Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 6

These Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2024 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Minnesota Vikings: Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma – B+ Grade
The “other” tackle for the Vikings, Walter Rouse could have gone as early as the fourth round without any complaints. This is a solid pick for the Vikings, who are wise to improve their offensive line depth for J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Jones.

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Logan Lee, DT, Iowa – B Grade
The Steelers needed defensive line depth, so it makes sense to add someone like Logan Lee atop Round 6. Lee makes sense in this range, though he projects mostly as a career backup.
Seattle Seahawks: Sataoa Laumea, OT/G, Utah – B+ Grade
Sataoa Laumea spent most of his time at tackle while playing for Utah, but he may have to move to guard in the NFL. This is fine for the Seahawks, who lost several interior blockers in free agency. We had Laumea in the fifth round, so this is a decent value.
New England Patriots: Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina – A+ Grade
The Patriots are taking a break from addressing the offense to go to defense. They’re getting a stellar value, so it’s easy to understand way. Marcellas Dial could have gone in the third round with no complaints, so this is a steal.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy – B+ Grade
The Chargers finally get a running back. Kimani Vidal is a quick runner who was projected as a fifth-rounder who could maybe sneak into the fourth. This is a solid value that fills a need.
Tennessee Titans: Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane – B Grade
Jha’Quan Jackson was a middling performer at the Senior Bowl, so he didn’t really improve his draft stock. It’s not surprising that he lasted until the sixth round. The range makes sense for a team that had to find some receiving depth.
New York Giants: Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA – C Grade
We had Darius Muasau as a seventh-rounder or UDFA player. The Giants finding a linebacker makes sense, but I wish they’d find more help for their horrible offense.
Miami Dolphins: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia – A Grade
This is a steal, as I thought Malik Washington could go in the fourth round. Washington is an elusive receiver who could emerge as a starter down the road when Tyreek Hill retires. Hill has stated that he won’t play much longer, so a successor was needed.
Philadelphia Eagles: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State – B Grade
Johnny Wilson was seen as a third- or a fourth-round prospect, so some will argue that this is a steal. However, others will argue that Wilson doesn’t have a natural position in the NFL, given that he can’t separate enough to be a receiver, and he’s too small to be a tight end. Perhaps Wilson will find a home in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons: Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama – C+ Grade
If Arthur Smith were still with the Falcons, he’d use Jase McClellan over Bijan Robinson. The Falcons have a crowded backfield, but McClellan is a solid value in the sixth round, as he could have gone in the fourth. However, I would have liked to have seen the Falcons strengthen other areas.
Atlanta Falcons: Casey Washington, WR, Illinois – C- Grade
The Falcons needed receiver depth, but they could have gotten someone better than this. Casey Washington was a UDFA prospect, so he shouldn’t have been taken this early.
Houston Texans: Jamal Hill, LB, Oregon – B Grade
Jamal Hill made a name for himself late in the pre-draft process with some positive visits and meetings. Hill projects as a special-teamer, which has become more important with the new kickoff rule.
Detroit Lions: Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU – A Grade
The Lions will need to put lots of pressure on Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy in the playoffs, so finding players to do that is crucial. Mekhi Wingo is a small defensive lineman, but he can rush the passer in the interior. I thought there was a chance he could sneak into Day 2, so I love this value.
Philadelphia Eagles: Dylan McMahon, C, N.C. State – B Grade
A center is an obvious need, given Jason Kelce’s retirement. The Eagles have a replacement, but they needed new depth at the position. Dylan McMahon was a projected fifth-rounder, so the range makes sense for him to go at No. 190.
Arizona Cardinals: Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB – C Grade
Tejhaun Palmer was a productive player at UAB, but he wasn’t predicted to be a drafted player by us or any publication I’ve seen. This is a reach, but we’re in the sixth round, so that’s no a big deal anymore.
Seattle Seahawks: D.J. James, CB, Auburn – B- Grade
D.J. James is known for a blown coverage against Alabama that resulted in a loss. He makes sense in this range though, so perhaps he can redeem himself in Seattle. The Seahawks do know what they’re doing with cornerbacks.
New England Patriots: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee – C- Grade
This is a stupid pick. Joe Milton has a massive arm, but his decision-making in the pocket is horrendous. He’s a long-term project, but the Patriots will be developing Drake Maye. New England should have given Maye more to work with instead of competition.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona – A Grade
This is Cincinnati’s second tight end, but we’ve seen teams have success drafting two tight ends in the past. Tanner McLachlan was very productive at Arizona, and I thought he’d go two rounds earlier than this.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Watts, CB/S, Texas – B Grade
The Steelers had problems in their secondary last year, so adding another defensive back makes sense. Ryan Watts, a versatile defensive back who can play corner and safety, was seen as a sixth-round prospect.
Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson – B+ Grade
Tyler Davis was a productive player at Clemson who enjoyed a solid Senior Bowl. However, he fell to the sixth round because he’s small and not lengthy, so the upside isn’t quite there. Still, the Rams are getting a solid prospect in the sixth round at a position of need.
Atlanta Falcons: Zion Logue, DT, Georgia – C Grade
Zion Logue was a backup at Georgia, so why is he being drafted in the sixth round? He was seen mostly as a UDFA, so this is a reach.
Miami Dolphins: Patrick McMorris, S/CB, California – B+ Grade
Patrick McMorris is a very versatile, Jack of all trades-type player, who will be very useful for the Dolphins. He can be used at safety, nickel cornerback, and special teams. This is a solid choice.
