Matt Bowen, ESPN Staff Writer 25d

2024 NFL draft: Favorite team fits for 20 top prospects

NFL Draft, NFL, College Football, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Washington Huskies, Michigan Wolverines, UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas Longhorns

The 2024 NFL draft is loaded with top-tier passers and pass-catchers, but it's weak at running back and even weaker along interior offensive line. Still, smart teams can get future stars -- beyond Round 1. That's what makes the draft so interesting every year.

Just look at Puka Nacua, who was taken in the fifth round by the Rams and went on to set rookie receiving records. That's because he went to a team that knew exactly how to use him and put him in a position to thrive.

That's what I'm doing with the list below, an attempt at finding ideal landing spots for 20 of my favorite prospects in the 2024 class. These are team-player fits factoring in skill sets, scheme, potential and organizational needs. I hit 20 different teams and prospects who are likely to go in the top two rounds. Which teams make the most sense for Malik Nabers, J.J. McCarthy, Brock Bowers and other players with star potential? Let's dig in.

QB Jayden Daniels to the Commanders

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 210
College: LSU

Where Washington could get him: Pick No. 2

New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could get the best out of Daniels, who can be schemed as a true dual-threat player, maximizing his throwing traits and dynamic movement ability. Using a mix of 11 and 12 personnel with elements from Kingsbury's spread background, Daniels can be put in a position to showcase his field vision, where he can deliver the ball with anticipation and accuracy from the pocket. Daniels is a smart decision-maker and efficient passer, as he threw 40 touchdown passes with only four interceptions last season.

The rookie can also work off RPOs and be used on designed rushes, where he has electric agility. Daniels ran for 527 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 designed carries in 2023, an average of 9.1 yards per rush.


WR Malik Nabers to the Giants

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 199
College: LSU

Where New York could get him: Pick No. 6

Nabers would immediately boost the Giants' passing game, giving them a No.1  playmaking threat with inside/outside flexibility. He can stretch defenses vertically, and he is explosive after the catch. Coach Brian Daboll can isolate Nabers to work the third level from slot alignments, while also creating catch-and-run opportunities between the numbers. These are schemed throws for quarterback Daniel Jones that allow Nabers to use his rapid acceleration and ball carrier vision in space. Nabers had 1,009 receiving yards out of the slot last season, fourth most in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Info. He led the nation with 120.7 receiving yards per game.


EDGE Dallas Turner to the Falcons

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 247
College: Alabama

Where Atlanta could get him: Pick No. 8

Turner has the physical tools and the speed -- he ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the combine -- to fit in coach Raheem Morris' front as a versatile outside linebacker. Morris can get Turner loose on inside stunts and loops, maximizing his elite closing burst. Plus, Turner will use his explosive jump off the ball to win with power in schemed matchups. His 17% pressure rate last season ranked second in the SEC and eighth in the FBS.

Turner is a linebacker with tremendous upside who can also drop underneath to curl zones or run with backfield releases. He projects as a building block for the Falcons' defense.


WR Rome Odunze to the Bears

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 212
College: Washington

Where Chicago could get him: Pick No. 9

Let's add a boundary target for quarterback Caleb Williams (USC), who is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Bears. With blazing 4.45 40 speed and the leaping ability to play above the rim, Odunze has the physical profile to produce as the X receiver in Shane Waldron's Chicago offense. Odunze was credited with 24 contested catches in 2023, which tied for the most in the FBS. He could be the vertical one-on-one target for Williams to the backside of 3x1 sets (three pass-catchers on one side of the formation, one on the other), with the ability to work the intermediate voids and isolate inside the low red zone.

Adding Odunze, who led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards, would complement the skills sets of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, giving Williams three viable targets in Year 1.


QB J.J. McCarthy to the Vikings

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219
College: Michigan

Where Minnesota could get him: Pick No. 11

The Vikings can set up McCarthy as a distributor in Kevin O'Connell's defined passing game, using play-action concepts to put him in a position to throw with better timing and rhythm. McCarthy completed 76.3% of his play-action passes last season, putting up a Total QBR of 90.4. Those are outstanding numbers, and the fit works perfectly in Minnesota.

Plus, McCarthy has the second-reaction skills as a passer to make plays outside of structure when necessary. He can use his legs to create throwing windows. The Vikings added veteran Sam Darnold in free agency, but McCarthy could be their long-term starter.


EDGE Jared Verse to the Broncos

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 254
College: Florida State

Where Denver could get him: Pick No. 12

With a motor that consistently runs hot and the physical demeanor to win on the edge, Verse would be an upgrade in the Denver front seven. He can play as a standup outside linebacker in base sets, then drop down as an edge rusher in sub packages.

