The NFL Draft saw a drove of quarterbacks splash new depth charts plus hint at the future of the position for franchises. Here are the most significant stories at the position coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft:
10. Michael Pratt Plummets
On the Round 3-4 trajectory for much of the NFL Draft process, Pratt fell all the way to 245 overall. Despite the fall, the good news is Pratt found an accessible QB2 spot in Green Bay, competing with another low-pedigree (and unproven) option in Sean Clifford. Pratt is still in play to win the backup job by Week 1 and be viable in Superflex formats.
9. Joshua Dobbs Survives; Likely QB2 for San Francisco
With Sam Darnold's departure to Minnesota this offseason, the backup job in San Francisco was one of the depth charts to watch. Dobbs has been a high-variance option and typically devolves into horrific, even if promising in the beginning, hence his nomadic career arc. Dobbs is earmarked for the QB2 job and did not see added competition through the draft for the 49ers.
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8. Carson Wentz Survives
One of the underrated signings this offseason was Carson Wentz heading to Kansas City. Wentz has largely been left for fantasy dead, but securing the QB2 job under Andy Reid is the best-case scenario for Wentz to stay (or rise) on the fantasy radar should Patrick Mahomes II miss time.
7. Bryce Young's Bolstered Situation
Carolina's goal of the offseason was to surround Bryce Young with enough weapons to assess the 1.01 selection from 2023 this season. In addition to multiple new offensive linemen, Diontae Johnson was added via trade, Xavier Legette was a trade-up target in Round 1, Jonathon Brooks offers juice to the running back position in Round 2, and Ja'Tavion Sanders slipped to Round 4 as a potential TE1 upgrade to disappointment Tommy Tremble. At a minimum, Bryce Young has a chance this year for an upgrade from dismal to passable for Carolina's offense.
6. Spencer Rattler's Fall; Buried in New Orleans
Rattler was considered the clear QB7 of the class and a likely Day 2 selection. However, Rattler plunged down the draft board all the way to mid-Day 3. The Saints' landing spot is murky at best, with Taysom Hill likely the QB2 and Jake Haener possessing more draft pedigree than Rattler in the battle of younger quarterbacks on the roster. Between hemorrhaging draft capital and the unclear QB2/3 roles of the landing spot, Rattler is off the radar in Superflex rookie drafts until further notice.
5. Drake Maye's Status Quo, Optimistic Situation
All of the hand-wringing about Maye's deficiencies and a potential draft slide ended up being irrelevant to his final draft pedigree. Reports have numerous offers turned down by the Patriots to move down from 1.03, instead choosing to secure Maye. Also, New England added Ja'Lynn Polk (Round 2), Javon Baker (Round 4), and Jaheim Bell (Round 4) as rookie weapons to incumbents Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and Hunter Henry. While New England lacks a high-end pass-catcher at present, it will be a welcome sight for Maye, who had the worst situation of all of the notable 2024 rookie quarterbacks during his college career.
4. Bo Nix Is Sean Payton's Guy
Nix was QB6 off the board but still went No. 12 overall and snared Sean Payton's offense in Denver as his landing spot. Denver also aggressively traded up for Nix's Oregon teammate, Troy Franklin, who slid to Round 4 to supplement Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. among the notable receivers. Nix will have an immediate opportunity to start, unlike Michael Penix, and is affordably priced in Superflex rookie drafts in the late first to early second round.
3. Gardner Minshew: Season-Long Bridge?
The Raiders were the notable team left out of quarterback musical chairs with all of the Big 6 gone before their No. 13 draft spot. The Raiders pivoted to Brock Bowers as the best player available and ignored quarterback for the rest of the draft. Gardner Minshew already had a bridge starter contract and is now competing with only Aidan O'Connell for the starting role. Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers, and Michael Mayer offer one of the better quartets of weapons around Minshew in the NFL. Minshew comes out as a big Superflex post-draft winner.
2. J.J. McCarthy Secures the Best Rookie Landing Spot
The Vikings were considered the crown jewel of the expected quarterback landing spots. Not only did McCarthy secure selection by Minnesota, they also only marginally moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 as McCarthy went behind Michael Penix, as QB5, within the position. McCarthy inherits Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson among his weaponry when he usurps Sam Darnold for the starting role, likely soon.
1. Michael Penix Jr. Is the New Jordan Love
Atlanta's selection of Penix at No. 8 rocked the NFL and fantasy world. Kirk Cousins' contract points to at least two years on the Falcons' roster and (presumed) the team's starter. Jordan Love ended up waiting three years to see a string of starts for the Packers as Aaron Rodgers reverted to his MVP-level play to force the Packers' plan of transitioning to Jordan Love earlier. Will Cousins play well enough (and be healthy enough) to hold off Penix for more than 2024? As a result of the blocked landing spot, Penix is falling to Round 2 of nearly all Superflex rookie drafts, creating a polarizing debate on pedigree versus landing spot (and wait time) for dynasty teams.
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