Dissecting The Elite 2024 NFL Quarterback Draft Class
Updated: Jul 5
According to popular opinion, two quarterbacks have stood out in this year's NFL quarterback draft class: Williams from USC and Drake Maye from North Carolina.
Let's take a look at this year's class and see where they excel and where they need improvement.
2024 NFL Draft Quarterback Class
Caleb Williams, USC
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 220
Class: Junior
Strengths:
If you turn on Williams's tape the first thing you notice is his arm talent and ability to make throws off balance. I don't like using lofty comparisons but very similar to Patrick Mahomes in that aspect. His ability to make throws under pressure is second to none. He's also a huge threat in the run game and he can manipulate safeties with his eyes. Overall elite accuracy. Excellent accuracy on short-timing routes and placing the ball where his playmakers can gain extra yardage after the catch.
Weaknesses:
Size, size, and size. Where have we heard this before? His 6-foot-1 and weighing 220 pounds is a concern considering his play style. At USC he plays a quick one-read system that allows the quarterback to make easier reads. His mechanics and footwork aren't consistent but are masqueraded by his arm talent.
Summary:
To make a long story short Williams' is one of the most talented quarterbacks I have scouted out of college. With the likes of Trevor Lawerence, Justin Fields, Bryce Young, and C.J. Stroud. If he can replicate the performance he had his first year at USC, he may end up being the best out of this group. I mean just watch this throw. Per @CaramelPhd on Twitter.
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Height: 6-4 Weight: 220
Class: Sophomore
Strengths:
Has the prototypical traits for your modern NFL quarterback. Arm strength. Can make every big-time NFL throw. Speed and athleticism to escape the pocket.
Weaknesses:
Can hold onto the ball too long. Struggles after the first read. Drop in accuracy outside of the pocket.
Summary:
Maye possesses the qualities of a potential franchise quarterback, including impressive arm strength and a physique that aligns with NFL standards.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 206
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Strengths:
Accuracy on all levels. Arm strength to make big-time throws. Has the frame to add ten to fifteen more pounds. A natural athlete and ability to move around the pocket.
Weaknesses:
Holds the ball loosely and away his from body, leading to strip sacks. Slow in progressions and reading simple coverage rotations. Needs to improve his touch on the ball and know when to put heat on it and when to take heat off. Can force passes occasionally.
Summary:
Quinn Ewers is one of the most interesting quarterbacks in this class. Has all the big-time throw ability rivaling Caleb Williams and Drake Maye but lacks the consistency that those two offer. If he can work on his progressions and ball protection he is a first-round talent.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 214
Class: Junior
Strengths:
Confident passer, accurate, and great vision when in rhythm. Ability to deliver passes all over the field when given a pocket. Mobile quarterback who can give teammates time to get open by scrambling in the backfield. Takes care of the ball. A quick processor across the field. Understands how to look off defenders and lead his wide receivers.
Weaknesses:
Overall footwork in the pocket could use improvement. Staying healthy is a big knock on Penix. In his five seasons of collegiate football, he's only been healthy for one season. His throwing motion can have an unnecessary motion which impacts his release timing.
Summary:
If you look at his on-the-field play, you'll see a first-round talent. The only issue is staying on the field. If he can stay on the field consistently in the 2023-2024 season then he should be in the clear of the injury bug label.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 213
Class: Senior
Strengths:
Threat with the read option. Will manipulates the safety with his eyes. Accurate on all levels of the fields. Arm strength to make big-time NFL throws. Quick release on quick routes. Ball placement is top-tier.
Weaknesses:
Struggles with decision-making and pre-snap reads. Doesn't read the field at the speed you'd like but overall understands coverage. Good not great arm. Loses accuracy and speed when his first read isn't open.
Summary:
Strong football pedigree with NFL frame and athletic build. Can make the first defender miss and pick up yards after contact. Needs to improve decision-making and pre-snap reads. Is a late first-round early second-round talent.
