Category: 2024 NFL draft

Week 3’s Saints-Rams game puts two rookies into a pivotal matchup

Not many could have predicted how immediately productive Taliese Fuaga and Jared Verse would be, and now the two rookies face off in Week 13:

Last time we saw Taliese Fuaga, he was busy keeping the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, off the stat sheet. After the bye week, Fuaga gets to face fellow rookie Jared Verse. Verse isn’t anywhere near the household name Garrett is, but he’s played well

We previewed the matchup going into the season, but we couldn’t have predicted how well these players would have performed in their first season in NFL.

We circled the matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams rookies because it’s the only game Fuaga has against a first round edge rusher. Toss the rookie statuses out the window, and the game should still be anticipated.

Fuaga has the lowest pressure rate allowed by a rookie. In comparison, Verse has more pressures than any rookie. Let’s dive deeper. He is already warranting double teams. That hasn’t stopped Verse, however. His six pressures while being doubled are third highest among all pass rushers.

In this matchup, Fuaga will have to make sure his base is strong. Verse is a powerful rusher who does a good job converting speed to power in his pass rushes. Verse does a good job of knocking linemen backwards. A strong anchor and good hands will be imperative to Fuaga winning this powerful rookie showdown.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Texans elevate veteran DL from practice squad for Titans game

The Texans are adding a player to the active roster before Sunday’s showdown against the Tennessee Titans.

With Foley Fatukaski out with a foot injury for Sunday’s matchup against the Tennesee Titans, the Houston Texans are upgrading their defensive line.

The Texans are elevating defensive tackle Tommy Togiai to the active roster from the practice squad, according to the team’s transaction wire.

Players can be elevated up to three times during the season without having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad. This will mark Togiai’s third and final elevation of the season, meaning the Texans would have to sign him to the active roster if he plans on playing again this year.

Over the past two games against the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, Togiai has three tackles and one pass breakup on 52 defensive snaps. He’s played 35% of the available defensive playing time.

With a victory, Houston would improve to 4-0 in the AFC South for 2024, setting up a potential playoff-clinching scenario before the bye week next Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Titans vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

Here’s the injury report for Thursday’s practice as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans ahead of their Week 12 matchup at NRG Stadium:

Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Did not practice

  • CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad)
  • OT Leroy Watson (back)
  • CB Roger McCreary (knee)
  • LB Jack Gibbens (ankle)
  • DB Justin Hardee (groin)
  • RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Limited participation 

N/A

Full practice

  • DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps)
  • WR Calvin Ridley (illness)
  • LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)
  • DL Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest)

Note: Simmons, Ridley, Joseph-Day and Murray all missed Wednesday’s practice.

Houston Texans (7-4)

Did not practice

  • DE Denico Autry (knee/oblique)
  • DT Folorunso Fatukasi (foot)
  • OT Blake Fisher (concussion)

Limited participation 

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)
  • CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hip)

Full practice

  • CB Kamari Lassiter (concussion)

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Brandon Brown on Tyrone Tracy: ‘We knew there would be good return on investment’

New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown said the team had a feeling rookie RB Tyron Tracy Jr. would be a good return on their investment.

The New York Giants knew they might have found a gem in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft with Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy had an interesting college career beginning as a wide receiver at Iowa before transferring to Purdue and switching to running back.

As a result Tracy, who will turn 25 later this month, has had a lot of experience at the college level and is more mature than most rookies. He has hit the ground running (so to speak) and leads all NFL rookies in rushing with 545 yards.

Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown spoke about Tracy on The Athletic’s podcast, The Playcallers, recently and how the team vetted him from every possible angle.

“We knew there would be good return on investment at the point where we could get him because the marketplace would devalue him as an older player with a limited resume,” Brown said.

That limited resume, combined with the Giants’ intensive scouting of Tracy, allowed him to fall into the fifth round, where Big Blue selected him with the 166th overall pick.

The record for most yards by a Giants rookie is 1,307 by Saquon Barkley (2018). Tracy is not likely to get there with seven games remaining, but anything is possible.

Tracy’s recent fumble that cost the Giants a possible victory in Munich against the Carolina Panthers won’t preclude them from featuring him going forward. They know what they have.

[lawrence-related id=735989,735983,735980]

Giants impressed, pleased with 2024 NFL draft class

Despite their regular season struggles, the New York Giants have been both impressed and pleased with their 2024 NFL draft class.

The first 10 weeks of the New York Giants’ 2024 season are in the rearview mirror as they head into the bye. With a disappointing record of 2-8, there hasn’t been much that has gone right for Big Blue this year.

