#Rafa #Zamorano #Mock #Draft #linemen
Apr 24, 2024, 8:50 p.m.
The players in the trenches take over this projection of the first round selections
Hours before the start of the 2024 NFL Draftexpectations reach their highest point, waiting to find out which teams choose which players and in what order.
The stars of the future in the NFL They hope to hear their names throughout the seven rounds that will be held between Thursday, April 25 and Saturday, April 27 in Detroit, Michiganand more than one team will look back on this event as the catapult to future successes.
Likewise, there will also be a considerable number of fiascos and missed opportunities, and more than one organization will remember the 2024 NFL Draft bitterly.
We are hours away from knowing the NFL destinations of the most coveted prospects of 2024. ESPN Illustration
Without further ado, we predict which prospects will be chosen in the first 32 turns in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Caleb Williams, quarterback, Southern California
From the moment the Bears sent suitcases and everything to Justin Fields to the Steelers, it was clear that they would choose a quarterback, and the reality is that Chicago has no other option other than Williams. It’s the price you pay for having the first overall pick in a year with such a clear prospect for that position. Whether it works or not will depend on how Halas Hall works, although the record is not great for first-round quarterbacks.
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2024 Draft Profiles: Jayden Daniels
Meet the LSU quarterback, the 2023 Heisman winner.
Jayden Daniels, quarterback, Louisiana State
An identical case to Chicago is that of Washington, which basically emptied its pockets at the most important position in the game weeks before the draft, letting everyone see its intentions. Unlike the Bears, however, there is a choice ahead here: the LSU phenom, a Heisman winner, with only one standout season as a college student; the game manager who led the Wolverines to win it all; or the quarterback we’ve been talking about for two years about his potential, but we’re still waiting for him to really take off. All three carry significant risk, but the ceiling appears to be higher for Daniels. No successful mobile quarterback in the NFL takes the kind of violent hits we’ve seen on Daniels, and that leaves his viability as an NFL quarterback in doubt to me.
J.J. McCarthy, quarterback, Michigan
Unlike most prospects, whose shortcomings are usually evident, McCarthy’s problem is how little he has shown. When she has been needed, she has responded, but instances have been few. What’s going to happen when you’re required to throw 35 passes week in and week out, when you’re required to throw 40 or 50 pass attempts? The Patriots are going to take that risk and take the new national champion as a replacement with Mac Joneswho already wears the colors of another club.
Marvin Harrison Jr., open receiver, Ohio State
The best player available in the entire draft, regardless of position, will fall into the Cardinals’ lap for the simple fact that they don’t need a quarterback. Harrison has extremely rare body control, and would be the first player taken in the entire draft if not for the current collective bargaining agreement’s rookie salary scale.
Dallas Turner, linebacker externo, Alabama
The Chargers have been in charge of inflating McCarthy’s bonuses for months, through the voice of his former head coach at Michigan. The reason is simple: the more quarterbacks that go at the top of the draft order, the better the players available to clubs that don’t require a quarterback. Turner doesn’t come close to Will Anderson Jr., his former teammate at Alabama and current Arizona player, but he is the best prospect in a premium position for a draft that does not have great figures at the top of the draft. Yes, the Chargers have Khalil Mack y Joey Bosabut both had to accept contractual restructurings to continue with the franchise in 2024, and that means that time is running out for them in LA, especially Mack, despite the fact that he is coming off a notable season.
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Perfiles de Draft 2024: Drake Maye
Meet North Carolina’s star quarterback.
Drake Maye, quarterback, North Carolina
The Giants aren’t going anywhere with Daniel Jones, unless there is a better quarterback throwing passes to him and he is converted to wide receiver. It’s not going to happen, but at least with the selection of Maye, the Giants will have optimism for the future after they find a way to get rid of Jones’ contract at the end of next season. My problem with Maye is that, for all the qualities that the scouts tell us about the quarterback, we did not see enough level of play week after week with the Tar Heels. Where does all that “talent” go? If the Giants fall asleep, some lower team will jump them for Maye, with the Chargers and Cardinals positions as possible landing spots for the quarterback.
Malik Nabers, open receiver, Louisiana State
For some — not me — Nabers is there, step for step, with Harrison as the best wide receiver available this year. Not long ago, the Titans had one of the most promising young wide receivers in the NFL on their roster, but they decided to trade him during a draft two years ago, and the general manager responsible for that move lost his job shortly thereafter. . The Titans lost nearly half their offense this year when they let Derrick Henryand now they will rebuild it under another configuration, one where the wide receiver position is more important.
Jared Verse, defensive end, Florida State
The Falcons need a boost in the opposing pass rush department, and they’re not going to pass on Verse if Turner is no longer available. After them, two, the drop in the level of prospects is notable. Verse shows tremendous brute strength when he attacks in a straight line, and often manages to get the offensive lineman on top of the passer. The problem is that he usually disappears for long periods.
9. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, receptor abierto, Washington
In my opinion, Odunze is closer to Nabers than Nabers is to Harrison, but there is no doubt that this trio of wide receivers is, as a position, the best this draft offers for the top 10 picks. The Bears have already paired Odunze with Williams, and the hope in Chicago is that — playing in the newly announced new stadium — they will be a terrifying pairing for offenses for the next decade or more.
Brock Bowers, tight end, Georgia
It’s not a good year to need a tight end, unless you’re in the range where Bowers is still available. The Jets’ passing arsenal needs an infusion of talent to accompany Garrett Wilson, and Bowers would be a top-half first-round pick in any of the last 10 drafts, no problem. Maybe a No. 10 seed seems high, but there’s no one after him worth even considering in the next 30 shifts.
Terrion Arnold, cornerback, Alabama
I’m not 100 percent sure the Vikings are going to be able to find their quarterback, even armed with first-round picks, simply because the Giants could be left with the fourth available this year, and this pick is too high to think about prospects. Nos. 5 and 6 available, being able to choose the best prospect of all in a different position. Cornerback, for example, would be a good choice, and Arnold comes from a school where defensive backs are usually a guarantee, with the few exceptions of him.
Laiatu Latu, outside linebacker, UCLA
The acquisition via exchange of Zach Wilson He tells me that, perhaps, the price of moving up for one of the quarterbacks available at the top of this draft was too high for Denver, and they have resigned themselves to not being able to climb that much. So, they turn to a linebacker with extraordinary physical traits, production, but who arrives with some question marks surrounding vertebrae fusion surgery performed a few years ago. Latu hasn’t had any problems recently, but having a chronic neck problem, if he still has one, is no small feat.
Brian Thomas Jr., open receiver, Louisiana State
There is no better prospect to serve as a deep threat for a passing game than Thomas. Sure, this rung seems a little high for a pure speedster, but when has he stopped that for the Raiders in the past (see Henry Ruggs III or Darius Heyward-Bey). Fortunately for Las Vegas, whoever arrives via draft will not need to assume the role of primary wide receiver, playing alongside a Davante Adams which already worries the defenses enough.
Joe Alt, offensive tackle, Notre Dame
Sure, it seems like a lot to have to wait until the No. 14 pick to hear the name of the first defensive tackle in a year in which it can be considered the best position for the entire first round, but that’s how the picks have turned out for us. Trevor Penning It has not been on the left what the Saints expected when they took him in the first round of 2022, and the future of Ryan Ramczyk It is not entirely clear, due to a cartilage problem in the knee. And if that was not enough, James Hurst announced his retirement as we wrote these lines. Finding the best offensive tackle available would be like winning the lottery for the Saints at this level.
Quinyon Mitchell, cornerback, Toledo
It’s not often you see a Toledo player get selected this high in a draft — the Rockets haven’t had a first-round pick since 1993 — but Mitchell is worth it. Indy aimed to retain most of its defensive free agents this offseason, including cornerback Kenny Moore II, but the work is not finished in this area. Despite playing against inferior competition, Mitchell looks like a future Pro Bowl selection.
Taliese Fuaga, guard, Oregon State
The Seahawks are confident that their young offensive tackle duo, Charles Corss on left and Abraham Lucas On the right, they can remain offensive pillars for a long time, as long as injuries do not prevent it. But, it cannot be ruled out that they want to invest in the space that exists between Cross and Lucas. Fuaga was an offensive tackle in college, but is widely projected to move to guard at the next level. In addition, if Cross and Lucas continue to miss starts due to injuries – they were absent in 14 games in 2023 between the two – Fuaga could come into play.
Byron Murphy II, tackle defensivo, Texas
Following the example of players like Aaron Donald and Ed Oliver, the NFL has become less and less resistant to the idea of lighter defensive linemen, capable of creating chaos with sudden moves from the interior. The Jaguars could move him to wing in their 3-4 front opposite the newly acquired Arik Armsteadand playing ahead of Josh Allen y Travon Walkerin his base defense, and moving it to the nose in obvious passing situations.
Older Fashanu, offensive tackle, Penn State
The search for better protection for Joe Burrow It never ends in Cincinnati, and no wonder. Burrow is one of the two or three quarterbacks who most visibly raise the level of those around him in the NFL. For now, the left flank appears to belong to Orlando Brown Jr., and the right flank to Trent Brownbut under our projection, Fashanu could take Burrow’s blindside and send Orlando Brown Jr. to right, probably against his will.
Troy Fautanu, offensive tackle, Washington
The Rams marveled last season with one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, reaching the postseason when very few expected it. These types of campaigns can often help cover up certain shortcomings. The Angelenos need help in the trenches, and depending on how our first round goes in this exercise, they will be able to select a quality left tackle without having to move up spots. There are some question marks regarding a knee, and that could easily see him fall into this range of picks. Unlike some other prospects, Fautanu has said publicly that he could line up wherever his team needs him, including a move to guard.
