The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and for all the hype, the quarterback class ended up being relatively pedestrian. But trust us when we tell you — the 2024 QB class, with USC’s Caleb Williams universally expected to go first overall, and Drake Maye not far behind — is going to be special.
The only way it’s not? If NIL deals somehow get so lucrative that players projected to go outside the top 10 decide to return to school.
First Look at 2024 QB Class
The NFL record for quarterbacks taken in the first round is six (1983: John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O’Brien, and Dan Marino).
The NFL record for quarterbacks taken in the top 10 is four. It was done twice: 1949 (John Rauch, Stan Heath, Bobby Thomason, and Frank Tripucka) and 2018 (Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen).
The 2024 QB class and its collection of top QBs could put a scare into both.
MORE: Free Mock Draft Simulator (with trades!)
The top-end talent is as good as we’ve seen in recent years. But what really sets this class apart is its depth. PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has five in Round 1 in his latest 2024 Mock Draft, and has seven prospects ranked in the top 40 of his Big Board.
The depth of prospect quality is a clear step above what 2023 featured — even with three going in the first four picks (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson), and even with a run on QBs in Day 3.
Caleb Williams, USC
2022 stats: 66.6%, 4,537 yards (9.1 y/a), 42 TDs, 5 INTs
Accolades: Heisman Trophy, Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards, AP College Football Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American
PFN Ranking (Overall, Position): No. 1, No. 1
Cummings’ take: “Occasionally, a quarterback prospect comes along who is so heavily anticipated he’s penciled in as a No. 1 overall pick years before he even becomes eligible. Andrew Luck was such a prospect. Trevor Lawrence was such a prospect. And ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft cycle, Caleb Williams is in that rarified air.
“Williams is not a generational prospect — not yet. But after a Heisman-winning season that saw him amass 4,537 passing yards, 52 total touchdowns, and just five interceptions, the excitement around his potential is unbridled. Williams has uncommon creation capacity and arm elasticity at 6’1″, 215 pounds, and his competitive toughness shines through.”
Drake Maye, North Carolina
2022 stats: 66.2%, 4,321 yards (8.4 y/a), 38 TDs, 7 INTs
Accolades: ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year
PFN Ranking (Overall, Position): No. 4, No. 2
Cummings’ take: “Right now, Williams is the unquestioned preliminary QB1 of the 2024 NFL Draft class. But if there’s a QB prospect who has the potential to challenge him for that title down the stretch, it’s North Carolina’s Drake Maye. At 6’4″, 220 pounds, Maye has prototypical size and stature, but he’s an exceptional athlete at that size, with the short-area quickness and evasive capacity to extend plays in the pocket. He also has an enticing arm, with easy velocity generation and angle flexibility to layer throws to multiple levels.”
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
2022 stats: 64.6%, 2,719 yards (8.4 y/a), 22 TDs, 5 INTs
Accolades: Appeared in 2022 College Football Playoffs
PFN Ranking (Overall, Position): No. 14, No. 3
Cummings’ take: “J.J. McCarthy still has room to mature and build on his frame ahead of the NFL, but his raw talent is an accelerant for his stock. He’s a truly elite athlete who rips throws with effortless velocity to all levels of the field.”
Quinn Ewers, Texas
2022 stats: 58.1%, 2,177 yards (7.4 y/a), 15 TDs, 6 INTs
Accolades: First amateur athlete to secure a Name, Image and Likeness deal of over $1 million
PFN Ranking (Overall, Position): No. 22, No. 4
Cummings’ take: “Entering his redshirt sophomore season, the stars may be aligning for Quinn Ewers to have his breakout season. The Texas offense has weapons and supporting talent. And Ewers himself has the experience to build on. Once the game starts slowing down for him, he has the live, elastic arm and gunslinger mentality to entice a team [early in Round 1].”
Others To Watch
- Michael Penix Jr., Washington: No. 33, No. 5
- Bo Nix, Oregon: No. 36, No. 6
- Spencer Rattler, South Carolina: No. 38, No. 7
- Cameron Ward, Washington State: No. 52, No. 8
- Kyle McCord, Ohio State: No. 54, No. 9
- Jordan Travis, Florida State: No. 79, No. 10
- Jeff Sims, Nebraska: No. 84, No. 11
Teams With an Eye on 2024 QB Class
Every year, there are more teams needing quarterbacks than there are elite prospects. Could that change next year? Unlikely, even with the 2024 QB class’ remarkable depth.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Watchlist
Here are teams that could be in the market for a new QB in 2024, with their expected 2023 starter.
- Atlanta Falcons (Desmond Ridder)
- Chicago Bears (Justin Fields)
- Detroit Lions (Jared Goff)
- Green Bay Packers (Jordan Love)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Jimmy Garoppolo)
- Los Angeles Rams (Matt Stafford)
- Miami Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa)
- Minnesota Vikings (Kirk Cousins)
- New England Patriots (Mac Jones)
- New York Jets (Aaron Rodgers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Kenny Pickett)
- Seattle Seahawks (Geno Smith)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Baker Mayfield)
- Washington Commanders (Sam Howell)