By Roy J. Akers www.skyviewsports.net
Face it, you have seen a mock draft for what seems like every ten minutes since Christmas. By my account, my interest has been somewhere around 400 or more. Outside of Caleb Williams going to the Bears for their best prospect since Sid Luckman back in the 1940’s, the draft appears to be wide open. The farther down your favorite NFL team drafts, those that post mock drafts basically have your team taking just about every player that might be taken in the first round. Enough of that.
Photo by Daniel Mears- Detroit News
Every draft predictor has three or four QB’s going in the top five. It is also fair to say that Arizona will take Marvin Harrison Jr. at four unless they trade down.
With the NFL Draft being held In Detroit, the NFL has struck gold in the middle of its offseason. Rotating cities to host the draft with fan bases from around the country attending and hosting this spring bonanza has made the league a 12-month, 365-day sports league. Think of the NFL Draft being like the chicken wing in the 1970’s. Fans and the league know procuring new talent was important, but it was ho-hum. Few people knew of the delicacy of either. Now the secret is out and after tonight, we can put down our mock drafts until midway through the 2024 college football season.
The most predictable boos of the night were directed at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. His bit with Detroit legends Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson and the young Aiden Hutchinson turned into Eminem awkwardly standing next to the Commish on stage. Luckily, the legends emerged moments later and the NFL Draft begins.
- The Chicago Bears are now on the clock- The Bears indeed choose Caleb Williams. It was expected. The Bears have NEVER had a 4,000 yard QB. Most believe Chicago has their man and with new WR’s Keenan Allen and RB D’Andre Swift, this team is on the move. Williams told ESPN, “Its time to learn my teammates names and win games.” The Bears hit another homerun at number nine with Rome Odunze, the WR from Washington. He led the NCAA in receiving yardage in 2023 with over 1600 yards. Bet everyone things the Bears will win the 2024 draft.
2. The Washington Commanders select LSU QB Jayden Daniels. Not much of a surprise. He became most draftniks choice toward the end of the college season and won the Heisman trophy. He is a double threat and passed for 12k passing yards and ran for 3k more.
3. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Greenburg both said there was zero chance that New England would trade the third pick of the draft and drafted Drake Maye of North Carolina. Three picks, no surprises. Maye is said to be size wise, the best pick the Pats could make. Maye said, “I am here to win and I am the entire package.”
4. Adam Schefter said there was zero chance that Arizona would trade the fourth pick. They are linked to Marvin Harrison Jr. Can’t blame them. Many have said he is the best player in the draft regardless of position. Arizona did not disappoint. Harrison is the pick. Kyler Murray has a future all-pro to throw to.
6. Plenty of trades were speculated with the NY Giants, Minnesota Vikings and others looking to get their QB. With Joe Alt going to the LA Chargers at five, NY passes on Michigan’s JJ McCarthy for Malik Nabers, the WR from LSU. Nabors is on of three elite wideouts in 2024, with Rome Odunze being listed as a real difference maker. Nabors is an explosive player with the ability to run by any defensive back and can break down a defense. Giants QB Daniel Jones has a Dawg to throw to.
8. In the first surprise of the draft, the Atlanta Falcons take Michael Penix Jr of Washington. The Falcons just signed Kirk Cousins to a HUGE deal and they take a very talented quarterback that has had multiple injuries that could be a problem down the road. His ACL and shoulder injuries were thought to push Penix to possibly the second round.
The first nine players of the draft are on the offensive side of the ball.
Minnesota was supposed to trade into the top three of the draft as they are armed with two first round picks. They swap up one spot with the NY Jets.
10. The Vikings were linked to JJ McCarthy and many mock draf predictions had Minnesota trading up for him. The Vikes got their guy and gave up little to get McCarthy. He went 27-1 as a starter and won the national title with the Wolverines. He is considered raw by many due to him being harnessed by former UM coach Jim Harbaugh.
12. Bo Nix is selected by Denver
13. Brock Bowers, the TE from Georgia is considered a cant-miss player that Mel Kiper Jr. said is special. The Las Vegas rushed their card to the stage and is now a Raider.
No defensive players have been taken in the draft including QB’s, WR’s and offensive lineman through 13 picks.
At 15, the Indianapolis Colts select DL Laiatu Latu, He had a serious neck injury and actually retired from college football for two seasons. Latu is considered a superior defensive player who can break down a defense and rush the passer. He is a menace and would have been taken higher if not for the serious injury.
16. Byron Murphy is a defensive tackle that will knock back offensive tackles and blow up plays. This Texas Longhorns player will be refined by Seattle, but the skills are there.
Minnesota trades up to 17 and after losing Danielle Hunter, their star defensive end and grab Dallas Turner. He is the ACC defensive player of the year and he has a great first step. He can set the edge and drop back into pass coverage. His main skill is getting to the QB.
The biggest surprise of the night is not the lack of defensive players taken, but defensive backs who have several elite prospects available to teams.
At 22, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell is considered a velcro cornerback who can blanket a receiver or close in a flash to help a teammate. Philly GM Howie Rosen is very sharp and the Eagles have yet another top prospect to keep the team in the playoff hunt.
The Detroit Lions made a trade and moved up from 29 to 24 to get the consensus second best CB prospect in the draft Terrion Arnold. Arnold is terrific in press coverage, scheme versatility and excellent ball hawk skills. He had 5 interceptions in 2023. He also is terrific at breaking up passes and is a willing run-defender. It looks like Brad Holmes and the draft team have a topflight draft pick.
In the secondary, only Nate Wiggins found a home before the end of the first round. Nate Wiggins of Clemson was drafted by the Ravens.
The same could not be said for wide receivers.
Brian Thomas Jr. was taken at 23 by Jacksonville. The Chiefs take Xavier Worthy at 28 after a trade. Ricky Pearsall goes to the 49ers at 31 and Xavier Legette goes to the Carolina to finish the round.
Every year, the draft has players with first round grades that move to round two. Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and others should not last long.
With six QB’s drafted in the first handful of picks, which ones become all-pro and which ones become Trey Lance or Zach Wilson remain to be seen. Send us your opinions.