The first round of the NFL draft has wrapped up.
Round one of the NFL draft has concluded and what a night it was. Offensive players dominated the night with a record six quarterbacks taken in the top 12 and only nine defensive players were taken in the top 32. Let’s recap every pick and see how each team fared in the first round.
- Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC – A+
An obvious slam dunk pick by general manager Ryan Poles, Williams has been a lock for the first overall pick for the past couple of months now. Williams is the type of prospect that only comes around every once in a while, with elite physical traits and a fantastic feel for the game. He slots perfectly into possibly the best situation a number one overall pick has ever gone to, with playmakers all over the place on the offense, a young but solid offensive line, and a defense that’s on the rise. The Caleb Williams era starts now.
- Jayden Daniels: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU – C+
Hearing Daniels’ name called before Drake Maye felt like hearing Brandon Miller get drafted before Scoot Henderson in the NBA draft last year. A good talent for the second overall pick but the latter has a higher ceiling. Daniels has a beautiful deep ball, electric running, and an aggressive mindset. But the way he takes terrible hits in the open field and deals with pressure in the pocket worries me. Will the Washington coaching staff fix Daniels’ awareness for incoming defensive players? Only time will tell.
- New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, UNC – A+
Another slam dunk quarterback pick, this time by the Patriots. The Patriots choose to build the offense around Maye instead of building out the offense now and slotting in a quarterback down the road. Maye has excellent pocket presence, play making ability, and a rocket arm which is something the previous quarterback, Mac Jones unfortunately lacked. While the supporting cast currently lacks playmakers, Maye is good enough to raise the floor of this team.
- Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State – A+
Is it possible to get a steal at pick 4? The Cardinals take the best overall prospect in the draft and give Kyler Murray a new best friend to throw to. Harrison Jr. has nearly no flaws in his game with excellent body control, fluid route running, and great size and speed. Alongside running back James Conner, tight end Trey McBride, and fellow wide receiver Michael Wilson, this offense is sure to transform into one of the better offenses in 2024.
- Los Angeles Chargers: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame – A-
Jim Harbaugh got his way and chose to build out the offensive line instead of getting star QB Justin Herbert a go to weapon. While Alt is a fantastic prospect and does deserve to be picked very high, I do believe receiver should have been the choice here. Regardless, Alt has a colossal frame at 6’9, 325 pounds with great footwork and hand fighting skills, and the upside to be elite at both pass protection and run blocking. We’ll have to wait a bit to see if Alt was the correct choice at 5 but for now, Justin Herbert gets his blindside tackle for the future.
- New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU – A+
The Giants have desperately needed a number one receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. was traded back in 2018 and they just got one in Malik Nabers. Nabers has blazing speed, good hands, and the best yards after catch ability in this class. Anytime he touches the ball, it has the potential for an explosive play. The Giants offense gets a home run hitter at 6.
- Tennessee Titans: OT J.C Latham, Alabama – B
The Titans had one specific need going into this draft, offensive line. They upgraded their offense in the off season by signing running back Tony Pollard and wide receiver Calvin Ridley to help develop quarterback Will Levis. The only problem is that the Chargers took the best tackle in the class earlier so the Titans had to reach a little bit on J.C Latham out of Alabama. I like Latham a lot, he’s a monster with freakish size and strength, he plays lighter than his size indicates, and is excellent in run blocking. Just one problem though, the Titans expect Latham to be their left tackle and he played all of his snaps at right tackle at Alabama. I expect great play from Latham but will he be as natural on the left side as he was on the right? I think so.
- Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington – F
I have so many questions about this pick, I couldn’t believe this pick when it happened and I still can’t believe it now. They just signed Kirk Cousins to a four year, 180 million dollar deal this off season, Penix isn’t really a developmental prospect, he’s going to be 24 in just a few weeks, he had four straight season ending injuries from 2018-2021, and the Falcons needed more talent on defense. I just don’t see the logic behind this pick unfortunately. We’ll have to wait a while to see if general manager Terry Fontenot’s vision comes to fruition, but for now, this was probably the worst pick of the first round.
- Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington – A+
The draft board fell exactly the way the Bears needed it to, an elite receiver prospect falling into their laps without having to trade up for him. Odunze joins a receiving room with D.J Moore and Keenan Allen to make possibly the deadliest receiving trio in the league. Odunze is extremely dominant at the catch point, can run very good routes, and is speedy enough to take the top off the defense. What was once a major weakness for the Bears just 2 years ago is now their greatest strength.
- Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J McCarthy, Michigan – B-
In a perfect world, Drake Maye is throwing 65 yard bombs to Justin Jefferson in the NFC Championship game. In this cruel world, it’s J.J McCarthy throwing to Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Viking offense. The Vikings were the best landing spot for a prospect like McCarthy as he’ll have Kevin O’Connell calling plays for him while surrounded by Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J Hockenson, and a young but solid offensive line. McCarthy has an above average arm, a clutch mentality, and a good feel for the pocket. He’ll definitely be asked to do more on the Vikings than he ever had to at Michigan but McCarthy always seems cool in the biggest moments, a good match was made on draft night.
- New York Jets: OT Olumuyiya Fashanu, Penn State – B+
The Jets seemed like a lock to take Brock Bowers before the draft and even when Bowers fell to the Jets at 11, it seemed like a match made in heaven. But the Jets made the safe choice of taking a tackle and protecting Aaron Rodgers’ health after the disaster season the Jets had last year. They also gained a fourth and a fifth round pick from trading back with the Vikings so the Jets win all around. Fashanu is excellent in pass protection which is what the Jets will be doing a lot as long as Rodgers is in the backfield. The Jets upgrade on a huge position of need with good value.
- Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon – F
Another head scratcher! Maybe less of one because the Broncos actually did need a quarterback but I still did not like this pick. Bo Nix is more of a game manager than a franchise changing quarterback to me. He has some plays where he can play out of structure and make a play out of nothing but at Oregon, he was nothing more than a guy who had wide receivers schemed open for him and took checkdowns or screens over big chunk plays. He’s also going to be 24 years old when he starts which very rarely works out in the NFL. The name test can’t save you, Bo Nix.
- Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia – A+
Some might question this pick as the Raiders took Michael Mayer in the second round last year. But when you don’t have a bonafide stud at a position and there’s a generational talent on the board at that position, you take that swing. Bowers is more of a swiss army knife than a traditional tight end, he can line up anywhere on the field and make plays with the ball in his hands. He joins a stacked receiving group of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer.
- New Orlean Saints: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State – B
The Saints had a huge hole at left tackle after the news of Ryan Ramczyk’s potentially career ending knee injury. They fill that need with the physical and ferocious Taliese Fuaga. He’s good in both pass protection and run blocking with light feet and good athleticism. I felt like there were better tackles on the board but unlike some of the others, Fuaga seems more like a day one starter than someone who needs to sit and develop for a bit. He’s a little bit undersized and might be better as a guard in the pros, but for now, he’ll be the Saint’s left tackle.
- Indianapolis Colts: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA – A+
After 14 straight offensive players taken off the board, Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player to be taken tonight. The Colts somehow get an absolute steal at pick 15 by taking not only the best edge rusher in this class, but possibly the best defensive player in this class. Latu is a force to be reckoned with in the trenches, he’s nearly impossible to block with excellent hand fighting skills and a seemingly endless bag of pass rushing moves. His injury past might be a concern as he had to medically retire back in 2022, but the risk might be worth the reward if he pans out.
- Seattle Seahawks: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas – A
Seattle needed help on the defensive side of the ball, especially on the defensive line and they got their guy of their choice in Byron Murphy. Murphy is a freak athlete who is a little undersized but eats up double teams and can rush the passer from both inside and on the edge. New head coach Mike MacDonald has a fun tool to play around with and make offensive lineman’s lives a lot more difficult.
