2024 NFL Draft Thread - Rumors/News

[kgarrett12486]

Thought it might be easier to keep all the pre-draft news and noise in one area so it can easily be seen and found. Feel free to add anything you're hearing:

 

List of our prospect meetings/visits to date:

• Quote

   

  • Kris Abrams-Draine, Cornerback, Missouri (COM)
  • Isaiah Adams, Offensive Tackle, Illinois (COM)
  • Erick All, Tight End, Iowa (COM)
  • Braelon Allen, Running Back, Wisconsin (COM)
  • Emani Bailey, Running Back, TCU (COM)
  • A.J. Barner, Tight End, Michigan (COM)
  • Michael Barrett, Outside Linebacker, Michigan (COM)
  • Graham Barton, Offensive Guard, Duke (COM)
  • Cooper Beebe, Offensive Guard, Kansas State (COM)
  • Jaheim Bell, Tight End, Florida State (COM)
  • J.D. Bertrand, Inside Linebacker, Notre Dame (COM)
  • Tatum Bethune, Outside Linebacker, Florida State (COM)
  • Cole Bishop, Safety, Utah (COM)
  • Austin Booker, Defensive End, Kansas (COM)
  • Tanor Bortolini, Offensive Guard, Wisconsin (COM)
  • Beau Brade, Safety, Maryland (COM)
  • Javon Bullard, Cornerback, Georgia (COM)
  • Keon Coleman^, Wide Receiver, Florida State (COM, PRI)
  • Junior Colson, Linebacker, Michigan (COM)
  • Edgerrin Cooper^, Linebacker, Texas A&M (COM, PRI)
  • Malachi Corley, Wide Receiver, Western Kentucky (PRI)
  • Devin Culp, Tight End, Washington (COM)
  • Isaiah Davis, Running Back, South Dakota State (COM)
  • Ray Davis, Running Back, Kentucky (COM)
  • Marcellas Dial, Cornerback, South Carolina (COM)
  • Brandon Dorlus, Defensive Tackle, Oregon (COM)
  • Willie Drew, Cornerback, Virginia State (COM)
  • Justin Eboigbe, Defensive Tackle, Alabama (COM)
  • Troy Fautanu, Offensive Guard, Washington (COM)
  • Braden Fiske, Defensive Tackle, Florida State (COM)
  • Jaylan Ford, Outside Linebacker, Texas (COM)
  • Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Guard, Oregon State (COM)
  • Easton Gibbs, Inside Linebacker, Wyoming (COM)
  • Cedric Gray, Linebacker, North Carolina (COM)
  • Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma (COM)
  • Gabe Hall, Defensive Tackle, Baylor (COM)
  • Marcus Harris, Nose Tackle, Auburn (COM)
  • Cam Hart, Cornerback, Notre Dame (COM)
  • Christian Haynes, Offensive Guard, Connecticut (COM)
  • Jaden Hicks, Safety, Washington State (COM)
  • George Holani, Running Back, Boise State (COM)
  • Ty'Ron Hopper, Inside Linebacker, Missouri (COM)
  • Jontrey Hunter, Outside Linebacker, Georgia State (COM)
  • Adisa Isaac, Defensive End, Penn State (COM)
  • Khyree Jackson, Cornerback, Oregon (COM)
  • McKinnley Jackson, Nose Tackle, Texas A&M (COM)
  • Curtis Jacobs, Inside Linebacker, Penn State (COM)
  • Kris Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Michigan (COM)
  • Cornelius Johnson, Wide Receiver, Michigan (COM)
  • Theo Johnson, Tight End, Penn State (COM)
  • Mohamed Kamara, Defensive End, Colorado State (COM)
  • Marshawn Kneeland^, Defensive End, Western Michigan (COM, PRI)
  • Tyrice Knight, Inside Linebacker, UTEP (PRI)
  • Kamari Lassiter, Cornerback, Georgia (COM)
  • Laiatu Latu, Defensive End, UCLA (COM)
  • Dylan Laube, Running Back, New Hampshire (COM)
  • Devin Leary, Quarterback, Kentucky (COM)
  • MarShawn Lloyd, Running Back, USC (COM)
  • Jordan Magee, Linebacker, Temple (COM)
  • Christian Mahogany, Offensive Guard, Boston College (COM)
  • J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan (COM)
  • Tanner McLachlan, Tight End, Arizona (COM)
  • Jalen McMillan, Wide Receiver, Washington (COM)
  • Max Melton, Cornerback, Rutgers (COM)
  • Kendall Milton, Running Back, Georgia (COM)
  • Jordan Morgan, Offensive Tackle, Arizona (COM)
  • Darius Muasau, Linebacker, UCLA (COM)
  • Gabriel Murphy, Defensive End, UCLA (COM)
  • Malik Mustapha, Safety, Wake Forest (COM)
  • Bo Nix, Quarterback, Oregon (COM)
  • Ruke Orhorhoro, Defensive Tackle, Clemson (COM)
  • Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback, Washington (COM)
  • Andru Phillips, Cornerback, Kentucky (COM)
  • Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon (COM)
  • Michael Pratt, Quarterback, Tulane (COM)
  • Dominick Puni, Offensive Tackle, Kansas (COM)
  • Spencer Rattler, Quarterback, South Carolina (COM)
  • Andrew Raym, Center, Oklahoma (COM)
  • Tip Reiman, Tight End, Illinois (PRI)
  • Chop Robinson, Outside Linebacker, Penn State (COM)
  • Will Shipley, Running Back, Clemson (COM)
  • Ben Sinnott, Tight End, Kansas State (COM)
  • Ainias Smith, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M (COM)
  • Tykee Smith, Safety, Georgia (COM)
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford, Tight End, Minnesota (COM)
  • Cade Stover, Tight End, Ohio State (COM)
  • T.J. Tampa, Cornerback, Iowa State (COM)
  • Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU (COM)
  • Xavier Thomas, Defensive End, Clemson (COM)
  • David Ugwoegbu, Defensive Line, Houston (COM)
  • Taylor Upshaw^, Defensive End, Arizona (LOC, PRI)
  • Jared Verse, Defensive End, Florida State (COM)
  • Nathaniel Watson, Outside Linebacker, Mississippi State (COM)
  • Eric Watts, 3-4 Defensive End, Connecticut (COM)
  • Xavier Weaver, Wide Receiver, Colorado (COM)
  • Jordan Whittington, Wide Receiver, Texas (COM)
  • Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson (COM)
  • Evan Williams, Safety, Oregon (COM)
  • Miyan Williams, Running Back, Ohio State (COM)
  • Payton Wilson, Linebacker, N.C. State (COM)

