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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Find out why this junior is an elite prospect in a stellar class of WRs.

LSU has produced several top-flight NFL wide receivers in recent years, and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Malik Nabers leaves the program as decorated as any of them. He set the school record for receiving yards with 3,003 and receptions (189) in three seasons.

He won SEC All-Freshman recognition in 2021 on the strength of four TDs, and broke out as a sophomore with a conference-leading 72 grabs. Nabers saved his best for last, going for a masterful stat line of 89 catches, 1,569 yards and 14 aerial touchdowns as a junior. He paced the SEC in receptions, finished second in yardage, and was good for third in scoring among FBS competition. All told, Nabers was selected as a First-team All-SEC member and First-team Associated Press All-American.

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 200 pounds
40 time: 4.35 seconds (unofficial)

Table: WR Malik Nabers, LSU (2021-23)

Year	Team	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds
*2021	LSU	Fr	11	28	417	14.9	4	4	23
*2022	LSU	So	14	72	1,017	14.1	3	1	5
*2023	LSU	Jr	13	89	1,569	17.6	14	1	1
Totals			28	189	3,003	15.9	21	6	29

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
**player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Explosive playmaker — ranks in the 92nd percentile for broad jump and vertical jump among wideouts — averaged a hearty 15.9 yards per grab over three seasons
Ran 4.35 at his Pro Day, which would have been in the top 8% of all receivers to have run at the NFL combine
Has a legit second gear to chase down overthrown balls
Premium hands — catches away from his body and flashes late deployment
Plays from any receiver spot but was more productive out of the slot
Quality route runner who typically demonstrates advanced knowledge throughout the route tree — understands how to sell fakes (damning double move) and varies his speed
Built thickly enough to power through arm tackles and fight for tough yardage — plays bigger than he measures
Competitive nature jumps off the screen
Has the rare ability to be many different wide receiver models — can be a bull in a china shop in traffic, run past people on verticals, and win high-point battles on 50/50 balls
Fits just about any system
Has the functional strength and hands to develop into a plus blocker

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Cons

Overall has great hands, but you’ll find what look to be concentration-lapse drops on otherwise routine catches
Displays more linear burst and isn’t really twitched up laterally
Shows a better grasp vs. zone coverage than man
Occasionally gets handsy at the top of his route when trying to gain separation — picky NFL refs could call fouls for excessive hand checks

Fantasy football outlook

Such an impressive resume in the nation’s toughest conference as well as imposing physical traits place Nabers among the top picks — regardless of position — in the upcoming draft. While it may be a lazy comparison to some, there’s a blend of former LSU Tigers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in his aerial game, but Nabers has flashes of guys like Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown with the ball in his hands.

A trio of quarterbacks are likely to go in the first three picks, and this Louisiana native is in a three-way competition to be the top receiver chosen. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. figures to be the first wideout off the board, perhaps as high as No. 4 overall (Arizona Cardinals), and in that case Nabers vs. Washington’s Rome Odunze becomes the decision for several teams in the top 10, including the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5), New York Giants (No. 6), and Chicago Bears (No. 9).

Of course, any number of teams could be in love with what they see in Nabers and trade up to secure his services. Without knowing where he’ll play this year, a precise fantasy valuation will have to wait a few more days, but Nabers could range from a high-end No. 3 to a low-tier WR1 as a rookie. He’s more than just a deep threat and will develop into a phenomenal pro, possibly as soon as Year 1.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Marvin Jr. looks to improve the Harrison brand as an NFL wideout

There is a consensus best wide receiver in every NFL draft. But no rookie prospect has a father who was a Top-5 receiver in NFL history. To say that expectations are high is an understatement.

In high school, Harrison helped St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia to win three consecutive state championships while setting career receiving yardage (2,625) and touchdown (37) records for the Philadelphia Catholic League. He left as a four-star prospect and was heavily recruited as one of the top receivers entering college in 2021. He selected Ohio State over his father’s alma mater Syracuse.

Harrison was little used as a freshman, playing behind Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Chris Olave. With Wilson and Olave opting out of the Rose Bowl before entering the NFL draft, Harrison’s first start resulted in six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns to help win the game.