- Minnesota Vikings: DE Dallas Turner, Alabama – A-
The Vikings traded up from pick 23 to pick 17 to get Turner, giving up a pick 23, a fifth rounder this year, and a second and a third round pick next year. While Turner fell out of the top ten where many predicted him to go, I feel like the Vikings gave up too much to move up to 17. Turner is a very bendy and athletic pass rusher with the ability to even drop back into coverage when necessary. He’ll join an edge room with newly signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have to make Turner a game changer to make the package they gave up for him worth it.
- Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia – B
Possibly one of the riskier picks in this draft, the Bengals try to fix their offensive line woes with a high risk, insane reward player in Amarius Mims. Mims is a physical specimen with light feet and is super fluid for his size. The pick confused me a little bit because Mims is incredibly raw and has only started 8 games at his time in Georgia. He’s a guy that will need time to develop and the Bengals championship window seems to be slowly closing as more of their young players need to get paid. Besides that, Mims has the most upside of any tackle in this class and the Bengals will be rewarded heavily if he pans out.
- Los Angeles Rams: DE Jared Verse, Florida State – B
The Rams desperately had to get talent on their defensive line after Aaron Donald’s retirement, they land Jared Verse out of Florida State. Verse is an explosive pass rusher with an excellent first step, great speed around the arc, and a quality bag of pass rushing moves. His bull rush is powerful and knocks linemen down due to how explosive he is. He has his weaknesses in the run game but as a pass rusher, he’s so powerful that linemen should be scared to see Verse line up across from them.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington – A+
The Steelers have revamped their offense this off season, signing QB Russell Wilson, trading for QB Justin Fields, trading away receiver Diontae Johnson, and hiring Arthur Smith to be their offensive coordinator. Fautanu was my favorite offensive lineman in this class, he’s super agile on his feet, versatile enough to play both tackle and guard, and excellent in both pass protection and run blocking. The Steelers get themselves a beast at pick 20.
- Miami Dolphins: DE Chop Robinson, Penn State – B-
This pick was a little confusing as I felt like Miami needed offensive line help but in their defense, both of their starting edge rushers are coming off major injuries and might not even be ready at the start of next season. Robinson is a bit raw and might not be a great starter on day one, but he has the athletic tools to develop into a fierce pass rusher in the future.
- Philadelphia Eagles: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo – B+
One thing was for sure after the Eagles late season collapse, they needed secondary help, and they got it. In fact, they got their guy of their choice as Mitchell was the first corner taken off the board. Mitchell is extremely fast and twitchy with great ball skills and good length. He might have faced bad competition at Toledo but all the tools are there to compete in the pros. Howie Roseman can’t keep getting away with this.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU – A
Brian Thomas Jr. was one of my favorite players to watch in this class, he was very raw as a route runner and only had one year of great production at LSU but the ceiling is sky high for Thomas Jr. He has good hands and ball tracking as he’ll need that if he’s going to be one of the premier deep threats in the league. Averaging 18 yards per reception and scoring 15 touchdowns last season, Trevor Lawrence gets the deep threat he desperately needs.
- Detroit Lions: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama – A+
General manager Brad Holmes thanks the 23 general managers ahead of him for letting Arnold fall and Jerry Jones for trading pick 24 to him. Arnold has the mold of a number one corner with sticky coverage and great ball skills. He might be a bit slower than the other corners in this class but he makes up for that with great instincts and flexibility. The Lions secondary was ranked near the bottom of the league but with Arnold in the mix, that could be changed.
- Green Bay Packers: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona – C+
This pick felt like a little bit of a reach to me as I felt like Morgan was more of a high second rounder than low first rounder and the fact that Graham Barton was still on the board when the Packers made this pick. Morgan is a versatile lineman who can play both tackle and guard who excels in run blocking. His large frame allows him to clear up lanes in the run game and he’s good at getting to the second level. He did have a bit of trouble dealing with speed around the edge, so he might be better suited as a guard.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OL Graham Barton, Duke – A
Speaking of Graham Barton, he was selected a pick after Morgan and this fills a huge need for the Buccaneers. Barton has the versatility to play center, guard, and tackle but I believe he’s best suited to play center or guard in the pros. He’s excellent in the run game and has strong but light feet, meaning he’s able to stand and dig his feet into the ground while being able to move quickly to the second level of the field. The Buccaneers’ poor run game gets a boost by gaining Barton on the line.
