Re-Drafting 2024 NFL Draft After Preseason, Training Camp
Training camp and the NFL preseason has a way of revealing truths that the draft process often obscures.
While the 2024 NFL Draft was filled with excitement and hope surrounding an organization's newest faces, the realities of preseason and camp can reshuffle the deck. With the dust settled after weeks of workouts, joint practices and preseason action, it's time to revisit the draft board.
Avoiding full hypotheticals was a goal in mind here. Specifically, toward a team like the Minnesota Vikings, who lost QB J.J. McCarthy for the 2024 campaign due to injury. There was simply no way of knowing what would occur pre-draft, and thus, the pick does not change here as the individual player and scheme still fit.
While much is to be clarified considering not one of the following rookies has played an NFL snap, this re-draft considers how teams might approach their selections differently. Whether a change in selection is due to a positional need that was left unfilled (and remains a roster hole heading into the fall) or a change of heart after witnessing the first glimpse of what their pick truly brings to the table, this re-draft pulls the lens closer on each pick prior to the start of the regular season.
Picks 1-4
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1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
Original Pick: QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams has lived up to every expectation as Chicago's current and future face of the franchise thus far. If the preseason slate was an appetizer of what's to come from Williams, he'll quickly assert himself as one of the NFL's premier young talents under center.
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
Original Pick: QB Jayden Daniels
Similar to Williams in Chicago, Jayden Daniels has been impressive during each phase of the offseason in Washington. A dual-threat talent who can stretch teams horizontally with his legs only to attack via the air downfield, the Commanders' trade of Jahan Dotson spoke volumes toward just how much Washington brass entrusts Daniels in lifting the performance ceiling of those around him.
3. New England Patriots: OT Joe Alt
Original Pick: QB Drake Maye
While Drake Maye made a late summer push to start over veteran Jacoby Brissett, the North Carolina product will start the year as QB2 on the Patriots' depth chart. He remains just a play away, but the selection of Alt would have provided an immediate, rock-solid starter along the front five with an All-Pro ceiling at another premium position.
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr
Original Pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr
Expected to become one of the NFL's elite pass-catchers in rapid fashion, Marvin Harrison Jr has looked and played the part thus far in camp for Arizona. We only saw the Ohio State product for three total snaps in the preseason in an effort to keep him at 100 percent for when games matter, and you can't blame head coach Jonathan Gannon for his approach. Working in tandem with QB Kyler Murray, Harrison Jr. is expected to thrive early in his rookie season.
Picks 5-8
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5. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Brock Bowers
Original Pick: OT Joe Alt
With their original pick in OT Joe Alt off the board in this exercise, GM Joe Hortiz stays on the offensive side of the ball to add the dynamic skill set of Brock Bowers. The two-time Mackey award winner as college football's top tight end, Bowers' alignment versatility and explosiveness in space would complement QB Justin Herbert extremely well.
6. New York Giants: QB Drake Maye
Original Pick: WR Malik Nabers
While the Giants were rumored heavily as a team looking to make a move up for a QB in April, GM Joe Schoen stayed pat and took WR Malik Nabers. While Nabers has been sensational during the summer, the need for talent under center remains New York's biggest hole. Daniel Jones doesn't look like the future, and neither does Drew Lock. By adding Drake Maye here, the Giants get their quarterback of the future despite the current money tied to Jones. As long as Jones remains in town, the Giants' overall performance ceiling will remain capped.
7. Tennessee Titans: OT Olu Fashanu
Original Pick: OT JC Latham
A natural fit at left tackle, Olu Fashanu would slide in seamlessly to protect the blindside of QB Will Levis. While JC Latham has been good in his first summer as a Titan, he's had to make the move to left tackle after living on the right side during his days at Alabama. The transition for Fashanu is smoother in this exercise with positional projection in consideration, which ultimately gives him the nod here.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Laiatu Latu
Original Pick: QB Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta received heavy criticism after drafting Michael Penix Jr. in the top 10 back in April. It's a selection that could serve them well should they see the Kirk Cousins addition as a short-term fling, but there's a high chance we don't see Penix compete in live game action (barring an injury to Cousins) for multiple seasons. With that being said, adding Laiatu Latu, a technically refined pass-rusher, could have been the simpler approach from GM Terry Fontenot. Latu fills an immediate hole within the front seven, and it won't take potentially two or more seasons for him to have an impact.
Picks 9-12
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9. Chicago Bears: WR Malik Nabers
Original Pick: WR Rome Odunze
Either way you flip the coin, Chicago adds an electric talent at the wide receiver spot. In reality, the team took Rome Odunze whose skill set is expected to align seamlessly with QB Caleb Williams. However, in this exercise, Malik Nabers is on the board, making it awfully tough to pass on him at No. 9 overall.
10. Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy
Original Pick: QB J.J. McCarthy
If we wanted to act like we could predict the future then sure, a variety of different avenues could have been explored here. However, the Vikings had no way of predicting J.J. McCarthy would miss the entirety of his rookie campaign when drafting him back in April, and we aren't going to play hypotheticals. He's the quarterback of the future in Minnesota.
