Ladies and gentlemen, it is so good to bring you some content again. The NFL season has finally ended, the Chiefs won (much to my discretion), and now most people will return to their lives without football until next season…unless you are myself and the rest of these knuckleheads here at TFTB.
The draft is a holiday to us, and we enjoy every second we get to bring you any draft content. 2024 brings some interesting scenarios for this year though. There are some pretty great quarterback prospects. This wide receiver and offensive line class runs pretty deep. The corner rankings are uncertain as to who will take the top reigns. My favorite though is that offense seems like a stronger idea for the first round when it has been mostly defense to this point that dominates round one.
Sit back, relax, and let me take you into what I believe how the first round of this 2024 Draft will go (1.0 anyway).
Pick 1 – Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams (QB/USC)
The first pick is rewarded to the Bears via the Panthers being absolute trash this past season. The Bears are, however, left with somewhat of a sticky situation involving their quarterback room. They could choose to roll with Justin Fields, pay him, and build around him, or they could trade him and reset the clock with USC’s Caleb Williams. I don’t believe the Bears will be bad enough to earn the 1st round pick again, and getting a much younger and cheaper option at quarterback just seems like the move while also gaining some much-needed draft capital from another team for Fields.
Pick 2 – Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels (QB/LSU)
The Commanders fired Ron Rivera, hired Dan Quinn, and took on Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator. That is a lot of change to this team, but one more change they are going to make is their quarterback of the future. Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels could go here, but the Commanders need to make a splash play. That is the Heisman winner; LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. His unique play style can bring a sense of life into what has been a dismal Commanders offense, and finally make Washington a serious contender in the NFC.
Pick 3 – New England Patriots
Drake Maye (QB/UNC)
Big Bill is out the door in New England, and now the Patriots need to get back on track. They have an interesting decision here to make. Do they go with the last top quarterback in Drake Maye or arguably the best player in the draft; Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr? To me, if you draft Harrison you still have to worry about bad quarterback play from Jones and Zappe. So, go get Drake Maye, and finally improve your quarterback room. You can get some receiver talent later in the draft as this receiver class is very deep.
Pick 4 – Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR/Ohio State)
The Cardinals are salivating to the point of no return as they grab the best talent in the class in Marvin Harrison Jr. This makes the offense a lot more dangerous as Kyler Murray gets a much-needed weapon to throw the ball to. Harrison is the best receiver product we have seen in years, and easily kicks him to the top of the pecking order in the wideout depth chart ahead of Marquise Brown. If all the quarterbacks go with picks one through three, this is possibly the easiest pick in the whole draft.
Pick 5 – Los Angeles Chargers
Brock Bowers (TE/Georgia)
Los Angeles made the big splash hire of Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. They also made a change of offensive coordinator with Greg Roman. The common factor with these two is that they love using tight ends. Bowers is by far one of if not the best tight end prospect in quite some time. Some people say receiver because they might lose Mike Williams or offensive line to protect Herbert. It would make sense, but you have to go with Bowers here in my opinion.
Pick 6 – New York Giants
Malik Nabers (WR/LSU)
The Giants took a huge step back this season, and that partially was due to bad quarterback play. So, while going for a quarterback seems to make sense to replace Danny Dimes there was another issue with the offense; playmakers. They tried to rely too heavily on the signing of Darren Waller to get the job done. News flash, the Giants aren’t the Chiefs. This move was dumb. Go grab Nabers who definitely would have been the number one receiver in the draft had it not been for Harrison Jr.
Pick 7 – Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt (OT/Notre Dame)
The Titans got themselves a quarterback last year in Will Levis, and probably the best interior lineman in Peter Skoronski. However, the rest of their team is up in the air. With Vrabel now gone, the Titans have to protect Levis as their franchise quarterback. Receiver could make sense here, but beef up the offensive line with a true shield in Joe Alt. This offensive line could make a huge boost with him and Skoronski at the helm.
Pick 8 – Atlanta Falcons
Jared Verse (EDGE/Florida State)
The Falcons have been digging into the offensive pool with 1st round picks the last couple of years. However, their defense has always been terrible at rushing the quarterback. With so few sacks last season, Atlanta finally decides to fix the issue and draft who I believe the best edge in this class is with Florida State’s Jared Verse. This will give Bud Dupree some big help on the edge.
