Identifying Every NFL Team's Dream Draft Target in 2024
The NFL draft period doesn't require a one-size-fits-all approach. For teams across the league, years of tape, interviews and other resources ultimately formulate a draft board consisting of a few hundred prospects.
While finalizing said draft boards won't happen for teams until just before the event begins April 25 in Detroit, devising rough outline of the players who could be available is a widely practiced exercise for clubs—whether their first selection is in the top 10, or, like the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, the early to middle portions of Day 2.
As the draft rapidly approaches, B/R identified a dream addition that would fit seamlessly with each organization.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
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The arrival of Marvin Harrison Jr. is dream that could soon become reality for general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon.
While the first three selections in April could very easily be three signal-callers, the sensational talent that Harrison could fall right into Arizona's lap at No. 4 overall.
Arizona's offense showed improvement in 2023 behind the production of rookie wideout Michael Wilson and second-year flex weapon Trey McBride, and the addition of the All-American receiver could allow Arizona to continue to elevate its ceiling with quarterback Kyler Murray.
Atlanta Falcons: QB Jayden Daniels
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The Atlanta Falcons flat out have to figure out the quarterback spot. While trading for Chicago's Justin Fields remains a popular option, potentially moving up from No. 8 to take the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in LSU's Jayden Daniels would open a few eyes in the NFC South.
If he's GM Terry Fontenot's guy, then by all means, the Falcons architect should go get his guy. The rookie QB would further boost an already talented, youth-infused offense, so Daniels to Atlanta is the definition of a dream scenario.
Baltimore Ravens: IDL Byron Murphy II
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This all comes down to what the Baltimore Ravens want to do with Justin Madubuike on the interior of the defensive line.
The Ravens have until March 5 to tag their all-everything lineman, but if he somehow walks, Texas' Byron Murphy II would be an immediate plug-and-play addition for John Harbaugh's group.
A three-down D-lineman with the anchor to clog gaps and the twitch to win one-on-one matchups, Murphy is a sensational athlete who will force double-teams early in his career—thus freeing Baltimore's second-level defenders to set the tone.
Murphy could go as high as the mid-teens, but if he's there at No. 30, it should be a no-brainer for Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta.
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Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Legette
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South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette would immediately provide juice for a Buffalo Bills wide receiver room lacking such.
As both Gabriel Davis and Trent Sherfield are heading to the open market, Buffalo pairing Legette with the likes of Stefon Diggs could be a match made in heaven. It'll take time for the rookie to get accustomed to the speed of the pro game, but working in tandem with quarterback Josh Allen could severely reduce any adjustment period that may remain early on in 2024.
Legette looks the part at 6'1", 223 pounds; he played the part with over 1,200 yards in the SEC last fall; and he has the skill set necessary to immediately contribute at a variety of depths.
Carolina Panthers: OL Troy Fautanu
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The Carolina Panthers aren't slated to pick until the opening picks of the second round at No. 33. With no Day 1 capital, newly minted GM Dan Morgan has to hit on his first selection.
While Troy Fautanu's projection will differ depending on the offensive scheme, his ability to align at both tackle and guard would offer the Panthers an immediate starter at whichever spot they see fit.
Continuing to fortify the line in front of quarterback Bryce Young is a smart approach, considering the lack of development seen from Ikem Ekwonu in year two.
Cincinnati Bengals: TE Brock Bowers
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The Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, pushing the need for another wideout down the list of priorities for GM Duke Tobin.
However, each of the four tight ends currently on the roster are impending unrestricted free agents, leading us to Georgia's Brock Bowers. His potential addition to the Cincinnati offense would speak for itself.
It's tough enough already to counter Joe Burrow, and targets Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, but adding Bowers as a modern-day chesspiece would keep defensive coordinators up late into the night. It's unlikely Bowers will be available when the Bengals are on the clock at No. 18, but we've seen wilder things happen in April.
Cleveland Browns: Edge Bralen Trice
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It'll be a little bit into Round 2 before the Cleveland Browns make their first pick (No. 54 overall). Without Day 1 capital to spend, the Browns could take another edge-rusher opposite Myles Garrett to force teams to pick their poison.
