Ranking the Best Situations Among QB-Needy Teams Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
As anticipation for the 2024 NFL draft builds, it's worth remembering that a player's landing spot often helps determine whether they succeed or struggle early in their career.
This year, a number of teams could draft a quarterback in the first round. While a few signal-callers will be able to comfortably play within their strengths on their new teams, others may feel the pressure to carry a heavily flawed roster.
Here, we'll examine seven quarterback-needy teams and rank the best situations for the 2024 class of rookie passers.
Offensive personnel was the main consideration here, although a play-caller's track record, the strength of each team's defense and resources (draft capital and cap space) to strengthen the roster also factored into these rankings.
7. New York Giants
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The New York Giants aren't quarterback-needy like the other six teams featured here, but they still might take a signal-caller in the first round. While at the NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Network's Rich Eisen heard that the Giants are "absolutely done" with Daniel Jones.
According to SNY's Connor Hughes, the Giants are interested in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who's generated first-round buzz.
The Giants had an "exploratory meeting" with Russell Wilson before he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. They also had dinner with Michael Penix Jr. (h/t NFL insider Jordan Schultz), who's garnered first-round buzz after his pro day.
If the Giants draft a quarterback, they may want to sit him behind Jones or Drew Lock, because a rookie could struggle mightily with the team's offensive personnel. Big Blue has one the league's worst pass-catching corps, especially with tight end Darren Waller unsure about whether he'll continue his career.
Last year, none of New York's pass-catchers recorded more than 60 catches, 770 yards or four touchdowns. Giants quarterbacks also took the most sacks (85) leaguewide, 20 more than any other team's signal-callers.
Though the Giants signed offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor, Jon Runyan, Aaron Stinnie and Austin Schlottmann in free agency, significant changes within the group could adversely impact the team's run and pass blocking. None of those guys are All-Pro or Pro Bowl-caliber players.
In addition to a lackluster pass-catching group and a patchwork offensive line, the Giants lost their best offensive playmaker—running back Saquon Barkley—to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Barkley led New York in scrimmage yards in four of his six seasons with the team. To replace him, Big Blue signed Devin Singletary, who hasn't racked up more than 898 rushing yards or 1,099 scrimmage yards in a single season.
If the Giants take a quarterback in the first round to pivot away from Jones, they should slowly ease him into the starting role, because the offensive unit could be a mess in 2024.
6. New England Patriots
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Other than re-sign versatile offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, the New England Patriots didn't make any big splashes in free agency to improve their offense after they finished with the second-fewest points and third-fewest yards last season.
The Patriots signed wideout K.J. Osborn, running back Antonio Gibson and tight end Austin Hooper, but none of those players have significantly moved the needle for their previous teams in recent years.
Osborn could be a low-end No. 2 option in the passing game, though he hasn't recorded more than 60 receptions in any of his four seasons. Over the previous three years, Gibson saw a decline in his offensive role with the Washington Commanders. And Hooper hasn't come close to matching his Pro Bowl receiving numbers from the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
Luckily, the Patriots' defense should be able to take pressure off a rookie quarterback.
This offseason, New England moved on from former de facto general manager and head coach Bill Belichick, who's had his fingerprints on the defense. But Jerod Mayo, who has coached the team's inside linebackers since 2019, is replacing Belichick as head coach. Besides, the Patriots' stout defense didn't lose any key players in free agency.
The Patriots lack explosive or dynamic playmakers, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has a limited track record in calling plays. Yet they rank ahead of the New York Giants here because they have a better pass-catching group, albeit with decent but not top-tier players.
New England also has the most cap space of any team ($46.9 million), which will allow it to add solid free agents after the draft.
5. Denver Broncos
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With the 12th overall pick in the draft, the Denver Broncos probably won't have a shot at a top quarterback prospect like the New York Giants (sixth overall pick) and the New England Patriots (third overall pick) without moving up.
Nonetheless, the Broncos have a slightly better situation than the Giants and Patriots, which should give a rookie quarterback a chance to be serviceable right away. In Denver, a rookie signal-caller would have a Super Bowl-winning head coach and play-caller in Sean Payton, and he can rely on Courtland Sutton as his top receiver.
Though the Broncos traded wideout Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, they signed Josh Reynolds, who's coming off one of his most productive seasons as a big-play receiver with 40 receptions for 608 yards and five touchdowns. Second-year wideout Marvin Mims Jr. could also see an expanded role this coming season.
The Broncos have a few bright spots to support a rookie quarterback, but they also have some issues that could put him in tough situations.
Though Payton helped Russell Wilson post solid passing numbers last season (3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 66.4 percent completion rate), the Broncos had an inconsistent ground attack that ranked 18th in rushing yards. Denver's offensive line went through rough stretches as well.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers allowed 10 sacks combined, per Pro Football Focus. The former also committed nine penalties. And Denver lost starting center Lloyd Cushenberry III in free agency.
The Broncos could draft a quarterback in the first or third rounds to provide competition for Jarrett Stidham. But if a rookie wins that battle, don't expect him to light up defenses right away.
