Tag: 2024 NFL Draft

How Drake Maye could be well on his way to proving he’s the best QB in the 2024 draft class

Drake Maye might just be the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class, something that’s become a widely spread opinion to this point in the NFL season.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might just be the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class, something that’s become a widely spread opinion to this point in the NFL season.

The former UNC Tar Heels signal-caller was originally selected at No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots and has impressed in the six games he’s taken the field for, completing 64.7% of his passes for 954 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

He also totals 233 rushing yards and one rushing score.

Those stats aren’t exactly indicative of a world-beater, but they are solid for a rookie signal-caller in Maye’s position. And what they don’t reflect is the level of comfortability in the offense already, arm strength, grit and pure leadership ability.

And at this point, he’s shaping up better than the likes of Caleb Williams and co., though some would debate on candidates like Jayden Daniels.

Former Patriots legend Drew Bledsoe is among those who are sold so far on what Maye brings to the table. Bledsoe went so far as to say that Maye had a buit of Joe Burrow to his game.

“He seems to have great composure about him and when you’re a rookie quarterback that can be hard, because everything is faster,” Bledsoe said in a one-on-one interview with RG.

“Being a rookie quarterback in the NFL, it’s a little bit like sticking your head in a popcorn machine with all the popcorn going out there, just falling all over the place. And this happens so fast, you’re trying to decide. He seems to have a calmness about him that allows him to perform with the chaos around him.”

He can spread the ball around, but when he pulls it down, he’s actually got some wheels. That’s important in today’s game. He reminds me a little bit of Joe Burrow, he seems to be kind of crafty, sees things pretty good, runs around a little bit. It reminds me a little bit of Joe.”

It will be interesting to watch how Maye continues to progress as the Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams up next on the schedule at at 1 p.m. ET in Gillette Stadium.

Broncos select pass rusher in new 2025 NFL mock draft

Draft Wire’s recent 2025 NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting pass rusher James Pearce.

The Denver Broncos sit at 5-5 through the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season, and they’re in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. As a result, in Draft Wire’s newest mock draft, the Broncos are projected to pick 19th overall.

According to author Curt Popejoy, the Broncos are going to bolster their top-5 defense with another pass-rusher in the form of Tennessee EDGE James Pearce.

Pearce (6-5, 243 pounds) is a massive body Denver could use to stop the likes of AFC heavyweights Derrick Henry in the rush game and be a formidable foe for quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson off the edge.

In 2023, as a sophomore, Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks. In 2024, Pearce found himself on several preseason collegiate watch lists, and is a semi-finalist for several individual awards.

Pearce would be a huge addition to an already-stout Broncos defense that is in the top three in quarterback pressures, blitz rates, sacks and yards-per-dropback in 2024. The unit has proved to be one of the best in the NFL, but Denver could look to add more depth and competition next spring.

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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.

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Where are the Texans picking in the 2025 NFL draft after Week 10?

The Texans remain in the playoff hunt, but they’re inching closer to a higher draft pick following Week 10’s home loss against the Lions.

The Houston Texans are thinking of the postseason, but change is needed on the offensive line if the AFC South leaders plan on winning a Super Bowl.

After Kenyon Green suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 9’s 21-13 loss against the New York Jets, conversations began on the future of the left guard spot. Juice Scruggs was serviceable in a Week 10 loss against the Detroit Lions, but the former second-round pick is better suited to play center.

The same goes for Jarrett Patterson, who likely will remain the starting center moving forward into Week 11’s matchup on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Interior offensive linemen usually fall in the draft, given their value compared to tackles. Barring a trade of four-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, Houston should be content with its book ends.

Either second-round pick Blake Fisher or veteran Tytus Howard should take over at right tackle in 2025.

Howard, who inked a three-year extension before the 2023 season, could also shift inside to guard, leaving a hole at right guard in place of the struggling Shaq Mason. Houston could part ways with the veteran lineman since he’ll be paid up on all his guaranteed money from the extension signed in 2023.

If the Texans target a lineman in the draft, defensive tackle, safety, and receiver could all be options in the first round.

