Tag: 2024 draft

Saints’ 2024 to-do list looking very manageable after Cesar Ruiz, Carl Granderson extensions

The Saints’ 2024 to-do list is looking very manageable after extensions with Cesar Ruiz and Carl Granderson. But it all hinges on Derek Carr:

The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 to-do list is looking very manageable after extensions with Cesar Ruiz and Carl Granderson took two of their most important free agents off the board. With those two young players signed for the foreseeable future (along with team captain Cameron Jordan), team decision-makers will be able to focus on upgrading the roster rather than retaining talent.

But it all hinges on Derek Carr. The veteran quarterback has shown some good things (and some vulnerabilities) through his first couple of starts. Everything about the plan general manager Mickey Loomis and his top assistants Khai Harley and Jeff Ireland have drawn up relies on Carr fielding a playoffs-ready offense. If the Saints can reach the postseason with Carr putting points on the board, the plan ahead is crystal-clear.

So what does the future hold for the Saints? Here are the hurdles in front of them in 2024:

What Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury means for Packers

Aaron Rodgers’ season with the Jets is over after four plays. Here’s what it means for the Packers and the 2024 draft.

Imaging done Tuesday morning confirmed what many suspected Monday night: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers — who spent his first 18 seasons in Green Bay — will miss the rest of the 2023 season after suffering a complete tear of his Achilles tendon on the fourth play from scrimmage of Week 1, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The news is devastating for Rodgers, who turns 40 years old in December and was revitalized as a newcomer for the up-and-coming Jets. His football future is now exceedingly unclear. The news is similarly devastating for the Jets, who poured resources into this season believing Rodgers’ arrival provided a legitimate chance to make a Super Bowl run.

The Packers are also affected by the injury, although for much less pressing reasons.

In the blockbuster trade that sent Rodgers from Green Bay to New York, the Packers and Jets agreed on a conditional 2024 draft pick included the deal. If Rodgers played 65 percent or more of the offense’s snaps in 2023, the pick would be a first-rounder. If he played fewer than 65 percent, the pick would be a second-rounder.

Rodgers played all of four plays. The pick coming to Green Bay will be a second-rounder in the 2024 draft.

In a best case scenario for the Packers, Rodgers would have played most of the season for a poor team, resulting in a high first-round pick. While the Jets — despite a Week 1 win over the Bills — will likely struggle without Rodgers, the pick can now no longer be higher than No. 33 overall. More than likely, the pick coming to the Packers in the 2024 draft will be in the No. 40ish range.

The end result of the trade will be the Packers getting a pick swap in the first round of the 2023 draft (No. 15 to No. 13, which became Lukas Van Ness), a second-round pick (which became Luke Musgrave), a sixth-round pick (which became Anders Carlson) and a 2024 second-round pick for four plays of Rodgers in 2023 (possibly more in 2024 and beyond) and a 2023 fifth-round pick (which was involved in a trade down).

It’s unclear if the injury means the end of Rodgers’ decorated NFL career. He has talked recently about wanting to play several years with the Jets, but such a significant injury to his lower body might force a recalibration. Earlier this year, Rodgers said he was close to retirement while comtemplating his future during a darkness retreat.

Keep in mind, the Packers 2024 schedule features a game against a to-be-determined AFC East opponent at Lambeau Field. If the Packers and Jets finish in the same place in their respective divisions in 2023, Rodgers could return to Green Bay. But the future Hall of Famer now faces a long, difficult recovery before playing football again.

If Rodgers retires following this season, he would be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028.

Cowboys should keep close eyes on these 4 OG prospects in CFB

A CFB watchlist of a handful of guard prospects who should be available later in the draft but could turn out to be late-round steals. | From @TimLettiero

The offensive guard conversation in Dallas starts with Zack Martin, of course. He is still at the top of his game and an easy choice as a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate, and after a summer holdout he got the guaranteed money his status deserves. Currently opposite him is young phenom Tyler Smith, but his long-term future is still up in the air whether he is a tackle or guard.

