2024 NFL Draft: Winners & Losers

Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected with the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears during the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Getty Images)

And just like that, the highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and a common theme emerged from the fun-packed action: broken records. During the first round, a record 23 offensive players were selected, with six quarterbacks being scooped up in the top 12 and eight offensive tackles taken on the first day of the draft. 

With the 89th edition of the NFL Draft coming to a close, I thought it would be a great time to give my opinions on the draft and pinpoint three winners (teams that absolutely crushed the draft) and three losers (teams that could easily look back at their 2024 draft class five years from now and ponder "what if"). Let's get to it!

Winner: Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies catches the ball during a game against the Oregon Ducks, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (The Seattle Times)

We may look back at the Bears' 2024 draft class 5 years from now and pinpoint their draft haul as the moment that vaulted the franchise back into championship contention.

As everybody expected, Chicago selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. Williams is one of the greatest quarterback prospects to enter the NFL, and although it won't be an easy transition going from playing in college to playing in the big leagues, Williams' creativity, improvisation skills, and arm talent are rare and unique. It wouldn't be surprising if he ends up having an incredible rookie season in the Windy City.

Additionally, with the ninth overall selection, the Bears drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington. Odunze was one of the top three wide receivers in this draft class, and had a monster season during his last year of college football, catching 81 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. Odunze will now join D.J. Moore (1,364 receiving yards in 2023) and Keenan Allen (6 1,000-yard seasons in his career) to form one of the best wide receiver trios in the NFL, giving Williams a ton of weapons to work with in the passing game.

With Williams and Odunze joining the fray, it wouldn't be entirely shocking if the Bears make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. It's safe to say that the future is very bright in Chicago.

Draft Grade: A

Loser: Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta's first-round pick, quarterback Michael Penix Jr., talks to the media at a press conference after being introduced at the Falcons training complex, Friday, Apr. 26, 2024, at Atlanta Falcons Training Camp in Atlanta, GA. (Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports)

Coming into the draft, the Atlanta Falcons were sitting pretty. They had just signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a huge contract during free agency, shoring up their biggest weakness on the roster. With the team adding Cousins to an offence that already has talented playmakers such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts, Atlanta became the favourites to capture the NFC South division crown.

Most league analysts had the Falcons selecting an edge rusher with the eighth overall pick in the draft. Instead, general manager Terry Fontenot and Co. decided to draft Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Sure, Penix is a talented quarterback prospect who could become great one day. But then what was the point of paying Cousins--a 36-year-old player who plays the same position as Penix and is coming off a torn Achilles--a four-year deal with $100 million guaranteed? When they signed Cousins in March, it seemed like the Falcons were trying to make a push to contend for a Super Bowl. But the selection of Penix kind of challenges that notion; the presence of Penix on the roster does not make them better in 2024, as he will presumably spend the entirety of his rookie season on the bench. There are only two scenarios in which Penix sees the field during the 2024 season:

1. Cousins gets injured

2. Cousins plays poorly

If the former occurs, Fontenot's team will have to navigate the season with Cousins (who has a cap hit of $24 million for the 2024 campaign) on the sidelines. The latter scenario is even worse, as it will entail that Cousins is no longer a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback while also forcing Penix right into action, which could potentially ruin his development if he's not ready to play. All in all, Atlanta's selection of Penix doesn't make sense and it won't pay off unless he becomes an elite quarterback down the line.

Draft Grade: C

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

Cooper DeJean, second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, holds up his jersey after meeting with the media at the Eagles training facility, Saturday, Apr. 27, 2024, at NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, PA. (Yong Kim)

A year after drafting stud defensive tackle Jalen Carter in the first round, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was back up to his usual tricks again this year, engineering multiple trades and making savvy selections throughout the draft.

In the first round in this years' draft, Philly took cornerback Quinyon Michell out of Toledo. Mitchell is an elite cornerback prospect with elite off-coverage skills and he has the length, frame, and speed to become a great man-to-man cover man as well. The Eagles' pass defence really struggled last season, allowing the second-most passing yards per game during the 2023 season. Cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry are 33 and 30 years old respectively and both players (Bradberry in particular) looked a step too slow at various points throughout the season. It wouldn't surprise me if Mitchell ends up replacing Bradberry at some point during the season to add a jolt to the Eagles' secondary.

Then in the second round, Roseman packaged the 50th and 53rd overall selections in a trade with the Washington Commanders to select defensive back Cooper DeJean out of Iowa. DeJean is a very versatile player who can be deployed as an outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and as a safety. As an athletic, electrifying specimen, look for DeJean to be used in a lot of creative ways by new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Furthermore, Philly got another steal when they selected linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the fifth round. Trotter, the son of former Eagles All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, was made a First-team All-ACC selection as a member of the Clemson Tigers last season and will provide some much-needed linebacker depth for the Eagles.

