2024 NFL Draft Grades

Green Bay Packers: DRAFT GRADE - A

#7 Overall - Rome Odunze, WR Washington (6th overall rated player)

#32 Overall - Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa (15th overall rated player)

#64 Overall - Junior Colson, LB Michigan (87th overall rated player)

#95 Overall - Jaden Hicks, S Washington State(111th overall rated player)

4th round - Sedrick Van Pran, IOL Georgia (69th overall rated player)

4th round - Ray Davis, RB Kentucky (54th overall rated player T1st RB)

4th round - Kris Abrams-Draine, CB Missouri (127th overall rated player)

5th round - Christian Jones, OT Texas (89th overall rated player)

5th round - Mekhi Wingo, DT LSU (116th overall rated player)

6th round - Tyler Grable, OL UCF - 6th round grade

6th round - Myles Cole, DE (163rd overall rated player)

7th round - KJ Leveston, OL Kansas State 5th/6th round grade

Huge haul in terms of overall picks here and obviously a lot of players from the major conferences here. GB likes to go with Big Programs more than anything else and those roles continued here with A ton of SEC, Big 10, and Pac 12 players here. 

The overall values here are very strong though with 8 of the top 116 players overall in this class and two of the top 15 guys. He added a ton of quality depth here and didn’t sacrifice the ability for him to end up with blue chip talent. Odunze is a true top tier player who projects as a Pro Bowl talent player despite only being the 3rd WR on his own team. DeJean is a versatile DB who likely sticks at CB but could move to safety if necessary. He gives the Packers two of the top 15 players in this entire class. Davis was tied for the highest rated RB in this class by BT53 and shows an ability to run in a variety of different schemes and looks to be someone who could be a legitimate starter in the NFL. 

The other pieces here add to a very solid class. Colson and Hicks are both situational starters in the NFL. SVP and Christian Jones both have low end starter grades along the offensive line and Mekhi Wingo and KAD look like quality role players in the NFL. That is a ton of value from a draft class.

Total Haul: 

Blue Chip: 2 (Odunze, DeJean)

High End Starters: 0

Starters: 3 (Colson, Davis, Hicks)

Low End starters/High Quality Role Players: 2 (Van Pran, Jones)

Role Players: 2 (Abrams-Draine, Wingo)

Make the 53: 3 (Grable, Cole, Leveston)

Los Angeles Chargers: DRAFT GRADE - B

#19 Overall - Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo (9th rated player overall) 

#84 Overall - Adisa Isaac, DE Penn State (70th rated player overall)

4th round - Cade Stover, TE Ohio State (79th rated player overall)

5th round - Jeremiah Trotter, LB Clemson ( 92nd rated player overall)

5th round - Jacob Monk, C Duke (UDFA grade)

6th round - Christian Mahogany, G Boston College (75th rated player overall)

6th round - Michael Pratt, QB Tulane (122nd rated player overall)

7th round - James Williams, S Miami (UDFA Grade)

UDFA - Leonard Taylor III - 77th overall rated player

UDFA - Gabriel Murphy - 109th overall rated player 

Really good draft in terms of adding quality pieces here for the Chargers. Obviously no second round pick hurt his big time haul but he made up for that with two tremendous UDFA signings including the only two players still left rated above 72 grade on the BT53 board. This is more of a role player type draft for the Chargers who found 7 of the top 109 players in this class and filled a lot of needs. Monk was a reach who they needed to fill that scheme but I doubt he makes a roster. Williams is the same. Isaac, Stover, and Trotter are all quality role players but may not start. The only thing that made this draft a B and not an A is the lack of likely starters on this draft. 

The Chargers started the draft with a grand slam type pick. Mitchell was the CB1 in this class and getting the 9th rated player and CB1 all the way back at pick 19 without having to move up was a huge move for a team that needed a CB. He’s a true blue chip player and may end up as an All Pro talent. 

