NFL Analysis
4/28/24
3 min read
A-Team: Best Overall Picks of 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and we singled out the picks we thought were a cut above the rest. The picks below were the only selections receiving a draft grade of "A."
>>READ MORE: Grading Each 2024 Draft Pick
The Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks have three each, while the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have two each.
BEST DAY 1 PICKS
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC (No. 1)
Caleb Williams can be the best quarterback the Chicago Bears have had in franchise history. He offers a dynamic skill set that fits the modern NFL perfectly.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC (no. 3)
The New England Patriots desperately need to improve Drake Maye's new surrounding cast. He's already prone to taking too much of the offense's burden onto his shoulders. However, he projects as a dynamic playmaker at the position with great traits.
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (No. 4)
Kyler Murray gets a star to feed a heavy dosage of targets. Marvin Harrison Jr. has a Hall of Fame physical profile and skill set. He's a slam dunk pick.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (no. 5)
The Los Angeles Chargers had to get tougher in the trenches, and Joe Alt is as close to a lock as they come to being a great blocker. Moving Rashawn Slater to right tackle also works nicely for the unit's success. The big question is whether taking Alt over Malik Nabers was the right call.
New York Giants Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (No. 6)
Passing on J.J. McCarthy is risky because Daniel Jones isn't the answer, but McCarthy was also risky. Malik Nabers gives the New York Giants the best receiving talent they've had since Odell Beckham Jr.
Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas (No. 16)
New coach Mike Macdonald loves having a deep rotation of athletic bodies. Byron Murphy II was closer to a top-10 talent in this class and is the finishing piece of a revamped defensive front. This unit will be feared for the next few years.
Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (No. 22)
Unbelievable value for the Philadelphia Eagles. Quinyon Mitchell has prototypical CB1 athleticism and play style. He'll provide playmaking and much-needed speed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke (No. 26)
The interior of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' line was the most glaring team need, and it's hard to get better than Graham Barton. His ability to play guard or center at a high level isn't in question. This was a fantastic outcome for the Buccaneers.
Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (No. 28)
Xavier Worthy is so fast that his route running may never be great, but like Tyreek Hill, that doesn't matter when the QB can throw to a spot. Patrick Mahomes will love Worthy's ability to create after the catch and find open space against zone coverages.
BEST DAY 2 PICKS
Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (no. 33)
Josh Allen finally gets a true alpha presence. Keon Coleman will star with a QB who fully trusts his ability to come down with the ball. This is a home run pick.
Los Angeles Rams: Braden Fiske, IDL, Florida State (No. 39)
A huge riser this offseason, Braden Fiske will help replace some of the impact Aaron Donald left behind. He'll immediately contribute next to his former teammate, Jared Verse. This was the right value, and the Rams will mask his weaknesses.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, Iowa, DB (No. 40)
The Eagles will likely move Cooper DeJean all around, maximizing his skill set as a corner and safety combo. This bodes well for his production and impact. Philadelphia's secondary is massively improved after two rounds.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon (No. 44)
Jackson Powers-Johnson perfectly embodies the Raiders' image. He's a nasty finisher in space and dynamic as an interior blocker. He'll help this run game get back on track right away.
Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (No. 45)
Team Fit: A more dynamic option was needed next to Quay Walker. Edgerrin Cooper is a rangy playmaker who flies around the field. He'll be unleashed in a great situation.
New York Giants: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota (No. 47)
Tyler Nubin is a fantastic deep ballhawk. The Giants now have an ideal safety tandem to hold down the back end of the unit. New York will benefit from his range and overall presence.
Indianapolis Colts: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (No. 52)
This is an unbelievable talent value for the Colts. Adonai Mitchell has WR1 potential, he just has to hone in his effort and focus.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU (No. 63)
The Chiefs were rumored to like Kingsley Suamataia at No. 32, so to get him this late is fantastic. He's a stellar athlete and can play right away. Clearly, the team doesn't trust Wanya Morris to play left tackle in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (No. 66)
This is a tremendous blend of value, fit, and need. Trey Benson is a home-run hitter who can complement James Conner and benefit from Kyler Murray's gravity.
Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State (no. 73)
Short arms aside, Cooper Beebe can flat-out play. He's Wyatt Teller reincarnated, putting fear into the eyes and hearts of their opponents. He's such a big body that he can be a bit clunky, but he's effective.
Seattle Seahawks: Christian Haynes, IOL, UConn (No. 81)
Seattle considered adding a guard in the first round but landed the best pure guard much later. Christian Haynes is an immediate starter and a likely upgrade as he settles in.
BEST DAY 3 PICKS
Carolina Panthers Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas (No. 101)
Incredible value for a player who projects as a dynamic pass-catcher from the tight end position. Bryce Young gets a needed weapon.
Tennessee Titans: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina (No. 106)
Tennessee is a great spot for Cedric Gray, who requires great linemen to open rush lanes for him
Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon (No. 109)
This is a great fit for Brandon Dorlus. He can play all along the line on Day 1 with his blend of athleticism, strength, and awareness.
San Francisco 49ers: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest (No. 124)
There's not a better tackler in the class. Malik Mustapha is a great replacement for Tashaun Gipson.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU (No. 131)
Great value for a natural pass-catcher who isn't dissimilar to Travis Kelce, stylistically. He's an upgrade on Kansas City's backups and will make an impact quickly.
New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina (No. 150)
Tremendous value for a player graded not too far below Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. Spencer Rattler has things to prove and work on, but the arm talent and playmaking give him the chance to hit.
Seattle Seahawks: Sataoa Laumea, IOL, Utah (No. 179)
Sataoa Laumea is a good candidate to kick inside to guard and become a starter in the NFL. He has to stay balanced more often, but he otherwise has the traits and experience to compete to be an average starter.
Detroit Lions: Christian Mahagony, IOL, Boston College (No. 210)
Christian Mahogany fell due to injury concerns from two years ago, but he should've gone much sooner, regardless. He's a good player, and Detroit might've landed a future starter.
