Quarterback Prospects
Caleb Williams
QB USC (Concensus number one)
Pros:
-Build
-Arm talent
-Velocity
-Arm strength
-Throws off platform
-Accuracy
-Leads pass catchers
-Field Vision
-Processor/Cerebral
-Reads defenses
-Pocket awareness
-Decision making
-Ball security
-Mechanics
-Athletism
-Extends plays
-Fights for extra yards
-He's a sports entertainer
Cons:
- Holding the ball too long
- Doesn't trust his reads
- Doesn't take easy opportunities, always goes for the big play
- Inconsistent footwork
- Throws off his back foot
- Compact throwing motion
- Gets nervous, hears footsteps, has happy feet
- Overly aggressive risk-taker
- Throws across his body
- Tends to unnecessarily extend plays
- Relies too heavily on arm strength
- Relies too heavily on athleticism
- Limited experience with timing-based offenses
- Below average pre-snap read ability
- Undersized
- Takes unnecessary sacks
- Doesn't throw the ball away when needed
- Struggles to fit the ball between coverages/defenders
- Inconsistent short accuracy
- Often locks on to his main receiver
- Fumbles are an issue
Quote: "
The biggest area Williams can prove himself is as an anticipatory passer on three- and five-step drops. Because the USC offense failed to incorporate favorable looks with pistol formations, play-action rollouts, and combination routes that could spur open looks, Williams’ processing might be more in question than they should be," Ian Valentino.
Drake Maye
QB North Carolina
Pros:
-Prototype build
-Athletism
-Escape artist
-Velocity
-Arm strength
-Throws off platform
-Throwing motions
-Accuracy
-Pocket play
-Awareness
-Processor
-Decision making
-IQ
-Field vision
-Nerves
Cons:
- Making adjustments after the snap
- Inconsistent throwing mechanics/stances
- Inconsistent footwork
- Poor decision making
- Hesitates to make decisions
- Tends to hold onto the ball
- Risk taker
- Average pocket presence
- Poor throws under pressure
- Unnecessarily puts the ball in harm's way
- Throwing between coverages/defenders
- Forces throws
- Throws with too much velocity
- Bubble thrower
- Inconsistent accuracy, misses open targets
- Sails sideline throws
- Accuracy declines when play breaks down
- Goes with the first read too often
- Too many paper cuts (quick passes)
- Doesn't lead receivers
- Tucking the ball while running
- Doesn't slide when should
- Average mobility
- Cerebral escape artist
- Not a runner by design
Quote: "Beyond his natural talent, Maye shows off very promising operational qualities for a young QB. There are still a few mechanical issues for him to chip away at, and his occasional lapses in decision making can be frustrating. But overall, Maye’s mental game is just as exciting as his physical upside," Ian Cummings.
Jayden Daniels
QB LSU
Pros:
-Athletism
-Foot speed
-Toughness
-Ball security
-Protects body as runner
-Playmaker
-Pocket Awareness
-Improviser
-Deep Accuracy
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion
-Awareness
-Field Vision
-Calm
-Manipulates Defenders/coverages
-Release
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Build / Small frame
-Field vision
-Lack of arm strength
-Wobbly release
-Follow through on delivery
-Inconsistent accuracy on throws under 15 yards
-Late delivery
-Inconsistently goes through progressions
-Throwing over the middle
-Doesn't throw enough outside the pocket
-Lacks balance
-Fails to leave pocket
-Doesn't slide
-Development
Quote: "Overall, Daniels has an exciting floor as a prospect. He is a veteran-like presence in the pocket, and he's far and away the best athlete in the class at the position. Daniels' average arm talent and inconsistent accuracy may limit his ceiling, but it's hard to imagine him totally flaming out. Daniels would be best in an offense that leans into his rushing ability and vertical passing, similar to Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts," Derrik Klassen.
Michael Penix Jr.