Chalk it up as another masterclass on how to draft by Roseman and Co.

Draft Grade: A+

Loser: Denver Broncos

Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks during a game against the Washington Huskies, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (Steven Bisig/USA Today Sports)

Ever since winning Super Bowl 50 back in 2016, the Denver Broncos have been mired in incompetence as they have not made it back to the postseason since that championship-winning season. In 2023, Denver got off to a 1-5 start before ripping off five straight wins to climb back into playoff contention before losing four of their last six games to clinch their seventh consecutive losing season. General manager George Paton proceeded to release quarterback Russell Wilson right before free agency, once again creating a revolving door around their quarterback situation.

With five quarterbacks coming off the board within the first 11 picks, the Broncos decided to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the draft. Nix is a solid quarterback prospect who I could see becoming a good quarterback in the NFL with the help of Broncos' future Hall of Fame head coach Sean Payton. However, I feel like the Broncos panicked with this selection. There were a lot of talented defensive players available when Denver was on the clock, including edge rushers Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and the aforementioned Quinyon Mitchell. All of those players were higher on ESPN's Mel Kiper's draft board and I think it would've made more sense for Paton to continue to improve the defence and wait until next year's draft to address the quarterback position.

If Nix becomes the next Broncos' franchise quarterback, then I'll eat my words. But right now, there isn't much to cheer for these days in the Mile High City. We'll see if Nix can change that.

Draft Grade: C

Winner: Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during a game against the Florida Gators, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

In his first draft as the new general manager of the Washington Commanders, it's safe to say that Adam Peters absolutely crushed it.

With the second overall pick, the Commanders took LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, is an elite quarterback prospect who has a talented arm combined with dynamic running ability. It will be exciting to watch how new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury (who has worked with Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams in the past) utilizes Daniels, who will have talented weapons such as wide receiver Terry McLaurin to work with to begin his career.

Additionally, with three second-round picks, Peters nailed it with three excellent draft choices. First, he took defensive tackle Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton, a disruptive run defender who will also add an interior pass-rushing element to the Commanders' defence. Then, with the 18th pick in the second round, Washington snagged slot cornerback Mike Sainristil out of Michigan. Sainristil played a huge role in helping the Wolverines capture the national championship last season, as he notched six interceptions, and he will add a much-needed playmaking element to a Commanders' secondary that finished the 2023 season tied for the third-fewest interceptions in the league. Lastly, just three picks later, the Commanders selected offensive weapon Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State. I call him an "offensive weapon" because that's exactly what Sinnott brings to the table; he can line up at tight end, fullback, and as a receiver on the outside or in the slot. He'll be another creative weapon that Kingsbury will be able to employ against defences on Sundays.

Furthermore, Peters somehow managed to draft offensive lineman Brandon Coleman out of TCU in the third round. Coleman can play left tackle and he can play at guard, adding a nice blend of versatility to the Commanders' front five. To sum it up, Peters and the rest of the front office deserve a lot of credit for bringing in what is currently looking like an elite draft class.

Draft Grade: A+

Loser: San Francisco 49ers

Ricky Pearsall, first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers. holds up his jersey after meeting with the media at the 49ers training facility, Friday, Apr. 26, 2024, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

The 49ers have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last half-decade, but their recent draft classes have left much to be desired. And their 2024 draft class doesn't seem too inspiring right now on paper either.

In the first round, the Niners took wide receiver Ricky Pearsall out of Florida. While Pearsall is a solid receiver with good speed and great hands, I think there were better options on the draft board when they were on the clock with the 31st overall pick, including Texas' Adonai Mitchell and Georgia's Ladd McConkey. Additionally, if it's true that general manager John Lynch isn't planning on trading star wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, then why would he select a wide receiver in the first round anyway? I think San Francisco would've have been much better off had they selected a left tackle with their first pick, considering the fact that they still don't have a succession plan to replace future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams when he decides to retire.

Additionally, the 49ers only selected two defensive backs during the draft. Cornerback Chavarius Ward is elite, and safety Talanoa Hufunga is a great player as well (although it remains to be seen how well he will play this season after suffering a torn ACL last November), but if there's one weakness of this 49ers' roster, the secondary is arguably the biggest one. Lynch's decision to ignore the opportunity to improve the DB room could come back to haunt the Niners in the playoffs when they go up against great quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love.

Draft Grade: C-