The NFL is in a strange place right now. The entire league is divided into three groups. There is a small group of teams with elite franchise quarterbacks, a rather large group of teams with above-average to slightly blow-average quarterbacks and then you have the teams at the very bottom.
When you look at the 2024 NFL draft, there is a real chance there are between 7-9 quarterbacks go in the first three rounds. The class is that deep and talented and teams cannot afford not to take a chance.
Here are the eight teams we see as most likely to draft a quarterback in 2024 and a potential target for each one.
1 - New England Patriots
The reputation of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is taking a huge hit with how awful his quarterbacks are playing. The Patriots are hunting for the next Tom Brady but he’s not out there. Instead they opt for Oregon’s Bo Nix who is one of the smartest quarterbacks in the class.
2 - Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have to figure out a way to get out from under Kyler Murray’s deal. This roster needs an injection of talent and athleticism and with as poorly as the team is playing, we see USC quarterback Caleb Williams as a serious contender even if it means a trade up to get him.
3 - Las Vegas Raiders
Another team with a lot of flash and potential and lacking the quarterback talent to back it up. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t the answer here but we love Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. as the dynamic playmaker to charge up the franchise.
4 - Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons wanted to give Desmond Ridder a shot but he just doesn’t look like an NFL-caliber quarterback. With running back Bijan Robinson on the team, they need a guy who is NFL ready and that’s North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
5 - Chicago Bears
We hate to have the Bears this high but it really feels like Justin Fields just isn’t meshing with what Chicago wants to do. The Bears could trade him for a king’s ransom to the right team and replace him with a guy like Duke’s Riley Leonard who fits the mold of what the Bears offense wants to do.
6 - Denver Broncos
Getting a player who can learn from Russell Wilson and replace him is a need and this is the perfect draft to land a high-risk/reward guy. So why not stick close to Denver and draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders?
7 - Minnesota Vikings
We love how well Kirk Cousins is playing but this draft class is just too good not to try and find his eventual replacement. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy makes perfect sense here.
8 - New York Jets
Even if Aaron Rodgers can heal like Wolverine, it’s only a matter or time until the Jets need to replace him and Zach Wilson is not that guy. We love LSU’s Jayden Daniels upside and could really use sitting behind Rodgers to learn and polish his game.
All the rest
If your team didn’t make this list but you feel like they need to draft a quarterback, don’t despair. Here is a rundown of the rest of the quarterbacks we have a fourth-round grade or better and all have the potential to start.
Michael Pratt – Tulane
Quinn Ewers – Texas
Spencer Rattler – South Carolina
Jordan Travis – Florida State
Joe Milton – Tennessee
KJ Jefferson – Arkansas
Sam Hartman – Notre Dame
