Better late than never – another NFL Draft is in the books, and that means it’s time for another draft recap. These are my favorite draft classes and individual picks.
My Favorite Drafts
Kansas City Chiefs – It just isn’t fair. Some injury and vague character concerns push the best left tackle in this class down to the bottom of the first round (Josh Simmons). They beef up their front seven with the bursty Omarr Norman-Lott, the versatile Ashton Gillotte, and the flat enforcer, Jeffrey Bassa. They get one of my favorite corners in the draft, Cal’s Nohl Williams, which makes me feel awesome for being high on him. Always love when smart drafting teams take players I like. And, they added some offensive weaponry in Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith.
Philadelphia Eagles – Eagles gonna Eagle. Sure, why wouldn’t they take the best linebacker in this class in Jihaad Campbell late in the first round? Why wouldn’t they pile on to that defensive front with Ty Robinson, Smael Mondon Jr., and Antwaun Powell-Ryland? Why wouldn’t they shore up their offensive line depth with Drew Kendall and Cam Williams (I didn’t eval Myles Hinton)? Of course, they HAVE to add to that secondary with Andrew Mukuba and Mac McWilliams. Just a quintessential Philly draft.
Baltimore Ravens – Congrats, Bert. I think it’s probably my favorite draft of them all, and as a Titans fan, it pains me to say that. Malaki Starks is a blue chip player. Adding him to play alongside Kyle Hamilton is ridiculous. What a steal. Character concerns caused Mike Green to slide, but he lands in a spot that should get the best out of him. I love the infusion of youth into the offensive line group, prepping for the future with Emery Jones Jr., Carson Vinson, and Garrett Dellinger, all of whom play with that signature Ravens aggression. Teddye Buchanan is a fantastic linebacker add. Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam were both among my favorite Day 3 value adds at cornerback. Aeneas Peebles is a disruptive force. LaJohntay Wester just feels like a Ravens receiver. There’s a reason these guys keep drafting near the end of each round.
Las Vegas Raiders – the Raiders are the one team on this list who were objectively not good in 2024. This is the type of draft class that can spark a turnaround. I mean, this was one of the worst rosters in the league after last season. To put together a haul like this in one draft makes for a massive infusion of talent. They needed some offensive firepower to go with Geno Smith, and they got it, with the rushing juggernaut Ashton Jeanty, the complete game of Jack Bech at receiver, and the speed of Donte Thornton, Jr.. They added a pro-ready corner in Darien Porter. They shored up the trenches, adding the underrated and versatile Caleb Rogers, and the promising Charles Grant on offense with the human tornado Tonka Hemingway and the powerful JJ Pegues on defense. They took two developmental quarterbacks in Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller, and they wrapped it up with linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who could also add value on special teams. I mean, they just knocked it out of the park with this class.
Buffalo Bills – The Bills completely reshaped their defense for the future. I mean, hell – their second team defensive line right now is TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, and Deone Walker. That could be their starting unit before long, so to think those are just depth pieces right now is crazy. I love the additions of Maxwell Hairston and Dorian Strong to the cornerback rotation. And, Jackson Hawes is just what that tight end rotation needs. Wrapping it up with solid value adds in Chase Lundt and Kaden Prather was the icing on the cake.
Honorable Mentions: Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
My Favorite Picks
Jahdae Barron to the Broncos – What the Broncos are doing in the secondary is like what the Eagles are doing with their defensive front. The rich get richer.
Omarion Hampton to the Chargers – After spending money on Najee Harris, the Chargers used a first round pick on the bell cow out of North Carolina. They’re not even trying to hide what they’re all about on offense. I love it – Hampton fits the vision. The dude’s going to be a workhorse.
Isaac TeSlaa to the Lions – TeSlaa plays hard and has a skillset that translates to the NFL. This dude landed in a perfect spot. He’ll make an impact in that Lions passing game.
Upton Stout to the 49ers – Good for the Western Kentucky product for going in the third round. He’s undersized, but he’s feisty as hell, versatile, and should be used as such in San Francisco.
Jarquez Hunter to the Rams – Hunter ended up going higher than many draft analysts thought, but how his skill set will complement that Rams back field warranted the pick. TD vulture szn incoming.
Malachi Moore to the Jets – The Jets had a smart draft, and Moore presented good value. I won’t be surprised at all to see Moore contributing early in Aaron Glenn’s defense.
Jalen Rivers to the Bengals – To get a guy with legitimate starting potential in the fifth round is awesome value. I’m sure Rivers will be playing guard at the next level, but he does offer some fun versatility.
Will Howard to the Steelers – We know this year’s quarterback draft was drunk. But, to get Howard in the sixth round feels particularly drunk. This dude is going to play some games for that team, and could eventually develop into the quarterback of the future. I wouldn’t bet against him.
Dan Jackson to the Lions – Of course the human C4 ends up playing for Dan Campbell.
LeQuint Allen to the Jags – Allen has a fantastic well-rounded skillset as a dual threat running back. Dude was tremendous value in Round 7. I won’t be surprised if he outpaces Bhayshul Tuten, who the Jags drafted earlier. Nonetheless, the Jags overhauled their backfield in a good way.
For my thoughts on how the Tennessee Titans fared with their draft class, subscribe to Football & Other F Words and The Hot Read Podcast wherever you take in your shows!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, third on Football & Other F Words, co-host of The Hot Read Podcast, analyst for Stacking The Inbox, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, the NFL Draft, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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