NFL Analysis
12/13/23
6 min read
2024 NFL Draft: Perfect Team-Player Fits For This Year's Class
There is a little less than a month left of the 2023 NFL season, so attention is starting to turn to the 2024 NFL Draft. The College Football Playoff is just around the corner, and underclassmen declarations are starting to float in.
We will take a look at some of the best player/team fits in this upcoming draft class.
>> READ: Latest 2024 Mock Draft
Perfect Fits for 2024 Prospects
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State Fit: Arizona Cardinals
One of the best team fits is Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Arizona Cardinals. That is excellent news for the Cardinals, who could’ve considered drafting the Ohio State wide receiver with the first overall pick.
The Cardinals offense has looked much better in the last few weeks with Kyler Murray getting back to full strength and second-year TE Trey McBride breaking out in a big way. Even with the arrow pointing up for the Cardinals, they still lack a dynamic threat at wide receiver. Harrison Jr. is just that.
Despite lacking elite explosiveness or speed, Harrison Jr. is dynamic in just about every other area of his game. He possesses elite fluidity and nuance as a route-runner and can create after the catch.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Harrison Jr. has the size to line up as a true “X” in the Arizona offense, but his fluidity as a route-runner and intelligence with and without the football in his hands will allow him to play all over the field.
Given that Marquise Brown and Greg Dortch are expected to hit free agency, wide receiver will be a key need for the Cardinals, and Harrison Jr. is the best offensive skill player in this draft class.
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith make up one of the NFL’s better pass rushing duos. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass defense has slipped in recent weeks.
The Steelers selected CB Joey Porter Jr. in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but they need to continue to address the secondary during the 2024 offseason.
DeJean is one of the more athletic and versatile defenders in this draft class. He can play all over the field for Mike Tomlin’s defense. DeJean finished an impressive junior year with two interceptions and a 40.6 passer rating allowed. He allowed just 205 yards on 21 receptions.
DeJean’s makeup and versatility are an ideal fit for the Steelers’ defense that asks a lot of its backend defenders from coverage, run support and communication standpoints.
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Graham Barton, OL, Duke Fit: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to make a run to win the NFC East to close out the regular season. Though the offensive line has been inconsistent this year, the core of Tyler Smith, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith is a unit to build around for the next few years.
The two weak links are Terence Steele – who received a five-year, $82.5 million contract before the start of the season, and C Tyler Biadasz who has had his fair share of struggles and is a free agent this offseason.
Graham Barton was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Blue Devils but started his career playing center. Barton offers the versatility, strength and athleticism to play tackle, guard or center in the NFL. Some view him as the top center in this draft class.
Barton needs to add strength to his 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame, but he’s athletic in space, a mauler in the run game and has the athletic traits to continue to develop as a pass protector on the outside or inside.
Dallas values versatility in its offensive linemen, and that’s one of the major pluses in Barton’s evaluation.
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars
One of my favorite fits in this draft is Tyler Nubin to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars’ defense is having some major issues stopping opposing offenses through the air.
Whether it’s at linebacker, safety or cornerback, opposing offensive coordinators are finding fruitful passing matchups weekly. Nubin is an impact second-level player who can be a force in coverage and against the run.
Nubin’s playmaking and ball skills — and reliability in coverage — are what Jacksonville needs on defense.
Nubin finished the year with five interceptions, four passes defended, 53 tackles and one sack as one of the leaders for Minnesota’s defense. While drafting safeties in the first round has become an anomaly, Nubin would fill a big need for the Jaguars’ defense and be a tremendous value at the back end of the first round.
Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn StateFit: Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are on quite the run after a disaster start to the season.
Since trading Randy Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos’ defense has caught its stride in the past month or so.
Even with getting some positive results, adding premier talent at Edge, defensive tackle and cornerback needs to be a priority this offseason.
Penn State Edge Chop Robinson just feels like an ideal fit in the Denver defense given his quickness, explosiveness, bend and ability to win early in his rush. Robinson is still developing the technical aspect of his game.
He needs to continue working on his consistency as a rusher and run defense, but there aren’t many pass rushers in this class who possess Robinson’s natural pass-rush traits.
Penn State is known for putting some of the best athletes in the NFL, and Robinson is the next guy in line to take the league by storm.
