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As we exit the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it's fun to offer up "instant reactions" to the impactful decisions teams made with precious first-round draft capital.
Many expected this to be a draft that was jam-packed with quarterback and wide receiver selections, and Thursday night didn't disappoint, as QBs went off the board in record-setting fashion while the first pick used on a defensive player didn't come until the Indianapolis Colts at No. 15!
In this article, we'll break down the draft results and offer up a letter grade for every first-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. And, yes, we'll be talking about that pick made by the Atlanta Falcons.
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1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Analysis: It was always Caleb Williams. The big decision for the Bears this offseason was what to do with Justin Fields, a former first-round pick who had shown some flashes of brilliance among stretches of mediocrity during his time in Chicago. Once the Bears decided to practically give Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a March trade, there was little doubt that USC quarterback Caleb Williams would be their choice with the top overall pick.
Ryan Poles confirms the NFL made him wait at least 5 minutes to draft Caleb Williamspic.twitter.com/CF8EQzziDI
— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 26, 2024
The popular comp for Williams is Patrick Mahomes, and while that feels a bit ridiculous, I suppose you should shoot for the moon with a player worthy of the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Though a tiny bit undersized, the former Heisman Trophy winner possesses all the traits you look for in a franchise quarterback, and the Bears have done an excellent job in restocking the offensive cupboard with plenty of weapons around him (more on that later).
Grade: A+
2. Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Analysis: Daniels zoomed up draft boards after a monster campaign at LSU that resulted in the Heisman Trophy and several broken records. An explosive dual-threat, Daniels is a dangerous runner who accounted for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs on the ground last year. In addition to his running ability, he showed poise in the pocket and pushes the ball downfield aggressively with elite deep-ball accuracy.
With Daniel Snyder finally out of town, it's time for a reboot in Washington. Behind new ownership and a new head coach, the Commanders had to take a swing on finding their new franchise QB with the second overall pick. While the landing spot doesn't jump off the page for Daniels, the ideal modern NFL QB could bring Washington's somewhat dormant offensive weapons to life.
Grade: A
3. New England Patriots - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Analysis: Few could make the argument that the talented Maye wasn't worthy of being the third QB off the board. The rub here is just how bare the cupboards are in New England, as the organization is set to embark on its first season without Bill Belichick in 24 years, and possesses little in the way of NFL talent - especially on the offensive side of the ball. There's a legit argument that New England should have tried to move this pick and stockpile draft picks for what could well be a down-to-the-studs rebuild.
Bill Belichick was not shy about pointing out the flaws in Drake Maye’s game 😂 pic.twitter.com/wqlGTsOj5U
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) April 26, 2024
However, Maye's upside certainly justifies taking a swing, and a legitimate franchise QB can fix almost everything. Still just 21-years-old, the North Carolina product possesses prototypical size and arm strength which gives him the sort of long-term upside that few quarterbacks are blessed with. The youngster lands in a tough situation, as the Pats have few weapons around him. It's possible that he sits behind veteran offseason acquisition Jacoby Brissett, at least initially.
Grade: B
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Analysis: A slam-dunk selection, Harrison Jr. has long-been considered the crown jewel of a talented WR class. While many have fallen in love with Malik Nabers during the draft evaluation process, Harrison remains the most polished, pro-ready receiver we've seen in years.
Possessing an impressive NFL pedigree, he made a name for himself at Ohio State with his elite speed, length, and precise route running. He'll be a terrific weapon for Kyler Murray and should immediately become the top receiving option in Arizona alongside rising star Trey McBride.
Grade: A+
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Analysis: The Chargers have made their direction clear under new head coach Jim Harbaugh...they are going to be a physical, hard-nosed football team. While the departure of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams has left a sizeable hole in the Bolts receiving corps, the organization elected to fill another glaring need on the offensive line with the selection of Joe Alt.
The Notre Dame tackle is a 6'9", 325lb beast who possesses elite strength, excellent footwork, and an NFL pedigree. He's the definition of a "Harbaugh guy" and will likely be protecting Justin Herbert's blindside for years to come. Missing out on a potentially elite wide receiver stings a bit, but Alt was the safe, smart selection who fits perfectly with the direction the Chargers are headed in.
