2024 NFL Draft guide: Who could be on the radar of biggest losers?
For some NFL teams, the start of November means one thing: time to aggressively scout the 2024 NFL Draft class. Based on the projected top-10 draft order through Week 9, here’s Yardbarker’s guide for prospects each team may consider. (The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit.)
Inconsistent QB Kyler Murray is returning from a devastating knee injury. The new regime did not draft him and may be eager to bring in its own guy. With potential franchise quarterbacks Williams and Maye available, Arizona would have a difficult time not selecting one of them. The best non-QB option clearly is Harrison Jr., whom former NFL GM Rick Spielman called “as polished of a route-runner as I’ve seen.” Former NFL scout and Yardbarker contributor Daniel Kelly, however, tempers that view. “To put it in baseball terms,” he wrote, “he’ll hit a lot of doubles, a few triples and an occasional home run.” — Adam Gretz
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER: QB Caleb Williams (Southern Cal), WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), QB Drake Maye (North Carolina)
The Bears are 5-21 since Ryan Poles took over as GM, which may have him on the hot seat. However, if he sticks around, Poles will be uniquely positioned to turn around the team’s fortunes quickly. Which player Chicago picks with its first selection will likely depend on how it feels about QB Justin Fields. If the Bears have seen enough of Fields to know he’s not the guy, they may have their choice of Williams or Maye. If they prefer to ride it out with Fields, there’s no better way to invest in him than by adding Harrison Jr. to play opposite an already-established star like D.J. Moore. — Mike Santa Barbara
If the Bears have back-to-back selections, their second pick could be on the move to the highest bidder in a trade to a QB-needy team. However, absent a blow-away offer, the Bears could hang on to the pick and use it to continue to build around Fields or a new face of the franchise. Selecting Fashanu or Alt to protect their QB would be an ideal addition for the Bears, who rank 27th in sacks allowed per game (3.3). If they pass on an O-lineman, banking on 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones’ continued growth at left tackle, Harrison Jr. could be the pick here. — Mike Santa Barbara
The Giants gave quarterback Daniel Jones a four-year, $160M contract in the offseason but can let him go in 2025. In the meantime, letting head coach Brian Daboll build Maye from the ground up is tempting, but if they stick with Jones, left tackle Fashunu makes sense. He’s widely considered the top offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft and would allow the team to move Evan Neal inside. Of course, with the NFL’s worst passing offense, the Giants could grab Harrison. Darius Slayton is the team’s only wide receiver in the top 100 in the league in receiving. New York hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018. — Bruce Ewing
Without a top-three pick, New England won’t land Williams or Harrison Jr., and if this draft order holds up, it’ll settle on the best player available. The Patriots must decide whether or not to exercise QB Mac Jones’ fifth-year option, and his lackluster track record has likely determined the outcome. Resetting at quarterback by selecting Maye would be ideal, but there’s no guarantee the Tar Heels QB will fall to No. 5. At least one top tackle prospect should be available when the Patriots are on the clock, and with Trent Brown heading to free agency, it’d make sense to draft the long-term blindside protector for whomever takes over at quarterback. — Colum Dell
The Rams are not used to having a first-round pick, especially one this high, after spending so many draft resources to go all-in on championship runs. If they pick in this range, they could find a replacement for QB Matthew Stafford. (2023 draft pick Stetson Bennett isn’t the guy.) Penix Jr. and Nix are intriguing options, but both come with major questions. Can they play against elite defenses? The Pac-12 defenses are notoriously poor. QB is not the only big issue for Los Angeles. The Rams have holes all over the lineup, especially on defense, where they have struggled to pressure quarterbacks and cover receivers. UCLA’s Latu could be a game-changing force coming off the edge. — Adam Gretz
The Packers have needs on both sides of the ball, but if they are good with Jordan Love at QB, solid offensive line play in front of him is paramount. Unable to count on All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari, who has played only 13 games since the 2021 season due to knee injuries, the Packers might be wise to select one of the higher-rated tackles on the board. Fashanu — a Outland Trophy finalist as college football’s best O-lineman — or Alt — who has thrived in pass and run protection for the Irish — would give the Packers a fresh start. Green Bay’s offense ranks 20th in the NFL in points per game (20). A speedy, game-breaking receiver such as Coleman (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) would help, too. — Mike Santa Barbara
