Silva: 2024 NFC Draft Grades

1 (4). Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

1 (27). Missouri DL Darius Robinson

2 (43). Rutgers CB Max Melton

3 (66). Florida State RB Trey Benson

3 (71). Illinois OG Isaiah Adams

3 (82). Illinois TE Tip Reiman

3 (90). Boston College CB Elijah Jones

4 (104). Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

5 (138). Clemson EDGE Xavier Thomas

5 (162). Texas OT Christian Jones

6 (191). Alabama-Birmingham WR Tejhaun Palmer

7 (226). Miami DB Jaden Davis

Overview: Amid heavy speculation they’d trade out, the Cardinals at No. 4 stick-and-picked Harrison, the best player in the draft. I’m no fan of their second first-rounder; Robinson is a slightly overaged end-tackle tweener who managed 13 sacks across 47 college games. GM Monti Ossenfort did savvily jump 107 slots (No. 186 to No. 79) in exchange for dropping from No. 43 to 35 in Friday’s trade with Atlanta. Melton is tough, hyper athletic, and was a ballhawk at Rutgers. He was underrated throughout the pre-draft phase; longtime DBs guru Nick Saban deemed Melton his favorite “sleeper” in this draft. At 6-foot, 216 with 4.39 wheels, Benson averaged over 6.0 yards per college carry and over 11.0 yards per reception. He’s a true homerun hitter who should upgrade on James Conner sooner rather than later. Adams made starts at three different positions on the Fighting Illini’s offensive line. Extremely physical with plus athleticism, Reiman was drafted earlier than expected but melts facemasks as a blocker and represents an ideal on-field complement to catch-first starting TE Trey McBride. Jones stands 6-foot-2, 185 with freaky athleticism and was an on-ball playmaker at B.C. A team firmly in rebuild mode, I love that the Cards added 12 players and stayed focused on upgrading premium positions.

Grade: B

 

Atlanta Falcons

1 (8). Washington QB Michael Penix

2 (35). Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro

3 (74). Washington EDGE Bralen Trice

4 (109). Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus

5 (143). Notre Dame LB J.D. Bertrand

6 (186). Alabama RB Jase McClellan

6 (187). Illinois WR Casey Washington

6 (197). Georgia DT Zion Logue

Overview: For a moment, let’s ignore the facts that Penix has undergone two ACL reconstructions, soon turns 24, and struggled in both the national title game and at the Senior Bowl. At very least, the Falcons will burn half of Penix’s rookie contract after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal from which they can’t financially depart for two years, at minimum. Cousins’ camp is understandably upset that Atlanta didn’t use the No. 8 pick to improve the roster around him. The Falcons paid too much to jump from No. 43 to No. 35 to select Orhorhoro, who looks the part but lacked high-end production as a five-year player at Clemson (12 career sacks, 25 ½ tackles for loss). A power end more impactful in the run than pass game at Washington, Trice felt like a one- or two-round reach in the middle third. Dorlus’ ceiling is likely a rotational piece as an end-tackle tweener. Bertrand was a productive run defender in South Bend but has short arms and is a liability in pass coverage. Atlanta didn’t draft a single surefire year-one starter. This was a regrettable draft centered around a multi-year backup quarterback and non-premium positions. If I were Cousins, I’d be f—ing pissed, too.

Grade: F

 

Carolina Panthers

1 (32). South Carolina WR Xavier Legette

2 (46). Texas RB Jonathon Brooks

3 (72). Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace

4 (101). Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

5 (157). Washington State CB Chau Smith-Wade

6 (200). Mississippi State DT Jaden Crumedy

7 (240). Michigan LB Michael Barrett

Overview: The Panthers were missing 2024’s first-rounder following 2023’s so-far-failed trade up for Bryce Young. Carolina’s day-one jump for Legette seemed unnecessary for an overaged, fifth-year college breakout, while second-round running back Brooks is coming off a November 11 torn ACL at a non-premium position. Last March, the Panthers gave Miles Sanders a four-year, $25.4 million deal with $13 million guaranteed. Wallace and Barrett are undersized off-ball linebackers who may max out on special teams. Sanders can be a vertical pass-game threat but doesn’t block or run after the catch. The Panthers do get some credit for acquiring Diontae Johnson in a pre-draft trade at a very low cost. There’s still little to like about this draft haul, and Carolina continues to pay the tax on last year’s painful trade-up blunder.

