(c) The biggest 2024 NFL Draft question for each of the 32 teams

With the 2024 NFL Draft beginning on Thursday, it’s worth surveying all 32 teams around the league and seeing what makes us the most curious about all of their big draft decisions.

While some of these questions might be obvious, like about which quarterback they’re taking, others are a bit more specific to how these teams’ rosters are shaking out and where they pick in the draft order.

We’ll get the answers to all 32 of these questions sooner than later once the draft begins on Thursday night. But we’ll still ask them now as we contemplate what the future holds for the league. Let’s dive in.

Arizona Cardinals: Is trading down worth losing Marvin Harrison Jr.?

 

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Picks: 4, 27, 35, 66, 71, 90, 104, 138, 162, 186, 226

The Cardinals feel like the most likely team to trade down in the top 10 right now, based solely on their standing (pick No. 4) and not needing a quarterback. A good handful of teams will probably covet that pick to draft a signal-caller for the future, and Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort will probably have no shortage of suitors for a move down. However, is that worth losing out on stellar wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr.? He probably won’t make it past the Los Angeles Chargers at pick No. 5, so trading down will still come with a price. Whether or not Arizona is willing to let Maserati Marv go will probably influence if their pick gets moved.

Atlanta Falcons: Will they finally draft a defensive player?

 

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Picks: 8, 43, 74, 79, 109, 143, 187, 197

The Falcons did serious work on offense this offseason by adding quarterback Kirk Cousins and a host of wide receivers. However, the defense hasn’t really added much star power, which will be important as Atlanta tries to meaningfully contend in the NFC. After three straight years of taking offensive skill players, will the Falcons turn the attention to defense? Outside linebacker Dallas Turner could be the first defender taken, and he’d be a perfect fit for an Atlanta team that desperately needs pass-rush help. Cornerbacks like Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold could also factor in here for the Falcons to add an impact starter opposite of A.J. Terrell.

Baltimore Ravens: What falling player will they look smart for taking this fall?

 

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Picks: 30, 62, 93, 113, 130, 165, 218, 228, 250

The Ravens have made a career out of drafting really talented players that tumble down the draft board for whatever reason and looking really smart for doing so. It’s worth wondering who might be next, but UCLA’s talented pass-rusher Laiatu Latu feels like a decent bet. He’s a prolific edge rusher with a medical history that might make some teams nervous to take him higher in the first round. However, Baltimore has a need at the spot and hasn’t let medicals scare them from drafting talented players in the past. Who’s to say history won’t repeat itself?

Buffalo Bills: Will they actually trade up for a wide receiver?

 

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Picks: 28, 60, 128, 133, 144, 160, 163, 200, 204, 248

The Bills’ Super Bowl window may always remain slightly ajar with quarterback Josh Allen on the roster, but the team desperately needs a counter for trading away wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Is it possible the Bills could make a seismic leap up the draft board and try to secure one of the draft’s top receivers, like Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers? Depending on how badly Buffalo wants to meaningfully contend this season, don’t rule it out.

Carolina Panthers: What receiver will they add?

 

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Picks: 33, 39, 65, 101, 141, 142, 240

Without a first-round pick, the Panthers are going to have to make their high second-round pick count. The team still needs help at receiver, and it feels like one will probably be taken early on Day 2 for Carolina. Who might it be? Could the very fast Xavier Worthy be available when the team picks in the second round? What about somebody like Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman or Troy Franklin? It feels very like that someone from second tier of receivers in this class will be catching passes from quarterback Bryce Young this fall. It just depends on who.

Cincinnati Bengals: What happens with Tee Higgins?

 

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Picks: 18, 49, 80, 97, 115, 149, 194, 214, 224, 237

Whatever the Bengals do with their first pick will probably depend on what happens with wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is on the franchise tag and might be traded near or on the first night of the draft. It’d be similar to what the Tennessee Titans did with A.J. Brown in 2022, as we’re sure Cincinnati would get a first-rounder for someone as talented as Higgins and immediately use it for a replacement. Someone like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. might make a lot of sense in that scenario.

Chicago Bears: Who will the team pick besides Caleb Williams?

 

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Picks: 1, 9, 75, 122

Everybody knows the Bears are drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. It’s just a waiting game at this point. What we don’t know is what Chicago will do with its other first-round pick, which could either go to landing a receiver or offensive tackle for the future or go toward boosting up the team’s ascending defense. Maybe the team trades up or down. Who’s to say? The irony of knowing exactly where the Bears go first is not knowing at all where they’ll go second.

