NFL Draft Grades 2024

2024 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 1-16:

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC – A Grade
   The Bears could have done something stupid like trade this pick away or select a lesser quarterback that the owner wanted for some reason. Instead, they selected the best quarterback prospect in this class, giving them a great 5-year window to win a Super Bowl while having their franchise signal-caller under a rookie contract.
   
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2. Washington Redskins: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU – A Grade
   Three possible quarterbacks were discussed as a possibility for the Redskins at No. 2. Ultimately, Washington made the correct decision. While J.J. McCarthy has a high floor and Drake Maye possesses an enormous ceiling, Jayden Daniels maintains both. He was the right choice for the Redskins despite some drama that occurred between between him and the organization during the top-30 visit.
   
   
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina – A- Grade
   There was great speculation that the Patriots would trade out of this pick, but they were never going to accept any offers that wouldn’t blow them away. The reason is simple – the Patriots were desperate for a franchise quarterback and happened to be in position to draft one. Drake Maye is riskier than the two quarterbacks chosen before him, but he has immense upside. The Patriots made a wise decision to draft him over any of the other options.
   
   
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State – B+ Grade
   No trade for the Cardinals is lame because they could have acquired more assets and then drafted a top receiver. While they can’t get an “A” grade because they didn’t get a deal done, they should be praised for getting a superstar receiver for Kyler Murray, which is something they needed after DeAndre Hopkins left the team.
   
   
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame – C+ Grade
   So much for that J.C. Latham nonsense. The Chargers are drafting the best player available, but there are three reasons to dislike this pick. First, no trade was made, but that’s not a huge deal. Second, the Chargers are passing on the top receivers despite having nothing at receiver. And third, the Chargers a picking a player to play right tackle who has zero experience playing right tackle. This selection could still pan out, but it’s hard to like very much.
   
   
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU – A Grade
   Malik Nabers could have gone fourth or fifth without any complaints, so the Giants getting him with the sixth pick is an excellent move. The Giants have sorely needed a No. 1 receiver ever since Odell Beckham Jr. was traded, and they finally have one. Nabers will give Daniel Jones a chance for once, though improved blocking is still needed.
   
   
7. Tennessee Titans: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama – C Grade
   I’m not crazy about this pick. I get it because the Titans don’t have a left tackle, but J.C. Latham, despite his placement in my mock draft, doesn’t stand out to be as a top-10 prospect, and I also think he’d be a better fit at right tackle than left tackle. I was hoping the Titans would trade down and get Latham later, but they didn’t do that. I’m not going to fail Tennessee for this selection, but it could have been better.
   
   
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons – MILLEN Grade
   Wow, the Falcons screwed this up. Why did they sign Kirk Cousins if they had plans to draft Michael Penix? Why draft Penix if they spent so much money on Cousins? By signing Cousins, they were going all in, but now they’re building toward the future? It makes no sense. This is an example of a bad owner meddling when he shouldn’t.
   
   
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington – B+ Grade
   It’s a bit disappointing that the Bears didn’t trade down because they have just two picks after this. However, I can’t hate on this selection because Rome Odunze is a stud receiver, and giving a rookie franchise quarterback a stud receiver is never a bad idea. Even with Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore in place, this pick makes sense, as Chicago will have a lethal trio at receiver.
   
   
10. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan – C Grade
    When there was speculation that the Patriots were going to draft J.J. McCarthy, I was going to write, “I thought they already drafted Mac Jones.” Well, now the Vikings drafted Mac Jones. McCarthy has a higher floor, but a very low ceiling, much like Jones. I don’t like this pick, but the Vikings at least didn’t give up significant resources to get their man, so I can’t hate on it too much.
    
    
11. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State – C Grade
    I don’t hate this pick, but it’s underwhelming because the Jets still don’t have any downfield play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson. Also, the Jets signed Tyron Smith, so will Olu Fashanu even be able to get onto the field as a rookie? Given that the Jets are all-in to win now, that’s an important question. This is a good pick for the long haul, but the Jets needed an impact player for 2024.
    
    
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon – MILLEN Grade
    This reminds me of the Vikings drafting Christian Ponder or the Jaguars drafting Blaine Gabbert. Both quarterbacks were second-round prospects who were pushed way up because of position and need. This is the case here, as Nix should be a second-round selection. The Broncos, however, were very desperate for a quarterback and were backed into a corner. They should have traded back and tried to get Nix.
    
    
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia – A Grade
    So much for Michael Mayer. I don’t really care that the Raiders drafted Mayer last year because A) Mayer sucked as a rookie, and B) this is a new front office. Brock Bowers makes the most sense as the best player available. I love this pick, as Bowers will be a great threat for whomever the Raiders find to play quarterback.
    
    
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State – A- Grade
    The Saints needed a left tackle, but Taliese Fuaga is a right tackle. However, the Saints need a right tackle as well with Ryan Ramczyk’s season being doomed with his knee injury. This pick makes sense, and Fuaga could have gone a bit earlier than this, so you have to like the slight value.
    
    
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA – A+ Grade
    The Colts are getting the top defensive player at No. 15 overall. That’s unreal. Some media people are slow on the Latu news, but he was cleared medically, so he should have gone top 10. Latu would have gone eighth overall if Arthur Blank didn’t step in and do something stupid, so the value here is outstanding.
    
    
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas – A+ Grade
    Another A+ defensive grade. You have to love the value. The Bears could have drafted Byron Murphy at No. 9, and there wouldn’t have been any complaints. The Vikings loved Murphy enough to take him at 11 if they didn’t need a quarterback so badly. Murphy is an immense talent, and the Seahawks are definitely upgrading their defensive line, which is something they’ve needed to do for a while.
    
    
2024 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades