2024 NFL Draft Needs for the NFC
Yes, free agency, franchise tags, and trades will impact NFL Draft needs over the next 60+ days, that’s why this is a “1.0” look at where all 16 NFC teams stand Pre-NFL Combine.
*"HM" = Honorable Mention
Arizona Cardinals
WR, DL, OL HM: CB
Picks: 4, 27, 35, 66, 71, 90, 104, 136, 160, 187, 223
Cardinals fans justly want Marvin Harrison Jr. WR1 Hollywood Brown is free agency bound and Rondale Moore and Michael Wilson aren’t going to carry the weight behind their WR2-WR3 ceilings.
Considering Arizona’s array of Day 2 and 3 picks, strike at high-value positions early. Defensive & offensive interiors should wait unless BPA begs otherwise. EDGE, Tackle, and Corner at 27 and 35 projects well. Some names to chomp on: Laiatu Latu, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and Patrick Paul.
Atlanta Falcons
QB, EDGE, WR HM: CB
Picks: 8, 43, 74, 79, 109, 141, 198
I won’t be convinced otherwise that GM Terry Fontenot is taking a big swing at quarterback with Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, with J.J. McCarthy as the third option.
With that, it’s hard to project the remaining capital. Just assume the 2nd is flushed and go to Round 3, two names for a critical slot receiver addition are Ricky Pearsall and Brenden Rice. If the 2nd remains, Roman Wilson could find his dream fit. I’d forecast EDGE to be the big Free Agency $.
Carolina Panthers
WR, TE, EDGE HM: OG
Picks: 33, 65, 101, 140, 164, 179
How can new Head Coach Dave Canales and new General Manager Dan Morgan justly evaluate their future with QB Bryce Young by giving him a bologna sandwich for a receiving room? They have no choice: the new era begins with a wide receiver. “Best player available!” A 34-year-old Adam Thielen is easily your best receiver. Don’t overthink it.
Adam Thielen - 103 catches, 1014 yards, 4 touchdowns
D.J. Chark Jr. - 35 catches, 525 yards, 5 TDs
Jonathan Mingo - 43 catches, 418 yards
Terrace Marshall Jr. - 19 catches, 139 yards
Laviska Shenault Jr. - 10 catches, 60 yards
Ihmir Smith-Marsette - 8 catches, 51 yards
Who could potentially be the tier of receivers available? AD Mitchell, Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, & Ladd McConkey.
Chicago Bears
EDGE, IOL, WR HM: CB
Picks: 1, 9, 75, 110, 122, 142
It’s Caleb. Notice the gap between 9 and 75. Can Ryan Poles afford to move up for MHJ, Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze or does one fall?
The Bears could be a sneaky spot to do something unexpected, like CB1 (Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell), particularly if they handled EDGE or Center in Free Agency. Jared Verse is the better schematic and body habitus fit for a Matt Eberflus system, but Dallas Turner will test better.
Dallas Cowboys
OL, CB, LB HM: DL
Picks: 24, 56, 87, 172, 212, 230, 241
The Dallas Cowboys nearly took OT/OG Matthew Bergeron at #26 in the 2023 NFL Draft. Is it time for that player profile for Dallas with Washington’s Troy Fautanu or Arizona’s Jordan Morgan?
Well, considering the face of your franchise, Micah Parsons, recently quoted on The Stephen A. Smith Show: “Look at every team that was in that final four. Who did they have? A great linebacking corps, right? I said we need to get us another bigger linebacker who's gonna come down — I said we need to get a super, 330 nasty interior. . . . I think we've got a lot of rushers. I think Osa [Obdighizuwa], can play inside, outside, one of the most versatile DTs. When we lost [Johnathan Hankins], he's a big dude, but we need to get one of them big old, nasty, pass-rushing, get-going [guys].”
Woof reading that if you’re 2023 1st Round pick NT Mazi Smith.
Detroit Lions
CB, DL
Picks: 29, 61, 73, 92, 162, 206, 246
Similar to what I said concerning Baltimore, the corner board at the bottom of Round 1 is going to be interesting. Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs as boundary corners is a perfect example of where to take the next step to the Super Bowl. More is needed to hang with Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, etc.
Green Bay Packers
OT, DB
Picks: 25, 41, 58, 88, 91, 126, 167, 203, 215, 242, 250
Green Bay finally rips off the David Bakhtiari band-aid, congrats.
Additional secondary consistency with Jaire Alexander is needed to take the next step. Eric Stokes, while talented, is struggling to stay healthy. Keisean Nixon is Free Agency bound and Darnell Savage is also set to potentially test the market. Backup safety Anthony Johnson Jr. is just that, your backup safety. Rudy Ford could look to take the next step next year into the starting pairing.
New Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley will require an elevated skillset to match his safety-dependent scheme and improve a lack of ball production in his secondary. Single-high center fielder Calen Bullock is a name I love for Green Bay Day 2.
Los Angeles Rams
OT, CB, EDGE
Picks: 19, 52, 83, 152, 153, 176, 190, 211, 216, 217
One could argue the biggest need in Round 1. See how the board falls. Sean McVay and Les Snead showed with Puka Nacua, Bryon Young, and Kobie Turner they will exceptionally fill needs Day 2 and 3. High-speed athletic traits in players like Mohamed Kamara, Xavier Thomas, and Javon Solomon are the types to go Day 3 to LA and excel.
Minnesota Vikings
QB, DL, LB, CB, HM : IOL
Picks: 11, 42, 108, 129, 155, 165, 178, 227
It’s J.J. McCarthy, right? With or without Kirk Cousins next year, the fit with Kevin O’Connell is like a glove, particularly if given time behind Cousins. If not McCarthy, it has to be Dallas Turner or Jared Verse. We’ll see what comes of freakshow Danielle Hunter, regardless EDGE is needed. The cornerback concerns seem like a yearly Draft tradition at this point.
Day 3 as you can see is a heavy day for Minnesota in Rounds 4 and 5 to cash in on interior offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker depth. Some names? Beaux Limmer, Mason McCormick, McKinnley Jackson, Justin Eboigbe, and Cedric Gray.
New Orleans Saints
DL, OT
Picks: 14, 45, 148, 166, 168, 173, 191
The Saints swung and missed on Trevor Penning. Flipping over to Ryan Ramczyk, some insurance is needed in response to his season-ending knee injury. Speaking of injuries, Derek Carr is this guy from SpongeBob, who broke his ribs, sprained his throwing shoulder, and endured two concussions this year.
The Saints have nearly gone all in on Carr. Part of going all in on your quarterback is providing him protection across the board consistently, not mangling him. Of the group of Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, Amarius Mims, J.C. Latham, & Tyler Guyton, someone has to be a Saint.
New York Giants
WR, S, LB, OL
Picks: 6, 39, 47, 70, 107, 139, 184
I won’t be changing Rome Odunze as the 6th pick to the Giants. Daniel Jones is your quarterback. Even if the bed needs washing, you made it already, so go ahead and lie in it. The size of Odunze is needed more with the current Giants receiver room than Malik Nabers. 39, 47, and 70 have to feature an IOL, Safety, and Linebacker. Graham Barton, Payton Wilson, & Tyler Nubin are three names I love here.
Philadelphia Eagles
DB, WR
Picks: 22, 50, 53, 97, 159, 169, 170, 177, 188
James Bradberry, Darius Slay, and Kevin Byard appear to be well past their primes on the tape and the stat sheet, allowing next-to-worst passing yards per game in the NFL. Unacceptable from the Eagles. So make changes and get younger.
With the addition of veteran defensive play caller Vic Fangio, he will ask a lot of his perimeter corners in Cover 2 and need island man coverage ability from physical high-speed athletes. A double dip could come at DB with those four Top 100 picks.
San Francisco 49ers
CB, OL
Picks: 31, 63, 94, 98, 124, 131, 175, 213, 214, 236, 248
With four Top 100 picks and few needs, the 49ers can’t lick their wounds any longer. The bottom of Round 1 lines up for a run on both positions of need.
Seattle Seahawks
IOL, DL, QB
Picks: 16, 76, 78, 118, 150, 193, 232
Mike Macdonald’s scheme will require consistent size and production in the defensive interior. For that reason along with the gap from 16 to 76 and 78, I can’t shake DT1 heading to Seattle: whether it be Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton (I’d bet my $ on Murphy II though I prefer Newton.) Day 2 and Day 3 offensive interiors that fit: Christian Mahogany, Cooper Beebe, and Hunter Nourzad.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EDGE, C, CB
Picks: 26, 57, 89, 125, 202, 243, 254
Baker’s back and he should be. Tampa is circled for Jackson Powers-Johnson at #26 with Ryan Jensen's retirement unless an undeniable pass rusher or corner has fallen. Lockdown C1 versus risking Frazier, SVP, etc. Look at this group on day two and 125 for those two needs: Renardo Green, Max Melton, Marshawn Kneeland, Javon Solomon, and Gabriel Murphy.
Washington Commanders
QB, EDGE, OL HM: WR/TE
Picks: 2, 36, 40, 67, 100, 102, 137, 180, 219
Between the Draft and Free Agency, the Commanders have to go the hardest. Open the checkbook and cash in Draft capital. Particularly in a top-heavy Draft, don’t acquire more picks, cash in those 6 Top 102 picks.
I included pass catchers as an honorable mention, but there’s a drop-off after EDGE and the offensive line.
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