Cleveland Browns: Will they try to trade into the first round?

 

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Picks: 54, 85, 156, 206, 227, 243

The Browns don’t have a first-round pick for the third straight year because of the Deshaun Watson trade, but we do wonder if Cleveland wants to expand its promising 2023 season with a dramatic move up the draft board into Thursday night’s selections. Perhaps it’d be for a falling defensive lineman or a cornerback, as the Browns offense looks like it’s ready to roll as is.

Dallas Cowboys: They’re taking an offensive lineman, right?

 

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Picks: 24, 56, 87, 174, 216, 233, 244

The Cowboys letting Tyron Smith walk in free agency left the roster with a massive gap on the offensive line. We assume that offensive lineman Tyler Smith will slide in permanently to that left tackle spot, but that leaves clear vacancies at left guard and center right now. However, this is a deep draft for tackles. What if Dallas leaves Tyler Smith at left guard and take someone like Georgia’s Amarius Mims or another promising tackle prospect? What if the team takes someone like Duke’s Graham Barton to play guard or center to keep Tyler Smith on the track to play tackle permanently? No matter what, we’d be stunned if the Cowboys picked at any other position.

Denver Broncos: Will they draft a quarterback?

 

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Picks: 12, 76, 121, 136, 145, 147, 207, 256

The Broncos are in a tough spot going into the draft, as the team doesn’t have a second-round pick but does have a clear need at quarterback. That might inspire Denver to trade a quality veteran on its roster in a trade up the board to draft someone like J.J. McCarthy, or it might mean the team reaches a bit on someone like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. with at pick No. 13. Our guess would be Nix, if only because his style of play fits right into what Sean Payton runs on offense.

Detroit Lions: Will they zag instead of zig again this year?

 
Ja'Lynn Polk #2 of the Washington Huskies catches a pass against Josh Wallace #12 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas

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Picks: 29, 61, 73, 164, 201, 205, 249

If you’re looking at the Lions roster, you might think that it’s all but assured the team will take a defensive player with its first-round pick. Cornerback and defensive line are both two positions of need, and the team could fill a starting slot with someone in this class to continue its quest for a conference title. However, last year’s draft proves that Detroit may go in an unexpected direction. Our guess would be at wide receiver, where the team might replace Josh Reynolds with a strong prospect. Adding someone like, say, Keon Coleman, Ja’Lynn Polk (above) or Roman Wilson to pair with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams could be too hard to pass up if you’re the Lions.

Green Bay Packers: What offensive lineman will they like?

 

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Picks: 25, 41, 58, 88, 91, 126, 169, 202, 219, 245, 255

The Packers have a franchise quarterback in Jordan Love ready to get the franchise far in the playoffs. However, the team’s offensive line looks like it could use some love. The Packers have always drafted well up front, and this year’s class look as good as it has in some time. We’re guessing the team snags a left tackle in the first round to either contend with Rasheed Walker for the job or supplant him altogether right away as the team’s starter for the future. Someone like Washington’s Troy Fautanu could be a nice fit in Green Bay.

Houston Texans: How do they maximize those two second-rounders?

 

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Picks: 42, 59, 86, 123, 127, 188, 189, 238, 247

The Texans had the best offseason of any team in 2023, but they traded their first-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. That’s not a huge deal with what they got in return, but they’ll need to maximize those two second-round picks to really keep the party going into 2024. Adding to the cornerback group and the defensive line could be the best way to do that.

Indianapolis Colts: Can they get Brock Bowers?

 

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Picks: 15, 46, 82, 117, 151, 191, 234

One of the most intriguing matches in this draft class would be the Colts and Bowers, the elite tight end out of Georgia who could instantly elevate the Indianapolis offense and help second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. While the Colts could always focus on the defense, Bowers is the kind of rare talent that can make an impact on the first day. As the Colts try to think of an explosive move to keep them afloat in a treacherous AFC South, landing Bowers could be major. Trading up the board to get him could be the key, but landing, say, one of the top cornerbacks isn’t a terrible concession prize. However, we bet Indy has Bowers atop its list.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Wide receiver or cornerback in the first round?