11. New York Jets: WR Rome Odunze
Original Pick: OT Olu Fashanu
More talent around Aaron Rodgers. While the current Jets QB annually entered seasons with minimal talent on the perimeter in Green Bay, adding Rome Odunze would have provided him a dynamic 1-2 combo alongside Garrett Wilson.
12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix
Original Pick: QB Bo Nix
Bo Nix has done nothing but impress in his first offseason in Denver. He beat out veteran Jarrett Stidham for the starting nod, and he looks to be the piece for both the short and long term for head coach Sean Payton. There were signal-callers in the draft with a higher level of arm talent and creativity outside of structure, but Nix's poise, maturity, processing ability and knack for taking care of the football were matched by few.
Nix finished his final season at Oregon with just five turnover-worthy plays on 467 passing attempts, and he failed to record a single throw of the same variety on 30 attempts in the preseason.
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Picks 13-16
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13. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Michael Penix Jr.
Original Pick: TE Brock Bowers
While Vegas brass opted to add more talent in the tight ends room in the form of Bowers, the addition of Penix Jr. in this exercise would have filled a much larger hole on the offense. For the Raiders, the tandem of Bowers and Michael Mayer should complement each other well, but solidifying the team's future under center was a priority that went unfulfilled in April.
A record six quarterbacks came off the board within the first 12 selections in April.
14. New Orleans Saints: OT Troy Fautanu
Original Pick: OT Taliese Fuaga
A natural fit at left tackle, Fautanu has the size, movement skills and experience living on an island on the left side. While New Orleans drafted Fuaga in reality to play opposite of former first-rounder Trevor Penning, Penning's struggles continued into the summer, forcing head coach Dennis Allen to move Fuaga to the left side.
While Fuaga's demeanor and ability as a run blocker showcase the traits of a dominant right tackle, he'll now be asked to thrive at a position where he didn't record a single snap in college.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Quinyon Mitchell
Original Pick: EDGE Laiatu Latu
With their original pick in Latu off the board, this is a case where need takes over in the re-draft. Indianapolis has talent at edge, but an upgrade at corner was warranted in April.
The 2024 NFL Draft's premier Group of Five prospect, Mitchell was sensational in his time at Toledo, was dominant at the Senior Bowl and elevated himself into the conversation as the premier defensive player in the '24 class.
16. Seattle Seahawks: DL Byron Murphy II
Original Pick: DL Byron Murphy II
The fit of Murphy up front should see the Texas product thrive early and often. With defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald in charge, a look back to Macdonald's success in Baltimore with IDL Justin Madubuike should excite Seahawks fans. Surrounding veteran talent in Leonard Taylor and Jarran Reed should see Murphy earn isolated opportunities in his rookie campaign.
Picks 17-20
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17. Minnesota Vikings (moved up from No. 23 with JAX): EDGE Dallas Turner
Original Pick: EDGE Dallas Turner
A twitched-up ballplayer off the edge, Turner inside a Brian Flores defense will be an exciting arc to follow. With Jonathan Greenard working on the opposite side, Turner will face advantageous matchups early and often as a Viking. No changes here.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Taliese Fuaga
Original Pick: OT Amarius Mims
Adding a wideout was an option here, but protecting quarterback Joe Burrow remains priority No. 1 for the Bengals. Fuaga is a mauling right tackle whose ability to distort the line of scrimmage would have boosted both facets of the Cincinnati offense.
19. Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Jared Verse
Original Pick: EDGE Jared Verse
A year after the Rams added front-seven talent in Byron Young (Tennessee) and Kobie Turner (Wake Forest), Verse joins the group as another highly skilled, youth-infused talent. Verse is a power-laden rusher whose ability to win through the chest of even the most sturdy offensive tackles will present a high floor for success.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Amarius Mims
Original Pick: OT Troy Fautanu
Health has and will remain a question for Mims moving down the line. As talented an offensive lineman as you'll find in the 2024 class, staying off the shelf will remain paramount for Mims to reach his lofty performance ceiling. Drafted by the Bengals in April, Mims' battle with a strained shoulder limited in preseason action (16 total snaps). In this exercise, he falls into the lap of head coach Mike Tomlin to provide more protection for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Picks 21-24
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21. Miami Dolphins: EDGE Chop Robinson
Original Pick: EDGE Chop Robinson
The draft's most explosive sack artist, Robinson is set up for quick success in Miami. With both Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips working back from injury, the Penn State product will be thrown into action and asked to produce. The approach will see Robinson sink or swim, but his twitch and athleticism along the defensive front should allow him to push the pocket with some consistency early on.
Still just 21 years old, Robinson's ceiling remains as lofty as any pass-rusher in the class.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Terrion Arnold
Original Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell
Considering Philadelphia's desire to add wideouts this offseason (drafted Johnny Wilson and traded for Jahan Dotson) the idea of adding a pass-catcher was pondered here. However, playing hypotheticals is a no-no in this exercise, and general manager Howie Roseman sticks to his script to what we saw in April.
