How do you grade a team’s draft class right despite not knowing what kind of returns it will get from all the players it just picked? There are a few simple rules Sporting News applies to this annual exercise of instant analysis.

First, did the team get the right kind of talent with every opportunity while on the clock? Second, teams’ initial grades should be based more on whether they did well addressing remaining roster needs after free agency.

Third — and most important — it’s critical to consider whether a team drafted well for its current league status, with playoff contenders going for more immediate impact and rebuilding franchises going for more valuable future help.

Putting that all together, we aim to answer: How much did a team improve overall through the draft? Here’s SN’s latest round of draft grades for the best and draft 2024 NFL Draft classes, ranked from No. 1 to No. 32:

MORE 2024 NFL DRAFT: Full list of picks | Winners & losers

NFL Draft grades 2024: Ranking the best & worst classes, 1-32

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Draft picks: OT/G Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, G Mason McCormick, DT Logan Lee, DT Ryan Watts

Analysis: Outside of some pass-rush depth, which wasn’t a big need, the Steelers destroyed this draft with GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin. That builds on an amazing offseason when they got Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as QB options for almost nothing. Fautanu and Frazier will start and star right away with 2023 first-round Broderick Jones moving to left tackle. Roman Wilson is the ideal playmaker to pair with George Pickens. It’s also not fair Payton Wilson will roam a second level and make plays right with Patrick Queen.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Draft picks: CB Quinyon Mitchell, CB Cooper DeJean, EDGE Jalyx Hunt, RB Will Shipley, WR Ainias Smith, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., G Trevor Keegan, WR/TE Johnny Wilson, C/G Dylan McMahon

Analysis: GM Howie Roseman somehow ended up with arguably the two best corners in the class to fill a big need. Hunt can tap into his big small-school pass-rush upside for Vic Fangio. Shipley, Smith, and Wilson are valuable, versatile cogs for Jalen Hurts to support Saquon Barkley, the expensive wideouts, and tight ends.

3. Washington Commanders

Draft picks: QB Jayden Daniels, DT Johnny Newton, CB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, G Brandon Coleman, WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee, S Dominique Hampton, EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Analysis: New GM Adam Peters hopes to flip all the past bad vibes and Daniels’ upside as a passer and runner for Kliff Kingsbury is a great start. Defensive-minded Dan Quinn had to love Newton and Sainristil back-to-back to help push this group toward what he had in Dallas. Sinnott and McCaffrey add interesting spread weapons to Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Austin Ekeler, and Zach Ertz. Then, Quinn got more of what he needed late, too.

4. Baltimore Ravens 

Draft picks: CB Nate Wiggins, OT Roger Rosengarten, EDGE Adisa Isaac, WR Devontez Walker, CB T.J. Tampa, RB Rasheen Ali, QB Devin Leary, C Nick Samac, S Sanoussi Kane

Analysis: The Ravens once again locked into their key positions of need under Eric DeCosta and practiced patience in letting values drop to them. Wiggins and Tampa have a chance to be a special starting cornerback duo in time. Issac is their style of edge rusher, while Walker provides a key missing element at receiver to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore doesn’t make bad picks in relation to having the right talent available. Ali added needed backfield depth behind Derrick Henry, and Leary is a good developmental athlete. 

MORE NFL DRAFT 2024: Best values | Biggest reaches | Biggest steals | Best UDFAs

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Draft picks: OT Amarius Mims, DT Kris Jenkins, WR Jermaine Burton, DT McKinnley Jackson, TE Erick All, CB Josh Newton, TE Tanner McLachlan, EDGE Cedric Johnson, S Daijahn Anthony, C Matt Lee

Analysis: The Bengals once again knew what they were doing. Mims was the ideal fit to upgrade Joe Burrow’s pass protection, while Burton gives him an exciting new big-play slot. All and McLachlan bring good blocking and short-to-intermediate area receiving to their scheme, too. Jenkins and Jackson provides a good 1-2 pass-rushing and run-stuffing punch. Newton was right for their corner depth, too.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

