Welcome to the 2024 NFL Draft! We’ve now heard all the reports and rumors and read through too many mock drafts to count. We could see a record number of offensive players go in the first round, which includes a possible six quarterbacks. It’s going to be a fun one no matter what happens.
It will be tough to make a bad pick in the first round. Sure, many of these guys won’t live up to their college resumes, but they are players who deserve to be selected high in the draft.
I’ll go over the picks as they happen along with a quick rundown and grade, but don’t expect a lot of hot takes professing a player as awful. There will be picks I don’t agree with of course, but more likely due to fit and placement in the draft. If a team reaches for a player expected to go on Day 3, they might as well have traded out of that pick even if they were high on their draft board.
Rapid reaction pick grades for Round 1
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Grade: A+
Williams has shown all the skills a quarterback needs to succeed in the NFL. He can throw accurately in the pocket or on the run. His arm strength is a plus and he has that velocity and accuracy from all kinds of angles. He can run with the best of them and really checks all the boxes if you’re looking for a Patrick Mahomes type, and you are. He’s not perfect of course, as he’ll look to make the home run play too often, but that was college. He’ll be able to fit into Shane Waldron’s offense and he has D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen to throw to to start out.
2. Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Grade: A
Daniels won the Heisman trophy after a tremendous 2023. His speed pops off the field, but his pocket presence, accuracy and touch is a huge strength. He’ll need to learn to protect himself as a runner more in the NFL, but if he can stay healthy, he’s a great start to a new era in Washington. His ability as a runner should help him keep the offense moving while he adjusts to the NFL. This was a no-brainer pick as the Commanders get their man.
3. New England Patriots — Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Grade: A
The Patriots fielded calls to possibly trade out of the third pick, but it seemed inevitable they would end up taking Maye. Maye is a prototypical first round QB, with a great arm that can also put plenty of touch on the ball. He had a bad o-line last season, but persevered and showed he can play through adverse conditions. He didn’t land in the best spot for a Qb, so he’ll need to show he can persevere in the big leagues. He’s got the tools to be a plus starter in the league.
4. Arizona Cardinals — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio St.
Grade: A+
Harrison was built in a lab by his Hall-of-Fame father and namesake. He is the complete package and as long as he can stay healthy, he’s going to be a star in this league. He also gets a good QB in Kyler Murray to start out, which will help his transition. I expect immediate success from Harrison Jr. in Arizona.
5. Los Angeles Chargers — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: B+
You can’t really go wrong with Alt here, but I sure hate to see Justin Herbert lose out on throwing to Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. This pick probably deserves an A instead of a B+, but I’m surly. The Chargers are going to run and run and run and run under Jim Harbaugh. Alt will help them do that while also protecting Herbert. Hopefully we see the Chargers grab an upside WR sooner than later.
6. New York Giants — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Grade: A+
The Giants need a QB, but so did the first three teams and J.J. McCarthy wasn’t their cup of tea. They ended up landing one of the best players in the draft though. Many had Nabers ahead of Harrison Jr., as his explosiveness is just undeniable. The Giants did well in taking the best player available here and he’ll be instant offense for a team in desperate need for some.
7. Tennessee Titans — JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Grade: A
The Titans were always going to grab an OT, as they were in deep need and Latham is a strong pick here. He will likely need to flip to left tackle, which will have a learning curve, but he’s got the ability to do so. He is also one of the better run blockers in the draft, giving the Titans needed stability there. They are all in on Will Levis and have surrounded him with some great talent. Let’s see what he can do now.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington
Grade: D
Wow! I did not see this coming, at least not at No. 8. I believe teams need plans for their QB room and Kirk Cousins isn’t going to be around for that much longer, but wow. A lot depends on what you think of Penix as a prospect of course, and the Falcons must see him as the heir apparent to Cousins. I don’t see that and believe this is a wasted pick. Injuries, age put him behind the 8-ball, especially if he has to wait a few years for Cousins to go away. Time will tell, but the Falcons are a team that is in win now mode after signing Cousins and they need help now at other positions, especially on defense.
9. Chicago Bears — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Grade: A+
I love this pick for the Bears. They don’t have many in this draft, but they end up with two of the best players in the draft. Odunze is very much NFL ready and fits well with the Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Caleb Williams group. The Bears offense is going to be good.
10. Minnesota Vikings (Trade with Jets) — JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Grade B-
The Vikings were desperate for a quarterback and ended up only needing to move up one spot to hold off the Broncos. McCarthy is a solid player, but the leap to the NFL is going to be tough. The hope is that Jim Harbaugh’s offense held him down in Michigan and with Justin Jefferson to throw to in Minnesota, he might flourish. I don’t believe he will, but sometimes you just have to take a swing.
11. New York Jets — Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn St.
Grade A
The Jets could have gone with TE Brock Bowers here, but after Aaron Rodgers was hurt in Week 1 last season, they hope to shore up the offensive line for the old star QB. That is a good idea and Fashuna is very much in the top tier of linemen in this draft.
12. Denver Broncos — Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Grade C
The good news is that the Broncos didn’t mortgage their future to trade up for J.J. McCarthy. But they did spend some nice draft capital on a player that doesn’t really deserve to go in the first round. The good news is that his skill set does fit with Sean Payton’s offense. Of course, his trouble comes with pressure and the NFL is not kind to QBs that don’t deal with pressure well. If they can protect him, Nix will be accurate and spread the ball around well. He’ll need to get his confidence up early in his career with help from the running game and defense.
13. Las Vegas Raiders — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Grade A
You cant go wrong picking Bowers. He’s a game changing tight end that was the best offensive weapon on two National Championship teams with a sub-par QB. His ability after the catch is outstanding and with Michael Mayer as the in-line TE in Vegas, Bowers should be able to roam free.
