NFL Draft thoughts with 36 days left until Caleb Williams gets selected
| March 20, 2024 03:15PM |
NFL Draft thoughts with 36 days left until Caleb Williams gets selected #1 overall by the Bears.
2024 NFL Draft Schedule
Thursday April 25th 8 PM EST (1st Round)
Friday April 26th 7 PM EST (2nd & 3rd Round)
Saturday April 27th 12 PM EST (4th Round through 7th Round)
Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks by Round in 2024
(11 total picks for Los Angeles as of today)
Round 1, Pick 19
Round 2, Pick 52
Round 3, Pick 83
Round 3, Pick 99 (Raheem Morris) compensation
Round 5, Pick 154
Round 5, Pick 155 (from PIT)
Round 6, Pick 196
Round 6, Pick 209 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 213 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 217 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 254 (compensatory pic)
1. Chicago Bears (via 2-15 CAR)
The Bears have the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years thanks to a trade with Carolina from last March.
The way Fields played since returning from a thumb injury in Week 11 brings up a real debate about whether Chicago is better off with him on this trajectory than starting over in 2024. -- Courtney Cronin
2. Washington Commanders (4-13)
Washington's direction with its first pick will be determined by how the organization views quarterback Sam Howell. With a regime change likely, it's impossible to know what a new coach or general manager thinks of him. If they like him, they can trade back, add more picks early in the draft and/or in future years (they own five top-100 picks in 2024) and build a quality young roster. But if they're not sold on Howell, then they can try to move up or select one of the top quarterbacks in the class. -- John Keim
3. New England Patriots (4-13)
There's a decision due this offseason on quarterback Mac Jones' fifth-year option for 2025. The Patriots probably will decline it, which would mean they're back in the first-round quarterback conversation. It doesn't necessarily lock in that they'll take a passer from what is considered a talented class. Their needs are plentiful, with offensive line and wide receiver atop the list. There is also the rather large question of whether the Bill Belichick regime will be making the picks, so there's plenty to sort out between now and then. -- Mike Reiss
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
To trade or not to trade, that is the question the Cardinals will face with their first of two first-round picks. With Kyler Murray's play since returning from a knee injury, the conversation about drafting a quarterback has quieted, but Arizona is in a position to rebuild its entire roster with 10 picks in the 2024 draft.
If top wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) is available with their first pick, the Cardinals could pair him with Murray and never look back, or trade down for a haul of picks as well as a prime player. If they keep their top pick, expect it to be an impact player, while the second pick will likely fill a need such as an offensive lineman or another receiver. They also have Houston's top pick from the trade up last April. -- Josh Weinfuss
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
The Chargers are projected to be $34.8 million over the salary cap next season, according to Roster Management System. This means they will potentially look much different next season, as many of their expensive contracts will need to be restructured, traded or released. Drafting the best player available (except at quarterback) would make sense, but with a rushing offense and pass defense that are both at the bottom of the league, the most significant needs are at defensive back, offensive line and tight end. -- Kris Rhim
6. New York Giants (6-11)
General manager Joe Schoen said recently that the Giants are going to add a quarterback this offseason, via free agency or the draft. He also mentioned studying the first-round quarterbacks from the 2018 draft, which suggests they're going to at least consider that position early in this draft depending on how this season ends. -- Jordan Raanan
7. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
Only four starters have come from the past three Titans' draft classes, but general manager Ran Carthon's debut 2023 class has seen several contributors, particularly on offense. That includes Will Levis, who might be the team's quarterback of the future. Now, Carthon has to find more impactful players for a roster that desperately needs game-changing talent. The roster also needs to add quality depth players on both sides of the football. The Titans could be in transition, with perennial Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry potentially hitting the market as a free agent. -- Turron Davenport
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
This will all start at quarterback for the Falcons, who lost four of five games to end the season. They might not be in a position to draft one of the top prospects. They could instead turn their attention to cornerback, offensive line or defensive line. Missing the playoffs makes the quarterback question the biggest offseason issue by far. -- Michael Rothstein
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)
