Best team fits for each top QB prospect in 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft could see as many as five quarterbacks go off the board in Round 1, and plenty of teams will be vying to secure one. However, as we've witnessed countless times before, the wrong situation can derail a quarterback's career before it gets off the ground.

With that, here are the best fits for the top six quarterback prospects entering April's draft. 

Caleb Williams, USC

2023 stats: 3,633 passing yards, 41 total touchdowns (30 passing, 11 rushing) and five interceptions

BEST FIT: Chicago Bears (No. 1 overall)

Chicago shouldn't squander the opportunity to draft a potentially generational prospect and reset its QB clock by further committing to Justin Fields in hopes that he continues to improve. The Bears might not provide the ideal situation for Williams to step into immediately, however, with all the assets at GM Ryan Poles' disposal and solid pieces on the roster, it wouldn't take long to turn things around. 

Additionally, Chicago's recent hiring of OC Shane Waldron would benefit Williams' development, as the ex-Seahawks play-caller was instrumental in revitalizing the careers of former castoffs Geno Smith and Jared Goff.  

Drake Maye, North Carolina 

2023 stats: 3,608 passing yards, 33 total touchdowns (24 passing, nine rushing) and nine interceptions

BEST FIT: Washington Commanders (No. 2 overall)

After a promising start to the season, Sam Howell proved why he fell to the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, as he led the league in interceptions (21). Assuming the Josh Harris-led ownership group wants to make a statement this offseason, swapping Howell out for Maye — a fellow UNC product — would be a strong starting point. 

Washington's underrated receiving corps helped Howell rack up the 12th-most passing yards in the NFL this season (3,946), and if the team revamps its dismal offensive line in free agency, Maye could produce even greater results. 

Jayden Daniels, LSU 

2023 stats: 4,946 all-purpose yards (3,812 passing, 1,134 rushing), 50 total touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) and four interceptions 

BEST FIT: Atlanta Falcons (No. 8 overall)

While Daniels could be an option for the Patriots at No. 3 overall, if Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is also available, they might not be able to pass on the talented wideout. If that's the case, there wouldn't be a better team selecting in the top 10 for Daniels to fall to than Atlanta, which frankly would be a premier destination for any quarterback prospect. 

Not only does Atlanta have the weapons to elevate the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner's game, but it will have little issue protecting him thanks to its offensive line, which ranked second in pass-blocking efficiency this season (87.4) 

Bo Nix, Oregon

2023 stats: 4,508 passing yards, 51 total touchdowns (45 passing, six rushing) and three interceptions

BEST FIT: Minnesota Vikings (No. 11 overall)

Outside of the top three signal-callers, teams will be hoping to land a viable plug-and-play starter, and Nix, who started more games than any QB in college football history (61), will be at the top of the list. 

Nix could be a fit for pretty much any team selecting in the middle of the first round with quarterback concerns but given the uncertainty surrounding Kirk Cousins' future, Minnesota seems like a perfect match. 

With his remarkable accuracy (NCAA record 77.4% completion rate in 2023), Nix would be a seamless replacement for Cousins in HC Kevin O'Connell's pass-happy offense. 

Michael Penix Jr., Washington

2023 stats: 4,903 passing yards, 39 total touchdowns (36 passing, three rushing) and 11 interceptions

BEST FIT: Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20 overall) 

Although he led the country in passing yards this season, Penix's age, injury history and lackluster performance in the College Football Playoff national championship game could lead to his draft stock plummeting. If Penix is available when the Steelers are on the clock at pick 20, they shouldn't hesitate to upgrade at quarterback. 

Despite making the playoffs this season, Pittsburgh's 25 passing touchdowns since 2022 are the fewest in the NFL, and with better quarterbacking, it could be much more than a one-and-done team in the postseason. 

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan 

2023 stats: 2,991 passing yards, 25 total touchdowns (22 passing, three rushing) and four interceptions 

BEST FIT: New York Giants (No. 39 overall) 

The Giants can get out of QB Daniel Jones' lofty contract next offseason and should think about doing so after he suffered his second career neck injury and a season-ending ACL tear. McCarthy won't be in the mix for New York's sixth overall pick due to his lack of production, but he'd be a high-upside selection with one of its two second-rounders. 

Considering Giants HC Brian Daboll went to the playoffs with Jones and won games while starting Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito this season, it'd be a disservice not to see what he could do with a national championship-winning quarterback.