Full NFL Draft 2024 Rounds 4-7 picks and analysis: Live updates as Jaylen Key is 'Mr. Irrelevant'

We've reached the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft. Follow along for updates.
Dane Brugler, Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman and more
Full NFL Draft 2024 Rounds 4-7 picks and analysis: Live updates as Jaylen Key is 'Mr. Irrelevant'
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The Athletic NFL Staff

The 2024 NFL Draft is complete. Here's what to know

Three days and 257 picks later, the 2024 NFL Draft is over.

From No. 1 (Bears quarterback Caleb Williams) to No. 257 (Jets safety Jaylen Key), you can catch up on all of the action here, with news, analysis and reaction from The Athletic's NFL staff.

View every selection in our pick-by-pick tracker.

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Dynasty value in Kimani Vidal

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh subscribes to the “run the damn ball” mindset and recently said that he sees offensive linemen as offensive weapons akin to skill position players.

Keep that in mind when considering the fantasy value of sixth-round draft pick Kimani Vidal. Los Angeles has a crowded backfield, but J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both have questionable durability track records. Vidal ranked second in the FBS in forced missed tackles in 2023 and has the power-rushing skills that a perfect fit in a Harbaugh system.

Combine these together and it makes Vidal a very good dynasty selection in fantasy football.

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Round 6, No. 189: Lions draft LSU DT Mekhi Wingo

The Detroit Lions selected LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo with the 189th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Wingo: A two-year starter at LSU, Wingo lined up primarily as the three-technique in former defensive coordinator Matt House’s even fronts, also seeing snaps over or outside the tackle. After one season at Missouri, he transferred to Baton Rouge, where he became a team captain and was awarded the No. 18 jersey, which is worn by the player who best represents the traits and spirit that “defines LSU greatness.”

A powerful, energetic athlete, Wingo is agile and flexible in tight spaces with the body control to shoot or loop gaps. While he can win quickly at the snap, he can also be washed by down blocks and smothered by bigger bodies.

Overall, Wingo has a short-armed, squatty body type with an inconsistent anchor, but his first-step quickness and shock in his hands often gives him early advantages. He has NFL starting potential as a three-technique in a four-man front, projecting as a not-as-explosive version of Ed Oliver.

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Round 6, No. 188: Texans draft Oregon LB Jamal Hill

The Houston Texans selected Oregon linebacker Jamal Hill with the 188th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Hill: After playing a nickel role his first four seasons, he moved to inside linebacker as a super senior in 2023. He was also a versatile performer all five years on special teams. Hill is experienced reading the field from depth and patrolling space as a “rat” player. He has the speed to fly outside the numbers or make stops at the line of scrimmage. He struggled at times when stacked but flows well to slice through traffic with proper angles, and he strikes with power and finishes tackles at a high rate.

Overall, Hill might be without a true position in most schemes, but he can be a standout on coverage teams and provide depth as a hybrid ‘backer in subpackages.

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Kimani Vidal's connection to baseball great Hank Aaron

Troy RB and Chargers draft pick Kimani Vidal has a famous connection to the baseball world.

Round 6, No. 187: Falcons draft Illinois WR Casey Washington

The Atlanta Falcons selected Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington with the 187th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Washington: Casey Washington grew up in an athletic family — his father (Greg) played football at Kansas State (1987-89), and his sister (Loren) played volleyball at Texas A&M-Kingsville. A three-star recruit, he went underrecruited in Pflugerville’s run-heavy, wing-T offense. He committed to Illinois over Kansas. After three seasons with the Illini, Washington briefly transferred to Wake Forest for 2021 spring practices before returning to the Illini, under new head coach Bret Bielema.

He set career bests in 2023 (three of his four career touchdown catches came in his final game). Though he turned heads at his pro day, his tape doesn’t spark the same excitement, because of his inefficient route running and struggles to set up coverage. His top selling point is his hand-eye coordination.

Overall, Washington is a sleek, speedy athlete with secure hands to be a possession target, but he struggles to create consistent separation and needs to prove himself on special teams.

Qwan'tez Stiggers said that Jets cornerbacks coach Tony Oden pranked him recently, and called him saying he was with the IRS and wanted to know if he was paying his Canadian taxes.

Stiggers and Oden became close in the pre-draft process.

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Round 6, No. 186: Falcons draft Alabama RB Jase McClellan

The Atlanta Falcons selected Alabama running back Jase McClellan with the 186th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on McClellan: A one-year starter at Alabama, McClellan became the featured runner as a senior in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ multiple run scheme. After playing behind Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, he finally got his chance — although, he turned in average results with just two 100-yard rushing games as he battled a foot injury.

