The best draft pick each NFL team made in 2024

The Cardinals could have gone many ways with the fourth overall pick, but they took the safest and arguably the best player on the board fourth overall. Wide receiver is historically a difficult position to project, and Harrison has the pedigree, athleticism, and college production to be a superstar at a major spot of need for Arizona.

The Falcons made a head-scratching decision in the first round by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but they started to make up for that decision with Trice in the third round. The Washington alum was highly productive over the last two seasons, totaling 16 sacks, and has the ability to make an immediate impact.

Baltimore's history drafting defensive players speaks for itself, and they might have found a steal in Tampa. The Iowa State corner has ample size to play on the outside, and has a chance to provide solid depth in his rookie season.

A powerful a productive college runner, Davis could eventually step in as a starter in Buffalo. He has a different running style than starter James Cook, but has similar versatility to be a solid backup for the Bills offense.

Carolina needed receiver help for Bryce Young, and added it with first-round pick Xavier Legette and Sanders. Sanders was a strong receiving tight end in college at Texas, and while tight end draftees can be a crapshoot, he has the skillset to help the Panthers immediately.

It was assumed for more than a year that Williams would be the first overall draft choice in 2024, and the Bears didn't keep us guessing. Some fans were upset the team moved on from Justin Fields, but it was clearly the right decision to reset the rookie contract clock at the position. More importantly, Williams was the best quarterback available, with a great track record and the dynamic ability to do anything on the field.

Iowa has become a factory for NFL tight ends, and All could be the next one to breakout. His draft value dropped due to injury, but he showed big upside when he was on the field. This is a strong lottery ticket for the Bengals at a position of need.

The Browns beefed out their wide receiver corps by adding Jerry Jeudy, but Thrash is a potential steal in the fifth round. He was penalized for his lack of size and age, but Thrash was highly productive at both Georgia State and Louisville. Thrash could emerge as a strong slot receiver.

Dallas needed to beef up their offensive line, and certainly did that with Beebe and first-round tackle Tyler Guyton. Beebe was an experienced and stable contributor at Kansas State who could step in immediately as a starter for the Cowboys.

The development of college legend Bo Nix at quarterback remains to be seen, but the Broncos did well to add his former Oregon teammate in the fourth round. Franklin has back-to-back monster years for the Ducks, culminating with 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He has the size, speed, and production that's rare for a fourth rounder.

A former top recruit, Wingo was penalized in the draft due to his lack of size. His ability as an interior pass rusher still potentially makes him a giant steal in the sixth round, where it's hard to go wrong taking a risk. He recorded 4.5 sacks in only eight games for LSU last season.

Green Bay had a major need at safety, and might have found a plug-and-play in Bullard. Bullard is somewhat undersized but proved to be excellent in coverage and a willing tackler at Georgia.

Houston likely found their new starting right tackle in Fisher, a strong contributor at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have proven to be one of the best producers of NFL offensive linemen in the college game, and Fisher has the stability and athleticism and protect C.J. Stroud for years to come.

Mitchell had all the features of a first-round wideout, including a sub-4.4 40 time and strong production at Texas. However, he fell in Indy's lap as a second-round pick potentially due to health and off-field concerns. The Colts stand to benefit, surrounding young Anthony Richardson with even more capable weapons.

The loss of Calvin Ridley left a giant void that the Jags hope Thomas can fill. He has elite tools at 6-foot-3 with a 4.33 40 time and the production to match in the explosive LSU offense. The check will come due on Trevor Lawrence soon, so adding a cheap and productive wideout was a necessity for the Jags.

Andy Reid and co. haven't always hit on wide receiver draft picks, but success with Worthy in KC isn't difficult to project. He ran the fastest 40 time in NFL Combine history, and will be able to run all day with Patrick Mahomes delivering the ball. The uncertainly of Rashee Rice's status due to legal concerns made this pick even more important for the Chiefs.