Draft picks: OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, LB Junior Colson, DT Justin Eboigbe, CB Tarheeb Still, CB Cam Hart, RB Kimani Vidal, WR Brenden Rice, WR Cornelius Johnson

Analysis: Who has it better than coach Jim Harbaugh? Only a few teams. He helped new GM Joe Hortiz nail this critical draft, getting an elite pass protector and top new versatile target for Justin Herbert. Colson was the right Michigan man to add, flipping a weakness into a strength. Still and Hart bring key depth, and Vidal is a good all-around contingency for former Ravens Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. Rice and Johnson provide some big-play options to help replace Mike Williams and provide contingency for Quentin Johnston.

MORE: Michigan leads all colleges in total picks | Two Wolverines reunite with Harbaugh in LA

7. Minnesota Vikings

Draft picks: QB J.J. McCarthy, EDGE Dallas Turner, CB Khyree Jackson, OT Walter Rouse, K Will Reichard, C Michael Jurgens, DT Levi Drake Rodriguez

Analysis: The Vikings could have rested on McCarthy for their passing game and both Turner and Jackson for the pass defense and had a solid draft. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t waste time pleasing Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores to accelerate a rebuild. They made good use of moving up to go for high-upside quality over pure quantity. Reichard also filled a key need. 

8. Detroit Lions

Draft picks: CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., OT Giovanni Manu, S/RB Sione Vaki, DT Mekhi Wingo, G Christian Mahogany

Analysis: The Lions didn’t have much unfinished business after GM Brad Holmes crushed the draft and free agency in the two previous seasons. The top of that list by far was getting two starting-caliber cornerbacks who could fit well and make a lot of plays in Aaron Glenn’s scheme. Arnold and Rakestraw can help clean up the makeshift mess from 2023 

9. Chicago Bears

Draft picks: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, OT Kiran Amegadjie, P Tory Taylor, EDGE Austin Booker

Analysis: GM Ryan Poles has to be thrilled at the look of his new offense with Williams taking the controls and Odunze joining D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett as his promising mix of skill support. They also got an intriguing pass protector for him in Amegadjie. Taylor docks them for a weird reach, but getting back into the draft to nab Booker was nice. The only key absence of the class is a defensive tackle.

10. Denver Broncos

Draft picks: QB Bo Nix, EDGE Jonah Elliss, WR Troy Franklin, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, RB Audric Estime, WR Devaughn Vale, C Nick Gargiulo

Analysis: The Broncos didn’t reach at all for Nix despite him being the sixth QB off the board because Sean Payton was confident he would be the ideal accurate passer for his scheme. Getting Franklin later to remain his go-to guy was the steal of the draft. Elliss and Abrams-Draine will make a lot of plays on the back end for Vance Joseph. Estime gives them the much-needed power back with burst to complement Javonte Williams.

11. Los Angeles Rams

Draft picks: EDGE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske, RB Blake Corum, S Kamren Kinchens, EDGE Brennan Jackson, DT Tyler Davis, K Joshua Karty, WR Jordan Whittington, C Beaux Limmer, G/OT KT Leveston

Analysis: The Rams, finally back in the first round under GM Les Snead, would have been “B” just on the strength of taking Verse and Fiske from the same Florida State defense back-to-back to help new coordinator Chris Shula. Those were the high-priority positions, and safety was also addressed. Corum adds the right change-of-backup to Kyren Williams for Sean McVay.

12. New England Patriots

Draft picks: QB Drake Maye, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, OT Caedan Wallace, G Layden Robinson, WR Javon Baker, CB Marcellas Dial, QB Joe Milton III, TE Jaheim Bell

Analysis: The Patriots did pretty well with new GM Eliot Wolf and new coach Jerod Mayo in the first draft of the post-Bill Belichick era. The key was the much-needed refocus on offense, starting with Maye and taking a shot at another high-ceiling QB later just in case with Milton. Polk and Baker were the best picks to upgrade the weaponry for those rookies inside and out. Wallace and Robinson were considerable reaches, but they did fall in line with needs up front.

