What Every 1st-Year GM Must Do to Have a Successful 2024 NFL Draft
The NFL draft is important to all 32 teams across the league, but the 2024 version has added significance for the five teams with a new general manager.
There's a lot that goes into the role of GM, but successfully navigating the draft is a non-negotiable.
Different approaches to the event can ultimately build a winner. The Rams are a perfect one-team example. In 2021, they won a Super Bowl, partly because they traded away draft picks for proven veterans. In 2023, they made the playoffs by hitting on several of their middle-round picks.
The front-office executives who will be at the helm of their team's war room for the first time will be making a critical first impression.
Each team is in a slightly different situation, so they will all be working off a different checklist for what they need to accomplish.
Let's take a look at each team with a new general manager and define what each must accomplish to kick off their tenure in style.
Carolina Panthers: Dan Morgan
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Dan Morgan takes over as general manager for a Carolina Panthers team that hasn't posted a winning record since 2017.
However, former GM Scott Fitterer made some moves that will make Morgan's job difficult in his first draft. The Panthers don't have a first-round pick because of the aggressive move to trade up for Bryce Young last year.
Still, the former NFL linebacker has enough ammunition to improve the roster.
2024 NFL Draft Picks (Overall No. per Tankathon)
Round 2: No. 33
Round 2: No. 39 (via NYG)
Round 3: No. 65
Round 4: No. 101
Round 5: No. 141 (via NYG)
Round 5: No. 142 (via TEN)
Round 7: No. 240 (via PIT)
Objective 1: Get Weapons for Bryce Young
There's no way around it: Young's rookie season was disappointing. There are going to be inevitable comparisons to C.J. Stroud for the rest of his career, but those weren't fair in their rookie season.
Young's receiving corps was made up of a 33-year-old Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Jonathan Mingo.
The Panthers already took a major step in the right direction by trading for Diontae Johnson, but they have to continue the investment.
Trading up shouldn't be out of the question because they need a legitimate receiver with No. 1 potential. Adonai Mitchell and Troy Franklin would work as second-round options.
Objective 2: Find a Future Starting Cornerback
It's not all about supporting Young. The quarterback needs another receiver, but the Panthers invested in the offensive line in free agency, so they can address some defensive needs in the draft as well.
Right now, they are likely starting Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson at the two outside corner spots. Horn is in the final year of his rookie contract, while Jackson has an out in the two-year contract he signed in free agency. That gives the Panthers a one-year runway to find a starter at a key position.
Spending one of their first three picks on a cornerback prospect, such as Kamari Lassiter or Khyree Jackson, would be an effective approach.
Objective 3: Stock the Defensive Front
The Panthers traded away Brian Burns, so the defensive front is now anchored by Derrick Brown and the hope that Jadeveon Clowney can repeat the campaign he just put together with the Ravens.
As a former linebacker, Morgan should appreciate the importance of having a dominant front seven. Carolina has a few interesting pieces, but this is an area that needs more throws at the dartboard to build something more promising.
Whether it's a run-stuffing nose tackle like T'Vondre Sweat, an uber-athletic linebacker like Edgerrin Cooper or a developmental edge-rusher like Adisa Isaac, the Panthers GM has to come away with at least one promising front-seven player.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tom Telesco
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Unlike the rest of the general managers on this list, Tom Telesco has plenty of experience being the man in the chair. He was the Chargers general manager from 2013-2023.
A decade of experience on the job means he shouldn't have much of a learning curve, but it also means there should be real expectations.
The 51-year-old takes over a Raiders roster that played well last season, has momentum and some big decisions to make in a few weeks.
2024 NFL Draft Picks (Overall No. per Tankathon):
Round 1: No. 13
Round 2: No. 44
Round 3: No. 77
Round 4: No. 112
Round 5: No. 148
Round 6: No. 208 (via KC)
Round 7: No. 223 (via NE), No. 229 (via MIN)
Objective 1: Come Away with a Quarterback
One of the best moves Telesco made with the Chargers was taking Justin Herbert with the sixth pick. Of course, that selection kind of fell into his lap. Joe Burrow went No. 1 overall, and the Dolphins took Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5.
This time, Telesco will have to be much more skillful at either maneuvering up the draft board or identifying a talent outside of the primary suspects.
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy are widely considered to be the top four prospects but could be long gone by the time the Raiders are on the clock at No. 13.
