2024 NFL Draft Round 1 Instant Reaction
Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. Taking a look at some of my favorite and least favorite fits from night one as well as a couple moves that peak my curiosity...
Favorite Fits
Pittsburgh Steelers - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
No pick had better value on night one than Troy Fautanu to the Steelers. My #10 overall player slips all the way to 20th overall due to age and injury concerns but immediately helps out a Steelers offensive line that needs plus players right now. Fautanu projects as a plug and play left tackle with the movement skills to fit Arthur Smith’s run game.
Philadelphia Eagles - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
One of the most prevalent pre-draft rumors this week was the Philadelphia Eagles trading up for a top CB in this years class. With their star duo of Darius Slay and James Bradberry getting older, it was a short and long term need. With an early run on offensive players, particularly quarterback, pushing the defensive players down the board, Quinyon Mitchell fell into their laps. The #1 CB on the consensus board, has the physical tools and instincts to be a perfect fit in a Vic Fangio defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Jaguars desire to add another Wide Receiver was no secret. After losing Calvin Ridley in Free Agency they added Gabe Davis and kicked the tires on Brandon Aiyuk. Adding Brain Thomas Jr in the draft was not a surprise. Thomas, a player who has the size and speed to finally give Trevor Lawrence the downfield threat he hasn’t had since college, was heavily linked to them in the process. But not only did they pick a player with talent who fits their system, they got good trade value on a move down to do so.
Least Favorite Fits
Atlanta Falcons - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
There wasn’t a single bigger shock on night one than Michael Penix Jr going #8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Taking a 24 year quarterback with a significant injury history in the Top-10 is always a risky proposition. When you add in the fact that they just gave Kirk Cousins a 100+ million dollars in guarantees, locking him in as the starter through 2025, it makes even less sense. Penix has talent to be starting QB in this league but taking him Top-10 given his age to be a developmental project is a questionable move from a franchise that has had many over the past couple years.
Denver Broncos - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Denver Broncos taking Bo Nix at #12 creates many of the same concerns as Penix to the Falcons. He is an older prospect who was not valued this highly by the consensus (he was my 52nd overall prospect) and lacks a high ceiling. The Broncos at least need a starter with former #2 overall pick Zach Wilson slated as their current QB1 but for them. However, given the player and the run on QBs ahead of them this pick feels like a desperate swing to fix a position of need.
Miami Dolphins - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The vision for Chop Robinson in Miami is very clear. They are missing their top two EDGE rushers to start the year due to injury and relying on Shaq Barrett alone at this stage of his career is not enough for a playoff team. However, Robinson at #21 is a tad rich in my opinion. He is a speed rusher who needs seasoning and polish, the talent is real but for a team in need of immediate impact it’s asking a lot from a raw traits based player in the first.
I Have Questions
#13) Las Vegas Raiders - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Brock Bowers at 13th overall is not a bad pick by any stretch of the imagination. He was easily the best player available on the board for a team that needs talent. The question is what does his role look year one for at team that took a TE (Michael Mayer) in Round 2 last year. The ideal vision seems to be Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers on the outside with Bowers in the slot and Mayer in-line. A fun dream to be sure, but not an easy one to execute which is why this pick lands on here.
#17) Minnesota Vikings - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Dallas Turner to the Vikings from an on field perspective is a fantastic fit. His athletic ability gives a ton of versatility to a creative DC in Brain Flores. He also has the tools and upside to be a premier pass rusher down the line. The question here is the value. The Vikings conceded value to get the 23rd pick in the effort to get a QB, ammo they did not have to end up using. Instead of standing pat they again traded up, this time for Turner. The double trade up was costly from a value perspective, so while the player is a great fit and the talent is real, the cost is extremely steep.
#31) San Francisco 49ers - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
One of the most prevalent rumors in this years draft cycle has been the availability of the 49ers star WRs, something that was far from quieted with their first round pick. While Pearsall does fit well in this offense, even in a crowded room with his athletic ability and ball skills, it does create a fail safe if San Francisco gets an offer they like. The trade may happen tomorrow, next spring or never, but a WR at 31 creates more questions than answers at this point and makes Brandon Aiyuk and particularly Deebo Samuel two names to monitor over the coming days.