2024 NFL draft order: Top 24 picks set, with Bears at the top
The order
for the top 24 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is set, with the
Chicago Bears picking No. 1 and the Washington Commanders picking No. 2. Could
both teams move on from their starting quarterbacks? Or could they look to add
help for their signal-callers in April's draft? The Bears have two first-round
picks -- the second at No. 9 overall -- as they look toward an intriguing
offseason.
The 2024 NFL
draft will take place at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit. Round 1
will begin on April 25, Rounds 2 and 3 are on April 26, and Rounds 4 through 7
are on April 27. The draft will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App.
Check out
the locked-in order for Nos. 1-24 below, with Nos. 25-32 projected from ESPN's
Football Power Index (FPI). Team write-ups from our NFL Nation reporters have
been updated from mid-December.
1.
Chicago Bears (via 2-15 CAR)
The Bears
have the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years thanks to a trade with Carolina from
last March. The biggest question is whether they will keep quarterback Justin
Fields and use their draft capital to build around him with another wide receiver
and interior O-line help, or if they will draft a QB.
The way
Fields played since returning from a thumb injury in Week 11 brings up a real
debate about whether Chicago is better off with him on this trajectory than
starting over in 2024. -- Courtney Cronin
2. Washington Commanders
(4-13)
Washington's
direction with its first pick will be determined by how the organization views
quarterback Sam Howell. With a regime change likely, it's impossible to know
what a new coach or general manager thinks of him. If they like him, they can
trade back, add more picks early in the draft and/or in future years (they own
five top-100 picks in 2024) and build a quality young roster. But if they're
not sold on Howell, then they can try to move up or select one of the top
quarterbacks in the class. -- John Keim
3. New England Patriots
(4-13)
There's a
decision due this offseason on quarterback Mac Jones' fifth-year option for
2025. The Patriots probably will decline it, which would mean they're back in
the first-round quarterback conversation. It doesn't necessarily lock in that
they'll take a passer from what is considered a talented class. Their needs are
plentiful, with offensive line and wide receiver atop the list. There is also
the rather large question of whether the Bill Belichick regime will be making
the picks, so there's plenty to sort out between now and then. -- Mike Reiss
4. Arizona Cardinals
(4-13)
To trade or
not to trade, that is the question the Cardinals will face with their first of
two first-round picks. With Kyler Murray's play since returning from a knee
injury, the conversation about drafting a quarterback has quieted, but Arizona
is in a position to rebuild its entire roster with 10 picks in the 2024 draft.
If top wide
receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) is available with their first pick,
the Cardinals could pair him with Murray and never look back, or trade down for
a haul of picks as well as a prime player. If they keep their top pick, expect
it to be an impact player, while the second pick will likely fill a need such
as an offensive lineman or another receiver. They also have Houston's top pick
from the trade up last April. -- Josh Weinfuss
5. Los Angeles Chargers
(5-12)
The Chargers
are projected to be $34.8 million over the salary cap next season, according to
Roster Management System. This means they will potentially look much different
next season, as many of their expensive contracts will need to be restructured,
traded or released. Drafting the best player available (except at quarterback)
would make sense, but with a rushing offense and pass defense that are both at
the bottom of the league, the most significant needs are at defensive back,
offensive line and tight end. -- Kris Rhim
6. New York Giants
(6-11)
General
manager Joe Schoen said recently that the Giants are going to add a quarterback
this offseason, via free agency or the draft. He also mentioned studying the
first-round quarterbacks from the 2018 draft, which suggests they're going to
at least consider that position early in this draft depending on how this
season ends. -- Jordan Raanan
7. Tennessee Titans
(6-11)
Only four
starters have come from the past three Titans' draft classes, but general
manager Ran Carthon's debut 2023 class has seen several contributors,
particularly on offense. That includes Will Levis, who might be the team's
quarterback of the future. Now, Carthon has to find more impactful players for
a roster that desperately needs game-changing talent. The roster also needs to
add quality depth players on both sides of the football. The Titans could be in
transition, with perennial Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry potentially
hitting the market as a free agent. -- Turron Davenport
8. Atlanta Falcons
(7-10)
This will
all start at quarterback for the Falcons, who lost four of five games to end
the season. They might not be in a position to draft one of the top prospects.
