Bucs Draft 2024 Preview + Bucs Finest Bets: QBs

Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2024 NFL Draft with its place previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official vitality drink of Pewter Report. Matt Matera begins the previews with the quarterback place, giving a complete take a look at what the Bucs have and what they want at quarterback.

Matera additionally supplies an in depth checklist of this yr’s high quarterbacks whereas Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds gives up the Bucs draft wants and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Finest Bets – the most probably working again for the Bucs to pick out in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Quarterback

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA In the present day

The primary focus of the Bucs’ 2024 offseason was about re-signing the workforce’s personal gamers and beginning quarterback Baker Mayfield was on the high of that checklist. Tampa Bay signed Mayfield to a three-year, $100 million cope with $50 million assured. It’s a reward for Mayfield, who revived his profession with the Bucs by throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns as Tampa Bay made it to the second spherical of the postseason.

He additionally earned MVP in his first Professional Bowl look. The hope is that one other yr in an identical offense and persevering with to work with the likes of Mike Evans and others, Mayfield can proceed to construct upon what he achieved in 2023.

Backing up Mayfield is Kyle Trask, a former second-round choose who’s coming into a contract yr. Trask stays a little bit of an enigma, as he didn’t win the beginning function final yr and has had little or no taking part in time over his profession as a result of well being of Tom Brady in Trask’s first two years with the workforce and Mayfield’s well being final season. This might be Trask’s final yr in Tampa Bay until he has an amazing preseason that makes the Bucs take into consideration re-signing him.

Third-string quarterback John Wolford is again on one other one-year deal as he is aware of new offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s very properly from their time along with the Los Angeles Rams.

What The Bucs Want At Quarterback

The necessity at QB principally is dependent upon how the Bucs view their room when it comes to the backup quarterbacks. In the event that they wish to transfer on from Kyle Trask, it will make sense to take an opportunity on a quarterback within the center rounds to convey him into their system this yr and develop him. Ought to Tampa Bay be content material with Trask as the first backup for this season and so they’re not in love with anybody on this yr’s draft, then the workforce may not choose one in any respect.

On account of the truth that solely $50 million of Baker Mayfield’s $100 million contract is assured, that is actually extra of a two-year deal than a three-year dedication. This offers the Bucs the chance to get out of the deal if Mayfield begins to say no in that timeframe earlier than attending to the ultimate yr of his deal.

It might be useful if the Bucs may discover a quarterback this yr that might exchange Mayfield down the street after watching and studying from him for a few seasons. However Tampa Bay can at all times revisit that state of affairs in subsequent yr’s draft.

Prime Quarterbacks In 2024 NFL Draft

1.  USC QB Caleb Williams – Junior – 6-1, 214, N/A

The consensus first total choose, Williams spent a yr at Oklahoma earlier than going to USC and taking part in one other two seasons, following his coach Lincoln Riley. Williams has all the talents as a quarterback with an immense quantity of expertise. He has eager consciousness, and arm expertise for days with the power to make each throw. He additionally makes an attempt these throws at totally different arm angles as he’s at all times seeking to make performs with out placing the workforce in hurt’s means.

Williams gained the Heisman Trophy in his first yr with USC. It was an unbelievable season during which he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns to simply 5 interceptions and rushed for 382 yards with 10 dashing touchdowns. In his three-year profession he has 10,082 passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 960 dashing yards and 27 scores on the bottom. Williams goes to Bears as the highest choose within the draft.

2. UNC QB Drake Maye – RS Sophomore – 6-4, 223, N/A

North Carolina QB Drake Maye – Photograph by: USA In the present day

Maye has the scale that groups need in a quarterback. He’s agile sufficient to make throws on the run and has a fast launch to maneuver the ball down the sphere with correct throws. Maye comes from an athletic household, as he has a brother that performed briefly within the NBA whereas one other was a pitcher at Florida. His dad, Mark, performed quarterback at North Carolina and spent a bit of time with the Bucs within the NFL.

Whereas Maye can sling it, he is aware of find out how to put contact on the ball as properly. The problem he runs into is at occasions he can play with reckless abandon making an attempt to make a play and clear up the workforce’s issues in a single play when that’s not practical. Maye skilled two totally different offenses with the Tarheels – the primary being one that might simply throw it on a regular basis. The subsequent was when Maye labored with former Bucs’ QBs coach Clyde Christenesen, who turned UNC’s offensive coordinator. This was a extra NFL model balanced offense. Maye excelled in every scenario. He completed his profession with 8,018 passing yards and 63 touchdowns.

