Welcome to the 2024 NFL Draft Live Blog! I’ll be posting reaction to every pick.
Please do not tip picks in the comments section
#1 Chicago — Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
A predictable choice, as he was destined from two years ago to be the top pick this year. A sensational talent with the ability to play both within structure and make the impossible happen. The only question is, do the Bears have the staff to max out his amazing potential?
#2 Washington — Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
His play elevated way beyond expectations in 2023, at almost a Joe Burrow level. His running ability is exceptional but don’t sleep on his deep accuracy, arm strength and X-factor talent. He’ll need weapons and a left tackle, though.
#3 New England — Drake Maye (QB, North Carolina)
I gave him a second round grade. He doesn’t have the upside many have suggested but the technical flaws and decision making was a consistent concern on tape. He had some bad games last year and I thought Spencer Rattler outplayed him in the South Carolina game.
#4 Arizona — Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, Ohio State)
An excellent player and some of the underwhelming chatter about him during draft season has been bizarre. This is a legit player coming to the NFC West and he will be a serious problem for years to come.
#5 LA Chargers — Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
I have concern about his height and how he’ll handle leverage. He tested better than I thought he would — he’s athletic and explosive. There were some really good moments on tape, some others where I wondered if his upside was fairly limited to ‘solid pro’.
#6 New York Giants — Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
There’s no doubting Nabers’ talent. I thought they might prefer Rome Odunze because of the chatter about Nabers having some slight character concerns. His success will be dictated by New York’s ability to find a quarterback.
#7 Tennessee — JC Latham (T, Alabama)
There was a lot of talk he would go in the top-10. I’m a bit surprised the Titans took him. Is he a legit left tackle? Do they keep him on the right side? Are there any concerns about his weight management? Nevertheless, his feet are fantastic for a man of his size.
#8 Atlanta — Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
Wow. What a move by the Falcons. They just paid Kirk Cousins a fortune and rather than build around him, they draft his eventual replacement. Any time Cousins struggles, he’ll now look over his shoulder. They’ll also use at least two years of Penix Jr’s rookie deal watching him sit on the bench. However, I respect the investment in the most important position in the sport. He was QB3 on my board and he goes before JJ McCarthy.
#9 Chicago — Rome Odunze (WR, Chicago)
It’s a great pick for Caleb Williams. He’ll love how often he can throw 1v1 to this guy and watch him find a way to get the ball. His ball-tracking and hands are elite, as are his body control. And when it comes to character, he is A+++. The opposite of a diva receiver.
#10 Minnesota (v/NYJ) — JJ McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
The Vikings have traded up one spot in a deal with the Jets. It cost them a fourth and fifth round pick — they get a sixth back from New York. I don’t think McCarthy was worth giving up a ton of picks for. The Vikings did the right thing being patient, assuming they didn’t want Penix Jr instead. McCarthy has great intangible qualities and charisma but his tape was unimpressive.
#11 New York Jets (v/MIN) — Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
I’m shocked. I felt for sure they would make a ‘here and now’ pick like Brock Bowers. Instead, they draft another tackle. He has the physical tools to be very good but his technique didn’t improve as hoped in 2023. The first 11 picks in the draft are all offensive players.
#12 Denver — Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
It’s astonishing how the quarterbacks have flown off the board but this, for me, is a huge reach. Sean Payton clearly believes in him and it was a major need. But I had a third round grade on Nix. The amount of quality still on the board is remarkable.
#13 Las Vegas — Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
13 straight offensive players and this is a heck of a pick for the Raiders. An immensely talented, dynamic weapon who will add so much to the Raiders. With several reaches so far, in my opinion, this is tremendous value.
#14 New Orleans — Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
An excellent player. He’s aggressive, sets the tone for your team, he’s athletic. I remember the first game I watched and it was a ‘sit up in your seat’ moment. He just consistently demolished the right side of the line, finished every block and he personifies violence on a football field. 14 straight offensive players.
#15 Indianapolis — Laiatu Latu (DE, UCLA)
There’s no doubting his technical quality. His plan to get away from blockers is top notch. He sets them up over time, he might be the best ‘counter’ rusher I’ve watched. The concerns are the neck injury and whether he’ll be as effective against more ruthless, aggressive NFL offensive linemen. He’s the first defender off the board. The Seahawks are on the clock.
