Opinions and predictions resulting from the 2024 NFL Draft.
In the last stages of April theNFL Draft 2024, one of the most talented in recent years. The best college prospects were chosen by the 32 franchises: 7 rounds, 257 overall picks, trades and last-minute surprises. Let’s analyze who got stronger, who came out worse and, above all, who are the next best players in the NFL who entered the door of the 2024 Draft.
In Detroit, the city of the Lions, it was held from last Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th April Draft NFL 2024, one of the most followed events by sports fans in the United States. The class of prospects is considered by experts and professionals one of the most talentedespecially among quarterback e wide receiverthe two most coveted and famous roles, although not necessarily the most important, of this wonderful sport.
Support Sportellate: associates Our work is based on the commitment and passion of a young editorial staff. Through the association you help us grow and always improve the quality of the content. Join now!
Six quarterbacks in the top 12
It was predictable that the first round (32 picks) of this Draft would be full of quarterbacks, counting on a generational change in the role within the NFL. #1 was Caleb WilliamsQB from USC, selected by Chicago: the Bears, a few weeks earlier, had exchanged starting quarterback Justin Fields with Pittsburgh, chosen #11 by the Illinois franchise in the 2021 Draft, who did not hesitate to sell him this off-season, having secured the first overall pick sold by the Carolina Panthers.
#2 was dei Washington Commanders who selected the QB Jayden Daniels, out of LSU and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, the highest honor for a college football player. The District franchise desperately needed to have a quality QB to lead the attack: Jayden Daniels, two-way player who, in addition to throwing, is also good at racing, was the perfect choice.
Another quarterback was selected with the #3: Drake Mayecoming from North Carolina, will be the new QB of the New England Patriots. For the post-Brady era, the Mac Jones bet was lost, author of a disastrous 2023: now the Patriots start again without the legendary coach Bill Belichick, in command from the Pats’ sideline since 1999, but with a new coach, Jarod Mayoand a new quarterback, very physical and with a remarkable arm.
Now let’s touch on the sore point: with #8, Atlanta made a surprise selection of the quarterback Michael Penix Jr., coming off a fabulous two years at the University of Washington. Too bad the Falcons signed him in free agency last month Kirk Cousins, former QB of the Minnesota Vikings, with a contract worth 185 million dollars in four years. Inexplicable this move by Atlanta: choosing a 24-year-old quarterback, who comes from two knee ligament operations and who in mock he was projected at the end of the first round, after signing one, experienced and with a very expensive contract.
Same Minnesota Vikingshaving lost Cousins, they made up for it, at #10, with JJ McCarthy, QB born in 2003 who recently won the national title with Michigan. Together with that of Penix, it is the choice that excites me the least: at Michigan, where coach Jim Harbaugh preferred him a running game wide, he hasn’t been seen much in action, even if those few times he was always lucid and cold, as can be seen from his winning percentage (27 wins and only one defeat since starter). We’ll see if Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the league, is comfortable with the passing game of McCarthy, but I wouldn’t be so optimistic.
All #12 in Denver Broncos they selected the sixth quarterback of this class: Bo Nix, QB at University of Oregon. Long experience in college football, which began in 2019, and now Russell Wilson’s replacement, after two terrible years in Colorado he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in coach Sean Peyton’s attack. Nix comes from a 2023 stratospheric: 45 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 13 games played. Furthermore, Denver helped him even more by drafting their wide receiver at Oregon, Troy Franklin, in the fourth round.
Lots of talent among the Wide Receivers
Not just quarterbacks: the 2024 NFL Draft has given a series of interesting prospects in the Wide Receiver role, and the possibility of seeing many touchdowns next season is not at all remote. The Arizona Cardinalswith #4, they selected from Ohio State Marvin Harrison Jr., considered the best WR in the class and one of the most intriguing prospects of recent years. Son of Marvin Sr., receiver of the Indianapolis Colts during Peyton Manning’s time, he has the talent and physique to immediately become a WR1 and establish himself among the best in the league. Arizona QB Kyler Murray will have a sensationally effective weapon to serve next season: I can’t wait to enjoy him in action.
I New York Giants they still want to bet on quarterback Daniel Jones, despite his mixed performance in recent seasons. With #6 they decided to provide them with a WR who has all it takes to bring them back to the playoffs: Malik Nabers and LSUwho holds the all-time record in the history of the university program with 3003 receiving yards, as well as being the author of 14 touchdowns in 13 games in the 2023 season.
