The Grades Are In – 2024 NFL Draft Day One Grades

The first round of the NFL Draft is done, and 32 prospects now have new homes with hungry franchises.

Here is how those franchises faired on day one of three.

 

Round 1, Pick 1:  Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Bears get their franchise quarterback and the most polarizing player in the class. No brainer pick here. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 2: Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Quite possibly the most talented signal caller in the class, Daniels heads to Washington with an entire community backing him. The new era of the Commanders starts with him. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 3: New England Patriots

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Patriots get their quarterback of the future, and he doesn’t have to start immediately. Maye has all the talent and intangibles that you need to succeed in the NFL. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 4: Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Kyler Murray gets a new toy in Harrison Jr. who makes this offense more explosive instantly. The best receiver in the draft finds his new home in Glendale. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 5: Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Alt, Tackle, Notre Dame

The trenches needed an upgrade and Alt is just what the doctor ordered. Justin Herbert gets his blindside protector for the next decade. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 6: New York Giants

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Explosive players like Nabers don’t come around often, and Brian Daboll gets his guy. Nabers comes in as the #1 receiver day one. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 7: Tennessee Titans

JC Latham, Tackle, Alabama

Tennessee takes one of the most intriguing tackles in the class who looks the part of a blindside protector. The Titans have faith in Bill Callahan but had better options on the board. Grade: B+

 

Round 1, Pick 8: Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

I get the logic but there were other needs than a quarterback. Passing up on an edge rusher or cornerback here is questionable. Grade: B-

 

Round 1, Pick 9: Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Chicago doubles down on offense and gets Caleb Williams a young pass catcher to grow with. Odunze will be the WR3, but will develop into a top tier WR2 or WR1b. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 10: Minnesota Vikings (via NYJ)

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Minnesota gets their quarterback without having to move up. McCarthy comes in as the starter and could develop into one of the best quarterbacks in this class. Grade: A-

 

Round 1, Pick 11: New York Jets (via MIN)

Olu Fashanu, Tackle, Penn State

NY spent money on two tackles and needed weapons around Aaron Rodgers. Fashanu is a top five talent but where does he fit in New York? Grade: B

 

Round 1, Pick 12: Denver Broncos

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The Broncos needed a starting caliber quarterback on the roster and get one here. Nix is the quarterback Sean Payton dreams about at night and is now heading to Denver. Grade: B

 

Round 1, Pick 13: Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Raiders go best player available and get the most explosive tight end prospect in the last decade. Bowers provides an instant boost to this offense. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 14: New Orleans Saints

Taliese Fuaga, Tackle, Oregon State

Fuaga is a massive man who plays the tackle position with tenacity and nastiness. He fits as the starting left tackle for this Saints offense. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 15: Indianapolis Colts

Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Latu definitely fills a need but there were two better players at the position on the board. Latu will develop into a good player, but will his body hold up? Grade: B-

 

Round 1, Pick 16: Seattle Seahawks

Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas

Murphy II solidifies this Mike MacDonald defensive line. Murphy II makes this entire defense better with his presence. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 17: Minnesota Vikings (via JAX)

Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Minnesota has to replace the production of Danielle Hunter and they get that and more here. Turner is a monster off the edge and has a massive chip on his shoulders. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 18: Cincinnati Bengals

Amarius Mims, Tackle, Georgia

Mims has all the tools to be one of the best tackles in this draft. If he can start healthy then the Bengals may have the steal of the draft. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 19: LA Rams

Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Rams get the most pro ready pass rusher in the draft at 19. Verse is a lead by example type and will shine early on for LA. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 20: Pittsburgh Steelers

Troy Fautanu, Tackle, Washington

The Steelers needed to find a solid bookend tackle and get it here. They are now set at both spots for years to come. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 21: Miami Dolphins

Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

Robinson is the most athletically gifted defender in the class but they needed help on the interior. Robinson has immense potential, but there were better options still on the board. Grade: C

 

Round 1, Pick 22: Philadelphia Eagles

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Mitchell is the best man coverage cornerback in the draft. The Eagles get a young bookend to pair with Isaiah Rodgers and Darius Slay. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 23: Jacksonville Jaguars (via MIN)

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Jaguars could’ve gone cornerback here but decide to take a speedy deep threat here. Thomas Jr. will compete for playing time with Zay Jones as the WR3. Grade: A-

 

Round 1, Pick 24: Detroit Lions (via DAL)

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Detroit needed a CB1 and they get one here. Arnold comes in a an all-around man cover corner, and will immediately upgrade this secondary. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 25: Green Bay Packers

Jordan Morgan, Tackle, Arizona

Green Bay fills a need here with Morgan, but there were better tackles on the board. Grade: B-

 

Round 1, Pick 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Tampa Bay needed help on the interior and Barton provides that in bunches. Question now is does he play center or guard? Grade: B+

 

Round 1, Pick 27: Arizona Cardinals

Darius Robinson, Edge, Mizzou

Robinson serves as the perfect chess piece in this Jonathan Gannon scheme. His skills make him a candidate to make an instant impact day one in Arizona. Grade: A-

 

Round 1, Pick 28: Kansas City Chiefs (via BUF)

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Kansas City makes the aggressive move to get their guy. Worthy is a world-class speedster with elite  route running skills, Patrick Mahomes gets yet another weapon. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 29: Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Guyton, Tackle, Oklahoma

Dallas finds their replacement for Tyron Smith here in Guyton. Guyton will plug in as the left tackle and bolster this offensive line. Grade: A

 

Round 1, Pick 30: Baltimore Ravens

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Wiggins instantly bolsters a talent starved cornerback units in Baltimore. His speed, IQ, and physicality will make him a candidate to be CB1 early in his career. Grade: A+

 

Round 1, Pick 31: San Francisco 49ers

Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

There were far better players on the board and this doesn’t make much sense for San Fran. They reached here for a player who they could’ve taken on Day 2. Grade: C-

 

Round 1, Pick 32: Carolina Panthers (via BUF)

Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

Carolina traded up to get a player they could have picked on Day 2. This pick was a bad reach. Grade: C-