Grade: F

 

Chicago Bears

1 (1). USC QB Caleb Williams

1 (9). Washington WR Rome Odunze

3 (75). Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie

4 (122). Iowa P Tory Taylor

5 (144). Kansas EDGE Austin Booker

Overview: EDGE Montez Sweat, whose 2023 addition helped turn Chicago’s defense into a top-ten unit, is part of this haul after the Bears acquired him from Washington for this year’s No. 40 overall pick. The Bears also stole Keenan Allen from the Chargers in exchange for the No. 110 selection and added G/C Ryan Bates for No. 144. Surrounding Williams with Odunze, D.J. Moore, Allen, Cole Kmet, and an offensive line that pocket-ball gripper Justin Fields made look worse than it actually was significantly heightens the 2022 Heisman winner’s probability of NFL success. Amegadjie is coming off quad surgery but piled up pass-protection and zone-blocking reps in Yale’s spread offense and is a worthwhile developmental stab. I typically dislike drafting punters and kickers at all, but credit to Taylor; he was the most dangerous weapon on Iowa’s team. GM Ryan Poles sacrificed Chicago’s 2025 fourth-round pick to end undersized if highly productive outside rusher Booker’s fall in the fifth. I have few bones to pick with Poles’ 2024 haul. Perhaps no NFL team’s going-forward trajectory is pointed as skyward as Chicago’s.

Grade: B+

 

Dallas Cowboys

1 (29). Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

2 (56). Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland

3 (73). Kansas State OG Cooper Beebe

3 (87). Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau

5 (174). Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson

6 (216). SE Missouri State WR Ryan Flournoy

7 (233). Louisiana-Lafayette OT Nathan Thomas

7 (244). Auburn DT Justin Rogers

Overview: Trey Lance is included in this year’s Cowboys draft after Dallas sent its fourth-rounder to San Francisco to acquire him. The Cowboys emerged from rounds one and two with a relatively raw tackle and small-school EDGE rusher with just above-par athleticism and modest college production. In their first-day deal with Detroit, the Cowboys did add pick No. 73 to dip only five slots in round one (No. 24 to No. 29). The Beebe pickup could solve Dallas’ center quandary following Tyler Biadasz’s departure. Liufau went two full rounds earlier than expected. Carson looks like the Cowboys’ best day-three value selection. For a team long on roster needs, this was an acceptable if largely unremarkable draft haul.

Grade: C

 

Detroit Lions

1 (24). Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

2 (61). Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw

4 (126). British Columbia OT Giovanni Manu

4 (132). Utah RB/S Sione Vaki

6 (189). LSU DT Mekhi Wingo

6 (210). Boston College OG Christian Mahogany

Overview: Hellbent on repairing their swinging-gate pass defense, the Lions followed up trading for CB Carlton Davis by sending a third-rounder to Dallas to jump from No. 29 to No. 24 to draft Arnold, then tabbed physical press corner Rakestraw late in the second. Experienced at safety, slot, and perimeter cornerback, Arnold was arguably the most talented cover man in this draft. Staying (overly?) aggressive on day three, the Lions traded away a 2025 third-round pick to draft Manu, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound behemoth project with a sub-5.0 forty time. GM Brad Holmes then parted with Detroit’s 2025 fourth-rounder in a deal with Philadelphia to take probable special teamer Vaki. While I’m not entirely supportive of the Lions’ head-first philosophy, I do like the players they selected at positions of need.

