Welcome to The Athletic‘s pick-by-pick grades for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. We analyzed each selection as it happened on Thursday night. Which teams made the right choices? Who might have some regrets in the future?
While we won’t know the full answers for a few seasons, our grades took into consideration various factors like pick value, trade costs, and the draft board at the time of selection.
Let’s see how each team performed:
(Note: Scott Dochterman provided grades for odd-numbered picks, Nick Baumgardner for even-numbered picks.)
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
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Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
“The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the draft
There was only one logical choice for the Bears with the top pick, and they made it. Selecting Williams was the right move for a franchise in need of a star quarterback. Williams has the potential to lead the Bears to success they haven’t seen since the days of Sid Luckman in the 1940s. With his talent and abilities, Williams could bring a new era of success to Chicago.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, Williams is a versatile and skilled quarterback who can make plays in any situation. While he has some areas to improve on, such as reducing fumbles, his potential for greatness is evident.
Grade: A
GO DEEPER
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Washington D.C. welcomes a new quarterback in Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner. Daniels brings exceptional talent and leadership to the team, with the potential to transform the offense. While he has areas to improve upon, his skills make him a great fit for the modern game.
Grade: A