2024 NFL Draft Team Grades

These are 2024 NFL Draft Team Grades. I’ll be posting them throughout Sunday. 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

Carolina Panthers: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Panthers foolishly drafted C.J. Stroud over Bryce Young last year despite all the coaches wanting Stroud to be the pick. Whoops. The Panthers are stuck with Young because David Tepper thought he knew more than the football guys he hired, so they have no choice but to build up their supporting cast to carry Young. Adding a running back, a receiver, and an offensive line would help tremendously.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Carolina did a good job of finding talent to surround Young in this draft, so if Young continues to struggle, we know it’s on him and not the supporting cast, which was lackluster during his rookie campaign.

Xavier Legette and Ja’Tavion Sanders are promising pass-catchers, and they should be able to complement Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen well. Jonathon Brooks figures to be a long-term starting running back, though his career will begin slowly because he’s coming off a torn ACL.

The Panthers focused on the defensive side of the ball for most of Day 3. They found some good values in that regard, including fifth-round cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who can help replace the traded Donte Jackson.

I really like this draft for the Panthers, and it should be graded highly despite the team not possessing a first-round pick at the beginning of the weekend.

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Washington Redskins: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Redskins will be drafting their franchise quarterback at No. 2. After that, it’s all about bolstering the trenches. The Redskins have major problems with their blocking and lackluster pass rush, so both of those areas could be addressed in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Redskins also have some major holes at cornerback and tight end that must be addressed.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Redskins could have drafted an inferior quarterback prospect like the Panthers did a year ago, but they chose the correct player. Jayden Daniels was an excellent pick at No. 2 overall, as he’ll finally solve the quarterback problem that has plagued Washington for decades.

However, I worry about Daniels’ pass protection in the short term. The Redskins bolstered the interior of the offensive line in free agency, but still has a huge hole at left tackle. I thought the Redskins would select a quality blind-side protector or in the second round or perhaps trade up for one, but they failed to do so. As a result, Daniels will struggle with edge pressure to begin his career.

I liked some of Washington’s other picks, as Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristill will help defensively. However, the Redskins wasted some selections and failed to address their second-biggest need, so I can’t grade their haul too favorably.
New England Patriots: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Patriots won’t have their pick of the quarterback litter like the Redskins did beyond Caleb Williams. The Patriots may get their third preference, but that’s still an upgrade over what they’ve had in recent years at the position. New England has very little else on offense, so it needs to surround this new quarterback with as much talent as possible.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: There was pre-draft speculation that the Patriots could trade down with the Giants or Vikings, but they decided to remain in place. This was the correct decision, as they were able to land their new franchise quarterback, Drake Maye.

With an empty cupboard on offense, the Patriots had to spend tons of selections to help Maye. That’s exactly what they did, with their next four picks being used on that side of the ball. In fact, only one selection in the entire Patriots’ draft class was spent on defense, which was a steal in Marcellas Dial as a sixth-round choice.

I’m not a huge fan of all the offensive players the Patriots acquired, as tackle Caedan Wallace was a bit of a reach, while Joe Milton was a waste. However, I liked the approach, and I was a fan of Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 37, especially after New England traded down.

I wouldn’t call this a great draft class for the Patriots, but it was very good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction in New England’s post-Brady and Belichick rebuilding process.
Arizona Cardinals: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Cardinals have lots of holes, so they need more resources. They also lack top-end talent, so trading up after moving out of No. 4 makes a lot of sense as well. Reports indicate that the Cardinals would love to move down, so we’ll have to see if they end up being the first team on the move.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Arizona did not trade down after all. The team remained at No. 4 and selected the best non-quarterback in the class. Though trading down and acquiring more resources may have been the better decision, there’s no arguing that Marvin Harrison Jr. will have a massive impact on the franchise, including Kyler Murray’s continued development.

It was all downhill from there, however. Darius Robinson was a solid pick at No. 27, but Max Melton and Isaiah Adams were slight reaches. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson was more egregious, while the worst pick was Tip Reiman, who was a late-round prospect chosen in the third frame. He didn’t even fill a need, so it’s unclear why Arizona made that choice.

The Cardinals had so many picks, so they squandered lots of opportunities. It wasn’t a horrible draft because Harrison was added, and there were some good picks, but given how great this class could have been, it was an underwhelming result.
Los Angeles Chargers: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Chargers lost so many pieces offensively, so they’ll need to replenish Justin Herbert’s arsenal. Two receivers, a running back, and a tight end are needed. And yet, John Harbaugh told the media that he wants to “beef up” the offensive line, so that’s another area the Chargers must address.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Chargers had a puzzling start to the draft. They wanted a new right tackle, yet they used the No. 5 overall pick on a left tackle who has never played right tackle before in his entire football career. Joe Alt is very talented and could succeed at this new position, but this hasn’t been an automatic transition for other players in the past.