Grade: C+

 

Green Bay Packers 

1 (25). Arizona T/G Jordan Morgan

2 (45). Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper

2 (58). Georgia S Javon Bullard

3 (88). USC RB MarShawn Lloyd

3 (91). Missouri LB Ty’Ron Hopper

4 (111). Oregon S Evan Williams

5 (163). Duke C Jacob Monk

5 (169). Oregon State S Kitan Oladapo

6 (202). Georgia State OT Travis Glover

7 (245). Tulane QB Michael Pratt

7 (255). Penn State CB Kalen King

Overview: Typically prioritizing athleticism in early-round draftees, GM Brian Gutekunst tabbed 92^nd-percentile RAS scorer Morgan as Green Bay’s left tackle of the future. “Gutie” then savvily added pick Nos. 168 and 190 for dipping from No. 41 to No. 45 in a day-two deal with the Saints. 45^th selection Cooper profiles as 2022 first-rounder Quay Walker’s multi-year off-ball linebacker mate. Bullard manned slot corner and free safety at Georgia, runs 4.45, and banked a twitchy 3.97 three-cone time. 220 pounds with 4.46 jets, Lloyd projects as an upgrade on plodder A.J. Dillon behind Josh Jacobs, whose contract amounts to a one-year commitment. Dual-threat QB Pratt generated media attention but nearly fell out of the draft. Either way, this was a competent showing from an organization that regularly drafts well.

Grade: B-

 

Los Angeles Rams

1 (19). Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

2 (39). Florida State DT Braden Fiske

3 (83). Michigan RB Blake Corum

3 (99). Miami (FL) S Kamren Kinchens

5 (154). Washington State EDGE Brennan Jackson

6 (196). Clemson DT Tyler Davis

6 (209). Stanford K Josh Karty

6 (213). Texas WR Jordan Whittington

6 (217). Arkansas C Beaux Limmer

7 (254). Kansas State OG K.T. Leveston

Overview: The Rams are betting that pairing college teammates Verse and Fiske helps replace Aaron Donald on their defensive front. Twitched-up and explosive, Verse logged 18 sacks and 29 ½ tackles for loss in two years at FSU. Fiske piled up six sacks from the interior as a Seminole senior, then destroyed the Combine, although he’ll turn 25 early next year, and trading up for him cost L.A. its 2025 second-round pick. In their draft presser, GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay likened Corum to Kyren Williams, openly admitting their third-round pick’s redundancy. Kinchens projects as a “Star” defensive back-linebacker hybrid in the middle of the field. He excelled as a blitzer and picked off 11 career passes at The U. McVay and Snead have historically shined as day-three drafters and made six picks there. I’m nevertheless ho-hum on this haul at surface level and hate that they traded next year’s second-rounder.

Grade: C+

 

Minnesota Vikings

1 (10). Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

1 (17). Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

4 (108). Oregon DB Khyree Jackson

6 (177). Oklahoma OT Walter Rouse

6 (203). Alabama K Will Reichard

7 (230). Wake Forest C Michael Jurgens

7 (232). Texas A&M-Commerce DT Levi Drake Rodriguez

Overview: The Vikings can drop McCarthy into arguably the NFL’s most-favorable offensive environment indoors under QB Kingmaker Kevin O’Connell with high-octane weapons behind a top-ten offensive line. Turner is an edge bender who dominated in the SEC and just turned 21 years old. But the price to acquire both was exorbitant; all told, the Vikings sacrificed their 2024 second-round pick, two 2024 fifth-rounders, and their 2025 second-, third- and fourth-round selections. Jackson is a massive (6’4/194) defensive back specimen who made just 14 college starts and turns 25 during the upcoming season. Rouse made a whopping 52 college starts at left tackle and was worth a day-three stab. I love the players Minnesota drafted up top, but the cost dings their draft grade. Their 2025 capital is severely depleted.

