Quarterbacks make and break NFL and fantasy teams alike. Pre-draft, who are the top rookie QBs in the 2024 class? Let’s dive in and break down the top 2024 QB prospects!
A great Quarterback or two will make your team a contender no matter what. But having a depth QB or two is just as important when byes and injuries come about. This QB class has a massive amount of hype, but is it all that? If nothing else, there are a multitude of fascinating, talented (albeit infuriating) quarterbacks behind the two generational talents. Here, we will give profiles, team fits, and analysis on the top 8 QBs! If you want to dive deeper into these QBs and the other rookies, check out the IDP+ Rookie Guide!
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 8/30/02 (22)
- Height: 6043
- Weight: 223 lbs
- No testing
Strengths:
- High IQ, despite youth was already adjusting protections on his own
- Rocket arm, power and distance, aggressive and elite over the middle
- Tough as nails, will uncork a throw while getting hit
- Great scrambler and runner, uses it to set up passes, great feel for pressure
- Creative thrower, can hit from different slots, velocities, touch
Weaknesses:
- Line drive throwing leads to some misses (look way worse than they really are)
- Feet can get a tad wonky, more he needs a big platform
- Gets overaggressive and falls into hero-ball too often (is this due to a bad O and team?)
- Needs to slow down, especially with heat checks; leads to silly misses and INTs
Team Fits:
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- Washington Commanders
Fantasy Analysis:
Maye has had one of the more fascinating pre-draft processes we have seen. While there are some concerns with his game, his talents are being discussed as potential, despite his clear presence on film. He remains my QB1, though there is a chance he ends up as QB4 in the draft. Maye has the arm talent, athletic ability, and football IQ to be a star day 1. With a decent support system, he could turn into Trevor Lawrence or Justin Herbert, who his game has shades of.
Caleb Williams, USC
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 11/18/01 (22)
- Height: 6011
- Weight: 212 lbs
- No testing
Strengths:
- Absolute magician, avoids pressure to create at an unbelievable level
- Accuracy and touch are elite-level
- Strong runner, breaks tackles and evades defenders while running very well
- Creativity as a thrower is elite, varies angles, velocities, and platforms
- Works through progressions very well (yes he does), moves platforms to progress too
Weaknesses:
- Hero-ball merchant, gets way too into it (thanks Lincoln, it’s mostly an offense issue)
- Fumbles
- Needs to turn back aggressiveness (creating big plays)
- His need to create can make a bad play a disaster
Team Fits:
- Chicago Bears
- Washington Commanders (chaos purposes)
Fantasy Analysis:
Williams will be the first overall pick for the NFL and most fantasy drafts. Despite being my QB2, there is zero issue with that placement! Williams’ creation, accuracy, and arm talent make him a generational prospect and the clear 1.01 in most drafts. He has a lot of Joe Burrow and (early) Russell Wilson in his game, with aggressive scrambling (a detriment at times!) and passing, hitting deep shots. When the offense (scheme and players) didn’t let him down, Williams showed the ability to play in structure, processing very well. He and Maye are dealing with extra criticism and “hot takes” as they have been the guys for over a year now.
Jayden Daniels, LSU
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 12/18/2000 (23)
- Height: 6032
- Weight: 210 lbs
- No testing
Strengths:
- Great runner, lightning-fast
- Beautiful deep ball
- Competitive, tough son-of-a-gun, not afraid to take a hit in the pocket or on the run
- Fundamentally rock-solid player, helps lead to fantastic accuracy
- Experienced, high-IQ player. Reads defenses (coverage and pressure) spectacularly
Weaknesses:
- Super slight frame paired with trainwreck playstyle… he might break early on
- Scrambles to run, he is a one-read-and-run player. Does not evade sacks at all
- Below-average arm strength and creativity (velocity, platforms, arm slots)
- Older prospect, didn’t blow up until he had 2 first round WRs and Tackles
Team Fits:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- Washington Commanders
Fantasy Analysis:
Daniels is one of the most difficult placements for any position. He is my QB4 for NFL purposes (and really, he is closer to 6 than 2, which I know is a spicy take!), but his upside for the league and fantasy is clear. His rushing ability is special, running like a skinnier Justin Fields, while having a similar throwing game as Tua Tagovailoa; quick with awesome accuracy. He is largely a one-read and run QB and struggles immensely over the middle of the field. Add in he takes a massive amount of sacks and plays with his hair on fire to his slender frame, and there are legitimate long-term concerns. The accuracy, deep passing, and rushing are worth the risk and push him to QB3 for fantasy.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 1/20/03 (21)
- Height: 6024
- Weight: 219 lbs
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): 4.23/6.82
- No runs or jumps
Strengths:
- Above average arm talent (potential to be even better)
- Really good athlete, scrambles and evades pressure really well
- Aggressive thrower, hits tight windows well
- Tough as nails
- Throws really well on the run
Weaknesses:
- So little film of him being an impact player. Loaded roster!
