Official 2024 Draft Thread

@YooperPackfan posted:

Don’t drink the Kool-Aid!

It has a bit of a wang to it!

I like this kid....probably a 5th rounder at the earliest but I have a hunch about him.

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/04/jordan-colbert/

Remember, we are literally one draft cycle removed from Green Bay selecting Jayden Reed in the 2nd round…

THIS Jayden Reed.

The Packers draft history gives us data points, but we know almost NOTHING for sure. That’s part of the fun. pic.twitter.com/0lx81dgt5G

— Kyle Fellows (@Packer_Pundit) April 2, 2024

#Packers are hosting #FloridaState safety Akeem Dent for a top 30 draft visit, source said. They had some success with a Florida State safety once before. Dent is 6-foot, 203 and ran a 4.46 in the 40 at his pro day.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) April 10, 2024

@Boris posted:

#Packers are hosting #FloridaState safety Akeem Dent for a top 30 draft visit, source said. They had some success with a Florida State safety once before. Dent is 6-foot, 203 and ran a 4.46 in the 40 at his pro day.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) April 10, 2024

@Boris posted:

Remember, we are literally one draft cycle removed from Green Bay selecting Jayden Reed in the 2nd round…

THIS Jayden Reed.

The Packers draft history gives us data points, but we know almost NOTHING for sure. That’s part of the fun. pic.twitter.com/0lx81dgt5G

After impressing professional scouts and evaluators throughout the last two and a half months, Reed was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 50 overall selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

After impressing professional scouts and evaluators throughout the last two and a half months, Reed was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 50 overall selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

https://www.si.com/college/mic...n-bay-packers-042823

Also, the Packers timed him at 4.37.

@D J posted:

After impressing professional scouts and evaluators throughout the last two and a half months, Reed was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 50 overall selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

https://www.si.com/college/mic...n-bay-packers-042823

Also, the Packers timed him at 4.37.

I loved Reed as much as anyone, but he seemed to disappear late in the season. Is it my imagination?

Or did others step up.

Classic chicken/egg discussion.

They schemed Reed open in a number of games, similar to what Miami does with Hill and Waddle, and seemed to do it based on matchups, working different receivers against different defenses.

@Herschel posted:

They schemed Reed open in a number of games, similar to what Miami does with Hill and Waddle, and seemed to do it based on matchups, working different receivers against different defenses.

Coaching FTW

Give me Kool-aid and Cooper in the first 2 picks and color me happy. Dejean will be gone, and Kool-aid is better at press anyway.

I'm in for the Cooper trifecta for this draft:

1 - Cooper Dejean

2a - Edgerrin Cooper

2b - Cooper Beebe

I'm pretty much batting 1,000 on my draft preferences over the years so mark this shit down.

Cooperstown

We will need a Cooper Scooper

This has nothing to do with Najeh Davenport.

Dane Brugler puts out a draft guide every year via The Athletic, I'll post a couple of snippets on guys we've talked about here. IF there is a player you'd like to see a write-up on, let me know

