The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft was dominated by offensive players, with six quarterbacks chosen among the first 12 picks. Some teams were successful in their choice, while others were unsuccessful. Want to know what I think of every pick made Thursday in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft? You can find it all below. You can also follow the rest of the project on days 2 and 3 for more notes and more analysis.
Be sure to refresh this page throughout the weekend for the latest grades. If you want to do all of this, track the top prospects available and access all of the draft picks on one page, you can do so in our draft tracker. And track every pick on our live blog and all deals in our deal tracker.
Notes: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7
1. Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Grade: A-
It is said to be generational, and perhaps it is, but there are some concerns. I like his game, but I would have taken Jayden Daniels. Only time will tell.
2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Grade: A
I love this choice. This is a great situation for a rookie. The team has a new owner, coach and now quarterback. They can grow together. He will be the best QB in this class.
3. Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Category B
He may need some time on the bench, but he has the talent to become a good starting quarterback in this league. He just needs to refine a few mechanical elements. The Patriots needed to find a quarterback.
4. Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Grade: B+
He has the tools to become a star receiver in this league. The Cardinals had to get a receiver, so it works. He will be a major playmaker in their offense. I think Malik Nabers will be better, but it’s close.
5. Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Category B
He’s the best in this class, but now he must transition to right tackle for Jim Harbaugh. This can be difficult to do. But taking a lineman makes sense, I might have gone with JC Latham as a better choice.
6. Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Rating: A+
I love this pick for the Giants. He says they didn’t believe in the quarterbacks left and now they have a playmaker on the outside. This child will be a star.
7. Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Grade: B+
He’s a right tackle and they need a left tackle, so it will be interesting to see how they play him. But he is a violent player wherever he plays. They’re training at Alabama left and right, so he should be able to make a smooth transition.
8. Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Category B-
They chose to take their quarterback of the future by taking Penix. He has all the tools, but he will learn and wait behind Kirk Cousins. I wonder if he can rush the passer. I like the player, but I don’t like the choice. Category B
9. Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Grade: B+
It’s a smart move for the Bears, even if taking an edge served a greater need. You now have a young receiver to grow in Caleb Williams. Odunze will give them a nice group of three receivers.
10. Vikings: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Grade: C+
They had to fill the quarterback position, so it makes sense to take McCarthy. I don’t like it as much as the others, but it will be interesting to see how Kevin O’Connell and company make this work.
11. Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Category B-
He’s a left tackle for the future, but also insurance if Tyron Smith can’t play the entire season. He’s good in pass protection, but needs to improve his run blocking. He’s not an all-in pick like Brock Bowers could have been.
12. Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Grade: C-
I don’t like Nix, but I have a choice. Desperation forces teams to pick their quarterbacks earlier than they should. Sean Payton obviously sees Drew Brees in him, but it’s early days. Why not trade and get it later?
13. Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Grade: C
He’s a heck of a player, but didn’t they draft Michael Mayer last year and sign Harrison Bryant this year? They have other needs. I don’t really like this choice. It’s not like he’s a good blocker for their running game. Strange choice with other needs.
14. Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Grade: B+
It meets a major need of the saints. They have big problems to solve. Fuaga is a nasty player who will start right away. To like.
15. Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Category B-
I think there were other options for them at this spot and better edge rushers in my mind. But Latu has good passing skills, even though there are some medical issues. They need immediate help.
16. Seahawks: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Grade: A
They wait patiently and find the player who could be the best defensive player in this draft. Murphy has been compared to Justin Madubuike, who new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald coached in Baltimore.
17. Vikings: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Grade: A
I love this move to go after Turner. He will be the best edge player in this class. The Vikings have had a lot of success with edge players and that fits with what Brian Flores wants to do.
18. Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Category B-
For me, Mims is a feast or famine choice. He can be a star, but he also has some limitations because he hasn’t played a lot of football. It could pay off big, but it’s risky.
19. Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Grade: B+
The Rams wait patiently and end up with one of the best passers in this draft. This fills a major need and will help offset the loss of Aaron Donald on the interior.
20. Steelers: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Category B
The Steelers needed another tackle to go with Broderick Jones, but Fautano can also play inside. He’s a physical player who fits what they want to do. This is a good, solid pick by the Steelers.
21. Dolphins: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Grade: A
I love this choice for Miami. He has the best first move in this draft. With a little coaching, he will become a dominant passer. They can also move it like a joker on their forehead. To like.
22. Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Grade: B+
The Eagles wait and get the best corner in this draft. Clever. There was talk of a trade, but now they are landing a player who fills a need with age creeping into their defense. Nice selection.
23. Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Grade: B+
This is a big move for a team that needs another young gun. He can fly and his best football is ahead of him. Watch out for their attack in 2024.
24. Lions: Terrion Arnold, BC, Alabama
Category B
The Lions needed corner help, so it makes sense to make a move to get one. Arnold gives them another secondary player from Alabama to go with Brian Branch, another versatile player.
25. Packers: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Grade: C+
I might have brought Graham Barton here, but they need help upfront, so I’m getting it. Morgan can move inside to guard, but if they move right tackle Zach Tom to center, he would be their right tackle.
26. Buccaneers: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Grade: A
It’s an excellent choice. They have major problems at center and a problem at left guard and he can play both. I love this choice. Barton will move inside tackle, but he can also play there in a pinch.
27. Cardinals: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Category B
He is a good, solid player who can play outside and can also move inside as a rusher. The Cardinals needed help from the start, so it makes perfect sense to have such a versatile player.
28. Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Grade: A
He can fly flat out. He’s had some issues with drops, but for a team that once had Tyreek Hill, it makes perfect sense to get that type of speed. How much will Patrick Mahomes like this guy?
29. Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Category B
It’s a decision that was predicted by many people. He played right tackle in college, but can play on the left side. This meets a major need.
30. Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Grade: B+
They have a need at corner and Wiggins might be the best coverage player of them all. He’s not a great tackler, but he can lock down and act as a press man for their defense. He just needs to improve his tackling.
31. 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Grade: C-
It’s a strange choice. Do they need it? If so, why Pearsall? Unless they trade Brandon Aiyuk, why take this guy? It’s a luxury choice.
32. Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Grade: B+
They need to get some weapons for Bryce Young, so it makes sense to land him. He is a player who plays physically and runs better than you might think. He’s only been doing it for a year.
