Quarterback has always been the most valuable position in football, and perhaps in all of sports, and never was that more evident than in Thursday night's first round of the 2024 NFL Draft for the NFL's 32 teams.
According to CBS Sports Research, the 2024 first round made quarterback draft history as:
- The first draft had four quarterbacks in the first eight picks.
- The first draft had five quarterbacks in the first 10 picks.
- First draft with 6 QBs in the top 12
- Draft with the shortest selection period for six quarterbacks at any point in the draft (previous mark: 20 picks from picks 211-230 in 1992)
But many teams still didn't have a new quarterback to develop, whether to play right away or sit and cook for a while. Remarkably, the 2024 NFL Draft became the third draft in history to not take a quarterback in the second or third round, following the 1983 and 1994 drafts. There are still teams that could be candidates to add another passer to an NFL team's depth, including the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams, to name a few. right.
Here, we take a closer look at seven of the remaining top options, along with a brief scouting report and potential fit for an NFL team.
* All QB measurables are from the NFL Scouting Combine
- height: 6-0 | weight: 211 pounds
- Hand size: 9 7/8″
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2024 Senior Bowl MVP (4-4, 65 passing yards, including 29-yard TD pass to UGA WR Marcus Rosemy Jaxent)
South Carolina's Spencer Rattler is clearly the top quarterback talent remaining as the 2024 draft moves to the fourth round. He was his No. 1 pro-style quarterback in his high school class of 2019, according to 247 Sports. Rattler has a quick release and one of the better deep passing skill sets in the draft. His arm talent is strong enough that he can connect on throws downfield even when his feet aren't set, as well as throws on the run.
On the downside, he's a little undersized and can sometimes throw too hard or take too many sacks. Rattler was sacked on 8.9% of his dropbacks in 2023, which was the 15th worst rate in college football among the 110 eligible quarterbacks in 2023.
Good candidate: Seattle Seahawks
Rattler could learn a year or two under Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith and take over after Smith's contract expires after the 2025 season. If Rattler shows promise by then, Seattle could save $25 million in cap room by releasing Smith, who has no guaranteed money left on his contract, next offseason.
The Seahawks' receiver room is well-stocked with Pro Bowler DK Metcalf and 2023 first-round pick Jackson Smith-Njiba. Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, helped Michael Penix Jr. find new heights in his game with the Washington Huskies, and will likely take over from Rattler after taking some time to get used to Rattler's system. could derive similar growth and success.
- height: 6-2 1/2 inches | weight: 217 pounds
- Hand size: 9 1/4″
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2023 AAC Offensive Player of the Year, Tulane's all-time leader in passing yards (9,611) and passing TDs (90)
Michael Pratt led the most successful two years of football in Tulane history, going 12-2 in 2022 and winning the Cotton Bowl over 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick quarterback Caleb Williams and USC. However, in 2023, they finished with 11 wins and 3 losses. Pratt effectively threw 49 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions during the stretch. That was the 15th-best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the nation among the 109 quarterbacks eligible for 2022 and beyond. This is pretty, pretty good.
He has smooth throwing mechanics and does a good job of regularly throwing in anticipation to connect with his target in a way that sets him up for yards after the catch. Despite not being an amazing athlete, Pratt is good at moving up into the pocket to fend off the first wave of pass rushers. The downside is that his passes average a zip, and he struggles to go deep if he can't step cleanly on his throws. Pratt will start his NFL career as a reserve, but he could become a starter if he is surrounded by the right supporting cast.
Good candidate: Miami Dolphins
Neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Pratt are known for their arm talent, but despite that, both have found a way to succeed at a high level. The way both quarterbacks compensate for this impact is with their football IQ and proactive throws down the middle of the field. Tagovailoa will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, but he also has an injury history. Pratt has progressed well under Mike McDaniel's tutelage and could be ready to play even if the worst happens to Tagovailoa.
- height: 6-1 | weight: 200 pounds
- Hand size: 9 inch
- Praise/Notable Statistics: Holds FSU records for career offenses (10,559) and total TDs (97)
The College Football Playoff Committee has determined that Jordan Travis is the most valuable player in college football and cited him as the primary reason for removing the undefeated ACC champion Florida State Seminoles from the last four-team playoff spot this season. He cited a leg injury at the end of the match. Travis helped lead FSU to an 11-0 start before fracturing his left leg against North Alabama.
The 2023 first-team All-ACC quarterback's athleticism is second to none thanks to his quick footwork that allows him to quickly roll out of the pocket and pass or run. His 1,910 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns are both the most in school history. While a quarterback, his 31 rushing scores make him the fourth-most among any player in FSU history. Travis is strong when throwing while moving with ideal touch on the field. He finished his collegiate career with 17 straight wins.
The problems with the prospect are primarily physical. He is undersized in height and weight and may rely too much on escaping the pocket to make throws. Travis' expectations need to improve. Additionally, he turns 24 on May 2nd and is returning from a broken foot after playing college football for six years.
