While opinions are split on how relevant the NFL Combine is in the grand scheme of prospect evaluation, performances from players like Anthony Richardson in recent seasons have showcased that there can be a tangible impact on NFL Draft stock perception.
Need more proof of how impactful this event can be for the stock of a quarterback?
The projected top three quarterback prospects in 2024 — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye — will not throw at the event, which creates a big opportunity for some of the other quarterbacks in this class to make a strong impression at this year’s NFL Combine.
Top 2024 NFL Combine Quarterbacks
The QB position may not require the elite speed or pure strength of some of the other positions on the football field, but their athletic testing metrics are noteworthy when comparing them to their peers.
A good or bad Combine performance can cost some young men millions of dollars. Just look at the difference between Richardson and QB Will Levis during last year’s NFL Draft.
Richardson graded out as one of the most athletic QB prospects to ever enter the league. His outstanding NFL Combine performance aided in the decision-making process for the Indianapolis Colts, who eventually spent the No. 4 pick on him.
Unfortunately for Levis — who was in the conversation right alongside Richardson entering the event — his Combine wasn’t quite as exceptional, and he eventually dropped completely out of the first round.
So, what does the NFL Combine look like for quarterback prospects?
The future group of NFL signal callers can choose to partake in testing events like the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. Other popular Combine testing events include the bench press, 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle, and 3-cone drill, but quarterbacks often don’t participate in these events.
After testing and measurements are completed, passers will then take to the field to showcase their talents in various drills: pocket movement, three-five-seven-step drops (some of which include a hitch and others that don’t), seven-step rollout drill in both directions (throwing a pass to stationary targets on the run), and throwing slant, out, curl, dig, post-corner, and go routes to wide receivers.
With the top three quarterbacks not completing these drills this year, who should you be watching out for in Indianapolis?
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
After leading the Washington Huskies to an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Michigan, Michael Penix Jr. saw his NFL Draft stock on the rise heading into the draft process.
Unfortunately for Penix, he failed to capitalize on this momentum with an underwhelming set of Senior Bowl practice performances before ultimately opting not to play in the game.
The NFL Combine — without Williams, Daniels, or Maye throwing at the event — presents a golden opportunity for Penix to firmly establish himself as the QB4 in this class.
I’ll particularly be keeping an eye on some of his throws on the run, which are really the only off-platform throws we can expect to see at the Combine.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Speaking of players who had multiple disappointing Senior Bowl practice performances, Oregon’s Bo Nix didn’t exactly light it up in Mobile, Ala., either.
Nix was incredibly productive over his final two years as a member of the Ducks after a disappointing start to his collegiate career at Auburn, but questions remain about his ability to operate outside of the Oregon offense, play under center, and push the ball into tight windows on the third level of the football field.
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Unfortunately, Nix didn’t look all that comfortable at the Senior Bowl. Fortunately, he has the same opportunity presented to him as Penix this weekend. If he puts on a show in Indianapolis, he could sneak back into the back half of the first round when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around.
I would love to see Nix use a dot-sized paintbrush when tossing deeper attempts to uncovered receivers while looking comfortable in the under-center dropback drills.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
One last note about the aforementioned Senior Bowl: Another player who walked away from the college equivalent of an All-Star game was South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler, who played well on both game day and most practices leading up to the contest.
Rattler was understandably written off after struggling and eventually falling out of favor as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners under Lincoln Riley. However, he managed to achieve a redemption arc of sorts with plenty of bright moments under center for the Gamecocks to finish out his collegiate career.
If he manages to outperform both Nix and Penix by a wide margin again — which, with his natural throwing mechanics and arm strength, should favor him in this type of event — he could see one of the biggest jumps in draft stock of any prospect in Indianapolis.
I’m looking for whether or not Rattler can conduct himself with the confidence and presence of an alpha quarterback on the field. He was a highly touted high school recruit with all the physical tools necessary to produce as a passer. If he truly matured from his failed tenure in a Sooners jersey, then this is the perfect platform to showcase he is still among the elite prospects in this class.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
One could make the argument Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy saw his draft stock rise slightly by simply remaining idle throughout the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl festivities, but reports of him dealing with hamstring tightness cast a bit of a cloud over his expectations heading into the NFL Combine.
McCarthy is a polarizing prospect for many draft enthusiasts. On one hand, his healthy track record of playing winning football at a big program combined with flashes of top-shelf talent has many believing he is a potential first-round pick.
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On the flip side, McCarthy was asked to do far less for his offense in comparison to some of the other prospects in this class because of the team’s philosophy to lean on the running game and a stout defense.
McCarthy will not run at the NFL Combine due to the hamstring issue, but he is still going to throw at the event. His decision to throw at the Combine at potentially less than 100% is certainly admirable, but we’ll see if the tightness in his hammy impacts his performance on the field.
Quarterbacks Invited to 2024 NFL Combine
- Caleb Williams, USC
- Jayden Daniels, LSU
- Drake Maye, North Carolina
- Bo Nix, Oregon
- Michael Penix Jr., Washington
- J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- Joe Milton III, Tennessee
- Michael Pratt, Tulane
- Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
- Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
- Kedon Slovis, BYU
- Jordan Travis, Florida State
- Devin Leary, Kentucky
- Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!