Grade: A
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Analysis: To watch Nabers' tape is to fall in love with him. An explosive game-changer who brought in 44 catches of over 20 yards across his last two seasons at LSU, he's a speed merchant with elite physical tools. It doesn't hurt that he comes from an LSU program that's produced superstar wideouts at a high rate in recent years.
There were murmurs that the Giants could target a QB in the first round, as frustrations grow around Daniel Jones, though they ultimately elected to stand pat instead of moving up for Drake Maye or reaching for J.J. McCarthy with the sixth overall pick. Nabers fills a glaring hole for what's been an underperforming New York wide receiver corps and gives Jones a legitimate offensive weapon to work with.
Grade: A
7. Tennessee Titans - J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Analysis: After a busy offseason that included the departure of defensive-minded head coach Mike Vrabel and franchise legend Derrick Henry, as well as the splashy free-agent additions of Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard, the Titans were laser-focused on the offensive line and their glaring hole at tackle with the seventh overall pick.
While I imagine they had their sights set on Joe Alt, Alabama's Latham is a fine consolation prize. The massive 345-pound beast is a locomotive run blocker and also sports sneaky athleticism in pass protection. He should aid Tennessee in opening holes for the newly acquired Pollard while providing some much-needed support for second-year QB Will Levis in the passing game.
Grade: B
8. Atlanta Falcons - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Analysis: Whew boy, ok...in a draft that had been going according to plan with chalk picks all around, the Atlanta Falcons dropped a thermonuclear bomb on the proceedings with their shocking selection of Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. To call it a puzzling move is a vast understatement, as the organization had just spent the offseason courting and successfully signing veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million contract in what signaled a "win now" mentality for the Falcons in the wide-open NFC South division.
"Michael Penix is a great player but that's not the conversation here..
This is just a lack of a plan by the Falcons..
I hate to break the news to Terry Fontenot but if Penix sits for 4 years you're gonna have to pickup his 5th year option without him playing" ~ @mlombardiNFL pic.twitter.com/3gDuHJBnXq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
In a vacuum, Penix is an interesting, if flawed prospect. Unfortunately, those flaws - he's already 24-years-old with an extensive injury history - make him a puzzling choice to sit behind Cousins for an unspecified number of years. I suppose the Atlanta brass somehow galaxy-brained their way into this decision due to the strife they've suffered at the position since Matt Ryan's exit, though I just can't wrap my head around this selection as we're less than 24 hours from the end of the first round.
Grade: F
9. Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Analysis: With their QB of the future, Caleb Williams, already secured with the first overall pick, the Bears added even more offensive firepower to their suddenly-dangerous looking offense with their selection of Washington wideout Rome Odunze at No. 9. A pro-ready receiver with size, speed, and great hands, Odunze would have been the top receiver on the board in many drafts, but fell into Chicago's lap thanks to the presence of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers.
The Bears suddenly have a receiving corps that consists of Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Keenan Allen - not to mention Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett at the tight end position. You can make the argument that they could have went in a more need-based direction with this selection, but I love the idea of trying to stack the deck in your rookie quarterback's favor.
Grade: A+
10. Minnesota Vikings - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Via Trade w/ New York Jets
Analysis: It seems as though the Vikings got their guy in J.J. McCarthy, and they didn't have to move heaven and earth to make it happen, sending fourth and fifth-round picks to the New York Jets in a swap of the No. 10 & 11 overall picks. Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell has been tabbed as a quarterback guru and he'll look to mold McCarthy, a proven winner who wasn't asked to carry the offense at Michigan.
The Vikings landed J.J. McCarthy AND Dallas Turner without trading away any future first round picks. Masterclass. pic.twitter.com/AnFkbzLFu9
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) April 26, 2024
As far as landing spots go, the Vikings are a cushy one. An offense that includes Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson awaits McCarthy, who flashed athleticism and leadership while taking the Wolverines to a National Championship in his last season at Michigan. He could sit behind newly-acquired Sam Darnold for a while, though the Vikes hope to have their long-term QB solution in McCarthy
Grade: B
11. New York Jets - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Via Trade w/ Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: The Jets trade back one spot with Minnesota and pick up fourth and fifth-round picks to do so. It was a smart move that enabled them to add to their depth and still grab a player that they really liked in Fashanu. The Penn State product graded through the roof as a pass protector during his time with the Nittany Lions and will fill an immediate need for a Jets squad that sported one of the NFL's worst o-line units in 2023.
