The first round of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books and it did not disappoint. We saw a historic number of quarterbacks selected in the first 12 picks and a record-breaking number of offensive players taken overall. We poured over every pick and here are our grades for all 32 picks in the first round.
1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
The Bears have been locked into Williams since the start of the pre-draft process. He’s the best signal-caller in this draft class, possessing the arm talent, athleticism, and special playmaking skills off-script. And now it’s time to see if Williams is the franchise’s answer at the quarterback position for the first time since Sid Luckman.
Grade: A
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
Much of the time with the Commanders was spent wondering whether they would trade down or stick and pick Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. They stood pat and selected Daniels, the top athlete of this group, who is poised as a passer in the pocket and can give problems to defenses with his legs. While he might not have the best arm, he provides Washington with a much-needed dynamic element.
Grade: A
3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye
Like the Commanders, there were teams interested in trading up for a quarterback but ultimately, the Patriots decided to get their guy in Maye to kick off the Jerod Mayo era. Maye is a talented passer with the arm strength and processing skills, stylistically similar to Justin Herbert.
Grade: A
4. Arizona Cardinals: QB Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The first round stays chalk with the Arizona Cardinals selecting former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. Even though Harrison was the consensus best receiver in this draft, his level of production with sub-par quarterback play at Ohio State had to be enticing to the Cardinals and if he works as hard as his dad did, should be great for a very long time.
Grade: A-
5. Los Angeles Chargers OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
There was a thought here that the Chargers could go with one of the big three wide receivers to help out quarterback Justin Herbert but the Los Angeles front office decided the best thing they could do for Herbert is get him a franchise left tackle in Joe Alt. Alt is a downright dominant player and maybe the most complete offensive player in the entire draft.
Grade: A
6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
There was a thought the Giants might draft a quarterback here to replace Daniel Jones but instead, they got him a truly elite pass catcher in Malik Nabers. Nabers can do anything Marvin Harrison Jr. can but he’s faster. The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver in six years but Nabers will change that.
Grade: A
7. Tennessee Titans: OT JC Latham, Alabama
With Joe Alt off the board, the Titans passed on Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze and instead opted for massive right tackle JC Latham out of Alabama. This is a move we will track over the next few seasons to see if Tennesse picked the right offensive player.
Grade: B+
8. Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The first stunner of the first round came courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons who selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. This is a huge risk/reward move for the Falcons who has an ugly injury history but a very high ceiling. With Kirk Cousins on the roster, this wasn’t the best use of a draft pick on a team that struggles so much to rush the passer.
Grade: C-
9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
This was an easy choice for the Bears. They select Rome Odunze and get new quarterback Caleb Wiliams a target in the passing game and have their centerpieces for the future.
Grade: A
10. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets): QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
While we understand the Vikings needed a quarterback and felt like they had to trade up get them, we don’t have J.J. McCarthy graded high enough to warrant this type of a move and pick.
Grade: C
11. New York Jets (from Minnesota Vikings): OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
The Jets moved back, picked up two extra picks and still got their offensive tackle with Olu Fashanu. To see Fashanu at his best, you have to look 2022 and not 2023 but his ceiling is very high.
Grade: B+
12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Six quarterbacks in the first 12 picks is unheard of but 2024 has officially become the year of the quarterback. The Broncos knew they couldn’t wait and after missing on J.J. McCarthy, opted for Oregon’s Bo Nix. Nix has all the physical tools you want in an NFL quarterback and tons of experience. His age is something of an issue but we get why Denver had to make this pick.
Grade: B+
13. Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
With six quarterbacks gone, the Raiders were smart to just pick the best player on the board. Brock Bowers is a game-changer at tight end and a foundational piece to any offense.
Grade: A
14. New Orleans Saints OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
No team needed an offensive tackle more than the Saints so seeing Taliese Fuaga right there on the board was great for them. He’s a 10-year starter and should have multiple All-Pro awards on the right side.
Grade: A
15. Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
This one is something of a head-scratcher. It took 15 picks to get to a defensive player but we did not expect it to be Laiatu Latu with every defensive player available.
Grade: B-
16. Seattle Seahawks: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
As of now, the biggest steal of the first round is the Seattle Seahawks landing former Texas DT Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 overall pick. The Seahawks really benefits from the huge run on offense and got the most disruptive interior defender in the draft.
Grade: A
17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville Jaguars): EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Vikings decided that Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner was just too good to pass up. Minnesota traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars and landed a guy who could be one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in a year.
Grade: A
18. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Offensive tackle was an easy pick here and Amarius Mims has a high ceiling.
Grade: A-
19. Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida
The Rams really got themselves a bargain with FSU’s Jared Verse. He’s a kid who can set the edge against the run and has multiple pass-rush moves.
Grade: A-
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
The Steelers needed help on the offensive line and Troy Fautanu provides them with a powerful, athletic tackle with some of the best film in the draft.
Grade: A
21. Miami Dolphins: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
We wondered if the Dolphins would go offensive line here but Chop Robinson is a guy who provides them punch on defense at a position of need.
Grade: B+
22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
The first cornerback finally comes off the board and the Eagles got themselves a bargain in Quinyon Mitchell who is the best coverage player in the entire draft.
Grade: A
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
No more excuses for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a playmaker like Brian Thomas Jr. in the fold. Amazing speed and elusiveness.
Grade: A-
24. Detroit Lions: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
The Lions get a bargain here with Terrion Arnold who is a polished, experienced and well-coached cornerback.
Grade: A
25. Green Bay Packers: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Probably a guard in the NFL, Morgan is more athlete than football player right now and will need time to make an impact in the NFL.
Grade: B
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Graham Barton, Duke
Graham Barton is an absolute stud and a finisher. He’s a great athlete and plays with a nasty streak.
Grade: A
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): DT Darius Robinson, Missouri
No player benefited more from the Senior Bowl than Darius Robinson. He’s a solid player but I’m not sure his film is as good as his offseason was.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Lightning fast deep threat who should fit in perfectly with what the Chiefs do but his size will be an issue in the NFL.
Grade: B+
29. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton
The Cowboys land one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the draft in Tyler Guyton. He’s got work to do in terms of his technique and working in a more traditional NFL system but there’s not reason he can’t be a 10-year starter.
Grade: B+
30. Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Speedy undersized cornerback who plays with a ton of energy but doesn’t really fit the level of physicality the Ravens ask of their cornerbacks.
Grade: B
31. San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
The 49ers drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall which likely signals the Niners are going to be trading away Brandon Aiyuk and they just selected his replacement. Not sure he’s a first-round pick and there were better options on the board.
Grade: B
32. Carolina Panthers: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Xavier Legette said he was getting picked by the Panthers and he was right. Legette gives Bryce Young a great weapon in the passing game.
Grade: A-