14. New Orleans Saints — Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St
Grade A
This was very much expected, as the Saints were in desperate need for a tackle here. They still need more help on the offensive line, but Fuaga is a stud that projects to be one of the best in the business. His balance and ability to pass protect and run block are equally strong.
15. Indianapolis Colts — Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Grade B+
And the first defensive player finally comes off the board. Latu’s neck injury was the only concerning aspect, and the Colts must believe he is good to go. He is probably the best pure pass rusher in the draft and that’s what the Colts will want from him. His run defense will need some refining, but getting to the QB is the assignment.
16. Seattle Seahawks — Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Grade A
The Seahawks were locked in on defense here and with the run on QBs and offensive players, they ended up getting the second defensive player selected and he’s a good one. Murphy isn’t the ideal size, but his technique and strength make up for it as he creates leverage in the interior.
17. Minnesota Vikings (Trade with Jaguars) — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Grade A
The Vikings trade up again, this time from the 23rd spot to grab a pass rusher. Many had Turner as their No. 1 EDGE and the Vikings must have been one of those. Again, with defensive players getting passed by early on, it made it easier for the Vikings to trade up and get their guy. Turner is all out effort and has the skills to get to the QB and stop the run.
18. Cincinnati Bengals — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Grade B
Mims didn’t play as much as you’d like in college, but the man has all the traits of being one of the best OTs in the draft. He’s a little risky, but the upside is hard to deny. And this was inevitable, as Mims is 6’8” and the Bengals very much have a type.
19. Los Angeles Rams — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida St.
Grade A
The Rams finally pick in the first round again and they get a good one in Verse. The absence of Aaron Donald will be impossible to fill, but Verse will bring explosiveness off the edge to be sure. He is strong, quick and has varying moves to keep offensive linemen off balance.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers — Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Grade A
Fautana is viewed as a tackle by many, but the Steelers may like him as their new center. He ranked 11th overall on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board as a tackle, but he has the range to play all over the line. If things work like they want, the Steelers should have drafted their center of the future.
21. Miami Dolphins — Chop Robinson, DE, Penn St.
Grade B
Robinson helped his draft stock at the combine, but he didn’t need the combine numbers to show he is a disruptive force on the defensive line. He likely needs a bit more work to be a top tier defender in the NFL, but he should be able to get the job done with his athleticism and the Dolphins needed help disrupting the QB.
22. Philadelphia Eagles — Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Grade A+
It was between Mitchell and Terrion Arnold as the No. 1 CB on many draft boards and both were there for GM Howie Roseman. It almost seemed like a foregone conclusion that Roseman would trade up to get their man, but they didn’t need to. Can’t ask for much more than that. They got a great player, didn’t have to trade up and filled a huge need.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (Trade with Vikings) — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Grade A
The Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley to free agency and very much needed to fill the void he left. Thomas Jr. won’t be at Ridley’s level Day 1, but his explosive ability will be on display on Day 1. He was a touchdown machine at LSU last season and can stretch the field with the best of them, but can really overmatch defenders in the slot. His route tree isn’t great, but the NFL is getting better at getting playmakers the ball and Thomas is a playmaker.
24. Detroit Lions (Trade with Cowboys) — Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Grade A+
With the two best CBs falling to the second half of the first round, it makes sense for the Lions to trade up to grab the second one. Arnold was the No. 1 CB on many boards. He is probably the most well-rounded CB in the draft and can do anything asked of him. Add in his size and tackling ability and he’ll fit in well with the Lions.
25. Green Bay Packers — Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Grade B
Morgan has the skill set to be a strong starter, but he’ll need to develop his strength a bit more in the NFL. Everything is there, but he isn’t going to be ready out of the gate. The Packers needed OL help and there is enough upside to feel good about his prospects.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Grade A-
Barton played tackle at Duke, but appears more suited for center in the NFL. But he should be a top player at that position and his ability a run blocker should be a nice boost. He is a solid pick at this point in the draft.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) — Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Grade B-
Robinson is strong, big, and powerful, but not refined as a pass rusher. He will need some work, but he’s going to stop the run and be a disruptive presence early on.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (Trade with Bills) — Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Grade A+
The Chiefs trade up to grab the fastest receiver to ever run at the combine. The Chiefs will hope he can be Tyreek Hill lite and give them more explosive plays than they’ve had of late in the passing game. His speed also comes out in his fast-twitch movements, so he can use that quickness in other areas than deep shots. Add him to Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown and you have some real dynamic receivers for Patrick Mahomes to work with this season.
29. Dallas Cowboys — Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Grade A
Guyton was the best OT left and that’s not a knock on him. He of course isn’t quite up to the level of the top OTs off the board early, but he has that upside and figures to be a solid starter. The Cowboys did well to trade down and still grab him.
30. Baltimore Ravens — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Grade A
The Ravens were able to get a top corner at 30 and that’s a win in itself. Wiggins is a fluid CB, who has the skill set to turn into a shutdown corner.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Grade B+
This feels like a reach in the first round, as Pearsall is a solid receiver, but doesn’t have the traits to beat man coverage in the NFL consistently on the outside. He will likely work out of the slot though, and with his route running, and Kyle Shanahan scheming, he should be able to find space. He has great hands and can make some truly insane catches at times, so he should be a reliable player for them.
32. Carolina Panthers (Trade with Bills) — Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Grade C
Bryce Young needs a receiver who can get open consistently against NFL corners and Legette isn’t that guy. There’s no doubt he is a strong receiver who has good speed and can make contested catches, but his route running isn’t up to speed and he has to use his speed and strength to win.
