As soon as once more, women and gents, the NFL Draft is right here.
The eyes of the NFL world flock to Detroit to see the subsequent wave of NFL athletes enter the league. SB Nation shall be doing stay grades based mostly on our high 100 huge board of the most effective prospects within the draft this yr.
This yr seems to be to be a bit extra chaotic after the primary three picks. USC QB Caleb Williams goes to be the primary total choose, we all know that a lot is true. He’s greater than possible already received his favourite order at JP Graziano’s memorized. The percentages of him being the primary total choose are astronomical. Washington picks at 2, and all odds appear to be pointing to LSU QB Jayden Daniels being the choose. NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero reported earlier that the Patriots are mounted on UNC QB Drake Maye at 3. From there, something can occur. Loads of groups have been mentioned shifting up and buying and selling again, and seeing what occurs shall be thrilling. There’s additionally potential of a commerce involving San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk happening tonight.
We’re in for a wild night time, so comply with alongside as we grade right here.
1. Chicago Bears (by way of Carolina Panthers) – Caleb Williams, USC, QB
Grade: A+
The Bears have wanted a reset on the QB place for some time, and they lastly get one in my QB1B, Williams. He’s a dynamic playmaker with a powerful arm and a particular really feel for the sport that’ll stand out in Shane Waldron’s offense. Whereas he tends to play a bit an excessive amount of like Superman, that’s nothing that an NFL coach can’t repair. He’s an prompt huge play ready to occur, and may grow to be a star within the NFL instantly.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB
Grade: B+
The Commanders wanted a QB who may present some pop, and Daniels does that. He’s an enormous play ready to occur together with his arm and legs, and people explosive performs will work properly with Kliff Kingsbury. I’ve a variety of questions on his potential to mitigate taking huge photographs as a runner and passer, and his potential to throw over the center, however he received’t be requested to take action in Washington. This can be a good choose.
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, UNC, QB
Grade: A+
Getting my QB1A on the third total choose is incredible for the Patriots. Maye is a strong-armed, aggressive passer and a rising processor on the QB spot. He’s extra prepared to begin immediately than folks suppose, and even when he isn’t prepared to begin by the Pats requirements, they’ve the infrastructure to help a younger QB instantly. Completely love this choose.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Grade: A
This one was apparent. Harrison Jr. is the most effective participant on this draft class and a bonafide famous person on the skin. His physique management, savvy as a route runner and talent to win with separation and going above the rim goes to do wonders in Arizona with a legit NFL QB and different weapons round him. Hand in glove match.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: B-
Okay so look: I perceive selecting Alt. He’s a technician at sort out with NFL bloodlines, and is a sturdy move protector. Nonetheless, he’s a profession left sort out, and except the Chargers plan on shifting Rashawn Slater to the fitting, Alt shall be taking part in proper sort out. His play energy wanes typically, which may very well be an issue early in his profession, however I perceive why the Chargers picked offensive line right here. Would’ve liked a commerce again, however Harbaugh and co are dedicated to operating the ball and defending Justin Herbert-can’t get significantly better than that.
6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Grade: A-
Sure, the Giants will want a QB quickly. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t drive your self into loving a quarterback simply since you want one. So Nabers right here guidelines. He’s an enormous play ready to occur, and regardless of just a little little bit of a vibey route operating repertoire, he can immediately present some juice into the offense. Would’ve like Washington WR Rome Odunze right here a bit extra, however this nonetheless guidelines.
7. Tennessee Titans – JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Grade: B
This can be a actually attention-grabbing choose for the Titans, assuming present RT Nicholas Petit-Frere strikes from proper, the place he performed all his rookie season, to left sort out in 2024. This was a spot for Alt however Latham here’s a good match. He’s a dancing bear on the fitting facet of the road who strikes folks within the run recreation and isn’t a stiff in move safety. Beneath the tutelage of Invoice Callahan, this may very well be actually enjoyable! Gotta hope Petit-Frere works at left sort out, although.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Grade: C-
Oh man. Look, I like Michel Penix Jr. and his recreation. The damage considerations very clearly didn’t scare groups away and neither did the wonky launch. I simply marvel why the Falcons would choose a QB at 8 understanding that Kirk Cousins is their man for the subsequent two to 3 years. That is complicated. Love the participant, bizarre match and spot to take him.
9. Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Grade: A
Love this choose within the brief and long run for Odunze and the Bears. He’s my WR2, and he has such a clear recreation on the skin that he can permit WR Keenan Allen to play within the slot and DJ Moore can proceed to be explosive. Odunze can develop right into a high receiver to pair with Moore and develop with Caleb Williams. Love this choose.
