The 2024 NFL draft introduced record-breaking traits, together with six quarterbacks picked in Spherical 1 for the primary time since 1983 and eight offensive tackles taken in Spherical 1, which ties 2008 for essentially the most ever. Now that greater than every week has handed for the reason that draft concluded, our NFL consultants have had time to evaluate the category.
We requested our analysts and insiders to reply a few of the draft’s greatest questions. We started with their favourite picks and the most important head-scratching picks — a few of which did not contain quarterback Michael Penix Jr. going to the Atlanta Falcons within the prime 10. We’ll proceed to replace this story with a brand new matter day-after-day this week, diving into the rookie courses our analysts consider will make the most important affect, Rookie of the 12 months picks, fantasy sleepers and daring predictions.
Which gamers may win Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the 12 months? Our consultants dive in on the highest takeaways:
Soar to a subject:
Greatest rookies on offense | Greatest rookies on protection
Draft courses that may make a huge impact
Favourite picks | Greatest head-scratchers
Who’s your early choose for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months?
Stephania Bell, fantasy soccer analyst: Jared Verse, DE, Los Angeles Rams. Verse comes ready-made to fit proper into the Rams’ entrance seven. He’s gifted and highly effective, and the Rams’ protection wanted an edge rusher who may make a direct affect. Verse recorded a team-leading 18 sacks and 83 pressures prior to now two seasons at Florida State.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Byron Murphy II, DT, Seattle Seahawks. Murphy can create backfield chaos as a run-defender, with the inside go rush traits to affect the pocket. Underneath Mike Macdonald, who coached an identical participant in defensive deal with Justin Madubuike in Baltimore final season, Murphy generally is a disruptive power for the Seahawks.
Mike Clay, fantasy soccer analyst: Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions. Detroit already has a terrific offense in place, however the protection is on the ascent. That features a new-look secondary led by first-round choose Arnold and veteran standout Carlton Davis III. Anticipate this duo to lock down the perimeter this season. Arnold, who had 5 interceptions at Alabama final season, shall be effectively positioned for a really productive rookie marketing campaign.
Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL author: Verse. Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner acquired a lot of the bump as prime pass-rushers, however Verse is a novel participant with severe energy. Within the post-Aaron Donald period, Verse may turn into the face of the Rams’ protection.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles. Realistically, both cornerback picked within the prime 40 by the Eagles (Mitchell or Cooper DeJean) can be a wide selection, however Mitchell’s velocity and ball expertise make him the favourite. Philly can get after the quarterback, creating good alternatives for Mitchell to seize interceptions on errant passes.
Eric Moody, fantasy and sports activities betting analyst: Verse. He showcased his expertise throughout his ultimate collegiate season at Florida State, accumulating 41 tackles, 9 sacks, one compelled fumble, one fumble restoration and two go breakups. There was a spot to fill on the Rams’ line of defense, and Verse was drafted exactly for that goal. Verse, who is understood for his play energy and velocity off the sting, is effectively positioned to step into this position.
Jason Reid, senior Andscape author: Laiatu Latu, DE, Indianapolis Colts. He’s elite in each method and expertise. Latu is equally environment friendly towards the run and at pursuing the passer. The Colts are getting a relentless participant who totaled 34 tackles for losses and 23.5 sacks prior to now two seasons for UCLA.
Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: Dallas Turner, LB, Minnesota Vikings. Taking part in in Brian Flores’ protection, Turner is an ideal match, as he’ll probably be used at a number of spots. His first-step burst and continued enlargement of his array of pass-rush strikes set him up for early success. Anticipate Turner to be moved round fairly a bit and obtain many alternatives to make performs in a number of methods.
Aaron Schatz, NFL author: Verse. 4 of the previous 5 DPOY awards have gone to edge rushers, and Verse appears more likely to get essentially the most taking part in time of the highest three edge rushers from this 12 months’s draft.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL entrance workplace insider: Turner. Turner can have lots of pass-rushing alternatives, which I consider he’ll benefit from. I believed he ought to have gone as excessive as No. 8 to Atlanta as a result of he has the double-digit sack whole skill.
Seth Walder, sports activities analytics author: Latu. He was chosen as the primary defensive participant, regardless of his medical considerations, so I like him much more because the defender to guess on right here. Final season, he led the FBS in stress price at edge (22%) and in sacks created (17) — which credit the participant who first earns stress on a play that ultimately turns into a sack.
