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Report Card Grades for 2024 NFL Draft 1st-Round Picks
Brent SobleskiDecember 3, 2024
The 2024 NFL draft class was defined by offensive skill position prospects, specifically quarterbacks.
"You're talking about the quarterbacks, the receivers, the offensive linemen," an anonymous scout told Go Long's Bob McGinn prior to the April event. "There's not a lot of great on the defense."
Six quarterbacks selected among the first 12 picks set a new record, and a defensive player didn't come off the board until the 15th overall pick.
Holding true to form, the rookie crop of skill-position performers has been special, with three quarterbacks who have really shined in a group that doesn't even include this year's No. 1 overall pick.
Furthermore, weapons abound coming out of the first round, starting with what will be a record-breaking tight end. But not every team received an instant impact from their selections in the opening frame.
Let's dive into this year's top picks and see how they're faring through three-quarters of their rookie campaigns.
AFC East
1 of 8
Buffalo Bills: N/A
The Bills traded out of this year's first round, then selected Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick. He is currently second on the team with 417 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.
Miami Dolphins: Edge Chop Robinson, B+
When the weather started to get colder, Chop Robinson began to heat up.
The Dolphins chose the Penn State product with this year's 21st overall pick knowing he wasn't going to start immediately and the 254-pound edge-defender needed further refinement. But he was built to harass opposing quarterbacks, which he has done.
All of his 3.5 sacks have come since the start of November. More importantly, the speed-rusher is now consistently creating pressure.
"He's just been getting better and better and I feel like the last couple weeks, you've seen the dam open and he's been making play after play after play," veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell told reporters last week.
New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, A
Tom Brady left the Patriots organization five years ago. While his presence will always loom over the halls of the team's facility, New England can finally look ahead since this year's No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, looks every bit a franchise quarterback.
"Drake brings that swagger. That confidence to the whole offense," wide receiver DeMario Douglas said, per Mass Live's Mark Daniels. "When you know you have somebody like Drake, you know something is liable to happen. We all just got to play together. Play as one."
Unfortunately, the roster around Maye isn't good enough. While the league's youngest starting quarterback has flashed and made plays in each of his first eight starts, the offense continues to stall, particularly in the red zone, and the Patriots are still counted among the league's worst teams.
New York Jets: OT Olu Fashanu, C
The Jets wanted to secure their offensive line while having a 40-something at quarterback.
As such, the organization went out and signed veteran left tackle Tyron Smith and traded for long-time right tackle Morgan Moses. The front office didn't stop there, drafting Olu Fashanu with this year's 11th overall pick.
The 21-year-old joined the team with the long-term play of serving as a swing tackle during his rookie season before becoming a starter at one of the bookends. That's exactly what he's been, with two starts on the right and left side, though he has looked more comfortable on the left—his natural position—over the last two weeks.
NFC East
2 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton, D
Tyler Guyton had big shoes to fill with Tyron Smith leaving the Dallas Cowboys after 13 seasons with the franchise, five All-Pro selections and being named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.
However, an understanding existed that the No. 29 pick wasn't going to be Smith on Day 1, especially since he was making a transition from right to left tackle.
The move isn't as easy as Smith made it look all those years ago.
Unsurprisingly, Guyton has struggled at points. His 16 total penalties are second-worst among all players around the league. He's surrendered multiple sacks and significant pressure.
The 23-year-old has the physical tools and athleticism to eventually excel, but the process takes time.
New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, B
Immediate returns on the Giants' investment in wide receiver Malik Nabers looked great. Then, things began to change.
Through his first four games, he caught a league-leading 35 balls for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion during the final game of that stretch.
Upon his return, this year's sixth overall draft pick hasn't been as involved or as dynamic. He's made sure to let everyone it's not his fault, either.
"I started getting the ball when it was 30-0," Nabers told reporters after a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "What do you want me to do?"
In the rookie's last six games, he caught 40 passes for 354 yards. While there are reasons to be frustrated within the Giants' locker room, these issues don't need to fester or come out publicly.
