The 2024 NFL Draft saw 11 quarterbacks selected — six of which were in the first round. Out of those 11, at least one has to break out in the league, either as a rookie or later.
While top-3 picks Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels will all get looks for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, a rookie at another position believes a different quarterback was better than everyone else during the 2023 college season.
MORE 2024 NFL DRAFT: Full list of picks | Winners & losers | Draft grades for every team
Bills second-round wide receiver Keon Coleman told Robert Griffin III on RG3 and The Ones that his college quarterback and Jets’ fifth-round pick Jordan Travis was the best player in the country at his position this past season. Travis was the eighth quarterback selected after Williams, Maye, Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Spencer Rattler went earlier.
“Jordan Travis … I think he was the best quarterback in the country, despite who just got drafted,” Coleman told Griffin III. He really like that, he still is like that. Once he gets back to being fully healthy and learn from Aaron [Rodgers], he’s gonna be a great player. I just see the potential in him.”
Travis was on his way to a Heisman-like season with 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 11 games before a broken ankle prematurely ended his season. He finished his career at Florida State with a 62.5% completion rate, 8,644 yards, 65 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
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Coleman added that Travis’ scrambling ability, intellect and throw power are why he’ll excel at the next level. That, and playing behind veterans like Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, should help Travis develop into a solid quarterback. The Jets have to hope so as well, given Rodgers’ and Taylor’s age combined with the overall youth of the team’s best players like running back Breece Hall and wideouts Garrett Wilson and 2024 third-rounder Malachi Corley.
Travis was among the Jets’ seven selections, five of which were on offense. New York also drafted Penn State OT Olu Fashanu, Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley, Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen, South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis, CFL CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers and Alabama S Jaylen Key.
The problem with this take isn’t that it might be wrong, it’s that the NFL won’t know the answer for some time. Williams, Daniels and Maye will likely start Week 1, while McCarthy and Nix could start at any point next season. Travis won’t see the field unless both Rodgers and Taylor go down, and even then the Jets may opt to bring in a veteran instead of going to a rookie.
The confidence is encouraging, though.
