2024 Draft Grades, A Year Later
by Cetter44 | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
2024 NFLGM Draft Grades, A Year Later
1.01 QB Brett Kirkpatrick, Vikings (76/23/N)
Draft Grade: D+
Kirkpatrick had a fine rookie season, but his upside appears capped at the moment. He threw for 3300 yards and 19 scores, but his 17 picks are alarming. He did add an impressive job on the ground with 862 yards rushing and 4 scores. He did have 9 fumbles though. Kirkpatrick looks like a quarterback that you can win with but in a class that appears to have produced numerous franchise QBs, that’s simply not good enough at #1 overall.
1.02 DT Dee Walker, Chiefs (79/22/S)
Draft Grade: B
Walker was wildly considered one of the most polished DL prospects in this class. After a solid rookie year that remains the case. 14 TFLs is impressive for an interior rookie defensive lineman. You’d like to see more impact on the sack front but 6.5 as a rookie definitely shows a lot of promise.
1.03 DE J.P. Schmitt, Seahawks (78/23/S)
Draft Grade: C
J.P. Schmitt had a season that you’d generally be very happy with. 20 tackles and 7 sacks are a fine day at the office but given the high-end DL production found later in this class, its hard to be thrilled if you’re a Seahawks fan.
1.04 CB Justin Copeland, Chiefs (73/22/S)
Draft Grade: B+
Many expects questioned this pick when the Chiefs made it but fast forward a season and Copeland looks to be the best secondary piece in the class. His production was outstanding, he led rookies with 4 interceptions and actually led the NFL with 4 defensive touchdowns. Copeland was rather boom or bust though with only 4 deflections on the season. Copeland is a nice player with solid production but with great talent still on the board a B+ is the best they can receive.
1.05 MLB Tavarres McDaniels, Cardinals (86/22/SS)
Draft Grade: A+
Tavarres McDaniels was expected to have some growing pains as a rookie but those were few and far between. 180 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced turnovers, and a touchdown in his rookie campaign. There isn’t much that Tavarres can’t do. He looks to have the highest upside of any linebacker in this class.
1.06 QB Courtland McCollum, Browns (84/24/SS)
Draft Grade: A-
McCollum struggled with picks in his rookie season but otherwise put up amazing numbers. Over 4400 yards passing, 75% completion percentage, and 23 touchdowns. McCollum is your traditional, big armed pocket passer so he adds nothing on the ground. McCollum looks to be a true franchise quarterback.
1.07 DE Zach Williams, Panthers (87/23/S)
Draft Grade: B+
Zach Williams was considered one of the most polished players in the 2024 class. He had 8 sacks and 7 TFLs in his rookie campaign. That’s a fine showing but with better statistical EDGEs later in this draft, a B+ is the best we can do for Williams.
1.08 DT Arthur Thomas, 49ers (80/22/S)
Draft Grade: B+
Thomas, like Williams, was widely considered one of the best defensive line prospects in the class. The 49ers were happy with his production in his rookie season. He finished with 72 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 8 TFLs. His grade would be much better, but Bobby Bowman would be drafted a full round later and put up easily better stats.
1.09 WR Tyrus Coffee, Chiefs (76/22/N)
Draft Grade: D+
When Coffee entered this draft class, he was considered the best WR in the class. After a rookie campaign of 509 yards and 2 scores he left much to be desired. The WR core in KC is elite but that’s no excuse for Coffee. A measly 8.8 average per reception is terrible and Coffee’s upside seems capped.
1.10 C Brian Rhodes, Steelers (74/22/S)
Draft Grade: B
Rhodes had a very solid rookie season by allowing only 2 sacks. While he was great in the pass game, the rushing game lacked some. Rhodes is a fine offseason lineman but has limitations. He’s still only 22 but his upside is capped. A top 10 center is fine but with high end players still on the board, one game simply asks for more.
1.11 C Sterling Vogel, Cardinals (82/24/N)
Draft Grade: B+
Vogel had a fine rookie season. He allowed 3 sacks and led a very good Cardinals rushing attack. Unfortunately, Vogel’s selection takes a slight hit due to his age. He like is the most polished OL in this group but due to the limited long-term upside it is hard to get too excited.
1.12 DE Gerald Best, Rams (83/23/S)
Draft Grade: C-
The Rams front office seems to have no awareness of the talent on their roster. Best joined a loaded front 4 group and it showed. 18 total tackles, 8 sacks, 2 TFLs for Best. That’s simply not good enough with numerous elite EDGEs on the board.
1.13 DE Dwayne Bennett (83/23/SS)
Draft Grade: A+
Bennett was mocked by many experts in the top 10 but fell down the board to the Patriots due to the depth at EDGE in this loaded class. Bennett proved to be one of the best rookie pass rushers ever with 18.5 sacks. If he can add something in the form of turnovers, there is no reason that he can’t be a perennial All-Pro on a loaded Patriots pass rush.
1.14 DE Kai James, Cowboys (84/24/S)
Draft Grade: D
Kai James, like Gerald Best, simply went to a bad situation. He joined a loaded defensive line group and struggled to get anything going. 30 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 4 TFLs is simply not good enough. The upside remains but right now the Cowboys have to regret their decision at this selection.
1.15 CB Cordale Heyward, Colts (82/23/S)
Draft Grade: B+
Heyward had a very productive rookie season. While he might not have had as many picks as fellow rookie Justin Copeland, Heyward appeared to play tighter coverage. He had 13 deflections and added a pair of picks. Heyward might never be a true shutdown corner, but he will most certainly be an above average starter.
