The excitement for the 2024 NFL draft was palpable. It wasn't just limited to fans, either. Even those within the league are thrilled with the incoming crop of talent.

"You could count to 32 this year and still find a first-round quality player there," an AFC college scouting director told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

Typically, NFL front offices have fewer than 20 prospects graded as legitimate first-round talents. This year's class has some legit sizzle.

"The top 10 is loaded," another GM told Breer.

Six quarterbacks, seven wide receivers and the most decorated tight end of all time were selected in the first round. The strength of the offensive line class was on full display with nine selections. Some Grade A beef made its way to the forefront.

This draft also set a record with 14 consecutive offensive players selected before the first defender came off the board.

Some major surprises occurred, particularly the Atlanta Falcons taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8. How should those picks be viewed? Bleacher Report graded every single one as the draft played out Thursday night.

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Strengths: Special ability to create outside structure, excellent velocity and touch on throws, consistently and aggressively attacks all three levels, sees entire field with special spatial awareness

Weaknesses: Lacks prototypical height, inconsistent footwork, unnecessarily fades from pocket instead of stepping into some throws, will force certain passes

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the Walt Disney of the 2024 NFL draft class, because his creativity knows no bounds.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner's game is ideally suited to the modern NFL. His ability to work off-platform and outside of structure when necessary will provide a different dynamic to the Chicago Bears' offense. Williams' natural feel for the game is allied with elite arm talent to make improbable throws look routine.

Williams is also effective from the pocket. However, what he can do beyond that point is what's truly special. While the oft-used comparisons to Patrick Mahomes are wholly unfair, they do share one thing in common.

Williams' 2023 campaign didn't go as expected. The Trojans were supposed to be a national contender, with their quarterback possibly becoming the second-ever two-time Heisman winner. Instead, USC went 8-5 after starting the season 6-0.

Much like Mahomes at Texas Tech, Williams was asked to carry a team that lacked a quality defense. USC finished 119th in total defense and 121st in scoring defense this past season. Williams was forced to press, made some poor decisions, and his team faltered down the stretch. But his ability to create something out of nothing, make a throw from a ridiculous arm angle or simply orchestrate an offense is top-notch.

The Bears weren't supposed to be in position to select a prospect of Williams' caliber. However, they landed the No. 1 pick courtesy of the Carolina Panthers, who traded up for Bryce Young last year.

While the term "generational" is overused, Williams' talent level is on par with every quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck went No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

"Caleb is clearly No. 1," an anonymous AFC assistant coach told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "There's always a bust percentage. But the talent level is as good as I've ever seen."

More importantly, Chicago is placing Williams in a position to succeed after failing to do so with Justin Fields. The Bears acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D'Andre Swift this offseason to pair with incumbent wideout DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet.

Chicago finally has its potential franchise quarterback.

Grade: A

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Strengths: Exceptional athlete with game-breaking speed, ultra tough despite slight frame, excellent deep-ball passer, continually improved throughout collegiate career

Weaknesses: Reckless attitude when running makes him prone to big hits, doesn't attack every spot on the field as a passer, viable but not top-tier arm strength

No prospect had a greater rise throughout the 2023 campaign than LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Arizona State transfer showed improvement upon joining the Tigers in 2022. But he erupted for a Heisman Trophy-winning performance this past fall. Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, ran for 1,134 more and contributed 50 total touchdowns during his final year on campus.

On top of being an experienced upperclassman, Daniels received help from what amounts to a quarterback "flight simulator" coordinated by LSU's director of performance innovation, Jack Mariucci, which allowed more mental reps in game-like scenarios.

"It kind of put him in a visualization," LSU quarterback coach Joe Sloan told The Athletic's Alec Lewis. "I think it's just about making decisions. Make a decision. Make a decision. Make a decision. It was an opportunity to sit there and make a lot of decisions in a short amount of time, and you're not sweating. It's huge."

As Daniels progressed as a passer, his athleticism unlocked his full potential, as defenses couldn't handle both phases of his game. The 6'4", 210-pound dual-threat option takes some wicked hits and needs to protect himself better in the NFL, though.

LSU's offense also didn't allow Daniels to consistently work the middle of the field, which is an area where he'll need to continue improving. Otherwise, the reigning AP College Football Player of the Year should be an instant weapon in the NFL.

"I tell people this: Outside of Patrick Mahomes, I haven't coached against someone like this," an FBS opponent told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman about Daniels. "He's just very hard to defend. We tried to force him to run it to take it out of his hands. The throws he makes and the timing he has, I thought was second to none. He throws the deep ball extremely accurately."

While Daniels' rise can't be denied, North Carolina's Drake Maye is arguably a better overall prospect and might have been a better pick at No. 2. But the Commanders have their new franchise quarterback after moving on from Sam Howell, and the Josh Harris ownership era can start fresh at the game's most important position.

Grade: B

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Strengths: Makes every throw whether in a clean or muddied pocket, pre-snap recognition, capable runner either as scrambler or by design, works well within structure

Weaknesses: Plays himself into sacks, inconsistent post-snap reads and decision-making, forces throws to try to make something happen

If an NFL team were to build the ideal starting quarterback, the result would probably come out looking like North Carolina's Drake Maye. The 6'4", 223-pound signal-caller has ample arm talent and significant athleticism despite his big frame.

Maye is exceptional when it comes to pre-snap processing. Unfortunately, he found himself in a UNC offense this past season with inadequate offensive line and skill-position players. As such, Maye needed to take certain risky decisions and make plays with his legs more often than expected.

"There's a longstanding history of basketball in his family and it's really what plays into him being as athletic as he is," former North Carolina offensive coordinator Phil Longo told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "You look at him, and he's a tall, lanky quarterback. I don't think just looking at him that you would initially think he's as athletic as he is."

As The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted, Maye converted more first downs (42) running the ball on third or fourth down over the last two seasons than any other quarterback in this year's class. The 2022 ACC Player of the Year also completed more big-time throws (76) than any other prospect during the same span, per Pro Football Focus. He has the size, arm, intelligence and mobility to develop into an elite NFL quarterback.

The New England Patriots will be living under Tom Brady's shadow for a long time. The only way to get out from the darkness is to add a bright light to the roster.

Maye entered this year's draft as the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's QB1 over both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. His mechanics are raw, but his upside is as great as anyone in the class, which makes him a perfect fit for the Patriots. Jacoby Brissett can be the perfect short-term bridge quarterback for the Pats. The sturdy, big-armed Maye can learn behind Brissett and then thrive once he takes over.

Shortly after being hired, new head coach Jerod Mayo said the Patriots were going to take a quarterback. He was true to his word.

Grade: A

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Strengths: Awesome combination of size, speed and agility as a route-runner, top-notch ball skills, instant red-zone and deep threat, unreal body control

Weaknesses: Could be more physical against press coverage, after the catch and blocking

Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson entered the NFL.

