NFL 2024 Draft Grades: How did your team do in this important draft?

NFL Draft 2024 Grades

The NFL draft is one of the marquee off-season events every year, and every year we grade how every team did at the draft. This year saw some wild picks, interesting trades and loads of excitement. The draft featured an exciting environment, especially as Detroit broke the Draft attendance record.

Now, just like last year, we will be giving our immediate grades and reactions to each team’s NFL draft. We’ll be going division by division to grade each draft. Do note that this is really early, as any one of these players we grade low could turn into a generational talent, and any player we grade highly could be a generational bust. Let’s get into it!

AFC East

New England Patriots: B+

The Patriots got their QB for the foreseeable future in Drake Maye, who is a super talented QB, but still needs some refining before he becomes a high-end NFL starter. However, New England needed a new signal caller, so you can’t complain about them picking up one of the best available with a high pick. Afterwards, the Patriots filled needs by picking up WR Ja’Lynn Polk and gathering some O-line talent with the next 2 picks.

The later picks include UCF pass catcher Javon Baker and a defensive pick in Marcellas Dial. The interesting pick is 6th round QB Joe Milton III out of Tennessee. Why pick Milton so late if they already grabbed Maye? Late round picks are almost always projects, so I imagine New England doesn’t have Milton in the long term plans, but it seems weird they wouldn’t fill a need with this pick or trade it away instead. You can’t hate what the Patriots did, but it wasn’t impressive.

Buffalo Bills: B-

It’s hard to defend the Bills trading down twice in the first round when they had a pressing need at Wide Receiver. With a chance to select Xavier Worthy, they traded back with the Chiefs. Following that, they swapped with the Panthers to take the top pick of the second round. The Bills needed an NFL caliber wideout, but instead of trading up they stayed back to get Keon Coleman in the second round. This decision tanked their grade.

However, they used their hauls from those trades to bolster the defensive core, which was another major need Buffalo had to fill. As well, RB Ray Davis has the chance to be a great NFL back. More defensive talent was taken late, which should help Buffalo to remain competitive. I wonder if their choices to ignore the offensive side of the ball will bite them this season.

Miami Dolphins: B

I like Miami picking LB Chop Robinson in the first round. He figures to be a fresh young face in a strong veteran-led defense. Patrick Paul was also a good pick to help the future of the O-line. He won’t be a starter from the jump with Terron Armstead at tackle, but he can develop and become a solid anchor for years to come in Miami.

Miami also traded up in the 4th round to nab RB Jaylen Wright. He could have a bright NFL future with the Dolphins, and was an absolute diamond in the middle of the draft. LB Mohamed Kamara was a weird pick. Already getting Robinson, it seems as though Miami just wanted insurance at the position. Some late receivers will be fighting for roster spots, but in a vaunted offense, they are more likely to become UFL stars than find a home in the NFL this year.

New York Jets: B+

With a roster poised to win with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Jets made a great choice picking O-line in the first round. The offensive additions didn’t stop there for the Jets, as they added WR Malachi Corley and RB Braelon Allen in the middle of the draft. I like these picks as extra weapons for the intermediate future in New York, but neither pick feels like a home run that’ll put the Jets any closer to contending.

They also picked up Jordan Travis from Florida State, who looks to become the heir to Rodgers. I’m intrigued by this pickup, as without his leg injury I think he could’ve gone way higher in the draft, perhaps as high as the first round. However, the most interesting pickup is Qwan’tez Stiggers, a severely underrated player drafted from the CFL who now gets his chance in the NFL.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: A

The Ravens, despite perpetually picking at the tail end of the first round year in and year out, always manage to find some incredibly high value in the draft. This year is no different, as high-upside talent Nate Wiggins landed in Baltimore. If any team can develop him into an NFL talent, it’s the Ravens.

The Ravens didn’t stop there, picking OT Roger Rosengarten to help the line, LB Adisa Isaac to help the already elite defense, and WR Devontez Walker to complement the offense in the future. T. J Tampa was an absolute steal for a Day 3 pick, as he was projected to land as high as Round 2 or 3. However, the draft after that mostly just turned into developmental pieces that may blossom in the future.

