Instant Reaction: A Sunday 6-Pack Of QBs

The 2024 NFL draft will go down in history as one of the greatest offensive drafts ever. Never before have we seen such a fantasy and dynasty football-friendly first round of the annual draft. Records were set all over the place. The first 14 players off the board were offensive players; a total of 23 offensive players went in the round, and of course, 6 QBs went in the top of the draft. Never before have we seen such a run on offensive talent at the top of a draft. For this piece, we will focus on the most important position in football, the quarterback. We will highlight each of the new signal callers, detail the situation they enter with their new squads, and give you a general outlook on their values for your coming rookie drafts. Without further ado, let us dive in on this NFL Sunday 6-pack of quarterbacks.

Caleb Williams [1.1 – Chicago Bears] –

Heading into the 2024 draft, there was some hyperbole as to whether the Chicago Bears offered the best situation ever for a #1 overall quarterback entering the league. After all, the Bears boasted a top-flight receiver in DJ Moore, an up-and-coming tight end with Cole Kmet, and the shiny new additions of Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and D’Andre Swift. In addition to the new toys, the general manager has sunk picks and dollars into bolstering the offensive line. It was clear to everyone that Ryan Poles and company were attempting to surround their new franchise signal caller with as much talent as humanly possible.

The excitement in the air was palpable when the pick for Williams was submitted. His Jersey sales broke records on the first night of the draft. Everything was in place for Williams to assume his place as a top-flight rookie signal caller. But wait, there is more. Not content to simply stack his roster with veterans, Poles went ahead and spent the 1.09 pick on Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. This might depress Odunze’s value in the short term as he finds himself on a stacked roster. However, this skyrockets Williams up boards all over the fantasy landscape. He has a chance to break numerous Chicago Bears passing records in his first season at the helm. I encourage those of you in Superflex leagues not to overthink this decision. Williams should be the top pick in every Superflex rookie draft.   

Highlights from the last time Caleb Williams played against Rome Odunze.

Caleb Williams:
3 TDs, 1 Rushing TD, 0 INT’s, 312 yrds
27 for 35, 77% cmp.

Rome Odunze:
5 catches for 88 yards.

94 points scored between the two offenses. pic.twitter.com/lKcWt1ObfN

— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) April 26, 2024

Jayden Daniels [1.2 – Washington Commanders] –

In every race, there is a first and second-place finisher. When it comes to dynasty fantasy football, Jayden Daniels was #2 in terms of both NFL draft order and winner out of the class. The reigning Heisman trophy winner followed his Heisman predecessor out of the Green Room and into an intriguing situation with the Commanders. New GM Adam Peters has some nice weapons to hand over to his new franchise quarterback. Terry McLaurin is a perennial 1,000-yard receiver who will operate as an alpha for his new quarterback. The team will also look to rehab the play of former first-round pick Jahan Dotson, who flashed some excellent potential in his rookie year before suffering a true sophomore slump. These two will help to anchor the Commanders unit. 

Jayden Daniels will also have the services of one of the best-receiving backs to play in recent memory, with Austin Ekeler coming over from the Chargers. His electric play in the passing game and on the ground will nicely complement the bruising style of Brian Robinson. The Commanders will need to bring in some more weapons for Daniels to reach his full potential—something they may do later in the draft. I would also like to see Peters provide additional resources on the offensive line in front of his new franchise QB. Daniels certainly has the mobility to make up for some deficiencies on the line. But you don’t want him running for his life. Overall, this landing spot locks in Daniels as the #2 QB in your dynasty drafts, as the combination of his rushing upside and the weapons at his disposal lend themselves to the possibility of an immediate breakout in D.C.

The epitome of what Jayden Daniels is bringing to Washington.

Little bit of everything v Bama.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ktVUV9QLRd

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 26, 2024

Drake Maye [1.3 – New England Patriots] –

In the NFL draft, as in life, you have winners and losers. Of the top three signal callers, Drake Maye would certainly be considered the loser. The Patriots are currently a franchise bereft of offensive talent. At the top of their receiving depth chart are Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, and KJ Osborn. You will not find a single analyst who will say this set of receivers is better than what Williams and Daniels have in Chicago and D.C. However, this doesn’t mean that things cannot change. It is a new day in New England. Jerod Mayo will have an opportunity to stamp his brand on the team he played so well for as a player. I fully expect the team to add to their lackluster receiving corps as early as Day 2 of the draft. 

The Patriots do have a proven tight end in Hunter Henry. He will provide a safety blanket for whoever is starting in 2024. They also have a pair of capable receiving backs out of the backfield in Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. There is a ton of talent left on the board at the receiver position. That may well be where Mayo and company turn in Round 2. Maye will still be a nice dynasty asset to stash on your squads. I say stash because I fully anticipate Jacoby Brissett opening the year as the starter and helping to ease the new franchise quarterback into his new role. Brissett is an established veteran who should help the Patriots take their time with Maye. However, once he takes over, Maye has the skill to make some noise in your dynasty leagues. 