That might come across as bold, particularly since the likes of A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Ja'Marr Chase have joined the league since then. Harrison isn't just the best wide receiver in this year's draft class, though. He's the highest-rated overall prospect, according to the B/R Scouting Department.

In most cases, comparing a son to his Hall of Fame father is unfair. However, Harrison is basically a souped-up version of what his dad once brought to the Indianapolis Colts.

Harrison is bigger, longer and possibly faster than his father, and he has a certain smoothness to his game after learning route-running from an all-time great. He stands 6'3" and 209 pounds but runs his routes like a much smaller receiver. Harrison also displays awesome body control and ball tracking when necessary. That combination makes him nearly unguardable.

The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner caught 144 passes for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns over the last two seasons despite dealing with injured ankles during both campaigns. A lone defensive back has no chance against Harrison, who obliterated single coverage during that span. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked first among all players in receptions, touchdowns and overall grade against single coverage.

The Arizona Cardinals made the smartest and simplest move possible: They drafted the best player in the entire draft class. While general manager Monti Ossenfort openly flirted with the possibility of trading the pick, he held steady and brought in a phenomenal talent to pair with quarterback Kyler Murray.

Considering that the Cardinals have five more picks in the top 90, including another first-round choice, this was always the move. Anything else would have been a mistake.

Grade: A+

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Strengths: Masterful technician, piledriver at the point of attack, fluid pass protector, NFL bloodlines

Weaknesses: Little too linear when trying to anchor, can play top heavy at times

Bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to offensive linemen. Taller offensive lineman often struggle with establishing and maintaining leverage. Joe Alt isn't one of those blockers, though.

Alt stands nearly 6'9" and weighs 321 pounds, yet he's the best technician among this year's offensive line class. He plays with exceptional pad level, as evidenced by how well he performs in the run game. The Notre Dame product ranked first among offensive tackles in run-blocking grade since the start of the 2022 campaign, according to Pro Football Focus.

But Alt isn't a one-dimensional blocker. Some road-graders struggle when asked to switch gears and turn into ballerinas in pass protection. The 21-year-old prospect may not be quite as clean as others in his pass set, but he's still fundamentally sound and moves very well for his stature.

Alt was one of three 320-plus-pound offensive line prospects to run a 5.05 or better in the 40-yard dash at this year's NFL Scouting Combine. He was the heaviest lineman to register a 9'4" or better broad jump.

Alt has everything in place to be a 10-year starter on the blind side. He's young, athletic, technically proficient and capable in both phases of the game. Offensive line selections are never sexy, but it's hard not to look at Alt's profile and get excited about his potential.

New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh knows how he likes to build a team. He's been a trenches-first coach with the Stanford Cardinal, San Francisco 49ers and Michigan Wolverines prior to his arrival in L.A.

Harbaugh's teams are going to win at the line of scrimmage. To do so, the big boys had better be talented. Alt absolutely is.

Alt will transition from left to right tackle with the Chargers. His athletic profile portends an easy transition. He was also set to play that position going into 2021 when Blake Fisher became the first-ever freshman to open a season at left tackle for Notre Dame. An injury to Fisher during that season pushed Alt to the blind side, and he never left.

Now, he'll take over the Chargers' strong side and complete a Los Angeles offensive line that will likely be one of the league's best after this addition.

Grade: A

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Strengths: Automatic acceleration, deep threat combined with strength and balance to create after the catch, easily beats man coverage, strong hands, inside-out versatility

Weaknesses: Can improve crispness of releases and stems, struggles a little when bodies and ball are in the air

In most other years, LSU's Malik Nabers would have been the clear-cut WR1. However, he's in the same class as Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.

Nabers is far from a consolation prize, though. He's ready to be the focal point of an NFL passing attack right away.

According to Pro Football Focus, the 20-year-old led all wide receivers during college football's regular season with 69 receptions for a first down. He's a shot of espresso to any offense.

Nabers became LSU's all-time leading receiver by being a threat from any alignment and on any route. He has the speed to stack receivers on vertical routes and the explosiveness to create chunk plays after the catch when he's targeted in the short to intermediate areas.

The unanimous All-American also plays bigger than his 6'0", 200-pound frame would suggest, with strong mitts to snatch the ball out of the air from nearly any angle.

Nabers' continued progression during his time at LSU was impressive. He accumulated 1,434 yards and seven touchdowns during his first two seasons, only to blow by those numbers with 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 alone. The only reason why he didn't lead the FBS in receiving yardage was because Washington's Rome Odunze played two more games thanks to the College Football Playoff.

The selection of Nabers should help the New York Giants put quarterback Daniel Jones in the best possible position to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Darius Slayton has led the G-Men in receiving yardage in four of the past five seasons despite never eclipsing 770 yards in any of those campaigns.

Nabers is a true No. 1 target. He's insta-juice to the lineup. His presence will completely change the dynamic of a Giants pass-catching corps that previously lacked explosiveness.

Grade: A

7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Strengths: Extreme power generator, vice-like grip, excellent balance for bigger blocker, tone-setter

Weaknesses: Tends to get overaggressive when trying to bury opponents, recovery agility can be lacking against elite pass-rusher with full arsenal

Alabama's JC Latham epitomizes what an NFL right tackle should be. He's massive and powerful, with the type of length and athleticism not to be exposed at the professional level.

Latham is a 6'6", 342-pound people-mover with 11-inch hands and 35⅛-inch arms. He's going to uproot defenders in the run game and move well with his pass set to regularly run edge-rushers wide.

Latham was bigger than he is now. Alabama listed the former 5-star recruit at 360 pounds entering the 2023 campaign. Anytime a bigger lineman's weight becomes a discussion point, how he maintains his bulk throughout his career turns into a concern.

The 21-year-old attacked the issue this offseason by cutting out one meal and changing his eating habits.

"You take off 20 pounds, you move quicker, so there's that," Latham told reporters at Alabama's pro day. "And then it's probably easier just to recover from everything. Everybody was telling me that once you hit that 340 mark, no matter what position you play—offensive line, defensive line, whoever it is, just anybody in general—it's not good for your knees and your joints."

The Tennessee Titans basically had to draft an offensive lineman after fielding the league's worst O-line last season. They hired Bill Callahan as their new offensive line coach to join his son, new head coach Brian Callahan, but they needed more talent.

Tennessee started its offseason improvements by signing center Lloyd Cushenberry III to a massive free-agent deal. It wasn't nearly enough.

The Titans are likely disappointed that Notre Dame's Joe Alt didn't fall into their lap. Instead of settling the blind side, the Titans settled on securing the strong side. Latham could attempt the transition to left tackle, too.

Whatever the case, it's the right move, even though it wasn't their best possible scenario entering the draft.