Behind them sits no proven depth, though. Asim Richards played well in his minimal snaps during the preseason, as did UDFA rookie T.J. Bass, but whether or not either is in line for a starting role can’t yet be determined. Because of the long-term uncertainty Dallas will likely continue to look into the market during the last half of each draft. Here are several players to watch during the CFB season who could be diamonds in the rough.

Cowboys should keep close eyes on these 4 OT prospects in CFB

A CFB watchlist of a handful of draft prospects who should be available later in the draft but could turn out to be late-round steals. | From @TimLettiero

Dallas’s success over the past decade has typically comes down to the health of quarterback Dak Prescott and left tackle Tyron Smith. The latter has gotten significantly more ambiguous on a year-to-year basis. The 32-year-old Smith has struggled to stay on the field and his contract expires following the season. Now may be the time to seek a replacement as it is still unclear whether or not they believe Tyler Smith is the true heir or a more natural fit at guard.

Opposite the pair of Smiths is Terence Steele who signed a team-friendly five-year extension that locks him in through 2024 and gives the Cowboys’ options beyond that.

Behind this trio of starters, there are few names to be excited about. Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball have struggled in their limited snaps and while rookie Asim Richards and veteran Chuma Edoga were brought in, neither are certified long-term starters. Here are a few names to watch going forward who won’t top the mock draft boards.

Offensive tackle represents potential big need for Packers in 2024 NFL draft

Offensive tackle could be a big need for the Packers come the 2024 draft. We dive into the situation and college football prospects to watch this year.

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The Green Bay Packers are positioned well at the offensive tackle position in 2023, with David Bakhtiari on the left side and two capable starters in Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom competing for playing time at right tackle. But if we take a look ahead to 2024, there becomes a lot of potential uncertainty at one of the game’s most important positions.

It’s quite possible that this will be Bakhtiari’s final season in Green Bay. From a contract standpoint, the team can save $21.5 million on cap space next offseason, according to Over the Cap, if they move on from him, and that may also be what Bakhtiari wants, depending on how close he feels that the Packers are to competing for a Super Bowl.

Nijman may also be in his final season with Green Bay, as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Perhaps the Packers will try to work out an extension beforehand or let him test his free-agent market before making an offer, but as of now, there are unknowns around his future with the Packers.

Tom will be entering the third year of his rookie contract at that point and could be tasked with starting at either tackle position. The Packers, however, will need to find his counterpart and also emphasize rebuilding the depth that this unit currently has.

GM Brian Gutekunst has already begun preparing for the 2024 offseason at the offensive tackle position by drafting Rasheed Walker in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, claiming Luke Tenuta off waivers, and signing 2022 undrafted rookie Caleb Jones. All three are on a similar trajectory as Nijman was, where their first two seasons are for development, and in Year 3 — which would be 2024 for each player — is where they could take on a larger role.

However, relying heavily on late-round or undrafted players to step in and be the starter, even with experience in the offensive system, is risky. What we’ve seen from Nijman from a developmental standpoint as an undrafted rookie is not the norm and not something the Packers should necessarily bank on repeating. This is why offensive tackle could very much be on Green Bay’s radar during the 2024 NFL draft.

The good news for the Packers is that the early projections show that this upcoming draft class of tackles is expected to be a very good one — giving Green Bay options. They will also potentially have two first-round picks, their own and the New York Jets, if Aaron Rodgers plays 65% of the offensive snaps this season, giving the Packers more options and flexibility.

With Week 1 of the college football season not too far off, Packers draft contributor Brennen Rupp has highlighted some of the top offensive tackles to keep your eyes on this fall. Given the potential need that Green Bay could have at offensive tackle next offseason there may be a future Packer in this group, especially with offensive tackle being a position that they are willing to spend a first round pick on.

Olu Fashanu, Penn State

Jordan Love will have to stink up the joint if the Packers are drafting high enough to land the Penn State offensive tackle. We’re talking about Seneca Wallace in Green Bay bad. Sorry, Seneca. Loved watching you at Iowa State.

If Fashanu would have declared for the 2023 NFL Draft he likely would have been the first offensive tackle off the board and a Top 10 pick. Instead, he’s back at Happy Valley where he’ll continue to dominate Big Ten edge rushers on Saturdays. With his long frame, athleticism, and strength, Fashanu checks all the boxes.