Aside from that possible blunder, the Chargers had a strong draft. While they passed on elite receiver at No. 5, they were able to find three promising players at the position in Ladd McConkey, Brenden Rice, and Cornelius Johnson. Running back was also addressed via Kimani Vidal, albeit later than expected. The only pick I strongly disliked was Tarheeb Still.

I had a tough time deciding between a B+ or a “B” for the Chargers’ overall grade. I went with the latter because of the risk pertaining to Alt’s positioning, but if he ends up being a great right tackle, this could end up being a stellar draft class.
New York Giants: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: It would be irresponsible of the Giants to reach for a quarterback at No. 6, given how many needs they have on their roster. It would be Daniel Jones all over again. So, the Giants would be better off bolstering the offensive line and finding upgrades at receiver and running back to give Jones a legitimate chance to succeed.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: There were so many rumors circulating about the Giants trading up for a quarterback, but that never materialized. Instead, they stayed put at No. 6 and landed a No. 1 receiver, which is something they haven’t possessed since the Odell Beckham Jr. days.

While the Giants got off to a great start, their draft fizzled a bit after that. They had just one pick that scored lower than a “C,” but they didn’t have any other “A” picks either. The worst selection was that of Andru Phillips when the pick could have been used on more help for Jones. Despite the Malik Nabers choice, it seems like the Giants didn’t do enough to help Jones.

The Giants eschewed offensive players until their fourth and fifth picks, landing Theo Johnson and Tyrone Tracy. Both project to be solid players, but an earlier pick should have been used on a play-maker or a blocker. I’d say the Giants’ draft was a bit disappointing as a result, but it wasn’t a bad one either.
Tennessee Titans: C+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Will Levis is still a big question mark. His career could go one of two ways depending on how much talent the Titans surround him with during the 2024 NFL Draft. They already signed Calvin Ridley in free agency, but there’s still lots of work to be done, as Tennessee needs to find a left tackle, some other offensive line upgrades, and another receiver.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Titans apparently didn’t get the memo that they needed to help Will Levis. Only two of their draft choices were spent on offensive players. Of course, the first one was with J.C. Latham coming off the board at No. 7 overall. However, Latham is a right tackle who will be asked to play on the blind side. It’s not clear if he’ll have a smooth transition.

Tennessee’s other offensive pick was a late-round receiver. The team bolstered its defense otherwise, but reached a bit in the second round with T’Vondre Sweat, who was expected to fall because of off-the-field issues. The Titans rebounded with Cedric Gray and Jarvis Brownlee after that. I also liked some of their late-round picks.

While there were some positives to Tennessee’s draft, it’s reasonable to suspect that the offense will struggle in 2024. Things could have been much better in that regard, so the Titans may be kicking themselves for passing on all the offensive talent available in this class.
Atlanta Falcons: MILLEN Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Falcons eschewed all the quarterback prospects in this class by signing Kirk Cousins. The former Viking quarterback gives Atlanta a legitimate chances to make a deep run into the playoffs. There are still some issues, however, and most of them apply to the defensive side of the ball. The Falcons must improve their pass rush and cornerback group so they can battle the top offenses of the NFC.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: “The Falcons eschewed all the quarterback prospects in this class by signing Kirk Cousins.” Yeah, so much for that. Atlanta made an inexplicably horrible decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. over Laiatu Latu at No. 8 overall. Giving Cousins a nine-figure deal indicated that the Falcons knew they are ready to win now. However, it seems as though they also want to build for the future. Having one foot in often leads to failure. Some will point out the “No Cookie” Jordan Love situation in Green Bay, but the Packers sabotaged a potential earlier Super Bowl victory by not giving Aaron Rodgers a weapon like Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk. The Falcons will have similar failures in the playoffs without a talented edge rusher like Latu.

This was the beginning of a disastrous weekend for the Falcons. They followed up the awful Penix pick by needlessly trading for Ruke Orhorhoro. This was one of a few reaches the Falcons made. Five of their eight picks graded as a C+ or worse. Two were failures.

Atlanta easily had the worst draft class of all the teams in the league. The team ruined its chances of winning when it had a golden opportinity to strengthen the current roster with a dynamic edge rusher. When the team can’t stop Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff or Brock Purdy come January, they can point to this weekend as to why they ended up losing.
Chicago Bears: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Bears will land their franchise quarterback at No. 1. It gets more interesting after that, as Chicago has a well-rounded roster with some specific holes. Plugging those areas willbe key, but Chicago must focus on giving Caleb Williams as much support as possible so he can succeed quickly in the NFL.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Bears had just four picks entering the draft, so they’re not an easy team to grade. I wish they would have acquired more assets by trading down from No. 9, but I can’t blame them for selecting a talented receiver like Rome Odunze to help Caleb Williams. And speaking of Williams, this entire Chicago draft was the beginning of a new era for the franchise. The Bears will have Williams on a rookie deal for the next four years, which will give them a great chance to win the Super Bowl. Chicago did well to surround Williams with talent before the draft with Keenan Allen, and then during the draft with a wide receiver and a tackle.