Grade: C+

8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Strengths: Easily drives the ball down the field and into tight windows, operates efficiently and consistently from a clean pocket, repeatable throwing motion, legitimate downfield assassin

Weaknesses: Significant injury history, bad habit of not transferring weight through throws, can struggle working intermediate level

This is a failure on every single level.

Taking Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 is awful resource allocation. It's also downright atrocious value. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department didn't even have Penix graded as a first-round prospect.

After signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons made sure to acquire another quarterback with a significant injury history. Good job.

The addition of Cousins seemingly put the Falcons in the driver's seat for the NFC South since they already had all of the other pieces they needed on offense. But with this Penix pick, the Falcons are preparing for the future before they can even claim the present.

"In 2018, it was an ACL tear in his right knee," Saturday Out West's Derek Peterson noted of Penix's time with the Indiana Hoosiers. "In 2019, he dislocated the sternoclavicular joint in his right arm. In 2020, he tore the same ACL again in his right knee. Then in 2021, he separated his shoulder at his AC joint."

However, after transferring to Washington, Penix started every game for two seasons with the Huskies. The left-handed gunslinger was highly productive while leading one of the FBS' top passing offenses with 9,544 passing yards and 74 total touchdowns.

There are still questions about his inconsistent footwork, how he handles pressure in the pocket and his overall touch on certain layered throws. But no one can deny how well the two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection spins the ball, the velocity he achieves or his natural whiplike throwing motion.

Penix will be a 24-year-old rookie, but age is less of a concern for quarterbacks since they tend to play longer. It's still something to take into consideration, though.

Basically, Penix's value is highly dependent on which side of the evaluation dominates the conversation.

Grade: F

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Strengths: Big frame, fluid, strong hands, excellent at tracking the ball and snagging at its high point

Weaknesses: Can be better setting up routes and utilizing his top-end speed instead of relying on size and ball skills, marginal blocker

Washington's Rome Odunze was good enough last year to declare early for the NFL draft and be a highly regarded prospect. Instead, he went back to school, worked on his body and became the primary threat as a big-time ball-winner in college football's best passing attack.

"He put on 14 pounds total from last year," Huskies head strength and conditioning coach Ron McKeefery told the Seattle Times' Mike Vorel. "The big factor there was trying to make sure he put on lean body mass. Anybody can put on 14 pounds if they eat the wrong stuff, but he was very diligent with his nutrition."

Odunze is a big, physical target who wasn't nearly as big or physical a year prior. He took his natural ability, which allowed him to be a 1,000-yard receiver in 2022, and elevated his entire game. The consensus All-American set career highs on Washington's run to the national title game with 92 receptions for an FBS-leading 1,640 receiving yards.

The draft couldn't have fallen better for the Chicago Bears. First, they landed their franchise quarterback with Caleb Williams at No. 1. Now he has another elite target on the outside.

Odunze completes a much-improved wide receiver room that also includes DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Few teams have a trio of wide receivers anywhere near that level of pure talent and ability.

The two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection can grow alongside Williams and give the Bears one of the league's best young batteries.

Grade: A

10. Minnesota Vikings (via New York Jets): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Strengths: Nifty movement skills inside and outside of pocket, drives ball over middle of the field and outside the numbers, works well within pro-style structure, pressure doesn't faze him

Weaknesses: Lack of touch when layered throws are necessary, sub-par deep passer, inconsistent footwork, particularly when throwing to his left

J.J. McCarthy is the NFL draft's version of an abstract painting. The viewer projects what they want to see upon his body of work.

From a fundamental standpoint, the 21-year-old's skill set is well-crafted. McCarthy is a 6'3", 219-pound quarterback with excellent arm action, pocket movement and mobility. He has the canvas to be something truly special.

At the same time, the picture isn't complete. McCarthy made some phenomenal throws during Michigan's run to a national title, but he played in a run-first offense and he averaged at least five fewer attempts per game than any of the other this year's top quarterback prospects.

The number itself isn't a problem, because his traits can still be projected. But he had fewer opportunities to make critical throws during key, late-game moments.

Still, the ability is present. Really, the standard for McCarthy is built upon his internal makeup.

"...once [NFL scouts] were around him, I was hearing the stories about how he is on the board, how he is on the field, the little things, the intangibles," former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "I mean, it was absolutely no surprise whatsoever. But yeah, there was raving, and it was great to hear and incredible to hear."

Kudos, Minnesota Vikings. They didn't bite on all the rumor-mongering about McCarthy going much higher in the draft. Instead of moving their extra first-round pick to trade up into the top five, the Vikings flipped fourth- and fifth-round picks to move up one spot, while getting a sixth-rounder back.

McCarthy moves into an awesome situation with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver as well as T.J. Hockenson at tight end. The 21-year-old will also get to work with head coach/offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, both of whom played quarterback in the NFL.

Grade: A

11. New York Jets (via Minnesota): Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Strengths: Natural pass set, excellent lateral agility, length to widen out defenders, strength to anchor

Weaknesses: Inconsistent technique in run game, could be more physical overall

Expectations can be difficult to handle, even when a player continues to perform at a high level.

Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu would have almost certainly been the first offensive tackle off the board had he chosen to declare for the 2023 NFL draft. He didn't. Instead, the then-20-year-old admitted he wasn't ready and felt the pressure.

Upon Fashanu's return to Happy Valley, added reps became a way to pick apart his game, particularly inconsistencies as a run-blocker. His previous status as OT1 came into question, and then he found himself behind Notre Dame's Joe Alt on most predraft boards.

However, Fashanu played at a high level throughout the 2023 campaign. He's the most naturally gifted pass protector in the class. The junior prospect has the strength in his lower body, long arms and overall movement skills to mirror or stalemate any edge-rusher. To that point, Fashanu posted the longest stretch this past season (382 pass-block snaps) without allowing a sack or quarterback hit, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 312-pound tackle prospect can do a better job maintaining his balance through his run blocks and improving his aiming points. But his main job is to keep the quarterback upright, and he does so at a high level.

The New York Jets looked to be all-in this offseason. They know their window with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback isn't likely to last long. If it doesn't work out, another regime may be making next year's draft picks.

But general manager Joe Douglas didn't press the matter. He didn't choose a prospect whom the Jets needed to make an immediate impact. Instead, Fashanu will help solidify an offensive line that's been in flux with multiple additions this offseason.

Offensive tackle is technically settled with veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but both are 33 years old. Smith in particular comes with a major injury risk, as he hasn't played a full slate of games since 2015.

Fashanu will almost certainly find his way onto the field this year. Even when he does, he can learn from an all-time great in Smith.

Grade: A

12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Strengths: Fantastic in quick game, accurate working when working in rhythm, dual-threat component, keeps eyes downfield when outside of structure

Weaknesses: Limited processor, accuracy wanes when comfort fades, inconsistent footwork

Two different versions of Bo Nix played in college.