#16 Seattle — Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
It’s a stick and pick situation. I like the pick. Look, it had to be for the trenches. I want to build quality up front on both sides of the ball. I want to scare the rest of the league with our D-line for a change. I love Fautanu and wanted him in Seattle but who knows how the knee is impacting things? Murphy was expected to go earlier than this. Two thumbs up from me.
Here’s my video reaction to the Murphy pick:
#17 Minnesota (v/JAX) — Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
I thought his tape was underwhelming and that he was overrated throughout the process. The Vikings trade 2025 stock to move up. He has major athletic upside but I was left wanting so much more when I watched him.
#18 Cincinnati — Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
He is so talented. The upside potential is crazy. If he can stay on the field, there’s no reason why he can’t end up being one of the best tackles in the league. The Bengals love huge offensive linemen.
#19 LA Rams — Jared Verse (DE, Florida State)
This is a fantastic pick for the Rams. A pure, power edge rusher who can flatten opponents but also get around the edge. He tested better than many expected. He will be a menace in the NFC West. The Rams, like the Seahawks, benefit from the desperation of the QB-needy teams in the top-12.
#20 Pittsburgh — Troy Fautanu (T, Washington)
Sensational pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He fits them wonderfully. Play him at left tackle. He’s a classic AFC North player. He’s aggressive, violent, highly athletic and his character is off the charts. This is amazing value.
#21 Miami — Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
I mocked Chop to the Seahawks at #22. He’s just so quick, so dynamic. This is excellent value again. The Raiders, Colts, Seahawks, Rams, Steelers and Dolphins all benefit from the madness early on. He could be a serious game-changer in the Ravens defensive scheme, which is being transplanted into Miami.
#22 Philadelphia — Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
This worked perfectly for the Eagles. They didn’t need to trade up and got the cornerback who best suits the Vic Fangio scheme. Yet again, another team finding value because of the ridiculous start to this draft.
#23 Jacksonville (v/MIN) — Brian Thomas Jr (WR, LSU)
They had to do something to help Trevor Lawrence. He’s lost Calvin Ridley and had a regression season in 2023. Thomas Jr is a major downfield threat and his testing at the combine was eye-catching. He looks the part and watching him at the LSU pro-day, he stood out there too.
#24 Detroit (v/DAL) — Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
The Cowboys get a third rounder for moving down five spots, which is good value for them. Arnold had been mocked to the Seahawks by Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler. He’s a wonderful personality and great to listen to. I like Arnold as a player but he was inconsistent. He fills a major need for the Lions and he totally fits the personality of the team.
#25 Green Bay — Jordan Morgan (T, Arizona)
A surprise pick but not a surprise position. There was a feeling they liked Rasheed Walker at left tackle but it wasn’t convincing. They have young talent on offense but needed a pass-protector. I’m not sure Morgan’s length will do him any favours if he stays at left tackle.
#26 Tampa Bay — Graham Barton (G/C, Duke)
The Buccs’ biggest need might’ve been interior O-line so having Barton last up to this point is great for them. He was such an accomplished player at left tackle, plus he’s very athletic and plays with an edge. He can settle in at center perfectly in Tampa Bay.
#27 Arizona — Darius Robinson (DE, Missouri)
I like all three picks made by Arizona and LA so far. Robinson is a physical beast and he can wreck plays up front. He will be a problem, especially if they can find complimentary rush threats who can provide quickness. He wins with length and power. He was the Senior Bowl player of the week this year.
#28 Kansas City (v/BUF) — Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
The Chiefs made a deal with the Bills to move up from #32, giving up a third rounder. Obviously he has the speed and with Patrick Mahomes’ arm, they’ll hope he can do what Tyreek Hill used to do. However, I thought his tape was inconsistent.
#29 Dallas (v/DET) — Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
He’ll be happy to stay close to home. He was the last player with a ‘legit’ first round grade on my board. This is good value. He’s very athletic, has a ton of potential and I think he can play left or right tackle.
#30 Baltimore — Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
There was a feeling he had similar coverage qualities to Devon Witherspoon — just without the hitting and physicality. I gave him a second round grade because of his size and his tackling was poor. As a cover-corner though, he has a lot of talent.
#31 San Francisco — Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
I have to say, I like all of the NFC West picks today. This guy can play. He’s an outstanding athlete, he’s going to be a problem. Especially in this offense. Now they can shift Brandon Aiyuk and get a good day-two pick.
#32 Carolina (v/BUF, KC) — Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
The Panthers have jumped up one spot. Legette told the media this week he was expecting to be taken at #33 by Carolina. And it actually came to fruition, just a pick earlier.
