2024 NFL Draft Place Assessment: Quarterbacks – WalterFootball

Quarterback Class

Early-round expertise: A
Mid-round: B
Late-round: B
Total grade: B+

Merging the 2023 and 2024 prospects

Drake Maye
Caleb Williams
Jayden Daniels
Bryce Younger
C.J. Stroud
Anthony Richardson
J.J. McCarthy
Bo Nix
Will Levis
Hendon Hooker
Michael Penix Jr.
Spencer Rattler
Joe Milton

Simply to be clear, this text and sequence is all my opinion primarily based off my very own examine and data I’ve gotten from basic managers, administrators of school scouting, nationwide scouts, space scouts and NFL coaches. All of them know far more than I do.

The 2024 NFL Draft has a powerful class of quarterbacks, with three who’re legit excessive first-rounders and a few high quality prospects for out of doors of the top-10 and into Day 2. I like Drake Maye probably the most of all of the prospects over the past three drafts. I feel each Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are higher prospects than Bryce Younger, though I do know some crew evaluators who disagree with me on that. I feel C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson have been higher prospects than J.J. McCarthy is. I really feel McCarthy and Nix are higher than Will Levis, whereas Hendon Hooker was a greater prospect than Michael Penix Jr., Spencer Rattler or Joe Milton.

Most secure Decide: Drake Maye, North Carolina

Earlier Picks:
2023: C.J. Stroud
2022: Kenny Pickett
2021: Trevor Lawrence
2020: Joe Burrow
2019: Daniel Jones
2018: Sam Darnold
2017: Pat Mahomes
2016: Carson Wentz
2015: Jameis Winston
2014: Derek Carr
2013: Geno Smith

This yr, my alternative was fairly straightforward. Maye is the most secure of the quarterback prospects to show into a top quality starter. He’s an correct passer who makes good selections, and has measurement, a top quality arm, and a few cellular athleticism. I went with him over Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels as a result of Maye’s type of play suits the NFL effectively.

Greatest Bust Potential: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Earlier Picks
2023: Anthony Richardson
2022: Desmond Ridder
2021: Mac Jones
2020: Jordan Love
2019: Kyler Murray
2018: Mason Rudolph
2017: Mitch Trubisky
2016: Connor Prepare dinner
2015: Brett Hundley
2014: Johnny Manziel
2013: Mike Glennon

I used to be torn between McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. for this choice, however Penix may slide effectively into the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, which might not make him a real bust. McCarthy has a scarcity of passing instincts presently, and I may see him going through some pitfalls with translating to the NFL. Of the particular first- and second-round picks, I feel McCarthy has probably the most bust potential.

Quarterback Rankings by Attributes

Accuracy:

NFL prototype: Jared Goff, Lions

1. Caleb Williams
2. Drake Maye
3. Jayden Daniels
4. Bo Nix
5. Spencer Rattler
6. J.J. McCarthy
7. Joe Milton
8. Michael Penix Jr.

Recap: Crucial attribute for any quarterback within the NFL is accuracy. Not solely do correct quarterbacks scale back turnovers and preserve time of possession, they enhance the alternatives for skill-position gamers to make a much bigger impression. Thus, correct signal-callers will give groups extra return on their {dollars} for high-priced broad receivers. It takes an correct quarterback to be a weapon as a pocket passer, and the elite quarterbacks are capable of beat good protection with precision passes into tight home windows.

I feel Williams and Maye are nearly tied, however I give a slight edge to Williams due to his accuracy whereas throwing off platform and going outdoors the numbers. Williams’ deep-ball accuracy was not pretty much as good in 2023 because it was in earlier seasons, so actually I see this as a really close to tie. Williams has accuracy, displaying the power to fireside passes by defenders into tight home windows. Within the pocket or on the transfer, Williams presents a hazard to throw exact passes that beat protection. He positively possesses pure accuracy.

Maye is unquestionably an correct passer. He throws the ball with glorious precision and ball placement. Using pure loft and timing, Maye suits his passes into tight home windows, and he is ready to beat good protection by being supremely correct. Maye leads his receivers for extra yards after the catch. Together with throwing receivers open, Maye tosses passes with good loft and is ready to give his wideouts a really catchable ball. Maye exhibits glorious accuracy over the center of the sphere. Nonetheless, his accuracy to the skin isn’t pretty much as good, and that’s one thing he can work to enhance. His accuracy additionally suffers when he throws off platform. These are issues he may refine with professional teaching, so it is going to be essential that Maye goes to a crew with good quarterback teaching.

