NFL Draft 2024- First Round Picks and Thoughts

The 2024 NFL Draft is here! The first round is over and to say it skewed heavily toward the offensive side of the ball may be an understatement.

The draft started as most people thought it would. Quarterback Caleb Williams from USC went to the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick. After that pick, another 13 offensive players came off the board in order, setting an NFL record. The previous high in the first round for consecutive offensive players taken was 10 during the 1987 draft, picks 19 through 28. Overall there were an NFL record 23 offensive players taken in the first round, shattering the 19 taken in 1968, 2004 and 2009.

Here is an analysis of the 32 first round picks:

1- Chicago Bears- Caleb Williams, USC, QB

The first pick of the draft went as expected and the Chicago Bears hope they found their quarterback of the future. Williams steps into a great situation in Chicago with Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, and Rome Odunze, who they took with pick #9. 

2- Washington Commanders- Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB

Washington chose Jayden Daniels and it is hard to disagree with what his upside could be. He is the only FBS player in history to throw for over 12,000 yards and rush for over 3,000 yards in a career. He won’t have the level of talent around him that Caleb Williams does, so he may have to suffer through more growing pains in the early going.

3- New England Patriots- Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB

With Mac Jones traded, the Patriots needed to find a quarterback to build their offense around. Drake Maye is an NFL ready quarterback who can make all the throws and should be the starter in New England for the next decade.

4- Arizona Cardinals- Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State, WR

There were lots of rumors that Arizona may have looked to trade this pick to a team like Minnesota who were looking to move up for a quarterback. The Cardinals, however, stayed put and drafted the most talented player in the class. Harrison, Jr. may be the most talented wide receiver to be selected in the draft since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004, by these same Cardinals. 

5- Los Angeles Chargers- Joe Alt, Notre Dame, Tackle

This was another slot that was rumored to be coveted by several teams who were contemplating a move up. Los Angeles stayed at #5 and took 6’9” Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. 

After watching Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines the past several years, this pick makes sense. This is what a Harbaugh team wants. Alt is a big mauler who can control the line of scrimmage for Los Angeles and help running back’s J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards churn up some big yardage.

6- New York Giants- Malik Nabers, LSU, Wide Receiver

New York showed their confidence in Daniel Jones by bringing in an electrifying #1 receiver. Malik Nabers will become the Giants #1 receiver on day one and has the speed to break open the seams of the opponent's defenses. 

7- Tennessee Titans- J.C. Latham, Alabama, Tackle

Rumors were persistent that the Titans had their eyes on Joe Alt of Notre Dame with this pick. With Alt being selected at #5, the Titans went with a mammoth right tackle in J.C. Latham to help protect the youngster Will Levis at quarterback. He is a powerful tackle who moves defenders with ease in the running game.

8- Atlanta Falcons- Michael Penix, Washington, Quarterback

The draft was going along as planned and then… what?? The Atlanta Falcons select quarterback Michael Penix from Washington. Veteran Kirk Cousins was signed in the off-season to a 4-year–$180MM dollar contract, with $100MM guaranteed. Is this a succession plan if Cousins does not bounce back from his torn-ACL? 

This is a head scratcher. 

Penix brings a ton of talent to the table in terms of throwing the ball, especially the deep ball but with holes on their defense, this is a questionable pick.

9- Chicago Bears- Rome Odunze, Washington, Wide Receiver

It seems poetic that Michael Penix and Rome Odunze go back-to-back. Odunze and Penix were one of the top combinations in college football and now Odunze gets to haul in passes for #1 pick Caleb Williams in Chicago. Odunze, along with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen can be problematic for opponents to cover in 2024 and beyond.

10- Minnesota Vikings- J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Quarterback

As predicted the Vikings moved up in the draft, but only 1 pick. They obtained the #10 pick from the Jets along with a 6th round pick for pick #11, and a 4th and a 5th rounder. The Vikings made sure they secured the best remaining quarterback in the draft with J.J. McCarthy. He steps into a nice situation on offense with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockinson as his pass catchers. Look for McCarthy to battle and beat out Sam Darnold.

11- New York Jets- Olu Fashanu, Penn State, Tackle

Though Brock Bowers could have been a sexy pick for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, the team wants to make sure they can keep the veteran upright for a full season. Fashanu will compete for playing time against either veteran Tyron Smith on the left side or Morgan Moses on the right while he learns to play at the next level.

12- Denver Broncos- Bo Nix, Oregon, Quarterback

The Broncos add rookie quarterback Bo Nix to a quarterback room with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix is an athletic quarterback who has had a roller coaster career in college. Nix struggled while under center, and plays a better game outside the pocket or quick timing passes. Let’s see if head coach Sean Payton builds an offense made for Nix.

13- Las Vegas Raiders- Brock Bowers, Georgia, Tight End

With quarterback Michael Penix gone, Las Vegas appears to have taken the highest rated player on their board with Brock Bowers. They just selected tight end Michael Mayer in round 2 last season and will now add an explosive option with Brock Bowers. Bowers can be a game changer and gives offensive coordinator Luke Getsy some options.

14- New Orleans Saints- Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, Tackle

With Ryan Ramczyk’s injury and the slow development of Trevor Penning, the Saints were looking to add a top prospect at the tackle position. Fuaga is a great fit in New Orleans and should start from day one and help this offensive line protect Derek Carr.

15- Indianapolis Colts- Laiatu Latu, UCLA, Edge

Finally the first defensive player comes off the board to the Colts. Laiatu Latu is a large edge rusher who has been unblockable at times for UCLA. His neck injury will always be a concern, but Indianapolis saw he was fit after their own medical due diligence.