This is the second of the Bears' two first-round picks, thanks to their trade with the Panthers from last March. Chicago last picked twice in Round 1 in 2003, when it traded down from No. 4 and drafted defensive end Michael Haynes (No. 14) and quarterback Rex Grossman (No. 22). -- ESPN staff
10. New York Jets (7-10)
The Jets' top needs are at offensive tackle and wide receiver, and there should be some talented prospects from which to choose. The team's biggest question is at quarterback. New York will have a healthy Aaron Rodgers in 2024, but will that preclude it from taking a quarterback if it has a shot at one of the top prospects? That would contradict the organization's win-now philosophy, but it also has to keep an eye on the future. Rodgers is 40, and there's no guarantee he will play beyond 2024. -- Rich Cimini
11. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Nothing about the Vikings' draft plans can be finalized until they decide about the quarterback position. Kirk Cousins' contract will be void in March. Joshua Dobbs, after a hot start as the team's emergency starter, has been benched and does not appear to be the answer. The Vikings will have to decide whether they want either (or both) back in 2024 and then assess whether their ultimate draft position will be good enough to select a quarterback who is good enough to factor as a long-term answer. If not, has rookie Jaren Hall shown enough to be in that conversation? -- Kevin Seifert
12. Denver Broncos (8-9)
The Broncos are back on the quarterback carousel -- again -- after coach Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson before the Week 17 game against the Chargers. Jarrett Stidham, who started the last two games, was the 12th quarterback to start a game for the Broncos since the beginning of the 2016 season. The Broncos are poised to walk away from Wilson, including his five-year, $242.6 million deal. Stidham would be the most efficient option given he's signed for 2024 and Wilson's contract would put the Broncos in a most uncomfortable salary cap squeeze.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce, who elevated fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell over veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in November, acknowledged late in the season he never believed Las Vegas would win a game "because" of the rookie quarterback. Indeed, had the Raiders received any semblance of competent quarterback play against the Vikings (a 3-0 defeat) and in the first half at the Colts, where they lost 23-20, they would have had two more wins. Pierce's admission lends further credence to the notion that O'Connell is not the future for the franchise. Same with $72.75 million man Garoppolo, a prime cut candidate.
So, for the first time since 2007, and only the fourth time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Raiders could use a first-round pick on a quarterback. A trade up might be necessary to get one of the top passers, but who makes that call, what with Pierce the interim coach and Champ Kelly an interim general manager? Indeed, the Raiders are again in search of a franchise quarterback. -- Paul Gutierrez
14. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
The Saints have struck out with first-round picks on both sides of the line: Defensive end Marcus Davenport (2018) left in free agency, edge rusher Payton Turner (2021) has three career sacks, and offensive tackle Trevor Penning (2022) was benched this season. They have one of the worst pass rushes in the league, and Cameron Jordan (two sacks) will be 35 next season. With quarterback Derek Carr signed through the 2026 season and the Saints struggling in the trenches, they might need to start rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines. -- Katherine Terrell
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
The Colts addressed their longtime quarterback need last April, and that opens up the draft board in a significant way. They like their offensive playmakers, though adding a receiver couldn't hurt. Their secondary is young but showing some promise late in the season. With the lack of urgent needs, this draft is the perfect scenario for general manager Chris Ballard, who loves trading out of the first round to acquire additional picks. -- Stephen Holder
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
The book is closed on the Russell Wilson trade, which means the Seahawks won't be flush with early-round draft capital like they were in each of the past two drafts. They have an extra third-round pick, but they don't own a second-rounder after giving it up in the Leonard Williams trade -- and they won't be picking in the top 10 for a third straight year, barring a collapse over the final month. That means it could be easier said than done to replace quarterback Geno Smith this offseason if they were so inclined based on his inconsistent play and the flexibility they have to get out of his contract. -- Brady Henderson
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
For a team that started 8-3, the Jaguars have a lot of areas that need to be addressed if they're going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond. It starts with the interior of the offensive line (mainly at guard), but adding a big-bodied receiver, finding another pass-rusher and/or cornerback and getting better on the defensive line also are spots to watch. Most of Jacksonville's impact players were signed in free agency in recent years. It's time to find some more in the draft. -- Michael DiRocco