13. Kansas City Chiefs

Draft picks: WR Xavier Worthy, OT Kingsley Suamataia, TE Jared Wiley, S Jaden Hicks, C Hunter Nourzad, CB Kamal Hadden, G C.J. Hanson

Analysis: The Chiefs may have gotten a little too aggressive and speed-happy to land Worthy over worthier first-round wideouts, but it made sense from the perspective to keep adding deep threats for Patrick Mahomes. Suamataia and Nourzad might be their latest offensive line steals. Wiley, out of Andy Reid’s alma mater BYU, was a good developmental as a high-ceiling athlete behind Travis Kelce. Hicks might end up being the best overall pick and is ideal for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Draft picks: C/G/OT Graham Barton, EDGE Chris Braswell, S Tykee Smith, WR Jalen McMillan, RB Bucky Irving, G Elijah Klein, TE Devin Culp

Analysis: The Buccaneers did well again with GM Jason Licht, who made upgrading the offensive line a priority with the versatile and dominant Barton. Todd Bowles also got two key reinforcements, minus a linebacker, in Braswell and Smith. McMillan and Irving add a little more juice to the receiving core and backfield.

15. New York Jets

Draft picks: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley, RB Braelon Allen, QB Jordan Travis, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, S Jaylen Key

Analysis: The Jets maintained an offensive theme for GM Joe Douglas with the intent of making Aaron Rodgers’ Year 2 much more promising once he’s ready to go again. Fashanu gives them a tackle contingency for aging additions, while Corley and Allen fit well playing off Garrett Wilson as a receiver and Breece Hall as a runner. Travis was a good developmental add behind Rogers and Tyrod Taylor. Stiggers gives them a pro-ready corner from the CFL, to boot. Pretty good for New York, even minus volume. 

16. Houston Texans

Draft picks: CB Kamari Lassiter, OT Blake Fisher, S Calen Bullock, TE Cade Stover, LB Jamal Hill, RB Jawhar Jordan, EDGE Solomon Byrd, DT Marcus Harris, G LaDarius Henderson

Analysis: The Texans had a sneaky supporting draft for what they did with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud as the rookie foundations last season. Lassiter and Bullock fill key needs in the secondary behind Will Anderson Jr. Fisher has them thinking ahead on Stroud’s protection, and Stover gives him a familiar college target.

MORE: Texans, Browns officially close book on Deshaun Watson trade

17. Green Bay Packers

Draft picks: OT Jordan Morgan, LB Edgerrin Cooper, S Javon Bullard, RB MarShawn Lloyd, LB Ty’Ron Hopper, S Evan Williams, C Jacob Monk, S Kitan Oladapo, OT Travis Glover, QB Michael Pratt, CB Kalen King

Analysis: GM Brian Gutekunst came through to fill key needs with the first three picks. Morgan can be their new left tackle soon to replace David Bakhtiari. Cooper and Bullard give them a lot more impact in the back seven. Lloyd can be a key cog playing off Josh Jacobs. The rest is shaky despite the volume, leading to a slip just below “A” status.

18. Arizona Cardinals

Draft picks: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., EDGE Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, RB Trey Benson, G Isaiah Adams, TE Tip Reiman, CB Elijah Jones, S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, EDGE Xavier Thomas, OT Christian Jones, WR Tejhaun Palmer, S Jaden Davis

Analysis: Harrison and Robinson alone would give this busy class a high floor. Harrison is a can’t-miss go-to guy for Kyler Murray, and Robinson should thrive for defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon. GM Monti Ossenfort had massive volume and could afford to take a few calculated positional risks afterward. Between Melton and Jones, there wasn’t good value, but landing Taylor-Demerson later was a redemptive move. This comes down to Harrison and Robinson being awesome, immediate impact players for the passing game and pass rush.

