Mel Kiper 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Examining Final Rankings Before Round 1 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Quarterbacks dominate the modern NFL, so it's no surprise to see the position dominating Kiper's final big board. Both of his top two prospects and five of his top 25 are signal-callers.

His board starts the way most mock drafts do: with USC's Caleb Williams at No. 1 and LSU's Jayden Daniels at No. 2. Kiper called Williams "a fabulous playmaker" and noted the many "'wow' throws all over his tape." Kiper cited Daniels' "rare ability as a dual-threat playmaker" and attributed his rise up the big board to "his improvement as a passer."

After a brief receiver run (which we'll touch on later), Kiper slotted North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 6 while noting "he looks the part of a big-time NFL signal-caller."

Next it was Michigan's J.J. McCarthy at No. 15, with Kiper raving about his "first-round arm talent" and the fact he "can beat defenses with his legs, too." Finally, Kiper had Washington's Michael Penix Jr. at No. 24, citing his injury concerns but also praising his "arm talent, accuracy to all levels, decision-making and toughness."

For comparison's sake, here's where those five quarterbacks landed on the final big board from the B/R NFL Scouting Department: Maye at No. 3, Williams at No. 4, Daniels at No. 31, McCarthy at No. 33 and Penix at No. 86. Oregon's Bo Nix (No. 61) and South Carolina's Spencer Rattler (No. 67) both checked in ahead of Penix.