   

   

[indifference]

if we don't trade up i think Bucs will be taking a CB round 3

[kgarrett12486]

1 hour ago, indifference said:

if we don't trade up i think Bucs will be taking a CB round 3

I definitely think they'll be taking a CB somewhere between rounds 1-3. Cooper DeJean just screams a Bowles guy. 

[indifference]

16 hours ago, kgarrett12486 said:

I definitely think they'll be taking a CB somewhere between rounds 1-3. Cooper DeJean just screams a Bowles guy. 

I like Coop would not be mad. He's a ball hawking CB who has a knack for jumping routes and creating TO's. The lack of INT's from our CB's over the past years have hurt us.

[BucsDraftGeek47]

19 hours ago, kgarrett12486 said:

I definitely think they'll be taking a CB somewhere between rounds 1-3. Cooper DeJean just screams a Bowles guy. 

Love the DeJean pick at 26 if we stay pat, i think there is a home for him as an outside CB for us

my favs for that pick as or right now are:

Jackson Powers-Johnson (imo by draft day this guy is going to go a lot higher than ppl anticipate)

Laiatu Latu

Cooper DeJean

 

 

[kgarrett12486]

3 hours ago, indifference said:

I like Coop would not be mad. He's a ball hawking CB who has a knack for jumping routes and creating TO's. The lack of INT's from our CB's over the past years have hurt us.

He's also apparently a good return guy as well and now with the kickoff rule changes, that becomes a factor again in the game. 

[RedandPewterReturns]

I think Dejean would translate to a nickel or safety with his ball hawking skills in a more zone based scheme. 

