The 2024 NFL Draft is within the books, and which means it’s time to begin which groups did essentially the most to enhance.
Whereas each crew goes to stroll out of this weekend proud of their picks and assume they gained each spherical, we won’t actually know for positive for a couple of years. We nonetheless have a good suggestion of who took huge steps based mostly on wants and who was picked, so let’s check out 5 groups that will have improved essentially the most this weekend.
Chicago Bears. It could most likely be a foul signal if the crew with the No. 1 general choose did not enhance, so the Bears had been undoubtedly better off right here. Much more when you think about additionally they had the No. 9 general choose within the draft. The Bears used these two top-10 picks to utterly revamp their offense, including USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the highest choose after which giving him one other big-time playmaker in Washington huge receiver Rome Odunze.
Including Odunze to a large receiver room that already has D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen is a good job by the entrance workplace to encompass Williams with the kind of playmakers he must succeed. The Bears additionally gave him some offensive line safety within the third spherical with Kiran Amegadjie.
Upgrading the offense and passing sport was a should for the Bears this offseason, as was discovering a franchise quarterback. They could have executed all of that.
Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles wanted to make vital upgrades to their secondary and ended up getting two of the defensive again abilities within the draft in cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) and defensive again Cooper DeJean (Iowa).
Mitchell fell all the way in which to the Eagles on the No. 22 general choose, and he figures to be an instantaneous starter reverse Darius Slay of their secondary. After choosing Mitchell, they made a giant transfer to commerce up 10 spots within the second spherical to land DeJean, a participant who figured to go within the first spherical and would have been a robust choose at No. 22 general.
Together with two potential defensive starters, the Eagles additionally made a number of trades that already landed them three extra picks (third, fourth and fifth-round picks from Miami, Detroit and Houston) within the 2025 class that’s anticipated to be an especially deep class.
Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers utterly overhauled their offensive line by touchdown Washington deal with Troy Fautanu at No. 20 general and West Virginia heart Zach Frazier with the No. 51 general choose. Each gamers may very well be instant starters and assist give the Steelers a robust offensive line, particularly when added to 2023 first-round choose Broderick Jones and guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels. It has the potential to be an elite offensive line, and an particularly highly effective one within the working sport which ought to be excellent for brand new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
The Steelers additionally nabbed a doubtlessly excellent slot huge receiver in Michigan’s Roman Wilson within the third spherical after which adopted that up by taking an opportunity on North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson who ran the quickest 40-time of any linebacker within the draft. They added energy and athleticism to either side of the ball.
Los Angeles Chargers. The secret for the Chargers was getting quarterback Justin Herbert assist, each by way of cross safety and cross catchers. The Chargers did each.
They opened the draft within the first spherical by including one of many prime linemen within the draft in deal with Joe Alt from Notre Dame after which choosing George huge receiver Ladd McConkey early within the second spherical. After parting methods with veterans Allen and Mike Williams within the offseason, the Chargers wanted to get youthful (and higher) at huge receiver whereas additionally ensuring Herbert can keep upright. With a brand new head coach, an improved line and a revamped huge receiver room Herbert and the Chargers is likely to be out of excuses.
Washington Commanders. The Commanders had the No. 2 choose and chosen a possible franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels. Then each choose after that gave the impression to be one other win. They added one other influence defensive deal with in Johnny Newton after which landed one of many draft’s finest slot corners in Mike Sainristil to assist rebuild the protection.
Total the Commanders had six picks within the first three rounds and never solely got here away with a possible franchise-changer at quarterback, however additionally they began to rebuild their protection for first-year head coach Dan Quinn.
