Who are the top quarterback prospects in 2024 NFL Draft? Williams, Daniels...

The 2024 NFL Draft is almost upon us. Next week, 16 quarterbacks from colleges across the US will be hoping to hear their name called out during one of the three nights that the player recruitment process lasts.

It is clear that the top prospect in the class of 2024 is Caleb Williams. It is almost a certainty that the USC Trojans star will be drafted with the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears. Williams is one of two Heisman Trophy winners in a stellar crop of QBs: it also includes the LSU Tigers’ Jayden Daniels, who was named college football’s outstanding performer in 2023.

These are the five best quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Caleb Williams, USC Trojans

Williams isn’t the tallest, but his powerful throwing arm, allied with an ability to pick up yards when all appears lost, make him the stand-out quarterback prospect in 2024. The USC graduate, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, has been compared to two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes because of his ability to keep plays alive. In Chicago, Williams will find a highly competent group of wide receivers in Keenan Allen and DJ Moore.

Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers

Daniels stood out at college level thanks to his ability to both run and throw the ball. The Heisman Trophy’s most recent winner was the national leader in total yards (4,946) and touchdowns (50) last season. In addition, the LSU graduate knows how to take care of the ball, since he only threw four interceptions in his final year. One of his disadvantages is that he is already 23 years old; what’s more, there are doubts over whether his physique can withstanding the punishment of NFL defensive linemen like Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa.

Drake Maye, North Carolina Tar Heels

A player who hails from a family of sportsmen that have starred for the Tar Heels, Maye is the textbook quarterback in physical terms such as height, weight and arm power. The 21-year-old’s only drawback is his inconsistency, as he went from 38 touchdowns in 2022 to 24 in 2023, and his completion percentage also decreased from 65.7 to 63.3. However, it is true that he played two games fewer last season, and was troubled by an ankle issue.

Michael Penix Jr., Washington Huskies

One of the most athletic prospects in the class of 2024, the left-handed Penix Jr. was one of the best QBs in college football last year. His athletic ability gives the Huskies graduate an advantage over other potential picks. During Washington’s Pro Day, the 23-year-old quarterback recorded a time of 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash. One weakness is his chequered injury record. In 2018, he suffered a torn anterior collateral ligament in his right knee while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers. Two years later, he suffered the same injury, and in 2021 his season ended due to an issue in the acromioclavicular joint in his left shoulder.

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines

Despite being a junior, McCarthy opted to fast-track his transition to the NFL by declaring for the Draft after the Michigan Wolverines’ win over the Huskies in the College Football Playoff Championship Game. During his three years in Ann Arbor, the 21-year-old amassed 6,226 yards for 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, completing 67.6% of his throws. McCarthy has shown that he is a winner: if his records as a starter at high school and college level are combined, he is 63-3.

When is the 2024 NFL Draft?

Held at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan, the 2024 NFL Draft is to take place from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 April 2024.