The Raiders were criticized for failing to draft a quarterback, but they did well to take the best player on the board in Bowers. He showed game-changing receiving ability at Georgia and should be an outstanding complementary receiver for Davante Adams.

In a draft loaded with wide receivers, some excellent prospects were bound to drop out of the first round. McConkey is just that as a highly productive and speedy wideout at Georgia who was somewhat penalized for injury. After losing starters Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, McConkey has a chance to help his NFL team in a big way.

The Rams were in desperate need of a safety, and might have found an immediate starter in the third round. Kinchens was considered by some to be the top player at the position in the 2024 draft, with 11 picks in the last two seasons.

Finding an EDGE that can contribute in the late rounds is rare, but Kamara could emerge. He was highly productive at Colorado State, including 13 sacks last season. However, he dropped in the draft due to his lack of size. At worst, he adds an insurance policy for the Dolphins with multiple players returning from injury.

McCarthy with the fifth quarterback drafted at 10th overall, though some would argue he was the best fit for Kevin O'Connell's offense. He was used on a limited basis as a passer at Michigan, but McCarthy was very accurate and could be the most NFL-ready of the 2024 crop.

The severe lack of offensive weapons in New England promoted some to say the Patriots weren't ready to draft a quarterback. There's only so much the team could do to address that need in the draft, but Polk is a good start. He had a breakout year at Washing with over 1,100 yards and 10 scores, and could step in immediately as a starter alongside rookie Drake Maye.

The Saints didn't have a major need at cornerback, but did well to see McKinstry fall to them in the second round. He's a first-round talent with elite production and coaching at Alabama, and can also contribute as a punt returner.

New York's lack of elite receivers has been a major criticism for the Daniel Jones defenders. They can't make that excuse any longer after selecting Nabers sixth overall. He had an argument as the best player in the entire draft, showing elite speed, hands, and run after the catch ability to tally two 1,000 yard seasons at LSU. Nabers could step in as the team's No. 1 receiver immediately.

Allen has the skillset to be an excellent complement to star Breece Hall in New York. He's a power runner who scored 35 touchdowns over three seasons at Wisconsin, and could assume the short-yardage duties in short order. Finding more youth in New York was a necessity, and the team now looks set at the running back position for years to come.

Trotter is already a great story, joining the same team that drafted his father, but he was also an excellent value in the fifth round. He was a highly productive, do-everything linebacker at Clemson who recorded 12 sacks and 177 tackles over the last two seasons. He lacks the elite physical tools, which explains the fifth round availability, but the floor here is a strong special teams contributor.

Wilson had a strong argument as the most talented linebacker in the class, but medical concerns pushed him to the third round. He recorded more than 100 tackles twice at NC State, and is also coming off a six sack, three interception season. There is Pro Bowl upside if Wilson can stay on the field.

The 49ers have to think beyond Christian McCaffrey, and Guerendo could emerge as a late fourth-round pick. He has blazing speed and is a capable pass catcher, but saw limited work in college with only 273 touches between Wisconsin and Louisville. That fact could work to his advantage with such limited mileage at a position known for early wear and tear.

New head coach Mike Macdonald was searching for his defensive anchor in the draft, and Murphy qualifies for that role. He has elite pass rush potential with great physical tools and five sacks at Texas last season.

Tampa Bay has gotten younger on the edge since their Super Bowl squad, and further help that effort with Braswell. He was productive at Alabama with 8.5 sacks last season and has the size to be a fit in Tampa Bay's scheme.

Sweat is a massive game changer, listed at over 360 pounds. He has the strength to be an immediate run stopper on a defense that desperately needed upgrades.

Despite the offense's struggles last season, Washington's offense is ripe for a huge step forward with the right quarterback given their myriad of weapons. Daniels was not only mobile in college but also a highly accurate passer, completing over 72% of his passes at LSU last season. He should vault the Washington offense next season, and also has the ability to make up for sub-par protection.