18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The Bengals' draft could hinge on what happens with wide receiver Tee Higgins. In the final year of his rookie deal, Higgins' production has fallen short of his first three seasons. He had 42 catches and five touchdowns in 12 games. Cincinnati will need to decide if he's worth a franchise tag or a long-term deal, or it could look at drafting a replacement to pair with Ja'Marr Chase, who could get a massive contract extension in the offseason. -- Ben Baby
19. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
For the first time since 2016, the Rams have a pick in the first round. In November, it looked like that pick was trending toward the top 10, but Los Angeles won seven of its final eight regular-season games to get into the playoffs. The Rams have several spots they could target in the draft, but after moving on from several veterans on the defensive side of the ball last offseason, it could make sense for them to go for the best defensive player available in April. -- Sarah Barshop
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Even with a deep and talented quarterback class in the draft, the Steelers are unlikely to move on from Kenny Pickett this offseason. There still are plenty of holes to fill across the roster, but they should prioritize cornerback and inside linebacker. General manager Omar Khan selected cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in his first draft a year ago, but the Steelers now need a top-tier mate to pair with him. And while they hit on all three inside linebacker free agency signings, injuries decimated the group, and reinforcements will be needed. Center could be another first-round option. -- Brooke Pryor
[www.espn.com]
Projecting the consensus top 20 players selected is always a crap shoot because at least 1 to 3 players are likely to get selected that most of us don't expect and we will call them reaches.
My top 18 players off of the board before the Rams select (assuming they stay put) at selection #19.
1. Caleb Williams QB
2. Jayden Daniels QB
3. Drake Maye QB
4. Marvin Harrison Jr. WR
5. Joe Alt OT
5. Malik Nabers WR
6. Dallas Turner Edge
7. Rome Odunze WR
8. Taliese Fuaga OT
9. Jared Verse Edge
10. Brock Bowers TE
11. Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT
12. Quinyon Mitchell CB
13. Troy Fautanu OT
14. Terrion Arnold CB
15. Laiatu Latu Edge
16. Brian Thomas Jr. WR
17. Nate Wiggins CB
18. J.J. McCarthy QB
I know i'm going to be wrong on my first 18 selected before the Rams are on the clock. This is just my gut feeling as of 03/20/24.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2024 03:16PM by Florida_Ram.
2024 NFL Draft Schedule
Thursday April 25th 8 PM EST (1st Round)
Friday April 26th 7 PM EST (2nd & 3rd Round)
Saturday April 27th 12 PM EST (4th Round through 7th Round)
Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks by Round in 2024
(11 total picks for Los Angeles as of today)
Round 1, Pick 19
Round 2, Pick 52
Round 3, Pick 83
Round 3, Pick 99 (Raheem Morris) compensation
Round 5, Pick 154
Round 5, Pick 155 (from PIT)
Round 6, Pick 196
Round 6, Pick 209 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 213 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 217 (compensatory pick)
Round 6, Pick 254 (compensatory pic)
1. Chicago Bears (via 2-15 CAR)
The Bears have the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years thanks to a trade with Carolina from last March.
The way Fields played since returning from a thumb injury in Week 11 brings up a real debate about whether Chicago is better off with him on this trajectory than starting over in 2024. -- Courtney Cronin
2. Washington Commanders (4-13)
Washington's direction with its first pick will be determined by how the organization views quarterback Sam Howell. With a regime change likely, it's impossible to know what a new coach or general manager thinks of him. If they like him, they can trade back, add more picks early in the draft and/or in future years (they own five top-100 picks in 2024) and build a quality young roster. But if they're not sold on Howell, then they can try to move up or select one of the top quarterbacks in the class. -- John Keim
3. New England Patriots (4-13)
There's a decision due this offseason on quarterback Mac Jones' fifth-year option for 2025. The Patriots probably will decline it, which would mean they're back in the first-round quarterback conversation. It doesn't necessarily lock in that they'll take a passer from what is considered a talented class. Their needs are plentiful, with offensive line and wide receiver atop the list. There is also the rather large question of whether the Bill Belichick regime will be making the picks, so there's plenty to sort out between now and then. -- Mike Reiss
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
To trade or not to trade, that is the question the Cardinals will face with their first of two first-round picks. With Kyler Murray's play since returning from a knee injury, the conversation about drafting a quarterback has quieted, but Arizona is in a position to rebuild its entire roster with 10 picks in the 2024 draft.
