Top 5 Quarterbacks in the NFL Draft
With the 2024 NFL Draft just weeks away, the excitement and anticipation is building, especially when it comes to the top quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. The event is set for April 25 through 27 in Detroit, Michigan. Looking at this year’s draft class, what stands out are those strong quarterbacks on the roster. So, let’s get into the top five quarterbacks in the NFL Draft, some of whom are part of our earth-shaking draft predictions, too.
Top 5 Quarterbacks in the NFL Draft
5. Bo Nix, Oregon
Bo Nix is one of the older guys in the draft at 24 years old, but that means he’s developed and mature, which should help him hit the ground running. He might not go in the first 40 picks, but I see a team snagging Nix to be a solid backup quarterback. Considering all of the franchise quarterbacks who were out last season due to injuries, having a good backup quarterback is going to be of great importance to every NFL team.
4. Jayden Daniels, LSU
Jayden Daniels really honed his talents and skills as a quarterback in college and ended up with a Heisman season. He’s certainly one of the most sought-ahead quarterbacks in the NFL Draft but doesn’t have the arm talent of some of the guys higher on this list.
3. JJ McCarthy, Michigan
JJ McCarthy is the youngest quarterback in the batch of quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, at 21 years old. After Michigan won the National Championship and Jim Harbaugh decided to leave to coach in the Los Angeles Chargers, McCarthy decided that the time was now for him to head to the NFL. He’ll likely be a first round pick but has some growing to do, so I don’t see him starting out as a franchise quarterback. My recent guest on “The Squad with Anne Erickson,” Benjamin Raven, thinks McCarthey will land with the Minnesota Vikings and take over as their franchise quarterback for the 2025 season.
2. Drake Maye, North Carolina
Drake Maye has a bit less experience than most of the names on this list, but it’s obvious that he has strong physical abilities that could make him, down the road, a solid franchise quarterback. He’s expected to go early in the draft.
1. Caleb Williams, USC
Really, both Caleb Williams and Drake Maye stand out as the top quarterbacks in the draft this year. But, Williams is the one who seems ready to step into a franchise quarterback role. He has an accurate throwing arm and is extremely agile on the field. He can also run and will likely be a mobile quarterback, which is a weapon these days. Listen to more commentary about all of these top quarterbacks in the NFL Draft via the podcast player below, and reach out to me with your thoughts.
5 NFL Teams That Will Look Very Different in 2024
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are headed for a major makeover, especially when it comes to their defense. They’ve brought on Mike Macdonald, who is the former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Seattle’s defense is going to improve greatly with him in charge, and they could look like a different team.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
4. Los Angeles Chargers
It’s happening. Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL. Why? He’s very motivated to get a Super Bowl. He’s fresh off a national championship win with the Wolverines, to boot. He also has a great quarterback in Justin Herbert. Other than Herbert, though, expect some big changes here.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
3. Carolina Panthers
For the Carolina Panthers, there’s really nowhere to go but up. Now, the team has a new head coach (again) in Dave Canales. He’s a great fit for them, but he has a lot of work to do. Expect major changes. He bring experience from his time with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
(Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
2. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders let go of their coach, Josh McDaniels, before the season was even finished, because yes, things were that bad. Antonio Pierce was a bit of a hero and helped Las Vegas come back at the end of last season. He’s now their new head coach, and he’ll have to make a lot of changes to get this team to where they need to be.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
1. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have been hurting lately, so Dan Quinn to the rescue. He helped take the Falcons to Super Bowl 51, so he has experience. He’s also working to make some big changes going into the next season, and yes, they will need them if they want to be competitive.
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Bonus
So, what teams will not look any different in 2024? It’s a safe bet that the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will try to stay with what’s been working for them. The Ravens will look different, with a new defensive coordinator. Also, the Eagles will look different this year, although they’re keeping the core of their team, being their head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