McClellan is a tough, physical runner with urgency through lanes when he sees daylight but some indecisiveness when the entry isn’t as clean. Though he has quick acceleration through the hole, he had a tough time finding explosive plays the last two seasons, with just 11 of his 292 carries (3.6 percent) going for 20-plus yards.

Overall, McClellan lacks a true distinguishing trait to separate him in this running back class, but he has functional size, quickness and contact balance to be a quality backfield option if given the chance. His development as a receiver and blocker might be the difference in whether or not he can claim a permanent NFL role.

Round 6, No. 185: Eagles draft Florida State WR Johnny Wilson

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson with the 185th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Wilson: A two-year starter at Florida State, Wilson was primarily an outside receiver in head coach Mike Norvell’s up-tempo scheme. A former top recruit, he struggled with injuries at Arizona State before becoming a focal point of the Seminoles’ offense, although he took a backseat to Keon Coleman in 2023. Wilson eats up grass with his long strides and does his best work on one-cut/runway routes, but he isn’t a natural separator and lacks nuance as a route runner. Even though he will occasionally expand his catch radius and dunk over defenders, he fights the ball too much and makes routine grabs tougher than they should be (15 career drops).

Overall, Wilson has imposing size and stride length for potential mismatch opportunities, but he doesn’t always play up to his frame and currently lacks consistent focus and route precision for what the NFL requires. He reminds me of a lesser version of Devin Funchess (considered a tight end by several teams).

Round 6, No. 184: Dolphins draft Virginia WR Malik Washington

Round 6, No. 184: Dolphins draft Virginia WR Malik Washington

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The Miami Dolphins selected Virginia wide receiver Malik Washington with the 184th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Washington: A one-year starter at Virginia, Washington worked mostly out of the slot in head coach Tony Elliott’s offensive scheme (87.9 percent of his snaps came at inside receiver). His receiving production improved each of his four seasons at Northwestern, but he exploded in his one season for the Cavaliers, setting a new ACC record with 110 catches and leading the FBS with 10 games of 100-plus yards.

Washington has extraordinary quickness and gets up to top speed in a hurry to immediately put cornerbacks in conflict (Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are the only players in this draft class who had more catches of 20-plus yards in 2023). He is a playmaker at the catch point (minuscule 2.5 percent drop rate in his career), although his catch radius is average, and he needs to prove that he can handle a larger route-running menu.

Overall, Washington is undersized and needs to continue refining his route steps, but his explosive movements, rugged toughness and catchpoint skills will make him a factor in the slot for an NFL offense. He also has the skill set to immediately contribute in the return game.

Have to like the process from Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh in their first Chargers draft together. Addressed pretty much every pressing need — OL, WR, CB, RB, LB, IDL — without sacrificing value.

Round 6, No. 183: Giants draft UCLA LB Darius Muasau

Round 6, No. 183: Giants draft UCLA LB Darius Muasau

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The New York Giants selected UCLA linebacker Darius Muasau with the 183rd pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Muasau: A two-year starter at UCLA, Muasau played Mike linebacker in former defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After three productive seasons at Hawaii, he led the Bruins in tackles in both of his seasons in Westwood and has an impressive collegiate resume — he played in every game the last five years and compiled 440 tackles and 40.0 tackles for loss.

A quick-reacting defender, Muasau has the vision that gives him a head start on the play, which expands his lateral range and helps him make stops near the line of scrimmage. He is aware in short-zone coverage, although he lacks the movement skills to stay connected to backs or tight ends in man coverage.

Overall, Muasau might not be elite in any one area, but he is a well-rounded linebacker with the play recognition and tackling skills that will translate to any level. Similar in ways to Sione Takitaki, he projects as an NFL backup who can hold his own when he sees the field.

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New Packers safety Kitan Oladapo's mom was opposed to him switching from soccer to football in sixth grade.

"She's come around now obviously seeing all those zeroes in my bank account."

Round 6, No. 182: Titans draft Tulane WR Jha'Quan Jackson

The Tennessee Titans selected Tulane wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson with the 182nd pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Jackson: A three-year starter at Tulane, Jackson worked primarily in the slot in former offensive coordinator Slade Nagle’s scheme (82.4 percent of his snaps came in the slot in 2023). The production doesn’t jump off the page (one career 100-yard receiving performance in 56 games played), as he played through several injuries, but the offense looked different when he was on the field.

A dynamic athlete, Jackson also has route polish and understands how to stem/set up defensive backs to get open underneath or win vertically (models his game after Zay Flowers; Darnell Mooney took him under his wing when Jackson was a freshman and guided him in the right direction). He tracks the ball well with soft hands but lacks the frame, body strength or length to consistently outduel defenders on 50-50 passes.

Overall, Jackson is undersized and needs to stay off the injury report, but he offers both long speed and short-area quickness, along with the route instincts to create pockets of separation for his quarterback. He projects as an NFL slot with Day 1 value as a punt returner.