I wouldn't hate the pick - but some times i feel like there may not be a true position for him on the outside. Do you take him at 26? I wouldn't if a Pass Rusher who I feel has upside on the board. 

 

[RedandPewterReturns]

I do think this Pick will either be a G/C or Edge rusher. 

I'm not sure what the opinion is of Latu - Edge rusher from UCLA is. I see a wide variety of projections in mocks. Some think if there wasn't the medical history of him being told to retire due to his neck at some point - he'd be gone to Atlanta at #8 easily. Some have him falling to us or Arizona at 26 and 27. 

It would be a huge risk if Licht does take him. I am surprised someone who had an initial career ending neck injury was given the green light to play football again (but hey i'm not a doctor). 

Another option is Chop Robinson. I honestly think he's your typical boom or bust player. He's a gifted athlete but has some pass rush moves to learn and develop. Against teams like Michigan State - he wass winning with speed easily. When it came to Michigan and Ohio state - better tackles were just pushing him out of plays. 

I'm a penn state homer so I can give that honest assessment. He's probably better than what the stat sheet said - and he does have a good deal of strength. But if he fails to use his hands and bend better - he'll be a bust as a football player. Theres a reason some have him as high as top 20 or early to mid second round. Tough projection. 

On the offensive side of the ball: Graham Barton to me is a safe and easy pick who will translate inside. He's played Center and Guard plus LT for Duke. He'd be a road grater in the run game - something we need. But I am seeing some scenarios where he and Jackson Powers are gone by pick 21 (Steelers and Dolphins). 

Kool Aid McKinstrie to me can be a plug and play starter immediately on many rosters. He may not have the biggest ceiling but he'll be a solid corner off the bat. The question I have about him is - is he better off in a man coverage scheme? Some analysis I see is he would be a waste in zone coverage and Bowles did that last year - playing a lot more zone and not utilizing Dean and Davis to their strengths. He'd be a better athlete at the position than Carlton Davis but their similar style corners who don't create a lot of turnovers. 

I wouldn't be shocked if say a Brian Thomas drops to 26 and we take him either. I think that is almost doubtful as he can easily go top 15 and at worst 20. If Arizona drops to 11 trading with Minnesota - I'd say he'll go 11 easily.  

[kgarrett12486]

2 hours ago, RedandPewterReturns said:

I do think this Pick will either be a G/C or Edge rusher. 

I'm not sure what the opinion is of Latu - Edge rusher from UCLA is. I see a wide variety of projections in mocks. Some think if there wasn't the medical history of him being told to retire due to his neck at some point - he'd be gone to Atlanta at #8 easily. Some have him falling to us or Arizona at 26 and 27. 

It would be a huge risk if Licht does take him. I am surprised someone who had an initial career ending neck injury was given the green light to play football again (but hey i'm not a doctor). 

Another option is Chop Robinson. I honestly think he's your typical boom or bust player. He's a gifted athlete but has some pass rush moves to learn and develop. Against teams like Michigan State - he wass winning with speed easily. When it came to Michigan and Ohio state - better tackles were just pushing him out of plays. 

I'm a penn state homer so I can give that honest assessment. He's probably better than what the stat sheet said - and he does have a good deal of strength. But if he fails to use his hands and bend better - he'll be a bust as a football player. Theres a reason some have him as high as top 20 or early to mid second round. Tough projection. 

On the offensive side of the ball: Graham Barton to me is a safe and easy pick who will translate inside. He's played Center and Guard plus LT for Duke. He'd be a road grater in the run game - something we need. But I am seeing some scenarios where he and Jackson Powers are gone by pick 21 (Steelers and Dolphins). 

Kool Aid McKinstrie to me can be a plug and play starter immediately on many rosters. He may not have the biggest ceiling but he'll be a solid corner off the bat. The question I have about him is - is he better off in a man coverage scheme? Some analysis I see is he would be a waste in zone coverage and Bowles did that last year - playing a lot more zone and not utilizing Dean and Davis to their strengths. He'd be a better athlete at the position than Carlton Davis but their similar style corners who don't create a lot of turnovers. 

I wouldn't be shocked if say a Brian Thomas drops to 26 and we take him either. I think that is almost doubtful as he can easily go top 15 and at worst 20. If Arizona drops to 11 trading with Minnesota - I'd say he'll go 11 easily.  