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix are often mocked in the first round. Are either of them worth that pick? That's a question Telesco must get right.
Objective 2: Find a Future Starter on the Offensive Line
It's not realistic to demand Telesco finds the future at quarterback and an immediate starter on the offensive line. There's a good chance that moving up the board is going to require trading away picks that will weaken the total haul in 2024.
However, the Raiders have a muddied situation at right guard and right tackle. At least finding a promising prospect who could eventually take one of those jobs is key.
Finding a way to land someone like Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Penix as they did in the latest B/R mock draft would be huge.
Objective 3: Add to the Running Back Committee
Cornerback is another need that bears mentioning, but Telesco could choose to go the free-agent route to find a more ready-made starter for this year. Running back is a more feasible need to address in the draft.
The Raiders leaned heavily on Josh Jacobs under Antonio Pierce's watch last season. He wasn't nearly as effective as he was in 2022, but he's gone now. Zamir White should be the starter now, and Alexander Mattison was signed to help him out.
There are Day 3 backs who could contribute and become playmakers, though. Isaac Guerendo and Daijun Edwards are names to watch there.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Hortiz
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When the Chargers decided to hire Jim Harbaugh as head coach, their search for a general manager took on added importance.
Harbaugh famously clashed with general manager Trent Baalke when the two were working with the San Francisco 49ers. On paper, L.A. seems to have found a good fit. Hortiz will take over the job after a run with the Ravens that goes all the way back to 1998.
The 48-year-old has risen up the ranks from a personnel assistant through the scouting hierarchy in Baltimore. After working as the director of player personnel while John Harbaugh was the Ravens coach, he'll pair up with his younger brother in L.A.
2024 NFL Draft Picks (Overall No. per Tankathon):
Round 1: No. 5
Round 2: No. 37
Round 3: No. 69
Round 4: No. 105, No. 110 (via CHI)
Round 5: No. 140
Round 6: No. 181
Round 7: No. 225, No. 253 (compensatory)
Objective 1: Find a New No. 1 Receiver
This one shouldn't be too hard for the new general manager.
Hortiz inherited a nightmare cap scenario where the Chargers were going to have to make some sacrifices just to get compliant at the beginning of the offseason. Unfortunately, that meant offloading Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
Quentin Johnston had a disappointing rookie season, so he can't be counted on to take over as a true No. 1 receiver this year. Justin Herbert is great, but he still needs a consistent winner to rely on.
Fortunately, there are three receivers in the top 10 of our rankings this year in Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. Horitz can consider trading down, but they need one of those three.
Objective 2: Continue the Reboot in the Secondary
Jim Harbaugh's teams have been built traditionally on a physical brand of football on offense that's supported by a top-tier defense.
It's how he has built championship rosters in college and the pros. It's why it's not surprising they parted with Williams and Allen while opting to keep Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
That being said, the Chargers can't play great defense with their current secondary. Last year, the unit gave up a passer rating of 96.4. L.A. signed Kristian Fulton in free agency, but that's just one small step that may or may not work out.
Hortiz should come out of this draft with at least one corner and one safety who could become starters.
Objective 3: Beef Up the Defensive Interior
Again, this is a roster that needs to be contoured to the type of team that Harbaugh is used to coaching. The defensive interior isn't a desperate need, but it also doesn't look like it was a priority of the previous regime.
Morgan Fox is an undersized pass-rushing specialist, and Tuli Tuipulotu is more suited as an edge-rusher. The Chargers need to add at least one prototypical run-stuffer, even if it's with a Day 3 pick.
Harbaugh is very familiar with Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, and he would make a lot of sense.
New England Patriots: Eliot Wolf
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The New England Patriots and Bill Belichick might have parted ways, but they still do things a little differently.
The Pats don't have a named general manager, but Eliot Wolf told reporters in February that he will have the final say over the team's draft decisions. He also noted at the combine that he has changed up the New England grading system heading into the draft.
Wolf's approach will be based more on his experience with the Green Bay Packers. That's where he got his start where he served under his father, former Packers GM Ron Wolf. He left for New England in 2020, so it will be interesting to see how he blends the two approaches.