Pick 9 – Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze (WR/Washington)
Chicago grabbed their quarterback of the future, and now it is time to give him some help. DJ Moore was a great acquisition for the Bears, but with Darnell Mooney most likely hitting free agency that leaves tight end Cole Kmet being the only other decent pass catcher. Rome Odunze can provide Caleb Williams with some relief for that problem.
Pick 10 – New York Jets
Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OT/Penn State)
Aaron Rodgers with the Jets last season was about as long as a Hollywood marriage. If the Jets are serious about being contenders then they have to protect their 40 year old investment. The best way to do that; draft the best offensive lineman available. With his size and ability, Fashanu brings a sense of security to Rodgers and the Jets’ recipe for success.
Pick 11 – Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Turner (EDGE/Alabama)
The Vikings are in a weird spot this year in the draft. They need to decide what to do with their quarterback situation involving Kirk Cousins, but it is their edge rushers that bothers me more. With three of them set to become free agents upgrading this position is a must. Enter Alabama’s Dallas Turner who can easily fill the role and dominate the edge.
Pick 12 – Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (QB/Oregon)
God I hate this pick. It isn’t sexy or flashy, but it seems to be the route Sean Payton is going to go. He might be the most pro ready out of the remaining quarterbacks left on the board, and Payton wants a quarterback to desperately replace the broken relationship he had with Russell Wilson. If they had any faith with Stidham they could go elsewhere, but Sean is gonna want his guy.
Pick 13 – Las Vegas Raiders
Taliese Fuaga (OT/Oregon State)
The Raiders need a lot of help in certain areas. Corner is definitely in play here, but if they are serious about rolling with O’Connell then they need to protect him on the right side. Having this combo with Kolton Miller on the left side gives O’Connell and the Raiders some breathing room. Plus, if they tag Jacob’s he will know he is in a much better secured situation with a better offensive line.
Pick 14 – New Orleans Saints
JC Latham (OT/Alabama)
The Saints’ offensive line situation is in shambles. Trevor Penning is looking like more and more of a bust every day, and Ryan Ramczyk might be on his way out due to excessive knee damage. Latham gives the Saints that plug-in-play right tackle to protect Derek Carr. Some could argue putting edge here, but this just seems like the best move for New Orleans.
Pick 15 – Indianapolis Colts
Terrion Arnold (CB/Alabama)
The Colts went further than I expected this past season. Anthony Richardson looks to be an impressive talent just as long as he can stay healthy. For me, I am going to upgrade the secondary. They hit with JuJu Brents last year and adding Terrion Arnold makes this depth chart even deadlier. It also takes some pressure off an aging Kenny Moore II as well.
Pick 16 – Seattle Seahawks
J.J. McCarthy (QB/Michigan)
Some don’t value McCarthy as a first round pick, but I think he will easily be one. Whenever that is will vary, but for now, I am going with the Seahawks. Geno Smith is aging and as much as I liked Drew Lock, he doesn’t appear to be the long term answer. With new head coach Mike MacDonald at the reigns, I believe he will look to his old college routes and pluck McCarthy out to learn from Geno Smith and eventually takeover as their franchise quarterback.
Pick 17 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR/LSU)
The Jaguars dropped hard this past season choking away their opportunity to go to the playoffs. I doubt that Jacksonville decides to keep Calvin Ridley which leaves the wide receiver position open for an upgrade. Enter LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. who has been rising up draft boards. He might be a little early here, but if you want to help Trevor Lawrence you can never have too many weapons.
Pick 18 – Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Guyton (OT/Oklahoma)
Guyton is starting to become a favorite of mine in the tackle department. In my mind, he serves as a better pass blocker than a run blocker, but what do the Bengals love to do? They love to pass with Joe Burrow. Protecting Burrow is a must. You have to protect Burrow. Had to say it twice because it seems the Bengals are hard listeners when it comes to this notion.
Pick 19 – Los Angeles Rams
Laiatu Latu (EDGE/UCLA)
The Rams have two main positions to address; corner and edge. While they could grab someone like McKinstry or Mitchell, I believe they will draft the long term answer to finally take some pressure off an aging Aaron Donald. Latu’s story is incredible, but it will make some teams a little hesitant to grab him because of his injury history.
Pick 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Power-Johnson (C/Oregon)
The Steelers had their ups and downs from this past season. Our offensive line and cornerback depth still need addressing. While going corner may be the sexier pick out of the two, I think everyone can agree that Mason Cole has been absolute butt as our center. Getting JPJ to immediately fill that role will help to clear up any more offensive miscues of the line.
