RADIO
Alright, football fanatics, strap in because the 2024 NFL Draft just wrapped up! Boy, did it deliver the drama, surprises, and future fantasy stars we all crave! From unexpected picks to blockbuster trades up the board, this year's draft was nothing short of a roller coaster that even the most seasoned draft gurus couldn't have predicted. Whether your team snagged a potential franchise savior or left you scratching your head, there's plenty to unpack from this gridiron extravaganza.
First up, let's talk about the shockers. Just when we thought we had the top picks pegged, several teams went rogue and shook up the entire draft board. The Atlanta Falcons stunned the entire NFL world when they selected QB Michael Penix Jr. at eighth overall after giving Kirk Cousins a 4-year/$180 million contract the month before with $100 million guaranteed. Teams like the Ravens and Packers, known for their draft-day savvy, once again seemed to find gold in the rough, picking players that could make an immediate impact.
It wasn’t all about the newcomers. Several teams positioned themselves with strategic trades, both moving up to grab key players and down to accumulate picks for a rebuild, showcasing the chess match that is NFL team management. As the dust settles, the stage is set for a fascinating offseason, filled with rookie minicamps and speculation. Who will shine from day one? Which teams have set themselves up for a turnaround? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—the 2024 NFL Draft will be talked about for years to come. Stay tuned as we break down the biggest picks and storylines from the 2024 NFL Draft and what they mean for the upcoming NFL season.
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Just What Was Atlanta Thinking?
The Falcons recently signed QB Kirk Cousins to a massive contract this offseason and brought in new head coach Raheem Morris, who was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Just about everyone out there expected the Falcons to take the top defensive player on the board or trade back, but they stunned us all and took Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. out of nowhere with the eighth pick.
The pick doesn't make sense for several reasons. One is that Kirk Cousins was just given $100 million guaranteed as part of a four-year/$180 million contract. The Falcons offense is set and the defense could have used the additional firepower that the eighth overall pick would have brought to the table. Given the guarantees in Cousins' contract, Penix can only be on a cheap rookie deal for one year of the four. Given that Penix will also turn 24 years old soon, the timeline for Atlanta just doesn't make a lot of good sense here.
By the time the 2025 season rolls around, QB Kirk Cousins, LT Jake Matthews, DT Grady Jarrett, OG Chris Lindstrom, FS Jessie Bates, and RT Kaleb McGary will account for over 50% of the Falcons salary cap while Michael Penix sits on the bench. Tying up that much in six players while using the eighth pick on a backup is a financial no-no and caps the Falcons' ceiling should they reach the playoffs. This is a defense that finished 32nd in pass-rush win rate last season and you're telling me they couldn't have used an edge rusher like Dallas Turner or Laitu Latu?
What the Falcons are doing is the equivalent of a dynasty team trying to win now and rebuild at the same time, it's just not possible. If they were worried about Cousins' health or if he wasn't their QB of the future, then why pay him all that money? I would've been perfectly fine with the Falcons drafting a bridge QB on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, but to do it at eight overall? I just can't get behind it. My apologies, Falcons fans. You deserve better. It's just hard to see this one working out and to be honest, it's not fair to put Michael Penix on that Roger Staubach career arc of making him a late-bloomer either.
Footage of Falcons GM Terry Fontenot speaking to owner Arthur Blank shortly after selecting Michael Penix Jr. 🤐
(Via @CodyChaffins)pic.twitter.com/lP7pH9kFXw
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 26, 2024
The Vikings Good Fortune
Speaking of QB Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings weren't willing to match the same financial guarantees that the Falcons were and their former starting quarterback went elsewhere. This put the Vikings in a bind as a big extension with star WR Justin Jefferson looms on the horizon as they essentially needed to acquire a new quarterback on a rookie deal to help them keep the rest of their core intact.
Minnesota landed the 11th overall pick in the draft but made a trade with the Houston Texans several weeks ahead of the draft to better position themselves to come up for a quarterback, sending No. 42, No. 188, and their 2025 second-rounder for No. 23 and No. 232, giving them two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rumors abounded of the Vikings wanting to come up in the draft for North Carolina QB Drake Maye, but ultimately the price the Patriots were asking for the third pick was just too high for Minnesota. Instead, they ended up standing pat until sliding up one spot with the New York Jets at 10 10 to take QB J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota.
Because the draft started with fifteen straight offensive players, Edge rusher Dallas Turner (who was Edge1 on my board) fell all the way to pick 17, where the Vikings moved up from 23 to take him. After losing Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter in free agency, Minnesota needed a future cornerstone on the edge and they got it with Turner, although it came with a hefty price.