1.16 RT Teddy Peerman, Buccaneers (80/22/S)
Peerman was a very high upside selection by the Bucs. They needed OL and he was the best available. He has the makings of a high end OL but must develop more first. He allowed 4 sacks in 12 games which is pretty good for his position. They will look for more consistency going forward.
1.17 MLB Mike Meredith, Football Team (72/22/N)
There aren’t many worse picks than the Football Team selecting Mike Meredith. He had 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 FF as a rookie. That’s decent production from a sixth rounder but not a top 17 player in a class. They will regret this for years to come.
1.18 RB Damion Bigsby, Rams (79/23/S)
Draft Grade: F
The Bigsby selection drew great criticism when the Rams made it. A year later, it doesn’t look any better. Bigsby looked average at best when he started, and he barely did that despite the Rams being out of contention majority of the season. This pick was back then and always will be. It is a good thing he was an elite college player because it’s all downhill from there.
1.19 QB Scott Barwin, Chiefs (80/23/SS)
Draft Grade: A+
Scott Barwin put up one of the greatest rookie seasons of all-time. He threw for nearly 4,400 yards, 30 touchdowns, and completed 76% of his passes. Did I mention that he also ran for 678 yards? The downfall was that Barwin had 27 turnovers. Expect that to change this season.
1.20 TE Carson Lucas, Panthers (76/24/S)
Draft Grade: B-
Lucas had one of the finest seasons we have seen from a TE in a while. He finished with 959 yards receiving and added a touchdown. While that is true, Lucas is already 24 and has limited upside. He has already shown that while he is a great target between in 20s, he struggles in the redzone.
1.21 QB Manu Ventura, Seahawks (83/24/S)
Draft Grade: D+
The Seahawks were thrilled to select Manu here. They loved his upside and athleticism. After a 37 turnover campaign the front office has seemingly questioned everything about him. He only threw for 3,458 yards and rushed for just over 600 yards. That’s simply not good enough in this league.
1.22 C Brody Peterson, Titans (78/24/N)
Draft Grade: B-
The Titans were desperate for offensive line and snagged Peterson. Peterson will be an average center in this league but given his age and upside, there is only so much to expect. He allowed 4 sacks as a rookie which is fine production. Titans fans simply must understand that they made a safe pick here.
1.23 TE Robert Nixon, Rams (80/24/S)
Draft Grade: D
The Rams had 3 first round picks and used all 3 of them on second stringers at the position. Nixon had 339 yards and a score in his rookie season. This grade is less about Nixon and more about the atrocious job the Rams front office did in the 2024 NFLGM Draft.
1.24 DE Jayson Farrell, Cardinals (82/23/SS)
Draft Grade: A+
Farrell put up one of the best rookie seasons for a pass rusher with 18.5 sacks. While that ties him for the NFL Rookie Record for sacks in a season, Farrell’s 6.5 sack game is easily an NFL Rookie best. If we redrafted today, Farrell likely goes in the 5-10 range. Slam dunk of a pick!
1.25 DT JaMichael Morgan, Panthers (75/23/S)
Draft Grade: D+
The Panthers selected Morgan and instantly traded their starting DT in Henning. They had big things in mind. Sadly, after a 9 TFL and 4 sack season its time to temper expectations. Morgan will be a fine starter, but he wont even develop into the player they drafted him to replace.
1.26 RB William Singleton, Broncos (78/23/S)
Draft Grade: C+
The Broncos grabbed a fine back in Singleton, but he struggled making a huge impact. They primarily used him on third downs which led to 532 receiving yards. He added 527 rushing yards as well. That’s solid production but not the production they had in mind.
1.27 DT Jonathon Markham, Cowboys (74/23/N)
Draft Grade: F
This pick was terrible at the time and now its somehow even worse! Guess how many snaps Markham played last season? 7. That’s all I have to say.
1.28 WR Brendan Patterson, Chargers (81/22/S)
Draft Grade: A
Brendan Patterson had a very good rookie season. He proved to be one of the best WRs in this class. 689 yards and 3 scores as a secondary option on this offense. Expect Patterson to blossom into a terrific young WR.
1.29 DE Byron Gandy, Bengals (85/22/SS) A+
Gandy was likely the best player on the board when the Bengals came up. Despite a loaded front 7, the Bengals went BPA and snagged Gandy. Gandy would post an 11-sack rookie season and shows big upside as he gains a larger role.
1.30 FS George Branch, Panthers (74/23/S)
Draft Grade: D+
Branch had a fine rookie season. He was voted to the All-Rookie team but that’s not saying much in a poor safety class. Branch lacks athleticism and that will continue to plague him throughout his career. He only forced 1 turnover and 3 deflections. 5 TFLs show he wasn’t even good in the run game.
1.31 QB Anthony Drew, Ravens (74/23/N)
Draft Grade: F
You know what most Super Bowl runners-up need in the first round? A backup quarterback. Mike has been spending too much time hanging out with the front office in Green Bay. One can only wonder what could’ve been if they didn’t waste this pick.
1.32 CB Rick Conley, Saints (81/24/SS)
Draft Grade: C+
Rick Conley has all the talent in the world. His upside is easily best in this class. After one season he has been traded to the Packers already. 1 pick and 10 deflections didn’t please the front office but given the upside lets wait to grade Conley too harshly.