Isaac, Stover, and Trotter are all projected as quality role players in the league. Isaac is a speed rusher only but could be a plus player in that role. Trotter in the 5th was a quality snag. Stover looks like a top tier second TE in the league who can give a team multiple options offensively. Pratt feels like a long term backup in the NFL and it was a smart move to add a backup for the unproven Will Levis. Taylor III could have gone as high as the 3rd round and not raised an eyebrow for me, going undrafted he could get a quality rotational DL. Murphy was arguably the most polished player remaining as a UDFA and looks the part of a 3rd edge rusher. I think the best pick that he made was Christian Mahogany though, getting the 75th best player in round 6 was shocking 

Blue Chip: 1

High End Starters: 0

Starters: 0

Low End Starters/High End Role Players: 6 (Isaac, Stover, Trotter, Mahogany, Taylor, Murphy)

Role Players: 1 (Pratt)

UDFAs: 2 (Monk, Williams)

San Francisco 49ers: DRAFT GRADE - A

#30 Overall - Jerzhan Newton, DT Illinois (16th overall rated player)

#36 Overall - Ladd McKonkey, WR Georgia (29th overall rated player)

#40 Overall - Kool Aid-McKinstry, CB Alabama (19th overall rated player)

#93 Overall -  Troy Franklin, WR Oregon (60th overall rated player)

#100 Overall - Spencer Rattler, QB South Carolina (124th overall rated player)

4th round - Jaylen Wright, RB Tennessee (123rd overall rated player)

4th round - Jared Wiley, TE TCU (187th overall rated player)

4th round - Cam Hart, CB Notre Dame (91st overall rated player)

5th round - Beaux Limmer, C Arkansas (152nd overall rated player)

6th round - Will Reichard, K Alabama (2nd rated Kicker)

7th round - Kalen King, CB Penn State (145th overall rated player)

Tough to give anything other than an A for a team grade when you come away with 3 of the top 32 players overall. Newton is a dynamic interior rusher who has a crazy first step. McKonkey is a perfect schematic fit who thrives at getting open and Kool Aid slid down the board for no other reason than he was maybe too good during the season. He projects as a high end CB2 or a CB1 potentially. Adding those three guys alone is enough to elevate a team.

However, the team also went out and found quite a few more contributors. Franklin looks like a WR3 in the NFL. Cam Hart is a decent outside starter and CB3 in the NFL who could turn himself into a solid CB2. The 49ers also added the second best kicker in the class, elevating the special teams unit. Spencer Rattler is a developmental QB prospect who can gut out some wins as a backup QB.

With other picks there were guys who all project as potential contributors. Jaylen Wright is a burner who can break one at any point. Wiley is a seam stretcher who has some upside. Limmer is a perfect scheme fit who needs developmental time. Kalen King was great in 2022 and bad in 2023, if he plays like he did in 2022 this could be a steal. 

Blue Chip: 1 (Newton)

High End Starters: 2 (McKonkey, McKinstry)

Starters: 2 (Franklin, Hart)

Low End Starters/High End Role players: 2 (Wright, Reichard)

Role Players: 4 (Wiley, Limmer, King, Rattler)

UDFAs: 0

Houston Texans: Draft Grade - A

#2 Overall - Drake Maye, QB UNC (3rd overall rated prospect)

#53 Overall - Roger Rosengarten, OT Washington (43rd overall rated prospect)

#96 Overall - Payton Wilson, LB NC State (28th overall rated prospect)

#97 Overall - TJ Tampa, CB Iowa State (48th overall rated prospect)

5th round - Joshua Karty, K Stanford (1st rated kicker)

6th round - WR Brennan Rice, WR USC (96th rated player)

7th round - WR Cornelius Johnson, WR Michigan (154th rated player)

Well Houston decided to be exceptionally aggressive in this draft, swapping 5 picks to move up into the 3rd round and added two guys who absolutely should not have been available. This is becoming a common theme with GM TH as he’s done it three years in row now with a huge amount of success. His last three times have been for Josh Downs, Quinn Meinerz, and Tariq Woolen. This year he does it for TJ Tampa and Payton Wilson. On top of that the Texans add a 98 graded QB in Drake Maye. Maye is set up for success with this Houston team, with his old OC coming on board as well as having an excellent WR core, good OL, and a future Hall of Fame RB. It had to be tempting to take QB Jayden Daniels instead but the Texans went for the higher upside Maye. 