First up is Cooper DeJean and Cole Bishop, 2 Safety prospects

Cooper DeJean

STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with above-average speed
(member of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List”) … alert, disciplined and smooth in his movements, which allow him to use a variety of techniques (bail, press, mirror, etc.) … anticipates well and credits his time as a high school quarterback for developing his feel in coverage …finds the football and produces receiver-like plays at the catch point … does fun things with the ball in his hands — returned three of his seven career interceptions for touchdowns and saw a handful of offensive snaps in 2023 (and was poised for more before his injury) … plays physical, regardless of the down, and receivers know they’re in for a dogfight … reliable run defender and plays with outstanding control and hand strength as a tackler … averaged 13.1 yards per punt return (31/406/1)
with one touchdown (had another return touchdown called back) … also a gunner on punt coverage (12 special-teams tackles) … humble and soft-spoken by nature and deflects praise towards his teammates (served on the team’s “Player Council” as a sophomore and junior) … NFL scouts say he can channel any nerves into a competitive performance … experienced playing multiple positions in the back seven .
WEAKNESSES: Only average reaction burst and first step isn’t as explosive as his full strides … guilty of taking extra steps at the top o f routes or in his change of direction, giving up initial separation to receivers … not shy about grabbing to recover or getting handsy downfield … suffered a broken fibula in his right leg while practicing with the offense (November 2023), an injury which required season-ending surgery and sidelined him for most of the draft process
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Iowa, DeJean was an inside-outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s zone -heavy scheme. He also saw snaps at safety and the Hawkeyes’ hybrid “Cash” position. After matching the school record with three pick sixes in 2022, he was recognized as the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year in 2023 — despite his late-season leg injury. With his natural anticipation in coverage, DeJean is rarely out of position and uses athletic gifts and top-tier ball skills to make plays (allowed only one catch of 15-plus yards in 2023). Though he has a steady process to gather and go, his lack of initial suddenness is something he must continue to mask to limit separation at the top of routes.

Overall, DeJean is one of the best tackling defensive backs in the class and shows playmaking skills in coverage, because of his athletic instincts and competitive makeup. Along with an immediate special-teams role (as a returner and gunner), his NFL starter-quality skill set fits interchangeably at cornerback, safety or nickel.

Cole Bishop

STRENGTHS: Rangy athlete who covers a ton of ground … flashes a burst when working top down and has the agility to work around road bloc ks … shades his
coverage and gets a head start based on pre-snap checklist (identifying personnel, formations, motions, etc.) … uses his widescreen vision to hunt crossers and smack
ball carriers over the middle of the field … pattern matched well as a nickel linebacker in Utah’s “Cowboy” package … squares as a tackler and won’t shrink from contact … physical near the line of scrimmage to handle box duties or set a hard edge … impact ful blitzer who can create havoc from different angles (39 career pressures) … able to diagnose pullers and work overtop versus counter … NFL coaches will appreciate his competitive toughness and passion for the game … lined up next to the snapper on punt coverages in 2023

WEAKNESSES: Has some stiffness in his change of direction that pops up in man coverage … overaggressive tendencies make him a target for misdirection, pumps or play action … does a nice job tracking routes but needs to better balance his eyes between receivers and the quarterback for more opportunities to make plays on the football … average striker … flies to the alley, but his full-speed angles create opportunities for ball carriers to put a move on him … short -armed athlete and finds himself stuck on blocks when caught up in the wash … has quite a few personal foul flags on his college resume and needs to stay measured in his attack … modest on-ball production and never had more than five passes defended in a season.

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Utah, Bishop was a multidimensional safety in defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley’s hybrid 4 -2-5 scheme. Some safeties play fast, and others play controlled — Bishop does both, because of the way he always rallies to the football, regardless of his origin point (would rotate single high to the box to a rolled-up cornerback to a nickel ‘backer, and several other positions in between). Having grown up a New England Patriots fan, Bishop models his game after Rodney Harrison, and it shows in his competitive demeanor and the way he wastes zero time getting to the football. Although
he has some limitations in man coverage, he can cover tight ends and shows terrific vision in zone to diagnose route combinations and drive on the football. Overall, Bishop needs to put more impact plays on tape by setting traps for the quarterback in coverage, but he plays with top-down explosiveness and the football IQ to make plays at all three levels of the field.
He has NFL starter-caliber talent and is ideally suited for a robber role.

Kool Aid

Barton

Melton

Edge Cooper

Puni

Payton Wilson

Hall Jr

Colson

Fiske

Mahogany

Bullard

Rosengarten

Trotter Jr

Renardo Green

Amegadjie

Braille Allen

Jermaine Burton

McCaffrey

Eli Jones

Nourzad

Nate Wiggins

Legette

thanks Satanic

@Iowacheese posted:

thanks Satanic

JFC...with that list. Good thing I'm retired

Kool Aid is allergic to tackling, can't have a CB making Deion Sanders bizness decisions. So he's out.

