Gone are the days when fans didn't need to pay much attention to their team's backup quarterback. NFL teams used an average of just over two starting quarterbacks in 2023, due largely to injuries and, in some cases, poor performance.
Jake Browning, Tommy DeVito and Josh Dobbs were afterthoughts at this point a year ago, but each stepped into a crucial role in place of an injured quarterback. Teams drafted with quarterback depth in mind last year, as 14 signal-callers came off the board in 2023. With backups more important than ever and teams able to stash emergency No. 3 quarterbacks, 2024 figures to be another passing-heavy draft.
Some quarterbacks drafted in 2024 will be day one starters. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye could all be in line to start Week 1. Others might have to wait, but that doesn't mean they won't play a pivotal role as early as 2024 — regardless of when they are drafted.
The Sporting News is tracking every quarterback selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Follow along with the picks below.
MORE: SN's ultimate guide to 2024 NFL Draft
How many QBs have been drafted in 2024?
10 quarterbacks were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Six were selected in the first round on Thursday, but it wasn't until the fifth round on Saturday that another signal-caller heard his name called.
There tends to be a gap between the top tier of quarterbacks — players teams believe can be legitimate franchise QBs — and the developmental prospects. That gap was evident in 2024, as 138 picks went between Bo Nix's selection at No. 12 and Spencer Rattler's selection at No. 150.
The Saints, Ravens, Jets and Packers all add developmental quarterbacks on Day 3, bringing the total number of QBs chosen to double-digits.
QBs taken in 2024 NFL Draft
Pick | Team | QB | School |
1 | Bears | Caleb Williams | USC |
2 | Commanders | Jayden Daniels | LSU |
3 | Patriots | Drake Maye | North Carolina |
8 | Falcons | Michael Penix Jr. | Washington |
10 | Vikings | J.J. McCarthy | Michigan |
12 | Broncos | Bo Nix | Oregon |
150 | Saints | Spencer Rattler | South Carolina |
171 | Jets | Jordan Travis | Florida State |
218 | Ravens | Devin Leary | Kentucky |
245 | Packers | Michael Pratt | Tulane |
2024 NFL DRAFT TOP 10 LISTS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE
Most QBs ever taken in one NFL Draft
The record for most quarterbacks taken in one NFL Draft is 26. That record was safe in 2024, and likely permanently. The draft spanned 480 picks in 1976, over 200 more picks than the current format.
14 quarterbacks were drafted in 2023, the highest mark since 2016. An average of 11.6 quarterbacks were drafted between 2014 and 2023, so history indicates we will see double-digit quarterback selections in 2024.
While six quarterbacks were taken within the first 12 picks on Thursday night, this draft simply didn't have the quarterback depth to rival 2023. Four fewer quarterbacks were selected this year, with the final tally coming in at 10.
Below is the number of quarterbacks selected in each of the last 10 NFL Drafts.
Year | QBs selected |
2024 | 10 |
2023 | 14 |
2022 | 9 |
2021 | 10 |
2020 | 13 |
2019 | 11 |
2018 | 13 |
2017 | 10 |
2016 | 15 |
2015 | 7 |