- Arizona Cardinals: DE Darius Robinson, Missouri – C
The Cardinals chose to take a defensive player with their second first-round pick but this was a bit of a reach to me. I thought there were better defensive players on the board but head coach Jonathan Gannon seems to have a vision for Robinson. Robinson is a very powerful edge who can line up on the outside and inside and had good production on limited pass rushing snaps in college. My main concern is he doesn’t have many pass rushing moves and lacks high end speed and bend the top tier edge rushers have.
- Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas – C+
This felt like one of the more obvious picks after Worthy broke the combine record for the fastest 40 yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds back in March and Patrick Mahomes immediately tweeted on X (Twitter) about Worthy right after he broke the record. Despite the Chiefs defying all odds to win their second straight super bowl last season, it was common knowledge they needed more help in their receiver room, especially down field threats. Worthy has big play ability which matches perfectly with Mahome’s aggressive playstyle but his lack of size and difficulty against press coverage raises some concerns and I felt like there were better receivers on the board at this spot. Expect Mahomes to get back to throwing bombs down the field like he did early in his career.
- Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Gutyon, Oklahoma – C
If doing absolutely nothing in free agency, signing none of your star players to extensions, and to top it all off, drafting a raw tackle that isn’t meant to start day one means going all in, then the Cowboys have certainly won the off season and the first round of the draft. Guyton has high end athleticism and a good frame for a tackle, but his hand fighting is questionable and he’s pretty stiff with the tendency to lean into pass rushers instead of actually keeping them at a distance. The athletic tools are there and the Cowboys’ hit rate on first round offensive linemen is basically flawless, but it’ll take a lot of time for Guyton to become a starting caliber tackle.
- Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson – A+
The Ravens lost a lot of defensive talent in this off season, specifically in the secondary but Nate Wiggins fell right into their lap to fix some of those issues. He’s an absolute steal at pick 30 with a great feel for zone coverages, blazing speed, and fantastic ball skills. He might have fallen due to his thin frame (weighed 173 pounds at the combine) but the Ravens gained one of the best corners in this draft to pair alongside Marlon Humphrey.
- San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida – B-
This was a pick I didn’t see coming, despite reports circulating all off season that Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel would be traded, but here we are. Neither have been traded yet but Pearsall does give the 49ers a safety blanket if one were to be traded in the near future. Pearsall is the textbook definition of what the 49ers like in a receiver, a solid route runner with good hands and is able to get open in the middle of the field. We’ll have to see how this affects the future of both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk but for now, this is a dangerous receiving trio to somehow make Brock Purdy’s life even easier.
- Carolina Panthers: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina – C+
The Panthers traded up with the Bills to move into the first round to get the guy they wanted in Xavier Legette. To me, Legette fits in the mold of Mike Williams when Williams was a college prospect where he was a bit of a sloppy route runner/separator but he has great size, a huge catch radius, and great hands to go with that catch radius. Legette is a bit of a boom or bust prospect as he broke out in his fifth year of college with barely any production in his first four years and is already 23 years old. The Panthers have dedicated a lot of resources to surround QB Bryce Young with talent, it now feels like a make or break year for the former first overall pick.
- Buffalo Bills: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State – A
Bonus pick! The Buffalo Bills traded down from pick 27 to 32 to 33, so writing about their pick feels justifiable. I really liked this pick, Coleman is super athletic, explosive off the line, has excellent body control, and is a top tier contested catch artist. I think he’s also super underrated as a route runner and that Florida State didn’t use him to the best of his ability. Josh Allen and Coleman seem like a match made in heaven, his 50/50 balls will turn into 75/25 balls with Coleman likely coming down with them. Coleman might not turn into a number one receiver on the Bills, but he’ll be a dangerous threat on Sundays.