QB Washington
Pros:
-Athletism
-Toughness
-Vision
-Throwing motion
-Arm Strength
-Velocity
-Accuracy
-Throws off platform
-Processor
-IQ
-Field Vision
-Pocket Awareness
-Aggressive risk taker
-Extends plays
-Offensive system
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Injuries
-Stiff
-Not a playmaker
-off script play
-Ignores gimmies in search of big plays
-Risk taker
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion
-arm strength
-accuracy
-Timing
-Footwork
-Struggles under pressure
Quote: "For teams that want to chuck it down the field with a heavy dose of play action, Penix is an interesting dice roll. His live arm, aggressiveness and moments of progression passing give him a shot to stick in the NFL. With that said, Penix's lack of touch, shaky pocket management and minimal ability to create plays will limit his ceiling in the pros," Derrik Klassen.
J.J. McCarthy
QB Michigan
Pros:
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Athletism
-Extends plays
-Toughness
-Pocket presence
-Accuracy
-Leads pass catchers
-Looks off defenders
-Processor
-Reads
-Nerves⁰
Cons:
-Build
-Struggles under pressure
-Inconsistent pocket awareness
-Risk taker, forces throws
-Field vision
-Decision making
-Inconsistent accuracy
-Late trigger puller, especially on deep balls
-Inconsistent throwing outside numbers
-Lacks touch
-Relies on athletism
-Game manager
-Developmental
Quote: "It’s evident that McCarthy has talent to work with. His issues are ones that will likely need a redshirt year. Either that or experience in a system that will allow him to do more in terms of progressions and reads. He likely won’t show a lot of growth in that Michigan scheme which would be a good reason for him to enter the draft," Tyler Forness.
Bo Nix
QB Oregon
Pros:
-Athletism
-Fast
-Velocity
-Arm strength
-Accuracy
-Anticipation throws
-Quick game
-Off platform throws
-Throwing motion
-mechanics
-Eyes
-Extends play
-Playmaker
-Reads
Cons:
-Ran simple college offense
-Questionable football IQ
-Ran lots of screens
-Game appears too fast for him
-Inconsistent footwork
-Inconsistently reads defenses
-Lacks idea pocket awareness
-Fails to throw the ball away
-Hero complex
-Inconsistent decision making
-Occasional bubble thrower
-Deep arm strength
-Field vision
-Fails to look off intended target
-Feels nonexistent pressure
-Happy feet
Quote: "Nix will ultimately be a dice roll on traits. His athleticism and arm talent can be game-changing if honed correctly. With that said, it's a little worrisome that Nix is still unrefined in some areas as an older prospect with a ton of games under his belt. Nix would fit best in a spread-oriented offense that emphasizes RPOs, the quarterback run game and vertical passing," Derrik Klassen.
Michael Pratt
QB Tulane
Pros:
-Build
-Prototype pocket passer
-Field general
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion
-Footwork
-Vision
-Throws off platform
-Manipulates Defenders
-Anticipation throws
-Decision making
-Processor
-Deep accuracy
-Athletism
Cons:
-Lacks arm strength
-Throws outside the numbers
-Throwing motion
-Internal Clock
-Cautious
-Field vision
-Sticks to first read
-One read and go
-Prefers contact to sliding
-Stiffness
-Lacks athletism
-Lacks pocket awareness
-Footwork
-Projects as a low end starter
Quote: "Operationally, Pratt is well-rounded, with a competitive toughness that underlies his game. Suffice it to say, he should be coveted as a high-quality backup in the middle rounds, who could eventually go on to produce as a spot-starter in the right system," Ian Cummings.
Spencer Rattler
QB South Carolina
Pros:
-Experience
-Footwork
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Release
-Mechanics
-Off platform throws
-Athletism
-Accuracy
-Pocket awareness
-Decision making
-Gun slinger mentality
Cons:
-Timing throws
-Field vision
-Back peddles under pressure
-Decision making
-Overly aggressive
-High velocity thrower
-Ball placement
-Pocket presence
-Footwork
Quote: "He profiles as a developmental QB with backup utility early in his career, but Rattler has the physical tools to potentially grow into a starter," Ian Cummings.