Area Yates, NFL draft analyst: Verse. The Rams wanted severe front-seven reinforcements and used the nineteenth general choose on the ready-made Verse, whose in-line energy and 6-foot-4 size ought to result in sack manufacturing proper out of the gate. Verse is nearly 24 years outdated and is a extra refined prospect than lots of the different gamers taken round him within the first spherical.
Who’s your early choose for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months?
Bell: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears. Provided that I picked the Bears because the rookie class to make the most important affect in 2024, it stands to purpose that the chief of that class will lead the cost and garner the OROY honors. His supporting solid extends effectively past fellow rookie receiver Rome Odunze; veteran pass-catchers corresponding to receivers Keenan Allen and DJ Moore will assist showcase Williams’ expertise.
Bowen: Williams. Williams is about up in Chicago with confirmed pass-catchers and explosive play targets. He has the simple expertise to create as a playmaker exterior of the construction, and new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can maintain him on schedule from the pocket with outlined reads and play-action throws. I count on Williams to provide high-level numbers — for a playoff group — in his first professional season.
Clay: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals. The primary non-QB chosen in April’s draft, Harrison will instantly step in as a featured goal in Arizona’s Kyler Murray-led offense. We have seen elite performances from rookie wideouts lately (three top-10 fantasy campaigns over the previous 5 seasons), and Harrison has the expertise and alternative to comply with within the footsteps of latest award winners on the extensive receiver place in Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson.
Fowler: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders. This shall be an in depth race with Williams and probably a receiver corresponding to Harrison, however Daniels is about up for achievement. Washington has an opportunity to be sneaky good. Daniels has satisfactory ability gamers round him in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Some evaluators thought-about Daniels essentially the most pro-ready quarterback on Day 1. Kliff Kingsbury’s system is sweet for passing yards, and Daniels will accumulate dashing yards to bolster his case.
Liz Loza, fantasy and sports activities betting analyst: Harrison. He was arguably essentially the most polished participant — no matter place — on this 12 months’s draft. He put up 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his ultimate season at Ohio State. His touchdown spot is prime for manufacturing, and he figures to make a direct affect.
Miller: Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Having Worthy, the quickest participant ever examined on the mix, paired with reigning Tremendous Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes Worthy the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months in my e-book.
Did the Payments ‘hand’ the Chiefs Xavier Worthy?
Dan Orlovsky and Dan Graziano disagree with Mike Greenberg about whether or not the Payments made a mistake by letting the Chiefs draft WR Xavier Worthy.
Moody: Williams. I agree with lots of my colleagues right here in selecting Williams. A quarterback has received the award in three of the previous 5 seasons. Williams is effectively positioned for achievement with Moore and offseason additions Allen and Odunze.
Jason Reid: Williams. The Bears have arrange the primary general choose to succeed. With the ninth general choice, they added the gifted Odunze to a receiving corps that already included veterans in Moore and Allen, and strong tight finish Cole Kmet. Productive working again D’Andre Swift additionally will assist the rookie passer thrive.
Jordan Reid: Harrison. Is there a prospect that landed in a greater spot? Harrison was WR1 in Arizona as quickly as he heard his title known as on draft night time. Murray is probably going going to develop chemistry early on with him, and Harrison will present him with a real go-to goal.
Schatz: Harrison. He is within the clear finest quarterback scenario with Murray of the highest receivers chosen on this 12 months’s draft and shall be Arizona’s No. 1 possibility.
Tannenbaum: Williams. I consider he has the power, management and poise to information the Bears to a cloth enchancment in offense and wins. He’s going to need to reveal uncommon psychological toughness and resilience, as every little thing he does shall be magnified in a metropolis that has been trying to find a franchise quarterback.
Walder: Williams. I am tempted to select one of many wideouts, however we have seen prior to now how large a bonus quarterbacks have on this award — Justin Herbert profitable the 2020-21 award over Justin Jefferson involves thoughts — so I believe Williams is the most effective guess right here, particularly as a result of he already has a robust supporting solid.
Yates: Harrison. Probably the most pro-ready prospect within the class landed in an ideal spot to play a large position straight away. The Murray-to-Harrison connection must be terrific the second the 2 are on the sector collectively.
Which rookie class will make the most important affect this season?
