ESPN re-ranks the Top 12 quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, predicts round selection

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has re-ranked the Top 12 available quarterbacks, predicting which round the best of the best will hear their names called.

According to multiple NFL Draft scouts, this is the strongest quarterback class we’ve seen in quite some time moving up from the collegiate level. There’s a debate on who could go first overall, although many believe it’ll be Caleb Williams of USC, but nothing is set in stone until April rolls around.

So who are the top names to look out for, in Round 1 and beyond? Reid’s rankings make a ton of sense, check them out below.

1) Caleb Williams, USC Trojans | Round 1

Caleb Williams failed to become the second-ever repeat Heisman Trophy winner, but he still put up impressive numbers in his second year with USC. He threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 142 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to help lead the offense.

Williams is viewed as the hottest name to become the No. 1 overall draft pick, and he’ll try to further prove he’s worthy of that spot as the pre-draft process continues. His ability to extend plays and find the end zone with his legs makes him an intriguing prospect as teams go through their evaluations.

2) Drake Maye, North Carolina Tar Heels | Round 1

Even despite a coordinator change, Drake Maye had a big year at North Carolina. In 12 appearances, he threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns to lead the Tar Heels offense while also contributing nine rushing touchdowns.

Maye’s physique makes him an enticing NFL prospect, standing at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. Some have considered him the top quarterback in the draft, and it’s safe to say that discussion will continue.

3) Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers | Round 1

After an impressive first season at LSU in 2022, Jayden Daniels found a new gear in 2023 as he won the Heisman Trophy. He led the nation in total offense and skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards as a result.

Daniels did it all as he threw for 3,812 yards, rushed for 1,134 and totaled 50 touchdowns — 40 passing and 10 rushing. Some reports have viewed him as the top quarterback available in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he’ll certainly be a name to monitor in the lead-up to April’s draft.

4) J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines | Round 1

Through the first part of the season, J.J. McCarthy looked like he could be in line for Heisman Trophy consideration. While Michigan opted to lean into the run game toward the end of the year, McCarthy is still right in the middle of ESPN’s quarterback rankings.

McCarthy has shown his ability to make plays with his legs, as well, and that dual threat ability is part of what makes him stand out. That was on display when Michigan defeated Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and then capped off their season with a national title.

5) Bo Nix, Oregon Ducks | Late Round 1/Early Day 2

After opting to return to Oregon this year, Bo Nix put together a season worthy of a trip to the Heisman ceremony. He was the most accurate passer in the country during the regular season, and capped off his final season with the Ducks with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl against Liberty.

Nix completed an FBS-leading 77.2% of his passes during the regular season as he threw for 4,145 yards during his breakout season. He’s been working at the Senior Bowl over the last week, and will look to find a home in April.

6) Michael Penix Jr., Washington Huskies | Early Day 2

A Heisman Trophy finalist this past year, Michael Penix Jr. helped lead Washington back to the College Football Playoff. He lead the nation with 324.5 passing yards per game, and ended the hopes of entering Texas in the Sugar Bowl earlier in 2024.

While he wasn’t able to finish the job against Michigan, Penix is another quarterback who could make things interesting for NFL general managers. However, he developed a history of injuries while at Indiana, and that will certainly come up throughout the evaluation process.

7) Spencer Rattler, South Carolina Gamecocks | Early Day 3

The 2023 season wasn’t what South Carolina was expecting, but Spencer Rattler is still generating some NFL Draft buzz. According to ESPN, his decision-making and consistency amid the Gamecocks’ rough season makes him stand out.

Rattler had one of the best years of his career, throwing for 3,186 yards and 19 touchdowns — his biggest numbers since his breakout 2020 campaign at Oklahoma. Reid noted Rattler suffered from some offensive line issues, which makes the evaluation a little more intriguing.

8) Michael Pratt, Tulane Green Wave | Early Day 3

One of the top Group of Five quarterbacks the last few years, Tulane’s Michael Pratt now looks primed to take his talents to the NFL. He’s been awesome for the Green Wave, and a huge part of their success over the last couple of seasons.

Pratt missed two games due to injury this year, but still threw for 2,406 yards and 22 touchdowns. Last season was his biggest, though, as he totaled 3,009 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead the Tulane offense and perhaps put himself in the Day 3 conversation in the draft.

9) Jordan Travis, Florida State Seminoles | Late Day 3

Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury stole headlines for plenty of reasons. But what he did beforehand, though, proved he could be a fun prospect for NFL general managers as the 2024 draft approaches.

Travis was in the Heisman conversation as he threw for 2,756 yards and 20 touchdowns across a little over 10 full games of action at Florida State. However, ESPN projects him as a possible Day 3 or undrafted free agent prospect — meaning he’ll have to open some eyes through the pre-draft process.

10) Sam Hartman, Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Late Day 3

When Sam Hartman committed to Notre Dame, the hope was he could help his draft stock in a pro-style offense. Instead, the Fighting Irish struggled in key moments despite Hartman’s early success, and his hopes of hearing his name called in Detroit took a hit.

Hartman failed to top 3,000 yards for the first time since the COVID-impacted 2020 season, throwing for 2,689 yards and 24 touchdowns in his lone season with Notre Dame. ESPN noted his decision-making outside the pocket, and while he made some plays with his legs, it’s hard to say if Hartman will wind up on the draft board or signing as an undrafted free agent.

11) Joe Milton III, Tennessee Volunteers | Late Day 3/UDFA

We all know what Joe Milton is capable of doing with his rocket arm. However, he struggled with consistency, and that’s why he came in so low on ESPN’s top quarterbacks list.

Milton had the best full season of his career, throwing for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns, but the Tennessee offense failed to reach the heights it did with Hendon Hooker under center. The key for Milton will be to keep things consistent, and that could determine whether he becomes a 2024 NFL Draft pick.

12) Austin Reed, Western Kentucky | Late Day 3/UDFA

Could Austin Reed follow the path of Bailey Zappe to the NFL? They both played at Western Kentucky, and Reed had plenty of success in his two years in that system.

Reed threw for 4,746 yards and 40 touchdowns a season ago, and his numbers dipped a bit in 2023. Still, he has a huge arm, and teams will surely see that on film as they consider whether or not to take the WKU product.

While nothing is ever set in stone ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, Reid’s rankings provide a fascinating baseline of what to expect when the time comes. As you can see, there’s a boatload of talent entering the league at the quarterback position, and it’ll be up to the signal callers to make good on their potential.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.