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4. Washington Commanders
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Even in a full rebuild, the Washington Commanders have a marginally better offensive setting for a rookie quarterback than the Denver Broncos.
The Commanders have a solid one-two receiver combination with Terry McLaurin and 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson on the perimeter. They also signed Austin Ekeler, who's still one of the league's best pass-catching running backs with 440 career receptions for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns.
If tight end Zach Ertz avoids injuries, he can be a safety blanket for a young signal-caller in the passing game. More importantly, offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury has a track record of productive offenses that dates back to his years on the collegiate level.
As the head coach and play-caller for the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury fielded top-eight offenses in 2020 and 2021. Arizona also finished 10th in passing yards in 2021. Kingsbury isn't an elite offensive coordinator, but he's good enough to elevate a young signal-caller who's in the early stages of his development.
Washington would rank a little higher if it had more continuity along the offensive line. The group could feature three new starters compared to last year.
New head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. also have their work cut out for them as they attempt to turn last year's league-worst defense into a complementary unit that won't force the offense to win shootouts.
3. Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears don't have a rich history of developing quarterbacks, but we won't hold the past against them. For the most part, general manager Ryan Poles has laid the groundwork that should allow a rookie quarterback to succeed right away.
This offseason, the Bears acquired wideout Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen has missed significant time because of injuries over the last few years, but he caught a career-high 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
With Allen, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, the Bears passing game could make major strides with a rookie quarterback who sees the entire field.
This offseason, Chicago hired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who helped Geno Smith lead the Seattle Seahawks' 11th-ranked passing attack and win Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. Much like Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Waldron isn't an elite play-caller, but he's shown the ability to elevate a quarterback's play.
The Bears get the nod over the Commanders because of their complementary defense. After the Bears acquired edge-rusher Montez Sweat ahead of last year's trade deadline, the defense rounded into form, allowing more than 20 points in a game only once between Weeks 10 and 18.
Nonetheless, the Bears fell behind the top two teams in these rankings because they must iron out multiple wrinkles across their offensive line.
Chicago has yet to re-sign Cody Whitehair or Lucas Patrick, two primary starting interior offensive linemen from last season, and Nate Davis had his ups and downs at right guard last year. Teven Jenkins, whom the Bears selected 39th overall in 2021, has battled injuries that cost him several games, though he's made strides in his transition from tackle to guard.
Right tackle Darnell Wright, the No. 10 overall pick from the 2023 draft, had a rough rookie campaign, giving up seven sacks and committing 11 penalties, per Pro Football Focus. While the Bears will likely allow Wright to work through his pass-protection issues and start newcomer Coleman Shelton at center, they need to address the interior of their offensive line with more depth and competition at guard.
Otherwise, Chicago's rookie signal-caller could deal with unnerving pressure up the middle and from his right side. He may have to dump off passes to running back D'Andre Swift to neutralize aggressive pass rushes.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
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The Las Vegas Raiders narrowly edged the Chicago Bears for the No. 2 spot because of their offensive personnel and a more consistent defense. The latter should get a boost from free-agent acquisition Christian Wilkins on the interior.
With the Silver and Black, a rookie quarterback would team up with star wide receiver Davante Adams and play with a top-10 scoring defense from the 2023 campaign.
Moreover, the Raiders have a solid No. 2 wideout in Jakobi Meyers who caught 71 passes for 807 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Tight end Michael Mayer and wideout Tre Tucker showed glimpses of promise as rookies in 2023, too.
Though the Raiders have question marks on the right side of the offensive line, they have three returning players within that group. Left tackle Kolton Miller, guard Dylan Parham and center Andre James are likely to hold on to starting spots.
The Raiders fell behind the top team with the most appealing supporting cast because offensive coordinator Luke Getsy hasn't shown the ability to develop quarterbacks. Under Getsy at Mississippi State, Nick Fitzgerald didn't take a big leap in his final collegiate year (2018). The same is true for Justin Fields over the past two years with the Chicago Bears.
Getsy's offenses with the Bears ranked 23rd and 18th in scoring, and their passing attacks finished 19th or worse in yards and touchdowns. Fields deserves some blame for the Bears' underwhelming passing production, but Getsy has a lot to prove as an offensive coordinator.
1. Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings have the best circumstances for a rookie quarterback because they can provide all of the necessary support. They have a go-to receiver in Justin Jefferson, an ascending wideout Jordan Addison and two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson.
When you combine all of that talent at wide receiver and tight end, Minnesota has the best pass-catching group among the quarterback-needy teams.
The Vikings also have continuity across a reliable offensive line that will retain four of its five primary starters from last season.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell has proved that he's a quality play-caller, too. The Vikings fielded a top-eight offense in scoring and yards in 2022 and had a top-10 unit in yards last year despite losing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8.
Running back Aaron Jones could also add a spark to the Vikings' ground attack, which would balance the offense. And Minnesota's defense improved significantly under play-caller Brian Flores, whom the team hired last year.
If the Vikings draft a quarterback in April, he'll join a playoff-ready team with a supporting cast that will allow him to compete for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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