2024 NFL Draft Winners and Losers

Winner: Chicago Bears

Not only did the Bears take the generational prospect Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, but the Bears also struck gold when they selected highly touted receiver Rome Odunze. Odunze profiles as a true deep-threat receiver at 6 '3″ with insane athleticism, and gives the Bears a truly dynamic offense combined with star receiver D.J Moore and the newly acquired Keenan Allen. For a fanbase that’s been without a playoff win since 2011, this draft class, led by Williams and Odunze, has a great chance to end the longest playoff winless streak in the NFL immediately.

Chicago Bears top picks Rome Odunze (left) and Caleb Williams (right)

Loser: Atlanta Falcons

You probably already know the story by now, selecting quarterback Michael Penix with the 8th pick in the NFL draft right after signing former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a 4 year $180 million dollar contract has been widely criticized, and rightfully so. However it is important to note that Michael Penix can turn into a great NFL quarterback, however, this draft pick just doesn’t make sense with the Atlanta Falcons timeline. The Falcons window to win is now, they are the prohibitive favorite in the NFC South and their focus should be on using the draft to impact their winning in the present and future, not just the future. Maybe it works out, but the criticism of the move has been valid, to say the least.

Washington College Quarterback Michael Penix Jr was selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons

Loser: Buffalo Bills

The Bills draft was solid, taking 6’4 receiver Keon Coleman at the beginning of the 2nd round after getting rid of superstar receiver Stefon Diggs was a fine choice, and Coleman will be heavily involved in the offense throughout the year. The issue however, was the Bills trading the 28th pick in the draft, which would have been fine had the trade not been to their AFC rivals the Kansas City Chiefs, who used the pick to draft Xavier Worthy, who ran a record 4.21 40 yard- dash at the NFL combine. NFL history tells us that it is never a good idea to make a trade that makes your rivals considerably better, and giving the Chiefs of all teams someone with the speed of Worthy could be a move that haunts the Bills for the next decade.

Former Florida State receiver and now Buffalo Bill Keon Coleman

Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs won a Superbowl without virtually any consistent deep threat option, and now Patrick Mahomes gets the fastest man in the NFL Xavier Worthy, to pair with the newly acquired Marquise Hollywood Brown. Part of the reason why the Chiefs dynasty has been this successful is the Chiefs mindset to not be complacent but continue to improve. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes knew that their Super Bowl-winning offense, while often great, still missed the deep threat option at times that Tyreek Hill used to give. Not only gaining that but doing so by trading with one of their biggest rivals, is a massive win for Kansas City. The Chiefs, with the addition of Worthy, also project to be one of the greatest teams in Madden history, who will most likely be a 99-speed player! You’ll be able to play with the Kansas City Chiefs in the new Madden when it releases on Players’ Lounge, the number 1 place to play Madden and 2K for money, thanks Buffalo!

Former Texas Longhorns receiver and now Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy