Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
I had DeJean tabbed as an early first rounder as he’s a phenomenal athlete with great ball skills and doubles as an elite punt returner. He won’t be on the board for long tonight, but it is shocking he’s still available.
Oregon IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
Jackson Powers-Johnson is the best interior offensive lineman in this years draft. I stand by that notion. His versatility to play center and both guard spots makes him valuable to every team in the league. What makes him so versatile is that he’s patient in his hand strikes and when he moves laterally, it’s quick and fluid.
Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
While Byron Murphy II was the clear cut number one defensive tackle in the draft, I think Jer’Zhan Newton is the second best. His smaller stature doesn’t hold him back from making plays. This past season at Illinois he tallied 52 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He can play anywhere from nose tackle to 3-tech, but fits best most likely as a 2i.
West Virginia IOL Zach Frazier
A lot like Jackson Powers-Johnson, Zach Frazier brings versatility to the table. He can play all three interior offensive line spots as good as anyone in this years draft and that’s due to his wrestling background and understanding leverage. He’s a bit shaky in pass protection, but is a dominant run blocker who finishes blocks with tenacity.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
It’s not shocking that Adonai Mitchell is still available, but it’s surprising that Xavier Legette and Ricky Pearsall went before him. Mitchell has a massive 6’4 frame that makes it easy for him to make plays over defensive backs. He’s a big play player as he caught only 55 passes in 2023, but averaged 15.4 yards per catch and scored 11 touchdowns.
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Similar to Cooper DeJean, I’m shocked that Kool-Aid McKinstry is still available. He’s a physical cornerback that doesn’t back down from a running back on the boundary. His tackling ability is his best attribute. That doesn’t take away from him also being an elite coverage corner and a dynamic punt returner.
North Carolina State ILB Payton Wilson
In this years subpar linebacker class, Payton Wilson rises to the top. He made plays all over the field for the Wolfpack this past season as he racked up 138 tackles, 6 sacks, 6 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. Wilson can step in and play immediately for whoever drafts him despite being a little raw.
Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
While Brock Bowers was the golden pony of Georgia’s offense in 2022 and 2023, Ladd McConkey was a safe and reliable underneath option for the Bulldogs. His numbers were down a bit in 2023, but he always finds crafty ways to work his way open out of the slot and rarely drops passes. Don’t be shocked to see New England bring McConkey in. He just fits the New England archetype of Welker, Edelman and Hogan from the past.
Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
The number two linebacker in again, a mediocre class, is Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper. Cooper is able to come off the edge as a pass rusher and play inside and come down on the run. He was the Aggies best defender in 2023 when he racked up 83 tackles, 8 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He’ll be a nice addition to a team looking to add depth off the edge in 2024.
Florida State DT Braden Fiske
Everything about Braden Fiske’s play style fires me up. He’s a lean behemoth on the interior defensive line that is a dual threat in rushing the passer and stopping the run. He lacks a bit of length in his arms, but makes up for it in his punch. Fiske proved after four years at Western Michigan that he can perform at the highest level of college football after transferring to Florida State and replicating his numbers.
Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
There’s a massive gap between Bowers, the number one tight end in the class, and Sanders, the number two tight end in the class. Despite that, Sanders could step in immediately and make an impact. At 6’4, 253 pounds, he could be red zone threat for any team who takes him.
Oregon WR Troy Franklin
In the same vein as Mitchell, I’m shocked that Xavier Legette and Ricky Pearsall were picked ahead of him. He was Bo Nix’s favorite target at Oregon and was a mismatch nightmare for PAC-12 corners as he towers over defensive backs at 6’3 and runs a 4.41 40 yard dash. Buffalo at 33 makes the most sense to try and replace Diggs.
Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
Tyler Nubin was an elite centerfield safety in the Golden Gophers defense last season and will bring that to whoever drafts him. On top of that, he totaled 53 tackles and 1 sacks in 2023. Whether Nubin is playing in the box or being the eye in the sky for a teams secondary, he’s going to make plays all over the field.
Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
The only class weaker than the linebackers is the running backs this year. The best of the bunch, AKA the tallest midget, is Jonathon Brooks. When Brooks has the ball in his hands, he’s a crafty play maker that just needs to improve his vision a bit. He rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 scores in 2023 for Texas and was one of the top backs in the nation.