Adonai Mitchell, open receiver, Texas
The Steelers massively improved their quarterback group, but lost via trade to Diontae Johnson, the second best wide receiver on the team. Already with Russell Wilson At the controls, you must provide him with weapons. After the three best prospects at the position, who look to go inside the Top-10, there is good debate about who would be the fourth best, and where he should be selected. In our exercise, Thomas leaves before Mitchell, but the argument is there between receivers of similar size but different characteristics. Mitchell is not a pure speedster, with a slightly wider range of routes in the intermediate and short range.
Jer’Zhan Newton, defensive tackle, Illinois
The Dolphins did not lose their two best defensive tackles in recent weeks, but they will also change their defensive scheme to adopt a 3-4 system. That could align well with what will be available at this point, in Newton. Newton isn’t massive enough to anchor the nose in this defense, but he could take a wing spot next to Benito Jonesand playing inside Bradley Chubb I Jaelan Phillipswho will assume outside linebacker roles.
Nate Wiggins, esquinero, Clemson
The Eagles’ defensive secondary was a disaster in the second half of last season, and although the starting cornerbacks return —Darius Slay y James Bradberry–, it’s time to think about a replacement, perhaps as soon as the start of the next campaign.
Michael Penix Jr., quarterback, Washington
If, as we think in our scenario, it is impossible for the Vikings to access one of the top four quarterbacks in this draft, they will be forced to move on to the next pair of options. This shift seems too high for Penix, but the shifts at the start of the first round are also too high for the four quarterbacks who will go up there, and that is rarely discussed. If Penix is the chosen one, he will arrive at a team with a couple of solid tackles, capable of providing him with the pocket of protection that Penix so requires to shine. Of course, there will be an adjustment period for the rest of the offense, with the arrival of a left-handed quarterback. Even the ball travels differently in the air, when it is thrown by the left arm.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, centro, Oregon
The Cowboys decided against retaining the center Tyler Biadasz, and that opens a huge hole inside their line. Biadasz never played at Travis Frederick’s level, but at least he was reliable. Powers-Johnson is the best center available this year, and possibly the only interior offensive lineman with a genuine first-round grade. If Dallas takes this route, no one will be able to criticize the decision.
JC Latham, tackle ofensivo, Alabama
All hope for David Bahktiari’s return to Pro Bowl form is gone, and the Packers need to replace him on the left side of the formation. If the Packers decide that Rasheed Walker He at least earned the chance to show he can handle the left flank full-time, anyway, Green Bay requires a right tackle. Latham could be tested at both positions and, ultimately, line up inside at guard.
Chop Robinson, linebacker externo, Penn State
The Buccaneers parted ways with Shaq Barrett this offseason, and that leaves a major void in the pass rush role for the club. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka He’s done little since arriving as a first-round pick three years ago, and an injection of talent along the edge is desperately needed. Robinson looks ideally built to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme like the one the Bucs employ.
27. Arizona Cardinals (procedente de Houston Texans)
Kool-Aid McKinstry, cornerback, Alabama
Arizona will have two picks this year, courtesy of a trade with the Texans 12 months ago, and after thinking about Harrison to complement the arsenal of Kyler Murray, I would turn to defense in the lower part of the first round, where there will be great prospects with high value falling behind in the selections. McKinstrey could help on the outside, where the Cardinals don’t appear to have the best alternatives on the opposite side of Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Darius Robinson, defensive end, Missouri
Sure, the priority for the Bills should be a wide receiver to fill the spot. Stefon Diggs, but I don’t know if there is anyone available at this point who is worth that selection. Instead, Robinson could help solve the recent departure of Leonard Floydand the abysmal level drop of By Millerwho is somewhat surprising for still being on Buffalo’s roster.
Cooper DeJean, cornerback, Iowa
The Lions will have many viable addresses at this level, including DeJean, who has some question marks due to a recent leg fracture. He may not be ready to return to full physical activity until training camp, but DeJean is dynamic and can contribute on special teams, too.
Graham Barton, tackle ofensivo, Duke
As with the Bills, a wide receiver would be ideal, but there may be more value in waiting to see what there is in later rounds at the position. On the other hand, the interior of the offensive line needs urgent help after the departure of Kevin Zeitler At right guard, Barton played tackle during his college career, but projects as an interior lineman at the next level, even being considered as a possible NFL center.
Amarius Mims, tackle ofensivo, Georgia
This is where there’s really value in selecting offensive linemen in this draft, with several interesting options still available. In terms of pure potential, Mims might be the best available in the entire draft, but he made very few starts during his time at Georgia. The Niners have Trent Williams on the left, so they don’t need to develop Mims to play from day one.
Jordan Morgan, tackle ofensivo, Arizona
Again, offensive line looks to have great value at this stage of the draft, with names like Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton still available, too. Morgan projects as an NFL left tackle, and for now, it is a position that on the Chiefs roster is in the hands of Wanya Morrisafter saying goodbye to Donovan Smith.