- Super slight. 219 lbs at the combine is a lie. He may be sub-200
- Needs time to develop, not great at reading a defense.
- Accuracy can get really scattershot, struggles most deep
Team Fits:
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
Fantasy Analysis:
McCarthy is ahead of Daniels on my big board, though he is more projection than product. He is positive in the traits that concern me with Daniels (arm talent, over-the-middle aggressiveness), but shares frame and progression concerns. Fortunately, these concerns are largely connected to a lack of reps, which is less of a concern for a 21-year-old. The arm talent and ability to run an offense are highly reminiscent of Kirk Cousins, though his athletic ability is far superior. He may just be Brock Purdy, but the upside is tantalizing, even if it is risky and will take time.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Measurables:
- DOB (age):
- Height: 6002
- Weight: 211 lbs
- 40-yard dash/10-yard split: 4.95/1.67
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 32”/9’0”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): 4.37/7.21
Strengths:
- Superb arm talent, with creativity and elite touch
- Evades pressure and defenders very well (much more than athletic profile suggests)
- Aggressive thrower, attacks the middle of the field very well
- Tough as nails and patient, will take a hit to allow a route/windo to progress and open
- Moves off his spot and resets very well, very good pocket presence
Weaknesses:
- Only a decent athlete (better than testing, but still not great), plays like a great one
- Progression/reads are fine, but not great, can get fooled still
- Despite great arm talent, strength (velocity and distance) is average, not a deep threat
- Size limits him schematically
Team Fits:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams
- New York Giants
Fantasy Analysis:
Let’s get spicy again! Rattler is the 2nd of 4 transfers with multiple years starting at multiple schools. Rattler grew as a player and person after leaving Oklahoma and is my favorite of the Day-2 QBs. His arm talent is enthralling and he is great at avoiding/managing pressure (which he faced often at South Carolina). He is able to avoid pressure, despite size and athletic limitations, and throw his receivers open. Rattler may not be is not a day-1 starter, but has all the talent to end up as a good starter. The Baker Mayfield comps are on the nose (short, feisty OU QB who trusts his athleticism too much), but do make sense. His arm talent and creation make him a fascinating fantasy option in the middle/late 2nd round.
Michael Penix Jr, Washington
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 5/8/2000 (24)
- Height: 6022
- Weight: 216 lbs
- 40-yard dash/10-yard split: 4.58/1.58
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 36.5”/10’05”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): DNP
Strengths:
- Rocket arm, velocity and distance
- Accurate (and powerful) enough to hit outside routes consistently
- Aggressive passer, not afraid to take shots down the field
- High IQ, able to see defenses well and adjust protection/progressions to pressure
- Despite pocket passer style and injury history, he is a good athlete
Weaknesses:
- Poor throwing over the middle of the field
- Responds poorly to pressure, needs a clean pocket and massive platform
- Touch and placement are very inconsistent. Relies on jump-balls and dominant WRs
- Massive injury history and is an older prospect
Team Fits:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Minnesota Vikings
- New York Giants
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy Analysis:
Penix has a rocket arm and is a fearless passer with the ability to hit any spot on the field. However, he has major flaws: massive mental and physical struggles with pressure (extra concerning with his experience), medicals, struggles in the middle of the field, and reliance on jump-balls. 20 years ago, he would be the perfect QB. However, he has no mobility or creativity as a passer (first or second chance), making him a pure pocket passer. His arm talent may seem him drafted high, and with the right offense, he could wind back the clock. However, the struggles make him comparable to Jalen Hurts, but with zero threat of running. If he gets a starting gig (or chance), he is worth a first-round pick, just due to the arm talent and IQ.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 2/25/2000 (24)
- Height: 6021
- Weight: 214 lbs
- No testing
Strengths:
- Does not turn the ball over (career 2.6% TWP rate) and only 26 INTs (1,945 attempts)
- So much experience, transformed himself into a real prospect and good player!