Grade: B-

 

New Orleans Saints

1 (14). Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

2 (41). Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

5 (150). South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

5 (170). Pittsburgh WR Bub Means

5 (175). Texas LB Jaylan Ford

6 (199). Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd

7 (239). Eastern Kentucky OT Josiah Ezirim

Overview: Entering 2024’s draft as the NFL’s most tackle-needy team, the Saints addressed that hole immediately with Fuaga, a 6-foot-6, 326-pound punisher with a high floor. They coughed up pick Nos. 168 and 190 to jump from No. 45 to No. 41 for press-man corner McKinstry, who can quickly form an imposing perimeter-coverage tandem with Marshon Lattimore. Rattler was easily worth a fifth-round stab with purgatory quarterback Derek Carr firmly atop a depth chart that contains no other starting-caliber threats. At least from a namesake standpoint, well-traveled college wideout “Bub Means” will fit seamlessly into The Big Easy. Means lacked impressive college production but flashed field-stretching capability and blazed 4.43 at 6-foot-1, 212 before the draft. Yet due to limited capital — self induced — the Saints’ needs-laden roster only improved marginally with this haul. The good news is most of the rest of the NFC South drafts were even worse.

Grade: C

 

New York Giants 

1 (6). LSU WR Malik Nabers

2 (47). Minnesota S Tyler Nubin

3 (70). Kentucky CB Andru Phillips

4 (107). Penn State TE Theo Johnson

5 (166). Purdue RB Tyrone Tracy

6 (183). UCLA LB Darius Muasau

Overview: New York’s pre-draft acquisition of EDGE Brian Burns for second- and fifth-round picks is part of this haul. Even more so than Marvin Harrison Jr., Nabers was this draft’s most naturally explosive wideout and should seamlessly fit into HC Brian Daboll’s offense as an inside-outside big-play machine. (Think peak Stefon Diggs.) Nubin ran 4.61 before the draft but is a physical tackler and picked off 13 passes as a 43-game starter in the Big Ten. Part of New York’s rebuilding secondary, Phillips best projects to slot corner. With Darren Waller likely retiring, 100^th-percentile athlete Johnson addresses a need at “move” tight end alongside in-line “Y” Daniel Bellinger. Converted WR Tracy shined as a part-time running back and kick returner in his final college year, then blew up the Combine with 96^th-percentile RAS results. I’m estimating the G-Men got 4 ½ contributors from this draft, and two high-impact ones.

Grade: B

 

Philadelphia Eagles

1 (22). Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

2 (40). Iowa DB Cooper DeJean

3 (94). Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt

4 (127). Clemson RB Will Shipley

5 (152). Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith

5 (155). Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

5 (172). Michigan OG Trevor Keegan

6 (185). Florida State WR Johnny Wilson

6 (190). N.C. State C Dylan McMahon

Overview: GM Howie Roseman’s early-round focus was on repairing a pass defense that collapsed down 2023’s stretch. Starting CBs Darius Slay, 33, and James Bradberry, 31 in August, are on their last legs. Mitchell was the most talented cover corner in this draft, while DeJean projects as a difference maker at nickel back (“Star”) or safety. Leaping from No. 50 to 40 to acquire DeJean wasn’t overly costly, sending Washington this year’s Nos. 53 and 161 picks but getting back No. 78. Small-schooler Hunt is a freaky athlete with freaky length at a premium position. On day three, Roseman stole the Dolphins’ 2025 third-round pick for a middle fourth-rounder (No. 120), then swindled the Lions’ 2025 fourth-round selection by dropping from No. 132 to No. 164. Philly now holds two thirds, a fourth, and two fifths next year. Roseman has mastered the art of attacking immediate needs while staying committed to building for the future.

Grade: A-

 

San Francisco 49ers

1 (31). Florida WR Ricky Pearsall

2 (64). Florida State CB Renardo Green

3 (86). Kansas OG Dominick Puni

4 (124). Wake Forest S Malik Mustapha

4 (129). Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo

4 (135). Arizona WR Jacob Cowing

6 (215). USC OG Jarrett Kingston

7 (251). Florida State LB Tatum Bethune

Overview: I didn’t love the Pearsall pick from a value standpoint – he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie and was an underwhelming college wideout producer – but Pearsall is dynamic with the ball in his hands. A 99^th-percentile athlete, Pearsall averaged 12 yards per career rushing attempt with five rushing TDs and 11.5 yards per punt return as a senior. He’s a definitive Kyle Shanahan fit. Green (6’0/186, 4.49) shined in his 2023 matchups with LSU first-round picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Puni is a five-position offensive line prospect who may ultimately land at center. Mustapha was arguably the best tackling safety in this draft. Guerendo lacks college production but was this year’s premier Speed Score running back with a 4.33 forty time at 221 pounds. I don’t think the 49ers came away with any standout “steals”; rather, this was a team-specific draft haul skewed toward Shanahan’s skill-set preferences.

