The NFL’s wild-card weekend gave us plenty of drama, from epic road upsets (thanks, Green Bay Packers) to colossal collapses (yikes, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys). Some surprising teams are moving on, while others who had February plans on the field are now forced to get an early start on their offseason preparations.
As the remaining teams get ready for the divisional round, here’s an updated look at how the first round of the 2024 NFL draft could turn out:
1Chicago Bears (from CAR)Team Needs: WR, OL, edgeQB Caleb Williams, USC
It’s still possible the Bears could keep Justin Fields and trade this pick for another massive haul just like they did last year. If they stay in this spot, though, it makes more sense that Chicago would trade Fields and reset its quarterback situation with a star such as Williams on a cheap rookie contract.
2Washington CommandersTeam Needs: QB, OL, edgeQB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Sam Howell showed flashes of potential, but Washington’s new management is going to spend this pick on a new franchise passer with way more upside. Much like Williams, Maye had an up-and-down 2023 campaign, but still has all the tools to be a superstar.
3New England PatriotsTeam Needs: QB, OT, WRWR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Yes, the Patriots desperately need a franchise quarterback. But do you want the third-best quarterback in this draft, or do you want the best prospect in the entire class, regardless of position? New England needs a true No. 1 receiver, too, and Harrison has Hall of Fame potential.
4Arizona CardinalsTeam Needs: WR, OL, CBOT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Losing out on Harrison would be a bummer, but the Cardinals are still in position to land an elite prospect at a premium position. Fashanu could immediately take over at left tackle for D.J. Humphries, and thus allow 2023 first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr. to stay on the right side.
5Los Angeles ChargersTeam Needs: WR, TE, CBWR Malik Nabers, LSU
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both studs, but they’re not getting any younger, they’ve struggled to stay healthy, and they are carrying massive salary cap numbers into 2024. Nabers is a big-play machine who would pair well with ’23 first-round pick Quentin Johnston.
6New York GiantsTeam Needs: WR, QB, OLQB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Giants gave Daniel Jones a big contract extension, but even before his torn ACL, Jones had struggled to prove himself as a true franchise passer. If Daniels is still on the board, it wouldn’t be shocking to see New York cut its losses and start over at QB.
7Tennessee TitansTeam Needs: OL, WR, CBOT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
This entire offensive line needs to be rebuilt, and the best way to start is with a franchise left tackle. Alt’s dad was a Pro Bowler at the same position, and he has the polish and experience to make an immediate impact protecting Will Levis’s blind side.
8Atlanta FalconsTeam Needs: QB, WR, CBQB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix gutted through a disappointing performance in the national title game, but he’s still one of the best pure passers in this draft. His age (he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie) and injury history will scare away some teams, but the Falcons can’t afford to wait until Day 2 for a new QB.
9Chicago BearsTeam Needs: WR, OL, edgeEdge Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Don’t count out a wide receiver here, but coach Matt Eberflus might be tempted to spend one of his top picks on more help for his defense. Latu’s medical evaluations will be key to his draft stock, but when healthy, he’s proved to be a dominant and productive force.
10New York JetsTeam Needs: OL, WR, SWR Rome Odunze, Washington
Offensive tackle is easily the biggest need for the Jets, but the value just isn’t there in this scenario. Instead, they will help Aaron Rodgers by giving him another dynamic weapon in Odunze, whose complete skill set would pair well with young star Garrett Wilson.
11Minnesota VikingsTeam Needs: Edge, CB, QBEdge Dallas Turner, Alabama
A quarterback of the future should be on Minnesota’s radar, but with four already off the board, the Vikings should avoid the temptation to reach for the next-best one. Instead, they land an explosive pass rusher with athleticism and versatility in Turner, who put up huge numbers this season.
12Denver BroncosTeam Needs: QB, CB, WRTE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Sometimes, your biggest needs don’t mesh well with how the draft board actually falls. Tight end isn’t high on Denver’s priority list, but if an elite talent such as Bowers is still on the board, the Broncos would be wise to go “best player available” and add a dynamic weapon to their offense.
13Las Vegas RaidersTeam Needs: Antonio Pierce, and just about everything elseCB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Retaining Pierce as their head coach is the most important order of business for the Raiders, but the roster also needs a ton of help on both sides of the ball. The best match of need and value in this scenario comes at corner—and Las Vegas will be able to have its pick of this year’s class, grabbing a long and athletic ball hawk in Wiggins.
14New Orleans SaintsTeam Needs: OL, WR, QBOT JC Latham, Alabama
The Saints’ investment in Derek Carr hasn’t gone as planned so far, but much of that has to do with an offensive line that struggled to protect him this season. Latham is a massive mauler who fits best at right tackle, but could give New Orleans an immediate upgrade on either side.
15Indianapolis ColtsTeam Needs: WR, DB, TEWR Keon Coleman, Florida State
If the Colts can’t keep Michael Pittman Jr. (via contract or the franchise tag), they’ll need a new WR1 who can replace his size, athleticism and physicality. Coleman would be the perfect fit, thanks to his massive frame (6'4", 215) and the leaping ability to make highlight-reel catches.