While it was an expensive deal, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was likely expecting to give up the 11th and 23rd picks along with their 2025 first to potentially select a quarterback. When McCarthy fell, the Vikings likely felt like they were on a free roll after not having to give up so much for him and were happy to pounce when Dallas Turner fell. After so much uncertainty since letting QB Kirk Cousins walk, you can't help but feel a lot better about the Vikings' situation going forward.
Ringing endorsement here for JJ McCarthy from one of the best coaches to ever put on a headset
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 28, 2024
Wide Receiver Landing Spots
Several wide receivers landed in some amazing spots in the early part of the NFL Draft.
N0. 4 - Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals)
No. 6 - Malik Nabers (New York Giants)
No. 23 - Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars)
No. 28 - Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs)
No. 33 - Keon Coleman (Buffalo Bills)
No. 34 - Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers)
No. 37 - Ja'Lynn Polk (New England Patriots)
No. 102 - Troy Franklin (Denver Broncos)
All of the above pass catchers land into a situation where they could easily be the WR1 or WR2 on their team next season. While several of them will be paired alongside a rookie quarterback, Harrison Jr, Thomas Jr, Worthy, Coleman, and McConkey get the benefit of playing alongside established signal callers who are very good. After suffering through the likes of Garrett Wilson on the Jets and Drake London on the Falcons with no quarterback, the fantasy community was owed some good karma to come our way.
Make Chicago Exciting Again
I'm convinced the Chase Claypool trade was just Bears GM Ryan Poles' sandbagging moment. He made the 31 other GMs think that he's a sucker when he's just a shark at the pool hall ready to take all of their money. After getting an absolute haul for the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears wound up with the ninth pick (their own), but the team they did the initial deal with (the Carolina Panthers) ended up with the worst record in the league.
The Windy City is about to get a major gust of offensive firepower, making the Chicago Bears' offense one to watch this upcoming season. With the acquisition of veteran wideout Keenan Allen and the drafting of QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze in the top 10, the Bears have assembled a trio that could light up the scoreboard like the Fourth of July fireworks at Navy Pier. Allen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for precise route running that will not only bolster the Bears' receiving corps but also provide a reliable target for a young quarterback.
Chicago fans are going to love Rome Odunze 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0pI8mnryVl
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 26, 2024
Enter Caleb Williams, the dynamic young gunslinger whose arm talent and mobility have been turning heads since his college days. Pairing him with a savvy veteran like Allen and a fresh, explosive talent like Odunze on top of veteran WR D.J. Moore offers the Bears an eclectic mix of skill sets that could keep defensive coordinators up at night. Moore known for his speed and playmaking ability, adds an extra layer of threat on the outside, stretching defenses and creating more opportunities for Allen and the tight ends underneath. This combination of seasoned precision and youthful exuberance is exactly what the Bears have been missing.
What’s more, these additions signal a clear shift in strategy towards a high-octane, pass-first offense that should bring excitement back to Soldier Field. This isn't just about throwing the pigskin around; it’s about crafting an identity that could redefine Bears football. With a reinforced offensive line and a commitment to giving Williams the tools he needs, Chicago is poised to shake off the doldrums of their recent offensive woes. So, get ready, Bears fans, the days of plodding play are over and the Caleb Williams era begins.
Conclusion
And just like that, the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, folks! Don't think the excitement's cooling off with the spring. Oh no, we're just ramping up for a sizzling summer leading right into the heart-pumping action of NFL Training Camps. It's time to see our favorite draft picks in jerseys, hitting the fields, and proving they've got what it takes to light up the big leagues. From rookies ready to make a splash to veterans tuned up to mentor or fend off these young guns, training camps are where the real magic starts to brew.
As we roll into the warmth of summer, the anticipation for the NFL Preseason will have us counting the days. It's more than just a teaser; it's the first real taste of football since the draft, where every tackle, pass, and sprint carries the hopes of the season to come. So, keep your jerseys ready and your fantasy drafts handy, because the preseason isn't just a series of games—it's the first chapter of the next great NFL saga. Let's get ready for another exhilarating ride through the world of football, and here's to hope your team’s rookies turn out to be the legends they're destined to be!
Heading into your dynasty rookie draft soon? Feel free to hit me up on Twitter/X and hash it out. Remember, RotoBaller is your go-to spot for NFL insights, day or night. Here's to squeezing every drop of excitement from the football world and blasting into a dynamite new year!
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