They could instead turn their attention to cornerback, offensive line or
defensive line. Missing the playoffs makes the quarterback question the biggest
offseason issue by far. -- Michael Rothstein
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)
This is the
second of the Bears' two first-round picks, thanks to their trade with the
Panthers from last March. Chicago last picked twice in Round 1 in 2003, when it
traded down from No. 4 and drafted defensive end Michael Haynes (No. 14) and
quarterback Rex Grossman (No. 22). -- ESPN staff
10. New York Jets (7-10)
The Jets'
top needs are at offensive tackle and wide receiver, and there should be some
talented prospects from which to choose. The team's biggest question is at
quarterback. New York will have a healthy Aaron Rodgers in 2024, but will that
preclude it from taking a quarterback if it has a shot at one of the top
prospects? That would contradict the organization's win-now philosophy, but it
also has to keep an eye on the future. Rodgers is 40, and there's no guarantee
he will play beyond 2024. -- Rich Cimini
11. Minnesota Vikings
(7-10)
Nothing
about the Vikings' draft plans can be finalized until they decide about the
quarterback position. Kirk Cousins' contract will be void in March. Joshua
Dobbs, after a hot start as the team's emergency starter, has been benched and
does not appear to be the answer. The Vikings will have to decide whether they
want either (or both) back in 2024 and then assess whether their ultimate draft
position will be good enough to select a quarterback who is good enough to
factor as a long-term answer. If not, has rookie Jaren Hall shown enough to be
in that conversation? -- Kevin Seifert
12. Denver Broncos (8-9)
The Broncos
are back on the quarterback carousel -- again -- after coach Sean Payton
benched Russell Wilson before the Week 17 game against the Chargers. Jarrett
Stidham, who started the last two games, was the 12th quarterback to start a
game for the Broncos since the beginning of the 2016 season. The Broncos are
poised to walk away from Wilson, including his five-year, $242.6 million deal.
Stidham would be the most efficient option given he's signed for 2024 and
Wilson's contract would put the Broncos in a most uncomfortable salary cap
squeeze.
The Broncos
have limited draft capital -- six picks and only two in the first two days of
the draft, with no second-rounder -- to make a move. -- Jeff Legwold
13. Las Vegas Raiders
(8-9)
Raiders
interim coach Antonio Pierce, who elevated fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell
over veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in November, acknowledged late in the season he
never believed Las Vegas would win a game "because" of the rookie
quarterback. Indeed, had the Raiders received any semblance of competent
quarterback play against the Vikings (a 3-0 defeat) and in the first half at
the Colts, where they lost 23-20, they would have had two more wins. Pierce's
admission lends further credence to the notion that O'Connell is not the future
for the franchise. Same with $72.75 million man Garoppolo, a prime cut
candidate.
So, for the
first time since 2007, and only the fourth time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger,
the Raiders could use a first-round pick on a quarterback. A trade up might be
necessary to get one of the top passers, but who makes that call, what with
Pierce the interim coach and Champ Kelly an interim general manager? Indeed,
the Raiders are again in search of a franchise quarterback. -- Paul Gutierrez
14. New Orleans Saints
(9-8)
The Saints
have struck out with first-round picks on both sides of the line: Defensive end
Marcus Davenport (2018) left in free agency, edge rusher Payton Turner (2021)
has three career sacks, and offensive tackle Trevor Penning (2022) was benched
this season. They have one of the worst pass rushes in the league, and Cameron
Jordan (two sacks) will be 35 next season. With quarterback Derek Carr signed
through the 2026 season and the Saints struggling in the trenches, they might need
to start rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines. -- Katherine Terrell
15. Indianapolis Colts
(9-8)
The Colts
addressed their longtime quarterback need last April, and that opens up the
draft board in a significant way. They like their offensive playmakers, though
adding a receiver couldn't hurt. Their secondary is young but showing some
promise late in the season. With the lack of urgent needs, this draft is the
perfect scenario for general manager Chris Ballard, who loves trading out of
the first round to acquire additional picks. -- Stephen Holder
16. Seattle Seahawks
(9-8)
The book is
closed on the Russell Wilson trade, which means the Seahawks won't be flush
with early-round draft capital like they were in each of the past two drafts.
