NFL Draft 2024: First round picks, live instant grades, trades, tracker, updates
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Detroit with the first round headlined by the Chicago Bears with the No. 1 overall pick.
Thursday's first round is expected to be heavy on quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive linemen. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the expected pick at No. 1 overall by the Bears, with LSU's Jayden Daniels, North Carolina's Drake Maye, Michigan's JJ McCarthy and Washington's Michael Penix also expected to be selected on Thursday.
Six picks later, the Tennessee Titans will have a chance at one of the top offensive tackles or receivers. Will it be Notre Dame's Joe Alt or Alabama's JC Latham? Or could LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze complete the WR room's flip from weakness to strength?
The first round begins at 7 p.m. CT Thursday. Follow along with our 2024 NFL Draft tracker and instant grades.
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2024 NFL Draft pick tracker
Round 1
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) | Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: I don't think Williams is a slam-dunk, sure-thing QB at No. 1 overall, but he is the clear top quarterback in this class. Williams' creativity in the modern NFL is so important, and his ability to layer and work in the pocket will improve because he'll get the coaching and experience. This won't be another Justin Fields, mainly because Williams will have better players around him.
2. Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Instant grade: B
Analysis: There is a path to Daniels becoming a top-10 quarterback if he learns to trust his eyes and arm over his legs, because every QB has to do that no matter the athlete. Washington had to get a QB, but it's a tough draft to be forced to go quarterback with the elite receivers and offensive linemen on the board.
3. New England Patriots | Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Instant grade: B
Analysis: There is a lot of footwork refinement to be done, but from an arm talent standpoint, he compares favorably to the two quarterbacks selected ahead of him. We'll see if he starts from Day 1.
4. Arizona Cardinals | Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Instant grade: A-plus
Analysis: The son of a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, Harrison is such a productive player who can get open when needed and can win at a high point. When it comes to the top three receivers, Harrison is the most well-rounded at this moment, and I really like the fit at Arizona and with Kyler Murray.
5. Los Angeles Chargers | Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Alt is going to be a very good player as he learns how to use his size to his advantage while also adding play strength. But who will play wide receiver for the Chargers? Two WR1s are left on the board.
6. New York Giants | Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Instant grade: A-plus
Analysis: In most drafts, Nabers would be the top receiver drafted. His YAC ability is as good as anyone in the league not named Tyreek Hill, and he has improved as a route runner.
7. Tennessee Titans | JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The grade: B-plus
Why? Latham is a road-grader offensive tackle that can move people in the run game and should fit the Titans' new offense. He played right tackle the last two seasons, and while some might complain about left vs. right, the Titans needed a right tackle and a left tackle. He needs to improve his angle and leverage awareness in pass protection, but once he's blocked a defender, that defender is blocked. A need was met here.
8. Atlanta Falcons | Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Instant grade: C
Analysis: Penix, who will turn 24 next month, throws a nice ball and has some good film. I have some concerns about his off-script playmaking and durability. The value here is hard to explain; the pick is high value if it works out. Kirk Cousins is in Atlanta, so when will he play?
9. Chicago Bears | Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Instant grade: A-plus
Analysis: The draft has fallen perfectly for the Bears. Odunze is the superior 1-on-1 player of the top three receivers but can do anything asked of him. It's a very good fit with Caleb Williams, who now has Odunze, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at receiver.
10. Minnesota Vikings (from NY Jets) | JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Instant grade: C-plus
Analysis: McCarthy will have to shoulder more of a load once he does play for the Vikings, but I do like that he will be playing for Kevin O'Connell. He's not going to wow with his arm strength and off-script plays, but he's got some ability there. Just how much, we'll find out.
TRADE: Minnesota traded the No. 11 overall pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Jets for No. 10 and No. 203 overall, per ESPN.
11. New York Jets (from Minnesota) | Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Instant grade: B-plus
Analysis: From a potential standpoint, Fashanu has the highest ceiling. He's got elite size, but does not have great hand usage or a punch. Fashanu is an excellent athlete, but may need some time to sit and improve. We will see if he is allowed that time or learns on the job. My bet is the latter.
12. Denver Broncos | Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Instant grade: D
Analysis: The Broncos do not have the win-now type of roster that commands a value reach like this for the No. 6 QB in the draft. Nix is not a first-round prospect, struggling with consistency and accuracy. Sean Payton has a lot of work to do.
13. Las Vegas Raiders | Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Instant grade: A
Analysis: The Raiders get an elite prospect at No. 13 overall. Michael Mayer and Bowers is a good combination, and that is solidifying a strength. No QBs were available, and the Raiders opted against an offensive lineman among their needs.
14. New Orleans Saints | Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Fuaga is another physical offensive lineman who can move defenders off the ball. Is he an NFL tackle? It's not likely to be his best position as a rookie.
15. Indianapolis Colts | Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: Latu was a professional pass rusher playing in the Pac-12 the last two seasons with 300-level hand usage and a legitimate pass-rushing plan. He's a very good edge athlete too. He also returned from a medical retirement after a neck injury at Washington. Presuming there are no long-term issues, I really like this pick.