Despite the Bears having just four picks, it feels wrong to give them anything shy of a grade in the “A” range. In fact, this would be an “A” if the Bears hadn’t wasted a fourth-round pick on a punter. Chicago defined the next dozen or more years of its franchise with just four original selections, which is often very difficult to do.
New York Jets: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Jets have made it known that they are all in for this and perhaps next year with Aaron Rodgers. They need to continue to give Rodgers weapons and protection. They could also explore trading down because they don’t have a second-round pick.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Jets traded down from No. 10, but they moved just one spot. They also gave Rodgers protection, but did so with their initial selection, eschewing the play-making option instead. New York would have been better served selecting Brock Bowers because it’s a guarantee that he would contribute on Day 1. Olu Fashanu, conversely, may not take the field as a rookie. Granted, he provides some great insurance for the oft-injured Tyron Smith, but if Smith remains on the field, Fashanu will be rotting on the bench. That’s not ideal for a team that has an all-in approach.

The Jets rebounded with the Malachi Corley pick in the third round, but they squandered some picks after that. They chose two running backs for some reason, and they used a pick on a CFL cornerback when selecting another receiver would have been more prudent. Amazingly, the Jets came away with just one offensive lineman and one receiver from this entire draft class, which seems like a major blunder.

I can’t grade the Jets’ 2024 class very favorably. I like some of the choices they made, but they did not accomplish their goal of really strengthening Rodgers’ supporting cast. It may improve a bit, but not nearly enough to contend in the challenging AFC.
Minnesota Vikings: D Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Vikings have made it clear that they’re trading up for a quarterback. They acquired Houston’s first-round pick, so they have more ammo than any team in the 11-16 range to trade up for a franchise signal-caller. Ideally, the Vikings wouldn’t reach for one. They also need to bolster their weak defense, which had no answer for Jordan Love in a late meeting last year.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Minnesota did not manage its resources very well in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team acquired Houston’s first-round pick to trade up for a quarterback, but never used it. What seems to have happened was that the Vikings envisioned moving up for Drake Maye, but the Patriots wouldn’t budge. They were then unwilling to move up more than one selection for J.J. McCarthy. That was at least correct because McCarthy is the same sort of caliber of prospect as Mac Jones, so give the Vikings credit for not panicking.

The Vikings then traded up for Dallas Turner. Some considered this a sharp move, but it really wasn’t. Charlie Campbell reported that Turner would fall because some teams flagged him medically, so Turner being available at No. 17 wasn’t a surprise for most teams. The Vikings, apparently, didn’t get the memo. When the dust settled, Minnesota had no second-day selections and only three picks in the entire 2025 NFL Draft: a first-rounder and two fifths. Ouch.

Minnesota’s third day wasn’t too bad, but no pick made was graded above a B+. This was an extremely discouraging draft for the Vikings, who failed to make significant improvements to their roster, all while squandering way too many resources.
Denver Broncos: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Of all the teams outside the top three in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos are the most desperate for a quarterback. The only players at the position on their roster are Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, and there’s no way the organization can sell their fans on that trio. However, it’s important for the Broncos to not reach for a quarterback. In fact, they would be wise to trade down because they have one of the weakest rosters in the NFL.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: There was some speculation from the Denver media that the team could trade up for Bo Nix. This was before the Zach Wilson acquisition, which gave the Broncos some insurance. They remained at No. 12 to select Bo Nix, which still seems like an egregious error, but at least they didn’t move up for him. Still, the Broncos should have traded down, as no one else was going to select Nix in the 13-25 range. Nix was considered a second-round prospect, so selecting him at No. 12 was a colossal reach.

It’s a shame the Nix pick had to spoil Denver’s draft class because the rest of it was quite good. Troy Franklin was a steal in the fourth round, and he could play right away as a replacement for Jerry Jeudy. Kris Abrams-Draine and Audric Estime were third-day steals as well. Jonah Elliss didn’t provide amazing value, but he was a solid third-round choice to help improve a very weak pass rush.

Had the Broncos traded down for Nix, I would have graded this much more favorably. The overall grade would perhaps be a B+ or a “B,” depending on what Denver obtained. However, failing to acquire more capital and just drafting Nix at No. 12 was a huge blunder.
Las Vegas Raiders: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Raiders don’t have a quarterback at the moment, so they could draft one at No. 13. It would be ideal if they could somehow leapfrog the Vikings for Drake Maye, but that may not be realistic. If the Raiders don’t move up, trading back would make sense in order to accumulate more picks.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Raiders neither selected a quarterback nor traded down from No. 13. Instead, they obtained an elite player at that pick. It must have been quite the shock that Brock Bowers was available, and it was a smart decision to draft him. The Raiders were wise to view Michael Mayer as a sunk cost in the process, though it helped that the current regime didn’t draft Mayer.

