Much can be learned about prospects when comparing them to previous draft classes. It provides a good unit of measurement against how strong the class is historically and can provide value when comparing them against other players we’vewe’ve seen perform on an NFL field.
It is important to note that these rankings for the 2024 rookies reflect their fantasy rankings as prospects with no landing spots and actual draft capital factored in. Let’s dive in.
Tier 1
1. Caleb Williams
(2024, USC)
Caleb Williams, who was locked in as the top overall prospect of the draft all year and followed through as the first overall pick in April, is locked into the top tier of this list. The arm talent and knack for making spectacular ad hoc plays can’tcan’t be found in this year’syear’s prospects.
Tier 2
2. Jayden Daniels
(2024, LSU)
3. Drake Maye
(2024, North Carolina)
Jayden Daniels was a late riser throughout the process, but with the fantasy upside he displayed in his final year at LSU, throwing for 3,811 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air and adding another 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, it’s not hard to see how he lands second on this list. Drake Maye put together two solid final seasons at North Carolina, earning PFF passing grades of 89.8 in 2023 and 90.8 in 2022. Maye showcased a strong, accurate arm and sneaky athleticism in the run game.
Tier 3
4. Cam Ward
(2025, Miami)
5. JJ McCarthy
(2024, Michigan)
Cam Ward leads off the third tier and earns the top spot of our 2025 quarterbacks. He’sHe’s made some big-time throws this year for Miami and shows off some impressive playmaking skills while offering some minor upside with his rushing ability as well. JJ McCarthy had a late rise up boards prior to the draft because he was underutilized at a run-first offense at Michigan, but his film showed a live arm with good decision-making with athleticism running the football.
Tier 4
6. Bo Nix
(2024, Oregon)
7. Michael Penix
(2024, Washington)
8. Shedeur Sanders
(2025, Colorado)
9. Jalen Milroe
(2025, Alabama)
Both Bo Nix and Michael Penix had outstanding seasons in 2023 that outpaced the production of the top QBs in this class. There were some concerns with their age and their histories, but Bo Nix had one of the most accurate seasons of all time with an above-average arm and underrated rushing ability, and Michael Penix showed an incredible arm with amazing accuracy along the boundaries at all levels of the field. Shedeur Sanders possesses the best arm in the class and has made some great throws this year at all levels of the field.
He is very similar to Penix as a prospect because they are both pocket passers and don’t offer much in the run game, but they are both athletic enough to break the pocket and extend plays. Jalen Milroe had a great start to the season but has regressed in recent weeks. Milroe has shown growth this year in his accuracy and processing and has the best-rushing upside in the class.
Tier 5
10. Kurtis Rourke
(2025, Indiana)
11. Jaxson Dart
(2025, Ole Miss)
12. Drew Allar
(2025, Penn State)
13. Dillon Gabriel
(2025, Oregon)
Tier 5 consists entirely of 2025 prospects, as the 2024 class was top-heavy, but 2025 has more intriguing middle-tier prospects. Kurtis Rourke is having an incredible year for Indiana and is flying under the radar. I don’t expect that to last long, as he shows off a calm demeanor and excellent processing and ball placement in film. He should rise up draft boards as we approach the draft. Jaxson Dart continues to impress this year with a 92.6 passing grade from PFF this year. He has an above-average arm and has been accurate this year, especially down the field.
He also provides some rushing upside. Drew Allar has been up and down this year, but on film has shown off some playmaking ability with a big arm and rushing ability. Allar has a good frame but might benefit from another year in college to clean up his game. Dillon Gabriel is putting together a solid season for Oregon. Gabriel has been highly accurate and throws with good anticipation, but concerns with his size land Gabriel at the end of the fifth tier.
Tier 6
14. Cade Klubnik
(2025, Clemson)
15. Carson Beck
(2025, Georgia)
16. Spencer Rattler
(2024, South Carolina)
17. Garrett Nussmeier
(2025, LSU)
Cade Klubnik has been up and down this year. Klubnik has above-average arm talent and rushing ability but has been inconsistent with his accuracy. After coming into the year as the top quarterback prospect, Carson Beck has taken a step back this year. Beck’s decision-making has been suspect, as he’s made some questionable throws against top defenses this season. Spencer Rattler was once thought of as a top draft pick but was eventually replaced after a promising start to his college career.
At South Carolina, Rattler put together some moderately productive seasons while showing off the arm talent that made him one of the top recruits coming out of high school. Garrett Nussmeier has put together a solid season for LSU this year. Nussmeier has shown he can throw with anticipation, but his accuracy has been lacking.
