The 2024 NFL draft introduced record-breaking developments, 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 probably the most ever. Now that greater than per week has handed because the draft concluded, our NFL consultants have had time to evaluate the category.
We requested our analysts and insiders to reply a number of the draft’s largest questions. We started with their favourite picks and the most important head-scratching alternatives — a few of which did not contain quarterback Michael Penix Jr. going to the Atlanta Falcons within the high 10. We’ll proceed to replace this story with a brand new subject each day this week, persevering with with the rookie lessons our analysts consider will make the most important impression, Rookie of the Yr picks, fantasy sleepers and daring predictions.
Which class might pay dividends early this season? Our consultants dive in on the highest takeaways:
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Favourite picks | Largest head-scratchers
Which rookie class will make the most important impression this season?
Stephania Bell, fantasy soccer analyst: Chicago Bears. The drafting of Caleb Williams alone goes to make its mark beginning in Week 1. The Bears complemented the Williams decide 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 fulfillment with the group’s structuring of the remainder of the offense this offseason, and the protection ought to guarantee they keep on the sphere loads.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers drafted two tone-setting starters on the offensive line with left deal with Troy Fautanu and middle 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.
Mike Clay, fantasy soccer analyst: Washington Commanders. Washington chosen franchise quarterback and Week 1 starter Jayden Daniels with the second general decide after which proceeded to pick 5 gamers on Day 2. These alternatives included defensive deal with Jer’Zhan Newton and nook Mike Sainristil, who determine to instantly be a 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 broad receiver Luke McCaffrey.
Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL author: Philadelphia Eagles. There isn’t any manner round it: Philly had an ideal draft. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean signified great worth at picks No. 22 and 40, respectively, and can contribute immediately. Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt has an enormous fan in coordinator Vic Fangio. There may be massive upside. And do not be stunned when sixth-round receiver Johnny Wilson, a standout at FSU, contributes early.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: 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. When you’re on the lookout for a year-one impression, Fiske and Verse will likely be counted on to supply the group’s move rush and set the tradition customary with its former chief now in retirement.
Eric Moody, fantasy and sports activities betting analyst: Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals made vital strikes on this draft. They secured two standout gamers, broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive deal with Darius Robinson, who’re anticipated to have a direct impression. 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 immediately.
Jason Reid, senior Andscape author: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. It is beautiful that the Chiefs maneuvered into the place to choose 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 needed most. Additionally, do not be stunned if huge offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, the 63rd general decide, is the Chiefs’ Week 1 starter at left deal with.
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Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: 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 might be key contributors sooner or later, as each have pro-ready video games instantly.
Aaron Schatz, NFL author: Los Angeles Chargers. Joe Alt will likely be a drive 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 will likely be featured because the slot receiver, and both Brenden Rice and/or Cornelius Johnson will get critical taking part in time regardless of ready till the seventh spherical to be chosen.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL entrance workplace insider: 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.
Seth Walder, sports activities analytics author: Bears. The plain reply can also be the proper one on this case: Chicago walked away from the draft with an elite QB prospect who has an ideal probability to be an instantaneous improve over Justin Fields, together with a high broad receiver in Odunze. A beforehand mediocre offense all of a sudden appears harmful.
Area Yates, NFL draft analyst: Cardinals. I outlined the theme of Arizona’s commerce as simply checking bins: 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 might all have significant roles. I used to be extraordinarily impressed by the haul.
Who was your favourite decide in the complete 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 every of my favourite defensive backs to check. He led Michigan’s protection final season with six interceptions and 7 move 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 chargeable for 55% of the group’s targets over the previous two seasons. Enter McConkey, who is a superb match as a possible Allen substitute 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 in regards to 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 best ceiling of any offensive participant within the draft. A number of groups within the high 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, choosing a go-to receiver for him to be taught and develop with was good. It additionally helps that the 2 skilled collectively, constructing chemistry within the pre-draft course of. Odunze was my No. 3 general prospect, which implies Chicago drafted two of my high 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 middle, guard or deal with as a rookie, and I consider he’ll have a superior profession to a number 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 in regards to 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 a very powerful place in sports activities, properly, it has to go get him. It is that straightforward.
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 mentioned, Mitchell might need dropped resulting from off-field considerations, and Colts GM Chris Ballard spoke out in opposition to that. This was the No. 5 broad receiver in Playmaker Rating however the No. 11 receiver off the board.
Fantasy projections for the 2024 rookie NFL move 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 authentic probability to be the very best receiver from this draft. Below 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’ sort of potential. Odunze had 1,640 receiving yards and 13 scores in 2023. That is excellent 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 strain fee 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 ideal one at a premium place in the midst of the primary spherical.
Yates: Odunze. The wideout falling to No. 9 was not an entire shock, given the anticipated run on quarterbacks early, nevertheless it was additionally not a positive factor. The sixth-highest-rated participant on my board might 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 will likely be an instantaneous impression contributor as one probably the most polished prospects within the class.
Who was the most important head-scratching decide of the draft?
Bell: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8. It’s onerous 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 longer term. Nonetheless, I noticed this as a chance 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 decide.
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 talent gamers, and I 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 decide. 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.
Liz Loza, fantasy and sports activities betting analyst: Tight finish Brock Bowers to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13. I used to be stupefied by the Raiders’ number of Bowers, and it is not due to his expertise stage. He is a possible generational expertise with a do-it-all talent set who was anticipated to return off the board earlier than the primary half of the primary spherical. Nonetheless, Las Vegas spent an early second-round decide on Michael Mayer only a yr in the past and entered the draft with holes all alongside the offensive line. Ultimately, I suppose, the worth Bowers offered was too nice to move 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 might 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 significant 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 isn’t 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 definitely the higher run-defender, however Newton’s mixture of explosiveness and disruption would’ve made him the higher decide.
Schatz: Penix. Look, I perceive the significance of the quarterback place, main to 6 quarterbacks chosen on this yr’s high 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 properly, Penix is just not going to take a snap within the NFL common season till he is 26 years previous. The Penix decide is not that head-scratching; it is the Penix decide 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 decide. The Rams paid an obscene worth to maneuver up from No. 52, sacrificing a fifth-round decide and future second-rounder within the course of — the most costly Day 2 overpay in not less than the previous six drafts and a bigger funding than their first-round decide (Jared Verse at No. 19), in accordance with our draft decide valuations. And all this for a participant who was at first of his choice vary, in accordance 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 during 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 price of his contract, which affords you the flexibility to spend elsewhere throughout the roster. The Falcons aren’t realizing that benefit with Cousins beneath contract and making $90 million over the primary two seasons of Penix’s deal.