NFL Draft: 2024 QB Evaluations
This year’s Quarterback class could be an all-time great group, which would be massive for revenue generation, fan engagement, and economic impact across the league.
Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with Jake Bang, who was mostly recently in the recruiting department at Arizona State University which has led to him recruiting and seeing top prospects on a consistent basis. With the draft this week, he gave me his in-depth breakdown of what he believes could be an all-time great QB Class. Below is his rankings and evaluations of the Top 10 QB’s in the draft and their Pro Comparisons.
1: Caleb Williams, USC , 6’1 215, Right-Handed. Pro COmparison: Kyler Murray
Williams, The 2022 Heisman trophy Winner, comes into this draft as the ”slam dunk” #1 pick to Chicago where they plan on starting him immediately. He is nothing short of an elite talent and has high expectations but brings with him the confidence in himself to fulfill those expectations set. He is everything you want in a QB, arm talent, twitchy release, mobility, and ability to extend plays are just some of the notable things that stand out when watching Williams. He is the most promising to succeed out of all the prospects and has superstar potential. Look for the former Heisman trophy Winner to go #1 on Thursday night. Williams should be a great addition for the Bears as their franchise QB of the future.
2: Jayden Daniels, LSU , 6’4, 210lbs, Right-Handed. Pro Comparison: Lamar Jackson
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Jayden Daniels is electric. Daniels is an elusive dual threat Quarterback who has proven to beat teams with his arms and legs last year on Saturdays on now plans to on Sundays this fall. Daniels eventually found himself holding the Heisman trophy winner this year after a 40+ touchdown season. One of the best things about Daniels is his poise and his clutch play in big moments. He’s smart, has great footwork in the pocket, and keeps defenses on their toes with his zone-read ability. Most mock drafts have him anywhere from inside the first 3 picks and no later than pick 6. Expect Daniels to have an immediate impact with his team with plans to start week 1.
3: Drake Maye, North Carolina , 6’4, 230lbs, Right-Handed. Pro Comparison: Justin Herbert
Drake Maye comes in as my #3 ranked QB on the board. Maye has a high ceiling with elite arm talent and has flashes of franchise QB potential at the next level from his tape. His 6’4, 230lbs frame adds more durability hope at the next level. His velocity is elite and adds to his appealing draft profile. Maye has raw talent and needs work polishing up his decision making and accuracy but with the right fit he has the ability to become an elite QB in the league. A player with possibility to start day 1 but wouldn’t be surprised to see him sit and learn behind a veteran for at least half the season before making his pro debut. Like Daniels, most mock drafts have Maye inside the top 3 picks with a Possibility to fall as low as 6.
4: JJ Mccarthy, Michigan, 6’3, 202lbs Right-Handed. Pro Comparison: Alex Smith
JJ McCarthy has seen his draft stock skyrocket the past couple months leading up to the draft. Moving up draft boards rapidly with some experts putting him getting picked as high as third overall. JJ led his team to an undefeated season finishing as National Champions. JJ was seen as mostly a game manager and wasn’t asked to do to much due to his great supporting cast at Michigan who had a run first style team behind coach Jim Harbaugh. However, when they needed JJ to make big time throws, play a clean game with no mistakes, and be a leader he did just that. What excites NFL teams about JJ is his excellent decision making, completing more than 72% of his passes last year and only totaling 4 interceptions. His potential and skills coming out of the draft might not be elite like some of the other prospects but when it comes down to it JJ knows how to get the W. Look for a team to trade up for JJ in the top 10 and at the latest will get picked at 13 by Vegas if still available.
5: Michael Penix Jr., Washington, 6’3, 213, left-Handed. Pro Comparison: Matthew Stafford
Any NFL coach looking for a left-handed QB with a cannon of an arm? Look no further, Michael Penix Jr. is your guy. Penix, led the Huskies to a National Championship appearance in 2023. He has elite velocity and shines in his ability to push the ball down field and from sideline to sideline. At 6’3, Penix has an appealing frame for NFL Scouts. The known concern for many is his injury history, tearing his right ACL twice. However, if Penix can stay healthy, with his elite arm talent, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL for a long time. Look for Penix to land between pick 11 and 15, although some have him landing in the late first.
6. Bo Nix, Oregon, 6’1, 214, Right-Handed. pro Comparison: Drew Brees
In any other draft, Nix lands on the board Higher than where he is. The issue is there is so much talent at the position in this draft that he finds himself at 6 on the rankings. Bo, transferred to Oregon before the 2022 season where he immediately became a star. Bo has a clean and compact release, good velocity, and ability to escape the pocket and make throws on the run when needed. The biggest thing that stands out to coaches about Bo is his IQ, he excels in pre-snap recognition. He carries patience and doesn’t tuck and run if first option isn’t open and instead will continue evaluating his options. In my opinion Bo is the most “pro ready” in the class. The big question is what is his ceiling? Bo doesn’t posses the flashiest potential out of the group, but he is a reliable option for teams to pick this week. Expect him to be picked anywhere from as early as 12 to Denver or in the late first.
7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, 6’1, 217lbs Right-Handed Pro Comparison: Tua Tagovailoa
Rattler Comes in as a wild card in this year's draft, over the course of his college career he showed many flashes of potential at both Oklahoma and South Carolina. The biggest thing I’ve noticed about Rattler is his toughness. He is willing to sit in the pocket and make throws even when he's about to be delivered a big hit. If Rattler can get some things cleaned up, he has a chance to be a starter at the next level down the line. Expect to see Rattler get drafted anywhere from the mid 3rd to mid 4th round.
8. Joe Milton, Tennessee, 6’5, 235lbs Right-Handed Pro Comparison: Geno Smith
Joe Milton is arguably the biggest question mark in this draft, he brings elite arm strength, with a simple flick of the wrist Milton can throw the ball 70 yards. Yes, you read that right. He’s got incredible strength which helps him throw fastballs into tight windows. However, Joe is probably the most raw-talented out of this group. His arm strength is too special not to recognize though. Look to see Joe get drafted in the 5th round.
9. Michael Pratt, Tulane, 6’2, 217lbs Right-Handed Pro Comparison: Derek CarR
Michael Pratt, a 4-year starter at Tulane comes in as another question mark. His touch on the ball is one of the most notable things to know about him, Regardless if it’s a short out route or a go-route. Possesses mobility needed to extend plays as a scrambler. Things scouts are hoping to see improvement on at the next level is timing and accuracy. Pratt is an intriguing process and will continue to grow at the next level with possibilities of being an above average backup. Look for Pratt to be picked by a team in the early 5th to early 6th round.
10. Jordan Travis, Florida State, 6’1, 200lbs Right-Handed Pro Comparison: Josh dobbs
Travis comes in at 10 on the board for QB’s. A phenom at Florida State, he has the ability to beat teams with both his arms and Legs. He’s a gamer, a competitor, and someone the rest of Florida State rallied around for multiple seasons. He possesses great ability to throw on the run and make throws needed to move the chains. The big concern with Travis is his recent injury to his leg late in FSU’s season last year. Travis has a good foundation of skills and has things to improve while at the next level. I see Travis as a serviceable backup at the next level. Travis should go anywhere in the 6th round.