First, there's the Auburn legacy who immediately took the reins as a true freshman but struggled to survive the transition away from Gus Malzahn as the Tigers' head coach. Then there's the mighty Duck playing for Oregon, where Nix won the William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman) and Pac-12 Player of the Year after setting the FBS record with a 77.4 completion percentage.

During Nix's final season on campus, he threw for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Yet questions persist about how his skill set will translate to the NFL based on what Oregon's staff asked him to do.

A significant portion of the Ducks' offense was built around quick-hitters, half-field reads and throws at or behind the line of scrimmage. Some outstanding layered throws can be seen on Nix's film as well, but he isn't the same natural thrower as other prospects in this year's class.

With five quarterbacks already off the board, the Denver Broncos chose not to risk losing their guy. But they pulled the trigger on a second-round quarterback with the 12th overall pick.

At the very least, Nix is a better value than Michael Penix Jr., whom the Atlanta Falcons took at No. 8 overall. He also should be a good fit in Sean Payton's offense. However, this was a massive reach.

Grade: D

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Strengths: Fantastic short-area quickness and explosiveness once the ball is in his hands, can stretch the seam and work effectively out of the slot, makes tough catches even through contact

Weaknesses: Isn't a true in-line option, lacks punch at the point of attack

In a class loaded with skill-position talent, Georgia's Brock Bowers is right in the mix with the top receivers and quarterbacks as the best of the lot. He's the most decorated and arguably the best tight end prospect ever.

After joining the Bulldogs program as an undersized 4-star recruit, Bowers took college football by storm. The tight end led Georgia in catches, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in all three of his seasons. He captured two John Mackey Awards and first-team All-American nods. The Bulldogs won a pair of national championships as well. The 21-year-old finished his time with the program ranked third in all-time receptions (175) and fifth in receiving yardage (2,538).

Granted, Bowers isn't the same caliber of athlete as Kyle Pitts when he entered the NFL three years ago, nor the physical presence of Mike Ditka when he dominated as a rookie back in 1961. But he is tailor-made to make an instant impact as a receiver in an NFL offense.

Bowers can be utilized like Travis Kelce or Georgia Kittle as a primary threat in the passing game, although the 6'3", 243-pound prospect won't be anything close to what Kittle does as an in-line blocker. Bowers' game is predicated on what he can do to get the ball and what he does after the catch.

Honestly, the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos saved the Las Vegas Raiders from themselves. They didn't have the chance to select a quarterback prospect much higher than they should have purely out of necessity. Instead, the Raiders added the second-ranked overall prospect on the final B/R Scouting Department big board.

While quarterback is still a massive concern for the Raiders, it's far better to take the best available prospect instead of reaching to fill a need. Besides, Bowers will make life so much easier on whomever starts behind center in Sin City this fall.

Bowers, Michael Mayer and Harrison Bryant form an impressive tight end room that will create significant flexibility within the Raiders offense.

Grade: A+

14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, IOL, Oregon State

Strengths: Mauling run blocker, plays with excellent angles and leverage, thick frame, powerful hands, good initial quickness

Weaknesses: Suspect lateral agility, tendency to overset, aiming points with hands can improve

Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga is a bit of a throwback to an age when right tackles were powerhouses compared to pirouetting protectors of a quarterback's blind side. He's big, physical and nasty. But that doesn't mean his skill set is completely out of touch with today's game.

With the prevalence of today's passing attacks and elite pass-rushers always looking to attack an offensive line's weakest link, the gap between left and right tackle is basically nonexistent.. Both sides need to hold up when setting the pocket.

Fuaga's game is predicated on a punishing style of play, particularly on the ground, where he's as good as uprooting defenders at the point of attack as anyone in the class. His pass protection isn't too shabby, either. According to Pro Football Focus, the first-team All-American didn't allow a single sack over the last two seasons.

The 6'6", 324-pound blocker does need refinement with his pass set, particularly in not oversetting and making sure he doesn't simultaneously give up a weak edge. But those are correctable. At worst, Fuaga can be moved inside to guard, where he has All-Pro potential.

Fuaga's flexibility will be a godsend for the New Orleans Saints. The first-team All-American can immediately slot into left guard, although stalwart right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is also dealing with a serious knee injury that may cause him to retire.

If Trevor Penning proves he can handle left tackle, the Saints could be set along their front five. That's still a pretty big question mark, which makes Fuaga the right selection.

Grade: B

15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Strengths: Full arsenal of pass-rush moves, smooth yet explosive power, can play through blockers or bend around them

Weaknesses: Concerning injury history, not overly disciplined, inconsistent at shedding blocks

UCLA's Laiatu Latu overcame a lot to become the best pure pass-rusher in the 2024 NFL draft class.

Latu originally committed to the Washington Huskies as a 3-star recruit and played in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman. Unfortunately, he suffered a neck injury during spring ball the next year that required surgery and forced him to medically retire.

"All the while when I wasn't playing football, I just had the determination and the mindset that I was going to be able to come back and play football and prove to the world what I could do," Latu told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.

In January 2022, Latu enrolled at UCLA and took over a starting spot later that fall. Over his two seasons with the Bruins, the defensive end accumulated 34 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks.

Medical evaluations are important in any situation like Latu's. However, he emerged as a polished pass-rusher and unanimous All-American who didn't miss a game because of injury over the last two seasons. He's worth the risk.

The Indianapolis Colts ended the historic run of offensive players with the 15th overall pick. After 14 straight offensive players had been selected, Latu became the first defender off the board.

And yes, Latu fits Indianapolis' typical profile. He posted a nine-plus (out of 10) relative athletic score, according to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte.

While the Colts set a franchise record last season with 51 sacks, Gus Bradley's defense lacked someone who can consistently win one-on-one matchups. The unit now has that defender in Latu.

Grade: B

16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas

Strengths: Wins off the line quickly, shoots gaps, plays with leverage and strength against the run, excellent athleticism

Weaknesses: Smaller than preferred, will get hung up on blocks once engaged, lacks refined technique

Byron Murphy II finds himself in a rare situation. He's a lesser-recognized prospect compared to a collegiate teammate at the same position, yet he's more highly regarded as a future pro.

The Texas Longhorns fielded the nation's best defensive tackle duo in Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat, but the latter received far more praise. Some of it may be due to the novelty of a 360-plus-pound nose tackle being used in goal-line situations and even catching a touchdown pass.

Sweat won the Outland Trophy and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, but Murphy was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. The difference between the two comes down to skill sets.

Murphy is more highly valued as an NFL prospect because he's an athletic and explosive upfield disruptor. According to Pro Football Focus' John Owning, the 6'1", 297-pound prospect easily led incoming defensive tackles with a 25.6 percent pass-rush rate on third and fourth downs this past season. In fact, he led the Big 12 in quarterback pressures regardless of position, per PFF.

