In a draft day frenzy that will forever reshape the quarterback landscape across the NFL, a record-smashing six signal callers came off the board within the first 12 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. This jaw-dropping quarterback run kicked off in earnest at #8 overall, where the Atlanta Falcons raised eyebrows by selecting Michael Penix Jr. despite having just inked Kirk Cousins to a massive 4-year, $180 million contract that included a no-trade clause.
The Falcons’ brass has clearly mapped out a new course under center after 2025. By drafting Penix in the top 10, Atlanta is signaling their intent to move on from Cousins when the team can create $32.5 million in salary cap savings by releasing the veteran passer after the 2025 campaign.
“The Falcons wouldn’t invest a premium pick like #8 overall on Penix if they were planning to keep Cousins for the full four years,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said. “Penix is an immensely gifted talent that Atlanta undoubtedly views as their quarterback of the future once Cousins’ lucrative deal conveniently voids.”
Vikings Cunningly Maneuver to Snag McCarthy
Just two picks later at #10 overall, the Vikings shrewdly leapfrogged the competition by trading up one spot to land their own young franchise quarterback prospect in J.J. McCarthy. Many draftniks had predicted Minnesota would need to sacrifice significant draft capital to jump into the top 5 for an elite QB prospect.
“Getting a polished prospect like McCarthy to fall to them at 10 is an absolute heist for the Vikings,” said Todd McShay. “He’s one of the most accurate and fundamentally sound passers we’ve seen enter the league in years.”
McCarthy couldn’t have wished for a better situation, inheriting an elite receiving trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson from day one. With proven offensive line and backfield talent also in place, big things will be expected from the rookie quarterback in his debut season piloting Minnesota’s stacked offensive juggernaut.
Resurgent Bears Build Explosive Arsenal Around Williams
While their NFC North rivals in Minnesota certainly upgraded under center, the Chicago Bears managed to come away with the biggest fish of all – securing Caleb Williams with the #1 overall pick. Chicago’s new franchisequarterback didn’t come alone, as the Bears surrounded him with a murderers’ row of playmakers.
At #9 overall, they added prolific receiver Rome Odunze to an already potent pass-catching arsenal featuring newly-acquired stars D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Throw in a versatile backfield duo of D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert, and Chicago’s new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has all the ammunition he could ask for.
“The Bears are absolutely stacked at the skill positions,” McShay gushed. “Teaming a transcendent talent like Williams with that combination of weapons, Chicago is primed for offensive pyrotechnics from day one.”
While the Bears neglected to address their questionable offensive line, Williams’ jaw-dropping improvisational skills and ability to create off-schedule could mitigate those concerns – at least in the short-term. With that blazing speed and a stockpile of explosive playmakers flanking him, the Bears’ attack could quickly morph into a high-octane show of fireworks in 2024.
Giants Bypass QB Carousel, Land Receiving Dynamo
Amidst the chaos of quarterbacks flying off the board, the New York Giants chose to bypass the remaining options, instead scooping up dynamic receiving talent Malik Nabers at #6 overall. An elite separator with electrifying yards-after-catch ability, Nabers arrives as the Giants’ new #1 receiving threat from day one.
“Not panicking and forcing a quarterback prospect while securing an explosive playmaker like Nabers was absolutely the right move for New York,” said Chris Mortensen. “They can reassess their long-term outlook under center again next offseason when potentially better quarterback prospects are available.”
By pairing the big-play threat of Nabers with an improved offensive line and hopefully better injury luck, the Giants have surrounded Daniel Jones with the proper supporting cast to accurately evaluate whether he can be their long-term answer at quarterback moving forward.
Eagles, Chiefs Aggressors; Bills Bystanders
Two other teams who were able to maximize value and position themselves well through trades and savvy selections in the first round were the Eagles and Chiefs.
Philadelphia landed elite cornerback talent Quinyon Mitchell at #30 overall with an eye towards eventually pairing him with veteran standouts Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside. Despite his immense physical tools, the Eagles are expected to bring the raw Mitchell along slowly early in his career as he refines his man-to-man coverage technique.
For the Chiefs, they were able to sacrifice future draft capital to jump ahead of the Bills and select playmaking wide receiver Xavier Worthy at #28. Kansas City had clearly identified the burner out of Texas as a the missing vertical element to pair perfectly with their bevy of gifted underneath receivers like Marques Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce.
“The Bills were on the clock twice at both #28 and #32 with a chance to grab Worthy to fill their void at receiver, and they passed in both instances,” said Adam Schefter. “To then watch an AFC rival like the Chiefs sacrifice assets to move up and snatch him is an unforced error that cannot be overstated for a team with receiving needs like Buffalo.”
Only time will tell how impactful these decisions prove to be in re-shaping the competitive balance of power across the NFL. However, one takeaway is crystal clear – an unprecedented abundance of quarterback movement has dramatically altered the landscape entering the 2024 campaign.