16- Seattle Seahawks- Byron Murphy, Texas, DT

The Seahawks defense was amongst the worst in the NFL last season. They ranked 30th in total defense and had trouble putting pressure on the quarterback and problems stopping the run. Bryon Murphy of Texas will help in both areas and should start for Seattle from day one.

17- Minnesota Vikings- Dallas Turner, Alabama, Edge

The Minnesota Vikings moved up in the first round again, this time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings obtained pick #17 from Jacksonville for Minnesota’s #23 pick, a 2024 5th round, and a 2025 3rd and 4th round pick. The Vikings select the most complete edge rusher in the class in Dallas Turner. Turner is athletic enough to drop into coverage and strong enough to beat a tackle one-on-one.

18- Cincinnati Bengals- Amarius Mims, Georgia, Tackle

The Cincinnati Bengals needed to get younger at the tackle position and did so taking a mammoth of a prospect to play right tackle. Mims is 6’8” and 330 lbs and will help to keep star-quarterback Joe Burrow upright for the next several seasons.

19- Los Angeles Rams- Jared Verse, Florida State, Edge

The Rams just lost the man who some consider the greatest defensive lineman of all-time in Aaron Donald. So it is easy to see how happy they were when Jared Verse slid down the board to them at #19. Verse is one of the most exciting edge rushers in this class and will start on the opposite side of Byron Young.

20- Pittsburgh Steelers- Troy Fautanu, Washington, Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers take an offensive tackle for the 2nd consecutive year in the first round of the draft. Fautanu is a versatile blocker who has played at all 5 positions on the offensive line. The Steelers are in the middle of rebuilding their trenches and a player with Fautanu’s skill level and versatility will help immensely..

21- Miami Dolphins- Chop Robinson, Penn State, Edge

The Dolphins continue to add pieces to their defense and chose the athletic Chop Robinson out of Penn State. This may be a bit of a reach especially with Missouri’s Darius Robinson still on the board.

22- Philadelphia Eagles- Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, Cornerback

With the second half collapse last season by Philadelphia’s defense, it made sense that the Eagles take a cornerback in the first round (for the first time since 2002(. Quinyon Mitchell ran a 4.33 at the combine and has been the buzz of the off-season since the Senior Bowl. Look for the Eagles to most likely grab another cornerback early in this draft as well.

23- Jacksonville Jaguars- Brian Thomas, JR., LSU, Wide Receiver

The Jaguars traded back from #17 and grab a weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Thomas, Jr. is underrated compared to the other top receiver prospects. He is 6’3” and runs a 4.33 and led the FBS in touchdowns in 2023 with 17. He should step in and produce right away in Jacksonville.

24- Detroit Lions- Terrion Arnold, Alabama, Cornerback

The Lions traded pick #29 and a 2024 3rd round pick to Dallas for the 24th pick and a 7th rounder in 2025. Detroit fills a huge void in their secondary with the selection of Terrion Arnold. Arnold is a steal at this pick and will start day one for Detroit. A shutdown cornerback at Alabama, Arnold is tough and long and can shut down receivers in press coverage.

25- Green Bay Packers- Jordan Morgan, Arizona, Tackle

With tackle Zach Tom moving to center, the Packers had a glaring need for a tackle. Jordan Morgan is another versatile offensive lineman that Green Bay hopes fill that. With Tyler Guyton still on the board, this was a bit of a surprise by the Packers.

26- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Graham Barton, Duke, Center

Tampa Bay takes the first center off the board at pick #26. Graham Barton was a riser who had overtaken Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson as the top center prospect in the class. The Buccaneers needed a replacement for Ryan Jensen and Barton has the versatility and football IQ to become a long term solution for Tampa Bay.

27- Arizona Cardinals- Darius Robinson, MIssouri, Edge

Darius Robinson is exactly what the Arizona Cardinals needed on the defensive line. He has the versatility to play inside or outside and he has big play ability. Johnny Newton of Illinois could have been a nice pick here as well.

28- Kansas City Chiefs- Xavier Worthy, Texas, Wide Receiver

The Chiefs acquired the 28th pick, a 4th rounder and a 7th rounder from Buffalo for #32 pick, a 3rd and a 7th rounder and selected wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Worthy set the record for the fastest 40-time at 4.21 and will team up with Marquise Brown to take the tops off of defenses in 2024. 

29- Dallas Cowboys- Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, Tackle

The Cowboys were able to move back 5 spots and add a 3rd round pick and still get a quality tackle in Tyler Guyton. Guyton only started 14 games at tackle in college and is a bit raw. However, for a 6’8” tackle he is athletic and has the combination of size and speed to step right into the right tackle position.

30- Baltimore Ravens- Nate Wiggins, Clemson, Cornerback

This is a great pick at #30. The Ravens needed a cornerback and Nate Wiggins has the potential to become the class's best. He ran a 4.28 and has exceptional length and shutdown ability. The Ravens always seem to find that gem that falls to them.

31- San Francisco 49ers- Ricky Pearsall, Florida, Wide Receiver

With the uncertainty at the wide receiver position, including rumors of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk being shopped around, the 49ers reached a little bit and took Ricky Pearsall who most had as a 2nd-3rd round grade talent. Pearsall has the talents to stretch the field and will make a nice #3 receiver in year one.

32- Carolina Panthers- Xavier Legette, South Carolina, Wide Receiver

Carolina jumped into the first round by trading pick #33 and a 5th round pick to Buffalo for pick # 32 and a 6th round pick. The Panthers were in need of an outside threat for Bryce Young and they got that with Xavier Legette. He is a powerful open field runner and should be a playmaker in Carolina’s offense.