Tag: NFL Draft

Spare the off-the-field, debate-show semantics around Williams’ personality. Few prospects have ever been more tailored to their era than Williams entering the NFL now.

The 2022 Heisman winner has a rocket arm, a knack for playmaking  in and out of the pocket, and is superb in his off-platform throws and unique throwing angles. He’s Mahomes-ian in many ways — including his time spent under Kliff Kingsbury in college — and there’s possibly a dash of more on-the-move Aaron Rodgers ability to his game, as well.

Valid concerns include his hunting for big plays versus taking proper checkdown throws, as well as his projection from a college-style offense to a pro one. His 6-foot-1, 214-pound frame doesn’t bother me, as he has a stouter/muscular build that is halfway Jalen Hurts-ian (and maybe more Mahomes, again). He should be able to take the hits. Chicago fans should be excited for this new era.

No player skyrocketed up draft boards during the 2023 college football season quite like Daniels. His eye-popping numbers earned him a Heisman trophy in December, and now many are wondering how his game will translate to the pros.

His slender frame (6-4, 210 lbs) and Evel Knievel-ish running style are somewhat concerning, but Daniels’ straight-line speed, throwing mechanics and passing accuracy are a delightful combination.

Even if you take away his speed, he looks like a natural thrower in the pocket, especially throwing outside the numbers. He has a beautiful touch and lightning-quick release. His arm strength is adequate for the pro game, but his tuck-and-run ability seems too frequent and impatient for the NFL level. There’s not many throw-on-the-run reps on film. He either throws in-pocket or moves off his progression and runs. His college scramble rate on non-pressured dropbacks (9.4%) was higher than Justin Fields’ mark (8%) and much higher than Caleb Williams (3%). (h/t @fball_insights).

Ultimately, new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is one of the more qualified teachers when it comes to ushering in a unique prospect like Daniels to the pros. Daniels should spend almost all of his time in shotgun in Washington. He’s not a dual threat QB who thrives on designed rushes. He doesn’t move laterally like Lamar Jackson, nor does he sport the Ravens QB’s quickness. Daniels also lacks the frame to pull off Cam Newton-esque ‘QB power’ concepts or Jalen Hurts-like zone-read reps. Daniels is more of a scrambler. He’ll need to adapt to NFL-level middle-of-the-field reads, but there’s great ability in him if activated. It’ll be fascinating to witness.

Maye is your classic “built in a lab” QB prospect with ideal size (6-4, 223 lbs) and arm talent. He struggled some in his final college season at North Carolina, but his supporting cast wasn’t all that great.

Maye processes and lasers in NFL-level middle-of-the-field throws better than anyone in this class, and he has the athletic ability and playmaking traits to thrive off-script. However, he has an elongated throwing motion and tends to drift in the pocket, often throwing without his feet set. There’s some electric off-platform throws mixed in with some off-the-mark, inaccurate darts. There’s mechanical issues that will need some work, and he’ll need to develop more ball placement consistency.

OC Alex Van Pelt and former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo lead the new brass of Patriots quarterback development. Van Pelt puts a great deal of stock into footwork and mechanics when it come to passing.

Maye, along with Williams and Daniels, spent over 90 percent of his college snaps in shotgun, according to TruMedia, which isn’t a rarity for college ball. Maye has more work in pistol formations, where the QB turns his back to the defense on play-action throws. That’s a start, but the Patriots coaching staff will be tasked with teaching Maye how to thrive on under-center play-action concepts we can probably expect from a Van Pelt offense on early downs.

But the talent is obviously there. Maye leads all college quarterbacks since 2022 in two key PFF metrics: big-time throws (79) and passing grade (96.7).

If picks 2 and 3 do go this way, I think this: Washington is a much better scheme fit for Jayden Daniels than New England. And although Drake Maye could fit in any system (Shanahan-style, Josh McDaniels, Air Raid, etc.), he’s certainly the best fit for the Patriots, from New England’s perspective.

