Which of NFL's 32 teams are threats to draft a QB in 2024?
Whether the Minnesota Vikings go after a quarterback this offseason – you know, the guy who ultimately replaces Kirk Cousins – depends on a lot of a variables. Will a coveted QB fall in the draft? Do the Vikings have the ammo to trade up for a QB in the draft? Is the Lamar Jackson stuff real? Trey Lance?
All of those variables will be resolved in the near future, though a forward-thinking front office will undoubtedly have a good idea of how many teams will be looking for a franchise QB in the 2024 draft, which will help this year's decision.
We've scoured the roster situation for all 32 teams and have labeled them as:
- Yes (they could easily draft a QB in 2024)
- No (they almost certainly won't draft a QB in 2024)
- Maybe (it could go either way)
- Doubtful (a lot would have to go wrong for them to draft a QB in 2024)
Right now, it appears there are eight teams more likely than the rest to be in the market to pick a quarterback early in the 2024 draft: Bucs, Commanders, Falcons, Patriots, Rams, Ravens, Titans and Vikings. We have eight teams in the 'Maybe' category, nine teams 'Doubtful' and seven teams are obviously in a 'No' situation.
Let's go team-by-team...
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys – Doubtful
- QB1: Dak Prescott
- QB2: Cooper Rush
- QB3: Will Grier
Synopsis: Prescott has two years left on his deal and reports suggest he'll receive an extension sooner than later. That would take them out of the QB market in 2024.
Washington Commanders – Yes
- QB1: Sam Howell
- QB2: Jacoby Brissett
- QB3: Jake Fromm
Synopsis: They say they're committed to Howell, but with little money tied to the QB position they could be a threat to draft a quarterback this year and again next year if Howell doesn't meet expectations.
Philadelphia Eagles – No
- QB1: Jalen Hurts
- QB2: Marcus Mariota
- QB3: Ian Book
Synopsis: No need to look for a quarterback unless Hurts suffers a long-term injury.
New York Giants – Doubtful
- QB1: Daniel Jones
- QB2: Tyrod Taylor
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Jones just signed a four-year, $160 million contract. They're set, though if Jones is as wishy-washy with his performances in 2023 has he has been historically, there could be calls for changes.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings – Yes
- QB1: Kirk Cousins
- QB2: Nick Mullens
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Cousins has one year left on his deal and he's about to turn 35 years old. Without an extension, the Vikings need to address future QB concerns either through a trade or the draft, be it this year or next.
Green Bay Packers – Maybe
- QB1: Jordan Love
- QB2: Danny Etling
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: The Packers are always a threat to draft a quarterback and unless Love impresses and earns a contract extension (he's a free agent in 2025) they could very well be looking at QB options in Round 1 next year. Of course, this is all under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will be a New York Jet.
Chicago Bears – Doubtful
- QB1: Justin Fields
- QB2: PJ Walker
- QB3: Nathan Peterman
Synopsis: Fields is the go-to-guy in Chicago in 2023, it appears. But if he struggles with a better roster around him, the Bears wouldn't surprise anyone if they're in the market for a replacement. For now, however, they're not the most realistic QB-needy team in 2024.
Detroit Lions – Maybe
- QB1: Jared Goff
- QB2: Nate Sudfeld
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Detroit is another team that has been linked to Lamar Jackson in the rumor mill, but they also have the 6th and 18th picks in this year's draft, giving them ammo if they want to take a QB this year. Jared Goff is under contract for two more years and he's only 28 years old, so they could ride the Goff train for another half decade if they wanted to.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Yes
- QB1: Baker Mayfield
- QB2: Kyle Trask
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Mayfield is on a one-year, prove-it deal with the Bucs, who own the 19th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. They look like a team destined to draft a QB in 2024.
New Orleans Saints – Doubtful
- QB1: Derek Carr
- QB2: Jameis Winston
- QB3: Jake Luton
Synopsis: Carr has a new contract with the Saints so they'll certainly give him a couple of years to prove himself in a new city.
Atlanta Falcons – Yes
- QB1: Taylor Heinicke
- QB2: Desmond Ridder
- QB3: Logan Woodside, Felipe Franks
Synopsis: Heinicke is on a cheap two-year contract and Ridder is on a rookie deal but he just might not be good enough to start in the NFL. If they don't take a QB with the 8th pick in this year's draft, there's a very strong chance they're aiming for a QB next offseason.
Carolina Panthers – Doubtful
- QB1: TBD
- QB2: Andy Dalton
- QB3: Matt Corral, Jacob Eason
Synopsis: The Panthers are undoubtedly taking a QB with the No. 1 pick in the April 27 draft, which means they are highly unlikely to be looking for a new QB in 2024.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers – Maybe
- QB1: Trey Lance
- QB2: Sam Darnold
- QB3: Brock Purdy
Synopsis: Purdy's injury might keep him out the entire 2023 season, but the 49ers all but given him the starting job in the future. Lance and Darnold are currently expected to fight for the starting job this coming season unless the Niners pull off a trade for a veteran bridge QB. Any ideas who that could be?
