The Denver Broncos seem likely to move on from Russell Wilson this spring, and even if they do bring him back, the team should draft a quarterback in April.
Wilson might return for the 2024 season, but it’s clear that he is not the long-term answer in Denver. The Broncos should draft a quarterback this spring, even if that QB ends up sitting on the bench as a rookie. Denver needs to begin planning for the future, and Sean Payton needs to find a QB that fits his vision.
The Broncos could stay at No. 12 overall and potentially land the fourth-ranked QB in this year’s class (whoever that ends up being). Alternatively, Denver could trade up to select Payton’s favorite QB prospect near the top of the draft (perhaps No. 1 overall).
Most draft pundits view Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC) and Jayden Daniels (LSU) as the top three quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft, but there are several other QBs who could also go off the board in the first round.
Payton recently guesstimated that six or seven QBs could be picked in the first round of the draft. Whether it’s in the first round or later in the draft, the Broncos should target the position in April. Here’s a quick list of 10 quarterbacks to know as the NFL draft draws closer.
1
Caleb Williams, USC
2023 stats: 68.6% for 3,633 yards, 30 TDs, 5 INTs
Draft projection: Top-3 pick
2
Drake Maye, North Carolina
2023 stats: 63.3% for 3,608 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs
Draft projection: Top-3 pick
3
Jayden Daniels, LSU
2023 stats: 72.2% for 3,812 yards, 40 TDs, 4 INTs
Draft projection: Top-4 pick
4
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
2023 stats: 72.3% for 2,991 yards, 22 TDs, 4 INTs
Draft projection: 1st-round pick
5
Bo Nix, Oregon
2023 stats: 77.4% for 4,508 yards, 45 TDs, 3 INTs
Draft projection: 1st-round pick
6
Michael Penix, Washington
2023 stats: 65.4% for 4,903 yards, 36 TDs, 11 INTs
Draft projection: Top-50 pick
7
Michael Pratt, Tulane
2023 stats: 65.4% for 2,406 yards, 22 TDs, 5 INTs
Draft projection: 2nd- or 3rd-round pick
8
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
2023 stats: 68.9% for 3,186 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs
Draft projection: 3rd- or 4th-round pick
9
Joe Milton, Tennessee
2023 stats: 64.7% for 2,813 yards, 20 TDs, 5 INTs
Draft projection: 5th-round pick
10
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
2023 stats: 63.5% for 2,689 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs
Draft projection: Late-round pick
