RADIO
The NFL Draft has come and gone. As usual, some teams crushed the draft while others made some head-scratching moves.
As easy as it is for us to question draft picks when they happen, only time will tell whether or not they were good picks. For example, six quarterbacks went in the first round and some of them (whether expectedly or unexpectedly) will fail. In 2023, the Lions were ridiculed for their selections of Jack Campbell and Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, but those two players helped catapult them to the NFC Championship Game as key difference-makers. You just never know.
Many of the teams at the top of the rankings have retained their spots, but several teams in the 20s saw their stock rise due to solid drafts, at least on paper (2023 records are in parentheses).
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New Orleans or Bust
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
The Chiefs traded up in each of the first two rounds to land wide receiver Xavier Worthy and offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia. The precarious situation with Rashee Rice made drafting a top wide receiver all but a necessity. Worthy is lightning fast and will fit into this offensive scheme with ease. The Chiefs also added defensive back and offensive line depth during later rounds. However, the additions of Suamataia and Worthy keep this team safely in the No. 1 spot.
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
It would appear that no wide receivers will be traded by San Francisco this year. That does not preclude them from adding any in the draft. With Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk on expiring deals, the 49ers are set for the future at the position. This team is going to be a problem once more in 2024.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk texted GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan moments after they selected his former Arizona State teammate Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick Thursday night. The message, per Shanahan: “Fire Pick, can’t lie.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024
3. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
The Ravens may have gotten one of the biggest steals by drafting defensive back T.J. Tampa in Round 4. They also added quarterback and running back depth on Day 3. The Ravens should be excellent in 2024, but they are in a tough division that could realistically send four teams to the playoffs.
4. Detroit Lions (12-5)
This team has made shoring up its pass defense a serious priority this offseason. Its first- and second-round picks were both defensive backs. Adding Terrion Arnold was a very good move by an already very good team. It added depth across the board during later rounds, but expect the Lions defense to be a lot stingier in 2024.
5. Houston Texans (10-7)
The Texans did most of their retooling during the free agency and trade frenzy of March. Armed with two second-round picks as a result of a trade back, the Texans addressed their two biggest needs in defensive back and offensive line. The race for the AFC South will be interesting between the Texans and the Jaguars.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The draft came and left without a trade of Tee Higgins. It would appear that the Bengals will roll into 2024 with largely the same weapons as in 2023. Amarius Mims is an absolute stud of an offensive lineman who should create time for Joe Burrow and open running lanes for Zack Moss and Chase Brown. If Joe Burrow stays healthy in 2024, then the Bengals are going to be a force.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
The Eagles are back. I am not sure how Howie Roseman continues to accomplish the impossible, but adding defensive back Cooper DeJean was the steal of the second round. The Eagles could still stand to fill some holes in their linebacking corps, but the defensive unit should be generally improved. If you have a friend who is a fan of the Eagles, then I suggest you mentally prepare yourself for all the trash talk now.
8. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
Another team with unsexy picks, the Packers simply plugged away at their remaining holes. There is still a gap between them and the Lions, but a big second-year leap from Jordan Love would likely close that gap.
9. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
Keon Coleman was an excellent pick by the Bills, and I want him on my fantasy team in 2024. The Bills also added much needed linebacker and defensive line help in Rounds 2 and 3. This team worked the draft board to perfection, with a series of trade-backs that netted solid returns. Lord knows that the Bills will need these picks to work out to replace their veterans.
It Might Be Our Turn Now
10. Cleveland Browns (11-6)
The Browns did not do anything groundbreaking with the little draft capital they had, but they had a solid draft based on their needs. This is a make-or-break year for this team, and Deshaun Watson for that matter. I still cannot wrap my head around how he forgot how to play quarterback.
11. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
Although believing in the Cowboys seems to be a fool's errand these days, this team quietly had a really good draft. Its first four picks were all excellent, highlighted by the addition of offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. Surprisingly, the Cowboys did not address running back during the draft, but it looks like Ezekiel Elliott should have wide open lanes once again.
12. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
Adding Chop Robinson should help ensure that the pass rush remains solid with the departure of Christian Wilkins. The question with this team is whether its offense will continue to hum when it gets cold outside. The AFC East should be a wide- open race this year.
13. New York Jets (7-10)
Although I am sure that the prospect of drafting someone like Brock Bowers or Brian Thomas Jr. was enticing, the Jets doubled down on their commitment to protecting Aaron Rodgers by drafting Olumuyiwa Fashanu in the first round. The roster suddenly looks very good and this team will go as far as Rodgers will take them.
14. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
The Rams entered the draft tied for the most picks in the league. After spending several years trading draft picks to win now, the Rams have spent the past two seasons building through the draft and doing a nice job at that. They spent their first two picks on the defense and made the surprising move to draft running back Blake Corum in Round 3. Adding Corum will only boost an already loaded offense.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
The additions of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and defensive tackle Maason Smith should catapult the Jags right back into divisional contention. Let's not forget that this team was running the AFC South before losing five straight games to close out last season. Not to mention Trevor Lawrence was struggling with injuries throughout that run. The Texans may be the new flashy team in the AFC South but the Jags are a team to watch in 2024.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
In full Steelers fashion, Pittsburgh made two of the least sexy picks of this draft. With players such as Brian Thomas Jr. and Xavier Worthy still on the board, the Steelers selected Troy Fautanu to improve their offensive line. They followed that pick with another lineman in Round 2. Adding wide receiver Roman Wilson in Round 3 was much needed and will likely be impressive given the Steelers' hit rate on wide receivers in the draft. This team should take a step forward in 2024.
17. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
If it was not for the Jaguars and Steelers having such solid drafts, the Falcons would be higher on this list. The Falcons shocked the world by selecting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. The pick is interesting, but given that Kirk Cousins is 35 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles, it makes sense that the Falcons would secure their future at the position. They could still use pass-rush help and their offense is not proven despite being good on paper.
Just One Quarterback Away
18. Chicago Bears (7-10)
Is Caleb Williams good or not? The success of this team comes down to that simple question. The Bears made two splash picks in the top 10 of the draft (Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze) who project to be the future of this franchise. The ball is in your court now, Caleb.
19. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
The Seahawks drafted some serious impact players. Byron Murphy II leads that list as possibly the best defensive player in this draft. Adding to their interior defensive and offensive lines will greatly improve this team. Is Mike Macdonald the real deal or not? His ability to regalvanize this franchise will dictate the next 10 years of Seahawks football.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
The Buccaneers had a solid draft with nothing to particularly write home about. They may have a tough time dealing with the new birds of the South.
21. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
The Colts did a nice job signing most of their in-house free agents, which meant that they could add to a solid 2023 group in the 2024 draft. They landed a possible difference-making wide receiver in Adonai Mitchell and a very good edge-rusher in Laiatu Latu. The more that I write about the AFC South, the more excited I am to watch this division this season.
22. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
The Vikings may not have many picks moving forward, but they moved up the draft board on multiple occasions to grab their guys. The future success of this team hinges on the development of J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has excellent traits that were displayed in a small sample size. While expensive, trading up to grab Dallas Turner was also an excellent move. This team will now pair Turner with Jonathan Greenard on the defensive line.
Change is in the Air
23. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
The Raiders found themselves in an unfortunate position when none of the top five quarterbacks in the draft fell to them at No. 13. Their pivot was to grab Brock Bowers, which was questioned by many. If you cannot get your quarterback, then why not add to the weaponry in your arsenal so that you are ready for him when he arrives?
24. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
The Saints did not have much draft capital and I am unsure the direction of this team. Still, they have a starting-caliber quarterback in Derek Carr and solid weapons around him. The defense should be good but will the offense score enough points?
25. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
The Titans quietly keep adding great pieces to the team. Drafting JC Latham will make this a serviceable to above-average offensive line. The Titans added probable starters to their defense in this draft, too. Much like Caleb Williams, the ball is now in Will Levis' court to show what he can do.
26. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
The Chargers are a team that will look markedly different in 2024 than they did in 2023. It would appear that the No. 1 target for Justin Herbert will be either Ladd McConkey or Quentin Johnston. That does not blow anyone away, but it likely will not matter because this team will be in the bottom five in pass attempts per game under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. I do not expect much from this team in 2024, but 2025 will be a different story.
27. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
Arizona crushed the draft by making seven picks in the first three rounds and 12 altogether. Landing arguably the best player in the draft in wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. should catapult Kyler Murray back into the top 6-10 quarterbacks in the league. NFC West teams better watch out because this team could feasibly finish around 500 this season considering how hard it competed with a lesser roster in 2023.
Things Would Really Have to Break Our Way
28. Denver Broncos (8-9)
So Bo Nix is the new guy in town. One of the best traits an incoming rookie quarterback can have is experience. Nix's 61 college starts at quarterback are the most in NCAA history. The guy has played a lot of football, which could translate to immediate success in the NFL. Sean Payton once sought another quarterback who was labeled as flawed in this range in the draft but missed out by one pick. That quarterback's name is Patrick Mahomes.
How Far in Advance Can You Book Cabo Resorts?
29. Washington Commanders (4-13)
The Commanders had a really nice draft landing their quarterback of the future in Jayden Daniels and equipping him with more weapons than he was already stepping into. Daniels should be a nice fit in Kliff Kingsbury's system. Kingsbury's system proved to work for Kyler Murray, who has similar traits as Daniels, albeit in a smaller body. The Commanders still have a ways to go with their defense, but their top-level leadership appears to be solid and they have had a good offseason.
"Jayden Daniels, right now, is the better quarterback [than Drake Maye]. ... He's the ultimate dual-threat. ... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
—@MelKiperESPN is fired up over Daniels' potential ahead of the draft 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QkvlJsOV1y
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 22, 2024
30. New York Giants (6-11)
Malik Nabers is a bona fide stud but the rest of the Giants' draft turned out to be relatively average. Nabers should help improve the offense and the defense may be alright, but the real question is how well Daniel Jones will fare off a torn ACL.
31. New England Patriots (4-13)
The Patriots are another team with everything hinging on the quarterback. Selecting Drake Maye with the third pick will hopefully turn out well for this team. Adding Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round will help continue to build out Maye's weaponry. I do not necessarily expect Maye to start from the beginning considering the presence of Jacoby Brissett. However, this will be an interesting team to watch this coming season.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
Despite not entering the draft with a first-round pick, the Panthers worked the draft board to get the guys they wanted. I questioned their pick of Jonathon Brooks given the presence of Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders and the other needs on the roster. However, it shows me that Dave Canales has no loyalty to the players of the old regime and wants to get his players on this team. The Panthers may very well not be the worst team in the league this year.
The best back in the NFL Draft.
Here's every Jonathon Brooks TD 🍿@2brookss x @Panthers pic.twitter.com/mBLnrDRzQf
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2024
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