Verse has shown the ability to win with speed to power, driving blockers back, while also using his first-step quickness and countermoves. He had nine sacks in each of the past two seasons.


OT JC Latham to the Raiders

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 342
College: Alabama

Where Las Vegas could get him: Pick No. 13

Latham could elevate the Raiders' offensive identity under coach Antonio Pierce given his physical play style. A true road grader, he has the power to displace defenders and move the line of scrimmage, plus he has the quickness to match in pass protection.

In Vegas, Latham would project to be a starting right tackle, opposite of Kolton Miller on the left side, giving the Raiders two edges up front. In 27 career starts at Alabama, he allowed just two sacks.


CB Quinyon Mitchell to the Colts

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 195
College: Toledo

Where Indianapolis could get him: Pick No. 15

Mitchell's ability to play off the ball, driving top down on throws, would be maximized in three-deep zone and quarters coverage in Gus Bradley's defense. He's quick to transition, playing with aggressive eyes and generating speed out of his pedal. Plus, the Colts played man-to-man coverage on 44% of their opponent dropbacks last season, and that rate climbed to 51.4% on third downs.

Mitchell has sticky coverage traits that lead to production -- he had 15 pass breakups in 2023, tied for the most in the FBS. A physical corner who will set an edge as a run defender, Mitchell is a great fit for the Colts' secondary.


EDGE Laiatu Latu to the Seahawks

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 259
College: UCLA

Where Seattle could get him: Pick No. 16

Latu, the most skilled and refined pass-rusher in the 2024 class, could be used from multiple alignments under new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald. Here, Macdonald can use loaded fronts to scheme one-on-ones for Latu off the edge. He could play as a stand-up rusher to crate interior matchups or drop late to patrol the underneath zones in pressure concepts.

Latu, who had 23.5 sacks over his final two seasons at UCLA, has the traits to produce early in his rookie season. His 20% pressure percentage last season ranked second in the FBS and was the best mark of any Power 5 player.


TE Brock Bowers to the Bengals

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 243
College: Georgia

Where Cincinnati could get him: Pick No. 18

Bowers has the route-running ability to beat linebackers in man coverage and the speed to stretch defenses down the seams. A rugged mover after the catch, he can work the middle of the field for quarterback Joe Burrow, turning underneath throws into explosive gains. He had 10 career 100-yard receiving games at Georgia, which were tied for the most by any FBS tight end over the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Bengals added veteran tight end Mike Gesicki on a one-year contact in free agency, but Bowers has the traits to develop into a legitimate matchup threat, and he's not afraid to block in the run game.


C Jackson Powers-Johnson to the Steelers

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 328
College: Oregon

Where Pittsburgh could get him: Pick No. 20

The Steelers will feature a run-heavy attack with play-action elements under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. That's a fit for Powers-Johnson, given his strength at the point of attack, instincts at the snap and the toughness he would bring to the middle of the Pittsburgh offensive line.

Powers-Johnson is quick to identify stunts and close down interior pass-rushing lanes, plus he can combo/climb to create daylight in Smith's zone run game. He played center, left guard, right guard and right tackle at Oregon, and that versatility will help his value.


DT Jer'Zhan Newton to the Dolphins

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 304
College: Illinois

Where Miami could get him: Pick No. 21

This might be a high projection for Newton, but I love his tape. He fits in Miami as a disruptive defender with versatility across the front. There's a need here too, as Christian Wilkins departed in free agency for Las Vegas.

Newton, who had 18 sacks during his college career, has the lower-body quickness to create backfield chaos, with a detailed rush plan to attack the quarterback. He had 36 pressures when he lined up as a DT in 2023, which ranked No. 1 in the FBS.


CB Cooper DeJean to the Buccaneers

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 203
College: Iowa

Where Tampa Bay could get him: Pick No. 26

The Bucs traded away Carlton Davis last month, creating a hole at cornerback. DeJean's versatility means he could fit opposite Jamel Dean, but he also has the physical mentality to play as a slot defender in Todd Bowles' defense. DeJean has excellent backfield vision and the ball skills to patrol the outside thirds in zone coverage, plus the man-to-man skills to match in coverage.

A natural playmaker who had seven career interceptions and three defensive scores, DeJean also would bring All-Pro upside to the Bucs as a punt returner. DeJean had six punt returns of 20 or more yards and one touchdown in college.