While Bralen Trice has Day 1 traits, he touts a throwback build at 260-plus pounds. If teams opt for lighter, twitchier pass-rushers, Trice could slip into the hands of GM Andrew Berry to provide a heck of a "bang for your buck" type of pick in the middle of the second round.
Chicago Bears: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
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It's unfortunate how things have proceeded for the Chicago Bears and Justin Fields. While it looks as if Chicago will soon make USC QB Caleb Williams its new face of the franchise, Fields has not been the issue for a team that showed improvement in 2023.
In a perfect world, adding Marvin Harrison Jr to an offense touting the likes of D.J. Moore would immediately showcase one of the NFL's most talented WR tandems. And it wouldn't have to be at No. 1 overall, either.
The potential of keeping Fields, adding Harrison and adding more picks is an avenue that continues to go overlooked, but one that deserves more attention due to the talent of the now fourth-year quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys: OL Graham Barton
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With both Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz expected to entertain free agency, the addition of Graham Barton would immediately boost the Dallas Cowboys front five, wherever he may align.
One of the more unique prospects in the class due to his ability to play all five O-line spots, Barton is a technician with his hands that consistently win the leverage battle against varying body types.
While the former Duke Blue Devil lived at tackle the last three years in the ACC, he ranks among the top centers in the class for a long list of teams. His position flex is truly unmatched in the class.
Denver Broncos: QB J.J. McCarthy
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For some, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is far from a home run addition. That's fine, but he will go high in April, and the Denver Broncos could be in an excellent spot to add the underrated talent at No. 12 overall.
While McCarthy's evaluation remains one of the more layered due to the throwback, run-heavy offense that Michigan deployed, he checks many of the boxes teams look for in a dual-threat leader under center.
In Denver, the surroundings would be friendly for a young quarterback. With multiple playmakers in place both on the perimeter and in the backfield, McCarthy's efficiency would shine when asked to feed the ball to the intermediate areas.
Detroit Lions: CB Terrion Arnold
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell hunts for alphas during each draft process—in other words, players who take snaps personally and don't mind doing the dirty work. It's what you'd see if you turned on the tape of Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
With such a drastic need for talent within Detroit's secondary, Arnold would immediately become the Lions' top cover man. Arguably the top corner in the class, depending on who you talk to within league circles, Arnold would be a home run addition for a roster that will be in contention for a long time in the NFC.
Green Bay Packers: S Tyler Nubin
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Both of the Green Bay Packers' starting safeties (Jonathan Owens and Darnell Savage) are set to explore free agency in the coming weeks, and Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin is about as plug-and-play as you'll find in the class.
While corner is also a need in Green Bay, Nubin would provide a multi-level defender with sensational instincts to counter the offenses of the NFC North.
The order of where the safeties come off the board will be in the eye of the beholder, but grabbing Nubin at No. 25 overall would fill a massive need for GM Brian Gutekunst.
Houston Texans: Edge Dallas Turner
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A year after drafting Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama, why shouldn't the Houston Texans go back to the well to take Dallas Turner?
A twitched up edge-rusher who would complement the second of Houston's two top-five picks from last spring, Turner fits the SWARM mentality that Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans preaches in his locker room.
There are other needs Houston could fill before adding to the edge, but taking the highly athletic Turner, should he be available, is a luxury type of pick at No. 23.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Rome Odunze
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Anthony Richardson-to-Rome Odunze could become one of the more electric QB-wide receiver tandems in rapid fashion.
Michael Pittman Jr.'s future is up in the air, and should he depart as a free agent, a massive hole would appear inside the Indianapolis Colts' wideout room.
It's highly unlikely Odunze will be available at No. 15, but if GM Chris Ballard craves a modern-day X on the outside, the former Husky could be his guy.
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Cooper DeJean
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The Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves in an excellent spot at No. 17. While they remain on the outside looking in at the blue-chip prospects of the class, their needs can be filled in the middle of Day 1.
That's exact range where cornerback Cooper DeJean is expected to come off the board, and the former Iowa Hawkeye would provide a blend of athleticism and physicality that's lacking in the Jaguars secondary.
