How Soon Will Every 1st-Round Rookie QB Start?

The 2024 NFL draft featured a record six quarterbacks selected among the top 12 picks, but each of them landed in a unique situation, and their new surroundings will have a huge impact on how soon they'll see the field at the next level.

From a pair of Heisman Trophy winners at the top of the draft board, to a tandem of grizzled veterans, to a duo of high-upside phenoms, here's a look at how early we can expect to see this year's first-round quarterbacks taking over as their team's full-time starter:

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Caleb Williams, Bears

This is the easy one. The Bears didn't trade away Justin Fields and take Williams at No. 1 overall just to bring along the former USC star slowly. Williams was immediately crowned QB1 in Chicago, as the current management at Halas Hall is hoping they’ve finally landed their first true franchise passer in 75 years.

Not only will Williams not have to wait for the starting job, the Bears don't even have a veteran tutor elsewhere on the depth chart who could have been a potential bridge option. The rest of Chicago's QB group is fairly young, so it's clearly Williams' show from the jump.

Jayden Daniels, Commanders

Daniels is in a similar situation to his fellow Heisman alum in Williams, where he's fully expected to be the Week 1 starter as a rookie. The only difference is that Washington did bring in a veteran this offseason in Marcus Mariota, who could conceivably start at the beginning of the season if Washington wanted to be a little more patient with Daniels.

That said, the Daniels is simply too talented to keep off the field. He has a ton of starting experience under his belt from the college ranks, so he's more polished than many give him credit for coming into the league. Don't be surprised if Dan Quinn and his staff ride with their top pick from Day 1 and let him learn on the job instead of waiting behind Mariota for any stretch of time.

Drake Maye, Patriots

There’s no denying Maye has the talent that would have gotten him drafted No. 1 overall in just about any other class. That makes him a potential steal for the Pats, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be starting right away like Williams or Daniels. Maye is still fairly raw when it comes to the finer points of playing the game’s most important position, which is probably why New England brought back veteran Jacoby Brissett this offseason.

Brissett is the perfect veteran to serve as a bridge starter for his old team, showing Maye the ropes and allowing the former Tar Heel to develop at his own pace instead of being thrown into the fire too early. It's still likely we see Maye take over at some point during his rookie season, but there are no expectations of playoff contention in New England this year, so it won't be shocking if that happens later than sooner.

Michael Penix Jr., Falcons

Perhaps the most confusing pick of this year's entire first round, the Falcons spent a top-10 selection on Penix after handing a massive contract to veteran Kirk Cousins in free agency. It's hard to blame any team for wanting to have a quality succession plan under center, but Penix is an older prospect who is ready to start right away, and that won't happen unless Cousins suffers another serious injury.

Penix has a ton of starting experience and put up huge numbers over the past two seasons at Washington, but now he'll have to wait until the Cousins era is over in Atlanta before he gets a chance to prove himself at the next level. Barring injury, it's not unfathomable to think we could go two full seasons without seeing Penix as the Falcons' full-time starter.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings

One of the most polarizing prospects in this year's draft, there was buzz all throughout April that McCarthy could end up being a top-3 pick. Instead, he landed in Minnesota after a one-slot trade-up, where he'll be able to develop slowly in a fantastic offensive scheme that's loaded with elite weapons. The Vikings signed Sam Darnold to be their immediate starter, which should give them plenty of time to patiently bring McCarthy along.

Having just turned 21 and coming out of a run-heavy offense at Michigan, it could take some time for McCarthy to maximize his skill set and potential. Once he's ready to take over, though, Kevin O'Connell's system and the presence of pass-catchers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson will help him reach his ceiling, even if that doesn't happen this year.

Bo Nix, Broncos

Sitting at No. 12 overall with five quarterbacks already off the board, the Broncos may have panicked a bit by taking Nix, but they were desperate for an upgrade at quarterback. Nix may not have the elite physical tools or high-end upside of other top passers in this class, but he's an efficient and experienced player who should fit well in Sean Payton's offense.

Despite being the last of this year's first-round quarterbacks, Nix faces an easy path to the starting job, if only by default. Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson will be his competition, and beating them out shouldn't be a tall task. His ability to digest the playbook in training camp will go a long way toward deciding whether or not he's the Week 1 starter, but it won't take long before it's his job.

Related: 2025 NFL Mock Draft Update: Quinn Ewers, Shedeur Sanders Headline Early First-Round Forecast

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