3. LSU QB Jayden Daniels – Senior – 6-4, 210, N/A

The reigning Heisman Trophy Winner in school soccer, Daniels is as electrical because it will get as a quarterback. He’s a nightmare for opposing defenses along with his dual-threat skill as a runner and a passer. As quickly as defenders suppose they’ve him for a sack Daniels is ready to escape and make the large play. Daniels is not only a run-first quarterback, although along with his explosive skill it will be tough to not be. He has an inside clock and is aware of when stress is coming and brings an excessive amount of intangibles to the following stage.

Daniels is prepared to make all of the throws even into tight spots. He doesn’t at all times make the most effective reads as a passer and likewise benefited from an amazing receiver group at LSU. Whereas sturdy in his profession, Daniels has a skinny body, which can trigger some concern in opposition to NFL defensive linemen. He spent three seasons at Arizona State and one other two at LSU. In his Heisman season, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns to go together with 1,134 dashing yards on 135 makes an attempt and 10 touchdowns.

4. Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy – 6-2, 219, N/A

McCarthy was the chief underneath middle on Michigan’s nationwide championship workforce. On a workforce loaded with expertise in every single place, McCarthy guided the offense and saved them on tempo all through their nice run. There’s no query that Michigan was a run-heavy workforce, however when known as upon McCarthy confirmed toughness and poise as a participant. He was nice underneath stress within the Rose Bowl in opposition to Alabama, getting the Wolverines a rating late within the sport to ship the sport into additional time. In different phrases, he’s a gamer.

McCarthy is huge on third downs and makes a number of the short-to-intermediate throws which are vital. He doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, so throws his deep balls could be a factor to fret about. He has an excessive amount of expertise as a three-year starter, going for six,226 yards and 49 touchdowns in his profession.

5. Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. – RS Senior – 6-2, 216, 4.58

Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photograph by: USA In the present day

Bucs followers will know Penix properly as he’s an area product who performed his highschool soccer in Dade Metropolis and Tampa. Penix Jr. started his profession at Indiana, the place he performed for 4 years and accomplished 59.4% of his passes for 4,197 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. However he suffered 4 season-ending accidents with the Hoosiers, together with two torn ACLs and two shoulder accidents.

Penix transferred to Washington in 2022, the place he guided the Huskies to an undefeated season final yr and a 37-31 playoff win over Texas earlier than shedding to undefeated Michigan, 34-13, within the nationwide championship sport. Penix accomplished 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and was solely sacked 11 occasions final season. In his first yr at Washington in 2022, Penix accomplished 66% of his passes for 4,354 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Penix, who’s a lefty quarterback, must work on his contact, however can throw it deep down the sphere.

6. Oregon QB Bo Nix – RS Senior – 6-2, 214, N/A

One other quarterback who has historical past at two totally different locations. Nix started his profession taking part in three seasons for Auburn adopted by his final two seasons with Oregon. Nix is an correct thrower with an amazing body as a quarterback. That enables him to increase performs when attainable and nonetheless make the precise play within the air.

At occasions Nix will get frantic and scrap all of his reads. He has to play inside his fundamentals or else all of it goes haywire. Between the 2 colleges he had 15,352 passing yards and 113 touchdowns with 1,613 dashing yards and 38 touchdowns over 5 seasons.

7. South Carolina Spencer Rattler – RS Senior – 6-1, 211, 4.95

The previous Oklahoma quarterback mounted some vital components of his sport over the previous two seasons at South Carolina and lived as much as his huge potential. Rattler accomplished 68.5% of his passes for 10,807 yards with 77 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in school.

He has wonderful arm expertise as a thrower, at all times seeking to transfer the ball down the sphere. He has the arm energy to take action and can be affected person sufficient to let the performs develop. Rattler doesn’t essentially transfer too properly within the pocket and can chuck the ball round throwing foolish interceptions. There’s additionally some questions on his persona in making performs for him over the workforce, however the expertise going to totally different colleges ought to have humbled him a bit.

8. Tulane QB Michael Pratt – Senior – 6-4, 217, N/A

Tulane QB Michael Pratt – Photograph by: USA In the present day

Pratt has the fame for being a winner, and his report as a starter the final two seasons at Tulane was a exceptional 21-3. He went 11-2 as a starter in 2022, serving to Tulane end ninth within the remaining AP ballot. Final yr, he missed the Ole Miss sport on account of a knee damage, however went 10-1 as a starter for the 11-3 Inexperienced Wave. Whereas he has an NFL-caliber arm, he doesn’t have elite arm energy. Pratt’s accuracy did enhance all through his profession, together with from 63.6% as a junior to 65.4% as a senior.

