With the 2024 NFL draft just over a month away, many NFL teams are poised to add offensive firepower to their rosters. Injuries and underwhelming quarterback performances plagued the NFL last season, and the incoming group of players in the 2024 NFL draft looks to be the solution to this problem.
A Rough Start
The 2023 NFL season began with an event so misfortunate, it could only be described as an omen of things to come for far too many teams and quarterbacks. This event, of course was the season-ending achilles tear suffered by New York Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, on the very first drive of the very first game of the 2023 season. So out trotted backup QB, Zach Wilson, and although they won that opening night game, the Jets became the first victim of the quarterback woes that most of the league would face throughout the season.
Injuries and Backup QBs
Several other teams would go on to lose their starting quarterback to injuries, giving opportunity for many backup QBs to prove themselves. Some of these backups came in and held their own, like Jake Browning taking over for Joe Burrow on the Bengals, or Joe Flacco leading the Browns after Deshaun Watson went down. Others struggled just to stay on the field, and teams like the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants cycled through three to four quarterbacks by the time the season ended.
There were also plenty of starting quarterbacks in the NFL that struggled from the start. Guys like Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, and Derek Carr come to mind as QBs who underwhelmed but still kept their starting job. Looking down the list of QBs that played in 2023, there is a solid group of ten or so guys that had a great season, and a mixed bag the rest of the way. A lot of these teams may have fared better with more weapons in their offense, and that’s why the 2024 NFL draft may be the answered prayer for many franchises.
The 2024 NFL Draft
Within the first few picks of the 2024 NFL draft, we can expect three quarterbacks to be selected. Caleb Williams is projected to go first overall to the Chicago Bears. The debate continues on whether the Washington Commanders will take Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels with the second pick, and whoever is left will likely go to the New England Patriots at number three. Other standout quarterbacks in this draft include J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix. For NFL teams needing new life breathed into the quarterback position, there is no shortage of talent and potential in this draft.
The top of this draft will likely also see a large number of wide receivers being taken early on, led by Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze. Tight end Brock Bowers is also starting to make noise as a potential top ten pick on many draft boards. Some mock drafts project these four receivers and the top three quarterbacks to be taken within the first ten picks. Whichever teams take any of these wide receivers will gain a huge asset to their offense, and a prime target for their quarterback to throw to. In a draft that is top-heavy with offensive talent, the NFL should be poised to have much better quarterback play heading into the 2024 season.
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3 Comments
Good read. Very well written.
Great work! The article was very well written!
I can’t remember a deeper pool of talent in the draft in the 15 years I’ve been following the NFL.