels’ greatest tool is his speed, but still boasts a strong arm with incredible deep ball prowess.
Daniels does struggle a little bit more in the short-to-intermediate range, but that hasn’t stopped people from comparing him to Justin Fields. In all fairness though, others have compared him to Trey Lance.
USA Today: New England Patriots, 3rd overall
Pro Football Network: Atlanta Falcons, 8th overall
The Ringer: Washington Commanders, 2nd overall
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Ever since winning the college football national championship in 2023, former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has fought hard defending McCarthy. Although Michigan’s system never revolved around using the quarterback much, Harbaugh insists that McCarthy will be the first quarterback taken in the 2024 draft.
Obviously, that claim probably won’t come true, but it begs the question: “How good is McCarthy really if such a highly-touted coach is going to bat for him this hard?” McCarthy’s arm strength, accuracy, and poise in the pocket are undeniable, but his slender frame sticks out like a sore thumb.
I doubt it would shock most people if McCarthy couldn’t stay healthy against NFL-level talent. Still, McCarthy boasts a solid ceiling and floor as an NFL prospect and seems to be quickly rising up draft boards.
USA Today: Minnesota Vikings, 11th overall
Pro Football Network: New England Patriots (via trade with MIA), 21st overall
The Ringer: Atlanta Falcons, 8th overall
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Despite losing in the national championship game, onlookers could tell how talented Penix was. He is one of the best quarterbacks in college football at progressing through his reads and making the right throws. However, when his receivers can’t get open, Penix starts to panic. Draft analysts have pointed to Penix’s volatility as an improviser as a reason some teams may stay away.
Widely considered a first-round draft pick early on, Penix has seen his stock fall as of late. His injury history has definitely played a role in that drop. Furthermore, Penix’s age (24) is another area of concern.
NFL.com: Seattle Seahawks, 50th overall
FOX Sports: Miami Dolphins, 21st overall
NBC Sports: New England Patriots (via trade), late 1st round
Bo Nix, Oregon
Big, fast, strong, three words to describe Bo Nix. What more could you ask for? Well, according to some sites like Pro Football Network, Nix isn’t the best at reading defenses before the snap.
Hidden coverages and solid rotations from defensive backs can often trick Nix into making ill-advised throws, leading to incompletions or interceptions that could have been easily avoided. Nix still has the physical tools necessary to succeed in the NFL, but he may be more of a project quarterback than the others on this list.
NFL.com: Minnesota Vikings (via trade with CAR), 33rd overall
Sports Illustrated: Denver Broncos, 12th overall
Pro Football Focus: Denver Broncos, 12th overall
