As the 2024 NFL season reaches its midpoint, Mel Kiper Jr. of Moneyline conducted a redraft of the April NFL Draft during a recent episode of First Draft. In this revised selection, quarterback Jayden Daniels has been elevated to the No. 1 overall position, surpassing previous consensus first pick Caleb Williams.
In Kiper's redraft, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields moved down one spot to No. 2, followed by notable players such as Drake Maye at No. 3, Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4, Joe Alt at No. 5, Malik Nabers at No. 6, JC Latham at No. 7, Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, Rome Odunze at No. 9, and Bo Nix at No. 10. The new ranking reflects a shift for Nix, who has replaced J.J. McCarthy at the tenth spot, while the order from third to ninth remained the same as the original draft.
Daniels' upward trajectory in Kiper's assessment stems from his impressive performances with the Washington Commanders, where he has thrown for 2,147 yards, achieved nine touchdowns, and recorded two interceptions, all while completing 68.7 percent of his passes amid 20 sacks. Additionally, he has rushed for 464 yards and four touchdowns, leading his team to a commendable 7-3 record. In contrast, Williams has encountered difficulties in his role with the Chicago Bears, managing 1,785 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions across nine games, with a completion rate of 60.5 percent and an alarming 38 sacks. The Bears currently hold a 4-5 record during his starts and rank low in several offensive categories.
One notable aspect of Kiper's redraft was the decision to retain Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 and Malik Nabers at No. 6, despite Nabers having superior statistics in fewer games played. Harrison has made 33 receptions for 499 yards and six touchdowns over ten games, while Nabers has recorded 61 catches for 607 yards and three touchdowns in just eight games. Nabers has showcased remarkable catches this season, indicating a potential for greater upside. Furthermore, Bo Nix's promotion into the top 10 comes as a result of his solid performance with the Denver Broncos; he has thrown for 1,968 yards, completed 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, achieved a completion percentage of 63.6, and absorbed only 17 sacks while leading his team to a surprising 5-5 record.
