ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller shares his first and second-round projections for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. He highlights top prospects like Jalen Carter and Drake Maye, and analyzes potential landing spots for key players based on team needs and player performance.
Matt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation's top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2022 and also contributes to Sports Center, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. You can follow Matt on Twitter via @nfldraftscout.in March will alter the needs of each team. Pro days and countless interviews come after that as we count down to Round 1 on April 24. But this is where things stand at the moment. The top 30 picks of theLet's get to it.
The Panthers need impact players everywhere. Walker split time between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher at Georgia in 2024, finishing with 6.5 sacks, 29 pressures and 7 tackles for loss. There is some debate on how Walker would be best used in the NFL, but he was a menace in the SEC with his versatility and speed off the edge. Regardless, Carolina allowed 6.0 yards per play this season, last in the league.
The Falcons had only 31 sacks in 2024, the second fewest in the NFL. That has to change in Raheem Morris' second season as the coach. Williams is right in the team's backyard at Georgia and flashes the power, speed and production that generally excites front offices.this past season showcased Williams at his best, as he registered four combined sacks in those matchups. But he had only one sack in the remaining nine games he played in.
Seattle fans would rather the team address the trenches in Round 1, but general manger John Schneider has shown in the past that he values the linebacker position more than others and an all-out effort on every snap. He caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season.doesn't return after his rookie deal expires before the 2026 season. And regardless of Pickens' future, the team could use a true No. 2 receiver right now.
Booker earned A+ grades for work ethic and drive from the coaches and scouts I spoke to at the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl. He's also a really good football player. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman is a mauler in the run game, with great initial power in his hands and the lower-body drive to move defenders out of gaps.'s sophomore slump. They allowed 54 sacks, tied for third in the NFL.
Three-peat or not -- and I'm predicting one here -- this roster has some holes and question marks moving forward. Wide receiver remains a concern. Tight end and right guard could become priority areas ifGrant is a massive prospect at 342 pounds but has the athletic tools to crash gaps and penetrate the backfield. Plugging Grant between Jones andwould automatically divert attention and give them more room to operate.
Vrabel could continue to rebuild a defense that finished 29th in EPA per play. I expect the Patriots to address their offensive holes in free agency, paving the way for Sawyer to start immediately at right defensive end and be a reliable three-down player from Day 1 on the other side of the ball.would have access to every non-Jeanty back at this pick if the board goes this way and could land a powerful runner in Hampton.
The deep running back class allows Dallas a chance to keep waiting at that position. Getting the rising Arroyo here to pair with Golden in Round 1 completely changes the Cowboys' offense, though. Current Cowboys tight endwill be a free agent after next season, and Arroyo is a big red zone target at 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds.
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