They have an extra third-round pick, but they don't own a second-rounder after
giving it up in the Leonard Williams trade -- and they won't be picking in the
top 10 for a third straight year, barring a collapse over the final month. That
means it could be easier said than done to replace quarterback Geno Smith this
offseason if they were so inclined based on his inconsistent play and the
flexibility they have to get out of his contract. -- Brady Henderson
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
(9-8)
For a team
that started 8-3, the Jaguars have a lot of areas that need to be addressed if
they're going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond. It
starts with the interior of the offensive line (mainly at guard), but adding a
big-bodied receiver, finding another pass-rusher and/or cornerback and getting
better on the defensive line also are spots to watch. Most of Jacksonville's
impact players were signed in free agency in recent years. It's time to find
some more in the draft. -- Michael DiRocco
18. Cincinnati Bengals
(9-8)
The Bengals'
draft could hinge on what happens with wide receiver Tee Higgins. In the final
year of his rookie deal, Higgins' production has fallen short of his first
three seasons. He had 42 catches and five touchdowns in 12 games. Cincinnati
will need to decide if he's worth a franchise tag or a long-term deal, or it
could look at drafting a replacement to pair with Ja'Marr Chase, who could get
a massive contract extension in the offseason. -- Ben Baby
19. Los Angeles Rams
(10-7)
For the
first time since 2016, the Rams have a pick in the first round. In November, it
looked like that pick was trending toward the top 10, but Los Angeles won seven
of its final eight regular-season games to get into the playoffs. The Rams have
several spots they could target in the draft, but after moving on from several
veterans on the defensive side of the ball last offseason, it could make sense
for them to go for the best defensive player available in April. -- Sarah
Barshop
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
(10-7)
Even with a
deep and talented quarterback class in the draft, the Steelers are unlikely to
move on from Kenny Pickett this offseason. There still are plenty of holes to
fill across the roster, but they should prioritize cornerback and inside
linebacker. General manager Omar Khan selected cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in
his first draft a year ago, but the Steelers now need a top-tier mate to pair
with him. And while they hit on all three inside linebacker free agency
signings, injuries decimated the group, and reinforcements will be needed.
Center could be another first-round option. -- Brooke Pryor
21. Miami Dolphins
(11-6)
No, your
eyes do not deceive you -- the Dolphins own a first-round pick for the first
time since 2021. The direction in which they go ultimately will be determined
by their free agent class, but they have needs at safety, linebacker and
interior offensive line. Miami needs to hit on its premium picks, considering
quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's potential megadeal will likely inspire some tough
financial decisions. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
22. Philadelphia Eagles
(11-6)
The Eagles
have nine picks, including a pair of second-rounders, to supplement its roster.
Secondary is likely to be a focus, with starting corners Darius Slay and James
Bradberry both over 30. The Eagles are usually hesitant to devote significant
resources at linebacker but will need to reconsider after being held back by
the position this season. Offensive and defensive line is always a safe bet
with this front office, especially with some key players in the twilight of
their careers. -- Tim McManus
23. Houston Texans (via
11-6 CLE)
The Texans
traded away their first-round pick in this class when they moved up with the
Cardinals to draft edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. last April. This pick comes
from the Deshaun Watson trade with the Browns. While Houston surpassed
expectations this season and won a playoff game, it has holes in the trenches,
specifically at left guard and in the defensive front seven. It might need to
pick the best available player instead of filling a specific need this late,
however. Drafting for need is tougher when a team can't get one of the elite
prospects in the top half of Round 1. -- DJ Bien-Aime
24. Dallas Cowboys
(12-5)
The Cowboys
can look anywhere and everywhere for help in this draft. They will use free
agency to fill holes and make sure they can choose the best player available,
but the offensive line (tackle, center), defensive line, linebacker,
cornerback, running back and potentially wideout could be options. The Cowboys
have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents, including tackle Tyron
Smith, running back Tony Pollard, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive end
Dorance Armstrong. They likely won't be able to keep all of them, so hitting at
those spots in the draft becomes a must. -- Todd Archer