Unlike QB-needy teams who have a plan in motion and roster in place to compete (think: Minnesota), New England needs far more than a run-of-the-mill first-round QB prospect. They essentially need a quarterback “Messiah,” and after Williams, Maye best fits that mold. New England should be happy to take the Tar Heel here.

Son of Peyton Manning’s favorite target, Marvin’s skillset transcend that of just a Hall-of-Fame wide receiver’s kid. He’s lauded as one of the best receiver prospects of all-time. In terms of pre-draft hype, he seems firmly in the Larry Fitzgerald-Calvin Johnson-Ja’Marr Chase pantheon.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Harrison is a route-runners delight, drawing warranted comparisons to Davante Adams as a taller receiver with incredible smoothness and polish as a quick-footed separator. Because of that, he can move around the formation as both a perimeter and slot option, despite playing 84% of his Ohio State snaps on the boundary.

Harrison gives Kyler Murray a top-flight receiving option, and helps establish a pass-catching pecking order that continues with promising tight end Trey McBride and sure-handed possession receiver Michael Wilson.

Many will point to McCarthy’s not-asked-to-do-much resume at Michigan, but I’d argue his throw-on-the-run and crunch-time reps are pretty impressive on tape.

The National Championship-winning QB is a bit of a projection, but to me, he’s certainly worthy a first-round selection if you’re running a more-established Shanahan/McVay-style offense.

Minnesota already has the weapons (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson) and bridge QB (Sam Darnold) to help ease McCarthy into the league.

With time, he could turn into a menace on under-center, play-action bootleg reps. This could be an odd comp if you can’t see it, but to me he’s a college basketball-esque, senior point guard distributor. He’s a great athlete with ample size (6-2, 219 lbs). His potential is that of a new-age version of a classic/vintage west-coast passer with middle-of-field accuracy and intangibles that eventually could help the Vikings get back to winning close games (11-0 in one-score games in 2022).

Nine out of 10 drafts, Nabers would be a surefire WR1. Nabers has absurd speed and YAC ability for his size (6-0, 200lbs). PFF graded him first among his draft class peers in just about every WR metric — grades on receiving, vs. man coverage, vs. zone coverage, in the slot.

He can line up anywhere (54% of college snaps in slot, 46% on outside). He’s drawn comps to former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr. That fits the bill to me, but he has more quick-slant-to-the-house potential and less catch-point ability.

Nabers would help set the target order for QB Daniel Jones, who has Darius Slayton, vertical threat (only) Jalin Hyatt, gadgety Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Darren Waller at the top of the pass-catching totem pole right now.

Alt is a massive presence (6-9, 321 lbs) with combine metrics worthy of one of the best draft prospects at his position, ever. Coming over from San Francisco, Titans GM Ran Carthon gets his Trent Williams here to help usher in the Will Levis-era, even if Williams and Alt are different prospects. New Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan and father Bill (OL coach; former Raiders head coach) will be happy with this.

Similar to what I wrote in the Nabers selection, Odunze would probably be a WR1 in most drafts.

He’s more polished than Malik Nabers, with similar ball skills and catch-point ability as DeAndre Hopkins, but with better size (6-3, 212 lbs), speed, strentgth/physicality and yards-after-catch/contact potential.

The Jets patched up the offensive line in free agency and now can pair Odunze with Garrett Wilson, giving Aaron Rodgers one of the nastier X-Z receiver combos in pro football.

New Bears OC Shane Waldron was a 12 personnel-heavy play-caller in Seattle before the Seahawks drafted slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Ngiba last spring. With D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen in the fold for Caleb Williams, the Bears blur the line between 11 and 12 personnel looks by complimenting traditional ‘Y’ tight end Cole Kmet with Bowers.

The Georgia product is one of the top five non-QB prospects in this draft in my opinion. Chicago can move the 6-3, 243-pound playmaker around the formation, but I see him best used as a slot playmaker who maybe lines up in Dalton Kincaid-ish spots, but has George Kittle-like ability.

New Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake plans to run a base 3-4 defense, where Turner will slot in at either stand-up EDGE spot. The 6-3, 247-pound Alabama product has deviant bend in his pass-rush moves, and coming from a Nick Saban defense, you know he can set the edge in the run game. Atlanta needs this level of athleticism and physicality on the edge. They get it here.

Some project Fuaga better as a guard, but he has the size (6-6, 324 lbs) and potential as a pass blocker and should adjust to pro edge rushers over time. As a run blocker, he should enter the league as a powerful force from Day 1. Operation “keep Justin Herbert upright and make his life easier with a running game” begins now.

As a pure pass rusher, I like Latu more than I do the more-complete Dallas Turner. He’s extremely skilled and polished working his way to the QB.

Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph needs a winner on the edge for his 3-4 scheme, and Latu provides that.

The Raiders need some work on the right side of their offensive line, so this helps set a foundation for them in the trenches.

The ‘Bama product offers potentially-dominant ability in the run game as a “throw ’em out the club” people mover, and he has the quickness and foot work to pick things up quickly in pass protection.

Labeling him “raw” is doing a disservice to the skills he’s already shown on film, but there will be a learning curve.

2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning has struggled at left tackle and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk may not play again. Fashanu would slot in at either spot.

He has exceptional athleticism, explosiveness and ball skills. The Colts played more Cover-3 than any other team last season under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Mitchell should fit in well on the outside, with the ability to play man coverage on third down.

Despite lacking the preferred length for a NFL tackle, Fautanu could probably get away with it due to his talent and skillset. But first, he slots in to one of the Seahawks’ guard spots to help improve the offensive line.

Wide receiver is certainly a need with Calvin Ridley now in Tennessee, but the Jaguars get one of this draft’s top defensive players here.

Whether a zone-heavy or man-based coverage scheme, Arnold slots just about anywhere as a boundary or slot option. He’s feisty when attacking the ball, and should help a Jacksonville defense that struggled down the stretch in 2023.

Thomas (6-3, 209 lbs) has a similar frame as Higgins (6-4, 219 lbs). He’s less of a jump-ball winner as the receiver he’ll replace, but Thomas is a more explosive threat (4.34 speed) with better route-running fluidity.

With Trent Brown in the fold to handle right tackle duties, Cincinnati can pass on an offensive tackle here and reach for rookie-contract upside in the receiving core with Higgins and Tyler Boyd out the door.

The Rams began shifting away from 3-4 looks to more four-down fronts in 2023. But Murphy has some good 5-tech rep on film from Texas, if he is to fill in there in Raheem Morris’ 3-3-5 fronts.

Let’s cut to the chase — he is GARGANTUAN. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 340 pounds, he packs obvious power and surprising nimbleness. He doesn’t appear raw when looking at this Georgia tape.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes off the board in the early teens (Vegas?), but here the Steelers are able to move Mims’ former Bulldog teammate, Broderick Jones, to left tackle. Mims slots in nicely on the right side, and between the tackle duo, and former Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, good luck trying to play run defense versus that downhill stampede.

Barton has the versatility to slot in at center or either guard spot with Miami barren at the position after losing Robert Hunt in free agency.

The Duke product is very quick for his size (6-5, 315 lbs) and should fit in nicely moving in space in Miami’s outside-zone heavy rushing scheme.

DeJean is a ball skills aficionado with both basketball-level athleticism and the toughness to tackle in the run game.

With C.J. Gardner-Johnson back in town to handle nickel duties, Philly can opt to use DeJean at boundary cornerback, or move him around to emphasize his ability to play safety and in the slot.

I think even they know that they just can’t operate by leaving the receiving core as barren as is. After landing an offensive tackle, they dip into the well for a X-receiver with size (6-2, 205 lbs), speed (4.34), and superb body control. He’s a nuanced and polished route-runner who comes in ready to be Justin Herbert’s top target. Harbaugh can put his A.J. Jenkins-PTSD behind him here to give Herbert some help.

Guyton is a raw prospect, but he’s shown the ability to play well in space in zone-rushing schemes, while also packing enough power to block defenders in gap-style runs like counter.