New Orleans Saints: Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa – A- Grade
I had Khristian Boyd in the fifth round, so i like this value at the Tom Brady pick in the NFL Draft. Boyd was a productive pass rusher in school, though we’ll have to see if the 1-AA production translates to the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State – B+ Grade
The Panthers have struggled against the run for years. Perhaps that’ll turn around with Jaden Crumedy joining the defensive line. Crumedy is a massive nose tackle who was projected in the fifth round, making this a solid pick.
Indianapolis Colts: Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall – B- Grade
I had Micah Abraham as my Mr. Irrelevant, so while this is a reach, it’s not a very egregious one in the middle of the sixth round. The need makes sense for the Colts, who had to find another cornerback.
Green Bay Packers: Travis Glover, OT, Georgia State – B Grade
Protecting “No Cookie” Jordan Love is obviously very important, so drafting a tackle with this pick makes sense. Travis Glover was seen as a sixth-round prospect, so he was expected to go here, making this a logical choice.
Minnesota Vikings: Will Reichard, K, Alabama – B Grade
I hate early kicker picks, but taking one in the sixth round is fine. Will Reichard was our top-rated kicker, for what it’s worth, and the Vikings had to fill this need.
Buffalo Bills: Tylan Grable, OT, Central Florida – A- Grade
I like this pick, as some of Charlie’s sources listed Tylan Grable as a sleeper. Grable has plenty of athleticism, and protecting Josh Allen is never a bad thing.
Houston Texans: Jawhar Jordan, RB, Louisville – A Grade
I love this pick, as the Texans are adding an element to their offense they didn’t possess. Jawhar Jordan is a small back who can’t handle a full workload, but he has explosive ability and can go the distance, much like Keaton Mitchell.
Cleveland Browns: Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State – A- Grade
Nathaniel Watson is someone we had in the fifth round, so this is solid value for the Browns, a team that needed to find a linebacker. Nathaniel Watson was a tackling machine in college, though he has questionable coverage ability.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Jerrell, OT, Findlay – C Grade
We didn’t have Mike Jerrell as a draftable prospect, and I heard zero buzz about him throughout the process. This could have been a UDFA signing.
Las Vegas Raiders: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire – A Grade
This is a steal for the Raiders, as Dylan Laube could have been chosen late in the third round without any complaints. The Raiders needed to find another running back, and they’re doing that with a great receiver out of the backfield.
Los Angeles Rams: Joshua Karty, K, Stanford – C Grade
I can’t be excited about a kicker pick. I’m just sad I couldn’t berate a team for drafting one earlier than the sixth round, but it makes sense for the Rams to take one here.
Detroit Lions: Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College – A+ Grade
Here’s an absolute steal for the Lions, as Christian Mahogany got some third-round consideration. He has some injury stuff from the past, but if he can get over it, he can eventually emerge as a starter. The Lions needed a guard after losing one to free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee – B Grade
Kamal Hadden bounced around schools, but settled in at Tennessee. He played well last year and was seen as a mid-Day 3 prospect, so this is a logical choice for the Chiefs to make, especially given how many lethal passing offenses exist in the AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Little, K, Arkansas – D Grade
Our top two kickers went off the board to the Vikings and Rams, but we didn’t have Cam Little ranked. So, I’ll grade this worse than the other kicker picks.
Los Angeles Rams: Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas – B+ Grade
Cooper Kupp doesn’t have much time remaining in the NFL, so it makes sense for the Rams to draft a receiver at this spot. We had Jordan Whittington pegged in the fifth round, so some slight value is nice here toward the end of Round 6.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Johnson, DE, Ole Miss – A Grade
I wouldn’t have been too upset had Cedric Johnson gone in the third round. Johnson is an athletic edge player, and he is a tremendous steal by the Bengals, who needed an edge rusher with Trey Hendrickson asking for a trade or threatening retirement.
San Francisco 49ers: Jarrett Kingston, G/OT, USC – B Grade
Jarrett Kingston needs to get stronger for the NFL. However, he has nice position versatility to play tackle and guard if he does bulk up a bit. Adding more blocking makes sense for the 49ers, and Kingston was expected to be drafted around this area.
Dallas Cowboys: Ryan Flournoy, WR, SE Missouri State – A- Grade
Finally, an offensive play-maker for Dak Prescott. Ryan Flournoy really helped himself with a strong Senior Bowl week to match his production at his small school. This is a solid pick, as Flournoy could have gone much earlier on Day 3.
Los Angeles Rams: Beaux Limmer, G/C, Arkansas – A+ Grade
I’ve had Beaux Limmer in the third or fourth round of my mock draft, so I love this value. I also am a big fan of adding to Matthew Stafford’s protection. Beaux Limmer can play both guard and center.
Baltimore Ravens: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky – C Grade
The Ravens needed a backup quarterback with Tyler Huntley gone, but I would have rather have seen Michael Pratt. Devin Leary has a history of injuries and accuracy woes.
Buffalo Bills: Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State – B Grade
Daequan Hardy was not expected to be the first Penn State cornerback chosen, but here we are. Daequan Hardy is a fast corner, but is very small. He’s a projected nickel cornerback, and he’ll be able to satisfy a need for the cornerback-hungry Bills.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Klein, G, UTEP – C Grade
We didn’t have Elijah Klein as a draftable prospect, but I don’t mind the Buccaneers adding more interior protection, which was their biggest need. They could have signed Klein as a UDFA though.