Daniels is mostly correct, though he’ll miss on some passes. His accuracy could be described pretty much as good, however not elite. Frequently Daniels throws some nice passes, finding the ball effectively and main his receiver to make the catch and decide up further yards. Daniels lofts in some lovely passes downfield, and his deep-ball accuracy is phenomenal. When Daniels sees a receiver break away downfield, he’ll put glorious contact on the ball to drop it in with a really catchable move for his receivers. Coming into the subsequent stage, Daniels’ pure deep-ball accuracy may be very spectacular.

Nix is an correct passer who throws a really catchable ball. Over his last two seasons, he was very good together with his ball placement, routinely dropping in well-located strikes.

Rattler is a proficient passer who may be correct and environment friendly. He has the power to fireside strikes within the quick to intermediate a part of the sphere, displaying good ball placement to steer his receivers for extra yards.

McCarthy is a combined bag by way of accuracy. On the plus facet, his ball placement to the sideline and outdoors the numbers is superb. McCarthy drops in some well-located passes and likewise throws some bullets to finish deep outs. On the adverse facet, McCarthy’s accuracy in the midst of the sphere isn’t constant. He tends to throw late and miss excessive or behind on some throws between the numbers.

Penix is streaky and inconsistent in his accuracy. In some video games, he’s on level, throwing some good passes downfield. At different occasions, he’s off and spraying the ball far afield from his meant targets. Penix’s footwork is inconsistent, and that results in his accuracy struggling. He wants to enhance his fundamentals, which can result in him being extra correct.

Milton’s accuracy cam even be inconsistent. He can have some well-located passes after which have some miss. Milton wants to enhance his accuracy when he’s pressured to scramble or reset his toes.

Arm Power:

NFL prototype: Josh Allen, Payments

1. Joe Milton
2. Caleb Williams
3. J.J. McCarthy
4. Spencer Rattler
5. Michael Penix Jr.
6. Jayden Daniels
7. Drake Maye
8. Bo Nix

Recap: The quarterback with the strongest arm doesn’t at all times imply that a lot, however there are throws that big-armed quarterbacks could make that common quarterbacks can solely dream of creating. So a robust arm is one other weapon that may result in factors, wins, and depressing days for defenses.

Milton has the strongest arm on this draft class, however not by so much over Williams and McCarthy. There isn’t a doubt that Milton has an absolute cannon. The ball explodes out of his hand and rips by means of the air effortlessly downfield. Williams has an elite arm that may make all of the throws required with the power to beat good protection through the speed of his passes.

McCarthy and Rattler have sturdy arms and may actually spin the ball. That was clearly seen by space scouts, and each gamers have impressed with the ability of their throws within the postseason. Penix can actually spin it as effectively and has the arm to make all of the throws for the NFL. He can flat-out throw the heck out of the ball.

Daniels and Maye shouldn’t have an elite cannons, however their arms are lots sturdy sufficient for the NFL and received’t be issues for them. Nix’s arm power is common. Whereas he doesn’t have a weak arm, his arm isn’t sturdy.

Area Imaginative and prescient:

NFL prototype: Pat Mahomes, Chiefs

1. Drake Maye
2. Caleb Williams
3. Jayden Daniels
4. Bo Nix
5. J.J. McCarthy
6. Spencer Rattler
7. Joe Milton
8. Michael Penix Jr.

Recap: Area imaginative and prescient is one attribute that separates the elite quarterbacks of the NFL. Quarterbacks who throw lots of interceptions are inclined to lock onto their major reads and stare down receivers. Sign-callers with good area imaginative and prescient can shortly work by means of their progressions and see greater than a receiver on a route. Additionally they might help get wideouts open by wanting off safeties and enjoying video games with their eyes. Many school quarterbacks enter the NFL with subpar area imaginative and prescient and have to enhance this on the subsequent stage.