Here’s a look at where the Texans are listed after the Week 9 loss and the full draft order projection from Talkathon:

  • Round 1, No. 20 overall
  • Round 2, No. 54 overall
  • Round 3, No. 85 overall
  • Round 4, No. 121 overall
  • Round 5, No. 166 overall (via BUF)
  • Round 7, No. 235 overall

All those numbers could improve if the Texans can respond on primetime against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium later this week. Houston remains the favorite to win the AFC South and could be in line for the No. 3 if they finish with the same record as the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens, given their head-to-head wins.

Houston should look better on offense with the return of receiver Nico Collins, who is expected to play this week after being activated off the injured reserve last weekend. The Texans could be without pass-rusher and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr., who left in the first half with an ankle injury against the Jets.

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

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.

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Kevin Harlan: Broncos had Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels ranked as top QBs in NFL draft

Kevin Harlan said during Sunday’s broadcast that Broncos coach Sean Payton had Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels ranked as the top QBs in the draft.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, CBS play-by-play commentator Kevin Harlan dropped a doozy of a nugget from the pre-draft process.

Harlan relayed that Broncos coach Sean Payton told them he knew quarterback Bo Nix was “his guy” after 15 passes at a private workout this spring. That’s not new information; Payton has said as much in the past.

But this is new information — Harlan said Denver had “[Nix] and [Jayden] Daniels rated one-two and in no particular order.”

If true, that means the Broncos had Nix ranked higher than both Caleb Williams and Drake Maye on their big board this spring.

Harlan’s info straight from Payton contradicts a KOA Radio report from this spring that said Denver had Nix ranked as QB3 behind Williams and Daniels. Somebody’s lying, and it’s impossible to know who.

Nix and Daniels have certainly looked sharp this fall, scoring 14 and 13 touchdowns, respectively, through the first ten weeks of the season.

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Three Georgia Bulldogs picked in re-drafted 2024 NFL draft

NFL team would have drafted three Georgia Bulldogs in the first-round of the 2024 draft if they had a second chance.

Today, Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee released a redraft of the 2024 NFL draft first round now that we are nearing the mid-point of NFL season. There were three Georgia Bulldogs drafted in this mock draft. When and where are they projected to go?

TE Brock Bowers: New York Giants, No. 6

Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

Brock Bowers has been one of the most productive tight ends in the league from the first snap. He currently has several rookie records to his name, and that was with the recently-departed Davante Adams taking some targets. Now with the Giants, he’d be the leading target, since they originally drafted Malik Nabers with this pick.

“With Nabers off the board, the Giants go for another already-proven commodity, and Bowers has already established himself as one of the league’s top tight ends. Daniel Jones gets his bailout,” said Jay Busbee.

OT Amarius Mims, Philadelphia Eagles, No. 22

Phil Didion/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The next Georgia Bulldog off the list gets drafted to an NFC East team with a lot of Georgia Bulldogs on its roster. Amarius Mims joins the Philadelphia Eagles, who get another lineman, which is something they could use with Mekhi Becton out.

“The Eagles opt for more protection up front for Jalen Hurts … plus, the chance to add yet another Georgia Bulldog is too tempting for Philly to resist,” says Jay Busbee on this one.

WR Ladd McConkey, Kansas City Chiefs, No. 28

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The last player on this list is Ladd McConkey, who gets moved from the Los Angeles Chargers to the divisional rival Kansas City Chiefs. Comparing him to former Texas Longhorn Xavier Worthy (the Chiefs’ actual first-round pick), McConkey has almost double the receiving yards and receptions, with 440 yards off of 35 receptions, and four touchdowns. He’s already broken out and looks like a superstar.  The NFL world can only imagine what his numbers would be with future Hall-of-Famer Patrick Mahomes throwing him the football.

“McConkey, a second-rounder, has turned in a strong season for the Chargers; the Chiefs opt for him over Worthy in this scenario,” quotes Jay Busbee.

Titans’ JC Latham and T’Vondre Sweat named to NFL.com’s Top 25 rookie team

Tennessee Titans’ rookies JC Latham and T’Vondre Sweat ranked inside top 25 rookies by NFL.com.