If top wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) is available with their first pick, the Cardinals could pair him with Murray and never look back, or trade down for a haul of picks as well as a prime player. If they keep their top pick, expect it to be an impact player, while the second pick will likely fill a need such as an offensive lineman or another receiver. They also have Houston's top pick from the trade up last April. -- Josh Weinfuss
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
The Chargers are projected to be $34.8 million over the salary cap next season, according to Roster Management System. This means they will potentially look much different next season, as many of their expensive contracts will need to be restructured, traded or released. Drafting the best player available (except at quarterback) would make sense, but with a rushing offense and pass defense that are both at the bottom of the league, the most significant needs are at defensive back, offensive line and tight end. -- Kris Rhim
6. New York Giants (6-11)
General manager Joe Schoen said recently that the Giants are going to add a quarterback this offseason, via free agency or the draft. He also mentioned studying the first-round quarterbacks from the 2018 draft, which suggests they're going to at least consider that position early in this draft depending on how this season ends. -- Jordan Raanan
7. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
Only four starters have come from the past three Titans' draft classes, but general manager Ran Carthon's debut 2023 class has seen several contributors, particularly on offense. That includes Will Levis, who might be the team's quarterback of the future. Now, Carthon has to find more impactful players for a roster that desperately needs game-changing talent. The roster also needs to add quality depth players on both sides of the football. The Titans could be in transition, with perennial Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry potentially hitting the market as a free agent. -- Turron Davenport
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
This will all start at quarterback for the Falcons, who lost four of five games to end the season. They might not be in a position to draft one of the top prospects. They could instead turn their attention to cornerback, offensive line or defensive line. Missing the playoffs makes the quarterback question the biggest offseason issue by far. -- Michael Rothstein
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)
This is the second of the Bears' two first-round picks, thanks to their trade with the Panthers from last March. Chicago last picked twice in Round 1 in 2003, when it traded down from No. 4 and drafted defensive end Michael Haynes (No. 14) and quarterback Rex Grossman (No. 22). -- ESPN staff
10. New York Jets (7-10)
The Jets' top needs are at offensive tackle and wide receiver, and there should be some talented prospects from which to choose. The team's biggest question is at quarterback. New York will have a healthy Aaron Rodgers in 2024, but will that preclude it from taking a quarterback if it has a shot at one of the top prospects? That would contradict the organization's win-now philosophy, but it also has to keep an eye on the future. Rodgers is 40, and there's no guarantee he will play beyond 2024. -- Rich Cimini
11. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Nothing about the Vikings' draft plans can be finalized until they decide about the quarterback position. Kirk Cousins' contract will be void in March. Joshua Dobbs, after a hot start as the team's emergency starter, has been benched and does not appear to be the answer. The Vikings will have to decide whether they want either (or both) back in 2024 and then assess whether their ultimate draft position will be good enough to select a quarterback who is good enough to factor as a long-term answer. If not, has rookie Jaren Hall shown enough to be in that conversation? -- Kevin Seifert
12. Denver Broncos (8-9)
The Broncos are back on the quarterback carousel -- again -- after coach Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson before the Week 17 game against the Chargers. Jarrett Stidham, who started the last two games, was the 12th quarterback to start a game for the Broncos since the beginning of the 2016 season. The Broncos are poised to walk away from Wilson, including his five-year, $242.6 million deal. Stidham would be the most efficient option given he's signed for 2024 and Wilson's contract would put the Broncos in a most uncomfortable salary cap squeeze.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce, who elevated fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell over veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in November, acknowledged late in the season he never believed Las Vegas would win a game "because" of the rookie quarterback. Indeed, had the Raiders received any semblance of competent quarterback play against the Vikings (a 3-0 defeat) and in the first half at the Colts, where they lost 23-20, they would have had two more wins. Pierce's admission lends further credence to the notion that O'Connell is not the future for the franchise. Same with $72.75 million man Garoppolo, a prime cut candidate.