In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, undersized-yet-athletic defensive tackles have grown more valuable. Murphy's standing is a byproduct of what organizations prefer today.

The Seattle Seahawks defense will experience a philosophical shift under new head coach Mike Macdonald. They'll need more talented bodies to play along the defensive front. With Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones already in place, Murphy completes the trio.

Interestingly, none of the three are ideal fits as a shade over the center. But all three can be disruptive. Each of them can demand a double-team, which will make this unit extremely difficult to handle.

The Seahawks' new identity can be found along their defensive line.

Grade: B

17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jacksonville): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Strengths: Lightning-quick, fluid defender off the edge, excellent flexibility, quickness to disrupt the run, pop in his hands to employ bull rush and stack blockers

Weaknesses: Can add strength and bulk, gets hung up on blocks once engaged, still developing pass-rush technique

Dallas Turner's upside is extraordinary. He didn't really even start to realize his immense potential until this past season with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Turner originally joined the program as a 5-star recruit, but he played second fiddle to Will Anderson Jr. during his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Turner always had plenty of natural ability, but he had to get out of Anderson's shadow.

"Honestly, like the main thing he told me, just relax," Turner told reporters in August. ".. It's all about football now. It's not, just don't put so much pressure on yourself. Because you know, the type of name and all the hype you have to quote-unquote, live up to. You know, just relax, and be you. Everything will fall in place."

Anderson was right. Turner registered 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks on his way to become the co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

The 21-year-old is only scratching the surface considering his ample athletic profile, which includes a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10'7" broad jump. He's going to get better as he continues to evolve his technique and add strength.

The Minnesota Vikings didn't need to burn their extra first-round pick to land their new franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. That gave them the ability to move around later in the first round.

The Indianapolis Colts started a run on defensive prospects by selecting Laiatu Latu, and the Seattle Seahawks followed with Byron Murphy II. At No. 17, Minnesota saw the moment to strike for the defensive player with arguably the most upside overall in this year's class.

The Vikings needed to move a fifth-round pick and a pair of 2025 middle-round picks to trade up, but they're gaining an explosive edge to pair with the offseason additions of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. That should help them replace the production of Danielle Hunter and DJ Wonnum, both of whom left this offseason.

Turner's upside justifies the risk of giving up a few later-round picks.

Grade: B

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Strengths: Massive frame, vine-like arms, easy mover, powerful upon contact and once engaged

Weaknesses: Inconsistent technique and aiming points in pass set, tendency to play a tad high or lunge to compensate

Georgia's Amarius Mims should be considered a Donatello-like sculpture in progress. The form is ideal, but some rough edges still need to be rounded off before it's a finished piece.

The 6'8", 340-pound Mims is gargantuan. Physically, the former 5-star recruit is everything an NFL team wants in its offensive tackles. Not only is he large and long (36⅛-inch arms), but he also moves quite well. He posted a 5.07-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, and his pass set is relatively smooth and reminiscent of a smaller blocker.

However, inexperience is a knock against Mims. The 21-year old started only eight games throughout his collegiate career.

The 2023 campaign was supposed to be the year that Mims came into his own as the Bulldogs' starting right tackle. Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain that required tightrope surgery took away that opportunity.

Mims' physical tools are awesome. But he is the furthest thing from a polished prospect. Expect growing pains as he works to find a role in an NFL lineup.

The Cincinnati Bengals are now four years removed from drafting quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick, and they're still looking to adequately address the offensive line. They drafted Hakeem Adeniji, Jackson Carman, D'Ante Smith, Trey Hill and Cordell Volson with subsequent picks, and they signed Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, La'el Collins, Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown as free agents along the way. The group still isn't entirely settled.

While Mims has awesome long-term potential, he's likely a selection for 2025 and beyond. He isn't likely to displace either of the Bengals' current veteran tackles.

The Bengals do a good job planning ahead. But a prospect with eight career starts and a raw skill set doesn't help a squad with Super Bowl aspirations.

Grade: C

19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Strengths: Excellent first-step quickness and acceleration, powerful hands and uses them well when rushing the passer, bend to turn the corner, stacks and sheds blockers

Weaknesses: Can be overaggressive taking him out of position, needs to retrace better

Florida State's Jared Verse is the most well-rounded defender in the 2024 NFL draft class.

Verse had an opportunity to declare for last year's draft after a breakout transfer season with the Seminoles, but he chose to return to Florida State for another season.

"The mental side of things is what I need to get better at," the fifth-year edge-rusher explained, per Noles 247's Zach Blostein. "That's one thing Coach [Mike] Norvell very much hammered when we were talking, 'You've got to do this better, you've got to do that better' technical wise."

That thought process made sense considering that Verse began his career at the FCS level at Albany. Another year playing at the highest level against the best competition while honing his technique allowed him to work his way into top-tier status.

Verse's standard numbers didn't drastically rise, but his presence on the field became undeniable.

Verse is an explosive edge-rusher who can win with speed or power. The two-time first-team All-American finished in the top five among defensive ends at the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, short shuttle and three-cone drill. He's also quite adept at setting the edge.

The Los Angeles Rams hadn't selected a prospect in the first round since 2016, when they traded up for quarterback Jared Goff. They just landed the B/R Scouting Department's highest-rated defender.

The Rams can never replace Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason, but they'll need some of his production to be picked up elsewhere. Verse gives them a legitimate edge-rusher to pair with Byron Young and Kobie Turner along the defensive interior.

Again, Donald's presence alone was a difference-maker. But Verse, Young and Turner give the Rams an exciting young core of defensive talent moving forward.

Grade: A

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, IOL, Washington

Strengths: Five-position versatility, outstanding agility and athleticism, especially when on the move, play with leverage and power

Weaknesses: Frenzied pass set despite athleticism to counter edge-rushers, can be beaten by length thanks to mistimed punches

Troy Fautanu was the anchor for the best offensive line in college football during the 2023 season. It's hard to find tape from any other offensive lineman who was more enjoyable to watch than Washington's left tackle.

Fautanu is truly unique. He's built like a guard, with a 6'4", 317-pound frame, and he plays with a wide base and low pad level. Yet Fautanu has offensive tackle length with 34½-inch arms and the type of athleticism to stay on an island or play any of the five positions up front. Also, Washington's left tackle wasn't the Huskies' blind-side protector, since the left-handed Michael Penix Jr. started at quarterback for the last two seasons.

Fautanu can drive defenders off the ball, pull out into space and obliterate moving targets, pirouette against a spin move and maintain his balance when he has no right to do so. As part of college football's top passing attack, the first-team All-Pac-12 selection was arguably the best player on the entire offense and easily the top performer for the Joe Moore Award-winning unit.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are piecing together an exceptional offseason with multiple value additions. That didn't stop in the first round of the draft. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields now at quarterback, general manager Omar Khan could concentrate on fleshing out the offensive line.

