The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, and there will be plenty more predictions happening between now and then. Here at Newsweek, weare getting in on the fun, throwing out our own mock drafts to determine where coveted college players will land.
One of the biggest and strongest units heading into the draft is the quarterback class. The storylines have been surrounding the presumed top three picks: USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and UNC’s Drake Maye. However, there are even more quarterbacks that have been tagged as first-round picks: Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., and Oregon’s Bo Nix.
With so many quarterbacks available in this draft, along with the multitude of quarterback-hungry teams, we wanted to provide a quarterback-centric mock draft. Here is where all the top 2024 NFL Draft quarterbacks may land.
1. Caleb Williams, USC, QB: Pick No. 1, Chicago Bears
At this point, everyone should be on the same page in terms of knowing that the Chicago Bears are going to select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, is arguably the most talented quarterback in this class and will be a viable day-one starter.
With how the Bears have built out their team, Williams could come out and have an incredible first year. He has former Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, wide receiver DJ Moore, and tight end Cole Kmet to throw to. That’s not to mention the Bears might also add someone like Washington’s Rome Odunze to the mix with the No. 9 pick.
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB: Pick No. 2, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders may have made a huge mistake by bringing in Jayden Daniels for a visit along with a reported 20 other players, but they should have been using this time to smooth things over with one of the drafts best players. Daniels is the second-best quarterback prospect for 2024, and some have argued he is more talented than Williams.
Daniels did win the Heisman Trophy in 2023 after he posted 3,812 yards, 40 TDs, and 4 INTs in the passing game, along with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs. He is a dual-threat quarterback who should immediately elevate the Commanders team. Washington does need some more firepower at wide receiver, but with the No. 36 pick, they can easily add a very talented player.
3. Drake Maye, UNC, QB: Pick No. 3, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots organization recently came out and stated they were having “ongoing” talks about trading out of the No. 3 overall pick, but that would be foolish. The team could be facing a steep rebuild if they do that, but it could just be a smokescreen.
The Patriots should and are most likely going to take UNC’s Drake Maye. Maye may not be a touchdown machine like his predecessors, but he is a skilled quarterback who should be plenty intriguing to the Patriots. The team recently signed Jacoby Brissett, who may be used as the veteran voice to coach Maye up while he gets ready for his professional debut.
4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, QB: Pick No. 4, Minnesota Vikings
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This is where things will start to get a little tricky. The Minnesota Vikings have two first-round picks (No. 11 and No. 23), meaning they can leapfrog many of their adversaries and draft their quarterback of the future. Enter Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy still has much to learn, but he could do so in OTAs, training camp, and preseason. The good news is that the Vikings have Sam Darnold. While he is not the kind of starting quarterback the team needs, he is a strong veteran voice that can help smooth out the rough edges that McCarthy possesses. The Vikings have to hand over both of their first-round picks to the Arizona Cardinals to get to No. 4 overall, but they’ll be happy to do so to get a quarterback of the future.
5. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon, Pick No. 6, New York Giants
The New York Giants have a starting quarterback in Daniel Jones, but the time is over for them to dump money into a player who is just not going to take them to the Promised Land. Jones has been rattled by poor offensive line play, and his injury history and lack of overall ability should lead to the Giants making a big move to select a potential starter with their first-round pick.
Oregon’s Bo Nix is the best next available option. Nix is great in pre-snap reads and ensuring that mistakes are not made. This is the type of quarterback the Giants need, and with Jones likely serving as the starter for 2024, Nix can learn under him. New York doesn’t have to throw Nix out right away, but he can suit up immediately if Jones should go down with another injury.
6. Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB: Pick No. 12, Denver Broncos
The good news for the Denver Broncos is the movement above means they can stay put and take Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. at pick No. 12. He needs some work with his ball placement and footwork, but his pro day performance should go a long way to proving that he can be the starter sooner rather than later.
Head coach Sean Payton can do wonders with Penix Jr., and the young quarterback might find his way to being a starter in the 2024 season after learning from one of the best coaches in the NFL.
7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, QB: Pick No. 44, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback, but sadly, they will miss out on drafting one in the first round. Instead of pushing the issue and trading up to find a starter, they can stay put at No. 44 and select South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler.
Rattler has good accuracy and pocket presence, but he needs to improve on reading defenses post-snap. The Raiders might not be able to start Rattler on day one of the 2024 season, but he can hone his game and become a viable starter in the 2025 season.
8. Michael Pratt, Tulane, QB: Pick No. 143, Atlanta Falcons
Michael Pratt could be a longer work in progress, as his arm strength isn’t the best of the bunch. However, he does possess a heightened ability for fundamentals, and that goes a long way in allowing his arm strength to be worked on.
The Atlanta Falcons landed one of the best free agent signings in Kirk Cousins, but Cousins is not going to be in the league forever. Pratt could learn the tricks of the trade from Cousins while working his way to becoming a starter eventually.
9. Joe Milton III, Tennessee, QB: Pick No. 170: New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have something special with both quarterbacks Derek Carr and Taysom Hill. However, the dual attack of both these players is not something that can last forever. Both Carr and Hill are 33 years old.
Hill is a bit more in danger with his age, considering he is always the one punching in the ball. While his tight end/quarterback role has been working, it may be time to realize he cannot do that forever. That is why the Saints will bring in Joe Milton III from Tennessee. He is a rough quarterback prospect, but he can still learn behind two proven veterans.
10. Jordan Travis, Florida State, QB: Pick No. 172: Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles need a young upstart quarterback, and they can find one in Florida State’s Jordan Travis. Travis has the right kind of ability with his legs to learn from another stellar dual-threat quarterback in Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles may have four quarterbacks on their roster right now, but Will Grier is likely a practice squad candidate for the 2024 season. Grier and Travis might battle it out for the QB3 slot with Tanner McKee, but there is nothing wrong with bringing in some younger talent to challenge the current roster.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.