Graham Barton

STRENGTHS: Outstanding play strength … eager hands with a stubborn grip (Barton: “I think I outplay my frame.”) … stays controlled and b alanced to achieve quality positioning as a run blocker … able to redirect his hips in gaps to seal off defenders … strains through contact to stay connected to blocks … aggressive finisher and works through the whistle … his pull mobility and second-level skills are a strength … smooth setup out of his stance … shows light feet mid-slide when adjusting to pass rushers in space … able to locate late loopers and quickly process when defenses run games up front … plays through nagging injuries and empties the tank on the field … called the “hardest worker” on the team by his quarterback Riley Leonard … only played left tackle the last three seasons, but he was the starter at center (430 snaps) as a freshman.

WEAKNESSES: Arm length is shorter than desired … doesn’t have ideal lateral range to match outside speed … bad habits in pass pro, includ ing ducking his head against shifty rushers … ends up grabbing or hooking defenders when his hands are a fraction off-schedule (14 combined penalties the last two seasons) … lacks lower-body girth and power … needs to use better initial sink to anchor and offset his lack of length vs. bull rushers … overeager in the run game, leading to
inconsistent pad level or lunging … missed three games as a senior and battled through multiple injuries, including a concussion and left knee sprain; required labrum surgery to repair his left shoulder (Nov. 2023), which sidelined him for most of the draft process … didn’t play a snap insid e at guard in college.
SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Duke, Barton was entrenched at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Kevin Johns’ scheme. The highest -ranked recruit in the Blue Devils’ class four years ago, he earned freshman All-America honors as a center in 2020 and started 34 games at left tackle over the last three seasons, earning All-America honors in 2023. As a run blocker, Barton plays with the athletic control, core strength and stubborn mentality to exe cute his assignments. His movements and finishing skills also translate to pass protection, but he will struggle cutting off NFL speed and needs to improve his punch timing to stay ahead of schedule (and avoid penalties).
Overall, Barton will have adjustments to make as he moves inside, but he has athletic feet and strong hands and works hard to stay attached to
blocks through the whistle. He projects as an above-average NFL starter at guard or center (reminiscent of Alijah Vera-Tucker).

CB11  Max Melton

STRENGTHS: Outstanding linear speed and explosion … easily stays hip to hip with receivers on vertical patterns … drives with a rocket o n his back when closing downhill from off coverage … excellent job ball-searching and playing through the hands of receivers to turn catches into incompletions … extends his long arms to engage and steer receivers in press man … doesn’t shrink in run support … no questions about his toughness (played through a broken hand in 2023 and didn’t talk about it) … blocked four punts in his career (had an FBS-best three blocked kicks during the 2022 season) … played the first four games as a nickel in 2023 before moving back outside (lined up all over the field) … started 40 games combined over four seasons and had strong ball production, including multiple interceptions each of the last three seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Tight in his movements … quick to declare his hips, and savvy route runners can draw him out of phase … average play strength and struggles to gain his freedom once blocked … more likely to grab and wrestle than strike through as a tackler … average finish strength, and tight ends and backs can keep their feet when he goes low (12 missed tackles in 2023) … handsy play style will lead to penalties (three pass interference, two holding flags in 2023) … arrested for his involvement in a paintball-gun incident, which caused injuries to three victims (September 2021); charged with three counts of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; served a three -game suspension (Melton: “I definitely made a mistake. … I let down my team and family.”).

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Rutgers, Melton was an inside-outside cornerback in head coach Greg Schiano’s balanced coverage schemes. After one season as a defensive back in high school, he made the full transition for the Scarlet Knights and accounted for 30 p asses defended and eight interceptions over the last three seasons (he and his brother, Bo, made Rutgers history by becoming the first brothers to score a touchdown in the same game).
Melton not only has opportunistic ball skills and athletic instincts, but he trusts them, which allows him to play sticky coverage in man-to-man or drive on throws from off coverage. Though his toughness stands out, he needs to be more reliable as a run defender and less handsy down the field. Overall, Melton brings explosive speed and attitude to his coverage, which will interest press-man teams. His experience inside and outside (and on special teams) will help him see the field right away in the NFL