Rosengarten was an intriguing pick at 53. While the value was certainly there as he was the 43rd best player in this draft but he fits what the team wants in an OL prospect. He’s a physical player who can work on either side and both inside or outside. It sounds like he was a “pound the table” guy for the Texans. Wilson is a potential star but with an extensive injury history and no ACL in one knee he fell to the end of round 3 and as the 28th best player in this class is an absolute steal for Houston - even if his career isn’t super long. TJ Tampa was another faller in this class that Houston attacked. He gets some time to develop but has high end starter potential.

Karty has only missed one kick under 50 yards in his entire career and has made 10 kicks of over 50 yards in his career. Brennan Rice was about a 3rd or 4th round grade who fell to the 6th due to lack of separation ability but his redzone skills and physicality are both pluses. Johnson is a special teams ace who likely will make this team based on those skills.

Blue Chips: 2 (Maye, Wilson)

High End Starters: 2 (Rosengarten, Tampa)

Starters: 0

Low End Starters/ High End Role Players: 1 (Karty)

Role Players: 2 (Rice, Johnson)

UDFAs: 0

3GML Realignment (again)

With the sudden retirements of GMs EP and TP, the 3GML was once again in a state of upheaval. The departure of two GMs from the AFC side left only GM TH of Houston in the conference. This created a vacuum GM BD decided to fill. With his first year in Philadelphia a success, BD opted to take a on a new challenge and take over the vacant opening with the Chargers franchise. 

There were rumors that the unruly fan base and unrealistic expectations of the Eagles franchise helped sway the young GM’s decision making process, but he declined comment when asked about the reasons behind his departure.

BD immediately stated his intent to return the team to Los Angeles after their short stint in San Diego. 

“I plan to bring stability and a title to the Charger fan base,” BD said at his press conference. “This team will be a winner.”

2024 3GML Mock Draft 1.0

1. Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams, USC

I just can’t see a scenario where the Bears hang onto Fields or in  our case Purdy when there is an all-time prospect like Williams there. I think the Bears make the easy choice.

2. Houston Texans - QB Drake Maye, UNC

Houston is pretty well set across their entire roster, other than maybe the interior of the OL. But they desperately need a QB, David Shaw has proven he can get a ton of out of lesser passers, Maye is a potential superstar with an enticing blend of Justin Herbert and Josh Allen. 

3. New England Patriots - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

There is a ton of smoke that New England wants something other than a QB, but there’s no way this team doesn’t use this opportunity to upgrade the most important position in team sports. Daniels is an elite dual threat weapon who reminds everyone of Lamar Jackson.

4. Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State

In a loaded the best WR prospect in the past decade slips to 4th. Harrison is a tall and fast route runner with silky smooth agility that can create separation easily. He probably walks into the NFL as a top 15 WR and will only go up from there.

5. Washington Commanders - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

This is almost impossible to pick. In real life this is the Chargers who need both offensive line play and WR play, but Jim Harbaugh builds through the trenches and in 3GML world the Commanders desperately need an offensive lineman and Alt is the most consistent LT I’ve scouted in the past decade.

6. New York Giants - WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Pick your poison between Odunze and Nabers but here the Giants go with the bigger target for QB Daniel Jones. They have to get him more weapons and a better OL but they start here with a guy who reminds me a ton of Jamarr Chase.

