Immediate draft grades provide a foundation for future evaluations. Waiting three years to assess draft classes without accounting for how the decision was viewed at the time usually leads to revisionist history.
These 2024 NFL Draft quick-snap grades reflect the value I think each pick (or set of picks) has, given the slot and the prospect’s college film/athleticism scores. Trades, and the capital exchanged (both picks and players), are factored into these grades as well, as they also play a significant part in determining the future of a franchise.
NOTE: Selections and trades in the early rounds carry a heavier weight in the overall grade than those in the later rounds.
- Debrief: 32 thoughts for 32 teams after the 2024 NFL Draft
- Undrafted rookie free agents: Team signings after 2024 NFL Draft
- Daniel Jeremiah’s top 150 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft: Where did each player land?
Draft picks
- Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 4 overall)
- Missouri DT Darius Robinson (No. 27)
- Rutgers DB Max Melton (No. 43)
- Florida State RB Trey Benson (No. 66)
- Illinois OG Isaiah Adams (No. 71)
- Illinois TE Tip Reiman (No. 82)
- Boston College DB Elijah Jones (No. 90)
- Texas Tech DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (No. 104)
- Clemson LB Xavier Thomas (No. 138)
- Texas OT Christian Jones (No. 162)
- UAB WR Tejhaun Palmer (No. 191)
- Miami DB Jaden Davis (No. 226)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: A
Analysis: The Cardinals did a nice job over the first two days of the draft. They acquired picks via trade, found home-run hitters on offense in Harrison and Benson and added an inside/outside pass-rush threat in Robinson. They landed athletic corners in Melton and Elijah Jones, as well. Adams and Reiman also met needs, though they were picked a bit earlier than I expected.
Taylor-Demerson was my pick for the Cardinals in the fourth round of my seven-round mock draft because of his quickness as a slot defender and tackling ability. Thomas is athletic enough to stand up on the edge for the Cardinals, while Christian Jones and Palmer have the talent to take back-end roster spots and compete for playing time down the road.
Draft picks
- Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8 overall)
- Clemson DE Ruke Orhorhoro (No. 35)
- Washington OLB Bralen Trice (No. 74)
- Oregon DE Brandon Dorlus (No. 109)
- Notre Dame LB JD Bertrand (No. 143)
- Alabama RB Jase McClellan (No. 186)
- Illinois WR Casey Washington (No. 187)
- Georgia DE Zion Logue (No. 197)
Day 1 grade: C
Day 2 grade: C
Day 3 grade: B
Analysis: It was a strange draft for the Falcons, primarily because of the Penix selection, which was perplexing given their investment in Kirk Cousins this offseason. Penix’s strong arm and accuracy from the pocket could make him a star if the injury woes that plagued him at Indiana don’t return. Trading up to grab the athletic Orhorhoro was a reach, in my opinion, especially given the team’s need at corner. Trice met a crucial need on the edge.
Dorlus fits the mold of Atlanta’s defensive linemen. He should be able to play 5-technique or 3-technique depending on where he is needed. Bertrand should contribute on special teams before moving to defense in time. McClellan and Washington — who broke out as a senior at Illinois — offer depth at the skill positions. They’ll need to find cornerbacks in the undrafted free agent pool after failing to address the position in the draft.
Draft picks
- Clemson DB Nate Wiggins (No. 30 overall)
- Washington OT Roger Rosengarten (No. 62)
- Penn State LB Adisa Isaac (No. 93)
- North Carolina WR Devontez Walker (No. 113)
- Iowa State DB T.J. Tampa (No. 130)
- Marshall RB Rasheen Ali (No. 165)
- Kentucky QB Devin Leary (No. 218)
- Michigan State C Nick Samac (No. 228)
- Purdue DB Sanoussi Kane (No. 250)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Analysis: The Ravens had yet another solid draft. Wiggins’ elite recovery speed earned him a first-round slot, but he must answer questions about how his lean frame and inconsistent tackling translates to the next level. Rosengarten and Isaac were great value picks at two need spots.
I liked the selection of Walker, an outside playmaker, early in Round 4, even after the team re-upped Rashod Bateman. Tampa’s size and strength at the catch point made him worthy of a Day 2 pick, but Baltimore landed him on Day 3. Ali is coming off a biceps injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. Leary’s arm and experience gained him a draft spot. Samac’s a powerful interior lineman.
Draft picks
- Florida State WR Keon Coleman (No. 33 overall)
- Utah DB Cole Bishop (No. 60)
- Duke DT DeWayne Carter (No. 95)
- Kentucky RB Ray Davis (No. 128)
- Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (No. 141)
- Washington LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (No. 160)
- Troy DE Javon Solomon (No. 168)
- UCF OT Tylan Grable (No. 204)
- Penn State DB Daequan Hardy (No. 219)
- OT Travis Clayton (No. 221)
Day 1 grade: B
