The 2024 NFL draft is a record-setting draft, setting records such as attendance, and many actual draft records. The attendance in Detroit for round one reached 275,000 which is an all-time NFL record. Meanwhile during the draft within the first 12 picks, there were 6 QBs drafted, also setting a record. Another record that was set was the most offensive players drafted in a row in the history of the NFL draft, that number being 14.
Now to grade the picks, starting with the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, QB Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears. Possibly the most unsurprising pick of the draft. Caleb is a generation quarterback out of USC who has already won a Heisman in his college tenure. He should be an above-average quarterback in the NFL from day 1 and the Bears have surrounded him with the proper weapons to be successful, for these reasons this pick is an A+.
The second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft was QB Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels out of LSU is college football's most recent Heisman winner lighting college on fire and breaking many records leaving his name in stone forever in the NCAA. Daniels has possibly the most unique playing style out of all the quarterbacks as he has an impeccable running game featuring a well-above-average arm. He should be Washington's franchise quarterback for years to come and for that reason, this pick is also an A+.
The third overall pick was QB Drake Maye out of North Carolina to the New England Patriots. Maye is an ultra-talented very young quarterback who features a very high ceiling if all goes as the Patriots plan for it too. Because the Patriots supporting cast is not up to par with drafting a franchise quarterback we give this pick a B+.
The fourth overall pick was WR Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State to the Arizona Cardinals. Marvin Harrison Jr. the son of Marvin Harrison a former hall-of-fame wide receiver, features a generational skill set with speed, size, and athleticism. This pick was much needed as the Cardinals have little to no weapons for their top-paid quarterback Kyler Murray. Because of these reasons, this pick is an A.
The fifth overall pick was OL Joe Alt out of Notre Dame to the Los Angeles Chargers. This pick was much needed considering the Chargers have an elite quarterback with a below-average offensive line. Alt should be a well above-average offensive lineman on day 1 in the NFL drawing comparisons to future hall-of-famer Lane Johnson. This pick deserves an A.
The sixth overall pick was WR Malik Nabers out of LSU to the New York Giants. This pick set yet another record with Nabers and Daniels being the first QB, and WR duo from the same school to get picked inside the top 10 the same year. Nabers is an excellent receiver and should thrive in the Giants offense with little to no competition at the receiver position. This pick is an A+.
The seventh overall pick was OL JC Latham out of Alabama to the Tennessee Titans. Given the Titan's aggressive running style and Latham's massive size and aggressiveness on the line, this is a good fit. Latham has the ceiling to be elite but will require the right coaching and support from his team. This pick is a B.
The eighth overall pick was QB Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington to the Atlanta Falcons. This was the first highly controversial pick of the first round. Penix has lots of injury concerns and is a one-year wonder in college. Penix has lots of potential but the main worry is when will he play given the current quarterback situation in Atlanta with Kirk Cousins on a 4 year highly paid contract, this pick is a C+.
The ninth overall pick was WR Rome Ondunze out of Washington to the Chicago Bears. This pick was ultimately a long-term pick with the Bears drafting Caleb Williams earlier this draft. Ondunze is an exceptional receiver and should be Williams's number-one option for years to come. This pick is an A.
The tenth overall pick was QB JJ McCarthy out of Michigan University to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings just lost their QB Kirk Cousins to the Falcons so this was a need for them, but a bit of a reach from what we've seen of JJ so far. We haven't seen how he can play since he didn't play much in college and when he did it was with a superteam. This pick is a B-.
The eleventh overall pick was OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State University to the New York Jets. This is a good pick as it was a big need for this team that is only a few steps away from being serious contenders. Fashanu is one of the top tackles in the draft and will support this team well. This pick is an A-.
The twelfth overall pick was QB Bo Nix out of Oregon University to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos just traded their QB Russell Wilson to the Steelers and have lots of dead contracts to pay for him so going with a rookie QB contract was a good idea but this was still a reach. They could have either traded back or chosen another quarterback and got more value. This pick is a C.
The thirteenth overall pick was TE Brock Bowers out of Georgia University to the Las Vegas Raiders. Brock Bowers is arguably the best TE prospect we've seen in our time and is very athletic. But there are some question marks to this pick as the Raiders arguably have bigger needs. This pick is an A-.
The fourteenth overall pick was OT Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State University to the New Orleans Saints. He is a great player as he is another top tackle taken off the board. This team could definitely use some O-line and Fuaga will most definitely help. This pick is B+.