EDGE Chop Robinson to the Cardinals

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 254
College: Penn State

Where Arizona could get him: Pick No. 27

The Cardinals could add pass-rushing juice here with Robinson, while also filling a major need in Jonathan Gannon's defense. Robinson is explosive off the edge, with a lightning-quick first step that allows him to attack the edges of offensive tackles and the lower body flex to turn the corner. Plus, he has the pursuit speed to track down ball carriers on the perimeter.

The Cardinals could add an impact player here on passing downs, one who ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the combine and has a ways to go before he hits his ceiling. While Robinson had only four sacks last season, his average time to pressure was 2.22 seconds, the third fastest in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.


WR Adonai Mitchell to the Bills

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
College: Texas

Where Buffalo could get him: Pick No. 28

With the Bills trading away No. 1 wideout Stefon Diggs to the Texans earlier this week, the club can get younger at the position with Mitchell, an explosive-play target with high-end traits. In Buffalo's offense, Mitchell can be set up as a vertical option for quarterback Josh Allen, using his 4.34-second 40-yard dash speed, 39.5-inch vertical and ball skills to win down the field. Plus, he has the toughness to produce after the catch on middle-of-the-field play-action throws, which will allow Allen to rip the ball between the numbers on in-breakers.

In his final season at Texas, Mitchell posted 11 explosive play receptions (catches of 20 or more yards), and he averaged 15.4 yards per catch. The arrow is pointing up on Mitchell, who can develop his route skills in a pro offense.


WR Xavier Legette to the Panthers

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 221
College: South Carolina

Where Carolina could get him: Pick No. 39

The Panthers traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson last month, but there is still a critical need to add more perimeter speed in order to boost the development and production of second-year quarterback Bryce Young. With Legette, Young would get a three-level target, a wideout who has 4.39 40 speed and the ability to play through contact.

The Panthers could scheme for Legette underneath on screens, slants and midrange crossers to use his physical ability after the catch. That would also put him in a position to stretch defenses and make plays down the field on vertical routes. He had 631 receiving yards on passes outside the numbers last season, the sixth most among Power 5 pass-catchers.

Legette, who averaged 17.7 yards per reception last season, would add a much-needed element to the Carolina wide receiver room given his speed, play style and route deployment.


CB Kamari Lassiter to the Packers

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 186
College: Georgia

Where Green Bay could get him: Pick No. 41

The Packers already made a smart move in the secondary whey they added safety Xavier McKinney in free agency. Now, let's address the cornerback position on Day 2 with Lassiter. He's competitive and aggressive in man coverage schemes, and he sees plays develop quickly when playing zone coverage. Lassiter has the physical style to tackle on the perimeter, too. He gets downhill.

Lassiter, who did not allow a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage last season, is a fit in a Packers defense that will adjust its coverage tendencies under new coordinator Jeff Hafley.


S Tyler Nubin to the Texans

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 199
College: Minnesota

Where Houston could get him: Pick No. 42

Nubin is an easy fit for DeMeco Ryans' defense given his coverage awareness, demeanor and ability to create production on the ball. In Houston, Nubin could run the alleys and play top down from split-field alignments, and he has the post instincts to patrol the middle third of the field as a center fielder. Nubin, who had 13 career interceptions for the Gophers, also has special teams upside on coverage units.


DT T'Vondre Sweat to the Jaguars

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 366
College: Texas

Where Jacksonville could get him: Pick No. 48

Sweat could be drafted higher than this for a team that needs a plugger nose tackle, but I like his fit in Jacksonville. The Jags used the franchise tag on edge rusher Josh Allen, and they added a productive interior defender in Arik Armstead. Now, the club could target Sweat, a mammoth run game enforcer to play in the middle of their D-line.

With his frame and physical traits, Sweat can hold the point, commanding double-teams. And he has the ability to dent the pocket, creating an interior push to take away throwing platforms. With him leading the way in 2023, the Longhorns allowed an FBS-best 3.2 yards per rush between the tackles.


RB Jonathon Brooks to the Cowboys

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 216
College: Texas

Where Dallas could get him: Pick No. 56

With Tony Pollard gone in free agency, the Cowboys don't have a top running back on their roster. They could address the position with Brooks, who is likely to figure into the Day 2 mix after tearing the ACL in his right knee in November. With a pro-ready frame, Brooks is a smooth and sudden runner who has the second-level elusiveness to shake defenders and the ability to shift gears in space.

Brooks evaded 30 tackles last season at Texas, and with 25 receptions, he has the dual-threat upside to be used more as a receiver at the next level. In Dallas, Brooks could be paired with a downhill hammer to give coach Mike McCarthy a versatile backfield.

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