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Cover image courtesy @swankywolverine on X
We saw it coming. Caleb Williams was a lock at the first overall pick, and football fans were pretty certain that the first three picks would be gun-slingers. But with high praise for JJ McCarthy after winning the National Championship, and other QB hungry teams were toying with the idea, we ended up seeing six quarterbacks go in the first round. That's the most in any round of the common draft era (since 1967). With that being said, here is where I think each quarterback's newly acquired offense stacks up against each other.
Number 6: Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
RB - Javonte Williams
WR - Courtland Sutton
WR - Marvin Mims Jr.
TE - Greg Dulcich
If Bo Nix does wins the job over Jared Stidham or newly acquired Zach Wilson, he will have his work cut out for him. Very weak offensive weapons around him, and Denver plays in a gauntlet of a division.
No 5: Drake Maye - New England Patriots
RB - Rhamondre Stevenson
WR - JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR - Kendrick Bourne
WR - Demario Douglas
TE - Hunter Henry
It's a veteran heavy squad, and there is some potential for Maye to shine here. I think this team could be a dark horse, but nothing is jumping off the page for me.
No 4: Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
RB - Austin Ekeler
WR - Terry McLaurin
WR - Jahan Dotson
TE - Zach Ertz
If you told me these names two or three years ago, I would have ranked them top-2. They are talented on paper, but I have no idea how this team will perform, especially with a new head coach and a rookie quarterback.
No 3: Michael Penix Jr - Atlanta Falcons
RB - Bijan Robinson
WR - Drake London
WR - Darnell Mooney
TE - Kyle Pitts
The falcons have young and impressive depth, and they would would be higher on this list, but the only problem is that Penix is going to be the backup. I still can't wrap my head around this. I don't hate the move if they are going to draft Cousin's predecessor, but they just signed him to a massive long-term deal, so why make the move?
No 2: Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
RB - D'Andre Swift
WR - Rome Odunze
WR - DJ Moore
WR - Keenan Allen
TE - Cole Kmet
The Bears are the first 7-10 team to pick number one overall, and they have already surrounded their star rookie with some talent. Their offense was already solid, and they added a veteran in Allen and landed one of the draft's top-three wide receivers. This should be fun watching if Caleb Williams is truly "that dude".
No 1: JJ McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings
RB - Aaron Jones
WR - Justin Jefferson
WR - Jordan Addison
TE - TJ Hockenson
This is a dream scenario for any quarterback. You have one of the best receivers in the league plus pro-bowl talent across the board. If JJ McCarthy is a only a "game-manager" like the critics are saying, then he was quite the squad to make plays with.