One of the few things that has been impressive is the team’s 2024 NFL draft class.

General manager Joe Schoen fielded questions from the media on Tuesday and talked about the early success of his most recent class.

“I like Tyler Nubin. He’s played well for us. He’s one of the only rookies playing 99 percent of the defensive playtime. He’s leading rookies in tackles. So, I’m excited about him,” Schoen said. “Tyrone Tracy, also leading rookies in terms of rushing. So, I’m excited about the young players that we have.

“The build’s tough. It hurts sometimes as you’re going through it. But, you got to go through it to get to the other side. I like the young foundation that we’ve put in place. Whether it’s (Brian) Burns, (Dexter Lawrence II) and Kayvon (Thibodeaux). There’s some pieces that are going to be in.”

Schoen then circled back around to his 2024 draft class.

“(Malik) Nabers, the rookies I talked about, Theo (Johnson). There’s some young pieces here in place in terms of the foundation that we’re going to continue to build on. Another year of free agency and another draft, we’re not far off. We’re not far off.”

At 2-8 in the third season of the Schoen-Brian Daboll regime, there are no guarantees that the general manager or head coach will be back.

However, Schoen’s 2024 draft class certainly has been impressive. He received criticism following the draft after being the only team not to draft an offensive or defensive lineman.

On offense, the Giants have the rookie rushing leader in Tracy and the rookie receiving yards leader in Nabers. Let’s not forget, Theo Johnson has seen an increased role in the offense as time has gone on. On the other side of the ball, Andru Phillips and Nubin have been noticeable in the secondary for the Giants.

With just three teams younger than the Giants at the start of the regular season, Schoen will continue to evaluate the roster in the final seven games. However, it does seem as though the 2024 draft class will go down as a win on his resume.

[lawrence-related id=735941,735927,735911]

At the midway point of the season, the pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year is a no brainer

At the midway point of the season, the pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year is a no brainer: Jayden Daniels

Going into the 2024 NFL Draft fans had a pretty good idea that given the talent stacked at the quarterback and wide receiver position the race for the ‘Offensive Rookie of the Year’ trophy was going to be a tight one. Now at the halfway point it isn’t even remotely close to a close race as the Washington Commander’s rookie quarterback has run away as the clear favorite.

Daniels has been the most prolific rookie of the season by a wide margin to this point and has helped lift a once middling franchise to one of the best teams in the entire league. On the season Daniels has been masterful, putting up over 2,400 total yards, 13 touchdowns, and just two turnovers, as he directs one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. The Commanders have followed the wave of Daniels’ success and maintain a comfortable lead atop the NFC East at 7-2.

With the Commanders offense clicking on all cylinders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin having elite quarterback play for the first time in his career, this team really becomes one to watch come playoff time. Daniels was clearly the right choice with the second overall selection and looks every bit as advertised from his dynamo Heisman season at LSU. The other rookies in this class have a lot of catching up to do if they want to steal the rookie award away from Daniels.

The Carolina Panthers found a star in an undrafted free agent receiver

The Carolina Panthers found a star in an undrafted free agent receiver, Jalen Coker from Holy Cross

There were plenty of questions about the Carolina Panthers receiving core heading into the 2024 season, and while moves were made both in the trade market and the first round of the draft, there were still plenty of questions remaining. After injuries to both Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson, undrafted free agent receiver Jalen Coker saw his first action as a starter last weekend against the Denver Broncos, and he made the most of it.

On Sunday Coker went up against a tough Denver Broncos defense. Despite having one of the better secondaries in the league, Coker found some big-time success with Bryce Young. On the afternoon, Coker hauled in 4 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown late into the fourth quarter. Coker looked as though he had a legitimate connection with Young and was consistently making big-time plays in crucial moments despite the blowout loss.

 

Now, with the trade of Diontae Johnson, it looks like Coker has a chance to be a full-time starter for the Panthers. If Carolina can get this offense moving with a quarterback change, Coker could be one of the biggest surprises to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft. How Coker went undrafted given his college tape and his clear pro skillset is a mystery that will likely never be solved.

[lawrence-related id=654957]

Texans QB C.J. Stroud comments on loss of WR Stefon Diggs

The Houston Texans will be without one of their top players in Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the 2024 season.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he didn’t have the words to describe the loss of Stefon Diggs.

It’s a next-man-up mentality inside the Texans’ locker room, but the second-year passer knows the season will be different without the four-time Pro Bowler by his side.

“You can’t really — you try to think positively about it, but it’s not a bunch of positive thoughts,” Stroud said. “I just feel bad for him. I’m praying for him.”