Pick 21 – Miami Dolphins
Troy Fautanu (OT/Washington)
With the Steelers taking JPJ, the Dolphins won’t take the risk at drafting Frazier in round one. Instead, they’ll look to continue to improve other parts of the offensive line. Washington’s Troy Fauntanu can help there. Traditionally labeled an offensive tackle, Fautanu can easily transition to guard to give Miami some much needed support inside.
Pick 22 – Philadelphia Eagles
Quinyon Mitchell (CB/Toledo)
Mitchell has been the talk of the town when it comes to senior bowl performance. He really shined and has been quickly rising up the draft boards. Philly needs to improve their defensive backs. With an aging Darius Slayton, and a very underperforming James Bradberry in play, there is no question that the Eagles need to draft a corner. That man is Quinyon Mitchell.
Pick 23 – Houston Texans
Jer’Zhan Newton (DT/Illinois)
Houston surprised everyone hitting home runs on both their 1st round picks in C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson. Now let’s add another piece to this defense with defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton. Head coach Ryans naturally comes from a defensive background so it just makes sense.
Pick 24 – Dallas Cowboys
Amarius Mims (OT/Georgia)
Dallas choked once again…shocking. For real though, Dallas still has the opportunity to do well this season. They need to make some changes to the offensive line though. With Tyron Smith maybe out the door, your plan of attack should be to move Tyler Smith back to left tackle and put newly drafted Amarius Mims at right tackle.
Pick 25 – Green Bay Packers
Cooper DeJean (CB/Iowa)
It’s predictable yes, but this makes the most sense for Green Bay. They are having issues both at corner and at safety. DeJean has been linked to be valuable at both positions. If Green Bay wants to try to head to the promise land anytime soon, a good indication would be to draft this Swiss Army knife of a player.
Pick 26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chop Robinson (EDGE/Penn State)
Tampa Bay surprised me more than any other team this season. Who knew Baker could still sling the ball like that. Tampa Bay could use help in multiple ways, but for me it would be ideal to grab Penn State’s Chop Robinson to work to get to the quarterback. Ironic that they went Pitt first round last year, and now they go the opposite with Penn State.
Pick 27 – Arizona Cardinals
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB/Alabama)
Arizona already took their generational wide receiver talent in Marvin Harrison Jr., and now they’re up again. Corner is a huge need for this team, and the best one left on the board comes to us in Alabama’s other cornerback with the coolest name around; Kool-Aid McKinstry. This gives them a huge upgrade in their secondary.
Pick 28 – Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman (WR/Florida State)
The Bills dropped the ball once again when they faced the Chiefs. Buffalo will be most likely losing Gabe Davis this offseason, and they need to find a way to replace him. Florida State’s Keon Coleman could fill that void. He would have been higher had it not been for some lower stats this past season. Troy Franklin has also been linked to them, but I think Coleman might be the bigger splash pick.
Pick 29 – Detroit Lions
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB/Missouri)
Detroit was incredible this past season however, they still have some minor issues to tweak. A big one is their cornerback depth chart. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. just sounds like a Lion. He has the mentality that a coach like Dan Campbell freaking loves in his players. Even if some guys like McKinstry and Mitchell are left, don’t be surprised if the Lions still go with Rakestraw.
Pick 30 – Baltimore Ravens
Troy Franklin (WR/Oregon)
Baltimore is a big rushing team, and yet they seemingly forgot how to rush the ball when they played the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. However, they still need some receiving help especially with not knowing the severity of the Zay Flowers situation. Troy Franklin would be the logical selection here for me if I was them picking.
Pick 31 – San Francisco 49ers
Graham Barton (OT/Duke)
Barton for me is listed as an offensive tackle, but seems to play guard as well. Regardless, it seems like the 49ers would be wise to address some needs on the offensive line. For me, the next guy up would be Barton could give some needed help at their offensive line depth.
Pick 32 – Kansas City Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell (WR/Texas)
Somehow the Chiefs won another Super Bowl. Gross. However, if they want to make it back for a three-peat, they have to get better weapons. Kadarius Toney is such bum and Skyy Moore has not turned out great either. The last receiver I could see going in the first round would have to be Adonai Mitchell who could easily slide up to be the number two guy behind Rashee Rice.
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