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 probably the most ever. Now that greater than every 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’ll start with their favourite picks and the largest head-scratching alternatives — a few of which do 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 subject day-after-day this week, together with rookie lessons our analysts consider will make the largest impacts, Rookie of the 12 months picks, fantasy sleepers and daring predictions.
Who had been the perfect picks on this class? Which had been probably the most puzzling? Our consultants dive in on the highest takeaways:
Soar to a query:
Favourite picks | Greatest head-scratchers
Who was your favourite decide in your entire draft?
Stephania Bell, fantasy soccer analyst: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22. When a staff 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 had been in a position to shock the competitors by snagging him right here.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: 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 review. He led Michigan’s protection final season with six interceptions and 7 cross breakups. Search for him to play a disruptive position as a rookie in Dan Quinn’s defensive system.
Mike Clay, fantasy soccer analyst: Huge 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 throughout the offseason, a foursome answerable for 55% of the staff’s targets over the previous two seasons. Enter McConkey, who is a wonderful 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 large quantity proper out of the gate.
Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL author: Huge 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 may 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.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Huge 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 good. It additionally helps that the 2 educated collectively, constructing chemistry within the pre-draft course of. Odunze was my No. 3 total prospect, which implies Chicago drafted two of my prime three gamers on this class.
Eric Moody, fantasy and sports activities betting analyst: 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 sort out as a rookie, and I consider he’ll have a superior profession to a number of the names drafted forward of him.
Jason Reid, senior Andscape author: 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 staff believes it has recognized a possible transformational participant at crucial place in sports activities, properly, it has to go get him. It is that straightforward.
Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: 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 staff wanted to replenish its expertise off of the sting after dropping Danielle Hunter in free company. Whereas the staff signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel throughout free company, Turner gives a excessive upside as a pass-rusher in Brian Flores’ protection. Turner led Alabama with 10 sacks and 45 pressures final season.
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Fantasy projections for the 2024 rookie NFL cross catchers
Take a look at Mike Clay’s fantasy projections for Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Aaron Schatz, NFL author: Huge 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 may need dropped attributable to off-field issues, and Colts GM Chris Ballard spoke out in opposition to that. This was the No. 5 vast receiver in Playmaker Rating however the No. 11 receiver off the board.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL entrance workplace insider: Odunze. He has a legit likelihood to be the perfect receiver from this draft. Below the motto of “win for as we speak and develop for tomorrow,” the Bears have Allen on a one-year deal, and Odunze has Terrell Owens’ sort of means. Odunze had 1,640 receiving yards and 13 scores in 2023. That is ideally suited for Chicago.
Seth Walder, sports activities analytics author: Defensive finish Laiatu Latu to the Colts at No. 15. Due to medical issues 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 may need landed a fantastic one at a premium place in the course of the primary spherical.
Area Yates, NFL analyst: Odunze. The wideout falling to No. 9 was not an entire shock, given the anticipated run on quarterbacks early, however it was additionally not a certain 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 will likely be an prompt impression contributor as one probably the most polished prospects within the class.
Who was the largest head-scratching decide of the draft?
Bell: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8. It’s arduous to justify spending this first-round draft capital when the Falcons had declared their nine-figure love for Kirk Cousins weeks earlier. The staff 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 rigidity 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. Nonetheless, I noticed this as a possibility for the Falcons so as to add an impactful defensive participant to new coach Raheem Morris’ system, with outdoors linebacker Dallas Turner and defensive sort out Byron Murphy II nonetheless on the board on the time of Atlanta’s decide.
Fowler: Huge 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 decide. Contemplating the 49ers nonetheless have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the roster, bolstering the offensive or line of defense appeared like a smart 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’ choice of Bowers, and it isn’t due to his expertise degree. 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. 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 cross on.
Moody: Quarterback Bo Nix to the Denver Broncos at No. 12. Whereas he posted prolific numbers at Oregon throughout his closing collegiate season, it is value noting that just about 67% of his passes got here inside 9 yards of the road of scrimmage. Nix’s choice seems to replicate desperation on the a part of a Sean Payton-led Broncos staff in want of a quarterback improve. I felt like Denver may have traded down and nonetheless landed Nix.
Jason Reid: Offensive sort out 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 is not any sugarcoating that.
Jordan Reid: Defensive sort out 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 decide.
Schatz: Penix. Look, I perceive the significance of the quarterback place, main to 6 quarterbacks chosen on this yr’s prime 12. You possibly can speak me into the concept Penix is a greater prospect than J.J. McCarthy regardless of McCarthy doing higher in my QBASE projections. But when all goes properly, Penix will not be 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 together with the Cousins contract.
Walder: Defensive sort out 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 value to maneuver up from No. 52, sacrificing a fifth-round decide and future second-rounder within the course of — the costliest Day 2 overpay in no less than the previous six drafts and a bigger funding than their first-round decide (Jared Verse at No. 19), in line with our draft decide valuations. And all this for a participant who was at first of his choice vary, in line 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 all the time 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 by 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 should not realizing that benefit with Cousins beneath contract and making $90 million over the primary two seasons of Penix’s deal.
