Bills WR Keon Coleman says the top rookie QB of 2024 wasn’t drafted first

Eleven quarterbacks were selected for the 2024 NFL Draft, six of which were in the first round. Of those eleven, at least one must break into the league, as a rookie or later.

While top-3 picks Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are all nominated for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, a rookie at a different position believes another quarterback was better than everyone else during the 2023 college season.

MORE 2024 NFL DRAFT: Complete list of picks | Winners & Losers | Draft figures for each team

Bills second-round wide receiver Keon Coleman told Robert Griffin III further 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 last season. Travis was the eighth quarterback selected after Williams, Maye, Daniels, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Spencer Rattler went earlier.

“Jordan Travis… I think he was the best quarterback in the country regardless of who was just drafted,” Coleman told Griffin III. He really likes that, he still does. Once he gets back to full health and learns from Aaron (Rodgers), he’s going to 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 ended his season prematurely. He finished his career at Florida State with a 62.5% completion percentage, 8,644 yards, 65 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

Coleman added that Travis’ scrambling ability, intellect and throwing power are why he will 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 too, given the ages of Rodgers and Taylor, combined with the overall youth of the team’s best players, such as 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 approach isn’t that it might be wrong, but that the NFL won’t know the answer for a while. Williams, Daniels and Maye will likely start Week 1, while McCarthy and Nix could start at any time next season. Travis won’t see the field unless both Rodgers and Taylor go down, and even then the Jets could opt to bring in a veteran instead of going for a rookie.

However, the confidence is encouraging.