In last April’s NFL draft, we saw six quarterbacks get selected in the first round. We now have seen 5 of them get action in their first year in the NFL. How has each QB done thrown to the wolves in the NFL, their rookie season? Some of these guys have started for their team day 1. One of these guys is just coming off his second start after sitting most of the season watching. Has it been a Happy New Year for the six franchises that chose the guy they hope would be their franchise QB for several years to come? Will any of these teams have new year resolutions to find another guy? Is it too early to judge these guys with only one season under their belt? We will rank them from worst to first which does not mean anything for the long haul. We will judge them by their performance on the field for this season. Some of these teams did not help their guy with protection as the offensive line was loose as a goose. We will take that into consideration. Here’s our list as we go worst to first in the 2024 first round rookie QB’s.

#6. JJ MCCARTHY: VIKINGS

JJ McCarthy never got on the field in the regular season due to an injury in pre-season. McCarthy’s pre-season injury ended his entire rookie season. If you were going to grade him, it’s an incomplete. McCarthy was selected number 10 in the NFL draft by the Vikings from the University of Michigan. He was coming off a season where he won the National Championship for the Wolverines. With veteran Sam Darnold playing out of his mind for the Vikings this season, will Minnesota end up trading McCarthy next year? This could be a blunder by the Vikings or a blessing in disguise. If McCarthy is a future bust, getting something for him now as he is still an unknown in the NFL could be plentiful. If Sam Darnold goes back to his old Darnold ways after you traded away McCarthy, then you’re back to square one. Do you trust Darnold coming off his best season in the NFL which may be his only good season he has ever had in the league? The jury is still out on this pick. The jury is definitely still out on Darnold.

#5. MICHAEL PENIX: FALCONS

Michael Peniz was drafted by the Falcons number 8 in last April’s draft from the University of Washington. Many wondered why the Falcons drafted a quarterback after shelling out the big bucks to veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix has had the opportunity to stand on the sidelines this season and watch a veteran like Captain Kirk. Guys like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers benefited from holding the clipboard their first season in the league. Penix has finally been able to start the last two games as the Falcons have been hoping for a spark. Cousins has not done well in the last several weeks for the Falcons, so it was time to unleash the rookie. In two NFL games, Penix is completing 59.7% of his passes which is the lowest out of any other QB from the first round in last year’s draft. Penix is 1-1 as a starter and has tallied 463 passing yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Was he called in to try to be the savior of this Falcons season? Lot of pressure. I think the entire NFL world has to see more on what he can do. The Falcons will trot him out there for the final game of the season. We know one thing, if I’m this franchise we are done with Cousins. The Falcons will look for a back up for Penix going into next season as they hope he will be QB 1.

#4.DRAKE MAYE: PATRIOTS

Drake Maye was drafted by the Patriots 3rd overall in the NFL draft from the University of North Carolina. Maye has started 11 games and is so far 2-9 as a starter in the NFL. He has completed 66.8% of his passes which is second highest among this rookie class. He has shown he can stand in the pocket and deliver a pass in tight windows. In 11 games he has thrown 15 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. He has tallied 2,276 passing yards. I like his leadership. As a rookie he does make that one stupid throw a game, as he has thrown the 2nd most interceptions out of all these rookies, but he has played a few games less than Bo Nix who has the most. Out of all the QB’s he does not have the big name play maker to throw to like the other guys have one or even more of those weapons. Maye has also added two rushing touchdowns. He is a QB with a big frame so the Patriots could use him to score at the goal line using the tush push. We also would like to question the present coaching staff for the Patriots. Jerod Mayo is not the guy as they need some Miracle Whip to get Maye to the next level in his NFL career.

#3. CALEB WILLIAMS: BEARS

Caleb Williams was the number one pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Bears. They got Williams out of USC and many thought he was the sure thing. Chicago is where quarterbacks and wide receivers go to die in their careers. Williams has started all 16 games so far as he is 4-12 under center as a starter. Williams has completed 61.9% of his passes which is hard to believe as he is closing in on David Carr’s old rookie record of being sacked the most in their first season in NFL history. The knock on Williams is he holds on to the football too long. You could also make the argument the Bears have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. He’s a quarterback that can run, but he always wants to throw first even when being chased as he has 19 touchdown passes to only 6 interceptions. He has tallied 3,393 passing yards. During his rookie season, the Bears fired the offensive coordinator. Then the front office fired their head coach. Then they promoted the new offensive coordinator to interim head coach in Thomas Brown. No way the Bears will keep Brown as they will move on and Williams will have to learn a new offense next season. Williams has shown glimpses of being a hell of a QB. He has also left you moments where you are scratching your head.

#2. BO NIX: BRONCOS

Bo Nix was the last quarterback selected in the first round. He went number 12 and was selected by the Broncos from the University of Oregon. You could say Nix has benefited from a QB whisperer in Sean Payton, the head coach for Denver. Nix started off slow but has really played well most of the season and surprised many experts regarding what this kid can do in the NFL. He is 9-7 as a starter and the Broncos need one more win to get to the post-season. He has completed 65.1% of his passes in year one. He has 3,454 passing yards with 25 touchdown passes as he is tied with Jayden Daniels for the most by one of these rookie sensations so far. He has 12 interceptions which is the most, but he started more games than Drake Maye. Nix has also used his legs as he has 4 rushing touchdowns. Nix has command of that Broncos offense. I have seen him throw some dimes to his receivers. The Bronco fans should be really happy because it has been a long time since Denver had a solid QB. You bet all the fans are singing the Rocky Mountain High with this rookie in place. You could make an argument he has been the top QB of this draft class as well.

#1.JAYDEN DANIELS: COMMANDERS

Jayden Daniels was selected 2nd overall in the 2024 NFL draft from LSU. The few experts that said before the draft that Daniels was the best QB in the draft should be whistling Dixie, because he played like it this season. Daniels has turned around a dysfunctional franchise that Washington was, very quickly. Daniels has been the starter for the Commanders since day 1 and is 11-5 behind center. He has the highest completion percentage of 69.4% which is outstanding. He is a double threat – a guy that can beat you running the ball or in the air with the pass. He has tallied up 3.530 passing yards which is the best out of this class. He has 25 touchdown passes which is tied with Bo Nix out of this class. He has three less interceptions than Bo with only 9. With the legs, he has 6 rushing touchdowns. He has been big in the clutch. He has engineered multiple game winning drives in his first season in the NFL. He has thrown some very nice balls through tiny windows to get the completion to his play makers. You may see Daniels win a playoff game as Washington is in the post-season as a wild card. He seems like a QB in the playoffs and in big moments he does not panic. This is why he is my number one choice right now from the 2024 1st round QB picks. The Hail Mary drive versus the Bears. Then the dart he threw in the last minute of regulation to beat the Eagles.