Pittsburgh Steelers: A-

The Steelers didn’t make a crazy splash in the draft, but then again, who expected them to? Protecting the QB is something that is way too important in the NFL, so taking 3 lineman, 2 in the first 2 rounds, is not a poor choice for Pittsburgh. The only worry is how they doubled up instead of trying to gather more offensive weapons or helping the defense in earlier rounds.

Michigan WR Roman Wilson has the potential to become a star in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers should consider themselves very lucky that he fell into their laps. Payton Wilson can also fit into the Steelers scheme and become a shutdown LB in the near future while playing rotational snaps during the season. Late picks Logan Lee and Ryan Watts will become solid depth players in the NFL if they can stick with the Steelers this year.

Cleveland Browns: C

The Browns draft was going to be incredibly limited after the Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper trades, and that was bound to make this a bad draft in Cleveland. Their first pick was DT Michael Hall Jr out of Ohio State, who can help keep Cleveland’s defense firing. The only problem is that this was the 54th pick in the Draft, which is really late to be making your first selection.

The Browns salvaged the draft further by taking Zak Zinter, a strong O-lineman out of Michigan. WR Jamari Thrash doesn’t really fill a need, but he does add depth at a weaker position for Cleveland. Nathaniel Watson could become a scrappy linebacker in the NFL, but I don’t see it as a home run pick. Of course, when your draft assets are as limited as Cleveland, you can’t really help having such a plain draft.

Cincinnati Bengals: B

Joe Burrow get sacked a lot. It’s one of the biggest weaknesses for the Bengals, and one of the biggest things keeping them from winning a championship. In the first round, Cincinnati selected Amarius Mims, who has the chance to become a brick wall at the NFL level. He could just as easily fail due to lack of experience- he only started 8 games at Georgia. Kris Jenkins can dominate the other side of the ball, especially on a D-line that could look very different in the upcoming season.

It’s also hard to complain about Jermaine Burton, who can be the type of receiver to compliment Ja’marr Chase in the future, especially if Tee Higgins leaves Cincinnati. However, every other pick is just average, and no one seems to do much to move the needle. Sure, anyone taken can become a star, but the late round selections don’t look like high caliber NFL talents.

AFC South

Tennesee Titans: B+

In the top 10, it was widely expected the Titans were going to be able to nab Joe Alt. But when the Chargers picked him up instead, the Titans still had to fill the need. JC Latham hopes to be just as good for Tennesee, and I imagine he will definitely be a force on the line. T’Vondre Sweat fills a need, but character concerns arose after his recent DWI arrest. Can he rebound?

The Titans didn’t shock the NFL world with any of the later picks, but Cedric Gray could be a legit NFL starter very soon. WR Jha’Quan Jackson fills in depth at a weak position, which could be an underrated move that really helps Tennesee improve and get better. Jaylen Harrell was a late steal, providing help to a weak pass rush.

Jacksonville Jaguars: A

Trading back was a savvy move the the Jaguars, who opted not to stay at pick 17 in this draft. Still, they netted a potentially elite WR in Brian Thomas Jr out of LSU. Trevor Lawrence has really been hurting for a target that can be a great game changer, and if all goes well, Thomas could help. If nothing else, finding him at the 23rd pick is great.

Maason Smith is a solid DT, another need filled in by Jacksonville, and Jarrian Jones is a great developmental piece for the future. Javon Foster was more of a depth pick, but it’s not hard to like this selection. Jacksonville secured some great athletes, and ultimately improved as a team with the draft. I’m excited to see how Thomas does this season.

Houston Texans: B+

After winning the draft last year, Houston didn’t do anything crazy. Trading out of the first round, the Texans were among the quieter teams in the NFL this draft cycle. Their first selection was DB Kamari Lassiter, who fills a team need and can be an instant starter. While not the best DB in the class, he can certainly fit right in with Derek Stingley Jr and shore up that secondary. OT Blake Fisher has potential at the NFL level to be a solid lineman, but has to develop.