Bell: Chicago Bears. The drafting of Caleb Williams alone goes to make its mark beginning in Week 1. The Bears complemented the Williams choose with Rome Odunze, and the 2 have already got chemistry, making their joint transition to the professional stage that a lot simpler. The rookies have been arrange for achievement with the group’s structuring of the remainder of the offense this offseason, and the protection ought to guarantee they keep on the sector loads.
Bowen: Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers drafted two tone-setting starters on the offensive line with left deal with Troy Fautanu and heart Zach Frazier within the first and second rounds, respectively, whereas fourth-round guard Mason McCormick provides depth up entrance. Large receiver Roman Wilson brings toughness and big-play juice from the slot, plus linebacker Payton Wilson has three-down traits.
Clay: Washington Commanders. Washington chosen franchise quarterback and Week 1 starter Jayden Daniels with the second general choose after which proceeded to pick out 5 gamers on Day 2. These picks included defensive deal with Jer’Zhan Newton and nook Mike Sainristil, who determine to right away be part of the defensive rotation, in addition to potential Week 1 offensive starters in tight finish Ben Sinnott, versatile offensive lineman Brandon Coleman and slot extensive receiver Luke McCaffrey.
Fowler: Philadelphia Eagles. There is not any method round it: Philly had an amazing draft. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean signified great worth at picks No. 22 and 40, respectively, and can contribute straight away. Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt has an enormous fan in coordinator Vic Fangio. There’s large upside. And do not be shocked when sixth-round receiver Johnny Wilson, a standout at FSU, contributes early.
Miller: Los Angeles Rams. Life after Aaron Donald begins with the 2024 draft class. The Rams chosen Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis to reload upfront. In the event you’re searching for a year-one affect, Fiske and Verse shall be counted on to offer the group’s go rush and set the tradition commonplace with its former chief now in retirement.
Moody: Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals made vital strikes on this draft. They secured two standout gamers, extensive receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive deal with Darius Robinson, who’re anticipated to have a direct affect. Moreover, the Cardinals addressed their wants in different positions by buying cornerbacks Max Melton and Elijah Jones. With these additions, Arizona’s 2024 draft class is poised to make a distinction straight away.
Jason Reid: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. It is beautiful that the Chiefs maneuvered into the place to select WR Xavier Worthy at No. 28. They moved as much as get a participant who was clocked at 4.21 seconds within the 40-yard sprint — the quickest time ever — and he is the man quarterback Patrick Mahomes wished most. Additionally, do not be shocked if huge offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, the 63rd general choose, is the Chiefs’ Week 1 starter at left deal with.
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Jordan Reid: Steelers. Their first 4 picks all have pathways to seeing vital snaps early on. Fautanu and Frazier are much-needed plug-and-play starters alongside the offensive line. Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson are additionally two prospects who could possibly be key contributors in some unspecified time in the future, as each have pro-ready video games instantly.
Schatz: Los Angeles Chargers. Joe Alt shall be a power because the beginning proper deal with. Junior Colson will probably put on the inexperienced dot as a beginning inside linebacker and can lead the group in tackles. Ladd McConkey shall be featured because the slot receiver, and both Brenden Rice and/or Cornelius Johnson will get severe taking part in time regardless of ready till the seventh spherical to be chosen.
Tannenbaum: Bears. Pairing the 2022 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Williams up with Odunze, final season’s FBS receiving yards chief, will make Chicago’s offense instantly higher, assuming its offensive line can maintain up.
Walder: Bears. The apparent reply can also be the proper one on this case: Chicago walked away from the draft with an elite QB prospect who has an amazing probability to be an immediate improve over Justin Fields, together with a prime extensive receiver in Odunze. A beforehand mediocre offense immediately appears to be like harmful.
Yates: Cardinals. I outlined the theme of Arizona’s commerce as simply checking containers: The group crammed want after want after want with good gamers. Harrison, Robinson and both Melton or Jones ought to begin, whereas Trey Benson, Tip Reiman, Isaiah Adams and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson may all have significant roles. I used to be extraordinarily impressed by the haul.
Who was your favourite choose in your entire draft?
Bell: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22. When a group fills a necessity with a standout prospect with out breaking the financial institution to do it, it is a winner. Mitchell is quick and agile and allowed no touchdowns in over 400 protection snaps final season. He rose on many draft boards in latest months … and but, the Eagles have been in a position to shock the competitors by snagging him right here.