7. GREEN BAY PACKERS - WR Malik Nabers, LSU

The Packers are always going to lean toward WR when it makes sense, and right here, it makes sense. The team is weak at WR after their two superstars and Nabers is worth the value here positionally and on the draft board. While it’s tough to take a WR3 with your first pick, especially with a great TE too, the Packers mantra is always add more weapons, and they do here. 

8. Atlanta Falcons - OLB Laitu Latu, UCLA

He’s falling down draft boards but he’s the best edge rusher in this class. The reason he’s falling is due to medicals but he dominated this season at UCLA. While the Falcons desperately need a QB, they are the most logical landing spot for Fields and this is where he is in the 3GML universe in 2024. Latu provides new coach Raheem Morris what he desperately needs, pass rush.

9. TRADE! Denver Broncos - QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan

I think the Broncos, Minnesota, Vegas, Seattle, etc all want a chance at the Michigan signal caller who has a plus arm and elite speed. He needs more reps as a pure thrower but he’s talented and played in a very pro style offense. In this scenario the Bears move back a couple of spots and snag a day 2 pick to continue to add value.

10. New York Jets - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

I think the Jets are in a great spot to just sit back and take one of the tackles in this draft. Fashanu isn’t the world’s greatest run blocker but he’s dynamic in pass protection with plus athleticism and good tape. The Jets are all in, they need to protect Aaron Rodgers and this is a great step in that direction.

11. Minnesota Vikings - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The Vikings I think are going to re-sign Kirk Cousins and while they probably would take McCarthy at 11 if he fell this far, in this scenario he didn’t so they snag the ultra talented Arnold. With the league’s most aggressive defense, they have to have guys who can play behind it and Arnold can certainly help with that.

12. Chicago Bears - WR Brian Thomas, LSU

Now this may be a bit high for Thomas but at 6’4 I think later this month at the combine he’s going to run close to 4.40 and that may cause his stock to rise. He’d be a perfect addition to an offense that needs more deep speed and he’d be able to open things up underneath for Williams, Moore and co.

13. Las Vegas - CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

One of the fastest players in this draft class, the Raiders decide to forgo leaping for a QB and instead take someone who can help them right away at a serious position of need. Wiggins is an exceptional athlete, and with a new regime, the Raiders can be a bit patient while not reaching for a QB.

14. New Orleans - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Positional value only matters for so long when you get a player like Bowers available. He’s arguably the best TE prospect in the past decade and his run after catch is reminiscent of George Kittle. He is improving as a blocker as well. New Orleans just needs better younger players.

15. Indianapolis Colts - DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean can play nickel, outside corner, dime, overhang, strong safety, and single high, and there are about 5 people on the planet that can do that. The Colts need more help in their secondary and there’s no better way to get that than the athletic and physical DeJean.

16. Seattle Seahawks - QB Bo Nix, Oregon

Seattle has other needs but at some point they need to start thinking about contingencies that aren’t Geno Smith. With a new regime, they want their own guy and while Nix is definitely ready to play now, they can let him season another year if they want behind Smith.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

He probably shouldn’t last this long but he ends up at 17 here for Jacksonville who already has a lot of OTs but none as talented or physical as Fuaga. At 330 pounds he has good athleticism for his size and was the nation’s best run blocker this past season. They need to improve up front and this is a great start.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

His stock has cooled a bit but he’s still a very good player. The Bengals spend capital on their secondary and with an offense that looks still very good they should snag another corner to likely replace some departing talent in the secondary.

19. Los Angeles Chargers - EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

Rumors are going around that LA might be shopping edge rusher Haasan Reddick and honestly they could use more help outside anyway so this move seems to be one that makes sense. The Chargers had a nice first year in the league and they also have needs at safety. However, after the big first move for Buckner, this is actually a prime spot to see a trade down for someone maybe moving up for Penix.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Ennis Rakestraw, Missouri

The Steelers can’t go into next season with Patrick Peterson playing 800 snaps for them, that won’t work well. While they desperately need better QB play maybe the new OC will help with that. At this point Michael Penix is an option but I’m guessing Ryan Tannehill comes in for the Black and Gold.

