Analyst pins potential sixth-round QB selection for Buccaneers ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

There's plenty of talk about who is at the top at quarterback in what looks to be a rich class at the position in the 2024 NFL Draft, but there's talent to be found in some of the potential later-round selections as well.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one team that could use one of their final picks of the event to select a signal-caller. NFL analyst Phil Simms has them doing just that in the sixth round, taking former Kentucky and North Carolina State passer Devin Leary.

Simms noted Leary as a potential sleeper prospect who has the upside to be a starting NFL quarterback.

“Man, aggressive thrower. Big throws down the field a lot. Very strong arm, I thought,” Simms said. “And just, you know, he played at Kentucky — it doesn’t matter, I’m judging him, not the team. But he caught my eyes. That was one of the first ones along with (University of Tennessee QB) Joe Milton that caught my eyes.”

Simms continued to praise Leary's live arm, the trait he's been perhaps most commended for by scouts in the pre-draft process.

“(Leary) can really let it go. He can be on the right hash and throw outcuts all the way to the left sideline. Maybe too aggressive. I think it was Missouri he was playing, they were a better team than Kentucky,” Simms said. “His decision making was horrendous. He threw three interceptions and every one of them was like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ But moves around better than I thought."

Leary was pinned as a potential darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate at one point in his career at NC State, pursuing a change of scenery in the transfer portal to Kentucky ahead of the 2023 season.

He had his fair share of ups and downs, though it could be argued he didn't have the proper pieces around him to truly set him up for success in what proved to be an overall down year for the Wildcats.

Leary finished out the 2023 season with a 56.3% completion rate, throwing for 2,746 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Where he lands in the draft -- whether that's with the Bucs or not -- will the something worth keeping an eye on.