Best Landing Spots for 2024 NFL Draft's Top QBs After Latest Signings, Trades
You've probably heard it a million times by now, the situation matters for any rookie quarterback to have success in the NFL. It's the difference between success and failure for a lot of NFL draft prospects, especially at that position. Just ask Bryce Young how much a supporting cast can help or hinder a passer's transition to the league.
Amid free agency, this time of year is when teams are constantly reshuffling their rosters to help bolster their situation. For clubs like the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, among others, the majority of the moves the front office is making are intended to create a smooth transition for the quarterback they'll select next month.
So, after a couple of weeks of signings and trades, what are the best landing spots for the NFL draft's top quarterbacks?
We'll touch on why each team's moves make them a good fit for the respective quarterback prospect, highlighting the key additions and what each team still needs to add.
Drake Maye: Washington Commanders
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Key Additions: C Tyler Biadasz, G Nick Allegretti, RB Austin Ekeler
While Drake Maye has seemingly lost some steam in the mainstream media lately, he hasn't moved on B/R's NFL Draft Scouting Department's big board and still ranks as the top quarterback and No. 3 overall prospect, one spot and 0.1 points ahead of Caleb Williams.
A big reason for that is Maye's arm strength as offensive skill position scout Derrik Klassen notes that the North Carolina product "throws with tons of velocity outside the numbers and down the field." That would pair nicely with the Washington Commander's crop of receivers who can win on deep routes, Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Jahan Dotson.
Previously, the issue with Maye's fit in Washington was the fact their offensive line was shaky last season and tied for the second-most sacks allowed (65) during the regular season. However, the additions of Biadasz and Allegretti help alleviate that issue and give the quarterback more time to push the ball down the field.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former Cowboy surrendered just three sacks and 25 total pressures on over 650 snaps in pass protection, and the former Chief earned a 70.2 pass-blocking grade while filling in for Joe Thuney during the playoffs.
Also, the Commanders equipped themselves with a couple of strong check-down options in Ekeler and tight end Zach Ertz. That will help any young quarterback transition to the NFL, especially since the former has developed a reputation as one of the league's best-pass-catching running backs.
What They Need: Left Tackle
While Washington improved the interior of its offensive line, they need a blind-side protector. Last year's starting left tackle, Charles Leno Jr., is still unsigned and would be a solid option to bring back as he earned a 77.8 PFF grade in pass protection last fall.
Granted, the draft class is deep at offensive tackle too, so the Commanders should have options in the second round to address this need. Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton or BYU's Kingsley Suamataia could be on the table and would help bolster the team's offensive line, allowing Maye to do what he does best, chuck it deep.
Caleb Williams: Chicago Bears
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Notable Additions: WR Keenan Allen, RB D'Andre Swift, TE Gerald Everett
Admittedly, there is some backtracking going on here. In February, I wrote that the Chicago Bears would be a poor landing spot for Caleb Williams with the rationale primarily being the Bears' unstable coaching situation and Williams' fit in Shane Waldron's offense.
While those concerns still exist, it's impossible to ignore what general manager Ryan Poles has done to the roster this offseason.
Picking up a veteran receiver like Allen is a great addition for any young quarterback. Not only does the 11-year veteran have six 1,000-yard seasons, but he also has experience breaking in and working with a young passer.
He helped groom Justin Herbert into one of the league's best quarterbacks and the combo found immediate success together with the wideout logging 100 catches for 992 yards and eight touchdowns during Herbert's rookie year.
Allen's claim to fame has always been that he's an elite route runner and that's still the case as he ranked 20th in target separation last year, per Player Profile. Having a receiver who can consistently get open makes life easier for any quarterback, especially one who's getting his feet wet in the NFL.
Plus, adding Everett as the team's second tight end would give Williams another quality target to throw to, and Poles signed another weapon with Swift. The latter improves the offense's running game and also adds a good checkdown option with over 1,400 career receiving yards.
What They Need: Center
While the Bears signed Coleman Shelton to a one-year, $3 million contract in free agency, they could still use a more long-term solution especially one who's better in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, Shelton allowed 34 pressures (two sacks) and earned a 48.9 pass-blocking grade last season.
The good news is Chicago has a couple of first-round picks and can trade back from No. 9 to target someone like Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson in the draft. Or if they can add some day-two selections, a guy like Zach Frazier from West Virginia could be a good addition.
Jayden Daniels: Minnesota Vikings
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Notable Additions: RB Aaron Jones
Unlike the other landing spots previously discussed, the Minnesota Vikings actually lost more in free agency than they added. But, from an incoming quarterback's perspective, Kirk Cousins leaving doesn't impact much and helps make Minnesota an attractive destination for Jayden Daniels.
The five-year college starter doesn't need to sit behind and learn from a veteran like a more inexperienced passer would. Also, he shouldn't have much trouble beating out Sam Darnold for the starting spot, and the Vikings already have a good foundation offensively.
Tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are quality book-ends on the offensive line, and Garrett Bradbury is a decent anchor in the middle at center as he's coming off a campaign where he allowed a career-low 22 pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
Plus, Daniels would have plenty of options to throw to between wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and new running back Aaron Jones. The latter brings a more dynamic element to the team's backfield with over 2,000 career receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns.
That'd be a great situation for the LSU product to walk into if Minnesota can swing a trade to move up in the draft. Luckily, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah equipped himself with an extra first-round pick to help make that happen.