DeJean won't work out at the NFL Scouting Combine, but it shouldn't affect his status among the elite corners in the class. He'll make an impact in multiple phases of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Keon Coleman
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This is going to happen, isn't it?
There are differentiating opinions on wide receiver Keon Coleman across the league, but players of his stature (6'4") and athletic profile simply don't last long on boards.
Wideout Rashee Rice outperformed expectations for the Kansas City Chiefs in year one, and thrusting Coleman's skill set into an offense led by Patrick Mahomes would simply be unfair.
Projecting Coleman's game inside an architecture schemed up by Andy Reid and an offense captained by Mahomes would give opposing corners nightmares.
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Jayden Daniels
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A fantasy, absolutely, but one that could become reality should Vegas want to shake up the board.
It'll take a hefty sum of capital to trade presumably into to the top three to grab the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, but if Daniels is HC Antonio Pierce's guy, then by all means get your guy.
Keep a keen eye on Las Vegas as we get closer to spring, as the Raiders could be seen as being a quarterback away after finishing second in the AFC West in 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Malik Nabers
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For some, Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers are separated by a slim margin. Why? The LSU product's fundamental explosiveness and burst will demand defensive attention, which will open up other areas of the field.
In Los Angeles, the wideout room is a bit of a conundrum. A year after selecting TCU WR Quentin Johnston on Day 1 (to pair with veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams), going back to the well seems a bit overzealous.
Until you turn on the tape of Nabers.
The NFL operates behind a "what have you done for me lately" mantra, and in year one, it simply wasn't good enough from Johnston. Enter Nabers, an immediate challenger to the Chargers' WR1 throne.
Los Angeles Rams: CB Nate Wiggins
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There may not be a team with a larger need for corners than the Los Angeles Rams.
While they have young talents in Cobie Durant (26) and rotational man Derion Kendrick (23), adding a potential shutdown defender in Round 1 appears to be priority No. 1 for GM Les Snead.
Nate Wiggins can play man and zone, has the hips to flip and run and the willingness to work downhill as a fringe defender in the run game. He'd immediately become L.A.'s top corner.
Miami Dolphins: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
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Center Connor Williams is expected to entertain free agency. With that, prioritizing a road-grading pivot with the footwork and balance to drop anchor is good process.
The premier center in the class, Powers-Johnson was arguably the top player at this year's Senior Bowl and is expected to make a quick impact at the NFL level.
His presence could prove to be invaluable with how unique the Dolphins are schematically on the offensive side of the ball.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Terrion Arnold
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A lot about drafting prospects comes down to scheme fit. And pigeonholing players usually isn't the best way to build a roster.
Projecting Terrion Arnold into the aggressive Brian Flores-led defense is a match that could thrive for a long, long time. Minnesota has to figure out the quarterback plan moving forward, but adding a talent like Arnold is a right step in the direction of building a secondary that's finished in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed per game the last two seasons.
New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye
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Success early on for young signal-callers can be attributed to their correlating surroundings. And while taking a new face of the franchise carries its own expectations to elevate those around him, an environment to thrive in never hurts.
The dynasty that was in New England is now far in the past. No more Brady, no more Belichick. Now under the tutelage of Jerod Mayo, it's time to assess and retool a roster that finished last in its division for the first time since 2000.
That ensuing draft, Brady was of course drafted 199th overall, leading to a Super Bowl at the conclusion of the 2001 season. That's not to say Drake Maye will immediately captain New England back to the top of the league, but he's the type of talent that organizations hang their hat on.
New Orleans Saints: OT Tyler Guyton
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One of the most gifted athletes in the class, Tyler Guyton would present the Saints a plug-and-play athlete at whatever side of the line they seem fit.
With Andrus Peat expected to entertain the open market and 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning coming off a rough season, New Orleans has questions to iron out at a premium position.
The transition from right to left tackle is easier said than done, but Guyton's herculean movement skills at 6'7" present a fantastic foundation for quick success.
New York Giants: QB Jayden Daniels
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It'll require a move up from GM Joe Schoen, but placing Jayden Daniels under the bright lights of New York could produce fireworks.
Now, the Giants have work to do in adding talent both at wideout and within the trenches. That being said, it starts under center, and who better to make a move for Daniels, whose dual-threat skill set will test a defense both vertically and horizontally.
