The Touchdown 2024 QB Draft
After taking it in turns to draft the league’s top passers in our quarterback draft, our team are back to select the best non-quarterbacks in the NFL.
The rules are simple. Our team of writers took turns to draft current players on the basis of who we would want on our hypothetical franchise for the next three seasons. To make things a little more interesting, we also factored their contracts into the situation.
Our team of four writers (Lee Wakefield, Simon Carroll, Rory-Joe Daniels, and Jack Brentnall) sat down for the four-round, 20-pick draft.
1. (Jack) - Myles Garrett - EDGE, Cleveland Browns
This pick would have been a lot easier if Aaron Donald was still available, but I’m still pretty comfortable with my choice here. Garrett is an elite disruptor, with a special combination of size, speed, and power. He is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and has been a First Team All-Pro selection in each of the last three seasons.
He’s also surprisingly affordable, with an average cap hit of just $20 million over the next three seasons. For context, that is less than players like Bradley Chubb and Harold Landry.
2. (Rory) - Justin Jefferson - WR, Minnesota Vikings
Even with a newly-minted four-year, $140million contract, Jefferson is difficult to look past in this context. He has been the best player at his position during his first four years in the league. That position is now one of the most highly-coveted, making Jefferson a worthy recipient of the bumper deal. Despite the cost, Jefferson will only account for a cap hit of $8.5 million in 2024 and $15.3 million in 2025.
Things get steep thereafter but for now he still represents decent value in a three-year window. He missed time through injury last year but still surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and will surely be Sam Darnold’s favourite target this season.
3. (Simon) - Maxx Crosby - EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
In a draft with no quarterback, I would find it very difficult to look beyond edge rusher or offensive tackle to be the cornerstone of my franchise. With Myles Garrett off the board, I swing for Maxx Crosby here – no disrespect intended for the likes of TJ Watt and Chris Jones, but they are older and haven’t been able to stay on the field.
Crosby is just 27, has never missed a game for the Raiders in his five years in the league, and has been incredibly productive considering no real danger on the opposite side from him. He’s also tied down for the next three years too, at a price that will look cheap by the end of his deal.
4. (Lee) - Micah Parsons - EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
As a fan of pass rushers, I cannot speak more highly of the picks that my colleagues have made before me, with Myles Garrett – the best defensive player, and best pure pass rusher in the league – and Maxx Crosby – the best all-round edge defender in the league, and a player whose longevity and toughness is truly astounding.
That said… In the event that I was picking anywhere other than No. 1 in this draft, I was probably taking Parsons. He is a true game-wrecker whose 20.4% pressure rate equated to a league-leading 104 pressures in 2023. This was done in only his first season as a full-time edge defender! Parsons is eligible for a hefty contract extension.
Whether the Cowboys get this done whilst also having the Dak Prescott deal to sort is another issue, but in this three year exercise, Dallas has one final year of cost control, which makes Parsons cheaper than Garrett or Crosby. For what it’s worth, I’d have gone Garrett at one, too.
5. (Jack) - Ja'Marr Chase - WR, Cincinnati Bengals
I feel very confident snagging one of the game’s elite young pass catchers here, not least because Chase is the only one who isn’t yet on a monster extension.
He has logged the seventh most receiving yards through his first three seasons in NFL history and the sixth most touchdowns. He is also one of only five receivers to log 2+ yards per route run in each of the last three seasons – the others to do so are Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown. That’s not bad company to keep!
6. (Rory) - Penei Sewell - OT, Detroit Lions
The JaMarr Chase/Penei Sewell debate gets a second run-out here and as a Bengals fan, I was pleased Cincy opted for Chase, however, in this draft I’m still happy to select Sewell right behind Chase once more. Even though Sewell has made his name as a right tackle, his value is no less than the premium guys on the other side.
He allowed only one sack in 2023 and his PFF run blocking grade of 95.1 shows how he epitomises the Lions hard-nosed style. He provides the platform for not only Jared Goff but also Jahmyr Gibbs.
7. (Simon) - Jordan Mailata - OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Mailata is entering his seventh season in the NFL, having slowly worked his way up from never playing the sport to being an elite left tackle. Incredibly, he’s still only 27 – a mere baby for an offensive lineman. Ridiculously quick for a man his size, it feels like we haven’t even seen the best of him yet – despite allowing just three sacks in 1,147 snaps last season.
