This time last year, I introduced Quarterback draft desperationan independent analysis of each team's position in terms of needing/wanting/must draft a quarterback.
At the time I wrote this article, the 2023 NFL Draft was “unlike any draft we've seen in recent years”…so it's no surprise that a similar draft full of high-profile quarterbacks was quickly on the way. I decided to enter.
But the difference this time around is that there is a ton of top-level talent that wasn't there in 2023. They have some much-needed wide receivers, as well as some really good offensive linemen and a number of talented defensive players (especially cornerbacks) who have slipped through the cracks a bit. Also: Brock Bowers, a generational tight end talent with the potential to excel! Or maybe you'll become a librarian in the future, depending on who you ask.
Just like last year, there are a lot of teams in need of a quarterback. It's a never-ending cycle in the NFL. Quarterback saturation is a pipe dream. There won't be a Thanos-like post-snap vacation for NFL GMs anytime soon.
So let's break down which NFL teams are guaranteed to draft a quarterback early, which teams are guaranteed not to pick, and everything in between.
surely
bear
The Bears, who own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, are at a crossroads this offseason: either draft Caleb Williams or trade that pick for a huge payday. They were debating whether to focus on Justin Fields. They are clear about their decision at this time. The current QB1 is Tyson Bagent, narrowly ahead of Brett Rypien.
Commander
They also traded their current starters, releasing Sam Howell and letting Jacoby Brissett become a free agent. Free agent Marcus Mariota sits at the top of the depth chart, but he's the obvious placeholder/quiet veteran backup for the No. 2 overall draft pick. Either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels could/would be No. 1 overall if they were alone in another draft class other than Caleb.
Surely malice is the driving force?
patriots
The offseason battle between Bill Belichick and the Patriots' owner has turned into something else. The Belichicks have largely sat back and accepted unnecessary public bashing, most notably the Apple TV+ docuseries Dynasty, which served as an amateur PR machine for the Kraft family. It was through. As a result, most of New England's worries have shifted from Belichick's alleged loss of his fastball to how things will work in the Belichick-Brady post era. Kraft is all about making things right again in New England. And you can't do it right without a quarterback. My only hesitation? They have the No. 3 pick and there will be an opportunity to trade them out if the player there (between Daniels/Maye and likely McCarthy) isn't highly rated. At the end of the day, I don't think New England will pass up a chance to restart a new dynasty with a drafted QB.
If I could, I would (would I?)
vikings
Sam Darnold remains the starter for Minnesota at the moment, but it's a very uncomfortable place to be (like the back seat of a Volkswagen). The Vikings traded the Texans' 2024 first-round pick for their own pick, indicating a clear intention to actively pursue one of their quarterbacks in the draft. If they had picked a top six, this wouldn't be an issue and they would be in the top tier. But there are no guarantees, as Minnesota will have to work his way around the draft board and, with any luck, someone above him will have to pass on the quarterback to secure the quarterback.
broncos
The same can be said for 12th place Denver. Sean Payton would be an instant signal-caller if he had a top-five pick, but he doesn't have that and doesn't have a lot of current or future draft capital. He also takes on $83 million in dead cap space thanks to the release of Russell Wilson. If he loves Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix, the possibility of a reach or trade down becomes very clear with this pick. Denver has many other needs, but it's another tough year with no answers at the league's most important position and under a coach many believe can get the most out of it. And some questions will arise.
Raiders
Las Vegas, another wild card in the teens, has a new coach and a new GM (albeit a reset in Tom Telesco), but only Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew are on the depth chart. not present. Minshew cost a lot of money in free agency, and O'Connell broke out a bit last year, so the Raiders could work on strengthening other aspects of their roster before attacking the quarterback position full-time. There is. However, if they were high in the draft, that wouldn't be a pretty big deal. If you think you can hear drums in the distance, Penix is also an option.
Wildcard
giants
At No. 6 overall, well within range to land one of the Big Four, it wouldn't be a complete shock if the G-Men left with a new quarterback on Thursday night. Daniel Jones' contract could easily be terminated after 2024 (in fact, cutting Jones would save over $20 million in salary cap space). But New York has some other pressing issues, particularly at receiver and perhaps on the offensive line, both of which are major strengths in this year's draft. At No. 6, assuming three quarterbacks go before them, one of the “big three” receivers is guaranteed, and if you absolutely don't like the fourth quarterback, ignore it. may be too harsh. There's also the possibility that they could move up to No. 4 or be jumped to No. 5 as the fourth QB, making it a complete wild card.
titans
The Titans feel much less likely to land a quarterback than New York, mainly because they've been talking about Will Revis this offseason. But if every time an NFL team praised a starter, he had a dollar to upgrade as soon as the opportunity presented itself, I'd be writing this column from a more tropical place. If the Titans keep this pick, I expect it to be an OL or WR, but I've been part of some internal mocks where JJ McCarthy was sitting. Although Levis was highly regarded by some, he ultimately remained a second-round pick, and Mike Vrabel was clearly heavily involved in the selection. I think Brian Callahan and his new staff are working with him, but I can't completely rule out the team doing something drastic.
Good…for now
falcons
Kirk Cousins got paid, but he's old and suffering from a torn Achilles tendon.
jets
Aaron Rodgers is still there, but he's older and coming off an Achilles tear.
steelers
Add Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and they'll probably be off the market for another year.
Dolphin
They lost too much this offseason and have too good a roster to actually move in the first round, so they'll likely end up simply paying Tua even more.
cowboys
Dak Prescott's contract runs through the end of this season, which should probably raise some concerns, but Jerry Jones said he is “all in” this year. Many took this as a free agent bender coming, but it could have just meant, “Let's see what happens in 2024 and evaluate everything after that, including coach and quarterback.” expensive.
buccaneers
Baker Mayfield's contract allows him to be released after just one year, but I think the franchise really likes him.
saint
They love Derek Carr…that's it. Honestly, we might see Kerr go anywhere between 7-10 and 10-7 under center for the next 10 years.
seahawks
The new coach and John Schneider have given them more power than ever… Geno Smith is that guy, but it can't be considered a permanent solution.
rams
Matthew Stafford is Sean McVay's subordinate, but he's getting older.
It has nothing to do with QB.
charger
To be honest, I wanted to include them as a separate category because Jim Harbaugh is new to town and there are QBs sitting there in the draft who just got him a nutty at Michigan. is. This doesn't mean they couldn't take him, like they did with Andrew Luck. McCarthy will probably be available at No. 6. However, trading Justin Herbert is insane to even suggest for a variety of reasons. Namely, because he's a tremendously talented QB that Harbaugh can get the most out of, as he always does.
lions
They love Jared Goff.
packers
They make fun of Jordan Love.
panthers
They just drafted Bryce Young and don't have a first-round pick.
texans
Have you met CJ Stroud last year?
colts
They just drafted Anthony Richardson.
jaguars
A lot of people are ready to give up on Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars aren't one of those people.
browns
They don't have a first-round pick, but they're still trying to make this Deshaun Watson thing work.
eagles
They're worried about replacing some legendary veterans and solving that disaster that ends by 2023.
49ers
Brock Purdy is very cheap and a great fit for Kyle Shanahan's system, not to mention saving everyone from the Trey Lance disaster.
bengals
Sigh
ravens
lol
invoice
lol
chiefs
Lofulmao