The Raiders didn’t come away with a quarterback, but they still have a young player at the position in Aidan O’Connell, who showed brilliant flashes at times as a rookie. He’ll be helped by the auditions of Bowers, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Dylan Laube, with the latter two being steals at positions of need. The Raiders also found two solid bargains on the defensive side of the ball when they chose Tommy Eichenberg and Marlon Devonshire.

I’m a big fan of the Raiders’ draft, with only one pick (Delmar Glaze) scoring worse than a “B” grade. Again, there was no quarterback, but the Raiders were never in position to draft one, thanks to Atlanta’s stupidity. Instead, the Raiders strengthened their roster, giving them a chance to compete for a playoff spot in 2024.
New Orleans Saints: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Saints have just two picks in the top 149, so they would be wise to trade down and accumulate more talent across the board. What they should really do is tank in 2024 for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they will continue to be stuck in an 8-9/9-8 quagmire.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: New Orleans didn’t trade down after all, but it can’t be criticized for the picks it made. Taliese Fuaga is a talented blocker who could have been chosen a few picks earlier than his spot at No. 14, while Kool-Aid McKinstry was a major steal at No. 41. Both are outstanding players who will fill huge needs on a declining roster.

Another steal was Spencer Rattler, who somehow slipped to the fifth round. Some teams were turned off by a reality show Rattler recorded years ago, but he was 18 when he did it. He may be a different person now, and if so, the Saints may have a legitimate quarterback of the future.

The rest of New Orleans’ draft was mixed, but it was a great class overall. The Saints didn’t end up acquiring more significant assets, but they obtained some very talented players.
Indianapolis Colts: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Colts nearly made the playoffs last year with a backup quarterback playing most of the season, so they’re on the verge of becoming a team that can compete deep into the playoffs. Wide receiver and tight end should be addressed to get the most out of Anthony Richardson, but the Colts don’t have any glaring needs, so they can afford to draft the best player available otherwise.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Indianapolis made sure to help Anthony Richardson as much as possible in this draft. Four of its top five picks were spent on offense. Two selections were wide receivers, including Adonai Mitchell, a very talented player who dropped because of off-the-field issues and type-1 diabetes concerns. Mitchell has high upside, however, so he could be a special weapon for Richardson. Two other picks were spent on the offensive line. While the Colts already blocked well, added protection is never a bad thing for a young quarterback, especially one who tends to get hurt often. Tanor Bortolini was especially a terrific choice in the fourth round.

Of course, Indianapolis’ class began with Laiatu Latu, who was available as a result of Atlanta’s stupidity. Several teams medically cleared Latu, making him the top defensive prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts getting such a prospect at No. 15 has to be considered a steal.

I love what the Colts did in the 2024 NFL Draft. They helped Richardson and also improved their pass rushing to help combat the many other talented quarterbacks in the AFC. Only two of their picks scored worse than a B-, but they were late-round selections.
Seattle Seahawks: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Seahawks don’t have a second-round pick, so I imagine they would want to trade down to accumulate more resources. They really need to address their defensive line once again, but the main issue is the interior of the offensive front, which lost three starters to free agency. The Seahawks also need to find a potential quarterback for the future.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Seattle didn’t end up trading down, but that’s understandable because a very talented player fell to them at No. 16. Byron Murphy was considered the best defensive player in this class by some, so he was a steal. The Seahawks have maintained a pedestrian defensive line for far too long, and Murphy will certainly improve that area.

While the Seahawks eschewed an offensive lineman at No. 16, and understandably so, given the circumstances, they spent three other picks addressing the interior blocking. Two of them, however, were late-round choices, so only Christian Haynes will likely contribute as a rookie. Haynes, like Murphy, was a tremendous value where he was chosen.

I liked most of what Seattle did otherwise. Only one pick was graded worse than B-, and that happened to be the team’s final selection. My only qualm is that one other early pick wasn’t used on improving the offensive line, but it’s not a surprise that a John Schneider class will be graded favorably.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Jaguars had a miserable pass defense last year, which absolutely must be addressed with the improved quarterback situation of the teams in the AFC South. Adding more protection for Trevor Lawrence will be crucial as well.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Four of Jacksonville’s initial six selections were used on the defensive side of the ball. This does not include the first pick, however. The Jaguars had a number of talented defensive players fall to them at No. 17, but ended up moving down for Brian Thomas Jr. While Thomas is a very talented receiver, a selection used on Terrion Arnold may have been the better decision.