Grade: B-

 

Seattle Seahawks

1 (16). Texas DT Byron Murphy

3 (81). UConn OG Christian Haynes

4 (118). UTEP LB Tyrice Knight

4 (121). Michigan TE A.J. Barner

5 (136). Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett

6 (179). Utah OG Sataoa Laumea

6 (192). Auburn CB D.J. James

6 (207). Findlay OT Michael Jerrell

Overview: A legit top-ten prospect and arguably the best defensive player in 2024’s draft, Murphy was a steal at No. 16. Seattle also stole Haynes at an extreme need position in round three; Haynes gave up just one sack over the last three seasons and made 49 college starts, all at right guard. At 6-foot, 190 with 4.36 wheels, four-year college starter Pritchett was an easy fifth-round gamble at a premium position. The Seahawks’ 2024 draft haul wasn’t flashy but addressed needs and involved upside late-round flyers.

Grade: B-

 

Tampa Bay Bucs

1 (26). Duke C/G Graham Barton

2 (57). Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell

3 (89). Georgia S Tykee Smith

3 (92). Washington WR Jalen McMillan

4 (125). Oregon RB Bucky Irving

6 (220). UTEP OG Elijah Klein

7 (246). Washington TE Devin Culp

Overview: I entered Thursday convinced Barton wouldn’t last past No. 20 and view him a “value pick” at 26. He’s an elite athlete capable of playing all five positions on the line. He’ll settle in at center or left guard in Tampa. At 6-foot-3, 251 with 4.6-flat speed, Braswell profiles as a sub-package edge rusher after he banked eight sacks replacing Will Anderson at Alabama in 2023. A safety/slot corner hybrid, Smith piled up eight college picks and 215 tackles (21.5 for a loss). The Huskies’ No. 3 wideout behind Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, McMillan best projects to the slot between Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Irving shined as a between-the-tackles runner and receiver in college and should take some of the load off of Rachaad White. This was a solid if unspectacular haul for the defending NFC South champions.

Grade: B-

 

Washington Commanders

1 (2). LSU QB Jayden Daniels

2 (36). Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton

2 (50). Michigan CB Mike Sainristil

2 (53). Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott

3 (67). TCU OG Brandon Coleman

3 (100). Rice WR Luke McCaffrey

5 (139). Temple LB Jordan Magee

5 (161). Washington S Dominique Hampton

7 (222). Notre Dame EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Overview: Washington’s new regime knocked its initial picks out of the park, tabbing 2023’s NCAA leader in both yards per pass attempt (11.7) and yards per rushing attempt (8.4) at No. 2, then ending Newton’s mini-slide at 36. Newton was this draft’s second-best three-technique interior pass rusher behind Byron Murphy. The Commanders added a second-round pick (No. 53) by dropping from No. 40 to No. 50, then stole shutdown slot CB Sainristil and two-way TE Sinnott, a plus blocker with top-tier athleticism and hands. Extensively experienced at both left tackle and left guard, Coleman is ideally built at 6-foot-5, 316 with vine-like 35-inch arms and massive 10 ¾-inch hands. McCaffrey profiles as a plus-sized slot receiver at 6-foot-2, 198 with 4.46 speed. A lightweight linebacker at 6-foot-2, 232, Magee was extremely productive in college with 235 career tackles and eight sacks and is athletic enough to potentially develop into a pass-coverage asset. Rookie GM Adam Peters should be proud of his first haul.

Grade: A-