Draft Day is one of the most anticipated events in the NFL. It is also one of the most unpredictable moments for any executive trying to figure out where their desired players could be picked or who will turn out to be a franchise-saving player. This article will quickly review each team’s selections with a short blurb about how well each chosen player looks in their college film. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that despite highly praised players, almost all of the worst teams you see being talked about are made up of the best college players. There is no actual metric to rating a draft pick besides how they looked in college because there is more to being a great NFL player than just where you were drafted. (Side note: this article is written with the idea that you already know analytical football talk.)
#1 overall: QB Caleb William
The absolute consensus best player in the draft, Caleb William, has landed in Chicago, and it’s a match made in football heaven. With his impressive pocket prowess and a cannon for an arm, this young star’s potential is sky-high, surpassing many others picked at his spot.
#2 overall: QB Jayden Daniels
As a Raiders fan, this pick hurt. Talks of moving up to get Daniels all fell through as Washington got their guy instead, leaving me disappointed. However, with Daniels’ upside, he can make his situation work. With a good arm and a fantastic ability to move around pressure, Daniels has shown an incredible football sense.
#3 overall: QB Drake Maye
Although not necessarily a secure pick, Maye has shown a very high upside; however, he has noticeable weaknesses like his inability to face adversity. Even with Maye holding the highest quarterback rating when under pressure, the potential star can make splash plays that all teams love, extending plays far beyond what many quarterbacks could.
#4 overall: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Initially seen as the best player in the draft, there is no denying MHJ’s ability to be a future Hall of Famer. Having a fantastic arm radius and a knack for winning any jump ball thrown his way, this young player has the highest potential out of any other prospect.
#5 overall: OT Joe Alt
On the flip side, compared to the skill positions, the trenches are where games are genuinely won, and considering the Chargers had one of the worst teams all around, they need to give their franchise QB some time to throw the ball. Although they are not helping the team fix all the holes, at least they have started.
#6 overall: WR Malik Nabers
This 2024 draft class has a very deep receiver depth, perfectly showcased by the selection of Nabers. With excellent route running and groundbreaking speed, the Giants have officially gotten their number one wideout, who will prove his worth.
#7 overall: OT JC Latham
A beast of a player, this big man will cement himself among one of the Titan’s best offensive linemen. This man works out bench pressing 500 pounds; if that isn’t all you need to hear to realize this tackle will be amazing, then his rating of 81.9 PPR grade, 5th best of all OT in all of college, will definitely show his talent.
#8 overall: QB Micheal Penix Jr.
An absolute gunslinger at the quarterback position, Penix Jr. was drafted for the newly Kirk Cousins-led Falcons, leading many analysts to need clarification about the choice of this pick. You have a 35-year-old quarterback who you’re paying around $180 million over four years, and you draft one of the oldest quarterback prospects possible so that your 8th overall pick is 28 when you start him. While this may lead to success, history has shown otherwise.
#9 overall: WR Rome Odunze
A physical playmaker, Odunze shows positional flexibility that can help the Bear’s offense from the get-go. A contested-catch wizard, Odunze has the luxury of being an apprentice under veteran Keenan Allen before taking over as the team’s WR1.
#10 overall: QB J.J McCarthy
For sure, a draft pick, although most definitely a winner, Minnesota trading up a spot to pick a player who would have been available for a pick later is an interesting choice, to say the least. Commonly referred to as a handoff merchant due to his scheme, it’ll be interesting to see how the Vikings use him with someone as good as Justin Jefferson requiring targets.
#11 overall: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
An absolute powerhouse of a tackle, Fashanu embraces his physical strength to protect the quarterback. Having a plethora of power and speed rush counters helps solidify his spot as one of the top tackles in the entire draft. Although lacking in the run-game department, within the next 2-3 years, we should see Fashanu’s name in the top 5 discussions.
#12 overall: QB Bo Nix
An accurate improvising quarterback with some banger highlights, Nix has an excellent resume to bolster his draft pick. However, with the fault of pushing plays far past what they’re meant to, Nix has a significant law. Although he shows great prowess with a wide range of tape for scouts to look at, there is a real chance he cannot step up when it comes to the big leagues.
#13 overall: TE Brock Bowers
Although not a position of need, there is no denying that Bowers is one of the most outstanding TE prospects to come out of college. Bowers has cemented himself as a surefire NFL star, a two-time John Mackey Award winner, an award for the best TE in the nation, and a First-team All-SEC player. Bowers simply needs to overcome the hurdle of playing with, most likely, a very mediocre QB.
#14 overall: OT Taliese Fuaga
Another absolute unit of a player, Fuaga is one of those tackles where you know if there is no controversy in his career, he can be an immovable object against NFL pass rushers. Allowing 0 sacks in over 330 snaps is an insane number for any tackle, let alone a Right Tackle, meaning there was no pressure from the QB throwing side.
#15 overall: EDGE Laiatu Latu
Speed is the game, and Latu is one of this class’s most explosive off-the-line edge rushers. Screaming by tackles and using a plethora of quick movements to get by any blocker, Latu shows great potential; however, with less power than some other prospects, there is a chance that he will get moved by some of the bigger, stronger offensive linemen he will be going against in the NFL.
#16 overall: DT Byron Murphy II
One of the most solidified players in the class, Murphy is a monster in the run game and disrupts any blocks that are sent his way. The Seahawks’ very lackluster run defense picking up Murphy proves just how well Seattle can draft its players. Holding onto the hope that they have found their missing piece, the Seahawks most definitely can go for a deep playoff run with this new addition to their team.