The Jaguars found a cornerback in the third round in Jarrian Jones, but reached for him. Reaching can describe what Jacksonville did for many of its selections, including Maason Smith in the second round and Javon Foster in the fourth. Smith is a skilled player who could really help Jacksonville’s defense, but he comes with a ton of risk because of medical issues. Foster was considered a late-round prospect.

In the end, I don’t think the Jaguars really improved their roster. I like that they traded down from No. 17, but they ended up squandering too many resources, so it didn’t end up mattering.
Cincinnati Bengals: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: It seems like an annual requirement for the Bengals to improve their offensive line, but that’s the case yet again. Joe Burrow is not protected well, so that must change. The Bengals must also address their secondary, which lost plenty of talent recently, and defensive tackle because of the D.J. Reader departure.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: J.C. Latham was atop Cincinnati’s wishlist, but he was chosen 11 picks earlier. Amarius Mims was the second option, yet the Bengals somehow obtained him at No. 18. Mims was a great bargain at that spot, and he should be able to bolster Burrow’s blocking, which has been insufficient for far too long.

The Bengals were hoping for T’Vondre Sweat in the second round, but he was also plucked off the board before they were on the clock. They went with a smaller defensive tackle instead, obtaining Kris Jenkins. Needing a true nose tackle, they tried McKinnley Jackson at the end of the third. I didn’t like that pick as much, but perhaps Jenkins and Jackson, who specialize in different traits, can team up to duplicate what Reader produced in the past.

Of Cincinnati’s nine picks, eight scored as a “B” or higher, and six earned “A” grades. There were many great values, including fifth-rounder Josh Newton, who should be able to help the pass defense sooner rather than later. There was also Tanner McLachlan, who, along with Erick All, gives Cincinnati a chance to have a play-maker over the middle of the field for the first time since the Tyler Eifert days. And speaking of play-makers, Jermaine Burton was a solid receiver choice in the third frame.

I love what the Bengals did. They addressed positions of need and made improvements to their roster. Burrow should be thrilled for the added protection and weaponry, while defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will be happy to work with his new toys.
Los Angeles Rams: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Rams did a fine job of fixing their secondary in free agency, so they’re free to focus on the rest of the defense. Their front seven needs to be re-worked, especially in the wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement. Finding a potential successor for Matthew Stafford wouldn’t be the worst idea either.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Les Snead must have been a big fan of Florida State’s defense because he used his initial two selections on Seminole front-seven players. Jared Verse is a talented edge rusher, though he could have been obtained a bit later than No. 19. Conversely, Braden Fiske was a nice bargain in the second round. The front seven still figures to be worse than it was last year because of Donald’s retirement, but Verse and Fiske will ease the pain substantially.

Of the Rams’ first six picks, five were used on defense. Many of those selections were quality values. Safety Kamren Kinchens, edge rusher Brennan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyler Davis all could have been chosen earlier than they were. Most of them should be able to help the Rams this year.

While most of the Rams’ draft class was positive, there were a couple of disappointments. Using a third-round pick on a running back when Kyren Williams will be handling all of the snaps seems like a waste. Then, of course, there was the sixth-round kicker pick.

Despite the two blunders, the Rams had a strong class overall. It’s not quite in the “A” range, but a B+ grade seems correct.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Steelers have two new quarterbacks, so to make sure one of them succeeds, they’ll need to beef up the offensive line. Two new blockers will be needed. The Steelers will also have to find at least one new receiver for their new signal-callers in the wake of the Diontae Johnson trade.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Forget two new blockers, the Steelers found three in their first five picks! This includes their initial two selections, with Pittsburgh drafting Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier. The consensus is that Fautanu slipped to No. 20, but there were some injury concerns with him. Still, Fautanu is a skilled blocker who can be used anywhere up front, including center. Of course, he won’t be stationed at center because of the Frazier pick. Frazier was a solid value in the second round, and he’ll fill a huge position of need.

Frazier wasn’t the only great value Pittsburgh secured. Roman Wilson also qualifies as a steal in the third round. Wilson could easily become Pittsburgh’s next second-day receiver hit. Meanwhile, Payton Wilson offers a possible huge upgrade next to Patrick Queen, though that would require him to stay healthy. Payton Wilson is very talented, but slipped in the draft because of some glaring medical issues.

I think the Steelers did a great job overall. Their draft class comes with some risk because of the Fautanu and Wilson medical problems, but if they can remain on the field, the Steelers will have come away with four new starters who figure to be productive early in their careers.
Miami Dolphins: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Dolphins have just two picks in the top 150, so they’ll need to trade down to acquire more resources. These resources will have to be used to strengthen the trenches on both sides of the ball. Miami lost so much pass-rushing talent this offseason, while the blocking continues to be a problem.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It wasn’t a surprise that the Dolphins used their first two picks to bolster the trenches. Chop Robinson was a pass-rushing upgrade the team sorely needed at No. 21, while Patrick Paul was a steal in the middle of the second round. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is imperative, and Paul will allow that to happen.

