2024 NFL Mock Draft: Deep QB Class Ties 1st-Round Record

See how many quarterbacks crack the first round in this updated projection for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Dec 13, 2023

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Deep QB Class Ties 1st-Round Record /

The modern record for most quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft is still owned by the legendary 1983 class, which featured a trio of Hall of Famers in John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino among the six signal-callers selected.

Could the deep crop of passers eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft threaten that historic mark?

In the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from The 33rd Team, that mark is tied by the current class, as six quarterbacks come off the board in this first-round projection.

USC's Caleb Williams (No. 1, Chicago Bears) and North Carolina's Drake Maye (No. 2, New England Patriots) lead the way, followed by LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 5, New York Giants) and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. (No. 7, Las Vegas Raiders).

USC quarterback Caleb Williams — Caleb Williams is still the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2024 draft / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

After four passers come off the board in the top 10, the other two who land in this early mock draft are Michigan's J.J. McCarthy (No. 12, New Orleans Saints) and Oregon's Bo Nix (No. 22, Minnesota Vikings).

It's unfair to expect this year's quarterback class to produce the same level of legendary play we saw from that 1983 group, but the talent and potential is definitely there. Whether or not those top names will live up to the hype is another thing entirely, though.

Joining the top three quarterbacks in the top five of this projection are Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 3, Arizona Cardinals) and Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (No. 4, Washington Commanders).

To check out the full first-round mock draft at The 33rd Team, click here.

LOOK | Latest 3-Round Projections for the 2024 NFL Draft

Published Dec 13, 2023

LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more. Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com