Joe Milton lll, Tennessee
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 245
Class: Senior
Strengths:
Quick release and accuracy on shorter throws. Velocity and accuracy throwing on the run. Arm strength. Stays in the pocket and delivers strikes.
Weaknesses:
Throwing motion is all arm. Needs to re-work his mechanics. Can hold onto the ball too long and makes panic-based decisions. Improvement with pre-snap reads. Ability to read defenses and pick up blitzes.
Summary:
Ideal size for an NFL quarterback. Arm talent is there. Can make every throw on the field. Throwing motion needs improvement. If Milton can improve his pre-snap and blitz pick-ups, he has Josh Allen's potential.
Sheduer Sanders, Colorado
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 215
Class: Sophomore
Strengths:
Strong build that can add ten to fifteen pounds. Mobile quarterback who can buy time in the pocket and can gain yards running out of the pocket. At his best when he is on the move and is extending the play. Can manipulate the safety with his eyes.
Weaknesses:
His mechanics are spastic and need tightening. Needs to improve touch at levels of the field. Needs to learn when to throw with heat and touch.
Summary:
Overall Sanders is an elite athlete who has tremendous upside but needs to fix his mechanics and touch on the ball. All of his mechanical issues are very correctable so it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up being a first-round pick based on his upside alone. We saw that in the 2023 draft with Anthony Richardson going fourth overall to the Indianapolis Colts.
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 242
Class: Junior
Strengths:
His deep ball is a thing of beauty, uses proper touch dropping the ball right in the basket. Accuracy on short-timing routes to half-backs and wide receivers. Puts the ball where his playmakers can make a play after the catch. Plays with a confidence that can't be taught. Can anticipate windows and makes throws to fit in with velocity.
Weaknesses:
Runs a simplistic offense at Arkansas, we'll have to see if he can handle an expanded NFL offense. Has a bad habit of throwing off his back foot when he gets pressure in his face. Can struggle with decision-making and pre-snap reads.
Summary:
It will be interesting to see how Arkansas handles Jefferson's development in year three of Jefferson as the starter for the Razorbacks. Will they expand the offense to show he can run a NFL scheme or will they keep it the same? We saw a similar scenario with former Tennessee Volunteer Hendon Hooker. He had similar questions as Jefferson did in college until Hooker emerged as a Heisman contender and truthfully could've won it if it wasn't for an ACL injury.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 215
Class: Junior
Strengths:
Knows how to use the pocket to advantage. Excellent arm strength can make any throw you'd ask. Has the arm talent to make throws most quarterbacks wouldn't even attempt. Is a mobile quarterback but is a skilled pocket quarterback and can feel oncoming pressure. Good touch on quick routes that allow playmakers to make yards after the catch.
Weaknesses:
Size is the first thing I notice when I see Rattler. His 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame is more acceptable in today's NFL quarterback but is still an issue. His mechanics are very inconsistent. Often uses his arm talent as a crutch to make up for his mechanical issues. His football IQ isn't at par with NFL quarterbacks and needs to improve his decision-making. Locks onto his first read too often when there were options were open.
Summary:
Rattler might be the most interesting quarterback in this year's class. He has all the traits to make a difference-maker at quarterback but I question his love for the game and maturity in certain areas. I will be watching him closely this year and hope I see vast improvements on and off the field.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Height: 6-3 Weight: 196
Class: Sophomore
Strengths:
Capable of making every throw. Can pick up yards in scramble situations. Ball placement is a strength. Confident player. Led Michigan to a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Weaknesses:
Needs to learn to put a touch on the ball, when to zip it, and when to lob it. Can struggle with decision-making and pre-snap reads. Can hold the ball loose which can lead to strip sacks.
This was my early analysis of the 2024 NFL quarterback draft class. Hope you enjoyed it and expect more from me soon.
Do you play fantasy sports? Check out Trophy Smack for your next league prize!
If you enjoyed this article, try the SR Orginal shows on our Youtube channel, and subscribe if you. Also, possibly give our socials (Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,TikTok) a follow, all of which also have great content!