Saftey Calen Bullock is an interesting choice. With other safeties on the board at pick78, Houston had their guy in Bullock. Will he prove Houston made the right choice? TE Cade Stover can also be a solid pass catcher and a blocker, and he already has chemistry with CJ Stroud. He makes this offense even deadlier.

Indianapolis Colts: B

It wasn’t an insane draft by any means for the Colts. They wanted to help themselves get better for the future. They did just that by picking up Defensive End Laiatu Latu, a consistent game wrecker. His concern is injury, which could stunt NFL growth. However, it really helps the Colts defense to get a player of his caliber.

Adonai Mitchell is a good #2 or #3 target for Anthony Richardson. Finding him at pick 52 was incredibly lucky for Indianapolis. However Mitchell has some developing to do if he wants to become an NFL star. The team made the unnecessary move up for Matt Goncalves. While he can be a solid O-Lineman, it seems odd to trade up for a recently injured player who could be ranked lower than many of his peers.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs: A

The Super Bowl champs opened up their draft by fleecing Buffalo, moving up a few spots and nabbing speedster Xavier Worthy. Patrick Mahomes now has the speedy playmaker he’s been missing since Tyreek Hill was traded. This is how to defend a title, and there’s no doubt this was one of the better selections in this NFL draft.

O-Line talent Kingsley Suamataia was a great pick who can become a solid pass protector or run blocker. He’s raw, but has shown enough to look like an NFL caliber lineman very soon. TE Jared Wiley might not see much playing time this year, but soon enough he could become a great TE. Jaden Hicks was a solid DB pick, helping the secondary remain solid despite the departure of L’Jarius Sneed.

Las Vegas Raiders: B

With top TE Brock Bowers on the board at 13, and the Raiders not making any moves up to try and nab a QB, it was a no-brainer to take Bowers. He will be a great pass catching threat for years to come, provided the Raiders draft curse doesn’t affect yet another class of rookies. Jackson Powers-Johnson can really bolster an O-line in need of support.

However, the good picks end there. O-line DJ Glaze was selected despite Las Vegas already having Jackson Powers-Johnson. If he cannot find a role in the Raiders system early, he’ll be a wasted pick for them. Decamerion Richardson is a solid DB. I imagine he’ll find a way to start a few games this year.

Los Angeles Chargers: A-

The Chargers surprisingly didn’t move out of the top 5 via trade, staying pat when they could’ve gotten a haul. Instead of gathering a WR, they selected top O-lineman Joe alt. It’s hard to complain about Alt, as he is an NFL caliber lineman. LA did get Georgia WR Ladd McConkey early in the second round, so it’s not the end of the world, but WR was, and still is, a huge position of need for the Chargers.

Junior Colson reunites with Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles, he can be a leader on an NFL defense. There’s no doubt this was a good pick for the Chargers. They also snatched several defensive players to bolster the defensive core. It’s also hard to complain about getting Brendan Rice in the WR room as well.

Denver Broncos: B+

Denver obviously needed a QB of the future when they traded Russell Wilson away this off-season. Getting Bo Nix, a boom-or-bust QB that could right the ship in Denver is hard to complain about. Since NFL legend Peyton Manning retired on the Broncos, it’s been hard to watch the QB play. Perhaps Bo Nix can save the fanbase.

LB Jonah Elliss has potential, but was a bit of a reach in the third round. He does help the defense get back into form, but I wonder if he’ll be able to be solid at the NFL level. troy Franklin was one of Bo Nix’s targets in college, so Denver traded up to get him. He provides help in a WR room that dissolved almost completely this off-season. None of the last picks move the needle, but maybe one of them will break out.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles: B+

I’m intrigued by the move to get DB Quinyon Mitchell in Round 1. If all goes well, he could be just the guy to help fix the Eagles secondary woes that derailed their previous campaign. They didn’t have to trade to pick him up, which was good value for Philly. They did make a move in Round 2, grabbing Cooper DeJean. A big name, DeJean can be a legit shutdown corner at the NFL level.

The value falls after that. LB Jalyx Hunt is a potential filled player, but has to develop and may only play rotational snaps for a few years. Trades were made later, but none really landed any impactful picks. Offensive weapons Will Shipley and Ainias Smith have the chance to make the roster, but don’t look for them to do anything impressive in their rookie year. Dylan McMahon is an intriguing late pick, who may even be a starter at Center.

Dallas Cowboys: B

The Cowboys didn’t make any splash picks, and they didn’t really harp on team needs. Rather, Round 1 featured a mild trade down and a starting O-lineman in Tyler Guyton. I don’t hate the pick, but it seems like a really average and not a very exciting pick. I like that Dallas recognized they weren’t going to splash on a big name and traded down, but was O-line really the place Dallas needed to add onto in Round 1?

DE Marshawn Kneeland and O-Line Cooper Beebe are solid potential players Dallas can develop. I like the players, but again I wonder if those were the needs Dallas had to meet. LB Marist Liufau can work on defense, but is a developmental project. Caelen Carson is a solid CB, but Dallas didn’t take a single RB and widely ignored offense. This could blow up in their face if these defensive prospects don’t come into their own.

New York Giants: B–

Why did the Giants remain committed to Daniel Jones instead of Saquon Barkley? This is something I will never understand, but at least he now has a surefire target in Malike Nabers. Out of LSU, Nabers is one of the guys who can become an instant star no matter who is throwing him the ball. Perhaps he even fuels a Daniel Jones resurgence. Tyler Nubin in the second round could be a defensive anchor in the secondary. I like the G-Men picking him up.

CB Andru Phillips was taken a bit later, and I imagine he has some legit NFL talent we will see at some point this year. Theo Johnson doesn’t fill an immediate need, but down the line I think he becomes a quality NFL starter. LB Darius Muasau is a budding defensive weapon. The Giants are lucky he fell so far.

Washington Commanders: A

Needing a refresh as a team, the Commanders landed Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels with the 2nd overall pick. It’s hard not to like the guy becoming your franchise cornerstone, and he can transform this team that hasn’t really found their identity in ages. DT Jer’Zhan Newton will also be a great addition to the D-Line. After Washington shipped off their great line from years past to the rest of the NFL, Newton can help rebuild that core.

DB Mike Sainristil has potential to become a shutdown corner, and was a good pickup on the mid rounds. WR Luke McCaffery can be a second or third option to start, adding to Daniels’ already scary WR room featuring Terry Mclaurin. TE Ben Sinnott could be solid blocking option who could surprise as a pass catcher.

NFC North

Detroit Lions: A-

In the first round, with an obvious need at the corner position, Brad Holmes made the gutsy move to trade up and take Terrion Arnold. Arnold has all the tools to become a legit NFL corner, and when Brad Holmes trades up for a guy, you know Detroit is confident that guy will succeed. In the second round, there was another guy worth trading up for at the same position, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Because Detroit gave up so many yards last year, I am not mad at doubling up at this position.

Could the Lions have added a wide reciever or edge rusher? I believe they could have, but they added OT Giovanni Manu instead. A depth O-lineman to start, I imagine he’ll work his way into a starting role and help one of the best NFL lines stay strong for years. The trade up to grab Sione Vaki seems questionable, especially for a guy who is likely to be a special teams exclusive player. However, I trust Brad Holmes to scrape the barrel to find a special talent no one else would pick up. DT Mehki Wingo will fight for a roster spot, but he has a chance to be a solid NFL D-lineman.

Green Bay Packers: B

The Packers had a fairly quiet draft, where they had a haul of picks to fill out the roster. First round selection Jordan Morgan is a solid O-lineman who has versatility at any position on the line except center. Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Bullard both are strong linebackers, adding needed depth to the position.

MarShawn Lloyd was an interesting pick. Not filling a team need, Lloyd comes in as a RB that can make an impact. I wonder if he’ll have trouble finding a comfortable spot on the team in year 1. LB Ty’Ron Hopper was another weird pick, as Green Bay already had selected 2 very solid Linebackers. DB Evan Williams can help shore up the defense, and C Jacob Monk is a project lineman who figures to be an anchor for the future. Kitan Oladipo is another safety who can contribute, but with Williams already selected, was he a wasted pick?