LB2 Edgerrin Cooper

STRENGTHS: Long, athletic and can really run … outstanding closing speed to chase down the ball from any pursuit angle … rangy and cover s more ground than theaverage linebacker … astutely reads splits and pre-snap depth to understand how to angle his downhill pursuit … effective slipping and evading blocks in space … displays upfield burst and joint bend off the edge to heat up the pocket as a blitzer … long-armed tackler to hug, pull down and finish
ballcarriers … fluid movements in coverage to stay within arm’s length of tight ends, backs and some receivers … handles space well (man and zone coverages) and always knows where his help is (tries to model his game after Fred Warner) … experienced at multiple linebacker positions … extensive special-teams background and was a regular on both kick and punt coverages (585 special-teams snaps and 11 tackles in his career) … put together an All-America senior season and led the SEC in tackles for loss.
WEAKNESSES: Takes time to sort out his reads … late to recover after committing to the wrong gap … has elite length but needs to be more efficient with his timing to stack, shed and free himself from blocks … light lower body and needs to continue strengthening his core … fast to the ball but will overshoot his angles, creating cutback opportunities for the ball carrier … tends to be overly casual as a tackler in space, which gives runners a chance to make a move … needs to develop his pass-rush moves when attacking the pocket.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Texas A&M, Cooper lined up as a Will linebacker in defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s 4 -2-5 base scheme, also seeing snaps wide as a nickel or on the defensive line. Although 2023 was a forgettable season for the program, the Aggies’ defense ranked top 10 nationally and Cooper was the catalyst, leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles (only prospect in this class who can say that). An above-average athlete for his size, Cooper beelines to the football with outstanding closing burst and aggressive tackling. Though he has elite arm length, he can be better at shooting his hands to escape blocks. Overall, Cooper has some undisciplined tendencies and will run himself out of plays, but he is a fast -flowing linebacker who can run and cover. He has the explosive traits to be a regular on special teams as a rookie and grow into a three -down linebacker role in the NFL.

LB1 Junior Colson

STRENGTHS: Looks the part with a stout, well-proportioned frame … above-average take-on strength to step downhill, fill with pop and maintain his leverage versus climbing blockers … moves well laterally with bounce in his steps … accelerates quickly to mirror and make plays outside the numbers … physical form tackler with immediate stopping power … length is an asset when tackling out in space … athletic mover in coverage with widescreen vision to pick up backside crossers in zone …uses his coverage awareness to sniff out throwing lanes and force quarterbacks to think twice before throwing … understands football concepts, and the coaches trust him to run the defense … his coaches speak highly of his work ethic and the way he has developed his body … zero penalties in 2023 and mental mistakes declined each season … high-level pain tolerance — played through a foot injury in 2022 and broken bones that required casts on both hands over the second half of the 2023 season
(Colson: “Unless I can’t physically move, I’m going to be out there playing.”) … played in all 43 games Michigan played after enrolling in Ann Arbor …awarded the 2023 Lott Impact Trophy (“Impact” stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity) … strong tackle production with 257
career stops in his three college seasons.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to improve his patience working downhill and avoid traps set by the blocking scheme … his hand usage needs continued re finement for quicker sheds versus NFL engagement … guilty of wasted movements in his man-coverage drops … below-average ball production and needs to make quarterbacks pay for bad decisions (only five passes defended and zero interceptions on 1,006 career coverage snaps) … didn’t play on kick or punt coverages in 2023 with minimal experience on special teams … missed 2023 spring practices after offseason foot surgery (January 2023); didn’t work out at the combine because of right hamstring strain (February 2024).

