Quarterback has always been the most valuable position in football, and perhaps all sports, and the NFL’s 32 teams have never expressed that fact more clearly than they did in of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The 2024 first round made the following quarterback draft history according to CBS Sports Research:
- First draft with four quarterbacks among the first eight picks
- First draft with five quarterbacks among the first 10 picks
- First draft with six quarterbacks in the top 12
- Draft with shortest pick period for six quarterbacks at any time in a draft (previous mark: 20 picks in 1992 from picks 211-230)
However, a number of teams still haven’t come away with a new quarterback to develop, either to play right away or to sit and cook for a little while. Some NFL team members who could still be contenders for new pass rushers to add to their depth chart could be the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Seahawks of Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams, to name a few.
Here’s a closer look at seven of the top remaining options with a brief scouting report and possible fit to the NFL team.
* All QB measurables come from the NFL Scouting Combine
- Height: 6-0 | Weight: 211 pounds
- Hand size: 9 7/8″
- Notable accolades/statistics: 2024 Senior Bowl MVP (4-4, 65 passing yards, including a 29-yard TD pass to UGA WR Marcus Rosemy Jacksaint)
South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler is clearly the best talented quarterback remaining as the 2024 draft moves into the fourth round. He was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback high school class of 2019, according to 247 Sports. Rattler has a quick release and one of the best deep passing skill sets in the draft. His arm talent is strong enough that he can still connect on downfield throws even when his feet aren’t set, same for running throws.
The knocks are that he’s a bit undersized and with sometimes forcing throws or taking too many sacks. Rattler was sacked for 8.9% of his dropbacks in 2023, the 15th worst rate in college football among 110 qualified 2023 quarterbacks.
Potential fit: Seattle Seahawks
Rattler could learn behind Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith for a year or two, then take over after Smith’s contract expires following the 2025 season. If Rattler shows promise before then, Seattle could save $25 million of cap dollars by releasing Smith next offseason because he will no longer have guaranteed money on his contract.
The Seahawks wide receiver room is well-stocked with Pro Bowler DK Metcalf and 2023 first-round selection Jaxon Smith-Njigba. New Seattle offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb helped Michael Penix Jr. reach new heights in his game with the Washington Huskies, and perhaps he could get similar growth and success from Rattler after a bit of time to marinate in his system.
- Height: 6-2 1/2″ | Weight: 217 pounds
- Hand size: 9 1/4″
- Notable accolades/statistics: 2023 AAC Offensive Player of the Year, Tulane all-time leader in passing yards (9,611), TD passes (90)
Michael Pratt helped lead the most successful two-year stretch of football in Tulane history with a 12-2 season in 2022 that ended with a Cotton Bowl victory over the first-overall draft quarterback from 2024, Caleb Williams and USC, as well as an 11-3 campaign in 2023. Pratt threw 49 efficient touchdowns to just 10 interceptions during the streak, the 15th best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the country among 109 qualified quarterbacks since 2022. It’s pretty, pretty good.
He has smooth throwing mechanics and regularly does a good job of throwing with anticipation in order to connect with targets in a way that sets them up several yards after the catch. Pratt is able to progress into the pocket to dodge the first wave of passes, even though he’s not a breathtaking athlete. The downsides are his average passing to the zip, and he struggles to go deep if he can’t get into throws cleanly. Pratt will begin his NFL career as a backup, but he could have the potential to be a starter if surrounded by the right supporting cast.
Neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Pratt are known for their arm talent, but both have found a way to succeed at a high level despite it. The way both quarterbacks compensate for this is through football IQ and anticipated throws to the middle of the field. Tagovailoa is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024 and he has an injury history. Pratt could develop well under the tutelage of Mike McDaniel and potentially be ready to play if the worst happens with Tagovailoa.
- Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 pounds
- Hand size: 9″
- Notable accolades/statistics: Holds FSU career records for total offense (10,559) and total TD (97)
The College Football Playoff committee deemed Jordan Travis the most valuable player in college football by pointing to his season-ending leg injury as one of the main reasons undefeated ACC champion Florida State Seminoles, were left out of the final four-team playoff bracket. Travis helped FSU get off to an 11-0 start before fracturing his left leg against North Alabama.
The 2023 first-team All-ACC quarterback’s athleticism is better than most thanks to his quick footwork that allows him to get out of the pocket quickly to pass or run – his 1,910 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on floor are both the highest in school history. a quarterback while his 31 rushing scores are the fourth-most in FSU history by any player. Travis is strong on moving throws with an ideal touchdown down the field. He finished his collegiate career with 17 consecutive victories.
The issues with him as a prospect are primarily physical. He’s undersized in size and weight, and he can rely too much on leaking out of the pocket to make a throw. Travis’ anticipation needs to improve. Additionally, he turns 24 on May 2 and just broke his leg after playing six years of college football.
Travis would do well to follow in Lamar Jackson’s footsteps when it comes to developing greater comfort when throwing from inside the pocket, including anticipation and increased football IQ. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, is obviously pegged as a starter for the foreseeable future, but working in a quarterback room with Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken could serve Travis well. Maybe he could shine in the preseason and/or in spots for Jackson, then find a chance to start elsewhere in the NFL.
- Height: 6-2 | Weight: 206 pounds
- Notable accolades/statistics: Honorable Mention All-CUSA 2021, 54% PCT comp, 40 TD passes, 33 career INTs
Hardison became the University of Texas-El Paso’s starting quarterback in 2020, but he failed to put much on tape in his final collegiate season because he needed a elbow surgery to repair a UCL ligament, as did San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy after the 2022 NFL season. . The arm strength is there for Hardison, but he needs to improve significantly with anticipation and breaking down different coverages. He’s at his best in a system that frequently uses run-pass option plays.
The accuracy isn’t quite there, but he has an active arm. Hardison just needed to become more refined.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Packers had hosted Hardison for a visit on April 17, and after seeing the work of head coach and game announcer Matt LaFleur in refining Jordan Love, Green Bay could be a landing spot for the UTEP alum. Of course, he would be recruited solely to develop and push Sean Clifford to the backup quarterback position. Who knows, maybe Hardison looks like a very different player after working in the Packers quarterback factory.
- Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 pounds
- Notable accolades/statistics: 2022 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year (he set the school single-season passing TD record with 36)
After two years at Murray State and two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Michael Hiers had a blast at Samford. He threw 36 touchdowns to just four interceptions in 2022, setting the school single-season record for passing scores en route to leading the Bulldogs to a Southern Conference title.
Hiers is quick in the pocket, which is pretty good, but he could loosen up and not rebound as much. Accuracy is the strongest attribute, making 76.6% of his passes in 2022 and 71.3% of his throws in 2023. He throws with touch in the middle of the field, but his ball security needs improvement. Hiers totaled 12 interceptions and 22 fumbles in two years at Samford. He’s not a stunning athlete, but he has skill with his throws and accuracy. This could help Hiers continue his football career for a few more years.
Cincy’s roster is starting to get expensive with quarterback Joe Burrow on the NFL’s largest contract by an average per year (five years, $275 million) and Ja’Marr Chase’s extension that looms on the horizon. Backup quarterback Jake Browning, who started seven games after Burrow’s season-ending injury, is in a contract year in 2024. Hiers could be a cheap backup option who could learn a few things from Burrow and head coach/caller Zac Taylor. An accurate save is ideal, and Hiers is.
