Round 1 NFL Draft grades 2024: Cowboys sign sneaky good Tyler Guyton, Chiefs win big with Xavier Worthy

The 2024 NFL draft officially kicked off on Thursday, April 25 in Detroit. It was filled with surprises, as the draft usually is, including several trades and six quarterbacks being selected in the first 12 picks. The first round of any draft is always important for every team as the top prospects can make a major impact on their franchise.

As with every NFL draft, some teams appear to have hit home runs with their picks, while others may have come up short. Here's how each of the first 32 picks potentially grade out.

NFL Draft 2024: Round 1 grades

2024 NFL Draft - Round 1

#1 - Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC Trojans

Grade: A

The Bears traded away Justin Fields to make room for a quarterback with their number-one overall pick. Caleb Williams is widely considered the quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL draft and could change the direction of the franchise.

#2 - Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Tigers

Grade: A

The Commanders made major changes to their leadership roles, including a new head coach and front office. They supplemented their new direction with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

#3 - New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC Tar Heels

Grade: A

The Patriots were rumored to be seeking to trade down, but they stayed at three and took Drake Maye. He will replace the departed Mac Jones and be Jerod Mayo's first quarterback in his new role.

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

Grade: A

The Cardinals were also rumored to be looking to rade back, but they instead landed Marvin Harrison Jr. He is the top wide receiver prospect and addresses on of the biggest holes on their roster.

#5 - Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Grade: B

The Chargers moved on from both of their starting wide receivers during the offseason but declined to select one of the elite prospects to replace them. They still landed Joe Alt, arguably the best available offensive lineman.

#6 - New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Tigers

Grade: A

The Giants were rumored to be looking for a quarterback in the first round, but they appear to be sticking with Daniel Jones. They also got him one of the best weapons in the 2024 NFL draft class in Malik Nabers.

#7 - Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide

Grade: B

The Titans are currently rebuilding, so they could have gone in several different directions. Improving the offensive line is never a bad strategy, so JC Latham is a solid pick.

#8 - Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington Huskies

Grade: D

After signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in the offseason, it makes little sense why the Falcons would use their premier pick on another quarterback. This is even more confusing with Michael Penix Jr. being one of the oldest quarterback prospects.

#9 - Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington Huskies

Grade: A

The Bears likely weren't anticipating Rome Odunze being available at No. 9 in the 2024 NFL draft. He will now give Caleb Williams yet another weapon to work with in Chicago alongside Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore.

#10 - Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan Wolverines

Grade: B

The Vikings were in desperate need of a quarterback with Kirk Cousins' departure, so they took one in J.J. McCarthy. This may be a bit high for him, but teams are often aggressive in drafting quarterbacks.

#11 - New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State Nittany Lions

Grade: A

The Jets were rumored to be interested in a pass-catcher in the first round, but they instead decided to protect Aaron Rodgers. Olumuyiwa Fashanu should significantly improve their struggling offensive line.

#12 - Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon Ducks

Grade: C

The Broncos were desperate for a quarterback after releasing Russell Wilson during the offseason. They wasted no time getting Bo Nix as soon as possible in the 2024 NFL draft.

#13 - Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia Bulldogs

Grade: C

While Brock Bowers is one of the highest-rated prospects in the 2024 NFL draft class, the Raiders had bigger needs to fill on their roster. They also just drafted Michael Mayer in the same position last year.

#14 - New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State Beavers

Grade: A

Taliese Fuaga is probably the most versatile offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft class with his ability to play multiple positions. This can be a valuable asset for the Saints, who need to improve their blocking.

#15 - Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA Bruins

Grade: A

Pass rushers are always popular targets in any NFL draft, so the Colts appear to have found excellent value by getting the first one off the board in the middle of Round 1. Laiatu Latu was the sack leader last year in college football.

#16 - Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas Longhorns

Grade: C

The Seahawks' biggest need may be finding pass rushers on the edge of their defense. While Byron Murphy is a solid prospect, he plays mostly as an interior defensive lineman.

#17 - Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama Crimson Tide

Grade: A

Alabama is well known for producing some of the best defensive prospects in the country. Dallas Turner headlined their class this year, so the Vikings may have gotten a steal here.

#18 - Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia Bulldogs

Grade: A

Joe Burrow suffered another significant injury last year, so protecting him should be the Bengals' top priority. They backed this up by selecting Amarius Mims in the 2024 NFL draft.

#19 - Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State Seminoles

Grade: A

Jared Verse may be the best edge rusher in this year's class, giving him plenty of value in this slot. He also fills a major need for the Rams.

#20 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington Huskies

Grade: B

Offensive line has been a major problem for the Steelers in recent years. They should be improved after selecting Troy Fautanu.

#21 - Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State Nittany Lions

Grade: B

Chop Robinson is an explosive edge prospect who could develop into a force as a pass rusher. This wasn't necessarily an area of need for the Dolphins, but it's still a solid addition.

#22 - Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo Rockets

Grade: A

Quniyon Mitchell has some of the highest upside of any cornerback in the 2024 NFL draft. He also fills the biggest hole on the Eagles' roster.

#23 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU Tigers

Grade: B

The Jaguars needed help at wide receiver after moving on from Calvin Ridley during the offseason. They took potentially the best one still available in Brian Thomas Jr.

#24 - Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Grade: C

Most experts had Kool-Aid McKinstry as the highest-rated Alabama defensive back this year, but apparently, not the Lions. They instead went with Terrion Arnold to address one of their biggest weaknesses.

#25 - Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona Wildcats

Grade: C

It's never a bad idea to improve on the offensive line, which is often the most underrated asset. The Packers did so with Jordan Morgan.

#26 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke Blue Devils

Grade: C

The Buccaneers were expected to target either an offensive lineman or defensive back in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. They went with the former in Graham Barton.

#27 - Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri Tigers

Grade: C

Darius Robinson may have been a bit of a reach at this slot in the 2024 NFL draft. However, it's still a solid strategy for the Cardinals to improve their pass rushers.

#28 - Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas Longhorns

Grade: A

Xavier Worth set a new NFL Combine record at 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash. This made him a perfect fit for the Chiefs with Andy Reid known for targeting as much speed as possible at this position.

#29 - Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma Sooners

Grade: A

Tyler Guyton is one of the most massive prospects in the 2024 NFL draft at 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds. He could be just what the Cowboys need after losing Tyron Smith during the offseason.

#30 - Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson Tigers

Grade: C

The Ravens were one of the most complete teams last season with no glaring holes. This gave them plenty of flexibility in the 2024 NFL draft, so they decided to add Nate Wiggins, a top cornerback prospect.

#31 - San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida Gators

Grade: C

Ricky Pearsall could potentially be a replacement for Brandon Aiyuk. He is currently rumored to be available via trade, so the 49ers brought in reinforcements.

#32 - Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks

Grade: B

The Panthers desperately need to improve their offensive weapons. They started with Xavier Legette in the first round.