The 2024 NFL draft saw an unprecedented six quarterbacks chosen from the first twelve picks of the first round.
Only the famous 1983 NFL draft had as many quarterbacks in the first round, and three of those players (Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and John Elway) went on to become Pro Football Hall of Famers. So, just over a year on, who’s doing the best of the new 2024 quarterback class?
From a much-hyped first-round pick who didn’t quite live up to billing, to an immediate season-ending injury, to one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time, 2024 was certainly a big year for new quarterbacks.
This is the QB class of 2024, ranked.
1. Jayden Daniels (Pick 2, Washington Commanders)
If you watched any of the 2024 season, you’d know this was basically a shoe-in. Daniels was selected by the Washington Commanders as the second pick in the 2024 draft, behind fellow quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who went to the Chicago Bears.
If all this football talk has you thinking about a wager, why not check out the top sportsbook promos available online right now? From free bets to parlay insurance, odds boosts, or deposit matches, see what experts think are the best promotions in the game before you make your choice.
Between the two 2024 top picks, there can be no contest as to who had the better rookie season. In fact, Daniels earned both the AP and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year awards to prove it. Plus, a rookie year Pro Bowl selection.
Stats-wise, Daniels smashed several rookie QB records, and also led the Commanders to a 12-5 record and their first NFC Championship game in decades. Clear number one.
2. Bo Nix (Pick 12, Denver Broncos)
Pre-draft last year, Bo Nix wasn’t exactly top of everyone’s first-round pick choices. However, many expected that he could prove a good pick given the right offensive system – there was just no certainty on which teams had that system and needed a rookie quarterback.
Many teams apparently didn’t think highly of Nix’s physical strength, but the Denver Broncos did. Nix’s incredibly low number of sacks in college ball and his highly accurate passing led Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton to give him a chance.
Payton had Nix hit the gym hard over the preseason, in which he impressed coaches, and that paid off in his rookie year.
Nix led the Broncos to a 10-7 record and their first playoff appearance in 10 years. In doing so, he set several franchise rookie records. A solid second place in this list.
3. Drake Maye (Pick 3, New England Patriots)
The first top-five draft pick for the Patriots since 1993, a lot was put on Maye to take over from the aging veteran Jacoby Brissett. Although his season was inconsistent, with the Patriots going 4-13 overall, Maye did have some personal highlights.
Despite starting as backup QB, Maye ended the season as the starter. Brissett joined the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason. Maye also became the first quarterback in 75 years to throw three touchdown passes in his first NFL start, and he became only the second rookie to hit 10 different receivers with his first 10 passing touchdowns.
That was enough to earn him a last-minute Pro Bowl slot, replacing the injured Josh Allen. A solid rookie season, and one that he will be hopeful of improving on in 2025.
4. Caleb Williams (Pick 1, Chicago Bears)
While he didn’t necessarily have a bad season by any means, 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Williams was one of the most hyped drafts in recent years— and failed to really live up to that expectation.
Signed as a starting QB for the Bears, Williams’ unorthodox, flair playstyle saw many mark him out as a potential generational talent.
In the end, that flair was to cost him somewhat. Despite starting all 17 games and hitting a Bears record of just six interceptions across the season, Williams was sacked 68 times.
That was the highest number of sacks in the league, and way off the pace of a top-tier QB. It also contributed to the Bears having one of the league’s weakest offenses and a 5-12 season record.
5. Michael Penix Jr. (Pick 8, Atlanta Falcons)
Signed by the Atlanta Falcons with the intention of being an understudy to fellow new signing and veteran Kirk Cousins for at least a year, a big rookie season was never really in the cards for Penix Jr.
He threw just three touchdowns in three bit part appearances in 2024-25. In 2025 Week 1, he was a surprise starter and stepped up to the occasion with 298 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Penix Jr. is coming off his best game thus far, throwing for 313 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Washington Commanders.
6. J.J. McCarthy (Pick 10, Minnesota Vikings)
Coming into the season highly rated after leading the Michigan Wolverines in an undefeated season and a national championship in college ball, there were, however, some worries about his injury history.
Picked by the Vikings to be an immediate starting contender, McCarthy tore his meniscus in preseason and subsequently didn’t play a single regular-season game.
Now in 2025, he has finally made his debut — earning him an NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for Week 1 — but then struggled in Week 2 with seven sacks and hasn’t played since.
Leave a comment