Mel Kiper releases updated Top 10 quarterback rankings for 2024 NFL Draft
ESPN’s Mel Kiper released an updated top 10 quarterback rankings ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
One week after his last one, Kiper had to adjust some of his QBs. It’s easy to see why most stayed where they were a week ago after the Super Bowl, but there was a late switch.
Let’s dive into Kiper’s updated quarterback list ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft as a new QB is in!
1. Caleb Williams, USC
This one should surprise no one if you’ve been following the draft process leading into the upcoming spring. The former Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, by someone. Could it be the Chicago Bears? Maybe the Washington Commanders?
The USC star broke out as a freshman at Oklahoma before achieving superstardom with the Trojans as a sophomore. Sure, he wasn’t as good in 2023 but myriad factors sent USC packing early this year. Williams is surely the top prospect.
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels might have the argument to pass Drake Maye in this year’s draft after his Heisman campaign. The LSU quarterback always had dual threat abilities, but they were on a different level this past season.
Since the trend of a lot of these rookie quarterbacks to start right away, that might be the case for Daniels as well. But being the third quarterback in the top four players, it’ll remain to be seen how high he goes in the first round.
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
Maye slipped behind as a quarterback prospect in this draft behind Daniels, at least according to Kiper. The general consensus all season was he was the QB2 to Williams, but the LSU Tiger’s Heisman season had something to do with this.
Maye has all of the tools and the prototypical size to succeed at the NFL. It’s a question of where he will go and how early he will be selected by a quarterback-needy team.
4. JJ McCarthy, Michigan
McCarthy gets the ranking ahead of some other guys who had monster numbers over the last two seasons. However, the Michigan quarterback won a national title this past season. He is the definition of a field general, even if the stats don’t look gaudy.
The thing about McCarthy is that he rarely makes mistakes and he’s that typical coach’s quarterback. Can he win games by himself at the next level? It remains to be seen but in the right system, he’s extremely coachable and solid under center.
5. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix Jr. went off the last two years once he was healthy and followed Kalen DeBoer to Washington. He has a cannon for an arm, that’s for darn sure. In two years at Washington, he had 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and a 65.4% completion percentage.
He’s pretty accurate and clutch too. Things you want in an NFL quarterback if you’re a franchise making this selection.
6. Bo Nix, Oregon
Nix can be a dual threat if he has to be, but there’s no question this kid is a gunslinger. He only got better once he transferred from Auburn to Oregon. In those two seasons with the Ducks, he threw for 8,101 yards, 74 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 74.9% completion percentage.
At Oregon, he had some of the best stats in all of the land. Unfortunately, he could not win a championship. Still, he should be a tantalizing prospect for someone. He seems to be trending to be a first round pick too!
7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rattler had quite the college career at Oklahoma and South Carolina. He was a much-hyped five-star prospect but didn’t enter elite territory consistently.
However, he put up some big numbers while playing for Shane Beamer at both stops. He’s not at the top, but there are NFL qualities to like about Rattler and the draft process should be interesting.
8. Michael Pratt, Tulane
It was four productive years for Pratt at Tulane who threw for over 20 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in each of his four seasons. His best season came in 2022, but he was nothing less than consistent.
More likely a mid-round draft prospect here, but Pratt is a solid piece. He finished his career with 9,611 yards, 90 touchdowns, 26 interceptions and a 60.6% completion percentage. Let’s not forget his 1,147 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.
9. Jordan Travis, Florida State
Travis moved up Kiper’s rankings in terms of quarterbacks this time around. After evaluation of the Senior Bowl of others and more tape evaluation of Travis, Kiper slid the FSU quarterback up.
The leg injury was concerning, but a full recovery and he could be worth a decent pick. IN his career, Travis finished with 8,715 yards, 66 touchdowns, 20 interceptions and a 62% completion percentage.
10. Joe Milton, Tennessee (NR)
Milton is back in the top 10 rankings for Kiper this time around. As the draft is another week closer, you could take a closer look at the Tennessee signal caller.
Milton stepped in for an injured Hendon Hooker in 2022 and nearly looked flawless. He was pretty good this past fall but didn’t exceed expectations. Still has a cannon for an arm though. One of the biggest you’ll see.
So who will be the best quarterback of this draft class? You might have to wait a handful of years. But it all starts during the draft on April 25th.