The 2024 Senior Bowl QB crop is one of the most exciting in recent memory, and each day of practice will carry heavy NFL Draft implications. With Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices in the books, how do QBs like Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and Spencer Rattler stack up?
Senior Bowl Day 1 QB Updates
There won’t be any QB rankings from Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices. While all seven passers took reps under center, there weren’t enough pure dropback plays and game-like situations to adequately evaluate and compare prospects to one another.
We will rank the QBs as more meaningful reps are accrued later in the week. In the meantime, we can go down the line and go over what each prospect showed in their limited time on Tuesday, and what they’ll need to show over the rest of the showcase.
Bo Nix, Oregon
It feels like Nix has been on the first-round fringe for the media since the start of the 2023 season. The Senior Bowl is an opportunity for him to lock himself in as the potential QB4 behind Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels.
As it was for most, Day 1 was an acclimation period for Nix. He already shows good command at the line and was a vocal leader, but he’s still finding his comfort zone. He overthrew one pass to Devontez Walker and underthrew another, and his release point was a bit inconsistent.
Nix is a smooth athlete and creator with natural arm talent and angle freedom, but the big test for him this week will be to channel those traits and direct the offense down to down.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Like Nix, Penix is an accomplished senior QB with early-round physical ability. Unlike Nix, some aspects of Penix’s valuation are out of his control. NFL Scouting Combine medicals will be big, but he can quell concerns surrounding his volatility with a good week.
On the first day of practices, Penix’s easy velocity stood out in a limited sample, and he hit Roman Wilson with an exceptional drive ball on an intermediate crosser. But in the short range, he also had his misses — most notably a high miss to Jacob Cowing on a RAC throw.
Penix’s drive passes can carve through the tightest of coverages, but in the coming days, he’ll need to show he can avoid making life harder for WRs on routine throws.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Of the QBs rostered at the Senior Bowl, Rattler has perhaps the most to gain. There’s no disagreement among scouts: He has starter-grade tools, and he flashed incredible upside at South Carolina. But can he elevate himself with his week in Mobile, Ala., and if so, how far? Could Round 2 be on the table for teams in need of developmental potential?
Rattler had limited reps on Tuesday, and he was a mixed bag within that window. He did a nice job using his short-area athleticism and creation ability in the pocket, but he also forced a seam throw in team drills that was picked off. If Rattler can build through the week, minimize mistakes, and utilize the full extent of his arm, he’ll set himself up well.
Michael Pratt, Tulane
Michael Pratt doesn’t have the same degree of talent that Rattler does. But like Rattler, he’s currently in that middle-round conversation and could rise into the top-100 range with a good week. Pratt already has a reputation as one of the higher-floor QB prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he maintained that reputation early in Mobile.
Pratt was able to command the offense effectively in team drills, but his best throw came in 1-on-1s, highlighted by a flawless touch pass to the corner of the end zone that Louisville’s Jamari Thrash was able to corral. At his peak, Pratt boasts top-end layering ability and situational precision, and he can set himself apart with those qualities.
Carter Bradley, South Alabama
Carter Bradley was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster, but don’t make the mistake of sleeping on him because of that. In limited action, Bradley had one of the best throws of the day: A high-velocity, opposite-boundary hitch to Jamari Thrash that was timed well. If Bradley keeps playing well, he could lift himself into the middle rounds.
At 6’3″, 218 pounds, Bradley has a prototypical build, and he has legitimate arm talent. His velocity pops on intermediate throws, and on one play in the final team session, he counteracted interior pressure with a smooth sidearm throw, adjusting his arm angle to elongate his throwing window while keeping pace.
Joe Milton III, Tennessee
Joe Milton III barely got to throw the ball on Day 1 — and in doing so, he was unable to show off his most marketable trait — but it’s easy to see why Milton’s physical upside is so intriguing. He looks like a tight end at 6’5″, 235 pounds, and when he’s able to let it rip, the ball jumps out of his hand.
In his limited passing action, Milton at least maintained accuracy on short rhythm throws. But the biggest question this week will be how he handles true dropbacks, with actual progression work and layered processing. That’s a question mark from his Tennessee tape.
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Sam Hartman will be looking to use the Senior Bowl to show evaluators he can be a solid backup candidate at the next level. He probably has the weakest arm of the QB group, but when he’s on his game, his situational precision is impressive.
During team drills, Hartman had one perfect boundary bucket throw that was short-armed by USC wideout Brenden Rice, and he also did a nice job leading Luke McCaffrey in stride over the middle at another point. If Hartman can stay accurate and on target, he could win over evaluators as a late-round option.
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