The 2024 NFL draft class is loaded with quarterback talent, and three or four passers seem destined to be picked in the top five. But there are good options from top to bottom this year, so we decided to mock draft landing spots for the signal-callers across all seven rounds.
Fourteen quarterbacks were picked last April, and the 2024 class could be in that ballpark — especially after teams were often forced to rely on second and third options during the 2023 season. In all, 66 passers started at least one game, which means we might see a few more late-round dart throws as teams shore up their depth charts. Quarterback remains the most important position in the sport, and NFL front offices are always trying to find their guy.
So how will the signal-callers come off the board? NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid alternated turns and found landing spots for every QB who will get drafted, starting with the first pick and ending with Mr. Irrelevant. They wove in intel from around the league, ideal team fits, their own rankings and how each team might actually approach its selections. And while trades can often be unpredictable, Matt and Jordan did forecast one move up the board in the first round that just makes too much sense. Let’s start with Jordan’s projection for Caleb Williams‘ new home.
See rankings (ESPN+): Miller | Reid
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Day 1 picks | Day 2 picks | Day 3 picks
Reid’s quarterback pick: Caleb Williams, USC
For the second consecutive year, the Bears are at the top of the draft — but this time, they aren’t going anywhere. The trade of Justin Fields to Pittsburgh officially clears the way for a new QB1 in Chicago, and Williams is the type of franchise-altering talent that the Bears need right now. They were in the bottom half of the league in QBR for a fifth straight season in 2023 and had only four more touchdown passes (19) than interceptions (15).
Williams’ wizardry inside and outside the pocket combined with his electrifying arm talent would give the Bears immense upside on offense. He still needs to learn to be patient within structure and take what defenses give him more often, but with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet running routes, Williams would be stepping into an advantageous situation for a young quarterback. Williams averaged 9.2 yards per attempt and accounted for 120 touchdowns — 93 passing and 27 rushing — over three college seasons (one at Oklahoma, two at USC).
Yates: Caleb Williams to the Bears is a formality
Field Yates breaks down why he expects Caleb Williams to go first overall to the Bears.
Miller’s quarterback pick: Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Commanders have kept their plans for the No. 2 pick pretty quiet, and we might not know which quarterback they will take until they turn the card in on draft night. But I have them doing the right thing here and taking the best QB still on the board in Daniels. There will be calls about trading out of this spot — the Vikings should absolutely kick the tires — but the new regime will likely use the pick to land its quarterback. Washington tied for 30th in the NFL in interceptions (21) and ranked 26th in yards per attempt (6.6) last season with Sam Howell, but that would change for the better with Daniels.
The reigning…
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