2024 NFL Draft Picks (Overall No. per Tankathon):
Round 1: No. 3
Round 2: No. 34
Round 3: No. 68
Round 4: No. 103
Round 5: No. 137
Round 6: No. 180, No. 193 (via JAX)
Round 7: No. 231 (via CHI)
Objective 1: Find the Franchise Quarterback
Nothing will shorten a general manager's tenure quite like botching the opportunity to get a franchise quarterback. A fanbase will never forget if a GM passes on a chance to find a truly elite signal-caller. That's important to remember as rumors continue to circulate that there are scenarios in which New England would trade down.
The Patriots only have so much control over how the first two picks go. Caleb Williams is the presumptive top pick, and the Commanders are expected to take either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.
That leaves New England deciding between whoever is left, J.J. McCarthy or trading down. Whatever Wolf does, this early decision will define his tenure with the team.
Objective 2: Support the Quarterback
Mac Jones didn't work out. Some of that is on the quarterback, but there's plenty of blame to go around. The Patriots didn't give him much to work with, and the offensive line in front of him wasn't elite. Those factors were compounded by some questionable coaching hires.
With Jerod Mayo and Wolf taking over as the lead decision-makers, there's a chance for a much-needed reset on offense. Mayo is a defensive coach and there's already some talent on that side of the ball.
Once Wolf has his quarterbacks, the next few picks should be focused on adding at least one offensive lineman and one weapon.
Objective 3: Add Some Secondary Depth on Day 3
Unless a spectacular talent falls in their laps, the Patriots shouldn't be looking at the defensive side of the ball on the first two days of the draft. However, they have five picks on the third day of the draft, and there are some needs on defense that could be addressed.
The most realistic one is secondary depth. The Patriots placed the transition tag on Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers is on the final year of his contract. Christian Gonzalez is a long-term solution at cornerback, provided he stays healthy. Finding at least one high upside player who could fit in at safety or corner would be a big win.
Max Melton would make sense as a versatile cornerback with good ball skills, and Tykee Smith is a safety who could also wind up being a slot specialist.
Washington Commanders: Adam Peters
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Adam Peters was a major player in the San Francisco 49ers front office before getting his first GM job with the Washington Commanders.
He started off as the vice president of player personnel before moving into the assistant general manager position in 2021. He's obviously had a hand in building some great rosters in San Francisco.
He's already off to a hot start in Washington where he has provided the team with cap space to use. Washington has signed 26 free agents this offseason. That leads the league by six signings, per Spotrac. Now comes the hard part of building sustainable success through the draft.
2024 NFL Draft Picks (Overall No. per Tankathon)
Round 1: No. 2
Round 2: No. 36
Round 2: No. 40 (via CHI)
Round 3: No. 67
Round 3: No. 78 (via SEA)
Round 3: No. 100 (via SF)
Round 5: No. 139
Round 5: No. 152 (via SEA)
Round 7: No. 222
Objective 1: Pick the Right Quarterback
Peters has done a lot to change the culture and talent level in free agency, but it will be all for naught if he doesn't get the No. 2 overall pick right.
The future of the organization rides with selecting the right quarterback. Assuming the Bears are going to take Caleb Williams at No. 1, the Commanders will be picking between Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy.
Our scouting department sees Maye as the clear choice. He ranks third overall on our big board, while Daniels is 29th and McCarthy is 54th.
However, Peters will make the call. He just has to be right because his reputation is on the line.
Objective 2: Establish a Vision
This one is a little less concrete than some of the other objectives, but it's an important one for Peters given how much draft capital the Commanders have.
The GM had a lot of money to spend in free agency and a lot of it went on players who had connections to the coaching staff. For example, Dan Quinn brought over four former Cowboys.
Washington is second in the league in draft capital, per Tankathon. Peters has nine total picks and six in the top 100 to make an impression.
When we look at the Commanders' draft haul, it should give us a more cohesive picture of what he wants the roster to ultimately look like.
Objective 3: Rebuild the Edges
For the last few years, the defensive line was the most promising feature of the Commanders roster.
Chase Young and Montez Sweat were supposed to team up with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to form one of the scariest defensive lines in the league. Now they don't have Sweat or Young, but they do have a whole stash of draft picks.
The first pick obviously needs to be a quarterback, but the Commanders already have weapons in place to help a young signal-caller.
They need to target at least one promising edge-defender at the top of the second round to rebuild the pass rush. Bralen Trice and Chris Braswell should be considerations.
Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.
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