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2024 NFL Draft grades: Mel Kiper reviews selections for all 32 teams

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle04/29/24

NikkiChavanelle

Mel Kiper Draft grades
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. at Radio City Music Hall. - Howard Smith/US PRESSWIRE

Following the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has graded the performance of all 32 NFL teams. With 257 picks in the books, the draft guru broke down how he feels each team did adding talent to their roster for this season and beyond.

Kiper used his pre-draft Big Board and position rankings to gauge “how effectively” each team addressed key roster holes. He also based his grades on how well each team maneuvered the board with their picks and how they added extra selections or future draft capital.

Here’s a look at the teams that Kiper believes did the best in this year’s draft, as well as the grades for all 32 teams. Note that no team earned lower than a C for their performance this cycle – even the Atlanta Falcons, who were widely panned for taking quarterback Michael Penix at No. 8 overall, despite having Kirk Cousins on a mega-deal.

Arizona Cardinals – A

marvin harrison jr nfl draft
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Entering the draft with 11 selections, the Arizona Cardinals ended up making 12 picks over the weekend, including former Buckeyes star Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 overall. Kiper called the Cardinals’ 2024 draft class “well-rounded” and “super-talented.”

1(4)Marvin Harrison Jr.WROhio State
1(27)Darius RobinsonEDGEMissouri
2(11)Max MeltonCBRutgers
3(2)Trey BensonRBFlorida State
3(7)Isaiah AdamsOTIllinois
3(18)Tip ReimanTEIllinois
3(27)Elijah JonesCBBoston College
4(4)Dadrion Taylor-DemersonSTexas Tech
5(3)Xavier ThomasEDGEClemson
5(27)Christian JonesOTTexas
6(15)Tejhaun PalmerWRUAB
7(6)Jaden DavisCBMiami

Philadelphia Eagles – A

Quinyon Mitchell NFL Draft
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles made huge progress towards re-vamping the defense by taking two of the draft’s top-graded cornerbacks. They also made gains for next year’s draft as well, which is why they earned the only other A in the draft from Kiper.

1/22Quinyon MitchellCBToledo
2/40Cooper DeJeanCBIowa
3/94Jalyx HuntEDGEHouston Christian
4/127Will ShipleyRBClemson
5/152Ainias SmithWRTexas A&M
5/155Jeremiah Trotter Jr.LBClemson
5/172Trevor KeeganGMichigan
6/185Johnny WilsonWRFlorida State
6/190Dylan McMahonCNC State

Pittsburgh Steelers – A-

Troy Fautanu
Stephen R. Sylvanie | USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers only took seven new players in the 2024 NFL Draft, however, Kiper had high grades for many of their selections. Highlighted by two potential starters on the offensive line, the Steelers class doesn’t look like it has very many misses.

1/20Troy FautanuOTWashington
2/51Zach FrazierCWest Virginia
3/84Roman WilsonWRMichigan
3/98Payton WilsonLBNC State
4/119Mason McCormickGSouth Dakota State
6/178Logan LeeDTIowa
6/195Ryan WattsCBTexas

Washington Commanders – A-

Jayden Daniels
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Much of Mel Kiper’s grade for the Commanders’ performance this year hinges on the futures of quarterback Jayden Daniels and potential future starting tackle Brandon Coleman, however, there are wins up and down the class in terms of value. Washington was able to get five selections in the first 100 picks, including three in the top 55. The Commanders were the last team in Kiper’s grade book to receive an A.

1/2Jayden DanielsQBLSU
2/36Jer’Zhan NewtonDTIllinois
2/50Mike SainristilCBMichigan
2/53Ben SinnottTEKansas State
3/67Brandon ColemanOTTCU
3/100Luke McCaffreyWRRice
5/139Jordan MageeLBTemple
5/161Dominique HamptonSWashington
7/222Javontae Jean-BaptisteEDGENotre Dame

Baltimore Ravens – B+

Nate Wiggins
Ken Ruinard/USA Today

The Baltimore Ravens needed a talented draft haul to help them fill holes left by starters in the offseason and they hit on most of their needs in the first 100 picks. They lost Patrick Queen and Ronald Darby, and drafted Adisa Isaac and Nate Wiggins, two candidates in position to realistically fill those big shoes. Kiper also loved the team’s Day 3 moves.

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1/30Nate WigginsCBClemson
2/62Roger RosengartenOTWashington
3/93Adisa IsaacLBPenn State
4/113Devontez WalkerWRNorth Carolina
4/130T.J. TampaCBIowa State
5/165Rasheen AliRBMarshall
6/218Devin LearyQBKentucky
7/228Nick SamacCMichigan State
7/250Sanoussi KaneSPurdue

Houston Texans – B+

Kamari Lassiter Georgia
Tony Walsh/UGA Sports Comm

After taking the second and third overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans couldn’t make a similar splash in 2024 – not on Night 1 anyway. Even still, Mel Kiper calls the Texans’ class, “solid, if unspectacular.” He especially liked what Houston got with their first four selections, including Kamari Lassiter and Blake Fisher, whom they got at a great value.

