Caleb Williams and the 2024 Rookie QBs Could Rival 1983 NFL Draft Class

The 2024 rookies will be the best quarterback class since 1983 and they have an outside chance to challenge that famous group as the greatest of all time. That’s not a reaction to a few series from this weekend. Their ability was evident before the preseason started and what we saw in their debuts just confirmed their potential.

The events leading up to the ’24 NFL Draft resulted in a perfect storm of talented quarterbacks landing in ready-made spots. There shouldn’t have been six first-round level players in the first place. Extended eligibility and the transfer portal helped Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix play longer and show teams what they could do. All three could have been mid- to late-round picks a couple of years ago and never really gotten a shot.

The supply of QBs isn’t the only factor. Several teams were ready-made to help them succeed. Starting with the Bears’ Caleb Williams, who joins arguably the most talented offensive roster a No. 1 overall pick has ever had. How often does a rookie have three receivers like DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze? Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy gets to play with Justin Jefferson in Minnesota. Penix, if he gets to play behind Kirk Cousins, will have receiving options and a solid offensive line in Atlanta. And Nix joins offensive genius Sean Payton.

The big three in the ’83 class – John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino – set a high standard. For now, it’s the only draft with three Hall of Fame passers. The ‘04 class is the nearest challenger and could one day match that number with Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Those are lofty goals to even consider for any group of rookies.

There are other serious contenders for best class in recent years. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson headline the 2018 class and the ‘20 draft with Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts has gotten off to an incredible start.

The ’24 class has the depth to make a major impact. They tied the ’83 class with six quarterbacks taken in the first round and their college resumes are considerably more impressive: Back-to-back Heisman winners in Williams and Daniels, a national champion in McCarthy and a runner-up in Penix. Nix is coming off a season in which he threw 45 TDs and just 3 INTs. Maye didn’t produce as much in college, but that’s in large part because of his supporting cast at North Carolina.

The 30 for 30 on the ’83 Draft — “Elway to Marino” — was fantastic. Someday the ’24 class will make for a great sequel. Hopefully the cameras were rolling behind the scenes in Week 1 of the preseason. Even with the limited amount of information we can gather from watching them play against backups and basic defensive schemes, their talent was on display. Here’s what jumped out with each rookie and why they’re already headed on a positive trajectory:

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: 4-for-7, 95 passing yards, 13 rushing yards

Don’t bother trying to calm down Bears fans. They’re all in on Williams and they have good reason to be. In limited time against Buffalo, Williams displayed the arm strength and the ability to make accurate throws on the run that we saw in college. The Bills weren’t putting up much resistance. But no reason to crush the optimism in Chicago. Williams enters a much better situation than fellow generational talent Elway did in Denver. Williams is surrounded by one of the most talented group of skill position players in the league. Elway threw seven TDs and 14 INTs his first season.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: 2-for-3, 45 yards passing, 3 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

One deep pass to Dyami Brown was enough for Commanders fans to feel ecstatic. According to head coach Dan Quinn, Daniels checked out of a screen play and found Brown for a 42-yard gain. Quinn described the play in movie terminology after the game: “I thought of Top Gun. ... ‘Do I have permission to buzz the tower?’” Quinn said. “No, Ghost Rider. The pattern is full. ... [Daniels] did not ask for permission. He went ahead and buzzed the tower anyway. It was a really cool play.”

Daniels’ one drive is only a small part of the story. It’s been a summer of positivity in Washington. Coaches and teammates are blown away by their rookie quarterback. Even Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner told Daniels that he was going to be “real good” after joint practices.

Like Williams, Daniels is surrounded by a more talented offensive group than you’d expect from a team that drafted No. 2 overall. The key is a revamped offensive line. If it holds up, expect Daniels to challenge Williams for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 2-for-3, 19 passing yards

The bar is a little lower for Maye, who played just one drive in New England’s preseason opener. He’s on a rebuilding team that has neglected the offense for years. Still, Maye wasn’t far behind Williams as a prospect throughout his college career and could have gone No. 1 overall in a normal draft. Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has been complimentary and they should play him more this Thursday against the Eagles.

Even if Maye is slow to develop or never succeeds, the ’24 class doesn’t need everyone to hit. Todd Blackledge went No. 7 in ’83 and threw 29 TDs and 39 INTs in his seven-year career.

Michael Penix, Atlanta Falcons: 9-for-16, 104 passing yards

No one threw a prettier pass in college than Penix and he showed he can do the same thing in the NFL – albeit just in preseason for now. He hit Chris Blair for a 41-yard pass to make up for a few mistakes he made on Friday night. Credit Penix for handling himself well in Falcons camp and making a lot of people forget the controversy over drafting him after they signed Cousins. With Cousins recovering from his Achilles injury, Penix will get a lot of run this preseason. Don’t be surprised if Cousins plays well and is still replaced by Penix in a year... just like Drew Brees with Rivers in San Diego back in ’06.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings: 11-for-17, 188 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, 18 rushing yards

McCarthy shook off an early interception and threw 45- and 33-yard touchdowns. Enough to ease the narrative that all he did was hand the ball off at Michigan and wouldn’t be able to throw the ball downfield. Even with Michigan’s conservative offense, McCarthy’s arm strength and athleticism came through. He’s better suited to put up real numbers in the NFL.

The Vikings are insistent that Sam Darnold is their starter. McCarthy is in a great spot to learn and develop under QB-friendly coach Kevin O’Connell. The highlight of the night was Jefferson’s reaction to McCarthy’s first touchdown. Jefferson is just 25 and could have several years connecting with McCarthy himself.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: 15-for-21, 125 passing yards, 1 TD, 18 rushing yards

Nix looked poised and decisive as he made his case in the quarterback battle against veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix also displayed the athleticism that defined the early part of his college career at Auburn. Nix is 24, so no surprise he’d look mature. His age was the main knock on him during the draft process. Historically, older rookie quarterbacks don’t succeed. There’s the possibility Nix just needs the right coach and right offense. He took off with Dan Lanning at Oregon and now he is well-suited for Payton’s offense.

All six of these quarterbacks could struggle in their next outing ... that’s the nature of rookies in the preseason. Keep your eye on the big picture. This class has the ingredients to make a significant mark in NFL history.

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