NFL Draft grades 2024 All 32 draft classes ranked from best Steelers Eagles to worst 49ers Raiders

NFL Draft grades 2024 All 32 draft classes ranked from best Steelers Eagles to worst 49ers Raiders

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How do you grade a team's draft cla s right despite not knowing what kind of returns it will get from all the players it just picked? There are a few simple rules Sporting News applies to this annual exercise of instant analysis.First, did the team get the right kind of talent with every opportunity while on the clock? Second, teams' initial grades should be based more on whether they did well addre sing remaining roster needs after free agency.Third and most important it's critical to consider whether a team drafted well for its current league status, with playoff contenders going for more immediate impact and rebuilding franchises going for more valuable future help.Putting that all together, we aim to answer: How much did a team improve overall through the draft? Here's SN's latest round of draft grades for the best and draft 2024 NFL Draft cla ses, ranked from No. 1 to No. 32:MORE 2024 NFL DRAFT: | 1. Pittsburgh SteelersGrade: A+Draft picks:OT/G Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, G Mason McCormick, DT Logan Lee, DT Ryan WattsAnalysis:Outside of some pa s-rush depth, which wasn't a big need, the Steelers destroyed this draft with GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin. That builds on an amazing offseason when they got Ru sell Wilson and Justin Fields as QB options for almost nothing. Fautanu and Frazier will start and star right away with 2023 first-round Broderick Jones moving to left tackle. Roman Wilson is the ideal playmaker to pair with George Pickens. It's also not fair Payton Wilson will roam a second level and make plays right with Patrick Queen.2. Philadelphia EaglesGrade: ADraft picks:CB Quinyon Mitchell, CB Cooper DeJean, EDGE Jalyx Hunt, RB Will Shipley, WR Ainias Smith, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., G Trevor Keegan, WR/TE Johnny Wilson, C/G Dylan McMahonAnalysis:GM Howie Roseman somehow ended up with arguably the two best corners in the cla s to fill a big need. Hunt can tap into his big small-school pa s-rush upside for Vic Fangio. Shipley, Smith, and Wilson are valuable, versatile cogs for Jalen Hurts to support Saquon Barkley, the expensive wideouts, and tight ends.3. Washington CommandersGrade: ADraft picks:QB Jayden Daniels, DT Johnny Newton, CB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, G Brandon Coleman, WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee, S Dominique Hampton, EDGE Javontae Jean-BaptisteAnalysis:New GM Adam Peters hopes to flip all the past bad vibes and Daniels' upside as a pa ser and runner for Kliff Kingsbury is a great start. Defensive-minded Dan Quinn had to love Newton and Sainristil back-to-back to help push this group toward what he had in Dallas. Sinnott and McCaffrey add interesting spread weapons to Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Austin Ekeler, and Zach Ertz. Then, Quinn got more of what he needed late, too.4. Baltimore RavensGrade: ADraft picks:CB Nate Wiggins, OT Roger Rosengarten, EDGE Adisa Isaac, WR Devontez Walker, CB T.J. Tampa, RB Rasheen Ali, QB Devin Leary, C Nick Samac, S Sanou si KaneAnalysis:The Ravens once again locked into their key positions of need under Eric DeCosta and practiced patience in letting values drop to them. Wiggins and Tampa have a chance to be a special starting cornerback duo in time. I sac is their style of edge rusher, while Walker provides a key mi sing element at receiver to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore doesn't make bad picks in relation to having the right talent available. Ali added needed backfield depth behind Derrick Henry, and Leary is a good developmental athlete.MORE NFL DRAFT 2024: | | | 5. Cincinnati BengalsGrade: ADraft picks:OT Amarius Mims, DT Kris Jenkins, WR Jermaine Burton, DT McKinnley Jackson, TE Erick All, CB Josh Newton, TE Tanner McLachlan, EDGE Cedric