2024 NFL Draft grades: Mel Kiper reviews selections for all 32 teams
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
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. | WR | Ohio State |
1(27) | Darius Robinson | EDGE | Missouri |
2(11) | Max Melton | CB | Rutgers |
3(2) | Trey Benson | RB | Florida State |
3(7) | Isaiah Adams | OT | Illinois |
3(18) | Tip Reiman | TE | Illinois |
3(27) | Elijah Jones | CB | Boston College |
4(4) | Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | S | Texas Tech |
5(3) | Xavier Thomas | EDGE | Clemson |
5(27) | Christian Jones | OT | Texas |
6(15) | Tejhaun Palmer | WR | UAB |
7(6) | Jaden Davis | CB | Miami |
Philadelphia Eagles – A
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.
1/22 | Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo |
2/40 | Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa |
3/94 | Jalyx Hunt | EDGE | Houston Christian |
4/127 | Will Shipley | RB | Clemson |
5/152 | Ainias Smith | WR | Texas A&M |
5/155 | Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson |
5/172 | Trevor Keegan | G | Michigan |
6/185 | Johnny Wilson | WR | Florida State |
6/190 | Dylan McMahon | C | NC State |
Pittsburgh Steelers – A-
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.
1/20 | Troy Fautanu | OT | Washington |
2/51 | Zach Frazier | C | West Virginia |
3/84 | Roman Wilson | WR | Michigan |
3/98 | Payton Wilson | LB | NC State |
4/119 | Mason McCormick | G | South Dakota State |
6/178 | Logan Lee | DT | Iowa |
6/195 | Ryan Watts | CB | Texas |
Washington Commanders – A-
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.
1/2 | Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU |
2/36 | Jer’Zhan Newton | DT | Illinois |
2/50 | Mike Sainristil | CB | Michigan |
2/53 | Ben Sinnott | TE | Kansas State |
3/67 | Brandon Coleman | OT | TCU |
3/100 | Luke McCaffrey | WR | Rice |
5/139 | Jordan Magee | LB | Temple |
5/161 | Dominique Hampton | S | Washington |
7/222 | Javontae Jean-Baptiste | EDGE | Notre Dame |
Baltimore Ravens – B+
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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1/30 | Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson |
2/62 | Roger Rosengarten | OT | Washington |
3/93 | Adisa Isaac | LB | Penn State |
4/113 | Devontez Walker | WR | North Carolina |
4/130 | T.J. Tampa | CB | Iowa State |
5/165 | Rasheen Ali | RB | Marshall |
6/218 | Devin Leary | QB | Kentucky |
7/228 | Nick Samac | C | Michigan State |
7/250 | Sanoussi Kane | S | Purdue |
Houston Texans – B+
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.
2/42 | Kamari Lassiter | CB | Georgia |
2/59 | Blake Fisher | OT | Notre Dame |
3/78 | Calen Bullock | S | USC |
4/123 | Cade Stover | TE | Ohio State |
6/188 | Jamal Hill | LB | Oregon |
6/205 | Jawhar Jordan | RB | Louisville |
7/238 | Solomon Byrd | EDGE | USC |
7/247 | Marcus Harris | DT | Auburn |
7/249 | LaDarius Henderson | OT | Michigan |
Kansas City Chiefs – B+
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.
1/28 | Xavier Worthy | WR | Texas |
2/63 | Kingsley Suamataia | OT | BYU |
4/131 | Jared Wiley | TE | TCU |
4/133 | Jaden Hicks | S | Washington State |
5/159 | Hunter Nourzad | C | Penn State |
6/211 | Kamal Hadden | CB | Tennessee |
7/248 | C.J. Hanson | G | Holy Cross |
Los Angeles Chargers – B+
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.
1/5 | Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame |
2/34 | Ladd McConkey | WR | Georgia |
3/69 | Junior Colson | LB | Michigan |
4/105 | Justin Eboigbe | DT | Alabama |
5/137 | Tarheeb Still | CB | Maryland |
5/140 | Cam Hart | CB | Notre Dame |
6/181 | Kimani Vidal | RB | Troy |
7/225 | Brenden Rice | WR | USC |
7/253 | Cornelius Johnson | WR | Michigan |
Los Angeles Rams – B+
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-.
1/19 | Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State |
2/39 | Braden Fiske | DT | Florida State |
3/83 | Blake Corum | RB | Michigan |
3/99 | Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami |
5/154 | Brennan Jackson | EDGE | Washington State |
6/196 | Tyler Davis | DT | Clemson |
6/209 | Joshua Karty | K | Stanford |
6/213 | Jordan Whittington | WR | Texas |
6/217 | Beaux Limmer | C | Arkansas |
7/254 | KT Leveston | G | Kansas State |
Buffalo Bills – B
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.
2/33 | Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State |
2/60 | Cole Bishop | S | Utah |
3/95 | DeWayne Carter | DT | Duke |
4/128 | Ray Davis | RB | Kentucky |
5/141 | Sedrick Van Pran-Granger | C | Georgia |
5/160 | Edefuan Ulofoshio | LB | Washington |
5/168 | Javon Solomon | EDGE | Troy |
6/204 | Tylan Grable | OT | UCF |
6/219 | Daequan Hardy | CB | Penn State |
7/221 | Travis Clayton | G | International |
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