With the 2024 NFL season complete, Carmen Vitali and David Helman re-evaluate the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, making adjustments based on how last year's top prospects performed. Only five selections remain unchanged in this fascinating 'what-if' scenario.
Hindsight is 20/20. Many NFL teams are likely grappling with that sentiment now that their 2024 season has concluded. Did they make the most of their draft picks? Were the additions to their roster worth it? Did letting certain players go become a source of regret? More importantly, did their overall draft process hold up? These are just some of the questions teams constantly ask themselves. Carmen Vitali and David Helman delved into these very questions while examining the 2024 NFL draft.
Acknowledging the benefit of hindsight, we decided to re-draft the first round, revealing a surprising number of changes. Only five selections from the original draft remained the same. Below you'll find a breakdown of the revised first round, highlighting the shifts made with a clearer understanding of how last year's top prospects performed in the NFL.1. **Chicago Bears:** LSU QB Jayden Daniels (2024 choice: QB Caleb Williams) *Carmen Vitali:* While there was a compelling argument to keep Williams, Daniels clearly outperformed expectations during his rookie season. My initial concern about Daniels coming out of LSU was his susceptibility to hits and his tendency to lose sight of downfield receivers when scrambling. However, he has addressed these weaknesses and demonstrated remarkable efficiency throughout his first year, even leading the Chicago Bears to the NFC Championship game. 2. **Washington Commanders:** USC QB Caleb Williams (2024 choice: QB Jayden Daniels) *David Helman:* This pick might draw some criticism, but I'm not ready to abandon Williams just yet. Although there were frustrating moments and areas needing improvement, Williams displayed enough potential to justify his status as a first-round selection. 3. **New England Patriots:** UNC QB Drake Maye (2024 choice: Maye) *Carmen Vitali:* Prior to the draft, I strongly believed the Patriots should have traded down to acquire more draft capital and accelerate their roster rebuild. While that might still have been the wisest move, there's no doubt that Maye is the quarterback of the future for New England, especially if they invest in improving their offensive line. 4. **Arizona Cardinals:** LSU WR Malik Nabers (2024 choice: WR Marvin Harrison) *David Helman:* Harrison had a decent rookie season, but Nabers' performance, despite missing games due to injuries and playing with inconsistent quarterbacks, is truly remarkable. If the Cardinals had the chance to re-draft, Nabers' playmaking ability would likely sway their decision. 5. **Los Angeles Chargers:** Notre Dame OT Joe Alt (2024 choice: Alt) *Carmen Vitali:* This was a sound pick then, and it remains the best choice now. Alt is a phenomenal talent. 6. **New York Giants:** Oregon QB Bo Nix (2024 choice: WR Malik Nabers) *David Helman:* The Giants might be the biggest winners in this re-draft scenario. By landing Nix, they secure a franchise quarterback, solidifying their long-term success. Knowing what Nix can achieve in an NFL offense, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll would happily select him to ensure their job security. 7. **Tennessee Titans:** FSU DE Jared Verse (2024 choice: OT J.C. Latham) *Carmen Vitali:* Adding T'Vondre Sweat in the second round makes this an even more compelling scenario. The defensive line combination of Sweat and Verse, a frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, would have likely transformed the Titans' defense into the formidable unit we anticipated this season. 8. **Atlanta Falcons:** Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (2024 choice: Penix) *David Helman:* Atlanta remains committed to Penix, their quarterback of the future, even though this might seem risky. Penix started only three games, and several high-caliber players are still available. However, the quarterback position is paramount, and Penix flashed enough potential to instill hope for the future, making him a worthy investment. 9. **Chicago Bears:** Alabama OT JC Latham (2024 choice: WR Rome Odunze) *Carmen Vitali:* Caleb Williams faced an unprecedented number of sacks this season, nearly becoming the quarterback with the most sacks in a single NFL season. The Bears need to stop experimenting with their offensive line selections. Providing Williams with the best available tackle, not named Joe Alt, is crucial for his protection. 10. **New York Jets:** Georgia TE Brock Bowers (2024 choice: Traded down to No. 11; selected OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu) *David Helman:* While the Jets made a wise decision last spring by selecting an offensive tackle, they were unaware of Bowers' immense potential. It's impossible to say if Bowers would have salvaged the Aaron Rodgers experiment, but he certainly would have made it more entertaining to watch. 11. **Minnesota Vikings:** Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (2024 choice: Traded up to No. 10; selected McCarthy) *Carmen Vitali:* I still maintain that Minnesota made the right call in this draft. While Darnold exceeded expectations, playing at MVP levels during parts of the Vikings' 14-win season, he's not a long-term solution. Having McCarthy on the roster, ready to take the reins in 2025 after recovering from his injury, provides a valuable insurance policy. 12. **Denver Broncos:** LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. (2024 choice: QB Bo Nix) *David Helman:* Losing not only Nix but also all the top young quarterbacks from this loaded class would be a bitter pill to swallow for Sean Payton.
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