Seattle Seahawks – Maybe
- QB1: Geno Smith
- QB2: Drew Lock
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Smith just got a three-year contract worth $75 million so he's there guy in 2023. But he is 33 years old and has just one season of quality play under his belt, so this could go sideways in a hurry. And with the 5th pick in the draft this year, they could draft his future replacement. If they don't take a QB this year, they would be a candidate to draft one next year.
Los Angeles Rams – Yes
- QB1: Matthew Stafford
- QB2: TBD
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: They don't own their first-round pick this year (6th overall) and Stafford is on his last leg, which means they are a prime candidate to draft a QB early in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals – Doubtful
- QB1: Kyler Murray
- QB2: Colt McCoy
- QB3: David Blough
Synopsis: Murray is on a big contract through 2028 and coming off a torn ACL he's still the starting QB of the future, even with new head coach Jonathan Gannon. If Murray doesn't fit with Gannon's plans, they could be looking to draft a QB in 2024 but that won't be known until later.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills – No
- QB1: Josh Allen
- QB2: Kyle Allen
- QB3: Matt Barkley
Synopsis: Josh Allen is the man in Buffalo and that isn't changing anytime soon.
New York Jets – Maybe
- QB1: Aaron Rodgers
- QB2: Zach Wilson
- QB3: Chris Streveler
Synopsis: If you think there's any doubt Rodgers will be traded to the Jets, just read this. That said, Rodgers turns 40 in December and the Jets, assuming they get Rodgers, will need to search for his replacement sooner than later.
New England Patriots – Yes
- QB1: Mac Jones
- QB2: Bailey Zappe
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Rumored to be shopping Jones, the Patriots certainly could be in the mix for a QB in 2024.
Miami Dolphins – Maybe
- QB1: Tua Tagovailoa
- QB2: Mike White
- QB3: Skylar Thompson
Synopsis: If healthy, Tagovailoa is the man in Miami. But his career was in jeopardy after significant concussions this past season, and if he suffers more brain injuries in 2023, then Miami may be forced to look for a new QB in the draft or elsewhere.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals – No
- QB1: Joe Burrow
- QB2: Jake Browning
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Joe Burrow isn't going anywhere. They're set.
Cleveland Browns – No
- QB1: Deshaun Watson
- QB2: Joshua Dobbs
- QB3: Kellen Mond
Synopsis: They're not taking a QB in the draft after giving Watson $230 million guaranteed. He's locked in as the Cleveland QB through 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Maybe
- QB1: Kenny Pickett
- QB2: Mitchell Trubisky
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Unless Pickett struggles mightily in 2023, he's the future starting QB in the Steel City.
Baltimore Ravens – Yes
- QB1: TBD
- QB2: Tyler Huntley
- QB3: Anthony Brown
Synopsis: Lamar Jackson wants out and the Ravens will get a pair of future first-round picks if they do trade him. Can their relationship be solved? If it isn't and they don't get a QB in this year's draft, they are a big threat to take a QB in 2024.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars – No
- QB1: Trevor Lawrence
- QB2: CJ Beathard
- QB3: Nathan Rourke
Synopsis: Trevor Lawrence is the future in Jacksonville. No worries here.
Tennessee Titans – Yes
- QB1: Ryan Tannehill
- QB2: Malik Willis
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Lots of Tannehill trade chatter this offseason and he is a free agent in 2024. Unless the Titans truly believe in Willis or they draft a QB 11th overall (or trade up) this year, then they are a likely QB landing spot in the '24 draft.
Indianapolis Colts – Doubtful
- QB1: Nick Foles
- QB2: Gardner Minshew
- QB3: Sam Ehlinger
Synopsis: At this point, it would be a shock if they don't take a quarterback with the fourth overall pick in the April 27 draft. If that happens, they're not a threat to a draft a QB in 2024.
Houston Texans – Doubtful
- QB1: Case Keenum
- QB2: Davis Mills
- QB3: EJ Perry
Synopsis: They are also expected by most to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick this year. Like Indy, if it happens, they're not a threat to go QB in 2024.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs – No
- QB1: Patrick Mahomes
- QB2: Shane Buechele
- QB3: Chris Oladokun
Synopsis: They're good with the guy they have.
Los Angeles Chargers – No
- QB1: Justin Herbert
- QB2: Easton Stick
- QB3: TBD
Synopsis: Nothing to worry about here.
Las Vegas Raiders – Maybe
- QB1: Jimmy Garoppolo
- QB2: Chase Garbers
- QB3: Brian Hoyer
Synopsis: The Raiders gave Garoppolo a three-year, $72.5 million deal so he's the surefire starter to begin 2023. But this is Jimmy Garoppolo, who despite winning games at a high level is not considered elite. That's why the Raiders wouldn't shock anyone if they go QB with the 7th pick this year. If they pass on a QB this year and Garoppolo doesn't meet expectations in 2023, then they could look to draft a QB in 2024.
Denver Broncos – Doubtful
- QB1: Russell Wilson
- QB2: Jarrett Stidham
- QB3: Jarrett Guarantano
Synopsis: Wilson is 35 and signed through 2028 with dead cap hits of $107M this year, $85M in 2024, $49.6M in 2025 and $31.2M in 2026. They could also restructure and push dead money down the road, but so long as Wilson bounces back under new head coach Sean Payton he'll be undoubtedly be the guy in Denver for a bit longer.