The Tennessee Titans have largely received positive reviews for their 2024 draft class. Rookies such as JC Latham, T’Vondre Sweat, Jarvis Brownlee, and Jha’Quan Jackson have all made an impact at points during the season. 

Now, at the midway point of the year, outlets are taking notice, and once again, the Titans see two of their rookies garnering high praise from Gennaro Filice at NFL.com. Both Latham and Sweat are firmly inside the Top 25 rookies in the league at the halfway mark. 

No. 14 – JC Latham

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 7 overall

Sitting at 2-6 with a first-year head coach and major questions at quarterback, Tennessee is clearly a team in transition, to put it kindly. But the No. 7 overall pick gives Titans fans something to be excited about — and not just because he’s clearly an excitable fella (SEE: last week’s Mic’d Up footage). With the college right tackle settling into his new assignment on the blind side, the Titans have a promising young OL duo on the left, between Latham and last year’s first-round pick, LG Peter Skoronski.

Latham has been a steady anchor for the offensive line and appears to be taking on a larger leadership role on the unit. With a hole at right tackle and now losing veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry for the season, this will be a huge asset as Latham continues to grow as the team’s left tackle. 

No. 19 – T’Vondre Sweat

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 38 overall

I already talked about the nice young duo Tennessee has cooking on the offensive line. The Titans also have a talented tandem in their defensive front. Jeffery Simmons is a bona fide game wrecker squarely in his prime in Year 6 — and now he’s flanked by a 6-4, 366-pound block eater. Sweat doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher at this point, but he’s a monstrous run stuffer in a league that has trended back to the ground game.

For Sweat, he has been stout in the middle of the defensive front. His transition from college to the professional game has been smooth and he has all the tools to develop even more into a dominating force. One cannot teach his size or athleticism, and it appears the Titans got a second-round steal. 

Latham and Sweat will return to action on Sunday as the Titans take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Sofi Stadium. 

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Texans receive unfortunate upate on Nico Collins’ status vs. Lions

The Houston Texans are now without Nico Collins for a second consecutive day leading up to their Week 10 showdown on Sunday Night Football.

Nico Collins’ status for Sunday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

The Houston Texans‘ fourth-year receiver did not practice for the second consecutive day during Thursday’s open period. He also hasn’t been activated from the injured reserve list, which isn’t ideal for a Houston roster in need of a secondary target for C.J. Stroud.

Players who don’t practice the first two days of the week usually are ruled out for Sunday’s matchup. Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567 before being placed on the injured reserve list following a win over the Buffalo Bills, is probable to sit this one out in the debut of the new Battle Red uniforms.

It’s not impossible for a player for a player to miss two days of practice and then return for gameday. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi didn’t practice until Friday’s walkthrough before the Texans’ Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after dealing with a shoulder injury.

Tight end Dalton Schultz played after an ankle injury sidelined him for two days prior to Week 2’s primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Both practiced on Friday, however, giving them a chance to show up on the injury report as “questionable.” Friday will be perhaps the most crucial day for evaluation.

If Collins is activated off the IR, there’s a chance, even if he’s limited in walkthroughs, that he could play. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Ryans was  “doing good,” but his status would be monitored throughout the week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Two Vikings rookies mentioned by The Athletic’s All-Rookie team

The Athletic recognized the work of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Wednesday.

The 2024 NFL Draft has proven to have a larger impact than many expected following the injury to J.J. McCarthy. Despite losing their first-round quarterback, the draft class has produced several reliable players for the team.

The Athletic recognized the work of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Wednesday.

Dane Brugler wrote up his selection for his midseason All-Rookie team, and two Vikings made the cut: first-round pick Dallas Turner and sixth-round pick Will Reichard. Turner has started to play more in recent weeks, including in Week 9 against the Colts. Reichard, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the more reliable kickers in the NFL.

Reichard did not miss a kick all season until Week 9, though his misses against the Colts could be blamed on a quad injury he suffered.

Turner had been struggling to find playing time with the depth the Vikings have at edge rusher, but he may finally be earning the coaching staff’s trust.