So, for the first time since 2007, and only the fourth time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Raiders could use a first-round pick on a quarterback. A trade up might be necessary to get one of the top passers, but who makes that call, what with Pierce the interim coach and Champ Kelly an interim general manager? Indeed, the Raiders are again in search of a franchise quarterback. -- Paul Gutierrez
14. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
The Saints have struck out with first-round picks on both sides of the line: Defensive end Marcus Davenport (2018) left in free agency, edge rusher Payton Turner (2021) has three career sacks, and offensive tackle Trevor Penning (2022) was benched this season. They have one of the worst pass rushes in the league, and Cameron Jordan (two sacks) will be 35 next season. With quarterback Derek Carr signed through the 2026 season and the Saints struggling in the trenches, they might need to start rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines. -- Katherine Terrell
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
The Colts addressed their longtime quarterback need last April, and that opens up the draft board in a significant way. They like their offensive playmakers, though adding a receiver couldn't hurt. Their secondary is young but showing some promise late in the season. With the lack of urgent needs, this draft is the perfect scenario for general manager Chris Ballard, who loves trading out of the first round to acquire additional picks. -- Stephen Holder
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
The book is closed on the Russell Wilson trade, which means the Seahawks won't be flush with early-round draft capital like they were in each of the past two drafts. They have an extra third-round pick, but they don't own a second-rounder after giving it up in the Leonard Williams trade -- and they won't be picking in the top 10 for a third straight year, barring a collapse over the final month. That means it could be easier said than done to replace quarterback Geno Smith this offseason if they were so inclined based on his inconsistent play and the flexibility they have to get out of his contract. -- Brady Henderson
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
For a team that started 8-3, the Jaguars have a lot of areas that need to be addressed if they're going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond. It starts with the interior of the offensive line (mainly at guard), but adding a big-bodied receiver, finding another pass-rusher and/or cornerback and getting better on the defensive line also are spots to watch. Most of Jacksonville's impact players were signed in free agency in recent years. It's time to find some more in the draft. -- Michael DiRocco
18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The Bengals' draft could hinge on what happens with wide receiver Tee Higgins. In the final year of his rookie deal, Higgins' production has fallen short of his first three seasons. He had 42 catches and five touchdowns in 12 games. Cincinnati will need to decide if he's worth a franchise tag or a long-term deal, or it could look at drafting a replacement to pair with Ja'Marr Chase, who could get a massive contract extension in the offseason. -- Ben Baby
19. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
For the first time since 2016, the Rams have a pick in the first round. In November, it looked like that pick was trending toward the top 10, but Los Angeles won seven of its final eight regular-season games to get into the playoffs. The Rams have several spots they could target in the draft, but after moving on from several veterans on the defensive side of the ball last offseason, it could make sense for them to go for the best defensive player available in April. -- Sarah Barshop
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Even with a deep and talented quarterback class in the draft, the Steelers are unlikely to move on from Kenny Pickett this offseason. There still are plenty of holes to fill across the roster, but they should prioritize cornerback and inside linebacker. General manager Omar Khan selected cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in his first draft a year ago, but the Steelers now need a top-tier mate to pair with him. And while they hit on all three inside linebacker free agency signings, injuries decimated the group, and reinforcements will be needed. Center could be another first-round option. -- Brooke Pryor
[www.espn.com]
Projecting the consensus top 20 players selected is always a crap shoot because at least 1 to 3 players are likely to get selected that most of us don't expect and we will call them reaches.
My top 18 players off of the board before the Rams select (assuming they stay put) at selection #19.
1. Caleb Williams QB
2. Jayden Daniels QB
3. Drake Maye QB
4. Marvin Harrison Jr. WR
5. Joe Alt OT
5. Malik Nabers WR
6. Dallas Turner Edge
7. Rome Odunze WR
8. Taliese Fuaga OT
9. Jared Verse Edge
10. Brock Bowers TE
11. Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT
12. Quinyon Mitchell CB
13. Troy Fautanu OT
14. Terrion Arnold CB
15. Laiatu Latu Edge
16. Brian Thomas Jr. WR
17. Nate Wiggins CB
18. J.J. McCarthy QB
I know i'm going to be wrong on my first 18 selected before the Rams are on the clock. This is just my gut feeling as of 03/20/24.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2024 03:16PM by Florida_Ram.
| Subject | Author | Views | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Florida_Ram | 127 | March 20, 2024 03:15PM |