16Seattle SeahawksTeam Needs: OL, edge, LBEdge Jared Verse, Florida State
It’s a little early for the top interior offensive linemen, so the Seahawks could opt for better value on the other side of the ball. You can never have too many talented pass rushers in today’s NFL, and Verse proved just how dominant he can be with a huge 2023 campaign.
17Jacksonville JaguarsTeam Needs: OL, CB, WRCB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Tyson Campbell has been a solid starter for the Jaguars so far, but they need a long-term upgrade at the other outside corner spot. Arnold wasn’t even considered the best corner on his own team heading into the season, but he’s shown off a complete skill set that could easily have him off the board ahead of teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry.
18Cincinnati BengalsTeam Needs: OL, WR, TEOT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
The Bengals’ prime objective this offseason should be helping Joe Burrow in any way possible. That means spending this pick on the best offensive lineman or pass catcher on the board, and in this scenario, that gives them a punishing right tackle to replace Jonah Williams.
19Los Angeles RamsTeam Needs: CB, OL, edgeCB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
The Rams put together an impressive run this season, considering how many roster holes they have on paper. They need to load up on talent at premium positions, and their best bet here is a big, athletic corner in McKinstry, who has next-level shutdown potential.
20Pittsburgh SteelersTeam Needs: QB, OL, CBOT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Pittsburgh went three decades without spending a first-round pick on an offensive tackle, but they should strongly consider doing it for the second year in a row. Mims has a towering frame and tons of power, and he’d be a fantastic bookend to former Georgia teammate Broderick Jones.
21Miami DolphinsTeam Needs: OL, TE, DLOL Troy Fautanu, Washington
The Dolphins’ high-flying offense will only go as far as their line can take them, and that means upgrades are in order this offseason. Miami’s biggest need is along the interior, where Fautanu would project as an even more dominant pro after playing left tackle for the Huskies.
22Philadelphia EaglesTeam Needs: CB, WR, LBDB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Eagles need an infusion of young talent at both levels of the secondary, so why not spend this pick on a player who can line up anywhere in the defensive backfield. DeJean is one of the most versatile athletes in the entire draft, and he makes big plays all over the field.
23Houston Texans (from CLE)Team Needs: DL, CB, WRDL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
This would be the perfect scenario for the Texans, who desperately need a disruptive interior defender to take DeMeco Ryans’s defense to the next level. Newton is undersized—but still the best in this year’s class—and would be a huge bargain at this spot.
24Dallas CowboysTeam Needs: RB, OL, CBOL Graham Barton, Duke
Another team that needs as much help in the offensive trenches as possible, the Cowboys should target Barton, who has the versatility to play all five spots along the offensive line. Most of his experience is at tackle, but he projects better inside at the next level.
25*Green Bay PackersTeam Needs: DB, OL, DLCB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Green Bay’s secondary was banged up for much of the year, but even when healthy, they need more playmakers at both levels of the unit. Mitchell is still flying under the radar a bit, but he’s got all the physical and mental traits to be a star at the next level.
26*Tampa Bay BuccaneersTeam Needs: Edge, OL, LBEdge Bralen Trice, Washington
Tampa Bay will have needs all over the roster this offseason, so they’ve got to target value and pure talent here. Trice showed how dominant he can be during the College Football Playoff, and he’d be an ideal successor to veteran Shaquil Barrett.
27*Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)Team Needs: WR, OL, CBWR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
After missing out on their WR1 earlier in the round, the Cardinals will still be able to land a top pass catcher for Kyler Murray here. Mitchell has elite height, length and leaping ability, with the ball skills and body control to make incredible catches above the rim. Plus, he has the explosiveness needed to beat opposing defenses deep.
28*Kansas City ChiefsTeam Needs: WR, OT, DLWR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Rashee Rice showed promise as a rookie, but he’s the only reliable wide receiver Patrick Mahomes has on the roster right now. Legette is one of the more underrated players in this year’s loaded receiver class, with a rare combination of size (6'1", 227 pounds), physicality and explosiveness.
29*Buffalo BillsTeam Needs: WR, S, DLWR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Stefon Diggs is still one of the best receivers in the NFL, but Josh Allen needs another blue-chip target who can force opposing defenses to turn some of their attention elsewhere. Thomas has an impressive blend of size and speed that would make him a perfect match.
30*Detroit LionsTeam Needs: CB, edge, WREdge Chris Braswell, Alabama
Aidan Hutchinson has already established himself as one of the most dominant edge rushers in the NFL, but the Lions need another stud on the opposite side of the defensive front. Braswell is a former five-star recruit who broke out in 2023, showing off his elite athleticism and versatility, and putting up huge numbers.
31*San Francisco 49ersTeam Needs: OT, CB, DLOT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
One of the most glaring needs across the entire league is the 49ers’ need for a massive upgrade at right tackle opposite All-Pro Trent Williams. Guyton would be the ideal pick thanks to his starting experience on the right side, plus movement skills that would allow him to shine in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
32*Baltimore RavensTeam Needs: OL, CB, DLCB Kalen King, Penn State
Somehow, Penn State has never had a defensive back drafted in the first round. Ever. The Ravens could change that by spending their top pick on King, who brings a polished and pro-ready skill set to a secondary that needs another playmaker across from Marlon Humphrey.
