We are just a week removed from the 2024 NFL draft, where the NFL welcomed in the 2024 draft class. This draft class what littered with top talent across the board. IMO one of the more talents draft classes we’ve had in a while, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the 2024 NFL draft.
DA BEARS
The Chicago Bear could not have asked for a better set up in the 2024 draft. They started with 2 picks in the top 10 of the first round. There were 6 QBs taken in the first 12 picks, the Bears were the first with the number 1 overall pick selecting USCs Caleb Williams. The bears turned around at pick 9 and selected a stud WR in Rome Odunze.
Last offseason the bears added DJ Moore at WR to partner with former Bears QB Justin Fields. After shipping Fields to the Steelers, the bears went all in on Williams and put talent around him. The Bears went out and got RB D’andre Swift from the Eagles, veteran WR Keenan Allen, while drafting Rome Odunze.
This is the first time in a while that it seems like the bears are investing in talent and helping the QB in Chicago. Some Bears fans wonder if this was the set up for Fields if he would have been more successful in Chicago. Hard to know but having the draft selections in 24 helped the bears make these moves for Caleb.
Now Bears fans and the rest of the NFL await William’s debut to the league. Will he meet the expectations of a number 1 overall pick and franchise QB in one of the biggest markets in our game. Time will tell but no excuses can be made for him with the home the bears have made for him.
QBS
5 other teams drafted what they believe to be their franchise QB. Jaden Daniels gets selected number 2 overall by the Commanders. The Commanders also drafted LUke McCaffery to line up with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson as weapons for Rookie QB Daniels. Commanders also went out and got Austin Ekeler to provide some talent to their back field.
Daniels celling IMO is enormous, may be the biggest of the 2024 draft. Daniels has a huge arm and legs that can kill any defense. Daniels will need to prove that he can make the medium to short throws on a consistent basis to be a complete QB for the Commanders.
Drake Maye was selected number 3 overall by the New England Patriots. With a rookie head coach and rookie QB this could be a long road for Patriots fans that are used to their winning ways. The Patriots also drafted Ja’lynn Polk to upgrade the WR room. The Patriots have a long way to go to have a top tier roster but these 2 draft picks I believe get them in the right direction.
For the most surprising pick of the night the Falcons select Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick. This comes as a huge surprise after signing long time Vikings QB Kirk Cousins to a 4 year deal. What made this pick so surprising to me was the Falcons lack of interest in drafting a QB over the last decade. They’ve had one which was Desmond Ridder in 2022. They drafted fire power at every position except QB past years passing on Jordan Love and Justin Fields.
After digesting this pick for a couple days, I think the Falcons believe in Pinix like I do. They have the luxury of letting him sit behind a veteran QB, learn the game and when ready be the QB of the Falcons. It should be noted as well that Kurt Cousins has also dealt with injuries over the last couple of seasons. I think the Falcons come out of this draft looking like a genius one step ahead of the crowd. If Cousins goes down or Michael shows out, Falcons could come out the hero with this home run pick.
The last two QB picks of the draft were the QBs I could care less for. The Vikings moved up one spot to select JJ McCarthy. The Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix as the 12th overall pick. JJ McCarthy was a game manager at best with his time at Michigan. That’s not his fault with the Oline and RB depth on a championship team. But there is just not enough film on him being a reliable QB to select in the first round of the NFL draft.
Of the two I’m taking my chances on McCarthy. Nix played a couple of seasons at Auburn before transferring to Oregon. His time at Auburn was below disappointing. He struggled vs top tier defenses in the SEC. Nix did have great success in his time at Oregon vs Pac-12 Defenses. But Nix filled a lot of states with short passes and yards after catch on the west coast. Coach Sean Peyton of the Denver Broncos will have his work cut out for him if he truly believes in him as much as he did Drew Brees.
Offensive Fire Power
Outside of QB there were several big names that got drafted. One of those being the son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Harvin Harrison Jr got selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 4th overall pick and could be one of the best pros prospects we’ve seen in years.
Malik Nabers goes to the Giants, a team that needs as much help as it can get. 2024 will be a pivotal year for the Giants and their QB Daniel Jones. Nabers gives Daniels a true go to receiver.
The Raiders for the second year in a row select a TE in Brock Bowers. Tough to see the roster development with selecting TEs in consecutive years, but I really liked this pick from the Raiders. If Bowers is as dominant in the pros as he was in college the Raiders hit a home run with this pick.
The 2024 season will be interesting for the 2024 draft class. This class upgraded just about every team on the offensive side of the ball. Time will tell where this class goes down in history, but this class at the very least will provide firepower and fan favorites on the offensive side of the ball.
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