Still think 1st round is about BPA - especially for an area of need. Licht has always shown knack for that mantra. Therefore, I wouldn't just limit us to EDGE or IOL, I think you could easily see us go WR, CB or even ILB depending on who is there. 

Latu is such a tough call. He showed much more athleticism than I aniticpated at the combine. His tap is good and he already has a more refined pass rush aresenal than probably anyone in the class. He seems like a guy who is probably at his ceiling already, but what is wrong with that? Probably talking a perinial 8-12 sack a year guy. The health is the issue, but honestly there have been others that have had same issue (Danielle Hunter) and gone onto have productive and long careers. I wouldn't mind him at all if he falls, as I think you're probably getting the 2nd best pass rusher.

Like you said, I have no idea how to evaluate Robinson. He is just so raw. I was a guy that pounded the table for JTS in that draft cycle, as I saw the raw traits and thought his technique could be refined and he could be coached u pto develop the pass aresenal. I got burned by that, as he just has never taken those steps and still has the liabilites to boot with that. I see the same path with Robinson potentially. That to me is not a 1st round guy we can afford right now (it was different coming off the SB with JTS and the roster we had in place at time). 

I want no part of Kool-Aid McKinstrie. Not a fan at all. He just coasts on his athleticism. Rather go with a guy like DeJean, or wait till the 2nd and get a guy like Kris Abrams-Draine - both fit the Bowles mold/coverage type to the T.

I'd keep an eye on Edgerrin Cooper as well. Does Bowles go back to the ILB well?

[indifference]

22 hours ago, RedandPewterReturns said:

I do think this Pick will either be a G/C or Edge rusher. 

I'm not sure what the opinion is of Latu - Edge rusher from UCLA is. I see a wide variety of projections in mocks. Some think if there wasn't the medical history of him being told to retire due to his neck at some point - he'd be gone to Atlanta at #8 easily. Some have him falling to us or Arizona at 26 and 27. 

It would be a huge risk if Licht does take him. I am surprised someone who had an initial career ending neck injury was given the green light to play football again (but hey i'm not a doctor). 

Another option is Chop Robinson. I honestly think he's your typical boom or bust player. He's a gifted athlete but has some pass rush moves to learn and develop. Against teams like Michigan State - he wass winning with speed easily. When it came to Michigan and Ohio state - better tackles were just pushing him out of plays. 

I'm a penn state homer so I can give that honest assessment. He's probably better than what the stat sheet said - and he does have a good deal of strength. But if he fails to use his hands and bend better - he'll be a bust as a football player. Theres a reason some have him as high as top 20 or early to mid second round. Tough projection. 

On the offensive side of the ball: Graham Barton to me is a safe and easy pick who will translate inside. He's played Center and Guard plus LT for Duke. He'd be a road grater in the run game - something we need. But I am seeing some scenarios where he and Jackson Powers are gone by pick 21 (Steelers and Dolphins). 

Kool Aid McKinstrie to me can be a plug and play starter immediately on many rosters. He may not have the biggest ceiling but he'll be a solid corner off the bat. The question I have about him is - is he better off in a man coverage scheme? Some analysis I see is he would be a waste in zone coverage and Bowles did that last year - playing a lot more zone and not utilizing Dean and Davis to their strengths. He'd be a better athlete at the position than Carlton Davis but their similar style corners who don't create a lot of turnovers. 

I wouldn't be shocked if say a Brian Thomas drops to 26 and we take him either. I think that is almost doubtful as he can easily go top 15 and at worst 20. If Arizona drops to 11 trading with Minnesota - I'd say he'll go 11 easily.  

Personally, if Latu is there at 26 you take him. I think its worth the risk depending on whose on the board. He's the only thing missing to our defense really and we could be dominant if he stays healthy. 26 is a weird spot to be in

[kgarrett12486]

3 hours ago, indifference said:

Personally, if Latu is there at 26 you take him. I think its worth the risk depending on whose on the board. He's the only thing missing to our defense really and we could be dominant if he stays healthy. 26 is a weird spot to be in

I'm on agreement. It's worth the risk. He's so polished already. Would be a welcome change from some of the edges we drafted recently.