Johnson, S Daijahn Anthony, C Matt LeeAnalysis:The Bengals once again knew what they were doing. Mims was the ideal fit to upgrade Joe Burrow's pa s protection, while Burton gives him an exciting new big-play slot. All and McLachlan bring good blocking and short-to-intermediate area receiving to their scheme, too. Jenkins and Jackson provides a good 1-2 pa s-rushing and run-stuffing punch. Newton was right for their corner depth, too.6. Los Angeles ChargersGrade: ADraft picks:OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, LB Junior Colson, DT Justin Eboigbe, CB Tarheeb Still, CB Cam Hart, RB Kimani Vidal, WR Brenden Rice, WR Cornelius JohnsonAnalysis:Who has it better than coach Jim Harbaugh? Only a few teams. He helped new GM Joe Hortiz nail this critical draft, getting an elite pa s protector and top new versatile target for Justin Herbert. Colson was the right Michigan man to add, flipping a weakne s into a strength. Still and Hart bring key depth, and Vidal is a good all-around contingency for former Ravens Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. Rice and Johnson provide some big-play options to help replace Mike Williams and provide contingency for Quentin Johnston.MORE: | 7. Minnesota VikingsGrade: ADraft picks:QB J.J. McCarthy, EDGE Dallas Turner, CB Khyree Jackson, OT Walter Rouse, K Will Reichard, C Michael Jurgens, DT Levi Drake RodriguezAnalysis:The Vikings could have rested on McCarthy for their pa sing game and both Turner and Jackson for the pa s defense and had a solid draft. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn't waste time pleasing Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores to accelerate a rebuild. They made good use of moving up to go for high-upside quality over pure quantity. Reichard Mark McGwire Jersey also filled a key need.8. Detroit LionsGrade: ADraft picks:CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., OT Giovanni Manu, S/RB Sione Vaki, DT Mekhi Wingo, G Christian MahoganyAnalysis:The Lions didn't have much unfinished busine s after GM Brad Holmes crushed the draft and free agency in the two previous seasons. The top of that list by far was getting two starting-caliber cornerbacks who could fit well and make a lot of plays in Aaron Glenn's scheme. Arnold and Rakestraw can help clean up the makeshift me s from 20239. Chicago BearsGrade: A-Draft picks:QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, OT Kiran Amegadjie, P Tory Taylor, EDGE Austin BookerAnalysis:GM Ryan Poles has to be thrilled at the look of his new offense with Williams taking the controls and Odunze joining D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, D'Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett as his promising mix of skill support. They also got an intriguing pa s protector for him in Amegadjie. Taylor docks them for a weird reach, but getting back into the draft to nab Booker was nice. The only key absence of the cla s is a defensive tackle.10. Denver BroncosGrade: A-Draft picks:QB Bo Nix, EDGE Jonah Elli s, WR Troy Franklin, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, RB Audric Estime, WR Devaughn Vale, C Nick GargiuloAnalysis:The Broncos didn't reach at all for Nix despite him being the sixth QB off the board because Sean Payton was confident he would be the ideal accurate pa ser for his scheme. Getting Franklin later . Elli s and Abrams-Draine will make a lot of plays on the back end for Vance Joseph. Estime gives them the much-needed power back with burst to complement Javonte Williams.11. Los Angeles RamsGrade: A-Draft picks:EDGE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske, RB Blake Corum, S Kamren Kinchens, EDGE Brennan Jackson, DT Tyler Davis, K Joshua Karty, WR Jordan Whittington, C Beaux Limmer, G/OT KT LevestonAnalysis:The Rams, finally back in the first round under GM Les Snead, would have been "B" just on the strength of taking Verse and Fiske from the same Florida State defense back-to-back to help new coordinator Chris Shula. Those were the high-priority positions, and safety was also addre sed. Corum adds the