2/42Kamari LassiterCBGeorgia
2/59Blake FisherOTNotre Dame
3/78Calen BullockSUSC
4/123Cade StoverTEOhio State
6/188Jamal HillLBOregon
6/205Jawhar JordanRBLouisville
7/238Solomon ByrdEDGEUSC
7/247Marcus HarrisDTAuburn
7/249LaDarius HendersonOTMichigan

Kansas City Chiefs – B+

Xavier Worthy
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Though Mel Kiper doesn’t love that the Chiefs had to trade up for their first two picks, he still likes the end result. Xavier Worthy and Kingsley Suamataia’s success with the Chiefs over the next few years will end up greatly impacting whether or not they deserve their grade for the 2024 class.

1/28Xavier WorthyWRTexas
2/63Kingsley SuamataiaOTBYU
4/131Jared WileyTETCU
4/133Jaden HicksSWashington State
5/159Hunter NourzadCPenn State
6/211Kamal HaddenCBTennessee
7/248C.J. HansonGHoly Cross

Los Angeles Chargers – B+

joe alt nfl draft
Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports

Mel Kiper questioned the Chargers’ decision not to get a first-round wide receiver for Justin Herbert, but in the end, the team added a potential All-Pro tackle and three wide receivers. The Ladd McConkey addition was a favorite on day two, but the ESPN analyst is still holding out for Jim Harbaugh to make a post-draft move to help the offense in Year 1.

1/5Joe AltOTNotre Dame
2/34Ladd McConkeyWRGeorgia
3/69Junior ColsonLBMichigan
4/105Justin EboigbeDTAlabama
5/137Tarheeb StillCBMaryland
5/140Cam HartCBNotre Dame
6/181Kimani VidalRBTroy
7/225Brenden RiceWRUSC
7/253Cornelius JohnsonWRMichigan

Los Angeles Rams – B+

florida-state-seminoles-defensive-end-jared-verse-evalutes-personal-and-team-growth
(Melina Myers | USA TODAY Sports)

There’s no doubt the L.A. Rams got better in the 2024 NFL Draft. They took the draft’s “most complete” edge rusher in Jared Verse, according to Kiper, but gave up too much for Braden Fiske. To trade up for him, they exchanged a 2025 second-round pick, No. 52, as well as pick No. 155 next year. Without that loss in value, the ESPN analyst would have given the Rams an A-.

1/19Jared VerseEDGEFlorida State
2/39Braden FiskeDTFlorida State
3/83Blake CorumRBMichigan
3/99Kamren KinchensSMiami
5/154Brennan JacksonEDGEWashington State
6/196Tyler DavisDTClemson
6/209Joshua KartyKStanford
6/213Jordan WhittingtonWRTexas
6/217Beaux LimmerCArkansas
7/254KT LevestonGKansas State

Buffalo Bills – B

Keon Coleman Florida State
Melina Myers/USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills’ 10-man draft class earned a B from Kiper, despite being “good, not great.” They certainly added a few winners in the group, but the ESPN analyst is really hoping Keon Coleman can be a top option for Josh Allen after the departure of Stefon Diggs. He needs to have a great career, or the Bills will forever be remembered for having traded with the Chiefs so their enemies could get Xavier Worthy.

2/33Keon ColemanWRFlorida State
2/60Cole BishopSUtah
3/95DeWayne CarterDTDuke
4/128Ray DavisRBKentucky
5/141Sedrick Van Pran-GrangerCGeorgia
5/160Edefuan UlofoshioLBWashington
5/168Javon SolomonEDGETroy
6/204Tylan GrableOTUCF
6/219Daequan HardyCBPenn State
7/221Travis ClaytonGInternational

More 2024 NFL Draft grades

Chicago Bears – B
Cincinnati Bengals – B
Detroit Lions – B
Green Bay Packers – B
Indianapolis Colts – B
Las Vegas Raiders – B
New England Patriots – B
New Orleans Saints – B
Miami Dolphins – B
New York Giants – B
New York Jets – B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – B
Carolina Panthers – B-
Dallas Cowboys – B-
Jacksonville Jaguars – B-
San Francisco 49ers – B-
Seattle Seahawks – B-
Cleveland Browns – C+
Denver Broncos – C+
Minnesota Vikings – C+
Tennessee Titans – C+
Atlanta Falcons – C