NFL Draft: Previewing Packers’ Quarterback Prospects

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he would like to start regularly drafting quarterbacks. Here is a list of potential options in this month’s NFL Draft.

Author:
Bill Huber
Apr 10, 2024

In this story:

NFL Draft

Green Bay Packers

2024 NFL Draft

Pratt

Joel Embiid

Spencer Rattler

Sami Zayn

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has a stud quarterback in Jordan Love and a promising young backup in Sean Clifford.

With that duo, quarterback ranks toward the bottom of needs for the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Gutekunst at the Scouting Combine said he’d like to get back to the Ron Wolf way of doing business.

With Brett Favre at quarterback, Wolf drafted Mark Brunell in 1993, Jay Barker in 1995, Kyle Wachholtz in 1996, Ronnie McAda in 1997, Matt Hasselbeck in 1998 and Aaron Brooks in 1999. That’s six quarterbacks in a span of seven drafts. Brunell, Hasselbeck and Brooks were hits.

“For me, getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something that I’ve wanted to do,” Gutekunst said. “We kind of went away from that for a few years and I’d like to get back to that because I just think having young, talented quarterbacks on your roster that the coaches can develop, I just think is really healthy and important for a franchise.”

In Part 1 of a series of NFL Draft previews, it’s the quarterbacks. We intentionally skipped over the six quarterbacks who could be selected in the first round, led by presumptive new Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, so our rankings start at No. 7. We also ruled out prospects who seem like obvious bad fits from a physical-traits perspective. All analytical stats are from Pro Football Focus.

No. 7: Michael Pratt, Tulane

6-foot-2 1/2, 217 pounds. 9 1/4 hand. DNP 40, 8.27 RAS.

In four seasons for the Green Wave, Pratt threw for 9,611 yards and 90 touchdowns. Pratt as a senior completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,406 yards with 22 touchdowns vs. five interceptions. His NFL passer rating was a lofty 110.5, which was down a tick from his 111.9 in 2022. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 15th in adjusted completion percentage, which treats drops like completions.

Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked sixth with a 115.8 passer rating. Potential first-round picks Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Caleb Williams and Bo Nix took the first four spots. Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he ranked ninth in completion percentage (47.7). He was third in under-pressure touchdown passes with one less than McCarthy and Williams, as many as Drake Maye and more than Michael Penix.

Pratt’s got a live arm on the underneath throws and enough athleticism for today’s game. While the interception number looks excellent, his turnover-worthy-play rate ranks among the worst in the class. Maybe he’ll cut down on those almost-errors by speeding up his play.

No. 8: Joe Milton, Tennessee

6-foot-5 1/8, 235 pounds. 10 1/4 hand. 4.62 40, RAS. No RAS.

In six seasons – three at Michigan and three at Tennessee – Milton threw for 5,353 yards and 37 touchdowns. In his lone season as a full-time starter in 2023, Milton completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns vs. five picks. That’s good for a 102.0 passer rating. He added 299 yards and seven more touchdowns on the ground. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 17th in adjusted completion percentage, which treats drops like completions.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he ranked 32nd with a 39.1 percent completion rate, though he was third with 9.1 yards per attempt. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he was 20th with a 90.8 passer rating.

Milton is a quarterback coach’s dream – so long as he goes late and not early. He’s got a huge arm to make every throw on the field with ease, and he’s got the size and athleticism to get out of harm’s way. But he’s not a great quarterback. Far from it. Is that simply from a lack of playing time or does he lack the pocket presence to succeed? His ranking here is based on talent and potential.

No. 9. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

6-foot-0 1/2, 211 pounds. 9 7/8 hand. 4.95 40. 4.00 RAS.

After three years at Oklahoma, Rattler transferred to South Carolina for his final two seasons. As a fifth-year senior in 2023, he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 3,186 yards with 19 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions, good for an NFL passer rating of 99.1. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked fifth in adjusted completion percentage, which treats drops like completions.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, Rattler ranked 10th in completion percentage (47.1). Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked 20th in passer rating (89.5).

Rattler’s got a decent arm but might lack the athletic ability seemingly required to play in today’s NFL. He lived in shotgun; he would have been a really interesting prospect in Matt LaFleur’s Aaron Rodgers-centric offense. Give him a predetermined read, and the ball will be on the money. Otherwise? Not so much. His lack of height could take him off the board, which impacts his ranking for this preview.

No. 10: Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

6-foot-1 1/8, 211 pounds. 9 3/4 hand. 4.80 40, 3.81 RAS.