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Michigan, Colson played the Mike linebacker role in former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s 4 -2-5 scheme. The leader of the No. 1 defense in college football in 2023, he was voted the team’s Defensive MVP and won the Toughest P layer Award, posting outstanding production in Ann Arbor with 196 tackles over the last two seasons (59 more than the second-leading tackler for the Wolverines over that span). Colson diagnoses the action well and quickly builds his speed to make stops at the line of scrimmage or out in space. He needs to continue honing his take-on timing and man-coverage anticipation, but he has an outstanding batting average as a tackler — and I only need one hand to count the missed tackles I charted from his 2023 tape.
Overall, Colson checks a lot of boxes for the next level with his physicality downhill, athleticism in space and iron-man toughness that he brings to work every day. He projects as an NFL starting MIKE early in his career and a more complete version of Derrick Barnes of the Detroit Lions.

OG5 Dominic Puni

STRENGTHS: Workable frame with upper-body strength … fires his large hands to deliver a pop at contact … able to control and steer defenders in the run game once he gets his hands on them … quick out of his stance with the foot speed/agility to reach his pulling land marks … doesn’t panic and stays on schedule to seal/bury moving targets … stays wide and controlled with his pass-set depth … anchors down versus power as a pass blocker … only two penalties in 2023 (one holding, one ineligible downfield) … his Kansas coaches praise his calm, steady demeanor and the way he approaches each rep … cross-trained at tackle, guard and center during practice and lined up at center on a critical third-and-short conversion on 2023 Kansas State tape (former OC Andy Kotelnicki: “He’s going to have a chance because he could play all the positions.”) … bet on himself to transfer up to the FBS level and answered the challenge.
WEAKNESSES: High-cut and carries some excess weight in the middle … doesn’t have ideal arm length or lateral range to cut off the rush … his h igh pad-level leaves him susceptible to getting pulled off balance … eager hand strike, but his placement will let him down at times in pass protection, allowing rushers to slip away … can be late with his weight transfer to properly answer counters … suffered a torn MCL in his left knee (September 2021) in the second game and missed the remainder of the 2021 season … spent most of his college career at Division II … will be 24 years old on draft weekend.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Kansas, Puni started at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s balanced scheme. After four years at Central Missouri, he made the unlikely jump from Division II to the FBS and played at a high level at both tackle and guard in Lawrence (25 straight starts, zero sacks allowed). Puni runs his feet and steers defenders in the run game with a mauling, yet measured mentality to make split-second adjustments on the move. Though he has some limitations in space as a pass blocker, he plays stout and mobile to answer different types of rushers. Overall, Puni will get himself in trouble bending at the waist or letting his pads rise, but he plays big, powerful and sends a harsh message with his hands while staying controlled through contact. He can play tackle, if needed,but projects best as an NFL starting guard or center.

Payton Wilson is both very old and very injury-ish
He's off the X4 board

OG6 Christian Mahagony

STRENGTHS: Broad-framed with outstanding length and play strength to engulf at the point of attack … weaponizes his large, heavy hands to batter defenders …creates movement in the run game and reestablishes the line of scrimmage … able to widen defenders against their will and blocks with a finishing mentality … uses low pad level and bend to scoop and displace anything in his way … stout in pass protection with his ability to anchor without giving ground … there isn’t anything exceptional about his athleticism, but he is quick off the ball and moves well enough as a puller … the Boston College coaches call him the “tone -setter” of the offense and praise his maturity to compartmentalize and work through adversity … twice voted a team captain by his teammates … his offensive line coach was Matt Applebaum, who spent the 2022 season as the Miami Dolphins offensive line coach … didn’t play a snap on the offensive line until his junior year of high school and he used the Madden video game to try and emulate Trent Williams and others … had double-digit starts at both guard spots in college.
WEAKNESSES: Explosive rushers can get him narrow and disrupt his pass-pro footwork … guilty of dropping his eye level, lunging and losing his leverage … needs to play with better control of his angles, especially at the second level … late to redirect and adjust in space … flagged five times in 2023 (two holds, three false start penalties) … medicals will be important after he missed one game as a sophomore because of a knee sprain (November 2021) and missed the 2022 season after tearing his right ACL in a “freak accident” back home (May 2022).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Boston College, Mahogany was a fixture at right guard in offensive coordinator Steve Shimko’s gap -scheme run game. After passing on the NFL after 2021 and missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, he returned to form in 2023 and was one of the top blockers in the ACC. In the run game, Mahogany has strong hands to latch and control and creates immediate displacement with his ability to roll his hips and finish
(Boston College almost always ran behind No. 73 in short yardage).
He needs to correct some bad habits in pass protection, but he stays balanced at contact with an immediate anchor to maintain the pocket integrity.
Overall, Mahogany needs to play with more control, especially in space, to survive versus NFL defenders, but he plays like a bouncer outside of a
club, looking to bash heads with power and forceful hands. He projects as a guard -versatile NFL starter, ideally suited for a downhill run team.