Bowen: Cornerback Mike Sainristil to the Washington Commanders at No. 50. A nickel nook with a playmaking mentality, Sainristil was one in all my favourite defensive backs to check. He led Michigan’s protection final season with six interceptions and 7 go breakups. Search for him to play a disruptive position as a rookie in Dan Quinn’s defensive system.
Clay: Large receiver Ladd McConkey to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 34. The Chargers moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett through the offseason, a foursome accountable for 55% of the group’s targets over the previous two seasons. Enter McConkey, who is a superb match as a possible Allen alternative within the short-to-intermediate space for quarterback Justin Herbert. Even in a run-heavy offense, McConkey, who got here out of Georgia, has a path to huge quantity proper out of the gate.
Fowler: Large receiver Malik Nabers to the New York Giants at No. 6. For all of the hand-wringing concerning the Giants’ quarterback outlook, the reality is New York quarterbacks have not had a real top-10 receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. Nabers might need the very best ceiling of any offensive participant within the draft. A number of groups within the prime 15 coveted him. Give quarterback Daniel Jones an opportunity with a man of this caliber, and see what occurs.
Miller: Large receiver Rome Odunze to the Chicago Bears at No. 9. Let’s give the Bears credit score for not overthinking and easily drafting nice gamers. With a rookie quarterback added in Caleb Williams, deciding on a go-to receiver for him to be taught and develop with was sensible. It additionally helps that the 2 skilled collectively, constructing chemistry within the pre-draft course of. Odunze was my No. 3 general prospect, which suggests Chicago drafted two of my prime three gamers on this class.
Moody: Offensive lineman Graham Barton to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 26. As an ex-offensive lineman, it was a pleasure breaking down Barton’s movie. He is constant and showcases most effort on each play with out psychological errors. Barton can play heart, guard or deal with as a rookie, and I consider he’ll have a superior profession to a few of the names drafted forward of him.
Jason Reid: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8. I perceive every little thing concerning the Falcons’ dedication to quarterback Kirk Cousins, the wage cap implications and the potential for strife inside the locker room. But when the Falcons are proper about Penix, none of that may matter in the long term. If a group believes it has recognized a possible transformational participant at an important place in sports activities, effectively, it has to go get him. It is that easy.
Jordan Reid: Edge rusher Dallas Turner to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 17. Minnesota hasn’t drafted an edge rusher within the first two rounds since 2005 (Erasmus James). The group wanted to replenish its expertise off of the sting after shedding Danielle Hunter in free company. Whereas the group signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel throughout free company, Turner offers a excessive upside as a pass-rusher in Brian Flores’ protection. Turner led Alabama with 10 sacks and 45 pressures final season.
Schatz: Large receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 52. Analytics counsel there isn’t a such factor as a “draft steal” as a result of prospects drop from consensus for good causes. That being stated, Mitchell might need dropped as a consequence of off-field considerations, and Colts GM Chris Ballard spoke out towards that. This was the No. 5 extensive receiver in Playmaker Rating however the No. 11 receiver off the board.
Fantasy projections for the 2024 rookie NFL go catchers
Try Mike Clay’s fantasy projections for Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Tannenbaum: Odunze. He has a reputable probability to be the most effective receiver from this draft. Underneath the motto of “win for in the present day and develop for tomorrow,” the Bears have Allen on a one-year deal, and Odunze has Terrell Owens’ kind of skill. Odunze had 1,640 receiving yards and 13 scores in 2023. That is perfect for Chicago.
Walder: Defensive finish Laiatu Latu to the Colts at No. 15. Due to medical considerations and the run on offense, the Colts managed to take the sting rusher who led FBS soccer in stress price in every of the previous two seasons — sure, forward of Will Anderson Jr. and Tyree Wilson in 2022 — at No. 15. The Colts might need landed an amazing one at a premium place in the midst of the primary spherical.
Yates: Odunze. The wideout falling to No. 9 was not a whole shock, given the anticipated run on quarterbacks early, but it surely was additionally not a positive factor. The sixth-highest-rated participant on my board may have been the primary receiver taken in so many prior drafts, however the presence of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Nabers (the third- and fourth-rated gamers on my board) made him the third off the board on this class. However do not be mistaken — Odunze shall be an immediate affect contributor as one essentially the most polished prospects within the class.