I'm sure New York thought very seriously about Brock Bowers here - and I wouldn't have hated the pick - but when you have a weakness as glaring as their offensive line was last season, not to mention a 40-year-old quarterback who is coming off an Achilles injury, you simply have to address the issue. Fashanu does that in a big way.
Grade: A
12. Denver Broncos - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Analysis: The well-traveled and "seasoned" 24-year-old Nix benefits from the early run on QBs to land with the Russell Wilson-less Broncos at No. 12. While Denver certainly needs a franchise signal-caller in the worst way, I simply can't shake the feeling that Nix was overdrafted with the 12th overall selection.
Despite collegiate stops at Auburn (horrible) and Oregon (great), questions still remain about who Nix really is - which feels not great for a 24-year-old rookie. If anyone can get the most out of him perhaps it's Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who guided Drew Brees - another QB with perceived shortcomings - to a Super Bowl title with the New Orleans Saints, yet never seemed to be fully invested in Russell Wilson.
Grade: D
13. Las Vegas Raiders - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Analysis: I don't have any way to prove it, but I'm convinced the Raiders were the team most "shaken" by Atlanta's shocking decision to select Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick. Perhaps left in stunned disbelief, the team that had been frequently linked to Penix fell back on the old "best available player" maxim to grab Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13.
It wasn't really an area of need for the Raiders, who selected tight end Michael Mayer early in the second round last year and inked former Brown Harrison Bryant to a free-agent deal earlier this offseason. Though the selection of Bowers was likely unplanned by Las Vegas, it's tough to argue with grabbing the slam-dunk best tight end of the class and a prospect that many experts had ranked in their overall top five.
Grade: A
14. New Orleans Saints - Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Analysis: The selection of Brock Bowers at 13 marked the end of the top-tier offensive skill position players available. With no splashy move available to them, the Saints filled an area of need on their offensive line with Oregon State prospect Fuaga. He's a nasty mauler who should prove to be a versatile asset for New Orleans. Fuaga will be a Day One starter who can likely play either guard or tackle.
Grade: B
15. Indianapolis Colts - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Analysis: Finally...a defensive player! After opening the 2024 NFL Draft with 14 straight offensive players (a new record), the Colts had their pick of the litter on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Ballard and company elected to go with UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu, a player who is perhaps the best pure pass rusher in this year's class.
The best defensive player in the Draft.
But don't take our word for it. pic.twitter.com/huzri8x0cN
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 26, 2024
Latu logged an eye-popping 23.5 sacks across his 15 career games with the Bruins. He possesses a natural explosiveness and a seemingly endless arsenal of moves. However, his medical history is concerning, as he was advised to medically retire from football following a neck injury suffered at the beginning of his college career at the University of Washington. Though it's tough to ignore such a serious past injury issue, Latu could prove to be the absolute steal of this draft with his ability to get to the quarterback.
Grade: A
16. Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Analysis: An athletic interior disruptor on the defensive line, Murphy seems to be the perfect fit for new Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald, who will look to bring his nasty defensive philosophy from Baltimore to the Pacific Northwest.
Last year's Big 12 Defensive Linemen of the Year, Murphy logged 45 QB pressures in 2023 while also showcasing the ability to blow up rushing lanes. He's a versatile and strong player who will fit nicely alongside Seattle's Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones.
Grade: B+
17. Minnesota Vikings - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Via Trade w/ Jacksonville
Analysis: Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah put on a clinic in the first round. After giving up minimal draft capital to move up one spot to grab what they hope to be their QB of the future in J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, Minnesota remained proactive by jumping from No. 23 up to No. 17 in a trade with Jacksonville to land a high-upside player in Dallas Turner who many analysts had as their number-one overall defensive player.
