2024 NFL Draft Winners & Losers
The first round of Detroit’s first NFL Draft is in the books. And what a wild ride it was. With 32 picks in the books, it’s time to look back at the first-round 2024 NFL Draft Winners & Losers.
Winners
Caleb Williams (QB) Chicago Bears – There were no doubts that Williams was going No. 1. However, the Bears also added Washington WR Rome Odunze with the ninth pick. Williams will now open his pro career throwing to D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Oduzne, and TE Cole Kmet.
Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings refused to trade up and stood pat. Their reward- still landing the quarterback they coveted and getting one of the top pass-rushers in this draft. J.J. McCarthy is pro-ready and lands in an offense that led the NFL in passing in 2023. A masterful job by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Xavier Worthy (WR) Kansas City Chiefs – I love the reinforcement the Chiefs added after a ‘down’ season still led to another Lombardi Trophy. They signed Hollywood Brown and were able to trade up with the Bills to nab the fastest player in the league. Worthy will step in right away and replace Mecole Hardman as the Cheifs’ main deep threat- a role that Tyreek Hill performed to much acclaim.
Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals – Murray landed a legit No. 1 wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. After the pick, Murray was clearly excited. Fantasy managers should be as well. Harrison has WR1 upside in 2024 and could approach 150 targets.
LET’S ROCK!🥋🏎️ @MarvHarrisonJr
— Kyler Murray (@K1) April 26, 2024
Losers
Atlanta Falcons – Wherever you come out on Michael Penix as a prospect, this was another head-scratcher from Terry Fontenot. Atlanta just went all in on Kirk Cousins to the tune of a $100 million deal with the first two years fully guaranteed. Then, out of nowhere, used the No. 8 pick on a 24-year-old rookie with a lengthy injury history who was widely considered a marginal first-round talent. Cousins was ‘stunned’. So were most football fans. Unless Cousins is behind on his injury rehab, Penix won’t play for a minimum of two years. Additionally, Fontenot may have alienated his prized offseason acquisition.
Ricky Pearsall (WR) San Francisco 49ers– Although Pearsall’s dynasty value might actually be considered a winner, his 2024 redraft value took a hit. As long as Brandon Aiyuk remains in red and gold, Pearsall is, at best, fifth in line for targets in San Francisco. I love Ricky Pearsall as a prospect, so I’m not downgrading him too much. However, the No. 5 option in Kyle Shanahan’s offense is typically in the WR75 range due to lack of volume.
Malik Nabers (WR) New York Giants – Nabers was my WR1 in the pre-draft process but landing with the Giants is a bit of a concern. I have no confidence in Daniel Jones’s ability to get an alpha wideout enough opportunities to pay off his ADP. I’m still a fan of Nabers in Dynasty, but his redraft value took a hit.
Buffalo Bills – The Bills are up first in Round Two after trading out twice and accumulating more draft capital. However, the Bills are in ‘win now’ mode. And those late-round picks are unlikely to help this team win in 2024. Additionally, Buffalo can’t get by the Chiefs and just allowed their rivals to trade up with them and nab the fastest player in NFL Combine history.
Michael Mayer (TE) Las Vegas Raiders – Quarterback is already an issue in Vegas. Now, the top tight end from last season just got usurped by one of the top tight end prospects of the last decade. It’s hard to see the Raiders having enough success to keep Mayer fantasy-relevant this season.