Who was the most important head-scratching choose of the draft?
Bell: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8. It’s laborious to justify spending this first-round draft capital when the Falcons had declared their nine-figure love for Kirk Cousins weeks earlier. The group did fulfill defensive wants — its most evident gap coming into the draft — in later rounds, however will the technique of getting two QBs able to beginning create much less stress within the locker room … or extra?
Bowen: Penix. The Falcons constructed depth behind Cousins with this choice and arrange their QB room for the long run. Nevertheless, I noticed this as a possibility for the Falcons so as to add an impactful defensive participant to new coach Raheem Morris’ system, with exterior linebacker Dallas Turner and defensive deal with Byron Murphy II nonetheless on the board on the time of Atlanta’s choose.
Fowler: Large receiver Ricky Pearsall to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 31. I am not about to doubt coach Kyle Shanahan’s eye for offensive ability gamers, and I really like Pearsall as a participant. However his place as WR6 on this draft was surprising. Most groups I spoke to pegged him as a Day 2 choose. Contemplating the 49ers nonetheless have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the roster, bolstering the offensive or line of defense appeared like a wise play.
Loza: Tight finish Brock Bowers to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13. I used to be stupefied by the Raiders’ choice of Bowers, and it is not due to his expertise stage. He is a possible generational expertise with a do-it-all ability set who was anticipated to come back off the board earlier than the primary half of the primary spherical. Nevertheless, Las Vegas spent an early second-round choose on Michael Mayer only a 12 months in the past and entered the draft with holes all alongside the offensive line. Ultimately, I suppose, the worth Bowers introduced was too nice to go on.
Moody: Quarterback Bo Nix to the Denver Broncos at No. 12. Whereas he posted prolific numbers at Oregon throughout his ultimate collegiate season, it is value noting that almost 67% of his passes got here inside 9 yards of the road of scrimmage. Nix’s choice seems to mirror desperation on the a part of a Sean Payton-led Broncos group in want of a quarterback improve. I felt like Denver may have traded down and nonetheless landed Nix.
Jason Reid: Offensive deal with Tyler Guyton to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 29. Look, I get that the Cowboys had a serious want alongside their offensive line. And the truth that they moved to rebuild it on this draft is smart. That established, Guyton, whereas possessing spectacular bodily instruments, is a developmental participant. There is not any sugarcoating that.
Jordan Reid: Defensive deal with Ruke Orhorhoro to the Falcons at No. 35. With Jer’Zhan Newton nonetheless on the board, it made extra sense to take him there. Newton possesses extra upside as a rusher and is a perfect inside defender who pairs completely with Grady Jarrett. Orhorhoro is certainly the higher run-defender, however Newton’s mixture of explosiveness and disruption would’ve made him the higher choose.
Schatz: Penix. Look, I perceive the significance of the quarterback place, main to 6 quarterbacks chosen on this 12 months’s prime 12. You’ll be able to speak me into the concept that Penix is a greater prospect than J.J. McCarthy regardless of McCarthy doing higher in my QBASE projections. But when all goes effectively, Penix will not be going to take a snap within the NFL common season till he is 26 years outdated. The Penix choose is not that head-scratching; it is the Penix choose along side the Cousins contract.
Walder: Defensive deal with Braden Fiske to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 39. This has little to do with the participant and extra to do with the circumstances of the choose. The Rams paid an obscene worth to maneuver up from No. 52, sacrificing a fifth-round choose and future second-rounder within the course of — the costliest Day 2 overpay in at the least the previous six drafts and a bigger funding than their first-round choose (Jared Verse at No. 19), in keeping with our draft choose valuations. And all this for a participant who was at first of his choice vary, in keeping with the Draft Day Predictor (in different phrases, this was a borderline attain).
Yates: Penix. I had a top-of-the-second-round grade on Penix, however quarterbacks at all times fly off the board sooner than the general ranks point out. That is about Atlanta investing in a participant who will flip 24 on Wednesday at a place through which just one participant will play after paying Cousins $100 million assured in March. One of many nice benefits of a quarterback on a rookie contract is the modest value of his contract, which affords you the power to spend elsewhere throughout the roster. The Falcons will not be realizing that benefit with Cousins below contract and making $90 million over the primary two seasons of Penix’s deal.