What They Need: Guards
Dalton Risner played in 12 games for the Vikings last season and was a quality player, however, Risner is currently unsigned. On the other side, Ed Ingram has struggled during his first two NFL seasons, including last year when he surrendered 42 pressures, per PFF.
So, Minnesota could use some guard help, and targeting prospects like Arkansas' Beaux Limmer or Maryland's Delmar Glaze with their 108th overall picks would be a smart idea.
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J.J. McCarthy: New York Giants
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Notable Additions: RT Jermaine Eluemunor, G Jon Runyan, G Aaron Stinnie
Recently, it's come to light that the New York Giants are considering getting rid of starting quarterback Daniel Jones. According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Jones' "injury history is what has the team contemplating moving on." That puts the Giants in the quarterback sweepstakes during next month's draft, even after signing Drew Lock.
Lock is only on a one-year deal and could be a good bridge option after drafting J.J. McCarthy. While McCarthy has plenty of talent, he's relatively inexperienced and needs to improve as a processor, according to B/R's NFL draft scout Derrik Klassen.
So, a situation where Lock takes the majority of the snaps for a year would be a good one for the Michigan product. Also, the Giants took steps to improve one of their biggest weaknesses from a year ago, the offensive line.
Eluemunor is a significant upgrade over Evan Neal at right tackle, especially in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, the 29-year-old has surrendered 54 pressures on 1,135 snaps in pass protection over the last two seasons combined.
Also, Runyan is coming off of a campaign where he allowed just 21 pressures and Stinne held his own with 29 pressures given up. That creates a much better situation in the trenches for New York than a year ago and would allow for a smoother transition to the NFL for a rookie quarterback like McCarthy.
What They Need: Wide Receiver
While Darren Waller, Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson are solid pass-catching options, the Giants could still use one more target out wide. If they spend their first-round pick on a McCarthy, targeting fellow Michigan product Roman Wilson wouldn't be a bad idea. Or they could look into either Washington wideouts Jalen McMillan or Ja'Lynn Polk.
Bo Nix: New York Jets
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Notable Additions: WR Mike Williams, LT Tyron Smith, RT Morgan Moses
While the New York Jets aren't considered to be in the quarterback market, Aaron Rodgers has proven to be such a wild card recently that it couldn't hurt to have a backup plan in case he decides to pursue a political career. Plus, the Jets learned the hard way about how important a second-string quarterback is, and Rodgers turned 40 in December.
So, New York should look into drafting Bo Nix and the team's offseason additions in the trenches would help mitigate one of his weaknesses.
According to B/R's NFL draft scout Derrik Klassen, Nix has "inconsistent toughness in the pocket" and "shows flashes, but too often falls away from throws." Well, adding 23 years of combined experience at offensive tackle between Smith and Moses should make that issue less significant, especially since both are stout in pass protection.
Also, pairing Garrett Wilson with Mike Williams out wide would be great for any quarterback, especially a young one. That gives the offense a wideout who can make plays after the catch and a big-bodied target to throw 50/50 balls to.
Per Klassen, Nix would be best in a passing attack that uses RPOs and vertical passes, so Wilson could be the short-area target while the former Duck lobs jump balls to Williams down the field.
What They Need: Creative Offensive Coordinator
Last fall -- and the one before when he was in Denver -- kind of proved that Nathaniel Hackett needs Rodgers to be a successful coordinator. Also, Zach Rosenblatt and Diana Russini of The Athletic brought to light that some of the team's coaches felt Hackett was incompetent once the quarterback went down last season.
So, if Nix does end up with the Jets, it'd be in the team's best interests to find a more innovative play-caller.
Michael Penix Jr.: Las Vegas Raiders
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Notable Additions: RB Alexander Mattison, TE Harrison Bryant
Michael Penix Jr. is a unique NFL draft prospect in that he spent six seasons in college. That shows in mental processing and should help him transition to the next level without having to sit for a year or two.
"Penix also flashes the ability to handle pro concepts," B/R's scout Derrik Klassen said via the former Husky's scouting report. "The Washington offense threw the ball aggressively and often asked Penix to read the entire field.
"His timing and consistency in operating those concepts comes and goes, especially when he gets knocked off his first read, but you see promising moments of Penix working from one side to the other to make a tough throw down the field."
While the Las Vegas Raiders did sign quarterback Gardner Minshew in free agency, Minshew said in his introductory press conference that "there are no promises being made" regarding him being the team's starting quarterback. Also, the former Colt lacks the arm strength to execute Luke Getsy's offense.
Getsy likes to push the ball down the field with a lot of vertical passing concepts which would make Penix a good fit as arm strength is probably the best aspect of his game. Also, the Silver and Black have a good speed receiver in Tre Tucker, who is a solid third receiver behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
That plus up-and-coming tight end Michael Mayer makes Las Vegas a good destination for the Washington product despite the 'notable additions' mentioned above merely being backups.
What They Need: Right Tackle
The Raiders lost Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency, who was a quality pass protector on the right edge over the last two seasons. While the hope is that Thayer Munford Jr. can step up and fill that role moving forward, relying on Munford, who has been a swing tackle thus far in his career, is a big risk seeing as Penix is a left-handed quarterback.
So, the front office would be wise to target linemen like JC Latham out of Alabama, Amarius Mimis from Georgia or Washington's Roger Rosengarten in the draft as well. The first two would be good targets with the 13th overall pick if they feel Penix might slide into the second round.
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