Just like that, the 2024 NFL Draft is over. The three-day event always seems to be over too soon, but now all 32 teams have their draft classes in place and can prepare in earnest for the 2024 regular season.
This was one of those rare NFL drafts where every team in the NFC North came out of the draft with strong marks. There were a few reaches and questionable trades, but overall, I thought the Chicago Bears and their division rivals made out well.
Let's summarize each NFC North draft class and assign some grades.
Detroit Lions
1.24 Terrion Arnold - Cornerback, Alabama
2.61 Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - Cornerback, Missouri
4.126 Giovanni Manu - Offensive Tackle, British Columbia
4.132 Sione Vaki - Running Back, Utah
6.189 Mekhi Wingo - Defensive Tackle, LSU
6.210 Christian Mahogany - Guard, Boston College
The Lions had arguably the steal of the first round when they picked up the best cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft draft at 24th overall, but following that selection with another cornerback was a bit odd. Their fourth-round picks didn't move the needle much for me, but getting Wingo and Mahogany in the sixth round was exceptional value.
Grade: A-
Minnesota Vikings
1.10 J.J. McCarthy - Quarterback, Michigan
1.17 Dallas Turner - Edge, Alabama
4.108 Khyree Jackson - Cornerback, Oregon
6.177 Walter Rouse - Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
6.203 Will Reichard - Kicker, Alabama
7.230 Michael Jurgens - Center, Wake Forest
7.232 Levi Drake Rodriguez - Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M Commerce
The Vikings traded up twice in the first round: the first time, just one spot for McCarthy, but their second trade cost them significant draft capital. Still, they got their quarterback and added arguably the best pass rusher in this class. Jackson was a solid pickup for their secondary, and Jurgens will make for good depth, too. The quality of players drafted makes up for the loss of draft capital.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers
1.25 Jordan Morgan - Offensive Tackle, Arizona
2.45 Edgerrin Cooper - Linebacker, Texas A&M
2.58 Javon Bullard - Safety, Georgia
3.88 Marshawn Lloyd - Running Back, USC
3.91 Ty'Ron Hopper - Linebacker, Missouri
4.111 Evan Williams - Safety, Oregon
5.163 Jacob Monk - Center, Duke
5.169 Kitan Oladapo - Safety, Oregon Safety
6.202 Travis Glover - Offensive Tackle, Georgia State
7.245 Michael Pratt - Quarterback, Tulane
7.255 Kalen King - Cornerback, Penn State
The Packers had a busy draft, making several tradebacks and accumulating more picks. They started their draft with Morgan, who I thought to be quite a reach at 25th overall. Day 2 was where the Packers did their damage, selecting the top linebacker and a solid safety. Day 3 seemed to feature some redundancies as the Packers selected three safeties and two linebackers. Quarterback Michael Pratt in the 7th round was also an odd choice. But overall, this was a strong draft class.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bears
1.1 Caleb Williams - Quarterback, USC
1.9 Rome Odunze - Receiver, Washington
3.75 Kiran Amegadjie - Offensive Tackle, Yale
4.122 Tory Taylor - Punter, Iowa
5.144 Austin Booker - Defensive End, Kansas
The Bears leave the 2024 NFL Draft as the biggest winners. They walked away with three players who are arguably the best at their positions (quarterback, wide receiver, punter) and did this with only five total selections. Williams is by far the most talented quarterback Chicago has ever drafted. Odunze, who already seems to have chemistry with his new quarterback, is the first receiver Chicago has drafted in the first round since 2015.
The selection of Taylor was controversial, but I loved it. I like Trent Gill a lot, the Bears' current punter, but the fact is he was not very good. However, Taylor is the best punter to enter the draft in several years, and the Bears did not have any 5th, 6th, or 7th-round selections. So sure, it was a reach. Bears fans will soon forget where Taylor was selected once he starts blasting bombs at Soldier Field.
Amegadjie is an unrefined tackle with sky-high potential. He won't be expected to contribute much until next year at the earliest, giving him time to adapt to the NFL. Booker was viewed by many as a third-round prospect and was comp'd to Maxx Crosby, but the Bears got him at 144th overall after sending a 2025 fourth-round pick away in a trade. Like Amegadjie, he's unrefined but has the potential to be a late-round gem.
Grade: A+
