2024 NFL Draft Player Analysis

By Ben Friend

Analyzing the First Four Picks in the 2024 NFL Draft

With the NFL draft finished, teams and fans are looking forward to the new season, especially if your squad had a top 10 pick in this year's draft. This class was filled with some of the most talented prospects we have seen in years, so let's take a look at the top 4 draft picks and how they may pan out in the NFL.

First pick: Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams

For the first time in a while, Chicago Bears fans may have something worth looking forward to next season. While Caleb Williams may seem too “flashy” or “arrogant” to some, there is no denying that he is a generational quarterback prospect, and has the potential to be a star. Williams’ arm strength and talent, as well as his ability to throw on the run and off balance are qualities that we have rarely seen before. His impressive accuracy, strong patience and vision are just some more qualities that make him such a great prospect. These traits were all evident through his tenure as the USC quarterback as he was a Heisman winner in 2022 and put up whopping numbers throughout his career there. In 2023, Williams threw for 3633 yards, 30 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and 11 rushing touchdowns in 12 games. Though Williams projects to be a high level quarterback, there are still some concerns revolving around his footwork and his overly-aggressive throws at times, sometimes forcing throws into risky situations. With that said, these are fixable issues, and the pros weigh out the cons. This was the right decision at the time for the Chicago Bears, and we will see if this holds true in the coming years.

Second pick: Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels

After a rough season in 2023, it was evident that the Commanders needed to continue their long search for their franchise quarterback. With the number 2 overall pick, the team and fans are hopeful that they found their guy in Jayden Daniels. Daniels, who was the 2023 Heisman winner, had a fantastic last season at LSU, throwing for 3812 yards, 40 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and rushing for 10 touchdowns. Daniels is an exceptional athlete with great speed and burst out of the pocket, as well as having a strong ability to improvise with his throwing and running. Daniels also shows exceptional deep-ball accuracy. There are some concerns to go along with his positive qualities, as he struggles to get the football into tight throwing windows and consistently make accurate passes in short or mid range, and his skinny frame makes him injury prone with the way he runs. Daniels athleticism and unique arm talent are what make many hopeful for his future in the NFL, but some are still wondering if he was the right pick at second overall.

Third pick: New England Patriots, Drake Maye

After finishing at the bottom of the AFC last season, getting rid of former first round pick Mac Jones, and firing Bill Belichick, it was clear that the New England Patriots were entering full rebuild mode. With the third pick in their hands, the Patriots had plenty of options, and they went with the most sensible pick and took quarterback Drake Maye out of North Carolina. Maye had a very impressive career at UNC and finished strong in his last season despite his lack of offensive weapons. Last season, Maye threw for 3608 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, along with 9 rushing touchdowns. Maye was the right pick for the Patriots at 3, but it could be very hit or miss. Maye possesses exceptional athleticism for his size and has a very strong arm. He can make things happen outside of the pocket and can make something out of nothing with his great accuracy and ability to throw off balance. This may be his strong suit, but it is also one of the concerns about him, as he sometimes makes a bad situation worse. Mayes' footwork also needs work, but these two traits are very fixable, and given that he is one of the younger players in the draft at just 21, he has time to develop with more experience.

Fourth pick: Arizona Cardinals, Marvin Harrison Jr.

If you're a fan of the NFL, you've probably heard the name before. Marvin Harrison Jr’s father, Marvin Harrison was one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game, and Harrison looks to live up to the high standards. Coming into the draft, Harrison was one of the most polished and NFL ready prospects that we have ever seen. He was dominant throughout his tenure at Ohio State, and his numbers prove it. Last season, he had 67 catches for 1211 yards, and 14 touchdowns. This was enough to earn him the Biletnikoff award, given to the best college wide receiver each year. He possesses rare skills when tracking the football and is extremely explosive off the line of scrimmage. Harrisons’ footwork and route running is also exceptional, and his 6 foot 3 frame doesn't make him any easier to cover. It is very hard to pinpoint any serious concerns with Harrisons game.That being said he has not been extremely effective after the catch, and usually goes down on first contact. The Cardinals have been in need of a wide receiver, and Harrison looks like the perfect weapon to pair with quarterback Kyler Murray.