The 2024 NFL Draft is in the rearview and now we get to debate which teams had the best draft. Waiting four or five years to make a fair assessment of draft picks is optimal, but who wants to wait that long? Here are my favorite picks from every NFL team in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (1st round, pick 4 overall)
The Cardinals had a whopping 12 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, but their first pick was their best. There was lots of speculation on whether the Cardinals might trade back, but they made the correct decision to hold firm and take the best player on the board.
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Bralen Trice (3rd round, pick 74 overall)
After the Falcons shocked the football world with the questionable selection of QB Michael Penix Jr., they followed it up with some picks that I liked, including defensive end Bralen Trice. The Falcons needed to bolster their lackluster pass rush and Trice offered solid value at pick 74 overall. Look for Trice to push for a starting position during the 2024 season.
Baltimore Ravens: CB T.J. Tampa (4th round, pick 130 overall)
Surprisingly, T.J. Tampa fell to day 3 of the NFL Draft, I thought he would be gone sometime on Day 2. It always seems like the Ravens find a “steal” every draft, and Tampa fell right into their laps this year. After running slow at his pro day and declining a Senior Bowl invite, Tampa slid down draft boards, but turn on his tape and there is tons of talent for Ravens fans to be excited about.
Buffalo Bills: S Cole Bishop (2nd round, pick 60 overall)
The Bills needed to get a WR in this year’s NFL Draft, and they got that out of the way with their first pick in the second round. With their second pick in round two, they selected safety Cole Bishop from Utah. With Buffalo’s safety tandem from the past seven years leaving the team, they needed to inject some youth into the room. Bishop offers the Bills an athletic playmaker to use as a chess piece in multiple layers of their defense.
Carolina Panthers: WR Xavier Legette (1st round, pick 32 overall)
The Panthers desperately needed to get QB Bryce Young some more weapons, and they were able to do so by trading up to the last pick of the first round for a WR. Legette is a big physical WR who looks like an RB when he has the ball in his hands. He will make Bryce Young’s life easier by snagging jump balls and earning extra yards after the catch.
Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze (1st round, pick 9 overall)
The Bears only had four draft picks heading into the 2024 NFL Draft (they acquired a 5th pick via trade) so they had to make their picks count. QB Caleb Williams was the number one overall pick, but I loved how they doubled down on offense and followed up with picking Rome Odunze at pick 9. The Bears offense suddenly feels like one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals: DT Kris Jenkins (2nd round, pick 49 overall)
The Bengals needed reinforcements at the DT position after losing D.J. Reader this offseason. In the second round they snagged Jenkins and kept the University of Michigan to Cincinnati Bengals defensive pipeline alive, making this the third year in a row they have selected a defensive player from Michigan in the first two rounds. Jenkins provides the Bengals with leadership and will be a cog in the middle of their defense.
Cleveland Browns: WR Jamari Thrash (5th round, pick 156 overall)
I don’t expect any of the Browns 2024 draft picks to start right away but they added solid depth throughout the draft. The Browns currently have a logjam of talented WR prospects at the top of their depth chart. However, Amari Cooper is turning 30 and is in the final year of his deal, and Elijah Moore and newcomer Jerry Jeudy haven’t lived up to their potential. Thrash can learn the ropes in his first year and be ready to battle for a prominent role next year.
Dallas Cowboys: IOL Cooper Beebe (3rd round, pick 73 overall)
The Cowboys already have their two offensive guard positions set but are expecting Beebe to be their future center. The two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year is a bulldozer who loves to shove defenders in the dirt. He has position versatility to play guard, but if he can prove he is capable of playing center in the NFL he should start sooner than later for the Cowboys.
Denver Broncos: WR Troy Franklin (4th round, pick 102 overall)
I thought Franklin would be off the board on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, but his sliding into round four provides exceptional value for the Broncos. Franklin is a long strider who needs space to build up speed, evidenced by running the slowest 10-yard split time of any WR at the combine, but he still managed to run a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. His long speed makes him an exciting deep threat for Bo Nix. What better way to get your rookie QB comfortable than drafting his favorite college target?
Detroit Lions: CB Terrion Arnold (1st round, pick 24 overall)
It was surprising to see Arnold still around at pick 24, but the Lions got some much-needed cornerback help. Arnold isn’t the most explosive athlete but he brings an attitude and tenacity that the Detroit Lions have become known for under head coach Dan Campbell.
Green Bay Packers: S Javon Bullard (2nd round, pick 58 overall)
The Packers needed to find quality safety help in the 2024 NFL Draft and they certainly made sure they took plenty of cracks at it by drafting three safety prospects. Bullard isn’t the most imposing safety but he is a bonafide playmaker that is always around the football.
