Ranking the Top 20 Quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now continues to provide updates and rankings on potential New England Patriots targets in the 2024 NFL Draft. There have been three NFL mock drafts so far (with more on the way) and a “Weekley Wednesday” seven-round Patriots mock draft.

New England selecting a quarterback at No. 3 overall is the popular assumption. But the Patriots could still trade down, draft another position in Round 1, draft more than one QB, or invite one to camp as a UDFA. As a result, there are 33, not three, quarterbacks being ranked here.

These rankings are specific to the New England Patriots. Different teams have different needs. A QB who might be a good fit with one franchise does not necessarily mean they would mesh well with another team. With that criteria in mind, a look at the top 20 quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL Draft…

No. 1 – Drake Maye, North Carolina

Maye would likely be the No. 1 overall pick in most years. He is a potential franchise quarterback, the commodity every NFL team is looking for. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 223 pounds, Drake Maye already has the size to play quarterback in the NFL. His 2023 season did not match his 2022 performance, but neither did his supporting cast. Maye’s is also very tough, though he might not want to continue testing that at the next level. He needs to learn to slide and live to play another down. His footwork is erratic at times, though he is excellent at throwing on the run. If his flaws are fixed he has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the draft and his flaws, specifically his footwork, seem fixable.

No. 2 – Jayden Daniels, LSU

When Eliot Wolf looks over QB options at No. 3 for New England, Maye and Daniels should be the only names on the list. The Heisman Trophy winner was electric at LSU last season. Daniels is said to have bust potential by some because he had only one elite year in college and had great receivers. Tigers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. are both projected to go in Round 1. However, Daniels shouldn’t be discredited. He takes care of the football, has great footwork, is mobile, and has a strong arm. If he was not so slender he’d be No. 1 on the list. His Arizona State coach (pre-transfer) Herm Edwards compared him to Randall Cunningham, which would be amazing. But important to remember Cunningham’s potential Hall of Fame career got derailed multiple times due to injuries.

No. 3 – J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

McCarthy continues to gain steam as a prospect leading up to the NFL Draft. There is certainly a lot to like about him. For starters, he wins. He is 6-foot-2.5 and weighs 219 pounds. Michigan asked him to be a game manager because that’s all they needed him to be. The question is what would he have accomplished with more responsibilities? He is the youngest prospect of the top quarterbacks, having just turned 21. If he was 24 with the same game tape, not sure he’d be higher than No. 5 on this list. But part of the draft is projecting what players are capable of. J.J. McCarthy feels like a solid bet to be a solid pro. That said, New England should not select him at No. 3, and trading down will likely lose the opportunity to take him.

No. 4 – Bo Nix, Oregon

Drew Brees has been a comp used here for Bo Nix, though that is obviously a best-case scenario. The Ducks QB earned a place at the Heisman ceremony last season. The fifth-year senior spent the last two years at Oregon after starting at Auburn. Bo Nix is an accurate passer and improved on his intermediate throws last season. He does not have great athleticism, but is mobile enough to keep plays alive and has good escapability. He has continuously improved in college after being a highly regarded high school player. The grade on him (as with No. 5 on this list) is bottom of the first round. That makes him an attractive gamble late on Day 1, or a potential steal beyond that.

No. 5 – Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Penix Jr. played six college seasons; two at Washington after four years at Indiana. The Huskies QB saw his performance catch up to his physical tools. Michael Penix Jr. throws an impressive deep ball with touch. The lefty was unable to stay healthy with the Hoosiers, but that has not been an issue in his new home. Like Daniels, he’s been considered over-valued by some due to his supporting cast. But Penix Jr. throws the best-looking ball of any quarterback in the draft. He is big, strong, and accurate. If his medicals check out okay, somebody will likely roll the dice in Round 1.

No. 6 – Caleb Williams, USC

Caleb Williams is an incredibly talented quarterback. Ranking the presumed No. 1 pick this low might make eyes roll, so it is important to be clear. Chicago has weapons, allowing Williams to thrive. Keenan Allen can act as a mentor and a favorite target. Like Maye, Williams does not have great footwork. He is also 6-foot-1, which is not ideal height. When asked about player comps for prospects, the first athlete who came to mind for Caleb Williams was Kyrie Irving. Some general managers would prefer to risk seeing him succeed elsewhere than fail on their squad. If he’s an immediate Pro Bowl selection in Chicago it would not be surprising. But with New England’s current roster, he presents more of a risk than a solution from this perspective.

No. 7 – Joe Milton III, Tennessee

At this point in the rankings, there are no prospects expected to become solid NFL starters. The New England Patriots should have already selected their future franchise QB at this point. They need somebody from those first six. Two factors to consider for the rest of this group are upside and/or ability to be a solid backup (run the scout team, etc).  Milton III presents incredible upside. He has a rocket of an arm and measures 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. The Volunteers QB graded out as the second most athletic quarterback at the combine. He is also an inconsistent player with accuracy problems downfield. If he could accurately place his deep throws he’d be in the conversation to go first overall. Alas, he has failed to show that to date. A Day 3 flier would be tempting though.

No. 8 – Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

There is a player like Spencer Rattler every season, and perhaps more than one in this group alone. When the evaluation process begins, they seem to be very underrated. By the time the NFL Draft approaches, they have gone from underrated to perhaps overrated. He was a five-star high school recruit who looked like a future Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick. However, he lost his job at Oklahoma to a future Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. Rattler struggled against better opponents. In five games against Georgia, Texas A&M, Missouri, Tennessee, and Clemson, he threw a combined two touchdowns and five interceptions. But Rattler could have a lengthy career as a solid backup if he lands in the right spot.

No. 9 -Jordan Travis, Florida State

This ranking is based partially on Travis having clean medicals following his season-ending injury in 2023. He had been performing great for the Seminoles, Other factors keeping down his stock include his age (he’s a sixth-year senior) and fundamentals. While his mobility has been an asset and will continue to be at the next level, he needs to get more comfortable standing in the pocket. Travis appears too eager to run. He is a tough player and competitor, but he still needs work on his fundamentals.

Nos. 11-20 – Undrafted Free Agents

Beyond the nine players listed above, no other quarterbacks are tempting to take in the 2024 NFL Draft for the New England Patriots. However, there are still some players with upside that would be worthy of an invitation to camp as a UDFA. Some of these quarterbacks, regardless of this evaluation, are likely to be drafted. If so, simply inviting the next person on the list is the way to go.

Michael Pratt, Tulane
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Kedon Slovis, BYU
Davius Richard, N.C. Central
Devin Leary, Kentucky
Jason Bean, Kansas
Brennan Armstrong, N.C. State
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
John Rys Plumlee, UCF
Carter Bradley, South Alabama
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland