The Draft is the most highly anticipated event of the offseason, and going into the 2024-2025 season, a lot of first-round picks will have massive impacts on their new teams and may even push those same teams into Super Bowl contention.
Read on to break down the top draft picks from this past 2024 NFL Draft who can be key in the race for the Lombardi Trophy.
Top NFL Draft Players From 2024
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, QB, No. 1 overall
Caleb Williams is one of the Super Bowl favorites and was taken as the top choice by the Chicago Bears, and he is entering the perfect environment with a loaded supporting cast.
Aiding him at wide receiver will be D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, to whom he will add running back D’Andre Swift.
On the field, his dual-threat ability and poise under pressure might make the Bears an instantly competitive playoff team and perhaps a legitimate Super Bowl contender not far down the road.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals, WR, No. 4 overall
The Arizona Cardinals struck gold in landing Marvin Harrison Jr., the consensus top player in the 2024 draft class.
A product of the run on quarterbacks, falling to No. 4, Harrison brings immediate star power to an offense led by Kyler Murray.
As the Cardinals’ No. 1 wide receiver, Harrison’s game-changing ability could be just what it takes to revitalize Arizona’s passing game.
His big-framed body, together with great speed and elite route-running skills, should make him the perfect fit to help mold the Cardinals into a dark horse contender this season.
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears, WR, No. 9 overall
The Bears doubled down on the rebuild of their offense, with Rome Odunze being the selection at ninth overall. He will not be the immediate No. 1 target, but he’ll be learning from veteran Keenan Allen as he’ll be contributing to an already dynamic offense.
This adds another possible future WR1 into the mix, deepening this Bears roster and making them a team to take seriously this year.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders, QB, No. 2 overall
The Washington Commanders didn’t take their time to lock in their franchise quarterback, taking Jayden Daniels at pick number two overall.
Daniels is high up among NFL draft prospects, and he brings in the ability to be a dual-threat problem that tests defenses, especially when throws are being made to Terry McLaurin.
There will more than likely be some growing pains, but in general, he extends plays with his legs and arm, making the Commanders intriguing as a playoff participant.
Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks, DT, No. 16 overall
Byron Murphy II solidified Seattle’s stingy defense. A dominant interior line presence, Murphy joins Leonard Williams in an already talented unit.
That particular fit into Mike McDonald’s scheme could make the Seahawks a possible juggernaut on that side of the ball and worthy of a deep playoff run.
Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers, OT, No. 5 overall
To protect the line of scrimmage, the Los Angeles Chargers needed some protection, and Joe Alt was the first tackle taken off the board.
Justin Herbert’s blindside is crucial to the success of the Chargers because his elite run-blocking and pass protection might be what puts them into the playoff bracket.
His presence solidifies the line, giving Herbert the time needed to lead his team into Super Bowl contention.
Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings, EDGE, No. 17 overall
Dallas Turner fell to No. 17 and could be one of the steals of the draft.
Under the great mind of defensive mastermind Brian Flores, Turner will line up opposite Jonathan Greenard to create a superb pass-rush duo.
If he is as advertised, Turner can be a game-changer in disrupting quarterbacks for this Minnesota Vikings team all season.
Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles, CB, No. 22 overall
The Philadelphia Eagles may have found their next big-time cornerback in Quinyon Mitchell. Many draft pundits credit Mitchell with polished coverage skills, and he will get to learn from veteran Darius Slay.
Adding him to what was already one of the best defenses just might be what gets Philadelphia back into the Super Bowl spotlight.
Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions, CB, No. 24 overall
Detroit moved up to grab Terrion Arnold, a versatile cornerback who could come in to play inside and outside.
With the ball-hawking presence of Arnold adding the big game-changing plays, it finally puts the Lion’s defense into serious contention within the NFC.
Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts, EDGE, No. 15 overall
Laiatu Latu, the best pass rusher in the draft class, joins a Colts defense ready to make noise.
His exceptional ability to read the hands of the offensive tackles and adjust on the fly could make him an instant impact player for the scheme of Gus Bradley and put the Colts in a potential playoff push.
The Impact of Rookie Quarterbacks on Super Bowl Contention
With the quarterback headliners of Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, most of these rookie quarterbacks go into pretty promising situations with their new teams.
One would say that a franchise quarterback will turn the fortunes around for a team, and by placing some highly talented offensive weapons around them, both Williams and Daniels do stand a pretty fair chance of making a fairly immediate run at leading their respective teams into the postseason.
Game-Changing Defensive Picks
Byron Murphy II and Dallas Turner will anchor the defenses of their respective teams, defensive-minded rookies like them. A decent-looking defensive front makes all the difference in closely-fought playoff games.
This then puts the importance squarely on the picks for teams supposedly making a run for Super Bowl glory.
Offense Makeover
With the consideration that the 2024 draft wasn’t heavy on running backs, guys like the addition of D’Andre Swift to the backfield, complement their signal caller with the rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
It balances things out on offense, for it is hard for the opposing team’s defenses to always know what may hit them, thus carving a better chance at a deep playoff run.
Drafting for Depth
For any team hoping to be considered for the Super Bowl, depth is part of the key to success.
The Bears signing Rome Odunze and the Eagles getting a commitment from Quinyon Mitchell are just samples of how teams build to be sustained rather than flash-in-the-pan success.
Potential Sleeper Pick
Don’t sleep on picks like Xavier Worthy going to the Chiefs or Joe Alt going to the Chargers.
While these guys are never going to have the hype of a top-5 pick, necessarily, their impact may well be felt deeper in the season and maybe even in some playoff scenarios.
Evaluating the Immediate Playoff Impact of the First-Round Draft Choices
This year, with the class of the 2024 NFL Draft replete with possible game-changers, these NFL Draft rookies could be household names by season’s end.
Franchise quarterbacks, generational wide receivers, and even from a defensive standpoint—the list goes on and on, and their impact is going to be very interesting to observe as the season develops.
Who is likeliest to win the Super Bowl in 2024-2025?
While the list of Super Bowl favorites still possesses the usual suspects of the Chiefs and Ravens atop the oddsboard, the race for the Lombardi Trophy may be more competitive than ever with a new rookie class in town.
Where will the 2025 NFL Draft be held?
The next generation of talent that will make up the rosters in the NFL is going to be at Lambeau Field, adding a historical perspective to making your draft prediction one of the most anticipated events on the NFL calendar.