Minnesota Vikings: B+

The Vikings had an interesting draft, trading up with the Jets (though not very far) to nab J. J McCarthy as the QB of the future and later in the first round landing LB Dallas Turner. McCarthy is a proven winner at the college level, but many have questioned what he will be able to do at the NFL level. There was no better situation in the NFL for him to land than Minnesota to show the world he can win in the pros. Dallas Turner can also be an anchor and a leader on a defense that really needed one.

The later picks are where the value begins to vanish. DB Khyree Jackson can make an impact in the NFL, but isn’t a super exciting pick. O-Line Walter Rhouse has a chance to play rotational snaps on the line and work his way up to eventually starting. The FBS leading scorer in Will Reichard could provide reliable kicking. But drafting a kicker isn’t going to raise your grade as a team, as they usually are picked up after the draft.

Chicago Bears: A-

Starting out the draft with the first pick is always interesting for a team. With the entire NFL draft wide open, the Bears selected Caleb Williams as everyone expected. A dynamic threat with his arms and his legs, Williams was the surefire pick for a reason. Just 8 picks later, Chicago grabbed him another target in Rome Odunze. Regarded as one of the best receivers in the class, Odunze adds another threat to this offense.

O-lineman Kiran Amegadjie also fills a need for the Bears. O-line is a major point of weakness, and Amengadjie can work his way through the NFL ranks to try and help keep Caleb Williams protected. Drafting a punter in the 4th round was the only blemish keeping Chicago from getting full marks. Austin Booker has a chance to develop and become a solid edge rusher, but Chicago had to trade yet more capital to get him.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints: B+

The Saints have lofty expectations to compete with the best of the NFL. They had a draft that was about filling holes on the roster and prepping to try and win the division and maybe even some playoff games. First round O-line Taliese Fuaga fills the need for someone to protect Derek Carr. He’s a reliable starter for New Orleans. Kool-Aid McKinstry was one of my top Round 2 players, and the Saints were very lucky to grab him. Their secondary just got a lot scarier.

Spencer Rattler fell to the Saints, and they picked him up as a project QB. He’s a guy with loads of upside, but don’t expect to see too much of him this year. He’s got to sit and learn if he’s ever going to be an NFL starter. Bub Means is a decent weapon but faces an uphill battle to make the final roster. LB Jaylan Ford and DT Khristian Boyd are scrappy defenders who could start late in the year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B

The Bucs somehow made it to the draft without any glaring weaknesses, which is a positive. They filled their biggest need with Center Graham Barton. This guy is a bit of a steal for Tampa, as he’s one of the best O-lineman in this class. Chris Braswell was a bit of a reach on the other hand. He has ability, but was picked highly for a developmental LB.

DB Tykee Smith has a chance to play significant amounts this year, which is a solid pick. WR Jalen McMillan could possibly be able to fill in depth at WR this year and fill in for inevitable departures in the near future after he develops. Bucky Irving was a mediocre pick, but for a late round RB it’s hard to complain about a guy who mostly will be on special teams.

Carolina Panthers: B-

The Panthers first round pick had been traded to Chicago, and they had to have been missing that pick- it had turned into the top pick in the NFL draft. Carolina didn’t miss out on the first round fun, as they did trade up with the Bills very late to get Xavier Legette. It’s hard to complain with this, as it gives Bryce Young a more legit weapon to throw to than an aging Adam Theilen for years to come. However, there was a lot of wideouts taken in the rounds after, so Legette must show he was a first round talent.

RB Jonathan Wallace was the next pick in a rebuilding draft. I don’t hate the pick, but he isn’t going to be an instant contributor with his knee injury. LB Trevin Wallace should help this defense stabilize after a few years of being a chaotic mess. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders could fill a role as a pass catcher, which is necessary for Carolina as they had one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Chau Smith-Wade is a speedy DB who can transform Carolina’s defense.

