The common goal for all 32 franchises entering the 2024 NFL Draft was to find terrific value throughout. Navigating the board with a sense of calmness creates the difference between average draft classes and outstanding ones. Unfortunately, some general managers can't help themselves and several selections qualify as reaches.
Falling in love with prospects and picking them earlier than expected impacts the outlook. We've identified the five biggest reaches in the 2024 NFL Draft.
BO NIX, QB, DENVER BRONCOS (NO. 12)
I didn't think the Broncos would actually do it despite Bo Nix being a popular name at No. 12 overall throughout the mock draft gauntlet. Nix was the sixth and final quarterback selected in the first round, going just two picks after J.J. McCarthy, who was widely considered to be a top-five selection. I viewed Nix as a second-round quarterback and thought the Broncos would at least trade down to recoup additional picks if he was their first-round target.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton obviously felt like he couldn't enter the 2024 campaign with Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham as his quarterbacks. Denver backed themselves into a corner. The Broncos desperately needed a new franchise quarterback and they reached for Nix.
RICKY PEARSALL, WR, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (NO. 31)
Ricky Pearsall elevated his pre-draft stock at the Senior Bowl. He's a difficult assignment in coverage who quickly separates due to short-area twitchiness. Few foresaw Pearsall being drafted in the first round of a deep receiver class, though—nor was the former Florida standout projected to go ahead of Ladd McConkey and Keon Coleman.
Both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have been floated in trade speculation. Drafting Pearsall in the first round feels like an overreaction and confirmation of the rumors by general manager John Lynch. Pearsall was a "break glass in case of emergency" selection.
DELMAR GLAZE, OT, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (NO. 77)
Delmar Glaze entered the 2023 college football season as a borderline draftable talent. He strung together a better-than-expected campaign and then handled himself appropriately at the Senior Bowl. The expectation was still that Glaze would be a day-three flier. The Raiders instead drafted the Maryland blocker at No. 77 overall.
Glaze was drafted ahead of better offensive tackle prospects such as Matt Goncalves and Javon Foster. Glaze is a raw prospect who has struggled with play strength in the run game. The Raiders could have found better value. Glaze projects as a swing backup.
JERMAINE BURTON, WR, CINCINNATI BENGALS (NO. 80)
There are some maturity-based question marks surrounding Jermaine Burton. Dating back to high school, Burton has attended six different schools in the previous eight years. NFL scouts claimed that Burton had "up and down" moments with the coaching staffs at both Georgia and Alabama, according to Dane Brugler's draft guide.
The Bengals are betting on the raw talent. Cleaner, more technically advanced receiver prospects such as Roman Wilson and Jalen McMillan were drafted shortly after Burton. The Bengals are gambling big on Burton's upside.
MARIST LIUFAU, LB, DALLAS COWBOYS (NO. 87)
The Cowboys entered the draft needing a starting-caliber linebacker. I was surprised they settled on the undersized Marist Liufau with a top-100 pick. I possessed a sixth-round grade on Liufau and thought he projected as a better special teams player than a defender.
Liufau posted historically poor vertical (30 inches) and broad (9-foot) jumps, leading to athleticism-based concerns. Better linebacker prospects such as Ty'Ron Hopper and Cedric Gray were drafted within a few handful of picks later. I'm not convinced the Cowboys drafted a starting SAM linebacker here.