right change-of-backup to Kyren Williams for Sean McVay.12. New England PatriotsGrade: A-Draft picks:QB Drake Maye, WR Ja'Lynn Polk, OT Caedan Wallace, G Layden Robinson, WR Javon Baker, CB Marcellas Dial, QB Joe Milton III, TE Jaheim BellAnalysis:The Patriots did pretty well with new GM Eliot Wolf and new coach Jerod Mayo in the first draft of the post-Bill Belichick era. The key was the much-needed refocus on offense, starting with Maye and . Polk and Baker were the best picks to upgrade the weaponry for those rookies inside and out. Wallace and Robinson were considerable reaches, but they did fall in line with needs up front.13. Kansas City ChiefsGrade: A-Draft picks:WR Xavier Worthy, OT Kingsley Suamataia, TE Jared Wiley, S Jaden Hicks, C Hunter Nourzad, CB Kamal Hadden, G C.J. HansonAnalysis:The Chiefs may have gotten a little too aggre sive and speed-happy to land Worthy over worthier first-round wideouts, but it made sense from the perspective to keep adding deep threats for Patrick Mahomes. Suamataia and Nourzad might be their latest offensive line steals. Wiley, out of Andy Reid's alma mater BYU, was a . Hicks might end up being the best overall pick and is ideal for Steve Spagnuolo's defense.14. Tampa Bay BuccaneersGrade: B+Draft picks:C/G/OT Graham Barton, EDGE Chris Braswell, S Tykee Smith, WR Jalen McMillan, RB Bucky Irving, G Elijah Klein, TE Devin CulpAnalysis:The Buccaneers did well again with GM Jason Licht, who made upgrading the offensive line a priority with the versatile and dominant Barton. Todd Bowles also got two key reinforcements, minus a linebacker, in Braswell and Smith. McMillan and Irving add a little more juice to the receiving core and backfield.15. New York JetsGrade: B+Draft picks:OTOlumuyiwa Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley, RB Braelon Allen, QB Jordan Travis, CB Qwan'tez Stiggers, S Jaylen KeyAnalysis:The Jets maintained an offensive theme for GM Joe Douglas with the intent of making Aaron Rodgers' Year 2 much more promising once he's ready to go again. Fashanu gives them a tackle contingency for aging additions, while Corley and Allen fit well playing off Garrett Wilson as a receiver and Breece Hall as a runner. Travis and Tyrod Taylor. Stiggers , to boot. Pretty good for New York, even minus volume.16. Houston TexansGrade: BDraft picks:CB Kamari La siter, OT Blake Fisher, S Calen Bullock, TE Cade Stover, LB Jamal Hill, RB Jawhar Jordan, EDGE Solomon Byrd, DT Marcus Harris, G LaDarius HendersonAnalysis:The Texans had a sneaky supporting draft for what they did with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud as the rookie foundations last season. La siter and Bullock fill key needs in the secondary behind Will Anderson Jr. Fisher has them thinking ahead on Stroud's protection, and Stover gives him a familiar college target.MORE: 17. Green Bay PackersGrade: BDraft picks:OT Jordan Morgan, LB Edgerrin Cooper, S Javon Bullard, RB MarShawn Lloyd, LB Ty'Ron Hopper, S Evan Williams, C Jacob Monk, S Kitan Oladapo, OT Travis Glover, QB Michael Pratt, CB Kalen KingAnalysis:GM Brian Gutekunst came through to fill key needs with the first three picks. Morgan can be their new left tackle soon to replace David Bakhtiari. Cooper and Bullard give them a lot more impact in the back seven. Lloyd can be a key cog playing off Josh Jacobs. The rest is shaky despite the volume, leading to a slip just below "A" status.18. Arizona CardinalsGrade: BDraft picks:WR Marvin Harrison Jr., EDGE Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, RB Trey Benson, G Isaiah Adams, TE Tip Reiman, CB Elijah Jones, S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, EDGE Xavier Thomas, OT Christian Jones, WR Tejhaun Palmer, S Jaden DavisAnalysis:Harrison and Robinson alone would give this busy cla s a high floor. Harrison is a can't-mi s go-to guy for Kyler Murray, and Robinson should thrive for defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon. GM Monti O senfort had ma sive volume and could afford to take a few calculated positional risks afterward. Between Melton and Jones, there