[indifference]

3 hours ago, kgarrett12486 said:

I'm on agreement. It's worth the risk. He's so polished already. Would be a welcome change from some of the edges we drafted recently.

And if he flames out and busts due to injury..it doesn't set us back too far

I'd be a lot more cautious if we were picking top 10.  

[RedandPewterReturns]

15 hours ago, indifference said:

And if he flames out and busts due to injury..it doesn't set us back too far

I'd be a lot more cautious if we were picking top 10.  

Ya I agree. Heck I'd run that ticket up to the podium at 26. I posed the question - but as a fan, i'll take him. (unless team doctors and opinions overwhelmingly don't make Licht feel comfortable.)

I'm also not against taking Chop Robinson at 26 either. Just giving my eval - Its a risk but the reward could be even better. He'd be a guy I'd bring along slowly off the bench to utilize his speed and strength. But he does need to get better with his hands. 

[RedandPewterReturns]

The draft is stacked on OL - both Tackle and IOL. 

Crazy that Barton and Powers could be gone at 26 when normally you can steal the top Guard or Center here. Pittsburgh is the one to watch where they can go Guard/Tackle/Receiver at 18. I think the Dolphins are going to pick IOL or DT. Will see on draft day. 

I'm usually not one to pick a guard in round 1 as they've been found in rounds 2 through 4 of drafts easily and I trust Licht's ability to find OL at any school it seems. 

I think a position of "NEED" that doesn't get addressed early is ILB. I don't think this draft is very good nor deep. Some may question the top 3 LB's are even worth the grade/draft selection they're going to go on day 2. Do we invest in an ILB - knowing Dennis showed loads of potential in Camp and preseason Last year? Or how the defense improved when Britt replaced White? I think its a position that doesn't need an immediate fill and wouldn't reach for someone early on. But happy to hear everyone elses' thoughts. 

[kgarrett12486]

2 hours ago, RedandPewterReturns said:

The draft is stacked on OL - both Tackle and IOL. 

Crazy that Barton and Powers could be gone at 26 when normally you can steal the top Guard or Center here. Pittsburgh is the one to watch where they can go Guard/Tackle/Receiver at 18. I think the Dolphins are going to pick IOL or DT. Will see on draft day. 

I'm usually not one to pick a guard in round 1 as they've been found in rounds 2 through 4 of drafts easily and I trust Licht's ability to find OL at any school it seems. 

I think a position of "NEED" that doesn't get addressed early is ILB. I don't think this draft is very good nor deep. Some may question the top 3 LB's are even worth the grade/draft selection they're going to go on day 2. Do we invest in an ILB - knowing Dennis showed loads of potential in Camp and preseason Last year? Or how the defense improved when Britt replaced White? I think its a position that doesn't need an immediate fill and wouldn't reach for someone early on. But happy to hear everyone elses' thoughts. 

Absolutely. This Oline  class if very deep. It's got everything, the blue chip LT prospects, the versatile tackles who can play either spot, the raw athleticism guys, the road graders, etc.

I think you're likely going to see Alt, Fashanu, Latham, Fuaga all go in the top-15. Then that next tier/run on OT's probably start in late teens or early 20's with likes of Fautanu, Mims, Barton and Guyton all being potential picks. I'm sure Powers-Johnson will probably be in the grouping as well. There are tons of names here and potentoial for one of them to make it to 26. 

Honestly though, I'm fine waiting until round (2) if needed to get some OG/C help. This class has the depth to get a very good/polished starter in 2nd-3rd rounds. I really like guys like Zach Frazier and Christian Haynes for where we'll be in the 2nd. Especially Haynes. He seems like a great fit for what Coen likes to do in the run game and the need for athletic gaurds. 

I agree with you on ILB class being really weak. The only guy that should even sniff the late 1st is Edgerrin Cooper. I like him as a prospect and wouldn't hate the pick if the board fell that way, but like you said in a 3-4 defense the ILB isn't nearly as important IMO as a MIKE in a 4-3. You can find very capable starters for the ILB anywhere from rounds 2-5 in most drafts. I could totally see Bowles though falling in love with Cooper's skill-set.