Fautanu is skilled enough to play anywhere along the offensive line. He'll take over left tackle duties in Pittsburgh, displacing Dan Moore Jr., who overachieved as a three-year starter after being a fourth-round pick in the 2021 class.

Broderick Jones and Fautanu give the Steelers the league's most athletic pair of offensive tackles. They'll both be used on the move to lead the way for a bruising run game.

Grade: A+

21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Strengths: Lightning-quick off the snap, Gumby-like flexibility, multiple pass-rush moves, build belies power

Weaknesses: Needs to improve against the run, can be rocked by bigger/longer offensive linemen

Demeioun Robinson's nickname, "Chop," is short for "Porkchop," because he was a 14-pound baby and his mother anointed him as such. Even after growing up, slimming down and becoming an elite athlete, the nickname stuck, though Robinson prefers the truncated version.

However, it's still applicable in that there's still plenty of meat on the bone when it comes to his natural skill set.

The 6'3", 254-pound pass-rusher explodes off the ball with the quickest first step of any edge prospect in this year's class. In fact, his 4.48-second 40-yard dash at this year's NFL Scouting Combine was the fifth-fastest among 250-plus-pound edge-rushers at the combine since 2003, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He also has the flexibility to turn the corner and shorten the path toward opposing quarterbacks.

Robinson's paltry total of 11.5 career sacks shouldn't fool anyone. He led the Big Ten in pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate this past season, per Pro Football Focus. The first-team All-Big Ten selection is an explosive edge-rusher with the potential to grow into an every-down player.

The Miami Dolphins have talented edge-rushers, but both starters are coming off season-ending injuries. Jaelan Phillips suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, while Bradley Chubb endured a torn ACL.

When both are on the field, they can create havoc together. Robinson is an insurance policy. He should immediately enter the Dolphins lineup as a situational pass-rusher to help take the onus off Philips and Chubb.

Miami is built around an explosive, quick-strike offense. Tua Tagovailoa and Co. are going to build early leads. The Dolphins can't have enough defenders who can pin their ears back and attack opposing quarterbacks when they're trying to come back later in games.

Grade: B

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Strengths: Ball hawk, dangerous zone defender yet possesses athleticism to excel in heavier man schemes, elite top-end speed and fluidity to match receivers

Weaknesses: Must trust his technique and recovery speed a little more, route recognition and body positioning can improve

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell might have been the most fascinating evaluation throughout the 2024 NFL draft cycle.

Mitchell burst onto the scene in 2022 when he snagged four interceptions, including a pair of pick-sixes, against the Northern Illinois Huskies. He earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors as a result. However, the underclassman chose not to declare early even after being selected to the All-MAC first team. He went back to school for another season and continued to thrive every step of the way leading up to this year's draft class.

While Mitchell's interception numbers dipped, his ability to play the ball didn't vary. Over the last two seasons, he had 37 pass breakups. He's fantastic working in zone coverage and playing the ball in front of him.

At this year's Senior Bowl, the 22-year-old prospect showed he's more than capable of handling top wide receiver talent while smothering them in one-on-one situations.

With the question of primarily being a zone defender answered, Mitchell went to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine and showed he's also an elite athlete. The 6'0", 195-pound defensive back posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical.

The entire process built and built and built in Mitchell's favor. The B/R Scouting Department ultimately tabbed him as the top cornerback and 10th overall prospect in this year's class.

The Philadelphia Eagles are old and unathletic at cornerback. Darius Slay and James Bradberry are still quality players, but they'll be 33 and 31, respectively, at the start of the 2024 regular season.

General manager Howie Roseman must be a wizard with how the draft always falls in the Eagles' favor. Rather than trade up, he stood pat and still landed the No. 1 prospect at a premium position with the 22nd overall pick.

Grade: A

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from CLE through HOU and MIN): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Strengths: Premium vertical threat, instant acceleration, elite top-end speed, fluid for a receiver with a bigger frame

Weaknesses: Below-average play strength through defenders to the ball, unrefined route-runner

In an LSU offense that featured fellow star wide receiver Malik Nabers and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr. was the best athlete on the roster.

Thomas is a 6'3", 209-pound target with 4.33-second 40-yard-dash speed and a 38.5-inch vertical. According to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte, the 21-year-old prospect posted the 10th-best relative athletic score among more than 3,000 wide receiver prospects over the last 37 years.

His athletic profile translates to the field, too.

With Daniels elevating the entire offense last season, Thomas exploded with 1,177 receiving yards after managing only 720 during the previous two campaigns combined. His 17 touchdown catches led the FBS last season. He found himself in great company as one of five receivers with 65 or more receptions to average 17.3 or more yards per catch, joining Nabers, Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., Washington's Rome Odunze and South Carolina's Xavier Legette.

Thomas may not be viewed as a true No. 1 target as the others were for their respective teams. But the second-team All-SEC selection has the skill set to break games wide open with the way he can tilt the field to the offense's advantage.

After losing out on the bidding war to re-sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars made sure to address wide receiver in Round 1.

Thomas isn't Ridley, though. The former is an explosive athlete who thrives as a vertical threat. Ridley is a far more polished route-runner who can consistently create separation.

Thomas is somewhat redundant with Gabriel Davis, whom the Jaguars added in free agency. However, the incoming rookie is a superior version.

Trevor Lawrence certainly has weapons around him now. The quarterback will have to bring along the rookie, though.

Grade: C+

24. Detroit Lions (via Dallas): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Strengths: Fluid athlete in and out of his backpedal, physical defender, positional versatility, confidence to spare

Weaknesses: Inconsistent tackling technique causes him to miss some plays, erratic eye discipline

Typically, the transition from cornerback to safety occurs late in a defensive back's career when his athleticism wanes. In the case of Alabama's Terrion Arnold, he transitioned from safety to cornerback and thrived, much like L'Jarius Sneed did with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Arnold entered the Crimson Tide program as a 5-star recruit, but he had to work his way into a starting role. The defensive back redshirted as a freshman. He then started the transition to cornerback, where he wasn't guaranteed a job. Once on the field, he was eventually benched during the 2022 campaign.

Perseverance paid dividends in Arnold's case. He pieced together an exceptional redshirt sophomore campaign opposite teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry, whom many had targeted as CB1 entering this year's draft cycle.

The 21-year-old Arnold developed into a first-team All-American, and his combination of coverage skills, versatility and physicality he brought from safety allowed him to surpass McKinstry and make himself into a first-round prospect as well.

The fluidity seen in Arnold's coverage is impressive, and it's nothing like anyone would expect from a safety convert. According to Pro Football's Sam Monson, opponents targeted Arnold 43 times when he was locked up in single coverage. He broke up or intercepted 14 of those attempts.

Prior to the draft, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell came right out and said, "If we're sitting there and our guy's not there, we will move back."