Jordan Travis
QB Florida State
Pros:
-Athletic playmaker
-Extends plays
-Running ability
-Arm Strength
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Toughness
-Anticipation throws
-Plays off platform
-Decision making
-Play action ability
-Quick game
-Deep accuracy
-Nerves
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Arm strength
-Deep velocity
-Deep accuracy
-Pocket Awareness
-Poor release
-Inconsistent ability to read zone coverage
-Anticipation throws
-Struggles to read zone coverage
-Forces throws
-Footwork, Throws off back foot
-Mechanics
-Small frame
-Ball security
-Injuries
Quote, "Travis is a creative mobile quarterback with an explosive running style, but he lacks the lower body mechanics and pocket presence to warrant a high draft pick," NFL Draft bible.
Sam Hartman
QB Notre Dame
Pros:
-Release
-Throwing motion
-Athletism
-Toughness
-Extends plays
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Processor
-Decision making
-Leads pass catchers
-Pocket Presence
Cons:
-Age (25)
-Arm Strength
-Lack velocity
-Sped up clock
-Field vision
-Mechanics
-Accuracy
-Risk taker
-Average talent
Quote: "Hartman’s age and lack of high-end physical traits will limit his range as a 2024 NFL Draft prospect, and he doesn’t quite have the requisite operational profile to compensate. But in the late Day 3 range, he could field an investment as a passer with long-term quality backup potential," Ian Cummings.
Joe Milton
QB Tennessee
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Accuracy
-Throwing motion
-Release
-Mechanics
-Build
-Size
-Pocket Awareness
-Aggressive bomb thrower
-Mobility
-Fights for extra yards
Cons:
-Age (24)
-See it throw it
-Awkward runner
-Overly cautious
-Experience
-Locks on target
-Not anticipatory
-Bubble thrower
-Relies on play-action
-Fastball thrower
-Streaky
-Inaccurate outside the pocket
-Mechanics
Quote: "As a late-round developmental QB option, Milton’s physical talent does produce intrigue — but as a 24-year-old rookie, he’s shown very little as a processor and independent decision-maker. In the NFL, QBs need to be adaptable, and Milton’s tape at Tennessee was the antithesis of that," Ian Cummings.
Jason Bean
QB Kansas
Pros:
-Athleticism
-Playmaker
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Release
-Throwing motion
-Progressions
-Anticipation throws
-Pocket Presence
-Aggressive passsr
Cons:
-Underweight
-Arm strength
-Footwork / stants
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion
-Raw
-Ball placement
-Eyes
-More of an athlete then quarterback.
Quote: "Jason Bean grades out as an early-to-mid Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft on my board. He’s one of the most compelling depth prospects in the 2024 class, and there’s a reasonable avenue for him to be a quality QB3 and backup candidate early in his NFL career," Ian Cummings.
Austin Reed
QB Western Kentucky
Pros:
-Prototype size
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Deceptive athletism
-Manipulates defenders
-Anticipation throws
-Leads pass catchers
-Pocket Awareness
-Game manager
Cons:
-Average arm
-Average mobility
-Fastball thrower
-Over disciplined
-Footwork
-Throwing motion
-Inconsistent Accuracy
-Telegraphs target
-Mechanics under pressure
-Risk taker
-Moves out of the pocket
-Doesn't improvise
Quote: "Reed grades out as a late-round or potential PFA prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s not exceptional in any area, but as a well-rounded prospect with enough physical talent and operational utility, he’d be a solid pick late on Day 3 as a prospective backup," Ian Cummings.