Hartman spent five years at Wake Forest, including seasons of 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021 and 3,701 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2022. The numbers weren’t as big but he was just as effective in his lone season for the Irish. He completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 2,689 yards with 24 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions. His NFL passer rating was 106.1. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 17th with an adjusted completion percentage of 73.2.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he ranked 24th with a completion rate of 41.2 percent. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked seventh with a 115.7 passer rating on the strength of 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Hartman has played a lot of football, and it shows. He plays with anticipation and a feel for the game that will give him a chance to compete for a roster spot immediately. With a year of coaching to work the mechanical kinks out of his game, he might have a chance to be a longtime No. 2.

No. 11: Carter Bradley, South Alabama

6-foot-3 1/8, 213 pounds. 9 3/8. 4.82 40. 8.56 RAS.

After four seasons at Toledo in which he had a part-time role, Bradley thrived in two seasons at South Alabama with 5,995 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. In 2023, he completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. That works out to a passer rating of 102.3. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked ninth in adjusted completion percentage with a rate of 75.8 percent.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he finished 13th with a 45.3 percent completion rate, though his four touchdowns and four interceptions was unremarkable. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked 12th with a passer rating of 107.9.

The numbers are great but are misleading. By percentage of passes, no quarterback threw more passes behind the line of scrimmage than Bradley. The size is there, as is the arm strength. He can really wing it. His under-pressure success will help his chances. Like most quarterbacks, his mechanics will require a makeover to maximize his gifts.

No. 12: Devin Leary, Kentucky

6-foot-1 1/4, 215 pounds. 9 1/2 hand. DNP 40, No RAS.

Leary spent his first four seasons at NC State, which included a 2021 campaign of 3,433 passing yards and a gaudy 35 touchdowns vs. five interceptions. At Kentucky in 2023, he completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 2,746 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That equated to an 88.7 passer rating. He threw more interceptions in 2023 than the previous two years combined. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 34th in adjusted completion percentage (68.7), which treats drops like completions.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, Leary finished 34th with a 36.4 percent completion rate and 35th with seven interceptions. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked 32nd with a 70.1 passer rating. He ranked fifth in deep passes but 20th in completions.

Leary is a bit undersized but has enough arm strength to make him a quality developmental prospect. The completion rates under pressure and down the field, along with his inability to build upon his big-time 2021, however, show a player who will be a work in progress.

No. 13: Kedon Slovis, BYU

6-foot-2 1/2, 223 pounds. 9 7/8 hand. 4.55 40. 9.34 RAS.

Slovis spent three years at USC, one at Pitt and his final year at BYU. As a freshman at USC in 2019, he was sensational with a 71.9 percent completion rate, 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns vs. nine interceptions. He never reached even 20 touchdown passes the rest of his career. At BYU, he completed a career-worst 57.5 percent of his passes for 1,716 yards with 12 touchdowns vs. six interceptions, good for an 82.1 passer rating. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 36th in adjusted completion percentage, which treats drops like completions, at 67.2 percent.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he was 36th with a completion rate of 36.1 percent. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he finished 31st with a 74.4 passer rating.

His declining play, scattershot accuracy and not-quite-good-enough arm will work against him as a quarterback. But another former BYU quarterback, Tayson Hill, has carved out quite a career for himself as a gadget player. With size and speed, there might be a role for him on a roster.

No. 14: Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

6-foot-1 1/2, 220 pounds, 9 7/8 hand. 4.82 40, No RAS.

Reed spent two years at Western Kentucky, where he threw for 8,086 yards and 71 touchdowns. His numbers dipped considerably in 2023, with a 61.5 percent completion rate, 3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions. Still, his NFL passer rating was 95.1. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class with at least 280 dropbacks, he ranked 25th with an adjusted completion percentage of 70.2. Before WKU, he led West Florida to a Division II national championship in 2021.

Of 36 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to face pressure on 90 dropbacks, he ranked 20th with a 42.7 percent completion rate. Of 37 FBS-level quarterbacks in this draft class to throw at least 40 passes 20-plus yards downfield, he ranked 27th with a passer rating of 81.1.

The numbers that look good on the surface are fueled by scheme. Other than Oregon’s Bo Nix, no quarterback in the draft class threw more behind-the-line-of-scrimmage passes. And yet, his completion percentage wasn’t nearly good enough. The long ball is not his thing. He does have a good feel for the game and the ability to get himself out of harm’s way. His lack of height could take him off the board, though the Packers will like his big hands.