What a misdirect.

The Lions weren't willing to gamble on Arnold falling to the 29th overall pick, so they traded up for him. They gave up a third-round pick to do so, but they got their guy to pair with Carlton Davis III, whom they acquired in a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this offseason.

Detroit's 27th-ranked pass defense from last season should be drastically improved this fall.

Grade: B

25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, IOL, Arizona

Strengths: Powerful upper body and anchor, wipe-out blocker in run game, plays angles well, highly experienced

Weaknesses: Stiff in the hips and heavy-footed in pass sets, which creates openings for pass-rushers to exploit

Arizona's Jordan Morgan is a classic case of a collegiate offensive tackle who projects better to guard in the NFL. Morgan himself explained why he's often thought of as such.

"When you watch left tackles, or tackles in general in college football, they're typically around 6'7", maybe 6'8"," Morgan told the Draft Network's Justin Melo. "They say I'm a little bit shorter than the bigger tackles.

"I use strength to my advantage. I can reach out, latch onto a defender, and hold him in place. I can mimic defenders and pass rushers. It's easier for me at my size. I'm light on my feet. It's easy for me to mirror a pass rusher."

Sub-33-inch arms don't help Morgan's case. Still, a prospect with 37 career starts at offensive tackle and the possibility of sliding inside provides significant roster flexibility. He's as consistent as they come, with a blown block rate of only 1.1 percent, according to Sports Info Solutions.

The Green Bay Packers love to select collegiate left tackles no matter what offensive line position they're looking to address. Morgan can come in and compete with Rasheed Walker to start on Jordan Love's blind side. Or he can move to guard and replace Jon Runyan Jr., who signed with the New York Giants as a free agent.

The biggest question with this particular selection is whether pure offensive tackle prospects like Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton or BYU's Kingsley Suamataia were better values. They tended to hold higher grades throughout the predraft process.

Grade: C

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

Strengths: Can play anywhere along the offensive line, tenacious and consistent blocker, strong hands and anchor, four-year starter

Weaknesses: Sub-33-inch arms, may only be a full-time option along interior, doesn't always stay square in pass set

Duke typically isn't where the NFL goes to find offensive linemen. Laken Tomlinson is the only former Blue Devil offensive lineman to be selected in the first round.

So, Graham Barton carrying a first-round grade throughout the predraft process is a big deal. But two primary factors make him deserving of that.

First, Barton's positional flexibility makes him one of the class' most valuable blockers. The 6'5", 313-pound prospect began his collegiate career as Duke's starting center during his true freshman campaign. He then bumped out to left tackle for the last two seasons before declaring early for the NFL draft. He has the ability to play all five offensive line positions if necessary.

Second, the two-time first-team All-ACC selection is an exceptional athlete. Barton didn't participate in testing drills at the NFL Scouting Combine since he entered the offseason with an injured ankle. But he impressed scouts with a strong showing at Duke's pro day, where he posted a sub-5.0-second 40-yard dash, 4.54-second short shuttle and 7.31 three-cone effort, per ESPN's Jordan Reid.

With Tristan Wirfs set at left tackle, Barton won't protect Baker Mayfield's blind side as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Barton's versatility extends to center, where he can be a potential replacement for the retired Ryan Jensen.

Tampa Bay's coaching staff may like Robert Hainsey over the ball and keep him there. If so, Barton could fit at left guard instead.

As a short passer, Mayfield needs a strong interior pocket. That's what makes an investment in Barton so important. The incoming rookie already showed he's an excellent athlete and pass protector. He can be even more effective when working inside.

Grade: B

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

Strengths: Ideal NFL frame, inside-out flexibility, long arms with strong hands

Weaknesses: Poor athlete as an pure edge prospect, lacks first-step quickness, more a straight-line pass-rusher

Missouri's Darius Robinson is what an NFL defensive lineman should look like. He's a 6'5", well-proportioned 285-pound prospect with 34½-inch arms. He immediately pops off the screen, even when evaluating others.

Robinson never posted huge numbers, but he improved each year at Mizzou. As a fifth-year senior, he registered 14.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks on his way to being named first-team All-SEC.

The biggest difference between Robinson's earlier seasons and his final collegiate campaign is that he converted full time to defensive end, where he could use his length and strength to win regularly. The flexibility in Robinson's game is his biggest selling point.

Robinson isn't athletic enough to be an every-down edge-rusher. However, he can start as a base end and reduce down to the defensive interior in sub-packages. At the Senior Bowl, he showed an ability to win one-on-one matchups from both alignments and gave all-star offensive linemen everything they could handle.

The Arizona Cardinals placed an emphasis on rebuilding their defensive front this offseason. They signed veteran defensive tackles Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols in free agency and just added Robinson with the 27th overall pick, which should give them significant flexibility.

Robinson is a base end who could perhaps win some one-on-one matchups against offensive tackles. His previous experience at defensive tackle allows him to reduce down in sub-packages while using his length and athleticism to its full advantage.

Expect Robinson to start on the edge and then regularly move inside to give Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon more talent, which Arizona desperately needed along its defensive line.

Grade: C+

28. Kansas City Chiefs (via Buffalo): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Strengths: Speed, speed and more speed, instant deep threat, tracks the ball well, creates after catch

Weaknesses: Slender frame, not a ball-winner, concentration drops

The NFL will always be fascinated by pure speed. Dating back to the days of "Bullet" Bob Haye, NFL offenses have craved skill-position performers who can tilt the field in their favor and cause nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

Texas' Xavier Worthy may not be an Olympic-level sprinter like Hayes, but he had a moment for the ages when he broke the NFL Scouting Combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash.

While Worthy's game is predicated on speed and quickness, those traits don't totally encapsulate who he is as a wide receiver. He isn't just an undersized target who runs really fast in a straight line.

The Longhorns often utilized Worthy on quick designed throws for him to create after the catch. He plays bigger than his sub-170-pound frame indicates. In fact, the two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection led Texas with 75 receptions for 1,014 yards last season. The soon-to-be 21-year-old isn't afraid to take on or play through contact despite his lack of size and length.

Worthy's overall value only increased upon the announcement of the NFL's new kickoff rule, which should help him be a dynamic option as a returner.

To move up four slots, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills traded a late third-round pick for a fourth-rounder and swapped seventh-round selections. The back-to-back Super Bowl champions did so because they wanted game-changing speed back in their offense.

The Chiefs already proved their point. They won their last two Super Bowls without Tyreek Hill in the lineup. However, having that kind of juice in the lineup can completely change how Patrick Mahomes and the offense operates.

Worthy isn't exactly the same type of player as Hill, who is thicker and stronger. But the incoming rookie can still blow the top off any defense and also create after the catch.

