In the build-up to the NFL Draft later this month, Action Network welcomed in former NFL quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Kurt Benkert to break down the QB class of 2024.
The duo discussed the top six quarterback prospects, and their breakdowns will be released every weekday at 4 p.m. ET on Action Network's YouTube channel, starting Friday, April 12, with Caleb Williams.
We'll give you a taste of what's coming with Part 1, which features Manziel and Benkert's rankings of this year's class of rookie quarterbacks. Check out their rankings below, along with the full video.
NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings
Johnny Manziel
1
Caleb Williams
I have Caleb completely solidified at the top — you know, winning the Heisman as a junior, everything he's done, coming back with all the scrutiny to come and still play really, really high-level football.
The questions have been answered for me on him a long time ago. I think Jayden Daniels is late to that conversation on who's the best quarterback in this draft class. And it has nothing to do with Jayden and everything to do with Caleb.
So for me, looking at it, I have Caleb Williams at No. 1.
2
Michael Penix Jr.
I have Penix at No. 2, just based on everything we've talked about here. I think the guy's a stud. I think he's going to be a game-changer for an organization.
I'm seeing the way that he's moving through his Instagram socials and certain things right now, and I'm not getting too hyped off what people post online. But just in the time that I've really, really watched this guy, I couldn't be higher on him.
So for me, he's No. 2.
3
Jayden Daniels
I have Jayden Daniels at No. 3 — another Heisman Trophy winner, another stud who's going to be really, really good in the league.
At four, I have Drake Maye. And that's really where our only differences right now are — between four, five and six of where this list is. But your four, your five and your six are completely in the same place.
4
Drake Maye
5
J.J. McCarthy
6
Bo Nix
I have Drake Maye at four simply because, you know, I didn't watch a lot of ACC football. I didn't see this guy ever get a chance to go on to prime-time games and really have a crunch-time moment that I feel is missing from his game. That's a huge question mark that I don't have with J.J. McCarthy, who I have ranked five.
To me, on my list from a QB perspective, he's not even in the category of conversation with Williams, Penix or Daniels.
I have McCarthy at five. I think he's a leader, I think he's a national champion, I think he's a guy who's going to work hard, who has an unbelievable amount of knowledge based on his time with an NFL coach in Jim Harbaugh.
Then I had Bo Nix at No. 6, just strictly because of how the list goes. Somebody has to be at the bottom of this pecking order. I think he had a season last year that's as good as Heisman seasons in the past.
I think he made a very strong case and a strong argument to have been deserving of winning that award this past December. I think his NFL talent is there and he will get his opportunity. Hopefully, it'll be getting a chance somewhere where he doesn't have a lot of expectations and pressure thrust upon him.
Kurt Benkert
1
Jayden Daniels
2
Caleb Williams
I’ve changed my rankings probably every day depending on what time of the day it is, especially on Nos. 3-6.
It’s really 1A and 1B. I like Jayden's play style more, but that's a flavor for me vs. thinking he's necessarily the better player. So, for all intents and purposes, I'm going to go Jayden at one, Caleb at two, even though I know they're going to be drafted opposite.
3
Michael Penix Jr.
Three, for me, has been J.J. McCarthy for a minute, but I don't think it's him. I think Penix is my No. 3 because I think he does things other guys can't.
If you're going to rank them accordingly, you have to go with that. You just can't discount his natural ability to be as accurate as he is and to push it downfield, and you need that in the NFL.
4
J.J. McCarthy
Then, I'm looking at McCarthy. I'm going to go forward with him because I really like the intangibles of what he can do with the ball in his hands in critical situations.
5
Bo Nix
With me, how I like to rank guys, I'm going to go Bo Nix at five. I love Nix; I think he's pro-ready. I think he can fit into a lot of different schemes and distribute the ball.
I kind of see him playing as a cleaner version of what Sam Howell did last year with the Commanders. When Howell took care of the football last year, he was making plays and slinging it all over the field. He was leading the NFL in passing for most of the year, and then the turnovers started coming, and he got benched. I see Nix as having that type of ability.
6
Drake Maye
And then I look at Maye, and I think I have too many question marks about what I know is going to be asked of him at the NFL level.
That's not to say he's not the No. 1 draft pick in a Kenny Pickett class at quarterback, but I think in this stacked class right now with all the different blends of these guys, I'm going to put Maye at No. 6 because it's just not my flavor.