- Good feel for the pocket and pressure; smart player
- Plus athlete, able to make some plays with his legs, throws well on the run
- Arm talent is solid, better than many give credit for (velocity, not necessarily distance)
Weaknesses:
- Accuracy is decent, low depth of targets inflate those numbers
- Struggles when knocked off spot, if he can’t evade he struggles to hit receivers
- RPO/1-read merchant, scary that he doesn’t progress much with so much experience
- Touch is sub-par, struggles to layer/bucket throws
Team Fits:
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
Fantasy Analysis:
Nix has grown immensely as a player from his time at Auburn, where he was a wild man, running around like a chicken with its head cut off. He has reigned it in more but still gets into “hero ball” very quickly. Overall, Nix is a solid athlete with decent arm talent, but his accuracy and progressions are poor, especially for the most experienced NCAAF QB ever. Nix is a creative athlete who can make plays with his legs or checking it down (as he did often, with 30% of his passes being behind the LOS), but will get himself into trouble with it, like a Taylor Heinecke. Limited tools keep him with a modest ceiling as well, playing similarly to Derek Carr. Nix is not a player I would spend a high pick on, but if an NFL team gives him a chance, he will shoot up the fantasy ranks.
Michael Pratt, Tulane
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 9/30/01 (22)
- Height: 6024
- Weight: 217 lbs
- 40-yard dash/10-yard split: DNP
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 36”/9’06”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): 4.23/7.2
Strengths:
- Attacks the middle of the field aggressively and accurately
- Very good touch, especially intermediate and deep
- Improved every season, especially with progressions
- Good athlete, able to be used as a runner in short yardage
- Tough passer, not affected much by the muck
Weaknesses:
- Average arm, which he trusts too much
- Elects to scramble over a checkdown too often
- Accuracy is inconsistent, especially when the arm is tested (outside and/or deep)
- Jack of all trades, no real elite tools or skills to build on
Team Fits:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams
- New York Jets
Fantasy Analysis:
Michael Pratt is an experienced starter with nice, but non-elite tools. He throws well (strong and accurately) over the middle and deep, but trusts his arm too much and can be scattershot. He is a good athlete with some rushing upside, though he trusts his legs more than he should (like with his arm). For NFL purposes, I actually prefer Pratt to Nix, though I don’t see a massive upside to either. To me, there is a lot more untapped with Pratt and more translatable arm talent (over the middle, for example). He projects similarly to Desmond Ridder and can develop into a decent starter with time to develop and faith from a staff.
Best of the rest!
And here is a list of the “best of the rest” players! For a more detailed breakdown of these players (and over 100 more!), check out the IDP+ draft guide! You can also tune into Ride or Dynasty, with JJ Wenner, Jameson Hutchison (unfortunately not a part of the QB episode), and yours truly for our rookie QB breakdown episode, which dropped a few weeks ago!
- Devin Leary, Kentucky
- Joe Milton, Tennessee
- Jordan Travis, Florida State
- Kedon Slovis, BYU
- Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Leary is my favorite of this group, with real NFL arm talent, experience running pro offenses (with sub-par rosters), and fundamentals. Milton is a freakshow athlete who has massive struggles on film. Slovis is another veteran QB in the Leary mold, though is a much better athlete with a more average arm.
Thank you for diving into the rookie QBs with me! You can find my other work on the IDP Guys Author Page, and feel free to reach out to me directly to discuss other rookie profiles @JoeLow63 on X, where you can also find and follow @IDP_Plus !
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