Mailata signed a new deal earlier this offseason giving him an average salary of $22m a season over the next three years – not cheap, but considering how dominant he is in both the run and passing game, worth every cent.
8. (Lee) - Dexter Lawrence - IDL, New York Giants
I had my eye on Dexter Lawrence from the moment we began this draft. If I’m totally honest, a small part of me wanted to pick him at No. 4, but once I went with Parsons, I knew my pick at No. 8 – especially so because I know Jack is a big Dexter Lawrence fan too.
Lawrence is a true one-of-one player in the NFL. A massive guy who stands at 6’4” and is listed as 342 lbs – nose tackle numbers, but this is a different nose tackle. Over the last couple of seasons Lawrence has exploded as a pass rusher, with 123 pressures and a pressure rate of around 14%. He moves differently, like a man of his size simply shouldn’t be able to.
Lawrence is the heartbeat of the Giants defense and easily one of the most impactful defenders in the league. I’d even go so far to argue that in a post-Aaron Donald NFL, he might be the best interior lineman in the league.
9. (Jack) - Sauce Gardner - CB, New York Jets
I have some wariness about taking a cornerback. After all, the position is notorious for its year-to-year volatility, especially when compared to other positions like edge rusher. That said, there comes a point where the risk is worth it for the talent available, and in Sauce Gardner you are getting a tremendous player.
He’s a true lockdown corner. In his two NFL seasons he has 26 pass breakups and has allowed a passer rating of just 63.0. Across his 33 games he has given up just 129 yards in man coverage – that’s 3.9 yards per game. With a combined cap hit of just $20 million over the next two seasons he is cheap too.
10. (Rory) - Tristan Wirfs - OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The value of the offensive tackle position proves too much for me again here. Wirfs showed his versatility by shifting almost seamlessly to the left side in 2023. He was the anchor the offensive line that helped Baker Mayfield to thrive and earn a hefty pay-rise.
Wirfs was well-rewarded also with a new five-year, $140 million contract, showing exactly how the Bucs view him as a franchise cornerstone. He has one-cheap year left in terms of cap hit, but you can’t put a price on the consistency he offers at a premium position.
11. (Simon) - Kyle Hamilton - S, Baltimore Ravens
When you think of the phrase ‘Swiss army knife’, you think of Kyle Hamilton. The versatile Ravens playmaker was named a first team All-Pro last year, and that’s despite being moved around Baltimore’s defense at will; slot corner (465 snaps), free safety (301), strong safety (89), inside linebacker (147), outside linebacker (58) and even outside corner (five) – it’s impossible to pigeon hole Hamilton.
His value to the Ravens is immeasurable – and incredibly, his total cap hit over the next two years is just $9.5 million. With an option of another year before he needs paying, Hamilton is incredible value at this juncture.
12. (Lee) - Patrick Surtain II - CB, Denver Broncos
At this point in the draft I’ve got two of my favourite guys in the league – two players who are set to dominate the league for years to come, and as a bonus for my personal brand, are both on the defensive line.
I was now on the lookout for another player at one of football’s premium positions, cornerback.
Sauce was off the board, so I’ve defaulted to the next best young corner in the league. Like Gardner, Surtain is a true, lockdown corner who has been able to guard number one receivers since he stepped on to an NFL field. He is eligible for an extension and playing on his fifth-year option in 2024, so much like Micah Parsons has one year left before he gets expensive for my theoretical squad. Also, much like Parsons, he’ll be worth every cent regardless.
13. (Jack) - Devon Witherspoon - CB, Seattle Seahawks
After expressing some reticence about taking cornerbacks I’ve now taken two in a row. The reason I’ve done that is because Witherspoon perfectly balances talent with cost. He was excellent as a rookie on a defense that was otherwise pretty lacklustre. He finished with a pick and 10 pass breakups, allowing a passer rating of just 87.6.
Witherspoon is now working with Mike McDonald and feels like he is primed for a breakout sophomore season. That schematic fit, coupled with his tenacious playstyle makes him an easy pick for me. His $8 million average salary over the next three years is also pretty appealing too.
14. (Rory) - CeeDee Lamb - WR, Dallas Cowboys
Take a look at the Cowboys receiver room and it makes sense why Jerry Jones finally came around to securing Lamb to a long-term deal. His four-year, $136 million deal surpasses the cash total of Justin Jefferson’s deal and lands him second in average annual value (pending Ja’Marr Chase’s deal). In terms of this exercise we still get one cheap year in 2024, while his cap hit remains low at $8.75 million.