As a sophomore, he became the primary wideout and recorded two straight 1,200-yard seasons with 14 touchdowns in each. Harrison played with C.J. Stroud in 2022 and recorded his career-best marks in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Harrison was considered the best wideout in college last year and won the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in the NCAA.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 209 pounds
40 time: 4.3ish estimated

Harrison attended the NFL Combine and was measured but declined to participate in any drills. He had nothing to win by doing them. Harrison is not considered a burner per se, but then again, he recorded a 22.2 mph touchdown catch versus Youngstown State. That matches up with D.K. Metcalf’s 22.23 mph as the NFL’s fastest play for last year. There’s no concern about any physical attribute or measurement for the future star.

Marvin Harrison Jr. stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rush	Yards	TD
2021	Ohio State	13	11	139	12.6	3	0	0	0
2022	Ohio State	13	77	1263	16.4	14	2	32	0
2023	Ohio State	12	67	1211	18.1	14	2	26	1

Syndication: USA TODAY

Pros

Best college receiver for the last two years
Versatile and played on outside and in slot
Hall-of-Fame genetics at play
Elite hands and body control win on contested catches, deep routes, and over-the-middle receptions
High production came despite constant double teams and press coverage by defense
Rare combination of speed and a 6-3 frame
Tremendous instincts on all aspects of getting open and catching the ball
Knows how to influence defensive backs to break free and optimize positioning for the catch
Solid blocker

Cons

Doesn’t break many tackles despite size and strength
Disappointed when did not workout at NFL Combine or the Ohio State Pro Day
Some ball security concerns

Fantasy outlook

While a few believe Malik Nabers should be the first wideout taken, the majority of analysts and scouts expect Harrison to be the first selected, likely the fourth-overall after the Top-3 quarterbacks are selected. He is a lock for the Top-5 by all accounts and will be drafted by a team looking for an immediate difference-maker. Likely the Arizona Cardinals who currently hold the No. 4 pick, or the Los Angeles Chargers who pick at No. 5.

There is always a chance of a trade. Unless some team moves up to grab him or a different player which slides him back, Harrison should be paired with either Kyler Murray or Justin Herbert and either case bodes well for the rookie since both teams have a glaring need at wideout and above average-quarterbacks who are in their first or second year of a new offense.

Harrison is as hyped as any wideout in recent memory, boosted not only by the production of the last two seasons but also with his bloodlines. He’ll be an exciting pick in a fantasy football redraft league and an expensive acquisition in a dynasty league.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Bucky Irving, Oregon

Bucky Irving searches for a third-down role as a rookie

Bucky Irving was a productive running back in high school but did not play during his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily shut down their football program. He joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers as a freshman and played in 12 games as a part of a three-man backfield and finished out the year as the primary rusher.

He transferred to Oregon in 2022, where he became the starting running back, playing alongside quarterback Bo Nix and wideout Troy Franklin. He led the team in rushing for two seasons while the Oregon Ducks enjoyed successful years, ending No. 6 in the nation for 2023. Irving topped 1,000 rushing yards in both seasons while quickly growing into a dangerous weapon as a receiver.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 192 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds

At 192 pounds at the NFL Combine, Irving was one of the lightest running backs in the class and his 4.56 40-time was just a tick below average for the group. Irving doesn’t stand out in size or speed. What has set him apart is his football IQ and overall ability to make a difference. Irving shouldn’t be measured by just his physical specs.

Bucky Irving stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2021	Minnesota	12	133	699	5.3	4	8	73	0
2022	Oregon	13	156	1058	6.8	5	31	299	3
2023	Oregon	14	186	1180	6.3	11	56	413	2

Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Elite ability to make tacklers miss.
Superior balance lets him bounce off defenders and break through arm tackles
Determined runner who falls forward for extra yards
Decisive runner with excellent vision to pick the right lane and then bounce left or right at the right moment
Good fit for offenses relying on outside runs and gap schemes
Increased use as a receiver fits well into NFL backfields and sets him apart from most other rookie backs
Highly competitive

Cons

Smaller frame naturally causes durability and inside rushing concerns
Lack of top-end speed will limit long gainers
Pass blocking needs work and lack of size could limit
Occasionally sacrifices taking the moderate gains for attempts to break a longer run
Receiving could be expanded – relied on short passes and dump-offs at Oregon

Fantasy Outlook

The concerns with Bucky Irving are naturally about his size and speed, and how much he benefitted playing behind a great offensive line on a team with a great passing game. But Irving has undeniably shown the characteristics of an NFL-quality running back as a highly productive rusher and an equally valuable receiver. He’s not likely to step into a three-down role in the NFL and may not be a primary back from the start, but he can be a significant contributor at the next level.