Atlanta Falcons: F

The Falcons needs mostly revolved around defense this time around, as they really didn’t have a great one compared to the rest of the NFL. With an offense featuring new QB Kirk Cousins and several weapons that can be explosive, the Falcons selected… Michael Penix Jr? With the 8th overall pick? Many scouts had him projected as a high second rounder, not a top 10 guy, and especially not to Atlanta who finally found their QB in Kirk.

Later they traded up to get D-Line Ruke Ohorhoro. As good as he is, he doesn’t really help fill a need. LB Braelen trice supplies the team with edge rushing, something Atlanta actually needed. Too bad it took them this long to figure that out. Brandon Dorlus has potential to become a starter on the D-Line, but by this point the draft was not salvageable.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: A

I love the Cardinals selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. It fills a need by giving Kyler Murray another elite weapon on offense, and it shows that Arizona wasn’t willing to back down from a chance at a generational talent. In the NFL, Harrison Jr will be a stud wideout who can do it all for Arizona. On top of that, they netted D-Line Darius Robinson late in the first round. The Cardinals really helped their defense with that pick.

Cornerback Max Melton is also a great selection, filling a team need with starter potential. Trey Benson was one of the better RBs in this class, and I believe he will have a decent NFL run. O-Line Isiah Adams fills another team need, and comes in with solid value, and soon after they got Tip Reiman, a TE that can be molded into something great if developed right. Elijah Jones could potentially become a solid NFL corner, helping solidify that secondary.

Los Angeles Rams: A-

The first few picks for the Rams were great ones, filling team needs and overall helping improve the team. Jared Verse has a chance to be a force on the D-Line, which will look much different without Aaron Donald next year. Braden Fiske can also help with that, he’ll be arriving to the new-look LA front next year as well. Replacing Donald will be hard as he’s a surefire NFL hall of famer, but getting these guys will help keep the Rams defense solid.

RB Blake Corum will be in a crowded room with Kyren Williams and Boston Scott, but he has a lot of potential at the NFL level. Look for him to become a star in the next few seasons. DB Kameren Kitchens provides help for LA in the secondary, and they picked up more D-line depth in Brennas Jackson and Tyler Davis. The Rams were also one of the few teams to draft a kicker. Later they got O-lineman Beaux Limmer and KT Leveston, who have potential for the future.

San Francisco 49ers: B-

It’s hard to say the Niners had an impressive draft. It’s also hard to say they had any pressing needs they needed to address at the draft, which is usually a good sign. WR Ricky Pearsall has the potential to fill the Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel hole in the receiver room, assuming either gets traded. If not, he’s a high value WR to make this offense even deadlier.

DB Renardo Green can be a solid corner at the NFL level. However, San Francisco traded up to get O-Line Dominick Puni. While Puni can help on the O-line, I wonder if trading up was the right choice. DB Malik Mustapha is unlikely to see much playing time outside of special teams. RB Isaac Guerendo has a chance to carve out a nice role in the NFL, but will he make a name for himself?

Seattle Seahawks: A

Seattle is in a decent spot as a franchise and didn’t need to make a huge splash at the draft this year. Byron Murphy II is a great pick and just the type of guy Seattle could use on the D-line. He has a chance to become a future star in the NFL if he’s able to live up to the college hype. O-line Christian Hayes is going to be a starter for multiple years.

LB Tyrice Knight was another pick I like. His ability to tackle anyone on the field is going to be very valuable to Seattle. I look forward to seeing him become a starter. TE AJ Barner might play backup role at first, but this guy has the potential to make some noise with the Seahawks in a few seasons as he develops. DB Nehemiah Pritchett was an absolute steal for Seattle. He can really help the defense revitalize into something truly great.

Agree with our grades? How do you think your team did? Sound off in the comments below or join our Discord server to join the conversation.

Check out our sponsor SeatGeek. SeatGeek gets you to the action live without all the fuss, and it even helps you save some money. Use our code Sam Shady for some extra sweet deals.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get all types of sports content including fan favorites shows like Niner Nuts and Snowman in the Morning while also supporting the network