2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Quarterbacks

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 quarterbacks, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Caleb Williams (Jr., USC, 6-foot-1, 214 pounds)

Williams was the No. 2 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class (behind Texas' Quinn Ewers) and won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season with the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma. He's special off-platform and produced more plays of 20-plus yards (134) and 50-plus yards (20) than any other college player over the last two seasons. He scoffs at check-downs while searching for his next highlight, which makes him partially responsible for being sacked 84 times in his collegiate career, including 35 times last season. Regardless, he's a finisher in the red zone. He's produced a TD-to-interception ratio of 46-to-1 his last two seasons. He's also led USC in rushing TDs both years. Williams is fearless and will force the issue for the sake of making a big play, but he balances the mistakes with magic few other signal-callers can conjure. Projected: No. 1 overall

— 2. Drake Maye (So., North Carolina, 6-4, 223)

Like Williams, Maye was highly-ranked (No. 9 QB) in the 2021 class. Also like Williams, Maye emptied his toolbox in an attempt to prop up a bad football team last season. The difference? Maye is almost a year younger, and despite USC fielding an atrocious defense, Williams still had plenty of talent at his disposal on offense. There were plenty of plays where it looked like he was being irresponsible or reckless, and a few missed layups, but when you factor in no one was blocking for him, and he essentially had one effective receiver who missed the beginning of the season because of eligibility issues, I'd say Maye made a whole lot of chicken salad with the ingredients he was working with. His prototypical size (there's not a lot of it in this class), elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams traditionally are happy to invest a top-five pick in. He had 56 carries of 10-plus yards the last two seasons, second most in the FBS behind only LSU's Jayden Daniels. Projected: Top 5

— 3. Jayden Daniels (Sr., LSU, 6-3, 210)

Daniels was the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the 2019 class and spent three seasons with Arizona State before transferring. His skill set and stature is very reminiscent of three-time All-Pro QB Randall Cunningham. He had a historic final season in Baton Rouge, winning the Heisman Trophy while becoming the first player in college football history to surpass 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career. Daniels is tall but slender, so there will be concerns about durability, considering how quickly he bails from the pocket once he sniffs pressure. His processing skills have improved since his time in Tempe, but will he regress against NFL-caliber coaching if the talent surrounding him isn't on par with what he had at LSU? He's gifted, savvy and he's played a lot of football, so I like his chances, but I'd prefer he'd end up almost anywhere outside of New England, for his sake. Daniels will turn 24 in December. Projected: Top 5

— 4. Michael Penix Jr. (Sr., Washington, 6-2, 216)

The former three-star recruit suffered a season-ending injury all four years at Indiana before transferring, including tearing his right ACL twice, but he's been as good as it gets the last two seasons for the Huskies. The Heisman Trophy runner-up is a big-armed, productive talent who can work the middle of the field, but prefers to attack outside the numbers. Penix is the first FBS player to surpass 4,500 passing yards in back-to-back seasons since Patrick Mahomes (2015-16). He's a pocket passer who was ineffective last season when defenses were able to burst his protective bubble and make him move his feet. A prime example of this was the CFP title game vs. Michigan. He might get nitpicked for his unorthodox throwing style and being a lefty by some scouts, but he was elected team captain at both programs and his injury history has only strengthened his resolve. Penix will turn 24 in May. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 5. J.J. McCarthy (Jr., Michigan, 6-2, 219)

McCarthy was the No. 5 quarterback in the 2021 class and played hockey from kindergarten to his freshman year of high school, which explains his toughness. He compiled a 63-3 record as a starter in high school and college, winning a state title in Illinois and leading the Wolverines to their first national title this century. He led a run-heavy, pro-style offense for the national champions in Ann Arbor, but he's flashed impressive arm talent, especially with intermediate throws, with big-play ability as a thrower and runner when called upon. There's no panic in the pocket, but he can get locked onto his primary read. His decision-making took a step forward last season, but it will need to continue improving in the pros. I was hard-pressed to find a modern QB prospect drafted in the first round who panned out, but whose offense in college didn't completely revolve around them. The only comps statistically I could come up with was Alex Smith and Kerry Collins, but Smith's legs made him the primary weapon for Utah, and the college game has changed significantly since Collins was under center almost three decades ago. Simply put, McCarthy requires more projection than usual for a prospect being considered in the top 10 since he hasn't been asked to do a lot of the things his peers have on a consistent basis. That being said, there's a lot to work with here and McCarthy's intangibles, his championship mettle and ability to ramp up his focus late in games and on third downs, can't be discounted. Projected: Top-15

— 6. Bo Nix (Sr., Oregon, 6-2, 214)