Joe Alt, Notre Dame

C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young? Which quarterback would be the first off the board was the main topic of debate last draft cycle. This draft cycle will be Fashanu or Joe Alt?

Alt, a former tight end is a mountain of a man (6-8). He has great movement skills and outstanding lateral movements in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, Alt gave up zero sacks and yielded just eight pressures this past season.

JC Latham, Alabama

During his first year as a starter (right tackle), Latham gave up zero sacks and just one hit. The former five-star recruit has a fluid lower half to cut off pass rush angles. Latham played left tackle in high school and it’s expected that he’ll be the starting left tackle for Nick Saban this fall.

Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

A former five-star recruit and Oregon transfer enjoyed a stellar first season at BYU in 2022. The Utah native stonewalled edge rushers, giving up zero sacks and just 11 pressures during his redshirt freshman campaign. With the departure of Blake Freeland, Suamataia is slated to start at left tackle for BYU this fall. The BYU tackle checks the boxes with his size, strength, and movement skills.

Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Morgan enters his final season at Arizona with 25 starts at left tackle under his belt. If it weren’t for a season-ending knee injury Morgan likely would have entered the 2023 NFL Draft and heard his name called early on day two or early on day three.

Amarius Mims, Georgia

Mims, a former five-star recruit, has logged 504 snaps at right tackle during his first two seasons as a Bulldog. After biding his time as a reserve, it’s time for Mims to showcase his talent. Mims looks great off the hoof with his size and it will be fun to watch his transition to starter this fall.

Graham Barton, Duke

Barton has the skill set to play all five positions along the offensive line. He started five games at center for the Blue Devils in 2020. Over the past two seasons, Barton has started 25 games at left tackle. Barton has quick feet and lateral agility to mirror edge rushers.

Jonah Monheim, USC

Monheim enters the 2023 season with 21 career starts under his belt, with 18 starts at right tackle and three at right guard. According to PFF, Monheim logged 608 pass-blocking reps in 2022 and gave up zero sacks and zero hits.

Javon Foster, Missouri

Foster enters his final season at Missouri with 28 career starts under his belt, with two starts at right tackle and 26 straight starts at left tackle. Foster is a well-built tackle with ideal length. He’s able to anchor down against power and has good movement skills.

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Outside of Notre Dame, Oregon State may have the best offensive tackle combination in Fuaga and Joshua Gray (who scouts may view as a guard). Fuaga doesn’t labor climbing to the second level. He has a powerful upper body that overwhelms defenders at contact. Oregon State’s right tackle moves well laterally and gave up zero sacks in 2022.

Added Six-Pack

Here are six more prospects for Packers’ fans to keep tabs on throughout the upcoming college football season.

– Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
– Garret Greenfield, SDSU
– Patrick Paul, Houston
– Jack Nelson, Wisconsin
– Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
– Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh

2024 mock draft: Cowboys add son of bitter rival to bolster LB squad

From @ToddBrock24f7: Jeremiah Trotter terrorized the Cowboys for years as the Eagles’ top LB. Now his son could be one to watch for the Dallas defense in 2024.

Thursday’s 2023 NBA draft proceedings inspired the folks over at Touchdown Wire to work up a new NFL mock for 2024.

Dallas lands the 27th overall pick, thanks to Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, and they use the selection to once again bolster the defensive side of the ball.

But longtime Cowboys fans may have to get past an initial shudder when they hear the name written on the hypothetical card, as it’s one that once made an entire career out of tormenting America’s Team.

With the 27th pick in this mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Jeremiah Trotter Jr., linebacker, Clemson.

Trotter’s father was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998. After only minor contributions as a rookie backup, the linebacker out of Stephen F. Austin was named a starter once Andy Reid took the reins in 1999. Over his next three seasons in Philly, Trotter led the team in tackles and was named to two Pro Bowls before a franchise tag dispute led to him jumping ship and signing with Washington in 2002.