Good candidate: Baltimore Ravens
Travis could follow in the footsteps of Lamar Jackson, especially in terms of being more comfortable making throws from inside the pocket with anticipation and a high football IQ. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, is clearly established as a starter for the foreseeable future, but working in the quarterback room with Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken could serve Travis well. There is sex. Perhaps he could play in the preseason or in place of Jackson, and then find a chance to start elsewhere in the NFL.
- height: 6-2 | weight: 206 pounds
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2021 All-CUSA Honorable Mention, 54% completion percentage, 40 passing TDs, 33 INTs in his career.
Hardison became the University of Texas at El Paso's starting quarterback in 2020, but he will be required to repair his UCL ligament, similar to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy after the 2022 NFL season. He didn't play much in his final college season because he needed elbow surgery. . The arm strength is there for Hardison, but he needs to improve significantly in terms of breaking down various coverages with anticipation. He performs best in schemes that utilize a lot of run-pass option play.
He's not very accurate, but he has a living arm. Hardison needed to be more refined.
Potential fit: Green Bay Packers
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero It was reported that the Packers hosted Hardison. After visiting again on April 17 and seeing the work head coach and play-caller Matt LaFleur has done to hone Jordan Love, Green Bay could be a landing spot for the UTEP graduate. Of course, he would be brought in strictly to develop and push Sean Clifford to the backup quarterback job. Maybe Hardison will look like a much different player after working in the Packers' quarterback factory.
- height: 6-1 | weight: 205 pounds
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2022 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year Award (sets school's single-season passing TD record with 36)
After two years at Murray State University and two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Michael Hyers turned heads at Sanford. He threw 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 2022, setting the school's single-season passing record while leading the Bulldogs to the Southern Conference title.
Hyers is quick in the pocket, which is mostly a good thing, but he could also relax and not fly around so much. Accuracy was his best attribute, contesting 76.6% of his passes in 2022 and 71.3% of his throws in 2023. He throws with touch over the middle of the field, but his ball security needs improvement. Hiers totaled 12 interceptions and 22 fumbles in his two years at Sanford. He's not an amazing athlete, but he has touch and accuracy on his throws. That could allow Ears to continue his soccer career for a few more years.
Good candidate: Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy's roster is starting to get expensive with quarterback Joe Burrow on the NFL's largest contract from an annual average standpoint (5 years, $275 million), and a contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase. It's coming soon. Backup quarterback Jake Browning, who started seven games after Burrow suffered a season-ending injury, is under contract in 2024. Hyers could be a cheap backup option and could learn a few things from Burrow and head coach/play-caller Zac Taylor. An accurate backup is ideal and Hiers is it.
- height: 6-1 | weight: 215 pounds
- Hand size: 9 1/2″
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2021 All-ACC honorable mention, 2021 North Carolina State school single-season passing TD record (35)
Devin Leary has a rocket launcher in his arm and has a tight, quick throwing motion that allows him to utilize his arm strength on a regular basis. He can also throw deeper passes downfield. Leary regularly throws with anticipation and can throw while running. Although he is somewhat petite, he has a solid physique.
Accuracy will be a big issue after posting completion percentages of 61.1% and 56.3% over the past two seasons of college football. Leary needs to better understand when to dial up his heater and when to loft softer thrown balls. You may also rush through the route and miss the third option, which could result in a bigger profit. Leary threw an SEC-high 12 interceptions last season while forcing seven fumbles. That's not great, Leary turns 25 on September 10th, so he's not a developing prospect by any means.
Good candidate: New York Giants
The Giants need a new quarterback. Daniel Jones took a step back in 2023 before tearing his ACL (two touchdowns, six interceptions in six starts). His magical performance in 2022, when he posted the league's lowest interception rate (1.1%), seems like an outlier rather than the real Daniel Jones.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll clearly doesn't trust Jones to express that. Jones' 6.5 air yards per pass attempt is the second-lowest in the NFL since 2022, when Daboll was hired. New York just selected LSU's Malik Nabors as perhaps the most exciting receiver in the 2024 draft. Why not get a passer with a strong shoulder and see what he can do in training camp?
- height: 6-3* | weight: 213 pounds*
- Hand size: 9 3/8″*
- Praise/Notable Statistics: 2021 All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention (2022-2023)
*From Pro Day
Carter Bradley has an NFL body with above-average arm strength and can connect passes to all parts of the field. Bradley is good at reading route concepts and diagnosing what's open and what's not. His mechanics are in sync and work very well at avoiding sacks. He is the son of former NFL head coach Gus Bradley, so his football IQ is high.
However, he can be off-balance at times when throwing, so he needs to be more efficient with his release to get the ball out faster. Bradley can't move much either. Due to his lack of consistency, he likely won't have many opportunities to prove himself in the NFL.
Good candidate: Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is 36 years old, and his football career is closer to the end than the beginning. For Bradley to learn in the quarterback room with Stafford and head coach Sean McVay would be an ideal place to incubate while fixing the inconsistencies in his game. Perhaps he's ready to become a bona fide NFL quarterback after a few years in this football ecosystem.
