Legacy Play

Each NFL draft brings with it a mixture of promise, unpredictability, and debate. The draft is a chessboard where every move reveals something about a team’s philosophy, and this year several strategies were as bold as they were strange. As teams sought to reshape their rosters and define their futures, we witnessed a series of decisions that ranged from strategically sound to remarkably questionable. This piece aims to break down my immediate reactions, analyzing both the winners and more confusing outcomes of a night that once again reminded us why the draft remains must-watch television. The draft is not simply about talent acquisitions; instead, it’s about fit, risk tolerance, and planning for the future.

BIGGEST WINNER

Howie Rosemann has done it once again. I am of the belief that, despite the Vikings and Steelers having strong drafts, the Eagles, considering their draft capital, made top-tier decisions that not only will benefit their future prospects but also already next season. Quinyon Mitchell in the first round is undoubtedly the best corner in the draft and has a rare blend of both strength and size at the cornerback position that will allow him to match up with any WR 1. Coupling that with another freak athlete in Cooper DeJean will secure the defensive backfield for future seasons. Adding in one of the most underrated WRs and best route runners despite his size in the draft in Johnny Wilson in the 6th round makes for an impressive draft. Expect instant impact from most of their draft picks, as the Eagles are becoming more and more a dark horse for the Super Bowl next season.

BIGGEST LOSER

I mean…where do you start with the Falcons 2024 NFL draft? To start with, they made one of the craziest and most questionable moves when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. with their 8th pick after just signing Kirk Cousins to a huge contract. Readers of Legacy Play will know just how much I love Penix, but from a Falcons perspective, it makes no sense. Then trading up for Ruke Orhorhoro, an interior defensive lineman, when if they could have just waited, they would have picked him at their original position. Alongside that, they didn’t address any of their key concerns, such as edge rusher or linebacker, which will surely come back to bite them. The Falcons certainly did not fly in this draft.

BEST PICK

If I’m being totally honest, anywhere he was going to go in this draft, I would have lauded it as the best pick. Brock Bowers is simply generational. He can do things at the TE position that I have seen very few other TEs do. He’s got a combination of WR route running and footwork along with that toughness needed to excel as a TE. The Raiders just got themselves one of the best prospects from a draft in the last 5 years, if not more. Expect him to become the No. 1 target for this offense quickly due to its struggles at the WR position, which will only further enhance his development. If you bet, put your money on this guy to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. He is that good.

WORST PICK

Yes, that’s right. I’m going against pretty much every NFL analyst out there who lauds Caleb Williams as a generational talent. I just don’t see it. In a draft where the QB room is strong in both quality and quantity, I don’t understand why the Bears would choose Williams. I’m not denying the fact that he is talented, nor am I saying he wants to work out at the NFL level and not become one of the NFL’s premiere QBs. The problem I have is what the Bears passed up to choose him. You could have had either Jayden Daniels or Penix Jr, two QBs who I think are generational talents and have the ability to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Bo Nix was also available, a QB who is massively underappreciated among both analysts and NFL fans. For a franchise that has made so many wrong decisions at QB in its recent history, this will go down as another one. Due to this, I’m expecting a poor season from the Bears, contrary to popular belief among analysts.