The 2024 NFL draft has concluded, and Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s draft expert, has evaluated and graded the draft classes of all 32 teams. Notably, the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens stood out with high marks from Kiper.
The Eagles concentrated on bolstering their secondary early in the draft, securing Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean as their top picks. Kiper praised these selections and highlighted their versatile qualities, particularly DeJean’s ability to potentially transition to safety. Additionally, Philadelphia’s active trading throughout the draft caught Kiper’s attention, marking the most trades by a team since 1990.
Arizona made waves by securing Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. as their top pick, providing quarterback Kyler Murray with a new primary receiver. Kiper commended the Cardinals’ depth additions, especially in the secondary, with selections like Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Jaden Davis on Day 3, as well as the value pick of Christian Jones.
Despite not reaching the same grade heights as Philadelphia or Arizona, the Baltimore Ravens earned praise from Kiper for their early draft choices. Highlighting first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins and tackle Roger Rosengarten, Kiper emphasized Wiggins’ speed and potential growth into his position, as well as Rosengarten’s readiness to potentially start at right tackle in 2024.
However, not all teams received glowing reviews from Kiper. The Atlanta Falcons received a C grade, the lowest among all 32 teams. Kiper expressed confusion over the Falcons’ decision to draft Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., especially considering the recent signing of veteran Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year deal in free agency.
Kiper’s evaluations of the 2024 NFL draft highlighted standout performances from the Eagles, Cardinals, and Ravens, while also spotlighting the puzzling decisions made by the Falcons. These assessments offer insights into each team’s draft strategy and the potential impact of their selections on the upcoming season.
