2024 NFL Draft: ESPN makes big changes to QB Top-13 rankings after NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine was a turning point for many of the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. For some, their draft stock skyrocketed following the combine. Others likely wish they never would have participated. On Sunday, ESPN updated its quarterback rankings, accordingly.
It certainly wasn’t an easy task. The 2024 NFL Draft is oozing with arm talent, ranging from generational prospects to unlikely heroes. In fact, as many as six quarterbacks have a chance to be selected in the first round.
Let’s see who ESPN believes is worth a draft pick.
1. Caleb Williams (USC)
Caleb Williams didn’t give the combine an opportunity to affect his stock. The former Heisman Trophy winner opted to not participate in any testing, measurements or quarterback drills at the event. He stated he will do medicals on his visits with specific teams.
In fairness, Williams has little left to prove. Williams passed for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns, with five interceptions this past season. He added 11 rushing touchdowns. In the 2022 campaign, Williams amassed 4,500 yards and 42 touchdowns.
2. Drake Maye (North Carolina)
Maye also decided to not participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, claiming he will perform at his Pro Day. It’s a risky decision for the North Carolina standout. After holding the No. 2 spot in scouts’ eyes for most of the season, other names have slowly snuck up on Maye. Nonetheless, ESPN still believes he’s the second-best option behind center in the draft.
It’s difficult to argue. Despite lacking sufficient talent around him this past season, Maye was still able to tally 3,608 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and another nine scores in the ground game. His 63 completions on throws at least 15 yards downfield ranked second in the FBS.
3. Jayden Daniels (LSU)
Another top prospect, another decision to skip out on measurements at the combine. Daniels received a surge in draft stock late this past season. The 6-foot-4 cannon boasts extreme accuracy on his long ball. For his talents, he reeled in the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
Daniels finished his spellbinding season with 3,812 passing yards and 40 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions and completing 72.2% of his passes. In the process, Daniels threw 34 completions for 20-plus yards without a single interception.
4. JJ McCarthy (Michigan)
JJ McCarthy walked away from the NFL Scouting Combine with a smile on his face. He was one of the few top prospects who participated in the combine, and he didn’t allow the opportunity to go to waste. McCarthy’s odds to be the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft moved from +1200 before the combine to +750 after it.
Looking past the combine, McCarthy is already a proven winner. The 6-foot-3 QB1 led Michigan to its first national title since 1997 this past season, exploding for 2,991 yards, 22 TD passes and 4 interceptions in the process.
5. Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)
Michael Penix Jr. was another quarterback who benefitted from the combine. Penix relentlessly showed off his arm strength at the event, launching darts to anyone willing to catch them. Despite his standout performance, scouts are still hesitant to go all in on Penix due to his history of ACL injuries.
Penix’s knees certainly didn’t seem to bother him this past season as he led Washington to its first national championship appearance in the College Football Playoff era. Penix notched 4,903 passing yards (most in the country), 36 touchdown throws and 11 interceptions this past season.
6. Bo Nix (Oregon)
Nix was another QB who opted to throw at the combine. It was likely a wise decision after he failed to stun scouts in the week leading up to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Despite any of Nix’s performances at tailored events, he’s always shown up on the field of battle.
In his collegiate career, Nix threw for 15,352 yards, with 113 touchdowns against just 26 interceptions. He also ran for 1,613 yards and 38 scores. Nix is wildly accurate, leading the country in completion rate by almost 4% (77.4%) in the 2023 campaign.
7. Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)
Spencer Rattler had a rollercoaster day at the combine. After posting an underwhelming 4.95 second time in the 40-yard dash, Rattler rebounded during the throwing portion of the event. It isn’t the first time scouts have been wowed Rattler’s arm talent.
The 6-foot, 211-pounder was a standout at this year’s Senior Bowl, taking home Most Valuable Player honors from the game after going 4-4 passing with a 29-yard touchdown strike. In 2023, Rattler started all 12 games, completing 275-of-389 passes for 3,186 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
8. Michael Pratt (Tulane)
Michael Pratt is the first player in ESPN’s rankings that doesn’t hail from a Power Five program. Pratt has earned his keep. The 6-foot-3 QB boasts a high football IQ and is reportedly able to understand NFL-level concepts rather easily.
Pratt’s brains paid dividends this past season when he tallied 2,406 yards, 22 touchdown passes and five interceptions over 11 games. His 90 career touchdowns are the most in Tulane history.
9. Jordan Travis (Florida State)
While other quarterbacks decided to not participate in the combine to protect their draft stock, Jordan Travis had no choice but to watch from the sidelines. In Week 12, Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury. At the combine, Travis claimed he expects to be healthy for camp this summer.
Before suffering the devastating injury, Travis was having a historic season. Florida State was undefeated and Travis had 2,756 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes with a mere two interceptions. Travis boasts 18 career games with a passing and rushing score in the same game, a Florida State record.
10. Sam Hartman (Notre Dame)
Everyone knows Sam Hartman has great hair, but he’s not a half-bad passer either. With 110 career touchdown passes, Hartman is the ACC’s all-time leader. Hartman had a solid showing at the combine, recording the second-fastest 40-yard dash of all the participating QBs.
However, Hartman doesn’t always utilize his quick feet. When under pressure last season, Hartman completed only 45.5% of his throws, which ranks 71st in the FBS. The veteran QB didn’t allow the weakness to spoil his season, finishing this year with 2,689 yards with 24 touchdown passes.
11. Joe Milton III (Tennessee)
Joe Milton III was a star at the combine. Standing at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, the Tennessee standout towered over competing quarterbacks. His arm talent was obvious, too. Milton made 70-yard bombs look like simple screen routes. Yet, Milton still came in at No. 11 in ESPN’s QB rankings.
Part of the hesitation around Milton may be due to his inconsistent accuracy. This past season, he only completed 28.6% of his passes of 20-plus air yards. However, Milton did finish the season the strong, erupting for a 383-yard, four-touchdown passing performance against Vanderbilt.
12. Austin Reed (Western Kentucky)
Austin Reed’s most enticing attribute may be his alma mater. Western Kentucky plays a pro-style offense, which Reed ran to perfection this past season. The Florida native was quick to get the ball out of his hands and punish opposing defenses.
It’s worth noting that ball rarely went far down the field. While Reed threw dots at close range at the combine, his accuracy became questionable as he was forced to throw further down the field. Reed finished the 2023 season with 3,340 yards, 31 touchdown passes and 11 picks.
13. Carter Bradley (South Alabama)
Carter Bradley has a brain built for the game. He is the son of longtime NFL coach Gus Bradley, and his familarity with concepts shows on the field. In his first season at South Alabama, Bradley set program records in passing yards and touchdowns.
While Bradley didn’t break any records this past year, he was still effective. He ultimately recorded 2,660 passing yards, 19 touchdown throws and seven interceptions over 11 games. Like many of the prospects lower on the QB totem pole, Bradley struggles to find the deep ball against competition.