10. Minnesota Vikings (by way of New York Jets) – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Grade: A-
The Vikings didn’t have to maneuver heaven and Earth to commerce up, and ultimately received the man that may match their offense. I believe McCarthy is a methods away from being a starter, however he doesn’t have to begin immediately with Sam Darnold taking part in. McCarthy is a assured passer off play motion and a ok athlete to make the O’Connell offense work in the long run. Good match for Minnesota and McCarthy.
11. New York Jets (by way of Minnesota Vikings) – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Grade: A
The Jets have to verify Aaron Rodgers is protected not just for 2024, however past. Sure, they signed Tyron Smith and purchased Morgan Moses, however each are older and injury-prone. Fashanu doesn’t need to play immediately, but when he does he’s the most effective pure move protector on this draft class. Whereas he has room to develop as a run defender, he can study from the most effective in Smith and grow to be the left sort out of the longer term.
12. Denver Broncos – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Grade: C+
The run on QBs continues, with the Nix to Denver rumors being true. Whereas Nix is an efficient level and shoot QB with accuracy to the brief areas of the sphere, a variety of that Oregon offense was watered down and his responses below strain left quite a bit to be missing. Denver was in a troublesome spot on this draft, needing a QB however not having the capital to maneuver as much as do it. Higher hope he works out.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Grade: C-
One other one the place I like the participant, actually questioning the choice by Las Vegas. Bowers is an exceptional athlete who wins after the catch and is arguably probably the most dynamic participant within the draft, however wow the Raiders kinda shocked me. With all of the holes defensively within the secondary, and an offensive line nonetheless below development, this appears like a luxurious.
14. New Orleans Saints – Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Grade: B+
I actually like this choose for New Orleans. Fuaga is a folks mover who could be a greater match inside at guard, the place the Saints’ pickings are…slim to say the least. New Orleans wants assist up entrance with RT Ryan Ramczyk’s future up within the air, so Fuaga can play guard or sort out and be enjoyable in a large zone blocking scheme that New Orleans goes to run. Would’ve favored Troy Fautanu right here, particularly as a result of he’s a left sort out, however Fuaga can be good right here.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Grade: A-
Lastly, a defensive participant! I used to be fearful that Latu’s medicals may preserve him down the board, however I like the concept of Latu in Indianapolis. Whereas fearsome, their defensive position all kinda wins the identical method, particularly on the EDGE. Whereas not an influence man, Latu wins with hand utilization and burst, and may immediately be a chosen move rusher for the Colts. Just like the choose for Indy.
16. Seattle Seahawks – Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Grade: B+
Getting Murphy right here appears like a steal, a man who was slated to go high ten as early as this morning. New Seahawks DC Mike MacDonald coached DT Justin Madubuike to a Professional Bowl season final yr, and Murphy is in the identical mildew of undersized disruptor at 3T. Whereas he can play nostril, I wouldn’t wish to go away him there long run. Even with Leonard Williams nonetheless below contract, Seattle wanted extra juice on the inside. Actually like this for Seattle. Johnny Newton nonetheless on the board, although…
17. Minnesota Vikings (by way of Jacksonville Jaguars) – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Grade: A+
What a haul for the Vikings, who received their QB of the longer term and now one other move rusher for Brian Flores to work with. Turner is athletic, flexible and nonetheless rising in his move rush repertoire. Pairing him with Jon Greenard is a large plus for Minnesota, who’ve revamped their move rush regardless of shedding Danielle Hunter.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Grade: A
LOVE this choose for Cincinnati. If Mims is wholesome, he’s received the athletic profile and instruments to be among the best proper tackles in your entire league. You are concerned about his lack of expertise, however with Trent Brown taking part in proper, he doesn’t need to play immediately. Extremely shrewd transfer by the Bengals, taking a excessive upside sort out who may be dominant when wholesome.
19. Los Angeles Rams – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Grade: A-
Whereas I just like the participant—Verse is my high EDGE on this class—I kinda marvel in regards to the match. He didn’t drop into protection a lot and that’s a variety of what the Rams do defensively. It’s not an excessive amount of of an issue that it makes me drop the grade, as a result of Verse is that good, but it surely’s one thing to think about. Nonetheless, Verse is such a robust, highly effective participant who may be an prompt ground raiser for a Rams protection that wants all the assistance they’ll get defensively.