Devin Leary
QB Kentucky
Pros:
-Pocket movement
-Accuracy
-Anticipation throws
-Extends plays
-IQ
-Reads
-Velocity
-Mechanics
-Accuracy
-Release
Cons:
-Age (25)
-Lacks velocity
-Arm strength
-Inconsistent Accuracy
-Not a playmaker
-Footwork
-Alerts defender to target
-Pocket movement
-Injury prone
Quote: "At his peak, Leary was a surgical pocket passer with competent creation ability and above-average functional arm talent. But late in his career, compounded injuries and a lack of supporting stability may have taken a toll on his overall comfort," Ian Cummings.
Brennan Armstrong
QB NC State
Pros:
-Athletism
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Off platform throws
-Pocket presence
-Toughness
-Accuracy
-Anticipation throws
Cons:
-Age (25)
-Not a mobile threat
-Doesn't have the arm to throw 50 passes a game
-Throwing motion
-Stares down intended target
-Field vision
-Relies on arm strength too much
-Slow trigger
-Footwork
-Pocket Awareness
-Cowards under pressure
Quote: "His regression in 2022 was very stark, and on tape, there are a number of concerning tendencies that throw Armstrong’s NFL projection into question," Ian Cummings.
John Rhys Plumlee
QB UCF
Pros:
-Athletism
-Mechanics
-Footwork
-Toughness
-Short accuracy
Cons:
-Undersized
-Small frame
-Arm Strength
-Footwork
-Pocket movement
-Eagerness to hotdog
-Looks for the deep ball
-Stares down reads
-Decision making
-One read and run scheme
Quote: "As a pure passer, Plumlee may always be a bit limited. He’s over-reliant on his creation ability to a fault, and he doesn’t have the high-level anticipation or processing to take on substantial reps at the NFL level, " Ian Cummings.
Gavin Hardison
QB UTEP
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Aggressive bomber
-Athletism
-Toughness
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Career completion percentage
-Pocket movement
-Mechanics
-Sacks, had no protection
-Development
Phil Jurkovec
QB Pittsburgh
Pros:
-Athletism
-Leadership
-Awareness
-Anticipation throws
-Back shoulder throws
-Accuracy
-Velocity
Cons:
-Age (25)
-Arm Strength
-Slow reads
-Late trigger
-Risk taker
-Throwing motion
-Mechanics
-Stiff
-Changed position in 2023
Kedon Slovis
QB BYU
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Throwing motion
-Athletism
-Mechanics
-Pocket presence
-Looks of defenders
-Patience
-Takes gimmie passes
-Timing
-Confidence
-Reads
Cons:
-Inconsistent strength and velocity
-Inconsistent prosser
-Not a runner
-footwork
-Release timing
-Off script passer
-Slow progressions
-Reads
-Risk taker, forces throws
-Inconsistent Accuracy
-Slow clock
Frank Harris
QB UTSA
Pros:
-IQ
-Progressions
-Decision making
-Throwing motion
-Accuracy
-Throw on the run
-Deceptive mobility
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Undersized
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Velocity
-Arm Strength
-Competition level
Collin Schlee
QB UCLA
Pros:
-Field vision
-Athletism
-Accuracy
-Arm strength
-Pocket presence
-Leadership
Cons:
-Footwork
-Decision making
-Arm Strength
-Processing
Davius Richard
QB NC Central
Pros:
-Size
-Athletism
-Leadership
-Clutchness
Cons:
-Mechanics
-Pocket Awareness
-Field vision
-Inconsistent accuracy
Tanner Mordecai
QB Wisconsin
Pros:
-Extends plays
-off script
-velocity
-Athletism
-Field vision
-Reads
-Accuracy
-Arm strength
Cons:
-Bubble thrower
-Risk taker
-Footwork
-Deep accuracy
Emory Jones
QB Cincinnati
Pros:
-Athletism
-Field vision
-Release
-Extends plays
Cons:
-Small frame
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion
-Footwork
Spencer Sanders
QB Ole Miss
Pros:
-Athletism