#17 overall: EDGE Dallas Turner
The biggest defensive surprise of the draft was that Turner was expected to go as high as #8; however, things happened, and he ended up going to the Vikings. This selection by Minnesota fits well chemistry-wise. The Vikings had just lost Danielle Hunter, an amazing pass rusher, and needed a replacement, which Turner shows the potential to help with. Showing off incredible speed and agility, the Alabama edge shows great upside potential if the Vikings develop his run game more, especially when facing the Lions and Packers twice a year.
#18 overall: OT Amarius Mims
Another solid tackle option that the Bengals picked up, Mims, has looked perfect on tape; however, there have been many concerns, considering he is close to 6’7 in height. Although he offers a typical run game and above-average pass protection, with the new generation of pass rushers getting smaller and faster, it is hard to discern whether Mims can keep up with the young edge rushers.
#19 overall: EDGE Jared Verse
An absolute steal of a draft pick, many analysts have considered Verse as the best defensive prospect in the entire class. Verse is one of the most solid draft picks out of this year’s selection, Bolstering a wide variety of pass-rush moves and an incredible football IQ.
#20 overall: OT Troy Fautanu
One of the most consistent ideas about every draft is how strong every offensive tackle looks on film. Fautanu is another impressive prospect who has the potential to be a fantastic player for Pittsburgh. Although lacking in some aspects of his run-game offense, the young player still has many years of development to hone his skill set.
#21 overall: EDGE Chop Robinson
Robinson’s frame and play style mirror Micah Parsons’. Relying on explosive takeoffs and quickly moving around tackle, Robinson still shows areas that require improvement. However, even with his technique being overall raw compared to some other prospects, there is no telling what ceiling he can reach should he take time to learn before trying to be a year-1 starter.
#22 overall: CB Quinyon Mitchell
One of the most solid prospects in this draft, Mitchell has amazing intangibles and shows incredible potential. Although he shows areas that need improvement, he shows flashes of play like Sauce Gardner, a corner who doesn’t create turnovers but instead locks down whatever receiver he lines up against.
#23 overall: WR Brain Thomas Jr.
Arguably the best vertical threat in the draft, Thomas Jr. has the film to back up all the praise he is given. Averaging an impressive 17.3 yards per reception, the young LSU receiver has an insane ability to move a DB wherever he wants to with quick hip turns and direction manipulation. Replacing the recently departed Calvin Ridley, the Jaguars have likely found their jump ball receiver for a long time.
#24 overall: CB Terrion Arnold
Arnold was a steal of a player; many had him going more toward the middle to early picks of the draft due to his high motor and ability to track receivers in heavy-man coverage. However, with his downsides in zone coverage and the run game, Arnold’s grade significantly dropped after closer inspections from many scouts.
#25 overall: OL Jordan Morgan
With great flashes of dual-threat blocking, Morgan is a solidified lineman who shows potential to be an outstanding guard for the Packers. Although work needs to be done to take him to that next level of play, Morgan can definitely overcome that hurdle with advice from David Bakhtiari.
#26 overall: C Graham Barton
It was an interesting pick, considering that Jackson Powers-Johnson was still on the board and a sudden change in position. Barton has all of the techniques to be a fantastic center for the Bucs after the retirement of Ryan Jenson. As long as Barton can get through the initial hurdle of jumping to the NFL, he will have all the technical work done and just how to prove his will to play hard.
#27 overall: DE Darius Robinson
Right out of the gate, Robinson’s physical attributes should give him a potential advantage in head-to-head matchups. He has jarring power in his hands and a twitchy upper body to get rid of blockers quickly. His play can sometimes lack control and awareness, but the good outweighs the bad. He is a good athlete, but his pass rush is predictable. He lacks potent moves and counters as an edge rusher, leaning heavily on force. Robinson’s power and motor increase the chances of becoming a good starting base end who reduces inside on third downs.
#28 overall: WR Xavier Worthy
An absolute speed demon, Worthy was most definitely worthy of a late first-round pick. Especially to the WR-lacking Kansas City, who were able to trade up with their most potent rival, the Bills, to secure arguably one of the highest-upside players in the entire league.
#29 overall: OT Tyler Guyton
Attempting to recover from the loss of all-pro Tyron Smith, the Cowboys have taken the best available offensive tackle. He shows consistent tape proving his ability to pass protect; however, as many analysts have agreed, his run-game blocking definitely needs to be refined, although some are not so sure of Guyton’s actual ability to improve there.
#30 overall: CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins is another player who was projected to go much higher than he did, so the pickup by Baltimore will bolster their already lockdown defense with his incredible speed and ability to close any distance to prevent further gains. Although having a lighter build will make him struggle in the run game, preventing any receiver from making big plays will cement him as one of the top corners in the league.
#31 overall: WR Ricky Pearsall
The receiver who made the catch to rival OBJ, Ricky Pearsall, can extend himself and make ridiculous catches, improving his draft stock tremendously. Although he is likely a middle-to-late second-round pick, the 49ers picked up a sneakily athletic player in Pearsall.
#32 overall: WR Xavier Legette
Showing less-than-ideal potential, Legette relies more on physicality than technique to make catches; however, we have seen many receivers dominate with strong physicality over pure technique. Many analysts predict that Legette will more than likely disappoint in any long-term success due to the toll that his playstyle will take.