Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 quarterbacks, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

———

— 1. Caleb Williams (Jr., USC, 6-foot-1, 214 pounds)

Williams was the No. 2 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class (behind Texas' Quinn Ewers) and won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season with the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma. He's special off-platform and produced more plays of 20-plus yards (134) and 50-plus yards (20) than any other college player over the last two seasons. He scoffs at check-downs while searching for his next highlight, which makes him partially responsible for being sacked 84 times in his collegiate career, including 35 times last season. Regardless, he's a finisher in the red zone. He's produced a TD-to-interception ratio of 46-to-1 his last two seasons. He's also led USC in rushing TDs both years. Williams is fearless and will force the issue for the sake of making a big play, but he balances the mistakes with magic few other signal-callers can conjure. Projected: No. 1 overall

— 2. Drake Maye (So., North Carolina, 6-4, 223)

Like Williams, Maye was highly-ranked (No. 9 QB) in the 2021 class. Also like Williams, Maye emptied his toolbox in an attempt to prop up a bad football team last season. The difference? Maye is almost a year younger, and despite USC fielding an atrocious defense, Williams still had plenty of talent at his disposal on offense. There were plenty of plays where it looked like he was being irresponsible or reckless, and a few missed layups, but when you factor in no one was blocking for him, and he essentially had one effective receiver who missed the beginning of the season because of eligibility issues, I'd say Maye made a whole lot of chicken salad with the ingredients he was working with. His prototypical size (there's not a lot of it in this class), elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams traditionally are happy to invest a top-five pick in. He had 56 carries of 10-plus yards the last two seasons, second most in the FBS behind only LSU's Jayden Daniels. Projected: Top 5

— 3. Jayden Daniels (Sr., LSU, 6-3, 210)

Daniels was the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the 2019 class and spent three seasons with Arizona State before transferring. His skill set and stature is very reminiscent of three-time All-Pro QB Randall Cunningham. He had a historic final season in Baton Rouge, winning the Heisman Trophy while becoming the first player in college football history to surpass 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career. Daniels is tall but slender, so there will be concerns about durability, considering how quickly he bails from the pocket once he sniffs pressure. His processing skills have improved since his time in Tempe, but will he regress against NFL-caliber coaching if the talent surrounding him isn't on par with what he had at LSU? He's gifted, savvy and he's played a lot of football, so I like his chances, but I'd prefer he'd end up almost anywhere outside of New England, for his sake. Daniels will turn 24 in December. Projected: Top 5

— 4. Michael Penix Jr. (Sr., Washington, 6-2, 216)

The former three-star recruit suffered a season-ending injury all four years at Indiana before transferring, including tearing his right ACL twice, but he's been as good as it gets the last two seasons for the Huskies. The Heisman Trophy runner-up is a big-armed, productive talent who can work the middle of the field, but prefers to attack outside the numbers. Penix is the first FBS player to surpass 4,500 passing yards in back-to-back seasons since Patrick Mahomes (2015-16). He's a pocket passer who was ineffective last season when defenses were able to burst his protective bubble and make him move his feet. A prime example of this was the CFP title game vs. Michigan. He might get nitpicked for his unorthodox throwing style and being a lefty by some scouts, but he was elected team captain at both programs and his injury history has only strengthened his resolve. Penix will turn 24 in May. Projected: Rounds 1-2

...continued

©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.