19. Buffalo Bills

Draft picks: WR Keon Coleman, S Cole Bishop, DT DeWayne Carter, RB Ray Davis, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, EDGE Javon Solomon, OT Tylan Grable, CB Daequan Hardy, OT Travis Clayton

Analysis: The Bills were methodical in addressing their key needs under GM Brandon Beane, but they chose not to be too aggressive in doing so. They settled for Coleman as their future No. 1 of choice after trading back and helping the Chiefs. Bishop, Carter, and late-round steal Solomon can be maximized by defensive-minded Sean McDermott. Davis and Van Pran-Granger are good depth boosts for the running game.

20. New Orleans Saints

Draft picks: OT Taliese Fuaga, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, QB Spencer Rattler, WR Bub Means, LB Jaylan Ford, DT Khristian Boyd, OT Josiah Ezirim

Analysis: Fuaga was the ideal pick to fill the biggest need, and McKinstry was a great second-round value to upgrade the defensive playmaking for Dennis Allen. Rattler was an interesting pick for a faller with some starting upside behind Derek Carr. Overall, the class was solid but nothing too spectacular, leading to the appropriate grade.

21. Tennessee Titans

Draft picks: OT J.C. Latham, DT T’Vondre Sweat, LB Cedric Gray, CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., WR Jha’Quan Jackson, S James Williams, EDGE Jaylen Harrell

Analysis: Credit GM Ran Carthon for being methodical in addressing the most important needs of offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker right away and still coming back to make sure they got at least one upside wideout in the mix for Will Levis. Sweat is an obvious high-risk pick with the potential for big reward, and Latham was worthy early. Watch out for Gray thriving, too.

22. Seattle Seahawks

Draft picks: DT Byron Murphy II, G Christian Haynes, LB Tyrice Knight, TE A.J. Barner, CB Nehemiah Pritchett, G Sataoa Laumea, CB D.J. James, OT Michael Jerrell

Analysis: Murphy and Hayens were a great start to the draft for both interior line needs, but then the next-best pick was James. GM John Schneider continued to look at the board differently than most teams, but it wasn’t his best work to kick off the post-Pete Carroll era with Mike Macdonald.

23. New York Giants

Draft picks: WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips, TE Theo Johnson, RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., LB Darius Muasau

Analysis: Nabers and Nubin will be immediate contributing starters, but everything else is rather thin. The Giants, after making such a big deal of thinking about a QB vs. Daniel Jones, didn’t go there. Phillips, Johnson, and Tracy were all depth reaches for GM Joe Schoen to boot.

MORE: Malik Nabers gives lukewarm response to playing with ‘Janiel Dones’

24. Indianapolis Colts

Draft picks: EDGE Laiatu Latu, WR Adonai Mitchell, OT Matt Goncalves, C Tanor Bortolini, WR Anthony Gould, S Jaylon Carlies, S Jaylin Simpson, CB Micah Abraham, DT Jonah Laulu

Analysis: Latu and Mitchell were absolute coups to start the draft for GM Chris Ballard. Indy reached a little for offensive line and secondary help, but that extra depth was needed for the defense. Gould brings one more versatile weapon for second-year QB Anthony Richardson, too. 

25. Dallas Cowboys

Draft picks: OT Tyler Guyton, EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, G Cooper Beebe, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelan Carson, WR Ryan Flournoy, OT Nathan Thomas, DT Justin Rogers

Analysis: The Cowboys settled for Guyton in the first round after some more plug-and-play blocking-ready players were taken ahead of him. He likely will need time to be groomed as Tyron Smith’s replacement. Beebe has a better chance to start. Kneeland and Liufau fit their schemes, but they did reach a little for both.

26. Carolina Panthers

Draft picks: WR Xavier Legette, RB Jonathon Brooks, LB Trevin Wallace, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, CB Chau Smith-Wade, DT Jaden Crumedy, LB Michael Barrett

Analysis: The Panthers struggled a bit with new GM Dan Morgan in terms of acquiring the best available talent, but at least they went through thinking about key weapons to boost Bryce Young in Year 2 after his rookie shakiness. Legette may not be able to see regular snaps early, and Sanders also needs some time. Brooks was a bit of a forced luxury and is coming off a major knee injury. 