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Accuracy
-Extends plays
Cons:
-Undersized
-Ball placement
-Rushes reads
-Risk taker
Jack Plummer
QB Louisville
Pros;
-Experience
-Arm strength
-Throwing motion
-Mobility
-Footwork
-Awareness
-Field vision
-Manipulates Defenders
-Accuracy
Cons:
-Age
-Lacks arm talent
-Not idea playmaking ability
-Deep accuracy
-Footwork
-Release
-Ball placement
-Mechanics
-Field vision
-Awareness
-Risk taker, forces throws
Theo Day
QB Northern Iowa
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Pocket presence
-Mobility
-Velocity
-Accuracy
-Field vision
-Confidence
-Size
Cons:
-Ball Security
-Throwing motion
-Decision making under pressure
Grant Gunnell
QB Sam Houston State North Texas
Pros:
-Athletism
-Velocity
-Deep Accuracy
-Arm strength
-Ball security
Cons:
-Mechanics
-Footwork
-Decision making
-Risk taker
-Pocket presence
-Sped up clock
-Ball security
Carter Bradley
QB South Alabama
Pros:
-Prototype build
-Mobility
-Accuracy
-Arm strength
-Throwing motion
-Velocity
-Pocket awareness
-Nerves
-Toughness
-Decision making
Cons:
-Experience
-Size and frame
-Deep accuracy, overthrows
-Slow
-Holds the ball
-Reads
-Mechanics
Garrett Shrader
QB Syracuse
Pros:
-Pocket presence
-Release
-Accuracy
-Progressions
-Manipulates defenders
-Athletism
-Toughness
-Running ability
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Poor Strength
-Lacks velocity
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Throwing motion and release
-Pocket awareness
-Timing
-Risk taker, forces passes
Taulia Tagovailoa
QB Maryland
Pros:
-Velocity
-Throwing motion
-Off platform throws
-Athletism
-Awareness
-Manipulates Defenders
-Accuracy
-Mechanics
-Footwork
-Anticipation throws
-Decision making
Cons:
-Age (24)
-Size
-Inconsistent velocity
-Deep passes
-Aggression
-Footwork
-Mechanics
-Release
-Field vision
-Timing
-Hesitant
-Decision making under pressure
Zach Calzada
QB Incarnate Word
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Athletism
-Size
-Quick release
Cons:
-Risk taker
-Indecisive, holds the ball
-Deep passes
-Mechanics
Jeremy Moussa
QB Florida A&M
Pros:
-Mechanics
-Footwork
-Pocket movement
-Spreads the ball
-Athletism
Cons:
-Mechanics
-Footwork
-Decision making
-Pre-snap reads
-Processor
Jason Brown
QB Jackson State
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Velocity
-Reads
-Athletism
Cons:
-High screen offense
-Ball placement
-Mechanics
-Undersized
Davis Brin
QB Georgia Southern
N/A
Jalon Jones
QB Charlotte
Pros:
-Arm strength
-Mechanics
-Athletism
-Decision making
-Velocity
Cons:
N/A
Mark Gronowski
QB South Dakota State
Pros:
-Pocket movement
-Athletism
-Velocity
Cons:
N/A
Jalen Mayden
QB San Diego State
Pros:
-Size
-Athletism
-Pocket movement
-Decision making
Cons:
N/A
John Paddock
QB Illinois
N/A
Chance Nolan
QB Oregon State
N/A
Layne Hatcher
QB Ball State
N/A
Six of my top 10, including my top four quarterbacks all returned for the 2024 season. My top passers remaining are ranked as follows, Daniels, Nix, Penix, Pratt, Williams, Maye, Rattler, McCarthy. As you can see from the pros and the cons listed from media scouting reports, people don't all see the same things.
I don't know how accurate the reports are who is a bust and who isnt but I'm not a fan of taking any of these quarterbacks before round three. I think teams are gonna over draft and be disappointed in this quarterback class. Also if all my quarterbacks had come out, Caleb Williams would be the 11th best passer (not quarterback) in the draft, instead of the fifth in my opinion. And I think he runs a serious risk of turning into Ryan Leaf.