@Satori posted:

CB11  Max Melton

STRENGTHS: Outstanding linear speed and explosion … easily stays hip to hip with receivers on vertical patterns … drives with a rocket o n his back when closing downhill from off coverage … excellent job ball-searching and playing through the hands of receivers to turn catches into incompletions … extends his long arms to engage and steer receivers in press man … doesn’t shrink in run support … no questions about his toughness (played through a broken hand in 2023 and didn’t talk about it) … blocked four punts in his career (had an FBS-best three blocked kicks during the 2022 season)  Overall, Melton brings explosive speed and attitude to his coverage, which will interest press-man teams.

His experience inside and outside (and on special teams) will help him see the field right away in the NFL

I can see future NFL headlines in Feb. 2026:  Melton Brothers lead Packers to Super Bowl victory!!!!

Thanks Satori!

@Satori posted:

JFC...with that list. Good thing I'm retired

I will buy ewe a (cheap) beer next time "we" meat

More from Dane Brugler via The Athletic.
The number ( DT5) indicates his rank in this class at that position

DT5 Michael Hall Jr - Packers had him in for a Top 30 visit

STRENGTHS: Terrific initial quickness to get vertical or cross face blockers … times the snap well to surprise blockers … uses long arms and raw power to push the pocket … go-to attack includes a variety of arm-over/swim moves, mixing in spins and euros … rangy and alert in the run game with the ability to defeat cut blocks on the backside of zone runs … active with his large hands to absorb contact and aggressively stack-and-separate … plants his post leg to fight back through double teams … played on the offensive line in high school and is familiar with blockers’ counter measures (NFL scout: “With his talent, I bet he would’ve been a first-round center if he wanted to stay on offense.”) … his high motor leads to clean -up production … one of the youngest players in the draft class.
WEAKNESSES: Lean build for an interior lineman and will be considered undersized for several schemes (NFL scout: “I’d like to see him she d some of the weight and be a 265-pound linebacker.”) … inconsistent base strength and can be moved off his rush path or displaced by blockers in the run game … not the most disciplined tackler and needs become a better finisher … flagged three times for personal fouls in 2023, including roughing the passer penalties on the Maryland and Penn State tapes … career production looks more like a single season … notched only two tackles in the backfield on 413 defensive snaps in 2023 … battled several nagging injuries over his career and averaged just 28.3 snaps per game the last two seasons.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Ohio State, Hall was interchangeable at one- and three-technique in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ four-man front. His college stat sheet is underwhelming, especially from his final season in Columbus (2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks), but his pass rush win rate (18.3 percent) was second best among FBS defensive tackles in 2023 (behind only Byron Murphy II). With his first-step burst and lateral agility, Hall quickly gets vertical and is a tough player to handle one-on-one. He uses his long arms and natural leverage to work underneath blocks, although his lack of size and anchor put him in compromised positions,especially versus the run. Overall, Hall was more of a flash player than consistent force, but his quick-twitch movements and natural energy are the ingredients of a disruptive gap penetrator. If he stays healthy, he will be an immediate rotation player and eventual starting three -technique tackle in a four-man front.

