-2024 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2024 Draft Kit
The former Tar Heel tied a bow on his collegiate career with 62 passing TDs and 16 interceptions. Even after taking a slight step backward in 2023 compared to his elite sophomore campaign, Drake Maye didn't wait very long to hear his name called with scouts comparing his outlook to franchise QBs like Justin Herbert and Josh Allen. The Patriots selected him 3rd overall. In Maye's first year as a starter at UNC (2022) at 20 years of age, he finished with a top-5 PFF passing grade in the nation while leading his team in rushing yards. He averaged nearly 56 yards per game on the ground through his 2 years as a starter. He has a top-tier ceiling as an NFL quarterback and will ask to carry the load when he draws the staring nod in New England, amid a lackluster supporting cast.
The 24-year-old QB went through a full metamorphosis the last two years at Oregon after starting his long college career (NCAA record of 61 starts) at Auburn in 2019. This past season Bo Nix set the record for the highest completion rate at 77.5%, breaking Mac Jones' record. However, a lot of this is based on the offense he played, given his average depth of target ranked 5th-lowest in the nation (6.8). A quick release - under 2.5 seconds to throw - helped Nix tie Michael Penix for one of the lowest pressure-to-sack rates in the 2024 QB class (7.6%). The obvious concerns with Nix are his age, and how much more his game can improve when the competition level increases. Again, it's easy to be good when you have years of experience over all the defenses you are facing. He offers only a little bit of rushing - 33 rushing yards per game in college. It's possible Nix can have moments in an offense like the Denver Broncos, but relying on him to deliver for an entire NFL season is a pipe dream. Sean Payton selected him 12th overall as the fifth QB off the boar in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Injuries withstanding, Jayden Daniels offers more as an under-the-radar game manager with strong fundamentals, accuracy and decision-making. The other thing that is overlooked about Daniels - is his experience. 5 seasons of college ball. 55 games. And he capped it off with the 2023 Heisman Trophy as PFF's No. 1-graded passer. With his ability to add value as a rusher and experience with five years under his belt, he can thrive as the second overall pick to the Washington Commanders. During his college tenure, Daniels rushed for over 3,300 yards - 60 rushing yards per game. Last year's third quarterback selected, Anthony Richardson, also averaged 60 rushing yards per game in the college ranks.
The No. 1 overall pick, USC's Caleb Williams looks like the next coming of Patrick Mahomes. The off-script playmaking ability is so apparent with Williams, and that makes him deadly when paired with his elite production from a clean pocket. This past season, Williams posted PFF's highest grade without pressure. He also added 44 rushing yards per game, further highlighting his dual-threat skillset. 27 rushing TDs in 2.5 seasons as a starter at the college level. At times in his final year at USC, Williams would often try to play too much hero ball. Case in point, Williams held the ball a ton (highest in the draft class) in 2023. That was something Justin Fields also struggled with at the NFL level. And it's hard to argue against Caleb Williams' great landing spot with the veteran weapons he has at his disposal, including D.J. Moore, D'Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet. The Bears were not finished improving Williams' first-year prospects with the selection of Washington WR Rome Odunze as the ninth overall selection.
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and he is Minnesota's quarterback of the future. We'll see if he starts in Week 1 ahead of Sam Darnold, but expect McCarthy to play plenty in his rookie campaign. In redraft one-quarterback leagues, McCarthy is worth a late-round pick, and he's a mid-round selection in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. He landed in a great spot with the Vikings under coach Kevin O'Connell since Minnesota has fantastic weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. While McCarthy was more of a game manager at Michigan under coach Jim Harbaugh, we're hopeful O'Connell will allow McCarthy to showcase his skills since the Vikings are a very pass-happy offense. Long-term, McCarthy could develop into a low-end starting Fantasy quarterback in all leagues, and he could even surprise us as a rookie given the offense in Minnesota. In one-quarterback rookie-only drafts for Dynasty leagues, McCarthy is a late first or early second-round selection. But McCarthy is a first-round pick in rookie-only Superflex and two-quarterback Dynasty formats.
The Falcons' selection of Penix in the top 10 of the April NFL draft was arguably the most shocking pick of the entire draft. But closer inspection gives us better understanding of why the Falcons' front office made the decision they did. Yes, the Falcons acquired Kirk Cousins in the offseason, and Cousins will no doubt be the Falcons’ starter in 2024 as long as he’s healthy. But Cousins turns 36 in August and is coming off a torn Achilles. Penix provides the Falcons with not only QB insurance but a succession plan at the position. Obviously, this is bad news for Penix enthusiasts in terms of his short-term fantasy outlook. Penix is basically undraftable in redraft leagues. In dynasty, however, we have Penix ranked as QB5 or QB6 among the rookies, and QB24 overall. Expect him to go late in the first half of the first round in superflex rookie drafts, and in the late second round or early third round in 1QB rookie drafts.