Irving has been compared to Keaton Mitchell and De’Von Achane – though both showed great promise last year and yet dealt with injuries.

Irving is expected to be a Day 2 pick, likely in Round 3 when the first backs should show up. Irving has the look of a third-down back that can expand into more if a need arises. He’s been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals. But as a likely third-rounder, he could end up nearly anywhere. He should produce fantasy value as a rookie, but his role and volume of work rely heavily on the scheme and backfield personnel of his new team.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Brian Thomas led the NCAA with 17 receiving touchdowns

Louisiana-born Brian Thomas Jr. elected to remain at home when he committed to LSU in 2021. He played in 12 games as a freshman alongside Kayshon Boutte and Malik Nabers. The Fighting Tigers improved in 2022 with the addition of quarterback Jayden Daniels, but Malik Nabers was the only receiver to see a marked increase that season. Last year, Daniels threw for 40 touchdowns, and Nabers (89-1596-14) and Thomas (68-1177-17) led LSU in receiving and are in this draft.

It was a breakout season and has propelled him up the draft boards. Nabers may be drafted as early as fifth overall. Thomas is also expected to be selected in Round 1, and may be taken as high as the fifth wideout in the latter half of the initial round. The LSU passing offense was prolific for these last two years and Jayden Daniels is expected to be drafted among the first three quarterbacks that kick off the Day 1 selections.

Thomas was fortunate to have one of the best college quarterbacks for these last two years, but Daniels was also blessed with Nabers and Thomas. While Nabers ranked No. 2 in the nation with 1,569 receiving yards, the 17 touchdown catches by Thomas were No. 1 in the NCAA – two more than any other receiver.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 209 pounds
40 time: 4.33 seconds

Thomas did well at the NFL Combine. His 4.33 40-time was the second fastest of those who tested. His height and weight was identical to both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze who are expected to be among the first five receivers taken.

Brian Thomas Jr. stats (2021-23)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rush	Yards
2021	LSU	12	28	359	12.8	2	2	6
2022	LSU	13	31	361	11.6	5	0	0
2023	LSU	13	68	1177	17.3	17	1	(-6)

Syndication: The Daily Advertiser

Pros

Elite combination of height, weight, and speed – very athletic
Superior speed and burst makes him a vertical threat
Solid body control to box out defenders and win contested catches
Big play threat whenever he lines up
Speed and burst that makes him hard to overthrow
Touchdown machine both breaking clear after catch and using physicality in the end zone in traffic
Fluid route runner that can influence defenders using cuts and double cuts
Respect for his speed opens him up for short passes and yards-after-catch

Cons

Should expand route tree to reach potential
Can be knocked off balance by defensive backs
Still has room to grow in consistency with focus
Just one season of note in college and that was in a top passing offense with Nabers there to concern secondary

Fantasy Outlook

Thomas had just one one monster season, and he was inside of a prolific offense. But he has all of the desired attributes of an NFL outside wide receiver and he led the country in receiving scores while playing in the SEC. He’d be a tremendous addition to an offense that already has a No. 1 wideout and wants to pair him with a talented rookie that may take a year or two to reach his potential.

Thomas started out this spring as a potential Top-10 pick but more recent projections have him somewhere in the middle. That means any NFL team could potentially move up or down to reach him.

Potential landing spots include the Bengals as an attractive option, especially if Tee Higgins were to be traded. The Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs have also been mentioned, though the Chiefs would need to move up to reach him. It’s not impossible for him to end up with the Chargers if they move back a few spots. The Bills and Steelers could also be interested.

Thomas may evolve into an elite No. 1 wideout for an NFL team, but he could be equally valuable as part of a tandem in any of the top passing teams. Thomas should offer at least moderate fantasy value even as a rookie, but his ceiling is not yet known.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Caleb Williams, USC

The presumed No. 1 pick makes for an interesting rookie fantasy QB.

