2024 NFL Draft Watch List: Quarterback

Take an early look at the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

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The 2023 college football season is right around the corner, which means it's time for an early look at some of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

This year's crop of quarterbacks features a clear-cut front-runner at the top, followed by another promising signal-caller who might have been a potential No. 1 overall pick in any other year. Beyond the top two names, there are a handful of passers with first-round talent, as well as some dark-horse candidates with plenty of upside who could boost their stock with a stellar 2023 campaign.

Here are some of the top quarterbacks to keep an eye on heading into the season:

Caleb Williams | USC

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The top prize in this year's draft class, Williams would have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft had he been eligible. Williams is a dynamic playmaker who can win from the pocket, but makes his real magic when plays break down and he's forced to create outside of structure. 

The defending Heisman Trophy winner, Williams should continue his upward development track this season, and entice any QB-needy team to consider tanking for his services.

Drake Maye | North Carolina

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With prototypical size and arm talent, Maye checks every box for a franchise quarterback prospect. He put up impressive numbers last year in his first full season as the starter at UNC, and is primed for an even better 2023 campaign. 

Another year of starting experience should give him even more polish before he heads to the next level, and he could easily make for a 1-2 quarterback run atop the draft alongside Williams.

Michael Penix Jr. | Washington

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A transfer from Indiana, Penix wasted little time making a massive impact for the Huskies. He lit up the stat sheet in 2022, leading the nation in passing yards (357 per game). He's a lefty with an injury history that might concern some NFL teams, but when healthy, he's proven he's got all the physical and mental traits necessary to be a star at the next level. 

After a somewhat surprising decision to return to school for another year, Penix will head to the NFL as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the class.

Cameron Ward | Washington St.

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After putting up video-game numbers at Incarnate Word, Ward made the big leap to the Power 5 level and proved he could hang with the best talent in the country. He's still got some rough edges to smooth out in his game, but his combination of arm talent, instincts, intelligence and athleticism make him one of the most dynamic and entertaining players in this group. 

Another year of experience and polish could land him in the first-round conversation, with superstar upside if he can be more consistent and maximize his blue-chip talent.

Joe Milton III | Tennessee

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If you're looking for a candidate to be this year's Anthony Richardson, Milton fits the bill. He's got a rare combination of size, athleticism and arm talent, and he'll be taking over an offense that was the top-ranked unit in the country last year. 

With Hendon Hooker now in the NFL, Milton will have a chance to show off his impressive tools, and his limitless potential gives him a opportunity to enjoy the same kind of meteoric rise that Richardson did.

Best of the Rest

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Quinn Ewers | Texas

Bo Nix | Oregon

K.J. Jefferson | Arkansas

Riley Leonard | Duke

Jayden Daniels | LSU

Jordan Travis | Florida State

J.J. McCarthy | Michigan

Spencer Rattler | South Carolina

Sam Hartman | Notre Dame

Shedeur Sanders | Colorado

Devin Leary | Kentucky

Jaxson Dart | Mississippi