Where Could Top Quarterbacks Land In 2024 NFL Draft?
With the NFL season already halfway through, many teams are going all in with hopes of winning the Super Bowl this February. But for others, they have already started to look towards the 2024 NFL Draft in April. The annual draft always brings excitement, speculation and hope that one pick can change a franchise forever.
This year's draft is expected to be one of the best quarterback classes in recent memory headlined by Heisman winner Caleb Williams. But when and where can these top quarterbacks fall and who might take a risk in a franchise-changing play caller? Here are some predictions on where the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft could land.
Caleb Williams - Junior (USC)
Projected: early first-round
Likely teams: Bears, Giants, Patriots
Caleb Williams has been the most hyped quarterback coming out of college in recent memory. Compared to Patrick Mahomes, Williams has all the tools to be a superstar quarterback in the NFL. Although he has had some struggles this season after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022, he is widely expected to be the first or second overall pick, depending on who will be making the selection.
Throughout the entire season, Williams has been a favorite to land in Arizona, but with Kyler Murray back along with his expensive contract, Arizona could move down a few spots and that would not be a bad thing. If Murray plays well, they could possibly team him up with Marvin Harrison Jr and hope he makes the jump like other star quarterbacks in the league did.
With the Carolina Panthers holding the league's worst record at 1-8, it is likely that their pick, which belongs to Chicago, will be first overall. Despite having Justin Fields, it is possible they trade him to another team and take Williams first overall and hopefully find their franchise quarterback.
Prediction: Chicago Bears draft Caleb Williams first-overall.
Drake Maye - Sophomore (UNC)
Projected: early first-round
Likely teams: Bears, Giants, Patriots
Behind Williams is a strong-arm quarterback who impressed scouts in his 2022 season amounting for 45 total touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. While Maye has not been as electric as he was last season, he is still an elite passer who has had scouts fall in love with him. He will likely be a consolation prize for the team that does not get Caleb Williams, and either way will become a star of his own.
He has been compared to Chargers star Justin Herbert, and even some think he should go first over Williams. In this case with #13 off the board, Maye will head to the Big Apple. Although the Giants signed Daniel Jones to a huge five-year contract, it is easy for New York to move on after next season, and with Jones' injury history and struggles, it is ideal to start over with a very talented passer.
Prediction: New York Giants draft Drake Maye in the top five.
JJ McCarthy - Junior (Michigan)
Projected: middle to late first-round
Likely teams: Raiders, Falcons, Patriots
Now this is where things get interesting. The top two in the class are clear, but now it gets harder to predict how high each quarterback goes in what order. While Michael Penix Jr, or Bo Nix could be argued for the third spot, it's likely McCarthy will get the nod, especially with Michigan likely going to the CFP.
McCarthy won't light up the stat sheet, but he has done enough to keep Michigan undefeated and has a high completion percentage, as well as more touchdowns than some of the top quarterbacks in college football. He can be clutch when he needs to and that is why teams will love him.
The Patriots are very familiar with a pocket-passer from Michigan in Tom Brady. Now they can add another one with a lot of talent and potential to be their next franchise quarterback. While New England could go wide receiver early, it's hard to ignore Mac Jones' struggles and McCarthy could be the answer.
Prediction: New England Patriots trade down and draft JJ McCarthy in the top ten.
Jayden Daniels - Senior (Senior)
Projected: middle to late first-round
Likely teams: Falcons, Raiders, Vikings
For most of the season, Jayden Daniels has been seen as a Day 2 pick, yet he has risen up draft boards all year with his elite play. A favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, scouts have compared Daniels to Lamar Jackson, and he should be seen as a first-round pick. Daniels had over 500 total yards passing and rushing combined in one game earlier this month, which is incredible! Then the next game, he has eight total touchdowns!
The Atlanta Falcons would love to have a dual-threat star like Daniels. The Desmond Ridder experiment did not work out and now Atlanta has a solid offense and a great defense. Adding Daniels could solve the quarterback problem and bring MVP-level QB play back to Atlanta for the first time since Matt Ryan left.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons draft Jayden Daniels in the top twelve.
Bo Nix - Senior (Oregon)
Projected: middle to late first-round
Likely teams: Raiders, Vikings, Buccaneers
Bo Nix is one of the longest tenured quarterbacks in college football. The former Auburn star is having a year in Oregon, as he is one of the top Heisman candidates and has a lot of experience entering the NFL Draft. He could fit for a team who needs a quarterback now, which is why I can see him fitting in Las Vegas.
After the Jimmy G experiment failed, it is likely that Vegas will find itself with a high pick this year. While it might not be enough for Williams, McCarthy, or Maye, they can still draft Nix with hopes of starting him right away.
Prediction: Raiders draft Bo Nix in the top fifteen.
More Quarterback Predictions
Michael Penix Jr - Senior (Washington) - Minnesota Vikings (first-round)
Riley Leonard - Junior (Duke) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second-round)
Michael Pratt - Junior (Tulane) - Los Angeles Rams (second-round)
Likely To Not Enter Draft
Quinn Ewers - Sophomore (Texas)
Shedeur Sanders - Junior (Colorado)
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