Throwing to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. made it easy for Daniels in 2023, but the electric skill set is there, and head coach Brian Daboll could help him shine.
New York Jets: OT Joe Alt
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Losing Aaron Rodgers within his first few plays as a Jet, hopefully, is a warning sign to add a left tackle on Day 1.
While taking a wideout or a tight end like Georgia's Brock Bowers would sell seats and get Jets fans excited, keeping Rodgers upright should remain atop the to-do list for GM Joe Douglas this spring.
Joe Alt is not the most athletic tackle in the class, but he is the most technically refined with the highest floor among all draft-eligible talent. He's been NFL-ready for a couple years and has the chance to start for a decade or more.
Philadelphia Eagles: ED Laiatu Latu
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It's a given that Eagles GM Howie Roseman will add talent at a premium position on Day 1, and 2024 should be no different.
While Laiatu Latu could see his name called in the top 15 picks, teams could get cute. He won't rival the class' most twitched-up pass-rushers in explosiveness, but where he lacks in burst off the line he makes up for in his never-ending toolbox of moves to work past the opposing tackle.
He's the perfect case of watching film on prospects. The former UCLA Bruin won't blow anyone away in the 40-yard dash or bench 225 pounds 30-plus times, but he will quickly wreak havoc at the edge spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
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A year after adding Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh selecting a talent like Kool-Aid McKinstry to start on the opposite side would present an excellent young tandem of corners for Mike Tomlin.
Projected as a surefire top-10 pick last summer, it would now surprise if McKinstry is the first Alabama corner taken in this year's draft (Terrion Arnold). But McKinstry is still a heck of a ballplayer with the instincts and mirroring ability to cover the league's best on the outside.
Playing off Porter and under the tutelage of Tomlin would present the former Alabama standout an excellent performance floor early in his career.
San Francisco 49ers: OT Amarius Mims
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The departure of Mike McGlinchey (Denver) went overlooked last offseason due to the overall success on offense, but the need at right tackle is overwhelmingly evident for San Francisco.
Enter the former Georgia Bulldog in Amarius Mims to align right away on the arm side of quarterback Brock Purdy. One of the premier athletes in the class, he's also expected to be a full participant in on-field workouts at the NFL combine following ankle surgery in the fall.
Mims has all the potential in the world to become one of the best tackles in the class down the line, and he has the skill set to slide over to left tackle whenever Trent Williams decides to hang 'em up for good.
Seattle Seahawks: ED Dallas Turner
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With HC Mike Macdonald now in charge, adding a talent like Dallas Turner to the edge room could be priority No. 1 in Seattle.
There are already defensive pieces in place in Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and of course the corner tandem of Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen, but there's always room for players that understand how to get after the quarterback.
Turner is an uber-athletic prospect who would thrive inside a Macdonald and DC Aden Durde-led attack.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ED Chop Robinson
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The draft's most explosive pass-rusher, Chop Robinson shouldn't shock you when he teases double-digit sacks in his first NFL campaign.
With Shaq Barrett likely a cap casualty and plans to pick up Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's fifth-year option still unclear, the Penn State product is a plug-and-play addition who can with his hand in the dirt and in a two-point stance upright.
His tape has flashes of dominance that should translate well to the next level.
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt
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With 2023 first-rounder Peter Skoronski already in place at left guard, adding Joe Alt could form the league's top left side of the line in rapid fashion.
While Alt is a bit of a "boring" prospect due to his consistently dominant wins and lack of high-end athleticism to throw corners off the frame as the lead man on tunnel screens, he's as good as they come at the position in the class with All-Pro potential in his immediate future.
Washington Commanders: QB Caleb Williams
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One of the premier prospects in the 2024 class, adding Caleb Williams to the Commanders offense would be an excellent start to the re-tooling process for newly minted GM Adam Peters.
A sensational playmaker outside of structure, Williams' ability on schedule and inside the tackle box remains an underrated portion of his game. With wideouts Terry McLaurin and 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson and a plentiful helping of picks to utilize this spring, Washington can make Williams the face of the franchise and further improve his surroundings.
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