• The best pick of Round 1: Amarius Mims is a fantastic athlete for his size but struggled with injuries at Georgia. Regardless, he allowed just six quarterback pressures across 402 career pass-blocking snaps and should start very soon.
• Cooper DeJean comes with All-Pro potential: The Eagles added two top-10 players in the first two rounds of the draft, both at the cornerback position. DeJean projects as a movable piece in Vic Fangio’s defense who could theoretically end up outside, in the slot or at safety.
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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Every NFL team added players in the 2024 NFL Draft who they’re happy with, but some teams stood out in their ability to secure phenomenal value or quality players with their picks.
Here is my take on the best pick in each round of the draft.
Round 1
PICK 18. CINCINNATI BENGALS: T AMARIUS MIMS, GEORGIA
Mims is a fantastic athlete for his size but struggled with injuries at Georgia. Regardless, he allowed just six quarterback pressures across 402 career pass-blocking snaps and should start very soon, as Trent Brown is only a short-term solution for the team at right tackle.
Mims is not a polished prospect — he is a level below former teammate and first-round pick Broderick Jones — but he brings sky-high potential.
Round 2
PICK 40. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA WASHINGTON, VIA CHICAGO): CB COOPER DEJEAN, IOWA
The Eagles added two top-10 players in the first two rounds of the draft, both at the cornerback position. DeJean projects as a movable piece in Vic Fangio’s defense who could theoretically end up outside, in the slot or at safety. He was extremely productive in the Iowa secondary, allowing just a 45.0 passer rating into his coverage over the past two seasons.
DeJean could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
Round 3
PICK 70. NEW YORK GIANTS: CB ANDRU PHILLIPS, KENTUCKY
The Giants drafted Deonte Banks in the first round of last year’s draft and now add more youth to that group early in the third round this year. His career-best 23 defensive stops led all SEC cornerbacks in 2023, and his 72.9 PFF coverage grade was also the best mark of his career.
Round 4
PICK 110. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (VIA L.A. CHARGERS, VIA CHICAGO): WR JAVON BAKER, UCF
Baker averaged 3.21 yards per route run in 2023, ranking fourth in this draft class. He can also make plays downfield, as his 21.9 yards per reception led the class.
His long-speed limitations hurt his ability to separate, but he is a competitive contested-catch receiver.
Round 5
PICK 141. BUFFALO BILLS (VIA CAROLINA, VIA N.Y. GIANTS): C SEDRICK VAN PRAN, GEORGIA
Once a potential Day 2 target for teams needing a high-floor player on the interior, Van Pran allowed just one sack on more than 1,400 pass-blocking snaps at Georgia. He slots in as a “first man off the bench” type at all three interior positions for Buffalo.
Round 6
PICK 189. DETROIT LIONS VIA (HOUSTON, VIA DENVER, VIA L.A. RAMS AND BUFFALO): DI MEKHI WINGO, LSU
This was a great spot to get Wingo, a good athlete for someone his size. His 84.9 run-defense grade since 2022 is the best among SEC defensive tackles in that span, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him develop into a good rotational player in Detroit.
Round 7
PICK 254. LOS ANGELES RAMS (COMP. PICK): G KT LEVESTON, KANSAS STATE
Leveston allowed 18 pressures on 430 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023, but his frame and movement skills likely make him a guard at the next level.
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