wasn't good value, but landing Taylor-Demerson later was a redemptive move. This comes down to Harrison and Robinson being awesome, immediate impact players for the pa sing game and pa s rush.19. Buffalo BillsGrade: BDraft picks:WR Keon Coleman, S Cole Bishop, DT DeWayne Carter, RB Ray Davis, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, EDGE Javon Solomon, OT Tylan Grable, CB Daequan Hardy, OT Travis ClaytonAnalysis:The Bills were methodical in addre sing their key needs under GM Brandon Beane, but they chose not to be too aggre sive in doing so. They settled for Coleman as their future No. 1 of choice after trading back and helping the Chiefs. Bishop, Carter, and late-round steal Solomon can be maximized by defensive-minded Sean McDermott. Davis and Van Pran-Granger are good depth boosts for the running game. Ken Boyer Jersey 20. New Orleans SaintsGrade: BDraft picks:OT Taliese Fuaga, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, QB Spencer Rattler, WR Bub Means, LB Jaylan Ford, DT Khristian Boyd, OT Josiah EzirimAnalysis:Fuaga was the ideal pick to fill the biggest need, and McKinstry was a great second-round value to upgrade the defensive playmaking for Dennis Allen. Rattler . Overall, the cla s was solid but nothing too spectacular, leading to the appropriate grade.21. Tenne see TitansGrade: B-Draft picks:OT J.C. Latham, DT T'Vondre Sweat, LB Cedric Gray, CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., WR Jha'Quan Jackson, S James Williams, EDGE Jaylen HarrellAnalysis:Credit GM Ran Carthon for being methodical in addre sing the most important needs of offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker right away and still coming back to make sure they got at least one upside wideout in the mix for Will Levis. Sweat is an obvious high-risk pick with the potential for big reward, and Latham was worthy early. Watch out for Gray thriving, too.22. Seattle SeahawksGrade: B-Draft picks:DT Byron Murphy II, G Christian Haynes, LB Tyrice Knight, TE A.J. Barner, CB Nehemiah Pritchett, G Sataoa Laumea, CB D.J. James, OT Michael JerrellAnalysis:Murphy and Hayens were a great start to the draft for both interior line needs, but then the next-best pick was James. GM John Schneider continued to look at the board differently than most teams, but it wasn't his best work to kick off the post-Pete Carroll era with Mike Macdonald.23. New York GiantsGrade: B-Draft picks:WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips, TE Theo Johnson, RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., LB Darius MuasauAnalysis:Nabers and Nubin will be immediate contributing starters, but everything else is rather thin. The Giants, after making such a big deal of thinking about a QB vs. Daniel Jones, didn't go there. Phillips, Johnson, and Tracy were all depth reaches for GM Joe Schoen to boot.MORE: 24. Indianapolis ColtsGrade: B-Draft picks:EDGE Laiatu Latu, WR Adonai Mitchell, OT Matt Goncalves, C Tanor Bortolini, WR Anthony Gould, S Jaylon Carlies, S Jaylin Simpson, CB Micah Abraham, DT Jonah LauluAnalysis:Latu and Mitchell were absolute coups to start the draft for GM Chris Ballard. Indy reached a little for offensive line and secondary help, but that extra depth was needed for the defense. Gould brings one more versatile weapon for second-year QB Anthony Richardson, too.25. Dallas CowboysGrade: CDraft picks:OT Tyler Guyton, EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, G Cooper Beebe, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelan Carson, WR Ryan Flournoy, OT Nathan Thomas, DT Justin RogersAnalysis:The Cowboys settled for Guyton in the first round after some more plug-and-play blocking-ready players were taken ahead of him. He likely will need time to be groomed as Tyron Smith's replacement. Beebe has a better chance to start. Kneeland and Liufau fit their schemes, but they did reach a little for both.26. Carolina PanthersGrade: CDraft picks:WR Xavier Legette, RB Jonathon Brooks, LB Trevin Wallace, TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, CB Chau Smith-Wade, DT Jaden Crumedy, LB Michael