Grade: A
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Analysis: It's never gonna be a bad idea to find help protecting Joe Burrow. While it's an area the Bengals have tried desperately to address during Burrow's tenure with the organization, the results have been mixed at best. In Mims, they grab one of this year's most boom-or-bust prospects. An eye-popping physical specimen, his ceiling is perhaps higher than any offensive linemen in this draft, though the 21-year-old is extremely raw after starting just eight games in his college career at Georgia.
Grade: C+
19. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Analysis: Welcome back to the first round, L.A.! Making their first pick in the opening round since 2016 (!), the Rams returned in style, grabbing one of the draft's most well-rounded, pro-ready defensive players in Jared Verse. A two-year All-American performer at Florida State after starting his college journey at FCS-level Albany, Verse is a three-down player who brings an explosive combination of speed and power to the Rams defense.
Grade: B+
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Analysis: A versatile, pro-ready prospect, Fautanu seems like the classic late-first-round Pittsburgh pick. Translation: he feels like the type of guy who is destined to start for the Steelers for 10 years and consistently make Pro Bowls. He's athletic enough to fill any spot on the offensive line while possessing the sort of physicality and toughness that Mike Tomlin and company demand.
Grade: A
21. Miami Dolphins - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Analysis: If you built a modern NFL EDGE rusher in a lab, he'd probably come out looking a lot like Chop Robinson. He possesses a highly explosive first step and the sort of athletic bend that gives offensive linemen nightmares. Despite the tantalizing skill set, Robinson's production at Penn State left a lot to be desired, as he tallied just 4.0 sacks in 2023, which likely kept him hanging around this late in the first round. It's a high-upside choice for the 'Fins.
Grade: B
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Analysis: Though he was reportedly extremely active on the phones, Eagles GM Howie Roseman was rewarded for standing pat this year. Philadelphia's Swiss cheese secondary was a glaring area of need entering the draft and one of 2024's top cornerbacks fell into their laps with the 22nd pick of the first round.
Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell brings an instant infusion of talent and energy into a long-in-the-tooth Philly secondary. A proven performer with a small-school chip on his shoulder, Mitchell solidified his draft stock by impressing at both the Combine and the Senior Bowl.
Grade: A+
23. Jacksonville Jaguars - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Via Trade w/ Minnesota
Analysis: After losing Calvin Ridley to divisional-rival Tennessee in free agency, the Jags secure an intriguing addition to their receiving corps with the selection of Brian Thomas Jr. after trading back in the first round with the Vikings. A burner with face-melting speed, Thomas provides Jacksonville and QB Trevor Lawrence with an exciting deep-field weapon. Though Thomas and offseason acquisition Gabe Davis sort of feel like the same guy, the LSU speedster is a nice addition to the offense in a sharp trade-back move.
Grade: B-
24. Detroit Lions - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Via Trade w/ Dallas
Analysis: After getting plenty of harsh criticism during last year's draft for the selection of running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall selection, Detroit GM Brad Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt following the Lions' recent run to the NFC Championship game. Holmes might have just smacked another first-round homerun with another Alabama stud after moving up via a trade with Dallas to select cornerback Terrion Arnold.
Lions fans should know who they’re getting in Terrion Arnold.
All fans should know there are young people who think like this. pic.twitter.com/sALw3BWFyw
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) April 26, 2024
The Detroit secondary was routinely torched in 2023 and the clear weakness of an otherwise-ascending team. In Arnold, the Lions get a tenacious ball hawk who fits perfectly into their unique culture and should offer an immediate on-field upgrade, although the third-round pick they were forced to send to the Cowboys to move up isn't insignificant.
Grade: A-
25. Green Bay Packers - Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Analysis: How hilarious would it have been if the Packers finally selected a wide receiver in the first round now that Aaron Rodgers is gone? It's pretty ironic that Green Bay's perceived weakness in the wide receiver corps might just turn out to be a strength. The Packers attempted to address a need on the offensive line with the selection of Arizona's Jordan Morgan with the 25th pick, though it does feel like a bit of a reach considering where most analysts had Morgan graded. He's likely to slide over to guard at the NFL level.