While the Dolphins didn’t trade down, they moved into the fourth round, using a third-round pick from next year. While this wasn’t a bad idea because the team’s Super Bowl window is wide open right now, it seemed odd that Miami would relinquish a valuable asset on a running back when the team already has several talented players at the position. I like Jaylen Wright as a prospect, but the move was a waste, although the Dolphins made up for it with their next two picks – Mo Kamara, Malik Washington – being great values. Washington seems like a tremendous fit for Mike McDaniel’s offense, and he’ll ease the pain from Tyreek Hill’s impending retirement. Kamara provides more needed pass-rushing help.

Though Miami didn’t acquire more assets, the team had a decent draft overall. There was one major blunder with the Wright selection, but the Dolphins addressed positions of need with solid value picks.
Philadelphia Eagles: A+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Eagles had one of the worst pass defenses last year. They signed Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, but need much more to bolster their secondary. They’ll also need to focus on acquiring another receiver, some blocking depth, and another defensive lineman.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: If you were to tell me ahead of the draft that the Eagles would end up with both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, I would have asked, “Wait, how did the Eagles move up in the first round and also trade back into the first round?” Amazingly, the Eagles landed both Mitchell and DeJean. This was enormous, as the duo will help improve an aerial defense that made Sam Howell look like Joe Montana in two meetings last year.

Philadelphia wasn’t done landing mega values after Mitchell and DeJean. Jalyx Hunt, while being a bit of a project, was a steal at the end of the third round, as was running back Will Shipley in the fourth frame. The same can be said of Ainias Smith, who will help the lacking receiving depth, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who will bolster the linebacking corps.

The Eagles came away with the best 2024 NFL Draft class of all the teams I’ve graded thus far. They made nine picks, and seven of them scored A- or better. The two outliers earned “B” grades. Philadelphia made so many great selections and filled numerous positions of need. This is an easy A+.
Cleveland Browns: C- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: With no picks in the first or fourth rounds, the Browns would do well to trade down from their first pick, which is at No. 54. Cleveland has to focus on upgrading the defense, which improved last year with some short-term solutions. Better players for the long term are needed.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Cleveland made just two selections in the first 155 picks, so it hurt that the initial choice wasn’t very exciting. That was Michael Hall, a talented player with off-the-field issues. Hall was expected to slip into the third round, so the Browns reached at No. 54. They at least made up for it with the third-round choice, Zak Zinter, who would have been drafted earlier if he didn’t have a recent injury.

I can’t say I’m excited about Cleveland’s draft class. Of course, it’s difficult to be in general with just two picks in the top 155, but there wasn’t a single selection made that will definitely help the team in 2024. I liked the Nathaniel Watson pick at No. 206 the most, but he’s a sixth-round pick, so he’s not expected to produce as a rookie either. There’s a chance that Watson, Zinter and Hall contribute later in their careers, but the Browns are an expected playoff team, so the wait isn’t exactly ideal.
Dallas Cowboys: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Cowboys’ top priority is finding a left tackle in the wake of Tyron Smith’s departure for the Jets. They also have some other glaring holes, including receiver (No. 2 option across from CeeDee Lamb), defensive tackle, and linebacker. Dallas also needs a new running back with Tony Pollard now in Tennessee.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Dallas was criticized for failing to find a running back or a No. 2 receiver to help Dak Prescott, but I thought the team had a strong draft overall. The excellent drafting began right away when the Cowboys traded down from No. 24 to 29 to acquire a needed left tackle in Tyler Guyton, who easily could have been chosen at Dallas’ original pick. The Cowboys then bolstered their blocking again with Cooper Beebe in the third round. Beebe was expected to go in the second frame, so this was a solid value pick.

The Cowboys also made sure to address their defense at every level. They began with defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who was a fine option at No. 56. While Kneeland wasn’t a great bargain, Marist Liufau and Caelen Carson were in the third and fifth rounds, respectively. Linebacker and cornerback were needs, so Liufau and Carson will help in those areas.

Of Dallas’ eight picks, five scored A- or better, and the worst grade given to them was a “B.” It’s odd that the Cowboys didn’t take a shot at a running back at all, and that they didn’t explore drafting a receiver until the sixth round, but they did well to improve the rest of their roster.
Green Bay Packers: C+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Packers have a young offense that will continue to grow as the players gel. The defense, on the other hand, needs some upgrades. The secondary and the defensive line, in particular, must be bolstered. With extra picks, the Packers can move up for a stud defensive back.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Green Bay didn’t use its first-round pick on defense after all, opting instead to draft an offensive lineman. Jordan Morgan is an athletic blocker, but has some strength issues. He was a fine selection, but he wasn’t the safest or best choice that could have been made at No. 25.