Standout USC quarterback Caleb Williams is a human highlight reel as a game-altering play waiting to happen, and he brings his talents to the 2024 NFL Draft as the presumed first overall selection.

Williams committed to Oklahoma out of high school, where he played for a season before transferring to the Trojans. In 2021, he was a Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention with just six Sooners starts to his name.

In two seasons as the full-time USC starter, Williams posted absurd numbers, especially in 2022 when he broke the school record for aerial scores as well as passing and total yards on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. Williams won just about every other notable accolade, including Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. He garnered First-Team All-Pac-12, First-Team Associated Press All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year, and Maxwell Award recognition.

In 2023, after losing receiver Jordan Addison to the NFL, Williams would appear in 12 games and take a step backward statistically. He ran less but scored one more touchdown, and the most notable regression came in passing touchdowns with 30 compared to 42 the year prior. Williams closed out his FBS career as an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.

Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 214 pounds
40 time: 4.59 seconds (unofficial)

Table: QB Caleb Williams, USC (2021-23)

Year	Team	Class	Gm	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	AY/A	TD	Int	Run	Yds	TD
*2021	Okla.	Fr	11	136	211	64.5	1,912	10.2	21	4	79	442	6
*2022	USC	So	14	333	500	66.6	4,537	10.3	42	5	113	382	10
*2023	USC	Jr	12	266	388	68.6	3,633	10.3	30	5	97	142	11
Totals			37	735	1,099	66.9	10,082	10.3	93	14	289	966	27

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
**player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Freakish escapability and creativity and vision jump off the screen
Quick, compact throwing motion
Impeccable ball placement on the vast majority of his completions — has a true understanding of how to throw open a receiver in tight quarters
Consistently makes heroic plays that break the back of a defense
Elite athleticism and rushing prowess — massive chunk plays as well as the ability to house it even from distance
Thick, sturdily built frame to absorb big hits
Dangerous in the RPO game — aside from his ever-present rushing threat, he has full command of fake handoffs to sell the play
Really can uncork a deep ball with a quick flick of the wrist
Impressive red-zone production and rarely turns over the ball
Can accurately throw from any platform or angle
Delivers a very catchable ball
Improved demonstration of timing and anticipation in 2023
Accustomed to the spotlight of being a star prospect at a prominent program

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Cons

Lacks prototypical height and played almost exclusively from shotgun as a result
Too much freelancing — this is his best and worst trait and can get him into trouble
Wasn’t asked to operate within many NFL-level concepts in the passing game — it’s a chore to find more than a few hi-low recognition reads on tape
Sometimes feels ghost pressure and gets out of the pocket for no reason
Reckless style of play will open him up to injuries
Raw fundamental technique that may never greatly improve without hampering his most explosive attributes
Timing and anticipation are erratic — some of this is due to his tendency to play hero-ball
Lost five of last six games and threw multiple touchdowns in only two of those contests. To his credit, he was sharp as a razor in three 2022 losses

Fantasy football outlook

A freak of nature in many ways, it’s fairer to call Williams a “playmaker” over a “quarterback” in the truest sense of the latter. He’s overly reliant on athleticism — just won’t be something he gets away with quite as often in the pros. He will live and die by the proverbial sword, at least early on in his career, but it’s a real question if his recklessness can be curtailed to a balance that allows him to remain explosive but also play within a system.

Not every NFL coach will allow this to happen. Think back to the Mike Holmgren era with Brett Favre as a young quarterback. For every huge play No. 4 made, Holmgren aged 10 years by Favre living outside of the scope of the system’s game plan. It’s rare to find such a long runway of patience in today’s game.

Speaking of Favre, there’s visual correlation between Williams’ style and that of the Hall of Famer. The modern comparison is a blend of Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes — not bad company to keep.

After the Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields away, there’s no doubt where Williams will play in 2024 and the foreseeable future. The Bears stocked up on talent in the offseason, notably acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen to pair with DJ Moore and signing running back D’Andre Swift. Veteran tight end Gerald Everett joined in free agency, too.

With the personnel upgrades, Williams enters a favorable scenario for fantasy utility. He’ll start from Day 1, and he has two proven NFL veteran receivers plus a promising young tight end in Cole Kmet. Swift offers an explosive runner to keep defenders honest as well as a viable pass-catching outlet.

New offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron calls the shots, so expect something similar to what we’ve seen from the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks the last few years. He was the OC for the latter from 2021-23 after learning the ropes under the Mike Shanahan-inspired West Coast offense of Sean McVay.

Williams has low-end QB1 upside with this offensive design having produced starting-quality quarterbacks of late, including the 2022 resurrection of Geno Smith. The rookie’s legs will bail him out while the rest of his game catches up, and bonus points for rushing success makes him a fine matchup gamble as your No. 2 passer.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Can this explosive back rebound from a major setback?

Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks was in the midst of a true breakout season as a redshirt sophomore until a torn anterior cruciate ligament derailed everything in November of 2023.

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks still is positioned among the top backs in the class, and he should find a willing suitor as early as Day 2. After redshirting as a true freshman in ’21, he went on to see just 32 touches over seven games the next season while playing behind eventual NFL draft picks Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson.

In his 11 appearances last year, Brooks showed off his receiving chops and found the end zone 11 total times on his way to a team-high 1,139 rushing yards and a Second-Team All-Big 12 selection.

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 216 pounds
40 time: 4.45 seconds (unofficial)

Table: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas (2021-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	TD
2021	Texas	Fr	4	21	143	6.8	1	1	12	0
*2022	Texas	rFr	7	30	197	6.6	5	2	37	1
*2023	Texas	rSo	11	187	1,139	6.1	10	25	286	1
Totals			22	238	1,479	6.2	16	28	335	2

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
**player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Loose hips make for nifty stacking in the open field — capable of stringing together several moves in rapid succession
Unique blend of plus speed and size
More of a burner but plays with plenty of speed as a glider to complement excellent short-area burst — instant access to a new gear in the first few yards
Excellent contact balance to bounce off would-be tacklers
Decisiveness as a one-cut back makes him extremely appealing for zone-blocking systems but also has experience in gap-based schemes
Dangerous in the screen game — catches errant passes, shows patience for blocks to develop, and weaves through traffic as the play unfolds
Very little mileage on his odometer but was notably productive in his lone season as a starter (eight games) — averaged more than 6.0 yards per carry in all three seasons
Has the size and functional strength to improve in pass pro

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Cons

Coming off a torn ACL suffered in November, so he will effectively be redshirted in 2024 — will the injury rob him of some explosiveness in the long run? Does his style open him up for a greater injury probability?
Plays smaller than he measures, which stands out on tape — struggles to drive through contact and consistently doesn’t play behind his pads
In 2023, 71.6% of his runs came from shotgun in a talent-laden offense that paved big holes for him — just how effective will he be in the NFL when creases are smaller, defenders are faster, and fewer snaps come from the ‘gun
Being picky, he could improve his willingness to take what the defense gives him
Limited blocking skills and will be tasked with significantly improving technique in the pros

Fantasy football outlook

Presuming he recovers A-OK from knee reconstruction, Brooks has the tools needed to matter for fantasy purposes even if he garners a small workload. He’s not exactly a home run threat, but the former Longhorn has proven he’s good for a chunk play nearly each time he touches the ball.

Given the injury situation, trying to figure out where he winds up is a low-accuracy guessing game. He should be a reserve in Year 1 who is eased into late-season action once the knee can be trusted again, and then his employer will likely give Brooks a shot to earn a starting spot in 2025. Dynasty leaguers should bump him up their rankings a few notches, and 2024 single-league drafters can treat Brooks as merely a late-round curiosity.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

This rare talent at the position is poised for Year 1 contributions.

The first player in NCAA history to win the John Mackey Award in consecutive years as the nation’s best tight end, Brock Bowers leaves Georgia for the 2024 NFL Draft as the consensus No. 1 player at his position.

He was extremely versatile in high school by playing quarterback, tight end and linebacker, which helped lead to Bowers being a four-star recruit from the three major prep evaluation services.

He would get recognized for being the top freshman in the country and SEC Freshman of the Year. Bowers scored a Georgia record 13 aerial touchdowns in 15 appearances, and the Associated Press named him to the Second-Team All-American roster. He also was a First-Team All-SEC selection. This is all the more impressive given the pandemic canceled his high school senior season.

