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Five NFL Teams Who Could Be Drafting a Quarterback Next Offseason
Photo: Nov 11, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) drops back to pass against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Five NFL Teams Who Could Be Drafting a Quarterback Next Offseason

College football fans know we could be looking at a special quarterback class for the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is the heavy favourite on the odds to be drafted first overall. But some guys like Drake Maye, Shadeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Michael Penix Jr. could ascend draft boards and be early first-round picks. But what teams will likely be picking from this elite class?

On gambling sites, several teams are projected to have high picks in the draft. But which ones need a quarterback? Let's look at some teams that could pick from this elite crop of college passers.

Arizona Cardinals

On most betting sites, the Arizona Cardinals are the favourite to have the first pick in the draft. The team's offence looks horrendous, with Josh Dobbs piloting the group while Kyler Murray recovers from injury. And they also have the Houston Texans' first-round pick for this draft. If the Cardinals are there early, they likely won't pass up the opportunity to draft Caleb Williams. Williams is a special prospect and will be much cheaper than Kyler Murray for the next few years. The Cardinals will likely deal Murray this offseason and proceed with one of the top-rated passers from this year's QB class.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Many thought the Buccaneers would be one of the league's worst teams this year, and they surprised fans by edging out the Minnesota Vikings in week one. Still, most sportsbooks have very low odds of the Buccaneers contending this year. Quarterback Baker Mayfield will have a full season to prove himself, and he looked good against the Vikings. But we've seen Mayfield squander his chances before. If the Buccaneers have an early pick, they could be looking to usher in a new era. They'll likely select one of the young quarterbacks that draft analysts believe to have significant upside.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders have not had a stable option at quarterback for several years. They are rolling the dice this season with Sam Howell, a 5th-round pick last year. Howell is young and could prove better than expectations. The team is clearly behind him. However, heads will roll if the Commanders don't make the playoffs this season and Howell doesn't show himself as a potential star. They have a new owner and will likely want to make a splash with a flashy addition. The talent is there for this team with the right passer.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are in a similar position to the Commanders. They are rolling into this year with an unheralded second-year passer, hoping he can steer them into legitimate playoff status. Desmond Ridder was a good college quarterback, but will he be the guy in the NFL? The Falcons have top-end playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London. They have invested in their offence. If they don’t think that Ridder is the guy to steer the ship, they will look elsewhere. This would be a dream situation for a player like Shadeur Sanders, whose father played in Atlanta.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have an answer at quarterback with Kirk Cousins. He is a solid starter and maybe even a top-ten quarterback. But the team hasn't proceeded far with him, and he is being paid a fortune. Cousins is also 35, so the Vikings might have to start thinking about the future. If the team can't make a splash in the playoffs this season, there is a likelihood that ownership will start to consider a new passer. They may keep Cousins for another year to lead the way for the quarterback they draft. Either way, there is a real possibility of a new QB in Minnesota.

Quarterback Quandaries: A Draft to Define Decades

The 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a memorable year for quarterback talent. As teams position themselves in a strategic landscape, they're keeping a keen eye on the emerging talents. For franchises like the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings, the future under center is a compelling narrative. While some are looking for a much-needed change and others for a glimpse into a post-veteran future, one thing is certain: the decisions made in this draft could pivot the fortunes of these teams for years to come. As the season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see which directions these franchises choose to take.