DT7 Braden Fiske

STRENGTHS: Looks like an NFL lineman with his wide, heavy frame and proportionate thickness … with his initial quickness, he can barrel through gaps or create vertical displacement … physical with his club/swat moves or a good old-fashioned bull rush to press the pocket … keeps his feet alive on stunts and shows off his agility … stout versus the run to hold his ground and stack blocks … one of the most alert defensive linemen in the class and quickly reads screens … impressive foot speed and effort to chase down his prey in the pocket or near the sideline … plays with a worker-bee attitude and his motor doesn’t have an off switch … teammates rave about his competitive nature and the way he maxes out his ability during the week and in games
(Jared Verse: “He’s one of the only people I’ve met who can meet my intensity.” If you know Verse, this is a tremendous compliment).

WEAKNESSES: Below-average arm length and can be out-leveraged by blockers … needs to continue developing his technique in the run game … doesn’t consistently play with cohesion in his rush plan, sacrificing his balance … late counters and has trouble becoming unglued from engagement … won’t be able to outhustle blockers at the next level … was part of a heavy rotation at Florida State, averaging only 29.6 defensive snaps per game … durability is a question mark — after the 2022 season, he required a “cleanup” procedure for his shoulder (December 2022) and was limited during 2023 spring practices after transferring to Florida State; played through nagging injuries over the second half of the 2023 season, which sidelined him for the 2023 bowl game … will already be 24 years old on draft weekend.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Florida State, Fiske lined up primarily over the B-gap in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s four-man front. After showing year-over-year improvements at Western Michigan, he transferred to Tallahassee for his sixth season and conti nued to take his game to new heights against better competition. A sawed-off, throwback brawler (he doesn’t wear gloves), Fiske generates movement with his get -off, agility and raw power, creating stress on the blocking scheme with his disruptive qualities. While his effectiveness can fluctuate from play to play, his effort sustains whether he is splitting doubles or holding the point of attack.
Overall, Fiske doesn’t have a deep arsenal of counters if he doesn’t win early, but he already has a professional mindset and his twitchy urgency and steady play strength will translate well to the pro game. He projects as a rotational three -technique with versatility to move around an aggressive front.
GRADE: 3rd Round -No. 71 overall

Dean Lowry

Edgerrin Cooper is intriguing. He’s pretty explosive and seems to know when to be aggressive and when to be patient.

Not much of a coverage guy but who in this class is? pic.twitter.com/ye9nUqjEEr

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) April 11, 2024

“We” need Edge Coop

Absolutely no reason to have to wait two more weeks for the draft.

None. Zero.

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 11, 2024

Melton the cheese. Yum!

@Satori posted:

Payton Wilson is both very old and very injury-ish
He's off the X4 board

One thing that really struck me while starting to read it was how many guys were actually a year older than they "felt". That COVID year is still just there in the middle of so much.

@Goalline posted:

He has been dabbling in string theory.

RB 6 Braelon Allen

STRENGTHS: Well-built, big-bodied runner … not a battering ram but can be physical when he wants to be … above -average vision and patience at the line of scrimmage and keeps his feet tied to his eyes … anticipates block/lane development to stay on schedule … able to quickly plant and make sharp lateral cutbacks … not a burner but paces his strides well … target share increased each season … shows coordinated body adjustments as a pass catch er to make turning grabs without losing focus (one drop on 30 targets in 2023) … excellent awareness and body for blocking duties … dedicated to the weight room and was squatting 515 pounds and hang-cleaning 405 pounds as a high school sophomore … strong character reviews and described as “ultra-competitive” by former head coach Paul Chryst. NFL scout:
“Rare maturity for his age. Plus, he’s a homebody. He’s all football, all the time.”… youngest player in the draft class an d will be 20 for his entire rookie season …averaged 5.9 yards per carry over his career and finished No. 9 in school history in rushing yards (3,494).
WEAKNESSES: Average hole burst and speed to the outside … late to set up his moves and doesn’t consistently make defenders miss one on one … hip tightness restricts quick changes of direction … builds his speed quickly for chunk gains but won’t be able to run away from NFL speed … once his feet are slowed, he requires a moment to get going again … was more of a dump-off receiving option and needs to develop his route tree … one of the better pass-blocking backs in this class but can do a better job sinking and finishing … ball security was an issue in college (nine career fumbles, including four in 2023) … missed time to injury each season — sat out one game as a freshman because of a concussion ; battled through shoulder and right leg injuries as a sop homore, missing one game ; plagued by a left ankle injury late in his junior season (November 2023), missing one game.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Allen was the focal point of offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s multiple-run scheme. After signing as a safety/linebacker out of high school (at age 16), he stayed on offense and led the Badgers in rushing each of his three seasons in Madison, including 20 career 100-yard rushing games, the most of any active college player in 2023. (Wisconsin was 18-2 in those games). A balanced, one-cut athlete, Allen shows a great feel for lane development, especially on inside/outside zone. He can run with either finesse or physicality, depending on the situation (69.5 percent of his yardage came after contact in 2023). He needs to prove his reliability (ball security, durability), but he plays through pain, and NFL teams love that he is the youngest player in this draft class. Overall,Allen isn’t overly creative and doesn’t run with as much nastiness as his size suggests, but he is well built with the vision, feet and overall feel to maximize the run design. He has the talent and third-down potential to be a productive NFL tandem back, similar to Tyler Allgeier.  GRADE: 3rd-4th Round (No. 97 overall)