Over the next two years, while Bowers managed a respectable 13 combined receiving TDs, he also tacked on four rushing scores. He once again earned the AP and SEC honors in both seasons, going from second-team to first as an All-American in 2023, despite missing four games.

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 243 pounds
40 time: 4.48 seconds (unofficial)

Table: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia (2021-23)

Year	School	Class	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	TD
*2021	Georgia	Fr	15	56	882	15.8	13	4	56	1
*2022	Georgia	So	15	63	942	15.0	7	9	109	3
*2023	Georgia	Jr	10	56	714	12.8	6	6	28	1
Totals			35	175	2,538	14.5	26	19	193	5

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
**player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Absurd movement skills that jump off the screen — elite speed, acceleration, and lateral motion
Explosive playmaker who immediately picked up a collegiate offense (in the toughest conference) without a senior year in high school
Exceptionally dangerous on crosses, seam routes, and slants — any scenario that delivers the ball while he’s in full stride makes for a tough stop
Quality hands and attacks the ball away from his body
Proven capable of doing damage on the ground through jet sweeps and end-arounds
Demonstrated upper-echelon vision and patience on designed yards-after-catch routes, such as extended handoffs and manufactured touches near the line of scrimmage
Has the hands, tenacity and toughness to suggest he could develop into a stronger blocker

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Cons

Lacks prototypical size — could lead to durability issues in time and may not hold up in pass protection, thus limiting his scheme versatility
Functional route runner but still has room for growth in route experience — caught a great deal of his targets near the line of scrimmage
Was last season’s ankle injury a sign of things to come? It’s not fair to label him injury-prone, but his size and violent style of play could open that door in time

Fantasy football outlook

Bowers’ style of play reminds of George Kittle. It should be noted, though, most hyper-athletic tight ends have struggled to meet expectations in the pros, and frequent injuries sprinkled in with usual strong showings have become Kittle’s brand. Kyle Pitts is a recent example of a “can’t miss” who has yet to really hit.

Bowers comes into the NFL with extraordinary expectations placed upon him, and the 2023 rookie showing of Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta undoubtedly will inflate the former Bulldog’s fantasy stock. Bowers has the talent and potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Will that start in Year 1? History suggests otherwise, but there’s a reasonable chance Bowers deserves matchup consideration more often than not as a rook.

He should be a top-20 selection in the upcoming draft, going perhaps as early as No. 10 to the New York Jets. Coming off the board at No. 12 (Denver Broncos) is possible but not likely, and then you see a gap in the teams with the need falling down Seattle (16th), Cincinnati (18th) or the Los Angeles Rams (19th), presuming another franchise doesn’t trade into position to draft Bowers ahead of this teams.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Just how high can this TE newcomer ascend in the NFL?

An Iowa native, Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott stayed in the Midwest for his college ball, walking on to the roster as a fullback and hybrid who eventually became more of a tight end.

He redshirted in 2020 and used that time to bulk up after being only 210 pounds entering the program, and his speed hasn’t suffered for it. Sinnott earned First-Team All-Big 12 Academic honors in 2023 and was named to the First-Team All-Big 12 roster in 2022-23 from coaches and the Associated Press.

Height: 6-foot-3 7/8
Weight: 250 pounds
40 time: 4.68 seconds

On top of that, Sinnott was a 2023 John Mackey Award semifinalist for the best tight end in the nation. He was a 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl invitee.

His 2024 NFL Draft stock is somewhere between the late third round and early fifth. It likely comes down to a team with an established starter who may be facing free agency in 2025, thus giving Sinnott time to learn the nuances of the position at the pro level.

Table: TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State (2020-23)

Year	School	Class	Pos	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	TD
2020	Kan. State	Fr	FB	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
*2021	Kan. State	rFr	FB	12	2	15	7.5	0	3	12	1
*2022	Kan. State	rSo	TE/FB	14	31	447	14.4	4	0	0	0
*2023	Kan. State	rJr	TE	12	49	676	13.8	6	0	0	0
Total					82	1,138	13.9	10	3	12	1