Diggs suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact injury during Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts and will miss the remainder of the regular season. He’s expected to make a full recovery and play in 2025.
While attempting to run a route against Kenny Moore, Diggs grabbed his leg and immediately dropped to the ground. While he was able to walk off on his own pressure, he headed to the locker room and did not return to the field.

“He was having one of the best times he’s ever had on a team, at least that’s what he told us,” Stroud said. “I just feel for him and praying for him and just hoping that he keeps his head up high and he’ll bounce back even stronger.”
Acquired from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-round pick, Diggs was expected to be the constant No. 2 option for Stroud’s passing attack in a breakout year.
With the Texans voiding the final years of his contract, Diggs will become a free agent next offseason, meaning he could play elsewhere in 2025.
“He’s one guy who gave his all to everything we ever asked him to do,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s hurting and we’re hurting for him as well.”
A consistent playmaker during his time with the Bills and Minnesota Vikings, Diggs served as the Texans’ top option once Nico Collins was placed on the injured reserve. Before the injury, he ranked seventh in the NFL in catches (47) and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).

He was on pace for a season-high performance Sunday after hauling in a 49-yard catch in the third quarter. Diggs left with a team-leading five receptions for 81 yards.

“His impact is huge,” Stroud said. “Stef has been somebody who you know you can lean on as a friend, as a teammate, as a brother, somebody who gives you life advice and somebody who just is an OG, just a vet, has played a lot of ball and lived a lot of life.”

Right now, the Texans don’t seem interested in adding a receiver before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5. Their options are also limited after the Ravens traded for Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson Tuesday afternoon.

Davante Adams (Jets), Amari Cooper (Bills) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs) were all other options that were traded to AFC contenders earlier this month. Jacksonville’s Christian Krik was expected to be moved before he suffered a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday.

Houston has weapons outside Diggs and Collins, but the production hasn’t matched the hype entering Week 9. Tank Dell, who broke out with 709 receiving yards in 11 games as a rookie, is third on the Texans in receiving yards (229) and touchdowns (2).

He also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in Sunday’s win over the Colts during the second quarter.

“Tank has been an explosive player in college he was explosive, he has been explosive for us,” Ryans said. “Tank just has to be Tank.”

 

The Texans envision Dell as a franchise cornerstone, so he’ll need to step up as the new No. 1 until Collins can return.
Dell’s not alone, however, since Robert Woods, John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson are all expected to produce starting Thursday night against the New York Jets.
“Everybody has got to step up,” Dell said. “Even if you are one of the star players, you still have to step up and do more and produce more. I know all of us are more than capable of doing that. So, we are going to try to go out there and make plays.”

Rookie surprise Tyrone Tracy Jr. dominates as lead back for the New York Giants

Rookie surprise Tyrone Tracy Jr. dominates as lead back for the New York Giants after being taken in the fifth round

After the departure of longtime New York Giants staple Saquon Barkley, there was heavy speculation on whether the team could even come close to replacing the level of production he provided. The Giants did bring in free agent Devin Singletary, who has been a nice piece, but the real surprise of the season has been 5th-round rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., who is now clearly the starting back.

 

In an eventual loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tracy was far and away the best offensive player for the struggling Giants offense. On the night in primetime Tracy managed 145 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, this left him with a staggering 7.2 yards per rush for the contest. Tracy looked explosive and agile, zipping through holes and forcing Pittsburgh to play up to the run. While Daniel Jones couldn’t quite cash in on the relief, it was still a fantastic night for the unexpected superstar.

Tracy looks very promising in his new role as the Giants top running back, and as the season moves on, he becomes a real threat to eclipse the century mark. Though the Giants are not a very good team for a number of reasons, the breakout of both Tracy and fellow rookie Malik Nabers leaves a lot of promise for the future in New York.

The first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft are set to duel each other this Sunday

Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are set to square off in Week 8–if Daniels is healthy enough to play

In a sight that isn’t seen very often, the first and second overall picks are set to face off this coming Sunday as Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears travel to take on Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Both these rookie quarterbacks have been lights out so far this season, and it promises to be a fireworks show.

 

Both of these rookie quarterbacks have put up numbers with the best of the league, supercharging their offenses and creating contenders out of two teams that were bottom feeders the season prior. Between the two of them through the first 8 weeks of the season Williams and Daniels have a combined 19 touchdowns and record of 9-4 (The Bears already have had their bye week).

 

Assuming Daniels is good to go following a rib injury this last weekend, this could end up being one of the games of the week. Both teams are coming off of big blowout wins and look to keep their momentum going, and this could even heat up the debate of who ultimately should have went number one overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.