Grade: C-
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Analysis: The only real knock on Barton is that he'll likely need to slide inside at the pro level. That likely sits just fine with the Bucs, who could utilize the Duke product at guard or might even try him as a replacement for retired center Ryan Jensen (Barton played some center early in his college career). Tampa Bay addressed a serious area of need, and honestly, it feels as though the Bucs got a better offensive lineman at No. 26 than the Packers did at No. 25.
Grade: B+
27. Arizona Cardinals - Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Analysis: Nothing fancy here, as the Cardinals use a draft pick they picked up in last year's blockbuster trade with Houston to select Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson. At 6'5", 285lbs, Robinson is an imposing physical presence on the defensive line. While he might not be quite explosive enough to be an every-down edge rusher at the NFL level, his versatility and strength will allow him to play multiple positions along the d-line for Arizona.
Grade: B-
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Via Trade w/ Buffalo
Analysis: Listen...I get that the cap-crunched Bills need to build affordable depth through the draft - and they picked up a third-round pick in exchange for a fourth-round pick as part of this swap with Kansas City - but do you really want to hand a Chiefs team that you meet in the playoffs every year the keys to THE FASTEST WIDE RECEIVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL COMBINE in a draft night trade???
Xavier Worthy is going to be a problem pic.twitter.com/n4J2YNnj00
— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) April 26, 2024
From the KC side, this gamble makes all the sense in the world, as the Chiefs try to find Patrick Mahomes his Tyreek 2.0. Maybe the slender burner Worthy is, maybe he isn't, but his speed in an Andy Reid offense is going to keep defensive coordinators awake at night.
Grade: A
29. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Via Trade w/ Detroit
Analysis: I like the Cowboys' move to trade back, add a third-round pick, and get the guy they probably wanted all along anyway in Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton. This is clearly the player that Dallas hopes can eventually replace the departed Tyron Smith. Guyton's elite blend of size, power, and athleticism means he has the potential to do just that, though he remains a bit raw and will need to continue to develop.
Grade: A-
30. Baltimore Ravens - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Draft Summary: The Ravens elected to wait until Day Two to address their significant offensive line needs and grab what they must have felt was a great value in Nate Wiggins with the 30th overall pick. An aggressive ball-hawking corner out of Clemson, Wiggins is a tremendous fit for Baltimore's defensive culture and fills a lesser area of need for John Harbaugh's squad in the secondary, where he'll likely see playing time right away.
Grade: B
31. San Francisco 49ers - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Analysis: San Francisco has been the subject of trade rumors for the last few days, as the team has reportedly been involved in trade talks involving either Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Their selection of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 31st pick does nothing but stoke the flames of those reports, as it's tough to envision the Niners pulling the trigger on a receiver here if they don't intend to move on from one of their star incumbent pass catchers.
Brandon Aiyuk (@THE2ERA) FaceTimed new #49ers WR Ricky Pearsall last night after he was selected by San Francisco.
On @KNBR Pearsall just said: “Hopefully we remain teammates" - @S1ickSzn pic.twitter.com/BAlAO71dSo
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) April 26, 2024
As for Pearsall, he's probably a surprise to many, although San Francisco marches to the beat of their own drum when targeting players that fit Kyle Shanahan's offense. Starting his career at Arizona State before transferring to Florida, Pearsall proved himself to be a hard-nosed route runner who catches everything against SEC competition.
If the Niners do indeed move on from Aiyuk or Samuel, Pearsall would have the opportunity to make an immediate impact in this offense.
Grade: B
32. Carolina Panthers - Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Via Trade w/ Buffalo
Analysis: After giving away the farm in last year's Bryce Young trade, Carolina moved up one spot in a trade with Buffalo in an effort to get Young some playmaking help. The Panthers are betting that South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette is the second coming of another Gamecock pass-catcher, Deebo Samuel.
Legette certainly shares some attributes with Samuel, including impressive size, breakaway speed, and the knack for making huge plays. However, despite being 23-years-old, Legette is still a raw route runner who might struggle against experienced NFL defensive backs until he refines some things. That said, this Panthers offense is starving for playmakers around Young, and while Legette is a boom/bust gamble, I like Carolina's mindset with this pick.
Grade: B-
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