Wiggins size is a bit of an issue (6-1, 173 lbs) but he uses his length to operate pretty well in press coverage. He also ran a 4.28 40 at the combine. The Packers take a chance on his athleticism, height and coverage smoothness here.

Here, Tampa makes it work with Verse at their 3-4 outside linebacker spot with Shaquil Barrett out the door. The Florida State product has the size (6-4, 254 lbs), burst and power to provide pass rush juice for a Bucs team that needs more from that spot despite investing a first-rounder in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka a few years back.

Morgan lacks the typical size of a NFL left tackle, and he’s better suited for an outside-zone rushing team like Miami than a inside, gap scheme Kansas City has gravitated to, but I’m betting Morgan’s quickness in pass protection to battle speed rushers catches Kansas City’s eye here.

Worthy is more than just a burner, and he has inside-outside versatility, but he’s nowhere near a Hill-level talent at the catch point.

Ladd McConkey was considered here as a less boom-or-bust, more polished route runner, but Buffalo can take a chance on a big play threat here with Allen’s gunslinger mentality and arm strength.

Rakestraw has an auroa of energy and toughness and plays aggressively. He also takes on blockers while defending the run. He’s superb there. He’ll fit in perfectly with Dan Campbell’s Lions as a potential season-long growth project who could come up huge in January.

Robinson is a unique athlete in his positional versatility and size (6-5, 285 lbs). He reminds me somewhat of Keion White, New England’s second-round choice from last year,  in that he is sort of a “tweener” who can play all along the line.

He probably won’t spend too much time as a stand-up edge defender in Baltimore’s scheme, but he certainly can help fill the void left by Jadeveon Clowney as a strong-side edge setter in the run game. He played a ton of 5-tech snaps at Missouri, so I could see him playing a bit there, then kicking further inside on passing downs to rush the passer next to Justin Madubuike.

But here, the 49ers get one of the best route-runners in the class to either accentuate or eventually replace Aiyuk.

McConkey makes defenders look silly in man coverage, and he’s a borderline Tier 1-operator when it comes to the top of the route. He excels there at a level only Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and A.D. Mitchell reside when it comes to this class.  I see McConkey thriving with Aiyuk’s in-breaker-heavy route tree, and he even works well as an at-the-snap motion piece here.

I’m sure San Francisco would love a replacement for Colton McKivitz at right tackle, but with their options limited at this stage of Day 1, they boost their league-best offense with one of my favorite prospects.

Robinson had a lot of hand-in-the-dirt pass-rushing snaps at Penn State, but he projects as more of a stand-up rusher in the pros. That bodes well in Arizona’s 3-4 defense. There’s a lot of boom-or-bust with this pick, but drafting talented development projects (he ran a 4.48 at 254 lbs) are sometimes what late-Round 1, early-Round 2 picks are for.

The South Carolina native and university grad stays close to home here with a team that reportedly wants him in the building.

Legette is one of favorite players in this entire draft. Whether it is his playing style or accent, he rocks as a prospect.

Only a few receivers in history have 4.3 speed weighing over 220 pounds. Legette is both A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf-ish with his size, speed and explosion. His RAS score is off the charts. But Legette projects as less of a pure X-receiver like Metcalf and more of a X/Z combo, or move piece who can thrive on crossers and with his YAC ability from condensed formations or different spots.

He can be a ball winner on fades and flies, but sticking him with a robust route tree right off the bat would likely be misusing his ability. If schemed right, he could be a difference maker right away for Carolina, a nice compliment to newcomer Diontae Johnson, who should handle the more diverse route tree.

Newton is an undersized, but high-motor interior havoc-wrecker who would compliment some of the bigger bodies Arizona added in March.

I like Penix’s culture fit with the Raiders as a tough/physical, comeback-from-injury story for Antonio Pierce’s rough-and-rowdy bunch, but Denver and New England are the most QB-needy teams in the draft, and Denver makes it known that Penix’s pocket presence, toughness and deep ball accuracy are something they covet.

