Now that the 2024 NFL Draft has completed, I’ll grade out how I think your team did!
Do I hate your team?
We’ll go alphabetically.
Arizona Cardinals: A
I love what the Cardinals did.
Monti Ossenfort shows again he’s ahead of the curve.
I like DE/DT Darius Robinson at #27 as well.
But if he hits, this is a homerun draft.
Atlanta Falcons: D-
It all starts with Michael Penix Jr. at #8.
That is just insanity.
Sitting him 4-5 years?!
Penix has an outstanding arm but an injury history that is the size of a CVS receipt.
I like the Bralen Trice pick in Round 3, but they also failed to address the CB need.
Baltimore Ravens: C+
I hate the Nate Wiggins pick at #30.
He’s small and oft-injured.
I get it, he’s fast as lighting, blazing a 4.28 40 at the Combine.
But he also got hurt at the end of that run.
OT Roger Rosengarten out of Washington will help keep Lamar upright.
Buffalo Bills: B+
He’s polarizing, but I am a Keon Coleman guy.
The WR out of Florida State can just go get balls.
Yes, they need an upgrade at that position, but the guy just tore his ACL in November.
I get recoveries are quicker nowadays, but are you really counting on him to contribute much this season?
Seems rich for a 2nd Round pick with one real year of production.
Chicago Bears: A+
Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze is just fantastic at #1 and #9.
I thought Odunze wouldn’t even make it to #7 so I love the value at #9.
Those two should grow together and help each other have terrific careers.
They only had three more picks and took a punter in the 4th round.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
The Bengals got bigger and meaner with this draft.
Amarius Mims is a big question mark.
At nearly 6'8" 340 lbs.
with a wingspan that rival Giannis he is an intriguing prospect.
But only eight career starts gives me pause.
Michigan DT Kris Jenkins has NFL bloodlines from his dad and was a force in Ann Arbor.
Dallas Cowboys: A
The Cowboys got back to being the Cowboys and build through the trenches.
They got Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton and Kansas State OG Connor Beebe with two of their first three picks.
They stayed on that course through the 7th Round drafting Louisiana-Lafayette OT Nathan Thomas.
Dallas continued to go trenches with their final 7th rounder in Auburn DT Justin Rogers.
Denver Broncos: C-
Bo Nix at #12 overall is crazy.
Detroit Lions: A
The Lions had a need a Cornerback going into this off-season.
Rakestraw is a perfect fit with Detroit’s head man, Dan Campbell.
He plays a feisty brand of ball Detroit will love.
who is absolutely worth a flier at pick #126.
First priority is protecting Jordan Love and Arizona OG Jordan Morgan will certainly help do that.
So taking him at #42 overall was a stretch.
That being said, he is a major injury risk as he was medically retired at Washington.
I think he’ll be ok this year, but I wonder if he’ll get a second contract.
That makes this a risky pick at #15 overall.
Texas WR AD Mitchell is fair value at #52, but he is a bit of a headcase.
You’re hoping at least one of them works out.
Earlier in the 5th round you’re hoping Oregon State WR Anthony Gould can play Special Teams.
Those moves will help them plug up the middle.
I like the Arkansas Kicker Cam Little at #212 overall.
Good Kickers are hard to come by and they spent low level draft capital to secure the position.
Kansas City Chiefs: B-
I absolutely hate the Xavier Worthy pick in Round 1.
They traded up with the Bills, who needed Receiver help to get him.
He’ll likely step in Day 1 and start as Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector.
But I think this shows you the Raiders are truly going best player available, despite need.
LA Chargers: A
I love the Joe Alt pick to start the Jim Harbaugh era.
Just a big, sturdy, OT that should keep Justin Herbert clean for a decade.
Georgia WR Ladd McConkey is small, but he is ALWAYS OPEN.
They also took Jerry Rice’s kid in the 7th Round in USC’s Braden Rice.
They took his teammate 20 picks later in FSU DT Braden Fiske who blew up the combine.
Can he replace Aaron Donald?
But can he at least give them something to work with at the position?
I also like Stanford Kicker Josh Karty late in Round 6.
Again, good value on a guy who will make your team.
He has limited production but a ton of good traits to build on.
They went OL with Houston’s Patrick Paul at #55.
He’s got a bright future and Tua Tagovailoa needs a lot of protection to succeed.
Minnesota Vikings: B+
Hey, they got their guy in JJ McCarthy.
Whether you like him or hate him, the value seemed there at least for him.
Trading up for Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner was a great move to address their pass rush.
Alabama Kicker Will Reichard is great value at #203 as he’ll likely make the team.
Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk was overshadowed by Rome Odunze but is a dynamic player.
They also took UCF Javon Baker in the 4th.
I also really like the flier on Tennessee QB Joe Milton at #193.
New Orleans Saints: A
This pains me to say, but I like their draft.
Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga was a tremendous pick at #14 overall.
Fills a major position of need with one of the top OTs in the draft.
Taking a flier on South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler, who has a checkered past is well worth it.
He has the talent to be a top pick but just hasn’t put it all together.
A low risk, very high reward play.
New York Giants: A-
Malik Nabers is a showstopping playmaker at the Wide Receiver position.
That’s something the G-Men haven’t had since OBJ.
I am a big fan of Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley who they got to start the 3rd Round.
He can pair with Garrett Wilson to form a young, exciting WR duo.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
No Georgia players!
Can you believe it?!
Houston Christian’s Jalyx Hunt addressing Howie Roseman as “Big Pimpin” also is a promising move.
They addressed all those and got a lot tougher.
Washington OT Troy Fautanu is an ass kicker who is looking for a fight.
The same can be said about West Virginia C Zach Frazier.
NC State LB Payton Wilson was my favorite pick at the end of Round 3.
Can’t lie."
RB Isaac Guerendo out of Louisville has a shot to be a depth piece at RB early on.
Seattle Seahawks: B-
The Seahawks have been a ‘get off the bus’ team for a long time.
Putting him next to Leonard Williams is a dynamic combo inside.
Duke’s Graham Barton looks to fill in at that position and he is a sharp guy.
He values everything he eats as his fuel and he ain’t a fat boy.
His tape is a great too and he plays with a similar nastiness as Jensen.
Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell got overshadowed as he was buried behind Will Anderson and Dallas Turner.
But when he played he produced and he should make an impact year one.
Georgia Safety Tykee Smith is described as a “goon” by Liam Blutman and I love his toughness.
He’ll compete at Nickel and he’s got Safety versatility.
He’s got a big catch radius and big hands and does everything naturally.
I love the Oregon RB Bucky Irving pick.
He’ll not only make the roster but play.
UTEP Guard Elijah Klein has a shot to start year one which is awesome for the 220th pick.
and will compete to make the team.
Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat could’ve gone undrafted after a recent DUI.
Tulane WR Jha’Quan Jackson has some juice for a 6th rounder running 4.42.
Washington Commanders: A
Jayden Daniels at #2 is your franchise guy.
Gotta love that pairing with Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
I love the Michigan CB Mike Sainristil pick at #50.
The guy is just a winner and with Daniels and others should help turn around the culture in Washington.