Houston Texans: S Calen Bullock (3rd round, pick 78 overall)
The Texans are loaded with offensive talent but they needed to spend some assets on the defensive side of the ball. Starting safety Jimmy Ward is 32 and towards the end of his career. Bullock has the makings of a future ball-hawking high safety.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Adonai Mitchell (2nd round, pick 52 overall)
From a talent perspective, I think Mithcell was a top-five WR in this year’s draft class. However, some character concerns were likely the reason he fell to pick 52. If Mitchell can keep his off-the-field concerns out of the picture, he has the potential to become a top-tier WR in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Maason Smith (2nd round, pick 48 overall)
Maason Smith is a mountain of a man, standing at 6’5” and weighing over 300 pounds. Smith was a highly touted prospect out of high school who never really put it all together in college. You can teach technique and moves but you can’t teach his size and athleticism.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia - OT (2nd round, pick 63 overall)
Any assets to protect Patrick Mahomes are good investments. Suamataia might not crack the starting lineup right away but he can be a long-term starter for the Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers (1st round, pick 13 overall)
Getting one of the top offensive weapons in the draft at pick 13 is exceptional for the Raiders. I don’t care if Bowers is labeled as a “tight end”, he is a big play waiting to happen, and the Raiders offense needed some juice.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenden Rice (7th round, pick 225 overall)
I thought the Chargers had a solid draft all around and I liked multiple picks they made, but my favorite pick is their seventh-round selection of Brenden Rice. I had Rice going early on Day 3 and I can’t believe he fell to the final round. Rice has natural ability and offers a bigger upside than the typical 7th-round prospect.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Blake Corum (3rd round, pick 83 overall)
I know Kyren Williams had a breakout season last year, but I would expect Corum to get his fair share of the workload in the Rams’ backfield in 2024. Corum seems like an ideal fit in this Rams offense where he can use his talents to rack up yards rushing and receiving. Don’t be surprised if he is a fantasy superstar in the future, just like Williams was last year.
Miami Dolphins: EDGE Mohamed Kamara (5th round, pick 158 overall)
Kamara will be a backup player initially, but he provides quality depth to a Dolphins group who dealt with injuries last season. Kamara was productive at Colorado State with 29.5 sacks in his career. Down the road, it will be hard for the Dolphins to keep all of their talent in this position. Kamara could find his way to a more prominent role if they have to move on from one of those players.
Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Dallas Turner (1st round, pick 17 overall)
After the Vikings lost Danielle Hunter in free agency they needed some pass rush help. Lucky for them Dallas Turner fell to pick 17 and they were able to swing a trade to move up six spots to draft him. Turner is a long and explosive edge rusher who will be an impact player on their defense from the first moment he steps on the field.
New England Patriots: WR Javon Baker (4th round, pick 103 overall)
The Patriots got their QB of the future in Drake Maye and they even took a flier on late-round project QB Joe Milton. However, my favorite move by the Patriots is that they double-dipped at WR, giving their rookie QB more weapons. Baker isn’t elite at anything, but he consistently finds ways to make plays. I wouldn’t be surprised if he emerges as a top target for Maye.
New Orleans Saints: QB Spencer Rattler (5th round, pick 150 overall)
Derek Carr holds down the current starting QB position but he didn’t meet expectations last season, so the Saints gave themselves an exciting backup option to develop. Rattler is adept at working the pocket and slinging accurate passes in the face of pressure. If Rattler can hone his skills for a season or two, he may have an opportunity to become a starter down the road.
New York Giants: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (5th round, pick 166 overall)
The Giants had a fantastic draft and likely found multiple players that can make an immediate impact for them. The former WR converted to RB is dynamic with the ball in his hands and will help ease the sting of losing Saquon Barkley. Tracy will give the Giants some lighting in a bottle behind newcomer Devin Singletary.
New York Jets: OT Olu Fashanu (1st round, pick 11 overall)
As we all know, the Jets will go as far as Aaron Rodgers can take them. The aging QB needs to be protected and kept healthy if they want to compete in the AFC East. The Jets made some moves in free agency to shore up their offensive line but Fashanu is another step in the right direction. Passing up Brock Bowers here was probably a tough decision, but the Jets made the right move to potentially have a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle for the next decade.
Philadelphia Eagles: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (5th round, pick 155 overall)
There are sentimental reasons this pick is substantial, but that isn’t the only reason the Eagles selected Trotter. The physical linebacker brings some attitude to Philly’s defense and provides quality backup to linebackers Nakobe Dean and Devin White who dealt with injuries last season. If he gets an opportunity to start via injury, he may never give the starting role back.
Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Logan Lee (6th round, pick 178 overall)
Lee seems like a natural fit for the Steelers, he has a quick first step and plays with an impressive motor that helps him find the football. Cameron Heyward will eventually retire, maybe Lee can be his future replacement.
San Francisco 49ers: OL Dominick Puni (3rd round, pick 86 overall)
The 49ers were able to fill a need in the third round by drafting Puni. The Kansas product played left tackle last season and did not allow a single sack. Puni will compete at the guard and tackle positions for the 49ers and has a chance to earn a starting role next year considering Aaron Banks will be a free agent in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks: OG Christian Haynes (3rd round, pick 81 overall)
The Seahawks’ offensive line has been lackluster in recent years and they were in desperate search of a right guard. The Christian Hayes pick at 81 overall was fantastic value for Seattle. Haynes is already penciled in as the starting right guard and has plenty of experience there, starting every college game of his career at that position.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chris Braswell (2nd round, pick 57 overall)
Braswell is likely to be an immediate starter for the Bucs and will be the replacement to Shaq Barrett. Braswell had his best season for Alabama in 2023, where he led the SEC in pressures but he also held his own in the run game.
Tennessee Titans: OT JC Latham (1st round pick 7 overall)
JC Latham played right tackle at Alabama but he will flip sides to fill the Titans’ gaping hole at left tackle. Latham is a physically imposing player who moves with surprising fluidity for his size. His heavy hands and ability to move defenders at will in the run game are impressive.
Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels (1st round, pick 2 overall)
The Heisman Trophy winner brings in a buzz that hasn’t been around the Commanders in a long time. His capacity to be a playmaker with his legs and also to stand in the pocket to make big-time throws is the reason he was picked number 2 overall. Daniels will give Washington’s offense the seismic jolt it has been longing for.