 

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Picks: 17, 48, 96, 114, 116, 153, 212, 236

The Jaguars feel destined to draft a skill position, whether that’s wideout or cornerback. After losing Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville may want to go ahead and find a long-term replacement in someone like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., or maybe it’d go for someone like Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell if they’re still on the board to help out the secondary. No matter what, we’re guessing that one of these spots will get addressed by the Jaguars in the first round.

Kansas City Chiefs: Will they get a receiver to help Patrick Mahomes?

 

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Picks: 32, 64, 95, 131, 159, 173, 221

The Chiefs have already added Hollywood Brown to their receiving room, but getting more speed and options for Mahomes still feels like a huge issue. While Kansas City also has a hole at left tackle it needs an answer for in the draft or in free agency, drafting one of the receivers in this ballyhooed class (like Ladd McConkey) could help the Chiefs keep its three-peat dreams alive.

Las Vegas Raiders: Do they draft a quarterback?

 

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Picks: 13, 44, 77, 112, 148, 208, 223, 229

We’re not sure what the Raiders will do in this year’s draft, as they’ve got a competitive roster, but no clear answer for the future at quarterback past a camp battle between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Will Las Vegas just lean on that in 2024, or will the team actually draft a signal-caller for the future? Someone like Michael Penix Jr. could be available in the second round, or it’s always possible the team shocks the league and moves up on draft night to get one of the top names at the position. Either way, we’re very curious to see what the Raiders do.

Los Angeles Chargers: Will they land one of the top receivers?

 

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Picks: 5, 37, 69, 105, 110, 140, 181, 225, 253

The Chargers might luck into their pick of non-quarterback prospects if the Cardinals trade down from the No. 4 spot. However, Arizona staying to take wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. could open up the possibility for the Chargers to take LSU’s Malik Nabers. The Chargers could always be the team that trades down or take a right tackle, but the clear gaps at wideout make us think they’ll stay put and take one of this year’s biggest names to help quarterback Justin Herbert.

Los Angeles Rams: How do they move on from Aaron Donald?

 

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Picks: 19, 52, 83, 99, 154, 155, 196, 209, 213, 217, 254

The Rams cannot replace the totality of what Donald brought during his Hall of Fame career, but they can sure try. Donald’s retirement probably bumped up defensive tackle high on the Los Angeles draft board, as someone like Illinois’ Johnny Newton or Texas’ Byron Murphy II could step in as an immediate starter and take some of Donald’s reps next to Kobie Turner.

Miami Dolphins: Will they prioritize the interior of the offensive line?

 

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Picks: 21, 55, 158, 184, 198, 241

This one is easy. The Dolphins need help on the interior of the offensive line after losing guard Robert Hunt to the Panthers and not yet re-signing center Connor Williams. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health history, Miami really need to make sure that offensive line is as strong as it can be. Maybe someone like Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson would do the trick?

Minnesota Vikings: Will they actually trade up for a quarterback?

 

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Picks: 11, 23, 108, 129, 157, 167, 177, 230, 232

The Vikings added a 2024 first-round pick for the assumed idea that they’d use it to move up the board and grab a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy to replace Kirk Cousins. That hasn’t happened yet. Will it? Will a team like the Cardinals or Chargers (or even the New York Giants) want to make that move with Minnesota, or will it have to take whoever is available when they pick right now? In that scenario, someone like McCarthy or even Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels is gone. Will the Vikings ride with Sam Darnold this year and figure out quarterback next spring? It’s a fascinating question.

New England Patriots: Will they draft a quarterback?

 

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Picks: 3, 34, 68, 103, 137, 180, 193, 231

The Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett to be a bridge at quarterback for the interim, but holding the third overall pick in a class like this and not trading it away probably means you figure out the future at the position, too. New England will take the player the Washington Commanders don’t, and it really just depends on who that player is, whether it’s Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy. We think Maye might be the guy here if Daniels goes second overall to Washington.

New Orleans Saints: Is offensive tackle a lock?

 

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Picks: 14, 45, 150, 168, 170, 175, 190, 199, 239

The Saints picking an offensive tackle with pick No. 14 feels like a safe bet right now, with both tackle spots on the team’s roster up in the air. Someone like Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu or Alabama’s J.C. Latham could step in right away and hold down either side of the offensive line, as starters Trevor Penning and Ryan Ramczyk both have question marks of various reasoning. Unless the team goes for someone on defense, tackle seems like the move for the Saints.

