Next year when rookie drafts begin, dynasty managers will have the choice between two highly touted and productive college players. Some managers with multiple picks or superior guts may decide wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the pick. While a majority of managers will take the likely top overall pick in Caleb Williams. Of course, Williams is a quarterback and for Superflex, securing an asset with Williams ceiling can realign your team’s future outlook.
This quarterback class has a lot of rushing upside, big-time athletes, and players with good football IQ. North Carolina’s Drake Maye has displayed immense talent while growing and coming through tough periods with the Tar Heels. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quin Ewers has all the opportunity to rise and secure his placement in next year’s draft first round. Obviously, Williams is the headliner. However, next year’s class should have at least three first-round talents and that number could grow.
Today, we’ll be breaking down the top 10 quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class, for dynasty fantasy football purposes.
1. Caleb Williams, USC
Williams became the next quarterback star for dynasty fantasy managers to salivate over since his debut in 2021. That year, he took over the starting job for the Oklahoma Sooners and then would follow Lincoln Riley to USC the following season. Williams backed up his hype in 2022 by posting 42 touchdowns and throwing for over 4500 yards. Williams would also add 10 touchdowns rushing during the season. Now in 2023, he’s the face of college football and a prospective top dynasty player for the future.
Furthermore, Williams plays the game’s premium position and will get every chance to succeed. He’ll be given the keys to the offense straight away when he’s picked. Additionally, he’s creative, no stage is too big for his game, and he often pops as the best talent on the field. William should be valued the same as Trevor Lawrence coming into the league. He has a lot behind his name, but that is for legitimate reasons. A player with Williams rushing ability and smarts can become a top-five NFL quarterback. As expected, he’s the top player and the top quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
2. Drake Maye, North Carolina
In many draft classes, a player of Drake Maye’s caliber and production would be nearly as touted as the previously mentioned Caleb Williams. Maye played well for the Tar Heels in the 2022 season, throwing for 38 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. He has great size and is another player who is a threat in the rushing game. Unlike Williams, Maye is not looking to scramble. However, his timing and arm accuracy makes him a threat to throw touchdowns on any play.
Right now, the question marks behind Maye are relatively warranted. Maye has shown growing pains, he has had bad stretches. However, what matters most is his NFL size, his capable arm, and the fact that a player of Maye’s intellect should be able to succeed with NFL weapons. He is young and has room to grow even with his production. All in all, we may be looking at a future mid-level or back-end QB1 for a very long time. Needless to say, this would give a good bump in the value of those early 2024 rookie picks.
3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers was a young Freshman when he began his career for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ewers is a talented pocket passer who sat behind CJ Stroud for a season and then moved into a starting role for the Longhorns following a transfer. 2023 will be a make-or-break year for Ewers’ future NFL prospects, and this ranking would signify a big season for the former Buckeye quarterback.
Ewers is a smart and smooth quarterback, but his processing will need to speed up this year to improve on his 2022 numbers. Ewers has good talent in the Texas backfield and if Ewers furthers his pocket abilities. That should open up big plays for wide receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Additionally, he has the arm and he has as much talent around him as any other quarterback in college this season. It’s time for him to produce and show he can be a top-three quarterback in the class.
4. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Michael Penix Jr. dealt with significant injuries and a shortened COVID season while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers. He didn’t establish himself in NFL discussions until this past season, but he did show positive flashes in his first collegiate seasons. Penix Jr. would transfer to the Washington Huskies in 2022 and his production would finally match his talent. He threw for 31 touchdowns while gaining 4641 yards through the air. He’s a good thrower of the ball and arguably makes as good decisions as the three names listed above him here.
The key to Michael Penix Jr.’s NFL future will come down to his surrounding talent and how much is expected from him right away. Penix Jr. will be an older prospect coming out. However, he can make his teammates better and fits the mold of a strong leader.
Finally, he joined the talents of Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze and all three players have raised their profiles for 2024. Penix Jr. has experience with multiple years in college and he’s only shown more maturity and growth with each step. All things considered, he is the kind of player who should be able to lead an NFL franchise.
5. Riley Leonard, Duke
Another ACC talent, Duke’s Riley Leonard definitely gives off a similar vibe to one-time Blue Devil Daniel Jones. Like Jones, Leonard has shown plenty on the ground that may translate well at the next level. He ran for 699 yards in 2022 while scoring 13 touchdowns. Additionally, he would throw for another 20 touchdowns while displaying a respectable 63.8% completion percentage. Leonard seems to be a calm and confident thrower when he figures out where he wants to throw the ball.
If Leonard produces again this upcoming season and even improves his numbers, he should see his name being discussed on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL Draft. He can stand in the pocket with his size and he has the grit to take hits and deliver them. However, his arm strength may be his greatest worry at the moment. But, he can put the ball in most places on the field if he has time in the pocket.
Furthermore, his timing and accuracy should get his name on the map even more and his efficiency will be a huge development to watch. This is the point in the draft with a few wildcards and Leonard may be able to make some noise.
6. Cam Ward, Washington State
After those five first names, the focus begins to shift and we must realize it’s unlikely to see the next few names in this list becoming first-rounders. Maybe some names fall and others rise. However, having five or six quarterback jobs taken in the NFL first round is uncommon, and 2024 is no different. A player such as Washington State’s Cam Ward is an ideal highlight at this point of these rankings. Ward is a younger prospect who would transfer from Incarnate Word in 2022 and become the Cougars starter.
