2024 NFL Draft: Matching Top QB Prospects with Teams with Head Coach Openings
When NFL teams are searching for a new head coach, the quarterback position often helps determine whom they can attract. Coaches typically prefer jobs where established starters behind center are already in place.
At the moment, eight teams are looking for a head coach. Only one of those, the Los Angeles Chargers, clearly have a franchise quarterback in place.
Others, such as the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, potentially have their quarterbacks of the future, which leaves five openings with less certainty at that spot. Excluding North Carolina's Drake Maye, who is clearly ranked as QB1 in the 2024 NFL draft by B/R's Scouting Department, five other prospects carry a first- or second-day grade.
Granted, a few of those teams may try to trade for Justin Fields if the Chicago Bears chose to go with Maye at No. 1 overall, as they did in B/R's latest mock draft. They could chase a veteran free-agent option like Kirk Cousins, too. Multiple scenarios could play out in the coming months.
How a prospect fits with any given team will be based on hires, schemes and philosophies. But if the teams with head coaching vacancies look to the draft for a quarterback, we've mapped out the best fits based on where each roster stands as of now.
Washington Commanders: Caleb Williams, USC
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Aside from the Chargers, the Washington Commanders are best positioned among the teams with current coaching openings because they own this year's No. 2 overall pick.
If the Chicago Bears go with a quarterback at No. 1 or trade down for the second straight season, the Commanders can just take whomeever of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye is left. If both are still on the board, they'll have to pick between the two.
Since we're currently projecting Maye to go at No. 1, Williams is the answer for the Commanders. Although the Trojans faltered down the stretch and the Heisman Trophy winner didn't play particularly well against top competition, Williams' traits are undeniable.
"The arm talent oozes off the film, and he is a special playmaker when things break down," B/R scout Derrik Klassen wrote in his scouting report for Williams. "Williams is also more put together as a processor than his playing style suggests, even if he still needs work."
Williams is an ideal fit in today's game. His ability to extend plays, create outside of structure and make nearly impossible throws fits the mold created by the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The Commanders haven't had a quarterback this talented since Robert Griffin III's breakout rookie campaign.
New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, LSU
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Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are parting ways after 24 years, which will have major ramifications for the franchise. Not only did the future Hall of Famer serve as the head coach, but he also had personnel control despite never holding the title as general manager.
Whomever steps into those roles can never fill Belichick's shoes, nor should they try. The Patriots have a difficult situation to rectify, but this is the chance for a fresh start.
The Patriots have been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback ever since Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season. However, they're in a predicament after landing the No. 3 overall pick, as there's a clear drop-off after Maye and Williams.
The Patriots could try to trade up for the No. 1 or No. 2 pick to land either Maye or Williams. If they don't, they could target LSU's Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Daniels emerged this season as a legitimate first-round talent with 50 total touchdowns and the best overall playmaking ability from the entire quarterback class.
"Overall, Daniels has an exciting floor as a prospect," Klassen wrote in his scouting report for Daniels. "He is a veteran-like presence in the pocket, and he's far and away the best athlete in the class at the position. Daniels' average arm talent and inconsistent accuracy may limit his ceiling, but it's hard to imagine him totally flaming out."
Atlanta Falcons: Bo Nix, Oregon
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The Atlanta Falcons can't pass on a first-round quarterback, can they? It's possible, depending on how the board falls.
If Maye, Williams and Daniels are all gone by the time Atlanta picks at No. 8, the Falcons may be better served trading down or waiting until the second round to take a quarterback.
The Falcons could pull the trigger on someone like Washington's Michael Penix Jr., but his performance in the CFP National Championship Game against Michigan placed all of his flaws on display. Atlanta could add a premium talent at another position at No. 8 and then circle back to a quarterback on Day 2 of the draft.
Oregon's Bo Nix currently isn't projected as a first-round talent. The Falcons could land the reigning Williams V. Campbell Trophy winner near the top of the second round or consider trading back into the opening frame.
Nix proved to be a different quarterback at Oregon compared to Auburn. Over the last two seasons, the former Duck threw 74 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. In 2023, he set the FBS record with a 77.4 completion percentage.
Nix has excellent athleticism and ample arm talent. The primary concern centers on what Oregon's coaching staff asked of him.
"It's hard to get a sense for where Nix is at in terms of being an NFL processor," Klassen wrote in his scouting report for Nix. "Oregon's offense lightened the load on him mentally by spamming screens, run-pass options and simple vertical concepts to unlock his arm. Even a lot of Oregon's more traditional passing concepts were made easier to read out and trigger on by their use of spacing and abusing the college hashes, which won't exist for him in the NFL."
Nix could immediately enter the Falcons lineup, not be asked to shoulder the load and simply distribute the ball to the likes of running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
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Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., Washington
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B/R's third-round ranking of Penix didn't go over particularly well after his performance in the College Football Playoff against the Texas Longhorns. Then, the CFP National Championship happened, and all of the potential concerns within his game re-emerged
"For teams that want to chuck it down the field with a heavy dose of play-action, Penix is an interesting dice roll," Klassen wrote in his scouting report for Penix. "His live arm, aggressiveness and moments of progression passing give him a shot to stick in the NFL. With that said, Penix's lack of touch, shaky pocket management and minimal ability to create plays will limit his ceiling in the pros."
His game falls somewhere between the two points. The nation's leading passer has the skill set to play and start for an NFL squad. However, he doesn't come without risk, particularly when compared to other quarterbacks in the class. That's doubly true given his extensive injury history.
The Las Vegas Raiders didn't do themselves any favors when they beat the Denver Broncos in Week 18. While that only strengthened Antonio Pierce's case to shed the interim tag and become the full-time head coach, the Raiders slid down to No. 13 on the draft board.
The Raiders now sit directly behind the Minnesota Vikings and Broncos, both of whom should also be in the quarterback market. However, the Vikings want to bring Kirk Cousins back, while Broncos general manager George Paton said the "door remains open" for Russell Wilson to return to Denver.
Considering Penix's upside despite his last collegiate performance, he still might be the Raiders' choice to open up the offense.
Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Ward, Washington State
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Much like the Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks are now looking to replace their longtime head coach. Like Belichick, Pete Carroll redefined the organization's culture and guided the team to its best stretch in franchise history.
However, the Seahawks have gone 25-26 over the last three seasons. Carroll is expected to remain with the organization as an advisor, but a fresh approach is long past due.
The post-Carroll Seahawks will likely place a greater emphasis on offense. Carroll's mindset in Seattle always revolved around running the ball and playing good defense.
Today's NFL is geared toward the passing game and opening up the playbook. To do so, a team needs the right quarterback.
Geno Smith's re-emergence as a quality starter has been one of the NFL's best stories over the last two seasons. However, his play puts a ceiling on what the Seahawks can accomplish.
Washington State's Cameron Ward brings a little untamed bronco to the yard. When he was on his game, very few around the country were better. When he tried to do too much and began to struggle, his performance quickly spiraled out of control.
Ward can either look like a million bucks against top competition—which he did against the Oregon State Beavers—or make head-scratching decisions. So, he needs to be in a situation where he's not rushed.
With Ward, the Seahawks can get an excellent athlete and talented thrower with a Day 2 pick, develop him over time and eventually set him up to replace Smith.
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