16. Seattle Seahawks | Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Instant grade: A
Analysis: Murphy's tape was some of the most fun to watch during the pre-draft process. Murphy fires off the ball and refuses to be blocked. Watching Big 12 offensive lines against him was a lopsided affair. He is a pure disruptor from his first day as a pro.
17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville) | Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Instant grade: A
Analysis: I thought Turner being a top-10 pick was a reach, and this point in the first round makes a lot more sense. Turner can turn speed to power off the edge very effectively, but he needs to add more pass-rush moves to be a complete game-wrecker. He has big-money potential.
TRADE: Jacksonville traded the No. 17 overall pick to Minnesota for the No. 23 overall pick, a 2024 fifth-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick, per ESPN.
18. Cincinnati Bengals | Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Mims is a massive human being who is capable of playing tackle at a good level in the NFL. It may take a season or two of good coaching and work to get Mims there, but he is a prototypical franchise tackle from a length, size and athleticism standpoint.
19. Los Angeles Rams | Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: Verse is considered by most as a high-floor player but with a lower ceiling due to his size and athleticism. I don't care. He is a consistent game wrecker who plays heavier than he is and is very active. If he continues to improve his hand usage and pass-rush understanding, he will reach 10+ sacks in a season soon.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Instant grade: B-minus
Analysis: Fautanu has the footwork to be a capable offensive tackle in the NFL. I grew to like him more the more I watched his 2023 film. He wasn't my favorite tackle prospect or interior lineman available though.
21. Miami Dolphins | Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Robinson's elite 40 time shows up off the edge on film. But he doesn't have many pass-rush moves available right now, and he spends too many plays getting off the ground when a move doesn't work out. There is a lot of work to do, but he has good tools you can't teach. Cliché, I know.
22. Philadelphia Eagles | Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Instant grade: C
Analysis: Mitchell had a good pre-draft process and is a great athlete with good build for a cornerback. He also has good ball skills. But I don't think Mitchell has the coverage ability to be a first-round pick, and there were better cornerback options on the board.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland via Houston and Minnesota) | Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: Thomas is a speedy receiver that is an underrated route runner and a very good athlete. He'll fit well in Jacksonville, where he and Christian Kirk should fit together.
24. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) | Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Instant grade: A
Analysis: My CB1 in this draft, Arnold is an aggressive man-coverage corner whose performance against LSU in 2023 was fun to watch. Arnold ran a little slower than the other top corners in the class, but it doesn't show on film.
25. Green Bay Packers | Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Instant grade: B-plus
Analysis: Green Bay needed to add on the offensive line, and I like Jordan Morgan more than most as a versatile player. I like his balance and technique blocking off the edge, and my money is on him being able to play tackle in the NFL. Get him on the field anywhere on the offensive line, Packers.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Instant grade: A
Analysis: Tampa Bay needed an interior lineman and drafted my favorite iOL in this draft. Tampa announced Barton as a center, though he played at left tackle in 2023. He can move to the second level as good as anyone in the draft, and he's another lineman who puts people on the ground with regularity. Once Barton engages with a defender, that defender is blocked.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) | Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Instant grade: C
Analysis: Robinson lacked consistency and top-level athleticism to pinpoint a role in which he would thrive in the NFL as a rookie at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds. But if the consistency improves, he can find the field at Arizona soon enough.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo) | Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Instant grade: B-plus
Analysis: On one hand, Worthy should get a very good opportunity to play a lot. But Worthy shouldn't be pigeon-holed as a Mecole Hardman or Kadarius Toney type. He can do more than that as an improving route runner, though he'll be able to work in the Chiefs' short-passing and screen game too. The Bills allowed the Chiefs to trade up and select the fastest player in NFL Combine history at 4.21 seconds.
TRADE: The Bills traded No. 28, No. 133 (fourth round) and No. 248 overall (seventh round) to the Chiefs for picks No. 32, No. 95 (third round) and No. 221 overall (seventh round).
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit) | Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Guyton is another prototypical tackle, but he needs to add play strength and experience. Dallas needed an offensive tackle, and Guyton is the last available in the second tier.
30. Baltimore Ravens | Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: From a traits standpoint, Wiggins can wow with speed and athleticism. He's a willing and aggressive cover corner who fits Baltimore's defense.
31. San Francisco 49ers | Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Instant grade: A-minus
Analysis: Pearsall is an inside-out receiver that should help the 49ers own the middle of the field with speed and precise route running.
32. Carolina Panthers (from Kansas City via Buffalo) | Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Instant grade: B
Analysis: Legette was a one-season contributor at South Carolina, where he broke out for a 1,000-yard season on a South Carolina offense that otherwise struggled to move the ball. Legette has some refinement needed, and there were other receivers available that are more developed as route runners. But receiver was a clear need in Carolina.
TRADE: The Bills traded No. 32 and No. 200 overall (sixth round) to the Panthers for the No. 33 and No. 141 overall picks.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NFL Draft tracker: Live first round results, grades of picks so far
