Nothing in the world of the NFL draft attracts attention quite like the quarterbacks. They’re the most debated, most scrutinized and most analyzed prospects every year. For the players included here in the preliminary list for 2024, it’s just something they’re going to have to accept.
These are very fluid rankings. In general, these are early impressions about the NFL potential of players who still have a considerable amount of football to play before they’re drafted.
With some feedback and info from a couple of team-employed NFL scouts and an active player agent, here is an early listing and my preliminary ranking for the QBs in the NFL draft class of 2024.
1. Drake Maye, North Carolina
Maye has a big arm, good size and impresssive athleticism and is adept at making tight-window throws with both accuracy and confidence.
2. Caleb Williams, USC
The exciting Williams transferred with Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma and made a big splash right away. He’s got work to do on some fundamentals, but the high-end potential is readily evident.
3. Bo Nix, Oregon
The Bo Nix who played at Auburn looked nothing like an NFL prospect. He regained his swagger and found better accuracy and pocket presence for the Ducks. If that persists, the impressive athlete sure feels like a first-round talent.
4. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The athletic lefty transferred from Indiana and displayed an uncanny knack for making plays outside the structure of the offense. Staying healthy and winning more from the pocket can only help Penix.
5. J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy is the catalyst for an exciting, balanced Michigan offense. His growth throughout ’22 campaign has the arrow pointing way up if he can continue to improve.
6. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
Currently the best-in-class deep thrower, Jefferson is a big, accurate passer with some mobility. Gets caught flat-footed (literally) too often and has to prove he can transcend a point-and-shoot style.
7. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Loads of draft stock volatility with Hartman, who transferred from Wake Forest for his final year. His time at Wake Forest was equal parts wildly promising and annoyingly frustrating.
8. Riley Leonard, Duke
Leonard reminds me more than a little of Jared Goff at Cal, but without all the hype or consistency of performance.
9. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers was once a top QB recruit and you can see the appeal when watching him. A year of physical and mental maturity could send Ewers well up this list.
10. Joe Milton, Tennessee
The Michigan transfer has big shoes to fill in replacing Hendon Hooker. If the accuracy and touch come along, the athletic Milton could wind up being drafted before his impressive predecessor.
Others to watch
These are in some semblance of an order but not one where I’d stand firm on.
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Cameron Ward, Washington State
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
Michael Pratt, Tulane
Cam Rising, Utah
Will Rogers, Mississippi State
Jordan Travis, Florida State
Brennan Armstrong, North Carolina State
John Matocha, Colorado School of Mines
DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
Jayden Daniels, LSU
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
