The 2024 quarterback draft class is stacked, with some of the most exciting young talents set to step into the realms of professional football in the hopes of showcasing their talent at the highest level.
The NFL Scouting Combine is where they will get to do it first as they will need to impress league scouts before being offered a platform to impress the fans.
As such, let's take a look at some of the top names set to exhibit their skills in front of scouts, coaches, and general managers in this year's iteration of the combine.
Caleb Williams
The former USC star is widely expected to be the first-overall pick in this year's draft. A former Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams has shown quality deserving of a starting role in the NFL and is already drawing comparisons to three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time league MVP Patrick Mahomes.
The Chicago Bears currently own the No. 1 pick but could trade it like they did last season. Chances are, Williams gets an opportunity to outdo Justin Fields and help the Bears to a winning season and a playoff appearance. But there are plenty of other teams he could end up playing for as Chicago already has multiple suitors for said pick.
Drake Maye
Drake Maye could follow Williams as the second quarterback drafted in 2024. The 6ft 4in, 230 lbs signal caller starred for North Carolina and NC Sports betting apps will be jangling ahead of the draft as the state would have legalized online wagering by then.
Maye is especially impressive when his offensive line fails to stop pass rushers as he is frighteningly accurate with defenders bearing down on him. He can throw a pinpoint pass to any area of the field, hitting receivers with passes at just the right pace to catch them in stride. He can also adapt to switch off his initial read and deliver passes wherever the defense opens up a hole.
While he isn't as mobile as Williams, he can hold his own on his feet. He registered 1,209 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns at UNC, showing his value as an adept runner with the football when the need arises.
Jayden Daniels
The reigning Heisman holder, Jayden Daniels nearly came out of nowhere to beat the likes of Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the accolade.
Daniels is the epitome of electric when it comes to the quarterback position and has enough highlights at LSU to fill up the amount of time it would take you to watch an entire football game.
He has an explosive arm and improved his range during his breakout year in 2023. But he’s also a pesky scrambler as his feet are just as unpredictable, which makes him one of the best dual-threat QBs set to enter the league.
J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy is the youngest player on this list and is also the only QB who can boast having won a national title at the end of the most recent college season.
McCarthy helped the Michigan Wolverines win the Natty this year, though Jim Harbaugh's offense was mostly geared toward running the ball, and is set to follow his former head coach into the NFL as Harbaugh has since filled the Los Angeles Chargers' head coaching vacancy.
He wasn't required to throw the ball much in Harbaugh's run-heavy system but an NFL scout has declared that he could be as good as Joe Burrow once he gets into pass-first offense.
Michael Penix Jr.
Of all the QBs mentioned here, Michael Penix Jr. probably boasts the best formula for success in the NFL given his accuracy from the pocket. The former Washington star was excellent in completing the intermediate and deep passes which move the chains in the pros.
Penix can hit a receiver from distance on the move with the accuracy of someone dropping the ball off to a running back. His long arms and huge hands allow him to do such with ease, but he can also take some pace off the ball to get it to drop from the air right into the hands of a target.