2024 NFL Draft: 5 Teams That Should Draft Developmental QBs

In the months leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, the top quarterback prospects have expectedly garnered most of the attention. However, teams will also target signal-callers on Days 2 and 3.

In some cases, general managers have directly acknowledged or hinted at a need for a quarterback, though not necessarily one who will immediately compete for the starting job.

A handful of teams will head into the draft with a starting quarterback who may be entering the final year of his contract or in the latter stages of his career. That would make those clubs a good spot for a developmental signal-caller.

If Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix aren't available after the second round, Spencer Rattler and Michael Pratt could be popular options for teams looking for a No. 2 quarterback with starting upside.

Here, we've highlighted five teams that should take a quarterback in the middle rounds of the draft.

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has made it clear that the team intends to bring in another signal-caller despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency.

"We're definitely going to add a quarterback," Fontenot told reporters. "We're not going into the season with two arms."

Cousins is heading into his age-36 campaign and is recovering from a torn Achilles, while Taylor Heinicke is in the second season of his two-year contract. It would make sense for the Falcons to add another signal-caller whom they can develop long-term.

This offseason, the Falcons hired a new coaching staff led by lead skipper Raheem Morris. Heinicke may not have a secure spot on the depth chart, especially after he threw for five touchdowns and four interceptions while completing only 54.4 percent of his passes in five games (including four starts) last season.

The Falcons can address their pressing needs with their four picks inside the top 80. They could then target a signal-caller like Michael Pratt or Kedon Slovis on Day 3.

Cousins came into the league as a fourth-rounder (No. 102 overall) in the 2012 draft and has blossomed into a solid starter with four Pro Bowl campaigns. He could be a valuable mentor for a late-round rookie quarterback.

ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the Dallas Cowboys are a "sleeper team in the quarterback market during the draft" with Dak Prescott heading into a contract year.

Prescott said he met with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to discuss his contract, but the team hasn't started negotiations with him on an extension. Regardless, Dallas should add a quarterback in this year's draft.

The Cowboys acquired Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, but he'll be a free agent in 2025, assuming the team doesn't pick up his costly fifth-year option. Cooper Rush will also be a free agent next year.

Lance has yet to prove that he's worth a significant pay raise next season. As a result, the Cowboys should add a quarterback on a modest rookie deal in case they lose Prescott in free agency next offseason.

If Dallas has legitimate doubts that it will retain Prescott beyond 2024, the team could select a signal-caller in the third round. Schefter said the Cowboys might draft a quarterback "higher than you think."

The Los Angeles Rams haven't provided any public clues about their quarterback plan, though head coach Sean McVay should consider the position's long-term outlook. Matthew Stafford has played through injuries in recent years, and he missed eight games in 2022.

As Stafford prepares to play in his age-36 season, the Rams must think about his potential successor. That's what they did last year when they took Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round.

Unfortunately, Bennett spent most of his rookie season away from the team on the non-football injury list, dealing with an undisclosed matter.

In free agency, the Rams signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who will serve a two-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug violation. Bennett has attended voluntary workouts, but his status for the full offseason remains unknown.

The Rams have 11 picks in the upcoming draft, which gives them plenty of opportunities to take a quarterback if they're unsure about Bennett's status for the next several months.

The New York Jets have a surefire starter in Aaron Rodgers, and he's under contract for another two years. However, he's coming off a torn Achilles, so he might not return to his MVP form at the age of 40.

If Rodgers sharply declines or struggles to shake the injury bug, the Jets have veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor on the books for the next two years. However, the 34-year-old isn't the future of the franchise, either.

On Monday, the Jets traded third-string quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a late-round pick swap, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. They could now take a swing on a later-round quarterback to develop behind Rodgers and Taylor.

Gang Green has done its homework on the incoming quarterback class, hosting Michael Pratt, Michael Hiers and Jordan Travis for predraft visits.

The Jets could look for Rodgers' potential successor with one of their fourth-round picks (Nos. 111 and 134) or their sixth-round pick (No. 185).

The Pittsburgh Steelers turned over their entire quarterback room this offseason. They lost Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky in free agency, and they traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson is now in "pole position" to start for the Steelers, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Justin Fields, whom the Steelers acquired from the Chicago Bears, is poised to serve in a backup role. The club also signed Kyle Allen.

Wilson, Fields and Allen are all in a contract year. Wilson could play his way into a multiyear contract, but that isn't a guarantee after how quickly he flamed out in Denver.

If Pittsburgh doesn't pick up Fields' fifth-year option, he could garner competitive offers from other teams in free agency next offseason. Meanwhile, Allen has started in 19 games in six NFL seasons.

Pittsburgh must consider the future of the position even if Wilson plays well in 2024. He turns 36 in November.

The Steelers have three selections between Nos. 84 and 119. They should consider using one of those picks on a quarterback who could push Allen off the depth chart.

2024 NFL draft selections via Tankathon.com.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.