Round 6, No. 181: Chargers draft Troy RB Kimani Vidal

Round 6, No. 181: Chargers draft Troy RB Kimani Vidal

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The Los Angeles Chargers selected Troy running back Kimani Vidal with the 181st pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Vidal: A three-year starter at Troy, Vidal was a workhorse back in former offensive coordinator Joe Craddock’s balanced run scheme. His production improved in each of his four seasons with the program, including a school-record 1,661 rushing yards during the 2023 season, which ranked No. 2 in the FBS. Vidal finished as Troy’s all-time leading rusher (4,010 career yards).

Although he didn’t put a ton of home runs on film, Vidal hit plenty of singles and doubles (led the FBS with 47 carries of 10-plus yards in 2023), thanks to his low center of gravity and quick feet to pinball off contact. He offers third-down value with his blocking skills, but he might be limited as a screen-only target as a receiver.

Overall, Vidal isn’t the most dynamic in the open field, but his contact balance, run power and pass-pro skills will appeal to a team searching for an instinctive between-the-tackles back. He will have a chance to earn a rotational spot in camp.

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Round 6, No. 180: Patriots draft South Carolina CB Marcellas Dial

The New England Patriots selected South Carolina cornerback Marcellas Dial with the 180th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Dial: A three-year starter at South Carolina, Dial played outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Clayton White’s multiple -coverage scheme. Once he arrived in Columbia, he was one of the most productive defensive backs in the SEC with a combined 25 passes defended over the last two seasons.

Dial is a good-sized athlete with the length and speed desired at the position, but his lack of fluidity hurts his ability to stay connected in press man. Though he can click and close with a head of steam, his instincts are spotty, and his finishing skills as a tackler need to be addressed.

Overall, Dial has the ball skills and burst that give him a chance to earn an NFL role, but his undisciplined spacing in coverage must improve to match up with NFL receivers. He could be an option for zone schemes.

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Round 6, No. 179: Seahawks draft Utah G Sataoa Laumea

The Seattle Seahawks selected Utah guard Sataoa Laumea with the 179th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Laumea: A four-year starter at Utah, Laumea started at right tackle in offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig’s zone-based run scheme. After he was pressed into action as a redshirt freshman, he rattled off four straight seasons of All-Pac-12 play, splitting his snaps between right guard (1,284) and right tackle (1,726).

With his foot quickness and knockback power, Laumea delivers pop in the run game and controls his man at the point of attack. He has the tools for pass protection, but inconsistent weight transfer can diminish his reactions versus inside moves and ability to anchor on command (gave up multiple pressures on all 2023 tapes studied).

Overall, Laumea is at his best leveraging gaps in the run game, although movement pattern flaws as a pass blocker requires NFL coaching before he sees the field at the next level. He has the versatile experience to play tackle in a pinch but has a guard skill set with down-the-road starting potential.

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Round 6, No. 178: Steelers draft Iowa DT Logan Lee

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Iowa defensive tackle Logan Lee with the 178th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Lee: A three-year starter at Iowa, Lee played defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s even-man front, lining up primarily over the B-gap. He was a model of consistency for the Hawkeyes, starting every game since his sophomore season and posting consistent production each year.

Quicker than he is explosive, Lee is an active player with aggressive hands and a nose for the football. What he lacks in creativity, he makes up for with his assignment-sound approach, but he lacks the desired power twitch for interior work and might not have the range or ability at the point of attack for outside or five-technique versatility.

Overall, Lee is a good-looking athlete with a worker-bee attitude, although his frame and skill set might find him caught in between positions at the next level, limiting his NFL ceiling. He projects best as a reserve base end or three-technique in a four-man line.

Round 6, No. 177: Vikings draft Oklahoma OT Walter Rouse

Round 6, No. 177: Vikings draft Oklahoma OT Walter Rouse

(Photo: Bryan Terry / The Oklahoman / USA Today Network)

The Minnesota Vikings selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Walter Rouse with the 177th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Rouse: A one-year starter at Oklahoma, Rouse replaced Anton Harrison at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo, RPO-based scheme. Considered a likely undrafted NFL prospect after four seasons at Stanford, he transferred to Norman for his final college season and made noticeable improvements, which turned him into a draftable option.

In pass protection, Rouse works hard to maximize his length and has learned to trust his spatial awareness, although NFL rushers will be able to expose his stiffness when attempting to redirect. It might not always look pretty, but he has enough drive to flush out defenders in the run game.

Overall, Rouse might not have a distinguishing trait to hang his hat on, but he has NFL size and smarts with passable athleticism and strength to compete for an NFL roster spot. He is a potential swing tackle at the next level.

Five rounds and 176 picks down. Two rounds and 89 picks to go.

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