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Quinyon Mitchell, A
The Eagles sat back, let the draft come to them and landed the class' top cornerback prospect in Quinyon Mitchell.
The Toledo product rode a rocket—no pun intended—throughout the draft process. The crafty defensive back showed off college football's best ball skills, but his value took off upon showing how well he can cover man-to-man at this year's Senior Bowl.
The rookie hasn't backed down from any assignment and has been a big reason behind Philadelphia's transformation from a bottom-seven defense to this year's top-ranked unit.
In the Eagles' current eight-game winning streak, Mitchell has allowed 30 or fewer yards into his coverage during each of those contests, per Pro Football Focus.
Washington Commodes: QB Jayden Daniels, A+
A franchise-changing quarterback selection is the best any team can hope to select in the draft. The Washington Commodes did so with this year's second overall pick, Jayden Daniels.
The LSU product has been the front-runner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year throughout the season. He currently ranks top five overall with a 69.6 completion percentage and 71.7 QBR. Furthermore, he has provided 590 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
"He has a fearlessness about him when he plays. He cuts it loose and believes," offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury told John Keim of ESPN last month. "And in practice it's not like he's just trying to complete it, he's trying to make the perfect throw and he judged himself on that, which the great ones do."
Most importantly, the Commodes already doubled last season's win total and have a legitimate pathway toward the postseason.
AFC North
3 of 8
Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins, B
The Ravens probably understand better than any other franchise that secondary depth is a necessity.
Going into the draft, they didn't need to sink a first-round pick in another cornerback. After all, the unit already featured Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Trayvon Mullen, Arthur Maulet and Jalyn Armour-Davis. But general manager Eric DeCosta still selected Nate Wiggins (and T.J. Tampa later in the draft).
Mullen, Maulet and Tampa are all currently on injured reserve, and Wiggins is now the unit's third corner almost by default. He's continually competed, though he could be a slightly better tackler.
"Nate's a competitor; he's tough; he wants to be good," head coach John Harbaugh said in late September. "I love everything about who he is and where he's going as a player."
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims, C+
The Bengals' plan wasn't for Amarius Mims to start this season. Injuries happen, though.
The No. 18 pick started all of eight games with the Georgia Bulldogs, and he's now started nine as a member of the Cincinnati roster. He hasn't looked out of place compared to other rookies, either.
The 6'8", 340-pound blocker is physical in the run game, with serious flashes of promise as a natural pass protector. As he gains experience and continues to work his craft, he should be a long-term fixture on the right side of the Bengals' offensive line.
Cleveland Browns: N/A
The Browns didn't have a first-round pick for the third straight year after the Deshaun Watson trade. They did chose defensive lineman Michael Hall Jr. is the second round, though. He's played in four games after being placed on the commissioner's exempt list following his arrest in August on domestic violence charges.
Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Troy Fautanu, Incomplete
Troy Fautanu played in one game as a rookie before going on season-ending injured reserve because of a dislocated kneecap. The Steelers have found significant success this season with rookie offensive linemen through center Zach Frazier and guard Mason McCormick. But Fautanu will have to wait until next year before he can place his stamp on the unit.
NFC North
4 of 8
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, B; WR Rome Odunze, B
The Bears entered the 2025 NFL draft with expectations of it becoming a franchise-changing event. It has, both positively and negatively.
Chicago held a pair of top-nine selections, including the No. 1 overall pick. The organization chose to move past previous starting quarterback Justin Fields and select Caleb Williams at the top spot.
Williams has showed the inconsistency of a first-year quarterback, with flashes of brilliance one week and poor decision-making the next.
All in all, the Bears should be happy with their new franchise quarterback. The 23-year-old currently holds a 14-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His playmaking has come to the forefront after somewhat of a slow start.
Despite the squad's recent six-game losing streak that lead to head coach Matt Eberflus' dismissal, Williams appears to be trending upward.
As for wide receiver Rome Odunze, who was drafted ninth overall, he's second on the team with 543 receiving yards. Comparatively, he ranks fifth among rookie wide receivers.