Trotter returned to the Eagles in 2004 and played for three more seasons, earning two more Pro Bowl nods and playing in Super Bowl XXXIX. After a lone season in Tampa Bay, Trotter came back to Philadelphia for a third stint in 2009 as a September injury replacement. He was not re-signed in 2010, but was made a member of the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

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Jeremiah Jr. is entering his junior season at Clemson. A five-star prospect coming out of prep school in Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Jr. burst onto the scene in his sophomore year with the Tigers. A 14-game starter in 2022, he led the team in tackles and tackles for loss, and he was tied for the team lead in sacks. After adding seven defended passes, two interceptions (one returned for a score), and a forced fumble, Jeremiah Jr. was named a second-team All-American.

Expected to continue that kind of dominance in 2023, he’s considered the best returning linebacker in the nation and possibly a top-10 pick in the 2024 draft.

“For my game, I think I’m very versatile,” Trotter said, per PFF. “I feel like I don’t have a major weakness in my game. If you need me to cover a running back or tight end, I can do that. If you want to blitz me, I can blitz. If you need someone who’s physical in the run game and taking on linemen, I can do that. That’s a part of my game that separates me from a lot of linebackers.”

The only knock on Jeremiah Jr. might be his size. At 6 feet even and 230 pounds, he’s below ideal linebacker numbers. He’d be neck-and-neck with Devin Harper as the shortest linebacker on the Cowboys’ current roster and outweigh current rookies DeMarvion Overshown and Isaiah Land- the lightest ‘backers in the building- by just a few pounds.

But a solid 2023 campaign and the respect- especially around Dallas- that comes with that last name would certainly go along way in prompting the Cowboys to embrace the son of a former rival if he were to fall to them in next spring’ draft.

“Learning from my dad was an experience that I really enjoyed because of all the knowledge he’s gained throughout his career in college and the NFL,” says the younger Trotter. “All of the great minds that poured into him, he was able to pour out into me. It really helped me become the linebacker that I am today.”

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2024 mock draft: Rams land their franchise QB, but it’s not Caleb Williams

In this early 2024 mock draft, the Rams land their franchise QB – but it’s not USC star Caleb Williams

Barring another blockbuster trade, the Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to pick in the first round for the first time since 2016. That’s big news for a team that could be on the search for a franchise quarterback in 2024 if Matthew Stafford only plans to play one more season.

Sure, they drafted Stetson Bennett, but he’ll already be 26 this year and he doesn’t exactly have the skill set of a decade-long starter in the NFL. And if the Rams have another poor season in 2023, they could find themselves picking in the top 10 with a franchise quarterback sitting on the board.

That’s exactly what happens in Draft Wire’s early 2024 mock draft. At No. 6 overall, the Rams select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye – one pick after USC’s Caleb Williams goes to the Broncos.

Williams is the quarterback every Rams fan has been clamoring for but it’ll take a really bad season for Los Angeles to have a shot at him. Though Williams goes fifth overall in this mock, he’s the favorite to be drafted No. 1 in 2024.

Maye would be a great consolation prize. He’s 6-foot-4, has good athleticism and a big arm, making him the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 class. Obviously, things can and will change over the course of the next 12 months, but Maye looks like a blue-chip prospect.

In his first season as a starter in 2022, he completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 698 yards and seven touchdowns, dominating in the ACC.

Even if Stafford plans to play in 2024, the Rams could still draft a quarterback early to groom for the future. Maye would certainly warrant consideration if Los Angeles is picking near the top of the draft.

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In post-Aaron Rodgers world, Packers have multiple paths forward at quarterback

With Jordan Love, improved draft capital in 2023 and impressive draft capital in 2024, the Packers have multiple paths forward at quarterback.

For the first time in over 30 years, the Green Bay Packers won’t have Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers under center come Week 1, but even in a post-Rodgers world, the franchise is in decent shape when it comes to the ever-important quarterback position.

This day was coming. Favre left during a drama-filled summer in 2008, and Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, wasn’t going to play forever. He was officially traded to the New York Jets on Wednesday. While change of this magnitude at quarterback is hard and provides a difficult path forward, the Packers have put in place safeguards and provided themselves options.

