The 2024 NFL Draft is over. It’s time to take stock. For the best. But also for the worse. Here are the Top 10 worst choices.
1 – Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB) – 1st round, 8th pick
Barely 6 weeks ago, Kirk Cousins joined Atlanta for 4 seasons and a huge check for $180 million. On April 25, the Falcons made the surreal choice to already find his successor. A choice which did not fail to offend the veteran and which questions the schizophrenia of the front office of the Georgia franchise.
The Packers model as an example defended themselves, referring to the selection of Jordan Love brooded for 3 years by the green and gold. Yes, but it was not without drama. And Green Bay hadn't invested a pick that high. Atlanta, which until then seemed to be working well in building a competitive squad, is also missing out on a player who could have contributed immediately and helped the team improve further. Nothing is going right, neither the position, nor the player, nor the strategy, nothing.
2 – Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy (WR) – 1st round, 28th pick
In 2017, John Ross III broke the 40-yard dash record, a few weeks later, he was drafted in the 1st round. The following ? Not even 1000 yards… in a career! A receiver's supersonic speed does not make him a future star in the NFL.
Xavier Worthy runs very fast, but that's about it. Frail, clumsy, he is anything but the number 1 receiver profile capable of making a difference in traffic.
3 – Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (OT) – 1st round, 7th pick
The Titans were the first to raise observers' eyebrows. If the choice of a tackle to protect Will Levis is not a surprise, the choice of the Alabama player is much more so. Far from being unanimously recognized as the best tackle of the vintage, Latham is still a player under construction.
When we know the history and career of the Crimson Tide tackles drafted in the 1st round (Evan Neal, Alex Leatherwood, Jonah Williams, DJ Fluker), we can only be worried for the young quarterback.
4 – Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette (WR) – 1st round, 32nd pick
The point of moving up one place? Offering a 5th year option on the player's contract, OK. But after ?
The Panthers let go of the 1st pick of the 5th round in the operation. When we know the holes in the squad, we can wonder. All for a talented receiver, but whose 1st round status was anything but acquired. The connection with Bryce Young will have to spark.
5 – Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Brooks (RB), 2nd round, 46th pick
The first runner selected in this 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks does not lack talent and will contribute to Carolina's attack. But again, the shortcomings in the Panthers squad, particularly in defense, didn't they deserve another choice. With Miles Sanders, generously paid, and Chubba Hubbard, the team could also afford to wait a bit before considering this position.
6 – Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw (CB) – 2nd round, 61st pick
No worries with the player who has all the potential to become hell for receivers. But the Lions made a trade the day before in the 1st round to select Terrion Arnold. Earlier in the offseason, they also completed a trade to land Carlton Davis, and to a lesser extent signed Amik Robertson.
There are other positions on an NFL team and the Lions certainly should have considered them.
7 – Chicago Bears: Tory Taylor (P), 4th round, 122nd pick
A punter in the 4th round… Is there even a need to say more? No other punter was selected during this 2024 NFL Draft. So yes Chicago only had one choice left after this one, but shouldn't it be better to favor a player who could contribute on more snaps? Taylor better be an All Pro quickly to justify such a high pick.
8 – Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (OL) – 1st round, 25th pick
Strengthening the offensive line was one of the priorities. But the choice to favor Jordan Morgan, a tackle with short arms, while Green Bay found itself in 2023 two more than interesting young tackles in the person of Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker raises questions.
All at the expense of Graham Barton, a versatile lineman with extraordinary physical abilities who fits perfectly into the needs and expectations of the team. This definitely makes some people cringe.
9 – Washington Commanders: Mike Sainristil (CB) – 2nd round, 50 picks
If the Michigan player has regularly been highlighted in the Wolverines' performances in 2024, the fact remains that Sainristil is above all and probably only a player destined to play in the slot. A situational player selected in the top 50 by a team with so many shortcomings is anything but logical.
Especially since the men of the capital have already drafted Jartavius Martin in 2023 to play this role and signed Michael Davis during the offseason. After losing Sweat and Young during the 2023 season, a pass rusher would have responded more to the defense's deficiencies.
10 – Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat (DT) – 2nd round, 38th pick
If the player has real arguments to put forward regarding his selection at the start of the 2nd round, his durability in the league must be demonstrated. Arrested a month ago for a road accident and driving under the influence of drugs, the player's maturity and reflection leave little room for confidence. Especially with an event like the draft on the horizon. Investing a 38 pick on a risky player is a gamble. One more for the Titans. The Tennessee staff will have to frame it to avoid other errors with more serious consequences.