Pratt just isn’t a prolific passer, as he solely had 5 300-yard video games in his 45 profession begins. However what he does properly is put factors on the board and keep away from turnovers. A powerful play-action passer, Pratt handed for 90 touchdowns and simply 26 interceptions at Tulane. His final two seasons have been unbelievable, as he threw 27 touchdowns and simply 5 interceptions in 2022, whereas passing for 22 TDs and solely 5 INTs final season. He didn’t take pleasure in a real QBs coach at Tulane and went by way of 4 totally different offensive coordinators. Pratt is a pure chief who may develop right into a beginning function and ultimately succeed Mayfield in Tampa Bay.

9. Florida State QB Jordan Travis – RS Senior – 6-1, 200, N/A

Travis was top-of-the-line quarterbacks in school soccer and within the working for the Heisman Trophy final season till a grotesque damage ended his season. That additionally ended Florida State’s hopes of constructing it to the school soccer playoff, because the committee valued one participant over the entire workforce regardless of the Seminoles going undefeated. Travis has improbable mobility and escapability within the pocket, continually conserving his eyes down area to seek out the open receivers. He can run to create performs and can do it, however it’s not at all times his first alternative. He makes correct throws and is aware of find out how to keep calm, cool and picked up even in excessive stress conditions.

The knock on Travis is arm energy. He doesn’t throw with a ton of zip on the ball, particularly down area regardless of having two nice receivers. We’ll must see how Travis recovers from his damage, however he appears to be on the mend. Travis had 8,715 passing yards, 66 touchdowns, 1,950 dashing yards and 31 touchdowns in his profession.

10. Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman – 6-1, 211, 4.80

Spending six years on the collegiate soccer stage, Hartman has a wealth of expertise between 5 seasons at Wake Forest and one at Notre Dame. Hartman has a excessive soccer IQ, placing nice contact on his passes. He has that typical management high quality that groups search for of their beginning quarterback.

With that mentioned, Hartman lacks true arm energy and tends to fold underneath stress when the pocket collapses round him. He’s cellular, however doesn’t have escapability that one would need. Hartman had a great exhibiting on the Senior Bowl to assist out his case throughout this draft season. In his lengthy profession, Hartman racked up 15,656 passing yards over six seasons with 134 passing touchdowns to go together with 978 dashing yards and 20 dashing touchdowns.

Finest Of The Relaxation

11. Tennessee QB Joe Milton III  – RS Senior – 6-5, 246, 4.62

Milton has nice measurement and a cannon of an arm that was proven off at his professional day with a 70-yard throw. However professional days are set as much as make their gamers look good and throwing in opposition to air with no defenders round you doesn’t actually show a lot. Milton was benched in 2021 after two video games the place Hendon Hooker took over. He didn’t begin once more till Hooker tore his ACL in 2022 and went into the NFL draft that yr, giving Milton the possibility to start out once more within the 2023 season.

Milton is a one-read sort of quarterback that holds onto the ball means too lengthy. That was very current on the Senior Bowl in 7-on-7 and 11-11 drills. Whereas he has nice bodily traits, he lacks the intangibles of a productive quarterback. In his profession Milton has handed for five,353 yards and 37 touchdowns alongside 661 dashing yards and 12 touchdowns.

12. Kentucky QB Devin Leary – RS Senior – 6-1, 215, N/A

Kentucky QB Devin Leary – Photograph by: USA In the present day

There’s a direct connection between Leary and the Bucs with offensive coordinator Liam Coen being his coordinator at Kentucky. Leary had an up-and-down profession at North Carolina State on account of some accidents earlier than transferring to Kentucky the place he performed for Coen final season. His finest season was in 2021 when he threw for 3,433 yards with 35 touchdowns and 5 interceptions for the Wolfpack. A season-ending damage shortened his senior yr in 2022 earlier than he moved on to interchange Will Levis at Kentucky.

Whereas Leary solely accomplished 56.3% of his passes for the Wildcats, he did throw for two,746 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in Coen’s offense. Leary lacks the perfect measurement for the NFL, but is similar measurement as Baker Mayfield. The truth that he has familiarity with Coen’s offense is a plus, and he has a fairly robust arm.

