NFL Overreactions: First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down some of the biggest shocks (and expected picks) of the NFL Draft on night one.
Sports Seriously
Day 3 of the NFL draft starts with the Carolina Panthers on the clock with pick No. 101. The Panthers traded up for their first pick, taking WR Xavier Legette from South Carolina with the No. 32 pick.
Here’s how the NFL draft will shape up during Saturday’s final day: The fourth round will feature 35 picks, while the fifth will have 41, the sixth will have 44 and the seven will have 37, ending with the 257th and final selection.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ 2024 NFL draft grades for every pick in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
2024 NFL draft grades: Every pick in fourth round
Carolina continues to surround quarterback Bryce Young with talent in this draft. Sanders offers a big body with 4.6 speed to upgrade the pass catchers. He’ll need to improve his blocking but offers great value as an F tight end at the top of the fourth round.
Franklin reunites with college teammate Bo Nix in Denver. He’s a vertical threat with 4.4 speed and reliable hands that he showed off with the Ducks. He’ll be a field-stretcher but there are concerns about his size at 6 feet, 1 inch and just 176 pounds, making him one of the leanest wide receivers in the class.
New England bolsters its offensive line again in the fourth round with one of the longer guards in the draft. Robinson has some of the longest arms and biggest hands in the class. His aggressive play style will be a boost in the running game but he’s more of a project in pass protection. He’s at least a good depth piece for the Patriots to start his career.
Nicknamed “Rabbit,” Taylor-Demerson was one of the more productive safeties in college football during his time with the Red Raiders. He led Texas Tech in interceptions for the last three years and had 33 career passes defended. His speed and instincts make him another good addition to the Cardinals’ defensive backfield.
Eboigbe has the size (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) to greatly improve the Chargers’ run defense early in Los Angeles. His length and motor make him a potential option rushing the passer. There are medical concerns, though, as Eboigbe missed most of 2022 with a season-ending neck injury. So long as his medical tests check out, he offers plenty of upside.
Gray led all Power 5 players in tackles over 2022-23 with 279. He’s athletic, aggressive and smart, finding a way to the ball consistently. He’s one of the better linebackers in this class and getting him this late is a great value selection for the Titans. He could at least contribute on special teams immediately.
Johnson is one of the best size-speed-athleticism prospects at the position in the draft. At 6 feet, 4 inches and 247 pounds, he ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and posted the fastest shuttle time in the class among tight ends. He’ll need to improve his blocking to stick in the league but offers a lot of potential.
Jackson’s one of the tallest cornerbacks in the class and uses that size and competitive streak to stay in position. He led the Ducks with three interceptions and 12 passes defensed in 2023. He’ll excel in press-man coverage but will turn 25 before his rookie season starts.
Dorlus lined up in multiple places on the defensive line for the Ducks and led them in sacks (5.0) in 2023. He has the size and skill to get reps early on as a base end and move inside in sub situations. He does need to improve his consistency but was one of the top interior defensive linemen in the class, offering great value in Round 4.