27. Miami Dolphins

Draft picks: EDGE Chop Robinson, OT Patrick Paul, RB Jaylen Wright, EDGE Mohamed Kamara, WR Malik Washington, S Patrick McMorris, WR Tahj Washington

Analysis: This seemed like the biggest “forced hand” of a draft class, as the Dolphins had to be dedicated to depth with some injury edge concerns up front (Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips). Paul was thinking beyond Terron Armstead, while they hope Washington can give them a key No. 3. Wright is a fine talent, but for them, he’s just a Mike McDaniel luxury pick to a position of strength.

28. Cleveland Browns

Draft picks: DT Michael Hall Jr., G Zak Zinter, WR Jamari Thrash, LB Nathaniel Watson, CB Myles Harden, DT Jowon Briggs

Analysis: The Browns had limited volume with no first- or fourth-rounder, and for a team trying to compete better in the tough AFC North with Deshaun Watson, this is below average in both quantity and quality. Andrew Berry will need to hope enough was done in free agency for a playoff return with a front-line defense. Harden was their best overall pick late for corner depth.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Draft picks: WR Brian Thomas Jr., DT Maason Smith, CB Jarrian Jones, OT Javon Foster, DT Jordan Jefferson, CB Deantre Prince, RB Keilan Robinson, K Cam Little, DE/DT Myles Cole

Analysis: GM Trent Baalke was a bit all over the place with value after jumping on Thomas in the first round. Going for offensive tackle and cornerback twice was OK given needs, but there were plenty of reaches, even in taking yet another running back late. Other than Thomas and Little, there’s not much here to help the Jaguars catch the Texans in the division.

30. Atlanta Falcons

Draft picks: QB Michael Penix Jr., DT Ruke Orhorhoro, EDGE Bralen Trice, EDGE/DT Brandon Dorlus, LB JD Bertrand, RB Jase McClellan, WR Casey Washington, DT Zion Logue

Analysis: GM Terry Fontenot got plenty of heat from every direction for taking Penix in the top 10 after the team committed big money to Kirk Cousins. Penix’s big arm is a good fit in the new passing offense, but the Falcons left a lot of elite, impact talent on the board as part of the opportunity cost. Not surprisingly, they chased that misstep by going defense-heavy for new coach Raheem Morris. McClellan and Washington were real offensive reaches on Day 3.

FALCONS DRAFT MICHAEL PENIX: 
Comparing ATL QB contracts | Why Falcons made pick | Cousins reaction | Blank-Fontenot video

31. San Francisco 49ers

Draft picks: WR Ricky Pearsall, CB Renardo Green, G Dominic Puni, S Malik Mustapha, RB Isaac Guerendo, WR Jacob Cowing, G Jarrett Kingston, LB Tatum Bethune

Analysis: The 49ers had a rare curious draft under John Lynch for many reasons. They added two more wide receivers despite not trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel and making plans to extend Jauan Jennings. They also took some luxury again at running back behind Christian McCaffrey in the speedy Guerendo. Puni and Mustapha are easily the best picks, and they project for depth at first. As a Super Bowl hopeful, there’s nothing here that put loaded San Francisco over the top in relation to top NFC rivals.

32. Las Vegas Raiders

Draft picks: TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, OT Delmar Glaze, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Tommy Eichenberg, RB Dyan Laube, S Trey Taylor, CB MJ Devonshire

Analysis: The Raiders’ draft, from a talent perspective, was fine early. Bowers was worthy of their first-round pick, but it was a bit of a luxury reach with much bigger needs at other positions. Powers-Johnson easily was their best pick, whether he starts at center or right guard. But it cannot be ignored that the Raiders were disinterested in chasing QB or wide receiver at any point in a strong class for both early. Tom Telesco’s initial class also pales badly to everyone else in the division.