* I would like to point out the comments under "weaknesses" are pretty much exactly what Goalline told us a week ago when talking about B. Allen.
We are blessed with some pretty good football insight around here at X4

RB4 Jaylen Wright

STRENGTHS: Muscular build with defined arms and quads … gives his blockers a chance to do their jobs before using his burst to accelerate through holes … has track speed, but his ability to cut away from pursuit angles at full speed and create missed tackles is more impressive … most of his explosives came on the outside, where he could bounce and find a runway (three carries of 50-plus yards in 2023) … keeps his shoulders square and his feet underneath him for quick lateral cuts … runs with balance and run strength, and he averaged 4.35 yards after contact in 2023 (third best in the FBS among backs with 130 -plus carries) … willing to step up and stone linebackers in pass pro … only 30 career catches, but he caught the ball well when targeted … plenty of tread left — fewer than 400 offensive touches in college … produced when given the opportunity, averaging 6.24 yards per carry over the last two seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Prefers to step/spin out of contact and doesn’t consistently drop his pads into contact or fall forward … inside vision is in consistent and will leave some meat on the bone … needs to be quicker adjusting his tempo to attack daylight as it opens … wide base helps his balance mid -cut but also hinders some of his lateral explosiveness at times … anticipation in pass protection is still developing … fumbled five times over the last two seasons, although only once in 2023 … minimal special-teams experience and wasn’t used as a returner in college … scored just four times in 2023 … wasn’t asked to carry the offense (12 or fewer offensive touches in half of his games in 2023) … underwent a procedure on his left thumb after the 2023 season.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter, Wright was the lead back in head coach Josh Heupel’s version of the Air Raid spread scheme. He led the Volunteers in rushing each of the last two seasons and finished No. 1 among all FBS running backs in yards per carry in 2023 (7.39). Wright, who formerly was roommates with speedster wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, is a good-sized back with the foot quickness and speed bursts that leads to explosive plays (25.74 percent of his carries in 2023 went for 10-plus yards, No. 1 in the FBS). Though his pace and patience must improve for more controlled runs, he showed a lot of promise with his receiving skills and pass-pro reps on his 2023 film. Overall, Wright needs to develop a better feel for using tempo to maximize what is there, but his run strength, balance and ability to cut/weave at top speed make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. He projects as a scheme-versatile back (stylistically similar to Jerome Ford) who can handle work on all three downs

GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 83 overall)

With the signing of a young Josh Jacobs, I would think RB slips down the list of needs for Gute.  Depth is always good to have and Wright would seem to be high value in the late RD03 with potential to split snaps with JJ as RB2.  If there arent' good options at OL or DB in that spot.  Otherwise day 3 seems more likely for RB.

RB might be the best place they can actually grab an underclassman. 21 of the 54  underclassmen this year are at QB/RB/Receiver and very few of the otehrs meet their "normal" athletic thresholds or likely scheme fits.