Every April, the NFL Draft gives us a sneak peak of the direction teams are headed. Whether a team acquires a key veteran via trade or perhaps adds a new long-term project at the quarterback position, we get a glimpse of what’s in store for each team. Front offices often have to establish one or the other when it comes to contending for the superbowl or rebuilding towards the future. Today, we’ll preview a few select teams and what direction they’re heading for the 2024 season.
Minnesota Vikings: Rebuilding – Selecting J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick was a bold decision towards the future. It’s not a bold take to say that McCarthy is not ready to be inserted into the starting lineup on day one. McCarthy possesses a ton of promising traits, despite being incredibly raw. Trial by fire won’t be the best approach to take, rather letting him sit for a year or two behind an experienced veteran, preferably a better option than Sam Darnold, but Darnold will have to work for the time being. Dallas Turner at pick seventeen was a great value-pick. Turner was a dominant player under Nick Saban at Alabama and should upgrade a lacking defense from day one. Khyree Jackson is another phenomenal pick in the 4th round. Jackson is a lengthy corner who has a ways to go before putting it all together, but the value for that potential is absolutely there for the future. The future’s looking brighter than it did prior to the start of the draft for the Vikings, although it hinges on J.J. Mcarthy’s future success.
Arizona Cardinals: Contending – Getting the best wide receiver prospect to come into the draft (in recent memory) at the 4th pick is a heck of a start to any draft. Marvin Harrison Jr is going to make Kyler Murray’s job easier than ever before. Darius Robinson is a solid player late in the first, however question marks as to where he’ll play between Edge and Interior remain to be seen. Max Melton was taken off the board much earlier than expected however Melton was one of the more underrated prospects heading into the draft and the value is still very much there with Melton. Acquiring Trey Benson in the third round was one of my personal favorite value picks in the draft. Benson is the best of a less than ideal class of running backs, but don’t let the weak class dampen the value of the former Seminole. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is one of the biggest steals of the draft as well, being taken off the board in the 4th round. Arizona is a relatively young team but having a veteran QB paired with the youth movement puts them in position for a playoff spot this season, although they are trapped in a tough division and will face an uphill battle.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Contending – If it wasn’t made abundantly clear by the earlier offseason moves, Pittsburgh has a firm plan to build through the trenches, and run the ball early and often. Revamping the QB room and picking Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier with their first two selections make this even more clear. Roman Wilson is a great option out of the slot, however Pittsburgh still very much needs to address the gaping hole at their second outside receiver spot. Doubling up on Receiver would have been a wise decision rather than targeting Mason McCormick with their pick in the 4th round, although a good value pick. Payton Wilson at the end of the 3rd is great value although the injury concerns are very evident as to why he fell as late as he did. The quarterback room is up in the air, although Russell Wilson would be expected to have the first crack at the starting job. If they can get quality QB play out of either Wilson or Fields, it’s difficult to see a way in which they would fare worse than their previous season led by Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.
Photo Credits: Pioneer Press
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