BarrettAnalysis:The Panthers struggled a bit with new GM Dan Morgan in terms of acquiring the best available talent, but at least they went through thinking about key weapons to boost Bryce Young in Year 2 after his rookie shakine s. Legette may not be able to see regular snaps early, and Sanders also needs some time. Brooks was a bit of a forced luxury and is coming off a major knee injury.27. Miami DolphinsGrade: CDraft picks:EDGE Chop Robinson, OT Patrick Paul, RB Jaylen Wright, EDGE Mohamed Kamara, WR Malik Washington, S Patrick McMorris, WR Tahj WashingtonAnalysis:This seemed like the biggest "forced hand" of a draft cla s, as the Dolphins had to be dedicated to depth with some injury edge concerns up front (Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips). Paul was thinking beyond Terron Armstead, while they hope Washington can give them a key No. 3. Wright is a fine talent, but .28. Cleveland BrownsGrade: CDraft picks:DT Michael Hall Jr., G Zak Zinter, WR Jamari Thrash, LB Nathaniel Watson, CB Myles Harden, DT Jowon BriggsAnalysis:The Browns had limited volume with no first- or fourth-rounder, and for a team trying to compete better in the tough AFC North with Deshaun Watson, this is below average in both quantity and quality. Andrew Berry will need to hope enough was done in free agency for a playoff return with a Lance Lynn Jersey front-line defense. Harden was their best overall pick late for corner depth.29. Jacksonville JaguarsGrade: C-Draft picks:WR Brian Thomas Jr., DT Maason Smith, CB Jarrian Jones, OT Javon Foster, DT Jordan Jefferson, CB Deantre Prince, RB Keilan Robinson, K Cam Little, DE/DT Myles ColeAnalysis:GM Trent Baalke was a bit all over the place with value after jumping on Thomas in the first round. Going for offensive tackle and cornerback twice was OK given needs, but there were plenty of reaches, even in taking yet another running back late. Other than Thomas and Little, there's not much here to help the Jaguars catch the Texans in the division.30. Atlanta FalconsGrade: C-Draft picks:QB Michael Penix Jr., DT Ruke Orhorhoro, EDGE Bralen Trice, EDGE/DT Brandon Dorlus, LB JD Bertrand, RB Jase McClellan, WR Casey Washington, DT Zion LogueAnalysis:GM Terry Fontenot got plenty of heat from every direction for taking Penix in the top 10 after the team committed big money to Kirk Cousins. Penix's big arm is a good fit in the new pa sing offense, but the Falcons left a lot of elite, impact talent on the board as part of the opportunity cost. Not surprisingly, they chased that mi step by going defense-heavy for new coach Raheem Morris. McClellan and Washington were real offensive reaches on Day 3.FALCONS DRAFT MICHAEL PENIX: | | |31. San Francisco 49ersGrade: C-Draft picks:WR Ricky Pearsall, CB Renardo Green, G Dominic Puni, S Malik Mustapha, RB Isaac Guerendo, WR Jacob Cowing, G Jarrett Kingston, LB Tatum BethuneAnalysis:The 49ers had a rare curious draft under John Lynch for many reasons. They and making plans to extend Jauan Jennings. They also took some luxury again at running back behind Christian McCaffrey in the speedy Guerendo. Puni and Mustapha are easily the best picks, and they project for depth at first. As a Super Bowl hopeful, there's nothing here that put loaded San Francisco over the top in relation to top NFC rivals.32. Las Vegas RaidersGrade: DDraft picks:TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, OT Delmar Glaze, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Tommy Eichenberg, RB Dyan Laube, S Trey Taylor, CB MJ DevonshireAnalysis:The Raiders' draft, from a talent perspective, was fine early. Bowers was worthy of their first-round pick, but it was a bit of a luxury reach with much bigger needs at other positions. Powers-Johnson easily was their best pick, whether he starts at center or right guard. But it cannot be ignored that the Raiders were disinterested in chasing QB or wide receiver at any point in a strong cla s for both early. Tom Telesco's initial cla s also pales badly to everyone else in the division.
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