In Jordan Love, the Packers have a hand-picked first-rounder with undeniable athletic ability and arm talent who has developed for three seasons behind Rodgers (who actually provided mentorship) and within Matt LaFleur’s diverse, quarterback-friendly scheme. The team saw glimpses of high-level play during brief appearances last season and is confident in his development. His footwork and mechanics improved under Tom Clements tutelage in Year 3. And he should now be an expert in the offense, a key element to playing fast and confidently at the position. In an ideal world, Love enters his fourth season ready to play at a starter’s level and then proceeds to show the Packers enough to buy him into as the long-term answer.

But even if Love isn’t a competent starter, it’s not necessarily the end of the world in Green Bay.

In trading Rodgers to the Jets, the Packers added value to a pair of important contingency plans. Green Bay improved its spot in the first round and added a second-round pick in 2023, providing opportunities to move around the board and potentially draft another talented developmental quarterback during the first two days, ala Brian Brohm in 2008. Brohm didn’t work out, but replicating the process can’t be dismissed. Quarterbacks are too important not to take big swings in uncertain situations, and Gutekunst already proved he’s got the boldness as a decision-maker to take a quarterback in an uncomfortable spot to safeguard the long-term stability of the franchise. If a quarterback the Packers think can be a franchise-level player falls to one of their picks, it would malpractice not to seriously consider taking the quarterback. Love isn’t a sure thing, no matter how confident the team is in his potential. However, it’s unclear how likely such a scenario is for the Packers in this year’s draft, given the likelihood of the top four quarterbacks coming off the board in the top 10. Could Hendon Hooker (who is 25 and coming off an ACL injury) be in play if he falls? Maybe.

So, what if the Packers pass on a quarterback early in the 2023 draft and Love falls on his face as a first-year starter? Well, there’s a clear path forward in that scenario, too.

Not only did Gutekunst acquire a second-rounder in the 2023 draft, but he got the Jets to deal him a conditional second-rounder in 2024 that can become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the snaps. As long as Rodgers stays healthy, the pick is a guaranteed first-rounder. Even if he doesn’t, the Jets wouldn’t be good and the pick would be a high second-rounder. Add in a likely high first-rounder if Love fails, and the Packers would have all the draft capital necessary in 2024 to target one of the top quarterbacks in the class (Caleb Williams?). This is a far more bumpy path, and no one in Green Bay wants to see Love fail, but the Packers won’t be stuck if Love isn’t the one. Gutekunst is loaded with the type of draft capital in 2024 that would allow an immediate detour to a different quarterback location.

The Packers decided to transition to Love but shouldn’t feel boxed in.

The paths forward:

1. Jordan Love is good and the Packers are set at quarterback
2. The 2023 draft provides a developmental option as insurance
3. The Packers aggressively move up for a top 2024 quarterback

Any of the three paths would give the Packers a promising present or future at the position.

The first path fixes the team’s quarterback uncertainty immediately. The second provides more than one option. The third is short-term pain for potential long-term gain.

The worst time to look for a quarterback is when you need one. The Packers, in drafting Love in 2020 and developing him over three years, provided one layer of safeguard. A pick in 2023 could add another layer. And if both fail, the Packers will be in a position to get a franchise-changer at the top of the 2024 draft.

Love is the preferred path in a post-Rodgers world, but the Packers have options. And options are nothing if not valuable during a transition away from a future Hall of Famer at the game’s most important position.

Mark Murphy says Green Bay is 1 of 3 finalists to host 2024 NFL draft

Green Bay is competing with Detroit and Washington DC for the right to host the 2024 NFL draft, per Mark Murphy.

Titletown might soon be the host of the NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy told Rachel Hopmayer of NBC 26 in Green Bay that the city is one of three finalists to host the 2024 NFL draft.

Green Bay is competing with Detroit and Washington, DC. A final decision from the NFL is expected to be made by the end of next month. The league’s annual spring meeting is scheduled for March 27-30 in Florida.

The Packers have spent several years developing the Titletown District around Lambeau Field. The Resch Center is available nearby, and a new event space, the Resch Expo, is now open, providing a 125,000 square foot center for helping host the draft.

The draft has previously been held in cities such as New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Nashville and Cleveland.

The draft is heading to Las Vegas in 2022 and will go to Kansas City in 2023.  Could the signature offseason event be heading to Green Bay in 2024? We’ll soon find out.

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