NFL QB Carousel 2024
CHICAGO BEARS
BEST FIT- CALEB WILLIAMS
Chicago seems to be set on moving on from current QB Justin Fields and sights seem to be set on former Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams. The USC star has been one of college football’s best players over the last two seasons and carries himself with immense confidence. The Bears hired their new OC Shane Waldron from Seattle this off-season while building a quality staff with the hopes of developing an incredible talent like Williams. In the end, this seems pretty much done, all we need is the official announcement on draft night.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
BEST FIT- JAYDEN DANIELS
For the longest time it felt like North Carolina QB Drake Maye was the lead for the second passer drafted, but over the last few months, LSU star Jayden Daniels has risen to the top of the ranks. The Heisman Trophy winner had a prolific season with the Tigers and has since been viewed as the draft’s top dual threat QB with good accuracy and alot of starting experience. While he does carry a narrow frame, Daniels has talent that Washington would love and could be fun in OC Kliff Kingsbury’s college style offense.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
BEST FIT- DRAKE MAYE
New England will be searching for their next QB after the up and down career of Mac Jones and landing Drake Maye would be a great consolation prize. The 6-4 signal caller has a similar frame and arm to current NFL stars like Justin Herbert and Josh Allen but with the emergence of Jayden Daniels’ Heisman Trophy season, Maye may simply fall to the #3 overall pick for New England. If the Patriots want to start fresh at QB for the future, Maye is a pretty good option.
ATLANTA FALCONS
BEST FIT- KIRK COUSINS
Atlanta has tried to develop a young QB in Desmond Ridder but with a new coaching staff, the best option may be to target a bonafide veteran passer like Kirk Cousins. The seasoned vet has been one of the league’s more consistent passers and with the crop of young talent collected by Atlanta including WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson, Cousins would have a prime opportunity to take Atlanta back to the playoffs.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
BEST FIT- RUSSELL WILSON
In the scenario that the Minnesota VIkings lose Kirk Cousins, they may have a chance to replace him with another veteran on a cheaper deal in Russell Wilson. The former MVP candidate had a shaky few seasons in Denver and is looking for a fresh start which may in fact lead him to Minnesota with superstar WR Justin Jefferson. Not only would this provide Minnesota the flexibility to save cap space for Jefferson and others like pass rusher Danielle Hunter, but HC Kevin O’Connell would not need a development period and would have his veteran passer ready to make a run at the division.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
BEST FIT- JJ MCCARTHY
Since moving on from Derek Carr, the Las Vegas Raiders tried the Jimmy Garoppolo experiment with little to show for it and are once again looking for their next QB. While they could look for a player with experience like Chicago’s Justin Fields, they could look to reset the room with an exciting rookie like Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. The National Championship winning QB had a great season with the Wolverines and has been one of the biggest risers in the draft process over the last month. Vegas could bring in a veteran to mentor the rookie and start for the first few games but in the end, McCarthy could finish the season as the starter.
DENVER BRONCOS
BEST FIT- BO NIX
Many thought, myself included, that the Broncos would be legitimate championship contenders with the arrival of Russell Wilson but after two disappointing seasons, the Broncos are back in the QB hunt. HC Sean Payton may be searching for his next guy to develop like Drew Brees in New Orleans and Oregon QB Bo Nix could be the answer. The talented prospect started at Auburn and didnt really live up to the hype but during his time at Oregon has truly turned a corner into a NFL starting quality QB prospect. Denver could be a potential trade up candidate on draft night but if they are unsuccessful, Nix could be the guy for the Broncos.