With Rashee Rice's legal status still up in the air, the Chiefs can attack opponents with Worthy's record-setting speed and Marquise Brown's explosiveness opening up more space for tight end Travis Kelce.

Grade: B+

29. Dallas Cowboys (via Detroit): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Strengths: Big, long, top-end athlete, slides easily in his pass sets, good lateral agility, patient pass protector yet powerful in run game

Weaknesses: Relatively inexperienced, poor footwork, inconsistent angles and aiming point, plays with poor pad level at times

The Oklahoma Sooners have a strong history of developing offensive linemen, including Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Orlando Brown Jr. and Creed Humphrey. Tyler Guyton is next in line.

While coaching staffs and systems have changed over time in Norman, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has been a constant since he took the job in 2013. So, it should come as no surprise that some of the top prospects over the last decade have been similar.

Mainly, Oklahoma finds talented and athletic linemen who tend to be a little rough around the edge when it comes to technique. The same applies to Guyton, who bounced around from playing time at defensive end in high school and H-back at TCU before transferring. He has only 14 career starts at offensive tackle, which primarily came on the right side.

But Guyton's stature (6'8", 322 lbs) and movement skills can't be questioned. His athleticism doesn't pigeonhole him as a right tackle. Instead, he could play either side in the NFL.

All jokes about Jerry Jones' all-in comments aside, the Dallas Cowboys deftly navigated this year's first round. They traded down from No. 24 to No. 29, added an extra third-round pick from the Detroit Lions, and landed the same player whom they should have selected had they stayed at No. 24.

Guyton played right tackle at Oklahoma, but his athletic profile portends a viable transition to the blind side. That would keep Tyler Smith at left tackle, where he became an All-Pro.

The Cowboys have a long history of drafting and developing high-end offensive line prospects. Guyton is next in line.

Grade: A

30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Strengths: Elite recovery speed and smooth through transitions, smart in zone coverage and competes hard in man coverage

Weaknesses: Lacks physicality, particularly as a tackler with the play in front of him, rail thin, won't always trust technique when working down the field

Two plays from this past season best encapsulate Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins as a prospect.

In near identical situations against the Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels, opposing running backs busted huge plays where Wiggins trailed considerably in pursuit. Both times, Wiggins flashed his fantastic speed to track down the ball-carrier and create a fumble right before he scored.

While Wiggins' coverage skills are his biggest concern heading into the NFL, those two plays show off his explosive 4.28-second 40-yard-dash speed and relentlessness. He could have easily given up on plays that initially looked like sure touchdowns. He didn't. Those moments speak well of the 20-year-old's competitiveness.

That competitiveness shows up in coverage, too. The first-team All-ACC selection allowed only one touchdown and a 44.4 passer rating when targeted this past season, according to Pro Football Focus. His thin frame (173 lbs) is worrisome, but 166-pound cornerback Emmanuel Forbes went in the first round last year.

The Baltimore Ravens are well-known for their ability to find value at the NFL draft. Wiggins doesn't exactly fit their modus operandi, though.

The Ravens needed cornerback help, but the offensive line is a far more glaring problem right now. Wiggins isn't a significantly better value than BYU's Kingsley Suamataia, Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson, Kansas State's Cooper Beebe or Kansas' Dominick Puni. All of them were in a similar range on the final B/R Scouting Department big board.

Baltimore will now be forced to wait until the end of the second round to fill its holes at right tackle and both guard spots.

Grade: D

31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

Strengths: Vertical threat, outstanding ball skills, sets up moves at the top of his stem, tempos different routes

Weaknesses: Build-up speed and lacks suddenness off the snap, shorter arms, not as dynamic playing through contact

Ricky Pearsall has been on an odd journey, where those who accompanied him drew far more attention. The wide receiver is deserving of plenty of attention, too.

First, Pearsall attended Arizona State, where Jayden Daniels was his quarterback. He then transferred to Florida, where he became the main target for Anthony Richardson. All the while, he served as his team's leading receiver for three straight seasons with three different quarterbacks.

Pearsall's numbers weren't overly impressive–he had 580, 661 and 965 yards over the past three seasons, respectively–but he became a reliable option for two of the most physically gifted quarterback prospects in recent years.

Pearsall was a victim of circumstance because he never played in a high-octane offense. However, he has the skill set of an explosive and dynamic route-runner who can create big plays in the NFL. The 6'1" target has 4.41-second 40-yard dash speed, a 42-inch vertical and a penchant for making ridiculous catches.

It's difficult to argue with the San Francisco 49ers–specifically head coach Kyle Shanahan–when it comes to offensive weapons. Pearsall is a different type of wide receiver compared to those already on San Francisco's roster. He'll allow the 49ers to push the ball downfield more, while the team's current top targets tend to spread the field horizontally.

This selection raises more questions about Brandon Aiyuk's future in San Francisco as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract. Dianni Russini of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Niners had conversations with teams leading up to the draft about trading either Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, so they seem to be planning ahead with this selection of Pearsall.

Grade: C

32. Carolina Panthers (from KC through BUF): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

Strengths: Hulking receiver frame, true top-end speed coupled with tremendous ball skills, strong after the catch to create chunk plays

Weaknesses: Questionable route-running and releases, needs to gather in and out of his breaks

A prospect coming into his own late in his collegiate career is typically viewed as a negative. NFL teams tend to prefer early breakout candidates, hence why so many high-profile underclassmen find themselves near or at the top of the first round.

South Carolina's Xavier Legette falls on the other side of the spectrum. The 23-year-old prospect didn't really produce until his fifth year. But during the first four seasons, Legette overcame plenty.

He initially underwent a full-time transition from high school quarterback to wide receiver, suffered a hamstring injury during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, missed two games in 2021 after being in a motorcycle accident and dealt with a coaching change. Legette had 423 receiving yards and five touchdowns across those four seasons, though he excelled on special teams when healthy.

Everything clicked in 2023 after the Gamecocks' top target, Antwane Wells Jr., suffered a foot injury in Week 1. Legette took over with 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and 11 touchdowns. Legette ranked third–behind only Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington Rome Odunze–with an average of 17.7 yards per catch among receivers with 65 or more receptions.

When his 6'1", 221-pound frame, outstanding relative athletic score and yards-after-catch ability are added to the mix, Legette's developmental time becomes far less of an obstacle. That's particularly true for the Carolina Panthers, who needed to add more weapons for second-year quarterback Bryce Young after a rough rookie season.

"I've met with the Panthers four or five times, the relationship is just continuing to grow," Legette told USA Today (h/t CBS Sports' Garrett Podell). "They're really hoping I can make it to the second round. They keep telling me if I'm sitting at 33, they're going to take me."

The Panthers didn't take Legette with the 33rd pick, though. General manager Dan Morgan got a little antsy and flipped a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for No. 32 overall and a sixth-round selection.

Legette gives Young another legitimate target alongside Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. Plus, Carolina will now have a fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Grade: B