21. Miami Dolphins - WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

The Dolphins go big with the 6’4 Coleman. Miami has a huge need at WR that got even bigger but adding someone with the catch radius of Coleman is an asset that can’t be overlooked.

22. Tennessee Titans - OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

The Titans OL is a travesty and in our world they don’t have pick 7 so they take the best available lineman here in Fautanu. His ability to play guard or tackle will mimic what they have with last year’s number one pick and gives them some higher quality play up front. In a division with the 4 man wrecking crew of Houston, it’s needed.

23. TRADE! MINNESOTA - QB Michael Penix Jr, Washington

The Vikings make a huge swing here trading 23, their second round pick, and a 4th round pick in 2025 to move up to grab Penix from Washington. The Rams love to acquire more selections and do so, forgoing their first 1st round pick in a half dozen years. Penix will sit for a season likely behind Cousins who signs a 1-1 deal with the Vikings in this scenario.

24. Dallas Cowboys - WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

The Cowboys going all in needs to include actually going all in. They likely are going to push cap dollars into the future and re-sign Prescott and try to keep all their OL but realistically they have to get better production out of their WR2 slot. Cooks took a long time to get going last year and Michael Gallup may never be what he once was. Worthy is a playmaker who would help take the pressure off Lamb immediately. 

25. Miami Dolphins - C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

The Dolphins have serious cap issues and also needs on the interior and therefore this snag makes the most sense. JPJ was dominant at the Senior Bowl and despite being a big center at 335 pounds he moves like a man 25 pounds less. He’d also give a better anchor there on the inside than they currently have and would maybe help keep Tua a bit cleaner.

26. Tampa Bay Bucs - DE Jared Verse, Florida State

If you actually look at Tampa Bay’s roster there is more positives than negatives here. Baker Mayfield played well enough to get a longer look from them and while they could use some upgrades throughout the roster, continuing to build a good defensive front makes sense. Verse is a high impact guy who should be a nice fit in Todd Bowles’ defense.

27. Arizona Cardinals - CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

He should and will probably go higher than this but in every draft someone drops for an unknown reason and here it’s Mitchell. Arizona would sprint this card up as a team with the NFL’s worst corners add maybe the most polished player at the position in this class despite his small school pedigree.

28. Buffalo Bills - OL JC Latham, Alabama

The Bills want to play bully-ball. Latham is a monstrous human being at 350 pounds who could play guard or tackle for the Bills and offers them a people mover and road grader that fits their style perfectly. 

29.  Detroit Lions - DL Jer’zhan Newton, Illinois

While they want an edge rusher and cornerback the board just happened to fall this way here and essentially Detroit just needs more pressure. Newton is an explosive player who can get into the backfield as quickly as possible. Pairing him with what they already have upfront instantly makes their nickel package better.

30. San Francisco 49ers - WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

This may seem high for McConkey but I don’t think it is. He’s an elite route runner who would thrive in the SF offense next to CeeDee Lamb. McConkey can play both inside and outside and while he’s not necessarily explosive after the catch, he’s very good at getting tough yards and getting upfield quickly, a prerequisite in the 49ers offensive attack.

31. Baltimore Ravens - CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Back to back Bulldogs here but Lassiter’s quickness and ability to cover is going to be coveted around the end of day 1. If Baltimore is also looking to shop injury prone star CB Marlon Humphrey then this is a position of need, even if not, it still may be a position of need moving forward. 

32. Green Bay Packers - OL Graham Barton, Duke

The Packers have never cared about scheme up front and they don’t start now with Barton. GM SD has always liked the big school high floor guys and it’s paid off with some excellent players and that’s what Barton is. He may end up taking over for Ben Powers at guard or moving over to RT to replace McGlinchey in a year but overall he’s a high floor versatile OL who plays the game with a mean streak.