The Packers focused on the defensive side of the ball after the opening round, spending four of their next five choices on the stop unit. None of the picks stood out as being great, however. Edgerrin Cooper is a talented linebacker, but has off-the-field problems. Ty’Ron Hopper could fill a need at linebacker, but he was a reach in the third round. Javon Bullard and Evan Williams were fine selections to potentially help the secondary, but they were the best of the two picks despite earning “B” grades.

“B” grades actually were quite good for the Packers, who failed to earn anything better than that with the nine selections they made prior to the seventh round. There was one especially bad choice, which occurred when the Packers traded up for Jacob Monk, who was considered a UDFA-caliber prospect. This was not a very good draft class for Green Bay, but there were some positive aspects to it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Buccaneers made it to the second round of the playoffs last year, but have a lot of work to do to reach that plateau again. Offensive line upgrades must be made, while the defense needs to be completely re-worked. The secondary, in particular, is problematic. Tampa Bay also needs to find a young receiver to eventually replace Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Tampa Bay did a great job of investing in the weak points of its roster. The team began by selecting an offensive lineman at No. 26. Graham Barton could have gone a bit earlier than that without any complaints, so he was a good pick, as he’ll be able to help at every position.

The next two picks were used on defense, with the Buccaneers improving their pass rush with Chris Braswell and secondary with Tykee Smith. Both were solid value picks, earning B+ grades. Jalen McMillan was then taken to provide needed depth and a future starting option at receiver.

The Buccaneers had seven picks throughout the entire wekend, and only one scored worse than a “B” grade. They did a very good job of upgrading their overall roster and plugging big needs.
Houston Texans: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Texans reached the second round of the playoffs last year, doing so ahead of schedule. Now with Stefon Diggs, Houston is expected to take the next step. To do that, the team will have to find upgrades in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Obtaining some more talent for the secondary will be crucial as well.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The offensive line and secondary were the two greatest areas of need, and the Texans addressed those groups with their first three picks. Two selections – Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock – were used to improve the pass defense, and both were solid choices, earning “B” and A- grades, respectively. The offensive line selection was also a quality pick, as Blake Fisher presents two possible upgrades. Fisher can start at right tackle, kicking Tytus Howard inside to guard.

Houston’s defensive line needed some upgrades as well, though the team waited much longer to fix that area. Two defensive linemen were acquired, but both were taken in the seventh round. It would have been better had the Texans used the fourth-round pick they spent on tight end Cade Stover on someone to help rush the passer instead. Stover isn’t a bad player, but he doesn’t fill a need at all.

Despite this mistake, the Texans did well overall, with none of their nine selections scoring worse than a B-. They didn’t come into the weekend with a first-round pick, but left the draft with an improved roster.
Buffalo Bills: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Bills lost their top two receivers this offseason, so they need to find a new No. 1 target for Josh Allen in order to compete with the other top teams in the AFC. With extra picks, the front office can make that happen. Buffalo also has to find some more talent defensively to compensate for some departures this offseason.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Many thought the Bills would trade up for a receiver like Brian Thomas Jr. or Xavier Worthy. Instead, the front office traded down twice. While this was frustrating for some Buffalo fans, the team acquired more assets and still came away with a receiver who received first-round consideration in Keon Coleman.

The Bills didn’t obtain another receiver after that, instead focusing on the offensive line and defense. They secured a potential replacement for departed center Mitch Morse in the fifth round with Sedrick Van Pran, who was a steal at that selection. Safety Cole Bishop and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter provided good value in the second and third rounds, respectively, as well.

Because the Bills traded down twice in the opening round, they ended up with 10 selections. Of the 10, none scored worse than a “B” grade. Only three were A- or better, but this shows that Buffalo had a strong draft overall. The team didn’t always get the best players, but it strengthened its roster, filled needs, and acquired more assets.
Detroit Lions: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Detroit’s biggest weakness last year was stopping the pass. More talent needs to be added to the secondary. Outside of that, the Lions have some small upgrades to make at receiver, guard, and defensive tackle.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: I asked one high-ranking NFC personnel man whom he thought was the most shocking player to drop in the first round. He told me it was Terrion Arnold, and that his team tried to move up for him, but was beaten to the punch by Detroit. Arnold was an absolute steal at No. 24, and the Lions did well to move up five spots for him. Detroit is on the cusp of winning the Super Bowl, and a dynamic cornerback talent like Arnold could put them over the top.

The Lions weren’t done upgrading their secondary after that. They secured another steal in Ennis Rakestraw at No. 61. Safety Sione Vaki was also added in the fourth frame. Vaki wasn’t a great value like Arnold or Rakestraw, but he may fill a need at safety.