Maye reads the sphere effectively and is superior together with his capability to work by means of progressions. He confirmed no points together with his area imaginative and prescient. Final yr, there have been occasions when defenses tried to trick him with switched protection post-snap, however Maye sniffed it out and didn’t fall for the entice. He missed the blitz a couple of occasions in video games in opposition to Virginia and Clemson, so studying and figuring out blitzes is one thing for him to work on as a professional.

Williams isn’t tall, however he sees the sphere effectively for a 6-foot-1 quarterback. Williams will maintain onto the ball and let routes develop whereas displaying his glorious mobility to dodge tacklers. He retains his eyes downfield whereas scrambling and anticipates effectively how defenders are going to maneuver.

Daniels confirmed big enchancment in his area imaginative and prescient over the previous couple of seasons. From throughout the pocket or on the transfer, Daniels retains his eyes downfield and does a pleasant job of shifting by means of progressions.

McCarthy, Rattler, Milton and Penix all want to enhance their imaginative and prescient. McCarthy has potential, however he wants work. Rattler sees the sphere effectively on some performs and poorly on others. Milton’s imaginative and prescient suffers when he’s not in a clear pocket.

Sources say that one in every of issues that issues them is Penix is both not studying protection, or he’s simply throwing into it anyway as a result of he predetermined the place he was passing the ball. That could be a large drawback for the NFL as a result of it should result in interceptions versus professional defenses. Penix additionally had points when groups dropped giant numbers in protection and solely rushed him with three or 4 defenders. Taking away straightforward throws precipitated issues for Penix. For the subsequent stage, Penix goes to have do vital work in creating his area imaginative and prescient, working by means of progressions, and making the proper resolution on the place to move the ball.

Resolution-Making:

NFL prototype: Joe Burrow, Bengals

1. Jayden Daniels
2. Caleb Williams
3. Bo Nix
4. Drake Maye
5. J.J. McCarthy
6. Joe Milton
7. Michael Penix Jr.
8. Spencer Rattler

Recap: Daniels is great at caring for the soccer. His decision-making may be very superior, as he’s expert at avoiding turnovers and isn’t reckless with the soccer. With solely seven interceptions over two seasons, Daniels did a terrific job of retaining the ball away from defenses. Resolution-making is an actual asset to Daniels’ sport, as it’s uncommon to search out gamers together with his playmaking capability staying so affected person.

Much like Daniels, Williams is an effective decision-maker total. He had 5 interceptions in every of the previous two seasons whereas making an attempt lots of passes within the USC aerial offense. Williams is mostly sensible about not throwing into visitors and locations the ball effectively the place both his receiver could make the catch or it should fall incomplete.

Nix’s decision-making was very good in 2023, placing up thelowest interception complete of any of those prospects. His numbers have been vastly improved from the place he was early in his profession. Maye was decision-maker total. He wants to chop down on some interceptions that occurred in 2023, however a few of that stemmed from his offensive line and receivers.

Whereas McCarthy didn’t throw lots of interceptions in school, crew sources felt that McCarty wants to enhance his decision-making for the NFL. He simply may have had greater than 4 interceptions final yr given a number of the dangerous passes he made.

Milton and Penix each want to enhance their decision-making for the NFL. Rattler confirmed enchancment over 2022, however he nonetheless has a protracted methods to go in bettering his decision-making. To be able to be a candidate to begin as a professional, his decision-making should enhance dramatically.

Mobility:

NFL prototype: Lamar Jackson, Ravens

1. Jayden Daniels
2. Caleb Williams
3. J.J. McCarthy
4. Bo Nix
5. Michael Penix Jr.
6. Spencer Rattler
7. Drake Maye
8. Joe Milton

Recap: Mobility is vital issue that may assist a crew’s offensive line and broad receivers. As learn choices, unfold offenses, and up-tempo ideas proceed to develop within the NFL, mobility will proceed to be a sought-after attribute for professional quarterbacks. The highest-five quarterbacks on this group all have good mobility. There actually isn’t a quarterback within the group who’s an entire statue within the pocket.

When it comes to his capability on the bottom, Daniels is considerably harking back to Lamar Jackson by way of explosive pace, reducing capability, and elusiveness. Daniels may be very quick for a quarterback, and he’ll run away from defenders. Daniels is also elusive as a runner, as he’ll juke and dodge defenders to speed up into house. On prime of his toes and quickness, Daniels has a sturdy construct that provides him the power to take hits. Nonetheless as a professional, he should study to slip becaise he was too bodily as a runner in school. There isn’t a doubt that Daniels has to slip extra to chop down on his damage danger. Within the NFL, Daniels could possibly be a operating menace like Lamar Jackson is for the Ravens.