However, the Washington product hasn't been the expected downfield threat he was at the collegiate level, with only six catches for 20 or more yards.
Eventually, Williams and Odunze should connect on the regular. The next Chicago head coach and offensive coordinator need to prioritize this particular partnership.
Detroit Lions: CB Terrion Arnold, C+
Terrion Arnold is an aggressive, play-making cornerback who falls right in line with the Lions' team approach. But those tendencies are a double-edged sword for the rookie defensive back.
This year's 24th overall draft pick is tied for the league lead in pass interferences issued. No other player has been penalized for more yardage this season, according to The Football Database.
"I always kind of joke around and tell them they can't call 60 PIs, so keep being close," Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend said in September. "And that's what we want. He's been close in a lot of coverages, and that's the main thing. We want to continue to work on those little things and being close in coverage and keep being technique-sound."
Detroit is better along the back end this season, but Arnold needs to clean up and trust his technique.
Green Bay Packers: OL Jordan Morgan, Incomplete
The strength of this year's Packers draft class came in the second and fourth rounds, specifically in the secondary upgrades they acquired with the additions of Javon Bullard and Evan Williams.
Jordan Morgan, who heard his named called with the 25th pick, has mostly been an afterthought. The versatile blocker got off to a slow start because of a shoulder injury. He started in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions and then reaggravated the injury, which led to a trip to injured reserve.
The Arizona product will eventually push Sean Rhyan to start at right guard, but he needs to be healthy for that to happen.
Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy, Incomplete; Edge Dallas Turner, D
This past offseason proved to be all about the quarterback for the Vikings. They were unable to re-sign veteran Kirk Cousins and changed course with J.J. McCarthy's selection at the No. 10 spot.
Minnesota had a plan for free-agent acquisition Sam Darnold to start the season and allow McCarthy to learn from the bench. Unfortunately, the rookie suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during a preseason contest that ended his campaign before it even began.
As for the Vikings' other first-round pick, Dallas Turner, the edge-rusher has mustered only one sack so far.
The 21-year-old is clearly Minnesota's fourth edge defender behind Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II.
Turner needed time to blossom for the Alabama Crimson Tide, too, but his first professional campaign should be viewed as a disappointment to date.
AFC South
5 of 8
Houston Texans: N/A
The Texans didn't have their original first-round pick due to the previous year's draft-day trade-up for reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
Houston still owned a first-round pick thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade but decided to make a deal with the Minnesota Vikings and moved out of the opening frame altogether.
With the 42nd overall pick, the Texans chose cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who has started 10 games this season.
Indianapolis Colts: Edge Laiatu Latu, C+
Upon selecting Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick, Colts general manager Chris Ballard chuckled and said: "We got the best f--king rusher in the draft."
The 23-year-old also happened to be the first defensive prospect off the board, which turned out to be the latest that occurred in NFL history.
Obviously, expectations were relatively high based on circumstances. And while the UCLA product has been solid, he hasn't been a difference-maker.
His four sacks rank third among all rookies, and he's been better than expected against the run. Still, the Colts needed more off the edge, hence his selection. They haven't received quite the return they initially expected.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Brian Thomas Jr., A
Brian Thomas Jr. was known as a the nation's best deep threat during his final season with the LSU Tigers, but teammate Malik Nabers was viewed as the better all-around and explosive target.
Thomas has done a wonderful job morphing into the Jaguars' No. 1 target, though. Despite a lost season in which nearly everything has gone wrong, the 23rd overall pick has been a major positive. He leads Jacksonville with 46 receptions, 765 yards and six touchdown grabs.
"He can handle a lot," offensive coordinator Press Taylor said. "That was one of the things that we've been most impressed with him early on. You'd never see it to the naked eye, but we change personnel so much. There are times he plays Z, times he plays X, and he's able to do that really well.
"The mental aptitude to be able to handle a lot of that as a young player [is impressive]."
Tennessee Titans: OT JC Latham, C+
The Tennessee Titans had an offensive-line problem that desperately need to be solved.
They featured the game's worst front five during the 2023 season, hence the organization's plan to sign veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry III in free agency and draft offensive tackle JC Latham with this year's seventh overall pick.
The front office made Latham's selection with every intention of him moving from right to left tackle, which he's done. The 6'6", 342-pound blocker hasn't looked out of place, and he continues to have his moments in pass protection and getting overaggressive in the run game.
Latham is experiencing the typical ups and downs of a rookie, but left tackle is now one less position Tennessee has to worry about going into next offseason.
NFC South
6 of 8
Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr., Incomplete
The Falcons thought a succession plan at quarterback was more important than drafting a potential impact rookie with this year's eighth overall pick.
After signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract, he's started every game, of course. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. has appeared in two contests, in which he completed three of his five pass attempts.
Atlanta may be well-positioned down the road, but it's a .500 football team right now and not receiving much of anything from its draft class.
Carolina Panthers: WR Xavier Legette, C+
Originally, the Panthers didn't own a first-round draft pick thanks to the previous year's Bryce Young trade. They did decide to move back into the opening frame by acquiring the 32nd overall pick from the Buffalo Bills and opted for wide receiver Xavier Legette.
The South Carolina product leads the Panthers this season with 37 receptions for 393 yards and four touchdown grabs. However, he also had some glaring drops, which further inhibits an offense searching for playmakers.
Some mistakes are expected. As a team, the Panthers are growing with two wins and two highly competitive losses over the last four weekends. Legette will be relied upon for the rest of the season and beyond. He needs to show up, continue to be a leading option and limit his drops.
New Orleans Saints: OT Taliese Fuaga, C
Surprisingly, the Saints chose right tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick to play on the left side. Conversely, the team wanted to take previous first-round left tackle Trevor Penning and convert him to the right side.
The move has helped Penning to a degree. Fuaga started the season strongly, but he began to get exposed against legitimate pass-rushers when not getting help from the scheme. He allowed as many sacks and pressure as any of this year's rookie blockers.
Obviously, the Saints expect the 22-year-old to grow into the role over time. But the move seemed like an odd choice at the time, especially when some viewed the Oregon State product as a potential guard at the highest level.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Graham Barton, B
Speaking of position converts, Graham Barton moved from left tackle to center. He's also experienced his share of struggles, primarily as a run-blocker.
The No. 26 pick began his college career with the Duke Blue Devils by snapping the ball. He then spent the next three seasons as the program's starting left tackle.
Barton is now in the middle of the line as an important part of the Buccaneers' protection schemes.
"I've done some good, but I've still got to work on some of the details and some of the inconsistency," he told Pewter Report's Adam Slivon. "I think some of it is growing pains, but some of it is just flat-out mistakes. I have to learn to limit those some more as I continue to progress, but I definitely have good guys around me who help me with that and it's been the main focus, eliminating some of the mistakes in-game."
AFC West
7 of 8
Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, A
The Broncos took on the largest dead salary-cap hits in NFL history just to get rid of Russell Wilson this past offseason. The quarterback and head coach Asshole Face did not mix well, but Bo Nix does appear to be the ideal fit for his offense.
The 24-year-old wasn't viewed as a strong first-round talent despite setting an FBS record last season with a 77.4 completion percentage. Oregon designed a lot of layups for its point guard on grass.
However, his accuracy, time and distribution skills have translated and helped the Broncos stay in the playoff mix.
"What it does is show he isn't forcing the ball into specific guys like some young QBs do, you can almost mark it down when some young guys are going to the favorites," an anonymous NFL defensive coordinator, who faced the Broncos this season, told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "... You may get him on some things he needs to work through, but overall he hasn't been sort of predictable, he's moved the ball to everybody.''
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy, C
Everyone wondered how the rest of the NFL could let the Chiefs draft the fastest player ever, after Xavier Worthy's record-breaking 40-yard-dash effort at this year's NFL combine.
However, the 21-year-old hasn't been the threat some thought he could be. He's not the next Tyreek Hill in Kansas City. So far, he's been a solid option on a team searching for any wide receiver to help Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
This year's 28th overall pick has produced more of as of late, with 13 receptions for 161 yards over the last three games. His grade can receive a bump if he continues to contribute more down the stretch.
Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers, A+
The odds are in favor of a quarterback winning this year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers is every bit as deserving, if not more so.
The Raiders found themselves in a terrible spot when they could trade up to address quarterback. Ultimately, the front office fell back on selecting the greatest tight end prospect of all time.
Even with the team's continuing issues behind center, Bowers has exceeded every possible expectation placed upon him.
The first-year tight end currently leads the NFL with 84 receptions. He needs three more catches to break the position's rookie record. With five games left to play, his current pace should allow him to easily surpass the Mike Ditka's longstanding rookie-season receiving record of 1,076 yards.
Bowers isn't just a great rookie; he's already in the conversation for the NFL's best tight end.
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Joe Alt, B+
The Chargers certainly got the last laugh when the organization decided to select offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick over wide receiver Malik Nabers.
At the time, the Chargers appeared to be in dire need of wide receiver help. After all, the organization released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears.
Alt was still the pick, with the plan to convert him to right tackle. He's worked out well, with the coaching staff already confident enough in him to regular leave the rookie on an island.
To make the selection even better, the Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey in the second round. He leads all rookie wide receivers with 815 receiving yards.
The Chargers needed a new identity. The vision began during the draft and it's paying off with an 8-4 record.
NFC West
8 of 8
Los Angeles Rams edge defender Jared VerseFred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., B; DL Darius Robinson, Incomplete
Marvin Harrison Jr. had been billed as the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and deservedly so. He should easily surpass Johnson's rookie production over the final five weeks of play.
So far, MHJ has snagged 41 balls for 606 yards and seven touchdowns, which leads all rookie targets.
The biggest issue doesn't necessary fall on the rookie, though. He's simply not utilized enough. In seven of Arizona's 12 games, he has fewer than 50 receiving yards. Yet he's also exploded in a couple of other contests.
"I don't think we've even scratched the surface of what we can be," quarterback Kyler Murray said earlier this season. "I know it's frustrating for fans and it's frustrating for us too because I want him to have 10 catches a game, 100 yards a game. We all want that, but again it takes time, it takes work and that's where we're all striving to be. We're striving to be great, and I believe we will get there."
No. 27 pick Darius Robinson, meanwhile, just played in his first game this past weekend after dealing with a calf injury.
Los Angeles Rams: Edge Jared Verse, A
The Rams front office knows how to evaluate talent. The group is even better when it actually has a first-round pick to select one of the class' top prospects.
Case in point, Jared Verse, who was chosen with this year's 19th overall pick, has the inside track to winning this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Statistically, the 24-year-old has 4.5 sacks, but that number doesn't entirely encapsulate how good the edge-defender has been.
Going into Thanksgiving week, Verse was one of three NFL players with 80-plus grades as a pass-rusher and run defender, according to Pro Football Focus. The Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt and Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants were the other two. They're NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates.
San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall, C*
Ricky Pearsall's grade comes with an asterisk, because he's fortunate to even be playing this season.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Florida product was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery. The wide receiver recovered and returned to the roster by Week 7.
At first, the 49ers made a concerted effort to get this year's 31st overall pick the ball. He had 12 touches in his first three appearances, but he's had none in the last three.
Pearsall just being on the field this fall is a huge win. As an actual participant, he needs to provide more to eventually warrant his draft status.
Seattle Seahawks: DL Byron Murphy II, C
Byron Murphy II became the first defensive tackle off the board when the Seahawks chose with him with this year's 16th overall pick. He earned the designation based on his ability to be disruptive in both phases of the game, particularly as an interior pass-rusher.
Here's the problem, though: He's currently being outplayed by former Texas teammate T'Vondre Sweat, the Los Angeles Rams' Braden Fiske and even an undrafted free agent in Leonard Taylor III of the New York Jets.
Murphy has still been effective in stretches. He's started the last five games, but he needs to create more of an impact to warrant his draft status.
View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10145487-report-card-grades-for-2024-nfl-draft-1st-round-picks
