Analyst has intriguing NFL player comparisons for draft's top QBs

Caleb Williams. Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst has intriguing NFL player comparisons for 2024 draft's top three QBs

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/22/24

It’s expected that USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels will be the first three quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.

As scouts pour over hours of film on each and prepare to evaluate their every move at the 2024 NFL Combine next week, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently released his list of the 16 draft prospects who have a true first-round grade, complete with player comparisons for each.

Miller believes the 22-year-old Williams, who threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, is similar to New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers.

“Williams combines excellent arm strength, mobility and field vision with a knack for making creative plays when defenses close in on the pocket,” Miller wrote. “…The NFL-style playmaking and jaw-dropping passing ability has scouts calling him a rare prospect. What he's able to do on second-effort plays is impressive.”

We want to see the next Mahomes in Caleb Williams .

He may fulfill that but I think the aspirational comparison more fitting is Aaron Rodgers.

Who also did this well to a limited extent between bouts of reckless decisions?

Jay Cutler
Jeff George
Drew Lock

Perspective. pic.twitter.com/69fUKkvIwb
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) January 12, 2024

Miller compared Maye, who threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions and is projected to go second overall, to Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert.

“Maye is poised in the pocket but also mobile when necessary,” Miller added. “And he has proven the past two seasons that he's capable of putting a team on his back with awesome arm talent and the toughness to pick up difficult yards as a runner.”

"I think they get Drake Maye. I think he's like Justin Herbert as a comp... and will be better than people think immediately."

The Commanders win the NFC East in @ColinCowherd's early 2024 playoff predictions pic.twitter.com/tLmyTalHkq
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 16, 2024

Daniels had a breakout 2023, throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions while rushing for 1,134 yards and another 10 scores en route to winning the Heisman Memorial Trophy.

His dual-threat ability is not only appealing to many teams, but it’s also why Miller believes Daniels’ pro comparison is Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.

“Daniels is not only the draft's best deep-ball thrower — he had a 99.6 QBR targeting vertical routes — he's also the most dangerous runner among the quarterbacks,” Miller stated.

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