As a runner, Williams is elite as effectively. He’s extremely harmful when performs break down, and he’s very irritating for defenses as they will execute all the things accurately however nonetheless see Williams advert lib his crew into a giant achieve. Williams additionally will take off operating when nothing is open, and he’s a harmful menace on the bottom. He’s a shifty runner with quickness and likewise exhibits toughness to run by means of some contact and break tackles. As a professional, he’s going to wish to do extra sliding and shield himself from hits. Proper now, Williams is simply too cavalier with doling out hits, stiff arms, and operating by means of tackles. He’s going to have to be extra protecting of his head, proper shoulder and proper arm – particularly – to keep away from accidents. Williams isn’t a giant quarterback, so he positively wants to chop down on his physicality as a runner to assist keep away from accidents as a professional.

McCarthy is an effective runner who can damage defenses on the bottom when issues break down. On the finish of his school profession, McCarthy made key performs together with his legs, together with developing with some clutch performs within the Nationwide Championship Recreation. He exhibits some athleticism to dodge defenders within the pocket, and he possesses spectacular pace to tear off yards whereas scrambling upfield. Seems may be deceiving, as McCarthy is quick for a quarterback.

Whereas Nix improved his passing after going to Oregon, he remained harmful on the bottom. He is an effective athlete within the pocket with fast toes to dodge the frenzy and make throws on the run. Nix is a nimble and shifty quarterback who may be robust to deliver down for defenders. He is also a menace to select up yards as a runner. Whereas Nix isn’t an elite runner like a Lamar Jackson, Nix is an effective athlete who has burst for a quarterback together with elusive strikes to dodge tacklers. Within the NFL, his mobility will likely be an asset to select up some first downs on third-and-manageable when nothing is open.

Penix additionally has some useful mobility to dodge the frenzy and decide up some yards on the bottom. He has high quality measurement and performs robust.

Rattler is also harmful, providing mobility and athleticism. He’s a harmful runner with glorious toes and agility to dodge move rushers within the pocket. Together with his toes and mobility, Rattler is ready to lengthen performs, and he has the arm power to make large throws off platform. Rattler has a backyard-baller type of play that brings vitality to his crew.

The one en vogue attribute that Maye doesn’t have is critical operating capability for the NFL. Maye isn’t a real operating menace with pace and shiftiness within the area. That being stated, Maye isn’t an entire statue within the pocket. He has useful mobility to control the pocket and keep away from the move rush. He can climb, slide, and transfer round sufficient to assist his line. Maye additionally will take off and run every now and then and has good decision-making to catch defenses without warning. Within the NFL, he received’t be a Lamar Jackson- or Josh Allen-type menace, however Maye will have the ability to assist his offensive line by avoiding some rushers and decide up some first downs together with his toes.

Milton has some operating capability, which is an added a part of his talent set that makes him harmful. He exhibits some athleticism to get out of the pocket and a second gear with some straight-line pace to tear off yards whereas scrambling upfield. His measurement comes into play when he makes use of his power to complete off runs, and there’s no doubt that Milton is hard participant. He takes arduous hits and stays within the sport whereas displaying fearlessness as a runner, blasting by means of defenders. Miton would possibly want to slip extra as a professional, however his violent angle and physicality is spectacular.

Intangibles:

NFL prototype: Justin Herbert, Chargers

1. Drake Maye
2. J.J. McCarthy
3. Bo Nix
4. Jayden Daniels
5. Joe Milton
6. Michael Penix Jr.
7. Spencer Rattler
8. Caleb Williams

Recap: Maye, McCarthy, Nix and Daniels have drawn good evaluations for his or her intangibles from crew sources.

Milton is claimed to have strong intangibles. Penix is claimed to not be a nasty child, however there are some questions of him as a employee. Rattler had maturity points early in his profession, however it seems like these are vastly improved now. Williams has make-up issues with many sources across the league. They surprise about his persona and his ego, him being excessive upkeep, and his total soccer character.