There’s no event quite like the 2024 NFL Draft. This year, we saw a whopping six quarterbacks selected in the first round, tying an NFL record. While the QBs will have a heavy hand in future success or failure, several other prospects can make an early impact too.
While we won’t know the true results of this draft class for at least a few years, our early reactions point to these ten teams having the best NFL Draft so far. Here are our biggest winners this year.
Washington Commanders
Not only did the Washington Commanders find their QB of the future in Jayden Daniels, they also got a high-upside defensive tackle in Jer’Zhan Newton in the second round. Hyped as a fringe first-round prospect and after the Commanders lost several members of their defensive line, Newton will be a big help for Dan Quinn. We also like adding Mike Sainristil, Ben Sinnott, and Luke McCaffrey on Day 2. This team has added a lot of youth.
Related: Ranking the greatest undrafted players in NFL history
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive overhaul continues, picking offensive linemen with their first two selections. Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier should be able to grab immediate starting roles, and Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson should see the field early on too.
Related: Super Bowl odds: Every team’s championship futures for 2024 NFL season
New York Giants
Not only did the New York Giants address their biggest needs by getting one of the most electric receivers in the draft, they also added to their secondary by picking up arguably the best safety too. Malik Nabers and Tyler Nubin will both have big roles as rookies.
Related: NFL Draft: Reaction to the New York Giants taking Malik Nabers with the 6th overall pick
New Orleans Saints
Knowing they needed to bring more stability to the offense, the New Orleans Saints focused on the trenches with the selection of Taliese Fuaga. He brings a mean streak to the offensive line, improving the passing and rushing offense. Then, Kool-Aid McKinstry brings first-round talent to a Saints cornerback group that doesn’t have much outside of Marshon Lattimore.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2024: From Patrick Mahomes to Gardner Minshew
Las Vegas Raiders
Some might say the Las Vegas Raiders are draft losers, but not me. Sure, they didn’t get the quarterback they needed, but they showed that you could still greatly improve the roster by selecting the best players available. Credit to the Raiders; they didn’t overthink, overpay, or get cute, but they did get a lot better. Brock Bowers can be a superstar, and Jackson Powers-Johnson brings much-needed versatility to the interior. If nothing else, the Raiders made their offense a lot more attractive for their QB of the future.
Related: 2024 NFL power rankings: Evaluating all 32 teams
Kansas City Chiefs
It almost seems unfair for the NFL to allow the Kansas City Chiefs to pair Patrick Mahomes with Xavier Worthy, the fastest player in the NFL Draft. Then, the Chiefs addressed their biggest need by drafting Kingsley Suamataia, an offensive tackle who could develop into Mahomes’ blindside protector in due time. Not bad for a team set to pick last in every round after winning the Super Bowl.
Related: NFL MVP odds 2024: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow start as favorites
Indianapolis Colts
Coming into the three-day event, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the most unpredictable teams involved. But they ended up being the first team to select a defender, adding versatile edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round. Then, the Colts came back and found a slipping Adonai Mitchell to make lifer easier on Anthony Richardson. Two first-round talents? Sign me up.
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Chicago Bears
When you have two first-round picks, there’s a strong chance you’ll end up as a winner, but not always. This time, there’s no doubt. The Bears did exactly what they needed to provide Caleb Williams with a plethora of talent; whether it was drafting Rome Odunze or another offensive tackle, the Bears are trending up.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft grades: A look at all 32 1st-round picks
Philadelphia Eagles
Before the draft began, many were projecting the Eagles to select a cornerback with their top selection, where the likes of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were commonly mocked to Philadelphia. Somehow, the Eagles ended up with both first-round talents, injecting a ton of young talent into a secondary in need of an overhaul.
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Minnesota Vikings
Most thought the Vikings would have to pay through the nose to land their QB of the future, possibly parting with future picks to do so. While the Vikings tried to leap up the board, they ended up with the youngest developmental quarterback in the draft in J.J. McCarthy and may have gotten the best pass rusher too. An argument could be made that they paid too much to do so, but the Vikings still have their future first-round pick, and now have two top talents to develop today instead of next year.
Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings QB Draft Picks of All-Time