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
C19: player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Versatility — can line up in the slot, backfield, and as a traditional Y
Movement traits stand out on film — faster than most tight ends (top-74th percentile all-time at combine) and has plus agility
Quick and explosive — ranks in the top-81st percentile in 10-yard split (1.59 seconds), short shuttle (4.32 seconds), and broad jump (126 inches)
High-point ability top-99th percentile in vertical jump (40 inches)
Major upside and untapped potential after transitioning to the position only a couple of years ago
Has a knack for uncovering late and exploiting soft spots in zone coverage
Reliable hands that show up in contested situations

[lawrence-related id=488577]

Cons

Lacks prototypical size to be a true inline tight end
Average route runner, at best, and struggles to consistently make crisp breaks
Despite being versatile in alignments, his route tree experience is rather bland
Fails to hold up as a conventional blocker — already added 40 pounds of mass in four years at K-State, so just how much stronger can he realistically pack on without sacrificing movement?
Short arms impact blocking and a small wingspan limits his catch radius — bottom third of all combine TEs for both measurements
What is he in the NFL? While it’s not a bad problem to have, all it takes is one coaching staff getting too cute and derailing any continued maturation as a tight end

Fantasy football outlook

Landing in Washington, Cincinnati, or Kansas City make a lot of sense if Sinnott stays at tight end, though his landing spot is anyone’s guess at this point. He is an improbable bet for Year 1 contributions.

Sinnott’s game and physical skill set reminds strongly of former Washington tight end Chris Cooley. There’s quite a bit to work with here in terms of long-term potential, including eventual TE1 status, and he’ll be an intriguing fantasy option perhaps as soon as 2025.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Penix matches his obvious risk with being arguably the best rookie passer

You cannot say that Michael Penix Jr. is a raw recruit. His 13, 741 passing yards rank No. 15 all-time in NCAA football history. That trails No. 6 Bo Nix (15,352) and even the lesser known Sam Hartman (15,656 Notre Dame) and Dillon Gabriel (14,865 Oklahoma) who also played last year in the pass-happy NCAA, where additional years of eligibility thanks to COVID rewrite career records.

Both Penix and Gabriel had rare six-year careers in college. Penix spent four at Indiana where he was the starter for two years but never played in more than seven contests. Penix suffered season-ending injuries every year as a Huskie – two shoulder issues and two torn ACLs. He was productive when playing, but he always missed about half of the games each year.

Penix transferred to Washington for the final two years. He finally remained healthy and led the nation with 4,903 passing yards last season. In 2022, during his first campaign with the Huskies, he passed for 4,641 yards to rank No. 2 in the nation. He claimed he returned in 2023 just to prove that he was truly over his injury problems. That was two straight seasons as no worse than the No. 2 passer in the nation.

Penix excelled in Washington thanks to staying healthy and playing in their pass-intensive scheme. Head coach Kalen DeBoer parlayed his two seasons there into becoming the new head coach at Alabama for 2024. The last two seasons were a magical time for the Huskies offense.

Ironically, had his only time in college been the last two years, Penix would likely have been a candidate for the first quarterback selected this year. Still, he is a first-round grade that is a lock to be a Top-5 quarterback and may end up in the first half of Round 1.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 218 pounds
40 time: 4.46 seconds unofficial

Penix attended the NFL combine where his 6-2 height and 216 pounds are prototypical, and his hands (10 1/2″) and wingspan (81″) were the largest among all quarterbacks there.

Michael Penix Jr. stats (2018-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	TD	Pass	Complete	Yards	Avg.	TD	Int
2018	Indiana	3	7	45	0	34	21	219	6.4	1	0
2019	Indiana	7	22	119	2	160	110	1394	8.7	10	4
2020	Indiana	6	18	25	2	220	124	1645	7.5	14	4
2021	Indiana	5	17	17	2	162	87	939	5.8	4	7
2022	Washington	13	35	35	4	554	362	4641	8.4	31	8
2023	Washington	15	35	35	3	555	363	4903	8.8	36	11

Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Prototypical pocket passer
Mature, 24-year old with six years of experience in college; top NCAA passer over the last two seasons
Huge hands for ball security – only four fumbles total in six years
Monster arm can effortlessly connect on any deep throw and has the accuracy to make any NFL throw
Advanced ability to read defenses and exploit weaknesses
Aggressive passer who trusts his receivers and a respected leader in the offense.
Short memory keeps him consistently challenging defense
Can drop dimes anywhere on the field and throws passes that help receiver add yards-after-catch.
Skillset matches up well with offenses in the current NFL