Arnold, like draft day selection Quinyon Mitchell, would have immediately become one of the Eagles' top two corners on the roster with the ability to play inside-out within defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (traded back from No. 17 with MIN): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Original Pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr.
One of the draft's premier man corners, McKinstry working opposite Tyson Campbell was a player-to-team match that was often thrown around in the pre-draft process. In this exercise, it comes to fruition.
While Brian Thomas Jr. will have an opportunity to showcase his skill set this fall (deservedly so), the Jaguars had a legitimate top three in-house before his selection, and boosting the secondary was a primary need.
24. Detroit Lions (traded up from No. 29 with DAL): CB Kamari Lassiter
Original Pick: CB Terrion Arnold
A standout during the summer months, Lassiter is a name to keep an eye on when it's time to award DROY honors late in the winter. While the Houston Texans and head coach DeMeco Ryans should remain highly intrigued with how Lassiter has performed thus far. His skill set was Day 1 worthy, and thus, his name comes off the board here in this exercise.
In April, Detroit added corners Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with its first two selections, showcasing the need for talent in the Lions' corners room.
Picks 25-28
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25. Green Bay Packers: CB Cooper DeJean
Original Pick: OL Jordan Morgan
A versatile secondary piece whose physicality and open-field tackling popped on tape, Cooper DeJean to Green Bay was a consistent player-team match thrown around pre-draft. While it remains to be seen where DeJean finds his niche in the NFL, his hybrid skill set would have aligned nicely in Green Bay alongside Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes.
DeJean, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round, has spent time this summer at nickel, perimeter corner and safety.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OL Graham Barton
Original Pick: OL Graham Barton
The selection of Barton won't 'wow' a crowd or draw headlines, but his true five-position versatility up front will showcase well for a long, long time in Tampa Bay. Considering the presence of recently extended QB Baker Mayfield, young RBs Rachaad White and Bucky Irinvg and a long list of playmaking wideouts, Barton's presence up front will remain key in the Buccaneers reaching their ceiling in 2024.
27. Arizona Cardinals: IOL Zach Frazier
Original Pick: EDGE Darius Robinson
Considering Arizona's talent at the position, fortifying the pivot spot looked to initially be a priority for general manager Monti Ossenfort. However, adding talent at the position was not in the plans during the offseason.
Arizona spent third-round capital on guard Isaiah Adams in April, but adding a talent like Frazier to start immediately at center could have been good process. Considering the way the Cardinals will make their money this fall, keeping Kyler Murray upright should remain of the utmost importance. Additionally, considering Marvin Harrison Jr.'s success will correlate directly with Murray, keeping Arizona's QB off the turf will also allow the Cardinals' new pass-catcher to thrive from Week 1 onward.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (Moved up from No. 32 with BUF): WR Xavier Worthy
Original Pick: WR Xavier Worthy
The rich got richer in Kansas City this offseason, and fans should be on the edge of their seats to watch the fireworks this fall.
Xavier Worthy is an explosive playmaker who will force mismatches early in his career, but he's more than just speed. His ability to snap off routes, take it the distance on designated touches and outrun undisciplined angles will add a unique element to the already explosive Chiefs offense.
Picks 29-32
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29. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton
Original Pick: OT Tyler Guyton
Replacing a future Hall of Famer isn't easy. It's even tougher when you have to fill those shoes with a rookie.
While Tyler Guyton has a long way to go before he's ever put into the same category as Tyron Smith, Dallas' new left tackle has looked every bit the part during camp and the preseason. In 29 pass pro snaps during exhibition action, Guyton failed to allow a QB hit or sack and gave up just one pressure.
30. Baltimore Ravens: OT JC Latham
Original Pick: CB Nate Wiggins
Outside of left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens' front five will look plenty different from how it looked a year ago.
While the team has confidence in Andrew Vorhees at left guard, former tackle turned right guard Daniel Faalele and rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, the addition of a versatile prospect like Latham could have calmed concerns. While Latham was drafted by Tennessee in reality, in this exercise, his alignment versatility and vertical power in the run game would have been welcomed with open arms.
31. San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall
Original Pick: WR Ricky Pearsall
Health remains of the utmost importance currently for Pearsall, who was the target of a robbery in San Francisco just a few days ago. All signs point toward him working back to full health in rapid fashion, which is great news, and he should quickly assert himself as another playmaker within the Niners' offense.
32. Carolina Panthers (traded up from No. 33 with BUF): WR Keon Coleman
Original Pick: WR Xavier Legette
I expect Legette to be featured early and often in Carolina. However, Coleman's hands, fluidity and performance ceiling move him above Legette in this exercise. While both pass-catchers entered the draft with immense buzz around their name, Coleman's ability to truly do it all within every level of a defense sees his skill set prioritized here.
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