Nix was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class. He has come a long ways from his underwhelming days at Auburn. The Heisman finalist and William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) winner improved his game almost across the board, showcasing better decision-making and accuracy, while maintaining his play-making ability off-platform. He's adept at moving, avoiding, extending and running if he has to, which he might need to do often as a 24-year-old rookie. Nix broke Mac Jones' FBS record for single-season completion percentage (77.4%) last season, but almost 30% of his passes were thrown behind the line of scrimmage. The Ducks' offense doesn't sync up with the NFL, but his quick release, strong ball-security and toughness certainly will. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 7. Spencer Rattler (Sr., South Carolina, 6-0, 211)

Rattler was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 class, spending three seasons with Oklahoma before transferring after being benched in favor of Caleb Williams. Rattler's pocket presence has improved dramatically from his days in Norman. He was a two-time team captain for the Gamecocks after gaining a reputation for immaturity early in his collegiate career. (Hmmm, kids being immature when they first get to college? Weird.) Behind a banged-up offensive line, Rattler threw for the third-most passing yards (3,186) in school history last season. He's an accurate, fundamentally sound QB with decent arm talent, but he's almost played exclusively in a shotgun system. Rattler will turn 24 in September. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 8. Michael Pratt (Sr., Tulane, 6-2, 217)

Pratt is four-year starter and three-year team captain who has improved every season in New Orleans. His arm talent won't wow you, but he throws a very catchable ball. Pratt is lacking top-tier physical traits, but he's developed a nice feel for the game and offensive coaches will appreciate his efficiency, decision-making and light feet in the pocket. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 9. Devin Leary (Sr., Kentucky, 6-1, 215)

The former four-star recruit was a team captain in Lexington and at North Carolina State before transferring. Leary created legitimate buzz with the Wolfpack after breaking Philip Rivers' single-season record for TD passes (35) in 2021. He suffered a torn pectoral muscle in his right (throwing) shoulder the following season. In the SEC, only Jayden Daniels topped Leary in TD passes (25) in 2023, but he also led the conference in interceptions (12). Every throw comes with extra mustard, so there's big-play potential. He was one of four Power 5 passers with at least eight completions of 50-plus yards last season, but his accuracy suffers as a flame-thrower. Leary will turn 25 in September. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— 10. Jordan Travis (Sr., Florida State, 6-1, 200)

The former three-star recruit and Louisville transfer became a four-year starter in Tallahassee, breaking Chris Weinke's school-records for total offense and TDs despite dealing with several injuries. Travis is undersized, but throws effectively and fairly accurately as an improviser. He's elusive, fearless and possesses adequate arm strength, but only average anticipation. He'll have to work on his patience in the pocket in the pros. Travis will turn 24 in May. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— BONUS: Austin Reed (Sr., Western Kentucky, 6-1, 220)

The former no-star recruit dominated at the Division II level with West Florida, including winning a national title, before taking over for Bailey Zappe in Bowling Green and producing 83 total TDs in his two seasons with the Hilltoppers. Reed is highly-productive, elusive competitor who can make plays off-platform, but he lacks NFL traits for the position. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Joe Milton III (Sr., Tennessee, 6-5, 246)

Milton was the No. 9 pro-style quarterback in the 2018 class (same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields). After failing to secure the starting job at Michigan in three seasons or during his first two years in Knoxville, he finally got his shot as a super senior. Milton is a feast or famine prospect. Milton's elite size and arm strength are both beyond positional norms, but his throws are all gas, no brakes. He completed just 38.6% of his throws beyond 10 yards last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He's a project at the position, but if it doesn't work out, I'm certain there's a place for him somewhere in the NFL. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: Sam Hartman (Sr., Notre Dame, 6-1, 211)

The former three-star recruit finished with the fifth-most passing yards (15,656) in FBS history and fourth-most passing TDs (134). He was a three-time team captain (twice for Wake Forest and once for the Irish). He's a quick-processor with a nice touch, who has shown flashes, but his lack of physical traits and turnover totals could set his ceiling as backup. Hartman will turn 25 in July. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Kedon Slovis (Sr., BYU, 6-2, 223)

The former three-star recruit was elected team captain at all three programs where he played college football — USC, Pittsburgh and in Provo — but he never matched the hype created from his first season with the Trojans, when he earned freshman All-American honors. He threw for 3,502 yards and 30 TDs while completing 71.9% of his passes. Inconsistency and injuries have plagued him since then. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Taulia Tagovailoa (Sr., Maryland, 5-10, 185)

The former four-star recruit is a smaller version of his older brother, Tua. After transferring from Alabama, Tagovailoa became the Big Ten's all-time leading passer (11,256 yards). Projected: Round 7-PFA