NFL Draft 2024: Team-by-Team Analysis and Grades for Rounds 1-3

Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft is now over, with teams making their selections in each of the first three rounds.

The draft didn't start with a large surprise, as the Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. However, the early run of signal-callers continued after Williams was selected.

Six quarterbacks were taken in the first 12 picks, while the first defensive player wasn't selected until the Indianapolis Colts took UCLA pass-rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 15.

This Atlanta Falcons were among the organizations to add a signal-caller, as the team made the controversial decision to pick Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after previously handing Kirk Cousins a four-year deal worth $180 million in free agency (per Spotrac).

The Falcons pivoted to defense on Day 2, selecting two defensive lineman with their second and third-round picks.

Team-by-Team NFL Draft Grades

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DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the stage to announce a pick during day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Arizona: B+

Atlanta: C+

Baltimore: B+

Buffalo: B-

Carolina: B-

Chicago: A-

Cincinnati: B+

Cleveland: B

Dallas: B-

Denver: C+

Detroit: A

Green Bay: B+

Houston: B

Indianapolis: A-

Jacksonville: B-

Kansas City: A-

Los Angeles Chargers: A

Los Angeles Rams: B+

Las Vegas: A-

Miami: B-

Minnesota: B+

New England: A-

New Orleans: B

New York Giants: B+

New York Jets: B-

Philadelphia: A

Pittsburgh: B+

Seattle: A-

San Francisco: C+

Tampa Bay: B

Tennessee: B

Washington: B-

Chicago Bears: A-

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - APRIL 26: Rome Odunze #15 and Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears pose for a photo during their introductory press conference at Halas Hall on April 26, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Caleb Williams was selected first overall and Rome Odunze was selected ninth overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

While Williams was the obvious choice at No. 1, Chicago made sure to pair him with one of the top receivers in the draft by selecting Washington's Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick. Odunze recorded 92 catches for 1,640 yards during his senior season with the Huskies, including 13 touchdowns.

On the final big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, Odunze ranked as the No. 2 receiver and the No. 6 overall player in the 2024 class.

B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen wrote that the 21-year-old has "shades of Davante Adams" in his scouting report.

"Odunze is a quarterback's best friend," Klassen added. "He's a reliable route-runner with good size and an accuracy-erasing catch radius. Odunze can be a classic X receiver who moonlights as a slot receiver from time to time thanks to his awareness and ability to play in traffic."

In the third round, the Bears selected Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie as general manager Ryan Poles made a concerted effort to build around Williams. Focusing on surrounding Chicago's franchise signal-caller with talent is key, especially after the Bears owned the NFL's sixth-worst passing attack in 2023.

Indianapolis Colts: A-

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 25: Laiatu Latu poses after being selected 15th overall by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Latu was the first defensive player off the board, and it's not hard to see why. The 23-year-old was dominant during his final two seasons at UCLA, recording 10.5 sacks in 13 games during the 2022 season before racking up 13 sacks while playing in 12 games during his 2023 campaign.

He should thrive on a Colts defense that consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks in 2023, as their 51 sacks ranked No. 5 among all teams.

Indianapolis spent Day 2 building around quarterback Anthony Richardson after a shoulder injury ended his rookie season with just four starts under his belt. The Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the No. 52 overall pick, who should pair well alongside Michael Pittman Jr. out wide.

In his senior season with the Longhorns, Mitchell reeled in 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. He thrived in Texas' victory in the Big 12 title game, recording 109 yards and a score on just six receptions.

The Colts ended Day 2 by drafting Pittsburgh tackle Matt Gonclaves, who thrived as a pass protector in college. While he'll likely operate as a swing lineman in 2024, he could earn a starting job as early as 2025.

Atlanta Falcons: C+

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

While Penix excelled at Washington in 2023, passing for 4,903 yards in 15 games, his fit on the Falcons' roster is tricky. Cousins' $180 million contract includes $100 million guaranteed, meaning that the former Husky likely won't see the field unless an injury occurs.

Penix also ranked as the No. 7 quarterback and No. 87 overall player on B/R's final big board. While he may not have lasted as long given the selections of J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix after him, it's still a strange choice to use such a high pick on a player that doesn't have a clear-cut path towards a starting job.

The Falcons focused on defense in each of the following rounds, selecting Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro with the No. 35 pick before taking Washington outside linebacker Bralen Trice at No. 74.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was extremely excited about Orhorhoro in particular, telling reporters "that was the guy we wanted."

Trice also wrapped up a pair of productive seasons with the Huskies, surpassing seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in both 2022 and 2023.

While the Penix choice was perplexing, Atlanta made up for it with a pair of strong Day 2 selections.