I Chicago Bearswho owned #1 sold by the Carolina Panthers in a previous trade, selected the WR with #9 Rome Odunze from Washington. Odunze will train with the same role DJ Moore and Keenan Allen are a killer park of receivers, all available to Caleb Williams, first overall pick. Odunze, the leading WR in receiving yards in his conference, is the perfect choice to pair with Williams: this draft is preparing to be one of the most important in the history of the Bears franchise, ready to return where it counts.
I Jacksonville Jaguars they selected the receiver at #23 Brian Thomas Jr., coming from LSU like Daniels and Nabers. Thomas is preparing to become one of the main weapons for the attack led by Trevor Lawrence, QB of the Florida franchise chosen number one in the 2021 draft. Thomas was given in big board towards the end of the first round ed was chosen slightly earlier than expected by the Jaguars in a trade that involved three other franchises.
Three other receivers were selected at the end of the first round of the draft: Xavier WorthyWR da Texas, who set the record time in the 40-yard dash at the Combine (4.21 seconds) at #28 come on Kansas City Chiefsin a trade that involved the Buffalo Bills, who further sold the #32 – the last of the first round – to Carolina Pantherswho they then selected Xavier Legette from South Carolina to give QB Bryce Young’s offense a receiver who serves like hotcakes.
Between the two, Xavier was selected #31 by the San Francisco 49ers Ricky Pearsall, un’autentica steal in my opinion that adds to the sensational attack of the Californians. The Buffalo Bills, after having made trade-downs twice, first with the Chiefs and then with the Panthers, at number #33 – the first pick of the second round – selected Keon ColemanWR from Florida State and author of an excellent 2023 with 11 TDs in 12 games, evidently considered by Brandon Beane, the GM of the Bills, better for the offensive game than Worthy and Legette.
NFL Draft 2024: chi sale?
A franchise that has strengthened itself, even more so considering the sensational year that has just passed, was the one hosting the Draft: the Detroit Lions they added two fundamental players in the only department in difficulty, namely the secondary. Cornerback choices Terrion Arnoldselected in the first round by Alabama, ed Ennis Rakestraw Jr.on the second round from Missouri, complete the backbone of a crazy team both offensively and defensively and led by a phenomenon of sideline like Dan Campbell, who can aim for the big shot: reach the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Added to the Lions are the Ravens, who finished first in their conference last season. Also for Baltimore two important additions, as in the case of Lions to cover the secondary: Nate Wigginscornerback from Clemson chosen in the first round and TJ Tampacornerback from Iowa State, selected in the fourth round with pick number 103, which can become the real steal of this class not very rich in defenders.
Among those who have strengthened themselves after a terrible year are the aforementioned Chicago Bears with the Williams-Odunze duo, both of whom arrived in the first nine calls. Last deserving of praise, the Arizona Cardinals: the choice of Harrison Jr., an absolute phenomenon ready to take on the desert and perhaps even the NFL, has a destiny ahead of him potentially similar to that of Justin Jefferson with the Vikings.
And who comes down?
The choice of Michael Penix Jr., who certainly has a sensational arm and a stunningly beautiful accuracy from the pocket, but who will not find a place because of Cousins, will be paid dearly by the Falcons. Atlanta risks having thrown away a first-round pick by taking a QB who will only weigh down the roster.
Those who should have taken a quarterback and didn’t were the Las Vegas Raiderswho they chose with #13 the tight end Brock Bowers: excellent years at Georgia, the best in his role in the class, but with the risk of not having a quality quarterback to block and receive. The Raiders’ management of QBs last year was embarrassing to say the least: anyone would have expected a QB as the franchise’s first choice but it didn’t arrive. It’s likely to be another disappointing season in Nevada.
With the trade for QB Deshaun Watson, i Cleveland Browns they played many of their picks and were able to select the first prospect only in the second round, the defensive tackle from Ohio State Michael Hall Jr. For the rest, Cleveland pays for a draft that is very poor in choices due to the exchange for Watson, who was more injured than on the pitch. Fortunately, in 2025 the Browns will once again have a first-round pick after years.
In conclusion, it can be said that the 2024 NFL Draft did not offer many surprises, except for the “Penix-Falcons” saga. What is certain, however, is that he has given us so many crystal-clear talents that we can’t wait to see at work on the most important stage in the world of football.
2024-05-03 08:18:23
#NFL #Draft #discussed #choices
