We are nearly midway through the 2024 season and some rookies are off to incredible starts. Guys like Jayden Daniels, and Malik Nabers are having great years and are already proving their franchises right for selecting them with top 10 picks. Other top 10 picks like Michael Penix and JJ McCarthy unfortunately haven’t played much – and in JJ’s case – hasn’t played at all. And while we think those guys will be key contributes and hopeful franchise quarterbacks down the line – we are going to be discussing 4 of the best draft classes from the 2024 draft so far. Admittedly this was tough to narrow down as there have been several great drafts just 8 games into these guys careers. Multiple NFL teams look like they hit on several picks and the 2024 draft class is living up to the hype it received – and not just at the quarterback position. If your team is not in today’s video – that doesn’t mean their 2024 draft class can’t turn it around and that they’re all busts – because that’s most certainly not the case. And full transparency – I plan to do a biggest winners video on the 2024 class prior to the 2027 NFL draft. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays between now and then – but without further ado – here are the best drafts from the 2024 class so far.
The Buccaneers
And we are starting today’s video with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs draft started with a bang with offensive line Graham Barton from Duke with their first round pick. Barton was a player I liked a lot and it’s not often you can say a player can play everywhere along the offensive line – but Graham truly can. A year ago right now Graham was playing left tackle for Duke and 4 years ago right now – he was playing Center for Duke in the 2020 covid season. Graham has already shown flashes in the run game and has logged a couple of pancakes which is awesome to see and yes there’s been a couple of times where he’s got beat up the middle in pass pro – but the flashes we’ve seen from a 22 year old rookie are astounding. Admittedly I’ve been critical of the Bucs at times and I know Bucs let me know when I am too critical of them – but this draft class has the potential to be something special. And I really like the job General Manager Jason Licht is doing. Personally I am under the belief that if Graham is showing these flashes at 22 years old and can now focus on developing as a center – I think he will be a good player for several years for the Bucs. I was surprised he fell into their laps at pick 26 and thought it was a great pick then and I think it’s a great pick now.
They also drafted edge rusher Chris Braswell in the second round and Braswell – like you would expect from 2nd round edge rushers – is taking a little bit of time to adjust to the NFL – but he’s been okay in the role they have him in for now. And what also has to be remembered for Chris – is he was taken to be a secondary pass rusher. There was a reason over 50 players taken before him. I think Chris will eventually develop into a 35 pressure per year player and I think that’s what the Bucs were envisioning when they selected him. He is also 23 years old and I think the best is yet to come for Braswell. Tykee Smith was taken in the 3rd round and he’s been awesome when called upon. He was the first of two 3rd round selections and already has a few career starts. He had to step up when Antoine Winfield Jr went down with an injury earlier in the year – and through 7 games – Tykee has over 30 tackles, 2 forced fumbles including one that Antoine Winfield took back to the house, and an interception. Former GMs usually say that first round picks are the easy picks to nail – but that day 2 of the draft is really where the money is made. We’ve already seen a lot of flashes from Tykee Smith in the first 7 games and I think the Bucs drafted a multi year starter in the 3rd round. He is a great player and I can’t wait to see him, Antoine Winfield, and Zyon McCollum in the back end of the Bucs defense for the next few years.
At the time of this video being released Jalen McMillan only has 10 receptions for 109 yards but I do think he will be a solid wide receiver for this team for at least a couple of years too. When they drafted him I thought the vision was for him to eventually be the Chris Godwin replacement as Chris is a free agent this year – but unfortunately Chris got hurt and Jalen will be forced to step up earlier than I thought he would. Bucky Irving of course has been awesome and already has over 550 yards of total offense. I was never the biggest Rachaad White fan and I am very happy for Bucky to be averaging over 5 yards per carry and to play a significant part in a teams run game that finished dead last in rushing in back to back years. If you are a Bucs fan you have to be thrilled with this draft class just half a year in because they look like they have at least 3 starters for the next few years
The 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have had a lot of rookie impact so far and despite the injuries this team has had so far – the rookies have looked good. Their first round pick was Ricky Pearsall who was shot back in August and fortunately has recovered and is already back on the field. It’s a miracle he’s back and healthy and he’s only played two games so far – so the numbers don’t look very good for Ricky at the moment – but I think he will be a key contributor down the stretch of the 2024 season – and let’s be honest – there was a reason the 49ers took him in the first round. I have no doubt that both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have a long term plan for Ricky despite the receiving room seeming very crowded at the moment.
And this is when healthy of course as Brandon Aiyuk is unfortunately out for the year. Corner Renardo Green was their second round pick and Renardo has played very well when called upon early in his career. Corner is generally a tough position to transition to from college as think about it – you could be going up against an accountant one week, and a 6th round pick the next week. But in Renardo’s division alone – he could go up against Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua one week, DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith Njigba next week, and then Marvin Harrison Jr the following week. Or Michael Wilson for that matter too. There’s no off weeks in the NFL or weeks you don’t have to prepare as hard for. And to see Renardo already playing well – to me – can only be seen as a positive because of how difficult the transition is. And I think corner is the second most difficult position to transition to aside from quarterback of course. But it doesn’t just stop with those two picks. Not even close. 3rd round guard Dominick Puni from Kansas has been awesome and is already showing borderline elite play at 23 years old. With the 49ers having to pay everybody like Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyk, Deebo, Kittle, Fred Warner and soon to be Brock Purdy – they need high level of play on a discount – as every team does while in a Super Bowl window. And that’s the benefit of the rookie contract for the team that drafted them.
And to be able to have Dominick Puni play at a high level in his rookie year – is fantastic for the 49ers because this is a position they don’t have to worry about for the next few years. He’s had less than 50 carries so far but Isaac Guerendo from Louisville has been great and given Christian McCaffrey is 28 years old – I expect there to be a period where the 49ers have more of a balance between McCaffrey and Guerendo and the flashes we’ve seen from Isaac – are already worth where he was selected – which was in the late 4th round. Obviously Christian is a better player than Isaac, but I truly think the 49ers could have a 3rd and 4th round rookie start for them for the rest of the season and both be in the upper half of their positions – especially Puni. Defensive back Malik Mustapha hits like a truck and I liked Mustapha in the draft process and we are less than 9 games into these guys rookies year – and you can already see the impact of these guys each and every Sunday. I know the 49ers are a more star studded roster than most – but there’s a reason they are serious contenders year in and year out.
And it’s because of the work John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan, and the entire scouting department do on draft weekend. I am confident that the 49ers draft is already one of the best – and this is with their first round pick having minimal contribution on the field due to something that was entirely out of his hands. I am so glad Ricky is healthy and safe – and I can’t wait to see what him, and the rest of this class does in the future.
The 4 Best Drafts From The 2024 NFL Draft video is linked below! There is a near 20 minute breakdown exclusively on the 2024 draft! I hope you enjoy!