Cons

Durability will always be a concern. Inarguably great the last two years, but four previous seasons with consecutive serious injuries
Not as effective passing outside of the pocket
Won’t tack on much yardage as a rusher but capable of goal-line runs
Needs improved footwork to survive in the pocket against an NFL rush

Fantasy outlook

Penix enters the NFL draft as a quarterback of extremes. That likely drops his draft stock slightly, but he is still much coveted after throwing for more yardage over the last two years than anyone in the NCAA. As he himself said, he cannot do anything about his extensive history with injuries other than point at the last two seasons of health and elite stats.

He’ll always carry risk after four straight years of landing on injured reserve, so his placement in the NFL depends on which team values his potential more than his risk. Penix isn’t likely to do much as a rusher in the NFL, but he just threw 1,109 passes over the last two years and is a perfect fit in the pass-happy NFL.

Penix is likely outside of the Top-10 picks in April, but the further he falls from that, the more likely a team will move up to grab him. He’s been linked to the Los Angeles Raiders, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders.

Penix doesn’t need the seasoning that most rookie quarterbacks do since he played for six seasons and the last two were as good as any college quarterback. All players are sensitive to the situation they find with their new team, but Penix deserves fantasy consideration, even as a rookie, no matter where he ends up. He’s not offering rushing production. He offers a scary history of injury. But he is also in the argument as the best passer entering the NFL this year.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Coleman is an exciting prospect whose best days are ahead of him.

Florida State junior receiver Keon Coleman declared for the 2024 NFL Draft as an electric playmaker who may catch the eye of at least one franchise as early as Round 2. If not for speed concerns, the former Michigan State Spartan transfer would be a first-round selection.

Coleman played six basketball games for MSU and 10 football contests in 2021 before devoting himself full time to the latter the next season. He caught on quickly, producing personal bests in receptions and yardage as a sophomore.

Height: 6-foot-3 1/4
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.61 seconds

A transfer to the Seminoles didn’t affect his ascending trajectory. Even though Coleman’s catch count and yardage dipped slightly, he scored four more touchdowns than the prior year. Coleman was named First-Team All-ACC for wide receiver, all-purpose, and specialist, becoming only the second player ever to accomplish such a feat.

Table: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State (2021-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds
*2021	Mich State	Fr	10	7	50	7.1	1	0	0
2022	Mich State	So	12	58	798	13.8	7	0	0
*2023	Florida State	Jr	12	50	658	13.2	11	1	2
Total			34	115	1,506	13.1	19	1	2

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
C19: player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

Excellent size and leaping ability for contested catches — top-78th percentile or better for WR vertical jump, height, and weight among all-time combine participants
Well-built musculature allows him to box out in coverage, withstand big hits, and power through smaller defenders
Makes some spectacular grabs, especially in traffic, with multiple one-handed snags on tape
Fluid movement traits and is able to make defenders miss in tight spaces
Competitive spirit and fights for yardage
Has physical tools to be become more than an effort blocker
2023 punt returner experience, albeit with modest results — likely won’t be any team’s first choice to return kicks but has shown he can generate yardage

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Cons

Lacks straight-line speed to burn past most corners and often gets caught from behind — look at three potential punt return TDs that saw him either get chased down or cut off
Probably will be limited to an outside role with angular and vertical routes — noticeably struggles in “gearing down” situations
Despite making some special catches and typically being strong in contested situations, more consistency would be a huge boost to his long-term success
Start-stop can be sluggish, and longer corners can give him issues in press-man
Tends to be a “get in the way” type of blocker

Fantasy football outlook

Coleman profiles as a No. 2 at the next level, despite having similar skills to NFL standouts DeAndre Hopkins and Anquan Boldin. Lofty comparisons, indeed, so it will be impressive if he ever materializes to that extent.

He’s a cousin of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, don’t be shocked if Jerry Jones makes a play for Coleman. For as good a storyline that would be, Coleman’s unique skills make him a viable candidate for just about any team in need of a high-upside wideout with a knack for making chunk plays.

Regardless of where Coleman lands, expect a limited role as a rookie before he develops into a consistently useful fantasy commodity over the first three years.