The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has produced a reel of highlights and fun moments. Lets take a look at the top Quarterbacks available in the Draft.
Scouting Combine Pick #1: Bo Nix
Bo Nix is middle of the road at best. Many doubt that his play style will hold up in the league. With 30% of his passes being thrown behind the Line of Scrimmage, NFL schemes will require more than he has to offer at the next level.
Nix has great leadership abilities, and could end up as a very good back up, being able to come in and finish a game, as well as pushing any other quarterback in the room to have to beat him for the starting job.
2. Caleb Williams, USC
With the highest score in the combine, Williams’ biggest challenge will be the transition to NFL play. Defensive lines will be much bigger, stronger, and faster than what he is used to escaping from in the undersized conference that we have seen him play in. Expect to see a drop extended plays. Caleb will be a starter, and by year three we will see him winning play off games, as long as weapons are placed around him.
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
Drake Maye could have a very bright future in the NFL. He is young, and will fit into most offensive schemes. His play is confident and almost fearless, and any NFL Quarterback room could quickly address the concerns surrounding his accuracy and inefficient throwing motion. Maye could be a pick that pays off for a team that has a veteran QB to help mold him to the NFL game.
4. Jayden Daniels, LSU
Jayden Daniels is a very athletic quarterback, 6′ 4″ with a very slender frame that makes a lot wonder about future durability. His 5 years as a starter in college give him an almost unmatched experience and prove his ability to be a leader. Daniels would make a great impact in a spread offense, best in his class on the run and able to make plays happen. Productivity could be a question, with a high number of touchdowns coming late in games that had all but been won, he was accused of stat padding towards the second half of the past season.
NFL Scouting Combine Improves Stock of National Champ
JJ McCarthy
JJ McCarthy came into this years Scouting Combine bigger than everyone expected, 219lbs and over 6′ 2″. This is not consistent with the perception of him being a scrawny quarterback like we have heard over his 2 seasons starting at Michigan.
McCarthy ended up scoring the highest of the quarterback class when it came to athleticism. We have had the chance to see him perform on the biggest stages of college football with wildly different results. The TCU playoff game showed some immaturity in his passing game, but the following season, he looked like he overcame those flaws.
After opening up the Rose Bowl with a near interception against Alabama, his stoic composure remained intact. Down the stretch he mounted a comeback, with help from the rest of his offense, while himself making plays including a first down run when it was needed. His focus late in games has always intensified, and this could be something that translates well in the NFL.
Caleb Williams has been, and will continue to be the front runner for the number 1 pick, and the most in demand quarterback. His play making ability, along with a strong arm and a quarterback IQ high enough to always keep his eyes downfield, will only help him as he starts to throw passes to bigger, faster NFL receivers who are able to get a little more separation from defenders. Depending on free agency, expect him to be taken first overall by the Chicago Bears, and if not, definitely the first quarterback selected.
Drake Maye and Bo Nix could easily be placed in the same market. Very high on the boom or bust scale. We should expect them both to put in work on the bench before getting the starting job. Depending on free agency, expect either of them being drafted by Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, or the Seattle Seahawks.
JJ McCarthy and Jayden Daniels are on a similar skill level, just with different play styles. It has been said by scouts, that if JJ was in an offensive system that wasn’t so focused on their run game, say LSU, his stats would have been closer to Jayden Daniels. Vice versa, if Jayden was in the rushing juggernaut that was Michigans offense, his numbers would have probably been similar to JJ’s. It is a legitimate possibility either of them being drafted by the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, or even the Minnesota Vikings.
Stats from ESPN
Combine scores from NFL Combine Results
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