The NFL Draft is a spectacle of hopes and dreams, not just for the players hoping to make their mark in the league, but also for the general managers (GMs) whose careers might hinge on making the right, or dreadfully wrong, picks.
The 2024 Draft was no exception, presenting decisions that might have some GMs looking over their shoulders. Here’s a breakdown of the four most controversial picks that could lead to some major front-office shake-ups.
Unconventional Choices Stir Controversy
San Francisco 49ers: An Unexpected Pick at No. 31
John Lynch, GM for the San Francisco 49ers, has a mixed track record with first-round picks. While successes like Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk highlight his resume, other selections have not fared as well. This year, Lynch’s choice of Ricky Pearsall at No. 31—a reach by most standards—was particularly puzzling.
With potential talents like Xavier Legette, Keon Coleman, and Ladd McConkey still on the board, the decision to opt for Pearsall seemed to confound analysts and fans alike. Could this be the decision that tips the scales on Lynch’s tenure with the 49ers?
Seattle is LOADING UP with young talent ⭐️
DT Byron Murphy II – 21
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 22
RB Kenneth Walker – 23
CB Devon Witherspoon – 23
RB Zach Charbonnet – 23
OT Charles Cross – 23
OG Christian Haynes – 24
CB Tariq Woolen – 24 pic.twitter.com/pHLnpk4fg1— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 29, 2024
Buffalo Bills: A Trade Saga with Questionable Gains
Buffalo Bills‘ GM Brandon Beane’s strategy of trading back twice in the draft, ultimately selecting Keon Coleman at No. 33, raised eyebrows. This maneuvering is reminiscent of past draft blunders, notably the infamous 2017 trade that saw the Bills miss out on Patrick Mahomes.
Beane’s latest draft antics, especially his decision to engage once again with the Kansas City Chiefs—the very team that outmaneuvered him in 2017—suggests a risky flirtation with history. While Coleman is undoubtedly talented, the necessity of these trades, particularly their strategic wisdom, remains highly questionable.
Denver Broncos: Doubled Down on a Dicey Bet
The Denver Broncos under GM George Paton have been characterized by a series of high-risk moves that have seldom panned out. This year, Paton’s decision to select Bo Nix at No. 12 appeared to be influenced by new coach Sean Payton, yet it’s a gamble that could define Paton’s legacy with the franchise.
Further compounding the risk, Denver traded up to secure Nix’s Oregon teammate Troy Franklin later in the draft, doubling down on their bet. If these moves fail to turn Denver’s fortunes around, Paton may find his position untenable.
Atlanta Falcons: A High-Stakes Gamble at No. 8
Terry Fontenot of the Atlanta Falcons took a bold step by selecting Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8. While Penix’s talent is notable, the choice is a gamble given the significant investment in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Fontenot’s strategy suggests a lack of commitment to Cousins or a deeper strategy perhaps not yet apparent.
With mixed reviews on his previous first-round picks, Fontenot’s future with the Falcons could hinge significantly on Penix’s performance.
NFL Draft Decisions
The nature of the NFL Draft is such that the full impact of these decisions won’t be felt immediately. It could take years to truly assess whether these picks were inspired or misguided. What’s clear is that the stakes are incredibly high, and for Lynch, Beane, Paton, and Fontenot, their choices in the 2024 Draft might just be the most defining moments of their careers.
Only time will reveal whether these decisions were acts of strategic foresight or serious missteps that could cost them their jobs. In the world of NFL management, risk and reward are two sides of the same coin, and this year’s draft has been no exception to that thrilling, if perilous, rule.