Ward would throw for 3232 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first PAC-12 season, and another year of consistency in this offense may allow him to rise yet again. His biggest flaw at this moment is that his style was very one-read and run-focused in 2022. With more practice and hopefully more comfort, it’d be nice to see more from Ward’s game in 2023. All things considered, talent certainly is not the issue with Ward. He has tremendous rushing speed and he can make big plays with his legs. Additionally, he even has some intriguing arm strength and multiple angles to throw from.
However, he is on the younger side. So, an NFL team may see him as a Day 2 or Day 3 pick to mold. With a player of his rushing talent and possible long-term upside, Ward is a name to know this upcoming season.
7. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Very similar to Ward, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy cannot be questioned when it comes to athletic ability. He would rush for 366 yards and 5 touchdowns in a rushing offense that featured Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, two likely first-round rookie running backs in 2024. McCarthy’s numbers in the air weren’t huge but he should see growth on his 18 touchdowns from 2022.
When it comes to McCarthy, his projection is all about being on TV every Saturday this Fall and being constantly watched for signs of growth in his game. He should start this upcoming season for the Wolverines and is likely to hold that job with his talent. With the talent around him and his athletic ability, McCarthy is one of the names lower on this list which may look ridiculous come next Spring. Additionally, he has good mobility and the playmaking can help his team.
Furthermore, if he tightens up his throws and shows even more composure, we may be looking at a more athletic Brock Purdy-type quarterback. That is, a player who may not individually take over a game, but if you put playmakers around him, McCarthy becomes a threat himself. Let’s see if he can raise his draft stock on a huge Big Ten stage.
8. Jordan Travis, Florida State
Between the ACC and PAC-12, this list signifies coast-to-coast talent at quarterback for this upcoming college season. Jordan Travis of Florida State is one of our older prospects listed, but he put up good numbers this past season for the Seminoles. He would throw 24 touchdowns to five picks while making accurate passes to all spots on the field. Additionally, he added another 7 touchdowns on the ground. In fact, in the past three seasons, Travis would rush for seven touchdowns each season for the Seminoles. All in all, having a total of 24 rushing touchdowns in six collegiate seasons.
Travis has been around for a while and that’s the reason for the late placement on this list. Since becoming Florida State’s starter, he has improved his numbers each year and now seems to have the most talent he’s had on the roster for 2023. Players such as Trey Benson, Jaheim Bell, and Johnny Wilson will all hopefully show chemistry with Travis. NFL teams may consider him on Day 2 or with a Day 3 pick.
9. Bo Nix, Oregon
Oregon’s Bo Nix has turned his career perception around coming from Auburn and right now it’s very likely he finds an NFL job. As of right now, Nix likely projects best as a backup quarterback who a team may be able to mold into a starter for a season or two, a la Sam Howell for the Commanders. Nix has some good talent around him in Bucky Irving and top 2024 receiver Troy Franklin. However, his 3593 yards and 29 passing touchdowns were impressive following a tough beginning to the year.
Much has been said about Nix since his time as a Tiger. He came in and won that starting job early, even beating out fellow one-time Tiger Malik Willis for the job. It’s fair to say Nix has done most of his growth while a member of the Oregon Ducks, and if he can continue on this path it’ll be a very impressive resurgence of his draft stock. His decision-making has improved but his physical talent is what has kept his name in these discussions. Overall, should begin as a second or third-string player and may be able to stick around with his physically determined play style at quarterback.
10. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Sam Hartman has an incredible opportunity to make a name for himself in draft circles this upcoming season. Hartman is potentially the best quarterback talent-wise since Brady Quinn for the Fighting Irish. Additionally, a solid season would allow him to gain national recognition he didn’t receive at Wake Forest. Last year he would toss 38 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 63.1%. He was the best player on those Demon Deacons teams and he was a catalyst for that offense in recent years.
Furthermore, Hartman will be 25 by the time of his first NFL snaps. This means he may be more of a backup situation at the next level. While he has solid all-around tools, he will need to show massive improvement not throwing interceptions. Not to mention, running this Notre Dame offense will be a great challenge. However, if he succeeds, this may be a Day 2 pick that we all clamor for with our second and third-rounders in dynasty rookie drafts. What’s more likely though is his competent arm talent becomes a viable Day 3 pick and he becomes a fill-in option in certain weeks for some dynasty managers.
Overall, 2024 is a real mystery box for the quarterback position. It seems a majority of dynasty managers understand the gravity of Williams joining our dynasty leagues. It’s a game changer that was only as obvious as maybe 2021 with Trevor Lawrence. I think the key to this draft is the Maye/Ewers/Penix Jr. section of these rankings.
However, Maye could very well be a top overall pick in most drafts. He’s just unlucky to be involved in a draft with talents such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Williams. Ewers and Penix Jr. can beat teams in very similar ways. Additionally, if they both are top picks, expect the teams drafting them to give them every chance to succeed and be built around them.
The 2025 NFL Draft class, on the other hand, looks a bit murkier outside of top quarterback Cade Klubnik. So, it’s necessary to understand this 2024 class legitimately could have three or four future NFL starters. Maybe a couple of them stay an extra year to bolster their stock for 2025.
Overall though, you don’t want to miss out on the greater talents due to a few injuries or situation question marks. All in all, this 2024 quarterback class can play and they should become your rosters cornerstones on Superflex teams.
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