2024 NFL Draft Grades- AFC West

By J.T.

All 257 picks have been made in the NFL Draft. Who won? Who lost? Draft Nation is here to let you know who stretched too far for a player and who found a diamond in the rough.

Today we review the NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1 (4) WR- Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State

The Arizona Cardinals were rumored to be looking at moving back from #4, but decided to "stick and pick" the best player in the draft. Harrison can beat defenders in so many ways—by outmuscling, running precise routes or using his speed to beat defenses down the seam. He is the best prospect at receiver since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004 and looks like A.J. Green reborn.

Round 1 (27) DE- Darius Robinson, Missouri

Robinson is a versatile player who can play inside or outside and is a dependable run stopper while having the edge speed to put pressure on the quarterback. He will fight for the starting job in year one.

Round 2 (43) CB- Max Melton, Rutgers

Max Melton is a playmaker with excellent speed. He could step right in and start at corner for the Cardinals and has an NFL pedigree (his brother is a receiver for the Green Bay Packers). 

Round 3 (66) RB- Trey Benson, Florida State

This is a nice pick for a team who needed to add to their running back depth. Trey Benson could be called upon early with only James Conner ahead of him on the depth chart.

Round 3 (82) TE- Tip Reiman, Illinois

This was a reach for Arizona. Reiman is a solid blocking tight end but could have been had later in the draft. Reiman showed off his power and his hands at the combine and perhaps he moved up the Card's draft board as a result. 

Round 3 (90) CB- Elijah Jones, Boston College

The Cardinals continued to add to their secondary by picking up Jones from Boston College. He had 7 interceptions over the past 2 seasons and is a physical corner who adds much needed depth to the position.

Round 4 (104) S- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas A&M

A solid 4th round pick, Taylor-Demerson is a ball hawk who makes things happen on the backend. He has picked off 10 passes since 2021 and would be considered a steal in the 4th. 

Round 5 (138) DE- Xavier Thomas, Clemson

As the Cardinals continue their defensive line overhaul they got a nice rotational piece in Thomas. He has shown flashes of potential while at Clemson and will be counted upon to spot play along the line and on special teams. 

Round 5 (162) T- Christian Jones, Texas

Jones has some issues with his mechanics and has to improve this to see the field in Arizona. He could end up a decent depth option in the long term.

Round 6 (191) WR- Tejhaun Palmer, UAB

Palmer is a bit of a project and may need a year or two to see the field. He will need to be strong on special teams to make the squad out of training camp.

Round 7 (226) CB- Jaden Davis, Miami,Fla

Jaden Davis is only 5’9” and may struggle against bigger and stronger opponents. He is a practice squad candidate and with the right amount of time, could be moved to slot coverage in the desert.

Final Grade- (A)

The Cardinals hit a home run on their earlier picks and then took some calculated risks on projects later in the draft. They addressed holes in the wide receiving corps, at edge rusher and at running back. Well done. 

Los Angeles Rams

Round 1 (19) Edge- Jared Verse, Florida State

Not many people thought Verse would be around at #19 but the Rams capitalized on the offense-heavy draft through picks fifteen and grab arguably the best edge rusher in the draft. Verse should help take a little bit of the sting away from the retirement of legend Aaron Donald.

Round 2 (39) DT- Braden Fiske, Florida State

Braden Fiske looked like a man amongst boys during the Senior Bowl practices and dominated at the NFL Combine in February. He jumped from a fourth round grade to second as a result and if he had longer arms would have been a day one guy. Adding Verse and now Fiske the Rams are doing a solid job of rebuilding their defensive line.

Round 3 (83) RB- Blake Corum, Michigan

He may not be the biggest or fastest back in the draft but his excellent vision will have him competing for carries early in the season for the Rams. Forum had over fifty touchdowns at Michigan and has a nose for the endzone. Many predicted he'd join the Chargers but instead ends up playing with that "other" L.A. team. 

Round 3 (99) S- Kamren Kinchens, Miami, Fla

The Rams needed depth at the safety position and landed a good one in round three. He is a two-time All-ACC selection who has a knack for making big plays. Kinchens picked off eleven passes over the past two seasons.

Round 5 (154) Edge- Brennan Jackson, Washington State

Jackson needs to work on his strength and play with more control in his movements. He has a high motor and will be a depth piece on their rebuilt defensive line.

Round 6 (196) DT- Tyler Davis, Clemson

It wasn’t so long ago that Tyler Davis was mentioned as a high round draft prospect. He is a large body who can anchor in the middle clearing space for his teammates. Davis is a great value pick and the Rams look like their “new” defensive line is complete.

Round 6 (209) K- Joshua Karty, Stanford

The Rams needed a kicker and they got Joshua Karty in the sixth round. He drilled 41 of 45 field goals over the past two seasons and there's no doubt that he has an NFL leg.