The fifteenth overall pick was Edge Laiatu Latu out of UCLA to the Indianapolis Colts. He is a great edge rusher and some said he could've been picked earlier but teams went to other needs so the Colts got some great value out of this pick. This pick is an A.
The sixteenth overall pick was DT Byron Murphy out of Texas University to the Seattle Seahawks. Also, a great pass rusher that can also block up the A gap. A need for the Seahawks was definitely filled with this pick. This pick is a B+.
The seventeenth overall pick was Edge Dallas Turner out of Alabama University to the Minnesota Vikings. In the same situation as Latu, Turner is another great edge rusher who is very athletic and could've gone earlier for sure. This pick is an A.
The eighteenth overall pick was OT Amarius Mims out of Georgia University to the Bengals. This pick was a reach and their team is falling apart with two top players requesting a trade. This pick is a B-.
The nineteenth overall pick was Edge Jared Verse out of Florida State University to the LA Rams. This pick was a great steal as it is a similar situation to Dallas Turner. He has great size and speed for an edge rusher and will be scary on the field. This pick is an A.
The twentieth overall pick was OT Troy Fautanu out of Washington to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fautanu is considered one of this year's top linemen. He is very talented and should be a day 1 starter. This pick deserves a B+.
The twenty-first overall pick was EDGE Chop Robinson out of Penn State to the Miami Dolphins. Robinson drawing comparisons to all-pro Micah Parsons is an elite prospect and along with Quinyon Mitchell should not have fallen this far. This pick is an A.
The twenty-second overall pick was CB Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell should not have dropped this far down the board as he is the most talented DB in this class. His size, speed, and athleticism set him up for a long and promising career in the NFL. The lacking Eagles secondary will thank the front office for this pick. This pick is an A.
The twenty-third overall pick was WR Brian Thomas Jr. out of LSU to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas is a one-year wonder in college but has undeniable talent standing at a tall 6 foot 3 and running a 4.33 40-yard dash. Thomas has an elite ceiling paired with a good young quarterback and an emerging offense. This pick is an A.
The twenty-fourth overall pick was CB Terrion Arnold out of Alabama to the Detroit Lions. Arnold is an extremely talented and athletic DB and will play an important role in the Lions' defense on day one. This pick is an A-.
The twenty-fifth overall pick was OL Jordan Morgan out of Arizona to the Green Bay Packers. This pick was needed by Green Bay and Morgan fits their scheme perfectly. Morgan is very athletic and big, he should fit right in and start for the Packers for many years. This pick is a B.
The twenty-sixth overall pick was C Graham Barton out of Duke to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs tend to lean towards a heavy ground attack, and Barton being a talented and strong offensive lineman fits their scheme perfectly and he should be the franchise center for years to come. This pick is a B+.
The twenty-seventh overall pick was DE Darius Robinson out of Missouri to the Arizona Cardinals. This was a very team-oriented team pick for the Cardinals as they needed a young talented LB. There were arguably better pass rushers still on the board at this spot though. For that reason, this pick is a B.
The twenty-eighth overall pick was WR Xavier Worthy out of Texas to the Kansas City Chiefs. This pick is a pick many teams did not want to happen. Worthy is the fastest player to ever go to the combine, paired with possibly the most talented quarterback of all time Patrick Mahomes, this pick is an A.
The twenty-ninth overall pick was OL Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma to the Dallas Cowboys. This pick may have been considered a reach in many eyes. Although with the Cowboys aging offensive line and many great mentors/coaches in the program, this should turn out to be a good pick. This pick is a B.
The Thirtieth overall pick was CB Nate Wiggins out of Clemson to the Baltimore Ravens. This was a very good pick as Wiggins has many skills primarily being elite speed. Tally that with Baltimore’s already elite defense, this pick is an A-.
The thirty-first overall pick was WR Ricky Pearshall out of Florida to the San Francisco 49ers. This pick was controversial as Pearshall was not considered a first-round receiver in the majority of mock drafts. Due to San Francisco's ability to find talent and mold their players into superstars, this pick is a C+.
The thirty-second overall pick was WR Xavier Laggete out of South Carolina to the Carolina Panthers. This is a good move for the Panthers as Laggete is a talented receiver with a high ceiling drafted to be Bryce Young’s top option for years to come. Laggete may have been slightly over drafted and for that reason, this pick is a B-.
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