On the field he has shown versatility. After originally playing more in the slot, he has displayed his dominance as an outside guy too. He averages 13 yards per reception and had 12 touchdowns as he ended the year with the second-most receiving yards behind Tyreek Hill. In terms of overall value at the position, there’s only Jefferson and Chase I would have ahead of him.
15. (Simon) - Frank Ragnow - IOL, Detroit Lions
The value of an elite pivot in an offense has, for too long, been overlooked. Jason Kelce helped change perception somewhat, and appreciation for the center position is slowly growing. Not many come more consistent than Frank Ragnow, who was named an All-Pro for the second time in his career last season.
Named the #1 center by PFF, he allowed just one sack and a miserly 3.4% pressure rate in 670 pass-blocking stats. Entering his seventh year in the league, Ragnow is only 28, has been mostly durable (save for a toe injury in 2021), and has three years left on a contract that averages just $13.5m a season. Between him and Mailata, I have a very happy quarterback.
16. (Lee) - Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals
In a three year exercise like this one, I think it’s worth taking a swing on a rookie later on. They are cost controlled and we have seen several wide receivers take an extremely accelerated path from rookie to superstar. So much so, for the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, it happens almost by the end of their rookie year.
So, do I think Marvin Harrison Jr. is the third best receiver in the league? Almost certainly not at this moment in time. But could he be regarded as such at some point in the next three seasons? Absolutely!
If that transpires, his contact will look like an absolute bargain too. What’s more, in three year’s time, he will still have two years of cost control when it comes to his money. So whilst this might seem like a swing, I’ll back the guy who was one of the best college receivers that most of us have ever scouted, who has a Dad in the Hall of Fame.
17. (Jack) - Aidan Hutchinson - EDGE, Detroit Lions
There were a couple of players I was considering at this spot, including Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. That being said, it is tough to overlook a player like Hutchinson.
Since being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft he has racked up a whopping 154 pressures. In that period only four players have tallied more – Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and Josh Hines-Allen. With two cheap years left on his rookie deal, Hutchinson is also an incredibly cost-effective option.
18. (Rory) - Derek Stingley Jr. - CB, Houston Texans
My first defensive player selected in this draft and it was a tough decision, one where I had to balance positional value, current contract and potential ceiling of the player. That landed me on Derek Stingley Jr.
After the inevitable first-year struggles, something to be expected considering his early exit from college, Stingley endured a hamstring injury to start year two. However, on his return he was instrumental in the Texans’ playoff run, with six pass breakups and five interceptions. I’m banking on that upward trajectory continuing and pairing it with three years of his cheap rookie deal that make Stingley an emerging star at corner.
19. (Simon) - Justin Tucker - K, Baltimore Ravens
You’ll find no apology for me when it comes to this selection. Kickers are the most underrated skill players in football – no position delivers more points on the field. No player on a 53-man roster has the ability to win or lose a game more than them, and so having one you can rely on in clutch moments is incredibly valuable.
Since he began his pro career with the Ravens in 2012, Justin Tucker has delivered 1,649 points to Baltimore – and has the joint-most points per game in NFL history. At just 34 and seemingly getting better, he could realistically swing his leg for another decade. He holds the record for longest kick in NFL history, is the most accurate kicker in the history of the league, and will only cost $6.3m a year for the next three seasons. If you’re paying for points, it doesn’t come any cheaper.
20. (Lee) - Rashawn Slater - OT, Los Angeles Chargers
The disrespect will soon come to an end for Rashawn Slater. Injuries haven’t been kind to him after an All-Pro selection in his rookie year. I believe there’s a huge chance that he will bounce back to those levels in 2024 with Jim Harbaugh as his head coach.
Harbaugh wants to utilise the Chargers’ offensive line as a weapon in itself, and the best player on that line is going to be leading the charge. Slater will receive a massive extension at some point, but much like the other players I’ve taken from the 2021 draft class he’ll be worth it.
Slater, who is a supreme pass blocker with an incredible anchor and powers of recovery, will be back to full health after a couple of seasons ruined by injury. Plus, he should be in attack-mode more often as the Chargers run the ball more under Greg Roman. This will give Slater more chances to show off his athleticism and appear on some social media highlights. Then he will be back towards the top of most fan’s offensive line rankings and be respected as the dominant force he is.
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.