Detroit made two stellar late-round choices, acquiring Mekhi Wingo and Christian Mahogany, both of whom could have been chosen a round or two earlier than they were selected. The only pick I disliked of Detroit’s was Giovanni Manu. While the British Columbia athlete has high upside for the future, he doesn’t exactly fit with Detroit’s goal of trying to win a Super Bowl in the next year or two.

Despite the Manu blunder, the Lions had a terrific draft. They attacked their biggest need with two amazing values, and they found great bargains late on Saturday.
Baltimore Ravens: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Ravens often draft a talented player who inexplicably falls to them. If that doesn’t happen again, Baltimore will instead have to focus on the offensive line after losing three blockers to free agency this offseason. The Ravens also lost Patrick Queen and some receivers, so replacements will be needed. A cornerback upgrade must be acquired as well.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It was surprising that the Ravens used only two of their picks on offensive linemen. They spent a second-round choice on Roger Rosengarten, who was expected by some to be taken earlier than that. However, Baltimore didn’t go back to addressing its blockers until the final round. This was a shocking turn of events, given how many offensive linemen departed this offseason.

However, the Ravens made up for the lack of focus on the offensive line with some stellar values elsewhere. Adisa Isaac, a third-round pass-rushing upgrade, was thought to perhaps be taken in the second frame. The same can be said of Devontez Walker, who was a steal in the fourth round. Walker should be an adequate replacement at the very least for Odell Beckham Jr. Another unbelievable value was T.J. Tampa at the end of the fourth. Some had Tampa in the second as well!

Of course, there was the first-round pick. Nate Wiggins wasn’t as much of a steal, but he could have gone earlier than No. 30. He figures to provide a nice upgrade at cornerback, which Baltimore sorely needed.

Of Baltimore’s nine picks, only one scored worse than a “B,” and that was a late sixth-round choice used on backup quarterback Devin Leary. The Ravens had a great weekend, which should come as no surprise. The only shocking thing, as mentioned, was that another earlier pick wasn’t used on an offensive lineman.
San Francisco 49ers: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Outside of Trent Williams, the 49ers did not have great blocking last year. They’ll have to focus on finding a couple of offensive linemen to help Brock Purdy next year. The secondary and receiving corps must be addressed as well. Of course, the defensive line won’t be neglected, as the 49ers love bolstering their pass rush each draft.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: John Lynch stated that he won’t be trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, but his actions say otherwise. Lynch, who loves addressing the trenches in the early rounds, spent his first choice on receiver Ricky Pearsall. The Florida prospect wasn’t viewed largely as an opening-round prospect, but he wasn’t a major reach either.

San Francisco, however, did commit a major reach in the second round, taking Renardo Green when the Florida State product would have been better served going in the fourth frame. And speaking of the fourth round, the 49ers used a pick there on Malik Mustapha, who is considered a career backup and a potential core special teamer.

There were far too many examples of San Francisco squandering picks on reaches like Green and Mustapha. The team also failed to address the defensive line, and only looked at the offensive line in the first five rounds with third-rounder Dominick Puni. The Kansas product was a quality pick, but he wasn’t enough to fix an ailing blocking unit.

This was certainly a surprising result. I expected much better from Lynch. Instead, half of his picks graded C+ or worse, and none were better than B+.
Kansas City Chiefs: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Wide receiver was a huge weakness for the Chiefs last year. They signed Marquise Brown, but with Rashee Rice facing a possible suspension, the position must still be addressed. The offensive line must be upgraded as well, and finding a replacement for Travis Kelce in the near future must be considered, too.

2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Chiefs attacked all of their areas of need. They began by trading up for a receiver, landing Xavier Worthy, who broke the combine 40 record with a 4.21. Patrick Mahomes had Marquez Valdes-Scantling as his deep threat last year, and now he’ll be able to throw to Brown and Worthy, which is a colossal upgrade for him. I personally don’t think the Chiefs needed to trade up for Worthy, but there’s no doubt that he’ll provide Mahomes with an element that he didn’t possess last season.

The offensive line was next, with the Chiefs landing a major steal at No. 63 with Kingsley Suamataia. The BYU product was considered a possibility at No. 32, yet Kansas City acquired him at the end of the second round. The team also added a couple of other value blockers as well, securing Hunter Nourzad in the fifth round and C.J. Hanson in the final frame.

Kelce’s future replacement, meanwhile, could be Jared Wiley, taken in the fourth round. Two picks later, Kansas City obtained another major steal in safety Jaden Hicks, who was thought as a possible second-rounder by some.

It’s no surprise that the Chiefs had a strong draft overall. They made seven picks, and none scored worse than a C+. They filled their needs with dynamic athletes and great values, so Kansas City fans couldn’t ask for much more.

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