2024 NFL Draft: Executives, scouts, coaches rank Top 20 QBs prospects in draft class

There are far more quarterbacks in this NFL Draft than just the much-discussed top four. The first round will be full of them, but what about the rest?

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero did a deep dive on 20 quarterbacks who could hear their names called in the draft’s seven rounds. Led by Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, a record-tying six could go in the first round. But years from now, will this be a benchmark class?

“This is a really weird draft, because there’s six or seven (QBs) I think can start in the NFL,” an insider told NFL.com. “They’re all different. They’re all good dudes. (And) they’re all smart enough. It’s going to be really fun to look back in five years at this class and see how it went.”

1. Caleb Williams, USC

Williams seems the certain No. 1 of the NFL Draft. The Bears, who own the top pick thanks to a 2023 trade with Carolina, are locked in on Williams and could use a second first round selection (No. 9) to land him a receiver.

One NFC scout told NFL.com: “He’s a man among boys in college football, so he’s definitely going to have to speed up his clock and — depending on the coaching staff and the scheme — get in rhythm with the offense. But he’s such a natural football player with everything that I don’t see that being a h

2. Jayden Daniels, LSU

The Commanders still are entertaining quarterbacks. But word out of Washington suggests they’ll use the second pick of the first round to select Daniels, last year’s Heisman winner. His play-making ability trumps his slender size, for now.

An AFC quarterbacks coach told NFL.com: “He might be the most talented thrower in the draft. He’s right there with Caleb. That (pro day) workout at LSU was unbelievable. He can spin it. … I think he’s made a lot of steps in the right direction as an NFL quarterback. I still think he’s probably got a ways to go, but he’s impressive, man. If I was Washington, I don’t think you can not take him.”

3. Drake Maye, North Carolina

And now we come to Maye’s path in the NFL Draft. He seems to have fallen behind Daniels. But the Patriots should take him at No. 3, although there is some chatter that maybe New England trades down. However, of all the top quarterbacks, Maye has the best size along with a very serviceable arm. Scouts are trying to look past his 2023 season, which wasn’t as good as the year before.

An AFC coach told NFL.com: “He’s just a big athlete that can really throw it. To me, he’s perfect for New England because they’ve got Jacoby (Brissett). I think he’d be perfect there to sit for a year. He is the biggest high-ceiling, low-floor guy. Because he’s immature. Not bad immature — he’s just like a kid.”

4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

McCarthy led Michigan to a national championship. But now several NFL Draft analysts describe him as the most polarizing prospect they’re seeing this April. It’s not about McCarthy as a person. There’s no consensus on whether he should be an elite pick — possibly top five — or one destined to go later in the first round.

“The more I watched J.J. and was around J.J., the more he grew on me,” an NFC assistant coach told NFL.com. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the third quarterback taken. He’s by far the most pro-ready-made QB because of him being with (coach Jim) Harbaugh, being in a pro-style system, operating under center, communicating the play call. He crushed the combine interview. It was easy. Super smart. Communicates well. Super calm demeanor. Quiet confidence almost. His pro day was probably the best of all the QBs.”

5. Michael Penix Jr., Washington

During the latter stages of the NFL Draft process, Penix seems to have slipped in at No. 5. That should get him into the first round. There’s no doubt that he posted dazzling passing numbers at Washington. But scouts are pondering his injuries (knee, shoulder) from his time in Indiana.

“I think he’s got the biggest ‘it’ factor.,” an AFC assistant coach told NFL.com. “He stands in the pocket and makes throws consistently. He took Indiana, they were (ranked) in the top 10. (And) he took Washington to the national championship game. To me, he’s the guy. He plays with a ton of confidence. His guys love him.”

6. Bo Nix, Oregon

At No. 6, Nix could be a first rounder or fall to the second. But the former Auburn starter who became a star at Oregon probably won’t fall any lower than upper second round. If a quarterback-needy team gets antsy, he may go far earlier.

Many NFL Draft analysts liken Nix to Drew Brees. Maybe that’s why so many experts think he’ll end up in Denver with Brees’ old coach. An AFC assistant coach said: ” It’s almost like he’s been constructed in a lab. He’s really good in the interview process — I think that’s what’s raised him up. I see him perfect for a situation like Denver with Sean Payton and running that system and doing exactly what you want him to do and not much extra outside of that.”

7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

Quarterbacks could take pause after Nix. But then the next QB off the board likely will be Rattler. It’s an NFL Draft trivia question. Which quarterback lost his starting job to Caleb Williams? That’s Rattler, who lost QB1 at OU, then transferred to the Gamecocks. He’s done much to improve his draft stock, starting with his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl.

NFL.com projects him as a third or fourth rounder. An AFC scouting director said: “I think Spencer Rattler is a good player, and in the right situation, he can be a starter in the NFL. He’s definitely edgy and super confident, which I kind of like. But what I like about Spencer’s film the last couple years is he went to more of a mid-tier SEC team, so every week they were playing against people better and faster than them. There’s probably more throws that he made from tight pockets, under duress than any other prospect. And that’s the NFL.”

8. Michael Pratt, Tulane

Pratt started at Tulane for four seasons, taking the Green Wave to a prominent spot in the Group of Six. He led Tulane to 23 wins over his final 28 games, which included two bowl trips. NFL.com sees him as a third-day guy in the draft, possibly going as high as the fourth round.

“He could be a quality backup for a long time,” an AFC QBs coach said. “He’s got the right attributes and traits, as far as he’s intelligent, he’s a winner, he’ll bring a lot of good stuff to the locker room.”

9. Joe Milton III, Tennessee

NFL.com views Milton as a late rounder, with the potential of moving up. Teams could project him as a project, albeit a very big, athletic one with a huge arm The former Tennessee Vol is 6-5 and 235 pounds. He started his career at Michigan then transferred to Knoxville.

“He is big, he’s physical, he’s got a big arm.,” an NFC scouting director said. “For whatever reason, it just didn’t come together for him. It’s a little bit of the instincts. It’s the decision-making. But he’s loaded with talent, and I could see somebody taking a flier on him in the fourth, fifth round.”

10. Kedon Slovis, BYU

Slovis is the first of several quarterbacks with a chance to go in the seventh round. Or maybe a team targets him as a upper tier free agent. He used to be a starter at USC, but left after Lincoln Riley took the head coaching job. He spent time at Pitt, then transferred to BYU.

“I think some teams are going to really like that kid,” said an NFC quarterbacks coach. “Just based on the fact that he showed he can sit in the pocket and deliver the ball accurately and in rhythm. It would not surprise me if he got drafted.”

Next 10 in for NFL Draft consideration

11. Jordan Travis, Florida State: 7th round or priority FA
12. Devin Leary, Kentucky: 7th round or priority FA
13. Austin Reed, Western Kentucky: 7th round or priority FA
14. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame: 7th round or priority FA
15. Jack Plummer, Louisville: 7th round or priority FA
16. Carter Bradley, South Alabama: 7th round or priority FA
17. Ben Bryant, Northwestern: 7th round or priority FA
18. Davius Richard, North Carolina Central: 7th round or priority FA
19. Gavin Hardison, Texas-El Paso: 7th round or priority FA
20. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland: 7th round or priority FA

To read all of the story on NFL.com, click it here. And, remember that the NFL Draft runs from next Thursday through Saturday in Detroit. You may catch all of the On3 draft reporting here.