Round 6 (213) WR- Jordan Whittington, Texas

The Rams don’t have much at wide receiver once you get past Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Whittington can lineup in the slot and is another late round receiver selection that could make a difference right away on Sundays.

Round 6 (217) C- Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

A great find in round six, Limmer has a high football IQ and has versatility to play anywhere on the interior. He tested out as one of the strongest players in the draft and might become a surprise starter and late round steal in a year or two.

Round 7 (254) G- KT Leveston, Kansas State

Leveston has made huge improvements over his past two seasons at K-State. The Rams are hoping they have found some much needed depth at the guard position.

Final Grade- (B+)

The Rams did an excellent job of rebuilding their defensive line. Jared Verse and Braden Fiske have pro bowl makeups. Getting Corum in round three will provide a much needed piece to their backfield. Kamren Kinchens can be a producer for the secondary.

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1 (31) WR-Ricky Pearsall, Florida

With all the rumors circulating about the future of wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, the 49ers decided to select Ricky Pearsall out of Florida. This could be classified a stretch, as not many people had Pearsall as the 6th receiver to come off the board but the 49ers loved his work ethic and his 4.4 speed. 

Round 2 (64) CB- Renardo Green, Florida State

Green is an aggressive cornerback with sub 4.5 speed. He has the ability to step right in and compete for a starting job.

Round 3 (86) OL- Dominick Puni, Kansas

Puni can play either tackle or guard and although this may be considered a slight reach, he could compete for a starting guard position in a year or two. At worst he is a versatile depth piece.

Round 4 (124) S- Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest

The 49ers continue to bring in players to help fill holes in their depth. Mustapha is a smart safety but is not the most athletic. A great run stopper, Mustapha will fill a role in the right situations early for San Francisco and could grow into a rotational role by season's end.

Round 4 (129) RB- Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

Guerendo was a star at the NFL combine and started his ascension up draft boards. His 4.33 was the fastest 40 time among running backs. He can be used to give Christian McCaffrey a breather from time to time.

Round 4 (135) WR- Jacob Cowing, Arizona

Cowing is a small receiver (177 lbs at the combine) but ran a 4.38 in the 40. He should be able to compete for a roster spot and see the field in a limited role in 2024.

Round 6 (215) G-Jarrett Kingston, USC

Kingston is a project who may need a couple years to develop. He is another lineman with versatility which may help him in his quest.

Round 7 (251) LB- Tatum Bethune, Florida State

Bethune is a hard hitter who has the makeup of somebody who could excel on special teams, while adding some depth to the position.

Final Grade (B-)

The 49ers have added a ton of speed to the organization. They have a couple of question marks in the middle to answer over time, but overall they added pieces to help them try and get back to the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1 (16) DT- Byron Murphy, Texas

Byron Murphy can put pressure on the quarterback from the inside and teamed up with Leonard Williams will help him even more. Murphy was the best defensive tackle in the class and the most pro-ready day one.

Round 3 (81) G- Christian Haynes, UConn

Another nice pick by Seattle. Haynes pulls well and makes plays on the second level. He will compete against Anthony Bradford for the starting spot.

Round 4 (118) LB- Tyrice Knight, UTEP

Tyrice Knight was a tackling machine for the Miners. He led the country in solo tackles with 84 and has good burst to make plays all over the field. He may not start right away, but he should add to special teams while he develops into a starter. 

Round 4 (121) TE- A.J. Barner, Michigan

A.J. Barner is a complete tight end with no exceptional traits. He has competent hands and is a sufficient run blocker. A perfect #3 tight end and will remind Hawk fans of recently departed Will Dissley.

Round 5 (136) CB- Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

Pritchett is 6 '1 " and ran one of the fastest time at the combine amongst cornerbacks with a 4.36. He is still developing his skills as a corner and struggles at times with tackling. Seattle has the room to let him develop into a future starter.

Round 6 (179) G- Sataoa Laumea, Utah

Seattle gets a value pick with Laumea in the 6th round. He was a four-year starter at Utah and is an exceptional run blocker with excellent footwork.

Round 6 (192) CB- D.J. James, Auburn

The Seahawks took their second Auburn cornerback of the draft here. James is a bit undersized but was effective in the SEC covering top wide receivers. This is another late pick that may produce.

Round 6 (207) T- Michael Jerrell, Findlay

Jerell is a name not many people know about. He is 6 '5 " 309 lbs and ran a 4.94 40-yard-dash. He could be a project who lands on their practice squad.

Final Grade- (B-)

Byron Murphy steps right in and makes Seattle’s defensive line formidable. Christian Haynes should start and they should hit on at least one of their two Auburn cornerbacks. This was a solid but not great draft for the Hawks and their new coaching staff.