The Washington QB has an odd arm delivery and will need to target the middle of the field more than he did in college, but his intangibles and mental toughness are something sorely needed in Denver’s rebuild, even if he doesn’t become the long-term solution. Penix also surprised many at his Pro Day with a reported 40-yard dash time of 4.51. That bodes well for any concerns regarding his knees.

The Oregon center has great size (6-3, 328 lbs) for an interior blocker, and his hand work and ability to climb to the second level and move in space are excellent. He would flourish in the Eagles’ zone-read and inside zone looks.

Cam Jurgens started at right guard last year for Philly, and there’s the potential he was being groomed to take over for Jason Kelce at center. With Kelce’s retirement, the Eagles can go one of two ways with this selection by either putting Powers-Johnson at guard, or keeping Jurgens in place and putting the rookie at snapper.

Sanders has terrific ball skills and YAC ability and his tape shows better speed than his combine 40 (4.69) suggests. Like Legette, he’d be another plug-and-play playmaker for Carolina as they do their best to infuse some explosiveness and talent in to the offense.

Drake London is there as an ‘X’ and Darnell Mooney should also project to start in 3-WR sets, but I think Atlanta is still looking to add competition for its WR3 duties.

There’s a chance they utilize Kyle Pitts in a unique way, but as of now, newcomers Ray-Ray McCloud and Rondale Moore feel like depth and gadget options more than a WR3.

Pearsall played most of his time in the slot at Florida (80% of snaps), but he has top-of-the-line quickness, great route-running, elusive YAC ability, and is fantastic at the catch point. He can thrive on both option routes and vertical concepts, and he’s also a willing blocker.

He seems like a perfect fit in a Shanahan/McVay style offense, where he’ll run option routes in spread looks and showcase his craftiness in condensed formation concepts.

McKinstry is a scheme-agnostic cornerback in terms of his fit. His high-IQ and dependable ability make him an immediate candidate to start on the outside.

He’d be a nice fit opposite Jack Jones, who is an uber-aggressive ball hawk.

Nix is a better athlete than given credit for, and he has ample arm strength and pretty good accuracy to be a distributor in an up-tempo, quick passing game.

Burton is an underrated prospect because of the influx of WR talent. He’s a vertical threat/downfield ball winner in a different way than George Pickens, so he should compliment his former Georgia teammate (before Burton left for Alabama) here well.

In this scenario, Pickens would be the boundary-X, Jefferson would work inside as a route-running afficiando, and Burton would have the chance to become WR2 as an outside/vertical slot presence (he played 80% of snaps on perimeter in college).

Kendricks used to be the best pass coverage LB in the NFL during Zimmer’s days as Minnesota’s head coach but those days are long gone. Dallas could use someone like Wilson here in the front seven.

The NC State product is an incredible athlete and instinctive playmaker who reminds many of Luke Keuchly. He has range and length (6-4) and ran a 4.43 40 at the combine. But the develuation of linebackers, Wilson’s injury history and age (24) likely make him a Day 2 pick. 

Wilson won the Butkus award for best linebacker in college football and also nabbed the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation’s best defensive player overall. Dallas should be ecstatic with the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American here.

He’s an excellent run blocker and finisher at the tail-end of plays. He’ll fit right in at Baltimore as a potential Day 1 starter.

He may not start right away, but he has the potential to be an upgrade at right tackle.

Post-Tyreek Hill, Kansas City became a more YAC-oriented underneath throwing offense. What better option here than “The YAC King” to help potentially replace Rice’s snaps?

Rice filled a role first filled by JuJu Smith-Schuster as a tough/dependable option on sit routes, drags and crossers. Corley’s average depth of target in 2023 (6.1, according to PFF) and yards-after-catch (2,068 over past three seasons; most in FBS) numbers paint a picture of how he operates as a 5-foot-11, 215-pound bulldozer to defensive backs.

There’s some concern over his ability to run a more diverse route tree. Failure to do so would mean a risk of overlap with Hardmon’s skillset, but I think Corley has the chops to become a unique horizontal threat with attitude in this Chiefs offense.