Drake Maye is a New England Patriot.

LFG!! Some Highlights below ⬇️🔥 pic.twitter.com/uEGKUlAnuP

— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) April 26, 2024

Michael Penix Jr. [1.8 – Atlanta Falcons] –

This was the shock of the entire first round of the NFL draft. Heading into Round 1, I cannot think of a single analyst who had the Atlanta Falcons pegged to take a quarterback in the first round. Much less one of the oldest quarterbacks in the class. However, that is exactly what transpired when the Falcons took former Washington and Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at 1.08. All kidding aside, the Falcons have a nice support system set up for their QBs. Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Rondale Moore provide some good options at the wide receiver spot. In addition, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Tyler Allgeier are all excellent in their own rights at the tight end and running back spots. 

The problem for Penix is that he is stuck behind newly signed Kirk Cousins on the Falcons depth chart. At the start of free agency, the Falcons supposedly fixed their QB issues by giving Cousins a 4-year 180 million dollar contract with 100 million guaranteed. This has some shades of the Jordan Love pick from a few years back, with the aging veteran on top of the depth chart and the first-round pick destined to bide his time as an understudy for multiple seasons. The best-case scenario for Penix is that Cousins plays two seasons, and the team moves to the youngster as he begins his third year. This will be a big knock on Penix’s dynasty stock, as he will be a multi-year taxi stash. He should still be a legitimate first-round pick in your dynasty drafts, but I would expect McCarthy and even potentially Nix to leapfrog him in your home leagues. 

Fuck it, Michael Penix highlights 🥶
pic.twitter.com/lJVDfChpmY

— vacca (@VaquitaDawg) April 26, 2024

J.J. McCarthy [1.10 – Minnesota Vikings] –

Of all the quarterbacks in this year’s first round, J.J. McCarthy may see the biggest bump due to landing spot. Once thought of as a fringe first-round prospect due to his depressed college stats, McCarthy impressed throughout the draft process and eventually impressed the Vikings to the point that they traded up in the first round to get their man. The Vikings provide a nice soft landing spot for the National Champion quarterback. The combination of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is as talented as any duo in the league. Throw in T.J. Hockenson, and you will have a quality set of pass catchers.

J.J. McCarthy must beat out former Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold on the depth chart to assume his eventual place. That should happen in quick order, as Darnold has never lived up to his former perceived talent. This landing spot is enough to vault McCarthy past Penix and Maye into my QB3 spot for the class. McCarthy is a proven winner and a plus athlete to boot. He has excellent weapons and an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell. J.J. should be given every chance to succeed in Minnesota. Even as a Penn State and Chicago Bears fan, I am a fan of this landing spot for McCarthy. He is my low-key winner of the quarterback class. 

JJ McCarthy Rose Bowl highlights 🌹

pic.twitter.com/qzUmeHEJNJ

— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) April 23, 2024

Bo Nix [1.12 – Denver Broncos] –

Last but not least, we have former Oregon and Auburn signal caller Bo Nix, who was selected by Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos. Rumblings of this pick began to come out of Denver in the weeks heading into the first round. This landing spot has some interesting potential. Nix will walk onto a team with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims as his top WRs. He will also have second-year tight end Greg Dulcich and Sean Payton stalwart Adam Troutman at his disposal. The Broncos also have a trio of effective pass catchers out of the backfield with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Samaje Perine. So, the weapons are far better than what Drake Maye will have in New England.

Nix will be a tough player to value in Superflex dynasty leagues. He has been seen as the last of the quarterbacks throughout the process. Some have questioned the system he played in with the Ducks, and others have wondered about his advanced age. One thing is certain, Sean Payton should have an excellent idea of exactly what he is getting. Nix has the most starts ever for a college QB. He brings a wealth of starting quarterback play and has found himself with an offensive-minded HC. I would have a hard time arguing Nix moving up the draft board. He could even push his way to QB5 in the class ahead of Penix. The NFL has been joked to stand for not for long. Nix should be a starter right out of the gates with an opportunity to establish himself in the Mile High City for years to come. 

Here’s just under 5 minutes of Oregon QB Bo Nix highlights. Will Nix lead the Ducks to a CFP and take home the Heisman? 🦆 pic.twitter.com/pqc98x3w6j

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) July 18, 2023

Final Thoughts:

The 2024 NFL draft class has a chance to go down as one of the most consequential in league history. Never before have so many franchises staked the future of their organization on a first-round signal caller. When you add all of the receivers and other offensive players that have been and will be taken in the next few rounds, you have the potential for the greatest dynasty Superflex class ever. Williams, Daniels, Maye, Penix, McCarthy, and Nix all have a chance to establish themselves as QB1s in their cities and on your squads. Dynasty managers should revel in the fact that we have one of the deepest drafts ever. You will likely have the chance to select a top 12 NFL QB in the back half of your Superflex rookie drafts. That is a mindblowing circumstance. Only time will tell if the Bears made the right call by taking Caleb Williams. Now the question is, who will you take when presented with the choice? 

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