New York Giants: Will they trade up for a quarterback?

 

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Picks: 6, 39, 47, 70, 107, 166, 183

The Giants have the easiest path to trading up for a quarterback of any team in this draft if they want, as moving down to pick No. 6 is an easier pill to swallow than moving out of the top 10 for a team like the Cardinals or Chargers. We’re guessing J.J. McCarthy is the target in that situation unless Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye tumble out of the first few selections.

New York Jets: What offensive position do they want?

 

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Picks: 10, 72, 111, 134, 185, 203, 257

The Jets have a ticking clock on Aaron Rodgers’ contention window, so it figures that New York will do what it needs to secure additional help for the offense. Offensive line feels less likely after adding Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but we suppose one of the elite tackle prospects could still land here. However, our guess is a pass-catcher like tight end Brock Bowers is on the team’s radar. It could also be one of the top receivers. No matter what, offense feels like the move for the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles: What is Howie Roseman thinking?

 

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Picks: 22, 50, 53, 120, 161, 171, 172, 210

Roseman is the best general manager in the NFL for a reason, and it’s always fascinating to see what the Eagles will do during any NFL Draft. His team disappointed in a big way in 2023, so we’re guessing Philly tries to maximize its first-rounder and two second-round picks to re-energize the team’s momentum. However, Roseman could also plan for the future in a deep offensive tackle class with Lane Johnson about to turn 34. Whatever the Eagles do, we bet it won’t be boring.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Will it be an offensive lineman?

 
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith reacts to a call during the game against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Picks: 20, 51, 84, 98, 119, 178, 195

New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves to run the ball, and Pittsburgh might not have the offensive line it needs right now to fully accomplish that with consistent success. We’re guessing Smith might convince Pittsburgh to invest up front to make his scheme work as well as it can with a strong run game. Consider names like Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson here, with Barton, the flexible multi-spot guy, and Powers-Johnson, the plug-and-play center.

San Francisco 49ers: Will Brandon Aiyuk get traded?

 

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Picks: 31, 63, 94, 124, 132, 135, 176, 211, 215, 251

Like the Bengals, what the 49ers do with one of their star wide receivers will dictate its draft strategy. Aiyuk could be traded around the draft if the team doesn’t sign him to an extension, and that move would immediately open up San Francisco to draft a wide receiver in the first round. If Aiyuk stays, we wonder if the 49ers will tap into this year’s offensive tackle class.

Seattle Seahawks: Do they get a quarterback of the future?

 

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Picks: 16, 81, 102, 118, 179, 192, 235

The Seahawks are in a curious spot with new coach Mike Macdonald, a team that could either slide toward a meaningful youth movement or one that could lean toward maximizing quarterback Geno Smith’s prime before his contract expires. They’ll probably try to do both, and that might mean finding a quarterback for tomorrow. Michael Penix Jr. makes a ton of sense for the Seahawks because of Ryan Grubb, his Washington offensive coordinator, holds the same job now in Seattle. If Grubb lobbies the team for a reunion, the Seahawks might put the Smith era on the clock.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will the team go for a pass-rusher?

 

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Picks: 26, 57, 89, 92, 125, 220, 246

The Buccaneers surprised everyone in 2023 with Baker Mayfield’s revival, but the NFC South upped its quarterback game this offseason when the Falcons landed Kirk Cousins. The Bucs might try to offset that a bit by adding to its defensive front, with a guy like outside linebacker Chop Robinson a nice possible fit to replace Shaq Barrett. Really, any defensive line help might qualify for Tampa Bay as it tries to maintain control over the division.

Tennessee Titans: It’s Joe Alt, right?

 

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Picks: 7, 38, 106, 146, 182, 242, 252

The Titans desperately need a left tackle, and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is perhaps the best in this class. Unless a team like the Chargers stuns us all, Alt going to the Titans feels like one of the most organic fits in this entire draft class. It just depends now on if the probable becomes real.

Washington Commanders: Is it Jayden Daniels?

 

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Picks: 2, 36, 40, 67, 78, 100, 139, 152, 222

The Commanders feel basically locked at this point to take a quarterback, as they’ll have their pick of the non-Caleb Williams players at the position. Daniels is probably the most popular possibility for Washington right now, and we wonder if he’s just who the team has wanted all along. However, it’s also possible Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy factor in here. We’re intrigued either way.

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