13. Western Kentucky QB Austen Reed – RS Senior – 6-1, 220, 4.82

Reed has been across the block having gone to 3 totally different colleges in his school profession, which was redshirting at Southern Illinois, adopted by transferring to West Florida after which Western Kentucky. He led the Convention USA in passing yards with 3,40 yards in his final season on the college.

Reed is aware of find out how to lead receivers by making the correct throws and is usually correct with it. He’s snug transferring within the pocket and isn’t afraid to throw into tight home windows. That’ll get him into bother at occasions as he’ll flip the ball over with pricey choices. Whereas his arm energy isn’t too unhealthy, it’s not the strongest of the group.

14. BYU QB Kedon Slovis – RS Senior – 6-2, 223, 4.55

That is one other skilled quarterback that has performed at many locations as Slovis has performed 5 years of school soccer for USC, Pittsburgh and BYU. He had many gifted receivers at USC, together with Amon-Ra St. Brown, however total was very inconsistent. He was a great chief, although, as Slovis was a workforce captain in any respect three stops.

Slovis has good mechanics and stable arm energy. He can’t actually lengthen performs a lot and desires expertise round him to succeed. He threw for 11,689 yards and 80 touchdowns in his profession.

15. South Alabama QB Carter Bradley – RS Senior – 6-3, 213, 4.82

Bradley acquired an invitation to the Senior Bowl this yr however that was as a result of his college is instantly within the space the place the sport is held. He initially hung out at Toldeo earlier than transferring to South Alabama. Bradley is aware of find out how to undergo his progressions in a correct quantity of timing to seek out the open thoughts. Pocket consciousness isn’t to be fearful about.

He has a little bit of a slower supply that’ll want to hurry up on the NFL stage. Bradley can put velocity behind the ball however isn’t correct when he does so. Over his school profession Brandy had 8,373 passing yards and 61 touchdowns.

16. Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa – RS Senior – 5-11, 185, N/A

Taulia is the youthful brother of Dolphins staring quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Whereas sharing in a few related traits as his brother, Taulia primarily performed in an RPO system at Maryland after transferring from Alabama. Tagovailoa is correct sufficient and has stable fundamentals.

He simply doesn’t have the bodily capabilities that swimsuit properly for the NFL and didn’t carry out properly within the post-season all-star sport. Tagovailoa had 11,256 passing yards by way of 5 seasons. He additionally had 76 touchdowns.

17. John Rhys Plumlee – RS Senior – 6-0, 203, 4.51

Plumlee had an area pre-draft exercise with the Bucs. He initially performed at Ole Miss earlier than transferring to UCF the place he was a workforce captain and honorable point out All-Large XII. Plumlee is a usually inconsistent quarterback that has inaccuracy throwing and making choices on when to dish the ball.

He’s a dual-threat quarterback that has a number of curiosity, in order that can provide groups some curiosity. Plumlee threw for five,838 yards and 34 passing touchdowns. On the bottom he ran for two,556 yards and scored 28 occasions in his profession.

Bucs’ Finest Bets: Quarterback

Bucs’ Finest Guess – Rounds 1-3: South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

If the Bucs are going to draft a quarterback on Day 2 it’s most probably going to be Rattler, whose sport and profession arc resembles that of Baker Mayfield’s. Rattler, like Mayfield, needed to overcome some questionable components about his fame and has redeemed himself over the previous season with an excellent yr at South Carolina and an amazing exhibiting on the Senior Bowl. Each Rattler and Mayfield have related builds at 6-foot-1, 215 kilos and have cannons for arms whereas being cellular, however not overly quick. Drafting Rattler would enable the Bucs to have him sit and be taught from Mayfield whereas he competes with Kyle Trask for the backup QB spot.

Bucs’ Finest Guess – Rounds 4-7: Tulane QB Michael Pratt

If Tampa Bay drafts a quarterback on Day 3 it will most probably be both Pratt or Kentucky’s Devin Leary, who performed for Liam Coen at Kentucky final yr. However Pratt’s benefit, apart from being a taller, extra athletic quarterback, is the contact that he can placed on passes and the truth that he’s a winner. Pratt’s management and playmaking skill turned Tulane right into a Prime 25 workforce the previous two seasons. He’s a gamer who is very aggressive and does what it takes to win. Whereas he solely has above common arm energy, Pratt has a number of intangibles to love and can be a stable choose within the fourth spherical.