Tag: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

Baltimore lost five players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and with a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first round of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos started to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

The first day of the legal tampering period offered a glimpse into the future after Saquon Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia, Kirk Cousins signed a $100 million contract with the Falcons, and the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns.

2024 NFL mock draft: 3 QBs are selected in Round 1, Ravens land a dynamic WR

We’re looking at a two round 2024 NFL mock draft projection for all 32 teams ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

With a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first and second rounds of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL Draft: 3 QBs go early, Eagles land a dynamic safety in latest 2-round mock

We’re looking at a two round 2024 NFL mock draft projection for all 32 teams ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos are starting to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

With free agency set to get off to a roaring start, we’re looking at the latest two-round mock draft for all 32 teams.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes congratulated Texas’ Xavier Worthy on record 40-yard dash

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes congratulated Texas WR Xavier Worthy after his record-setting 40-yard dash

The football world is still buzzing over the record 4.21-second finish in the 40-yard dash by Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. The impressive results, mixed with the possible interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, have made him a player to watch ahead of April’s NFL Draft.

Worthy confirmed that he received congratulatory texts from Ray Lewis, DeSean Jackson, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after his record-breaking performance. He opened up about the eye-raising communication with Mahomes during a recent interview.

“In a perfect world, I definitely would want to go to the Chiefs,” Worthy told USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon. “Just the way Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs improvise and use you. They had Tyreek Hill. The way they used him, I feel like that would be a perfect fit for me.”

Worthy started 39 games in three seasons at Texas. He finished with 26 career touchdown receptions, third all-time in school history, and 2,755 receiving yards, fourth all-time in Texas history.

Mahomes has a history of influence ahead of the draft, as he did work with Rashee Rice before the 2023 NFL Draft. He is rumored to have pushed for the second-round selection to Chiefs management.

2024 NFL Scouting Combine was viewed by over 5M viewers on NFL Network

The NFL Scouting Combine drew a very big audience, both on television and online,

It is a big draw to watch large men get evaluated as they run around and exercise on an indoor field. The NFL Scouting Combine drew a massive audience, both on television and online, according to a release by the league. The press release claims that the four live windows of the Scouting Combine combined to produce a “total unduplicated audience of over five million viewers” for the NFL Network.

NFL Network’s four live NFL Combine windows last week (Thursday through Sunday) saw an 11% jump.

That’s an 11% improvement over last year’s event, according to Sports Business Journal, which reports that “the four live windows averaged 244,000 viewers, up from 219,000 in 2023. In 2022 and 2021, there were ABC or ESPN windows included in the numbers.”

The best-performing window was the Saturday afternoon session because it had the QBs, WRs, and RBs (390,000). Because you know what they say: “Offense sells tickets.” The 390K is a decently sized surge over last year, which drew 329,000. However, that comes with a caveat, as the 2023 edition had TEs running drills in that session instead of RBs. Running backs are the second most high profile/glamor position, behind only the quarterback.

There are two ways to look at these Nielsen numbers. By NFL viewing standards, these are very meager and miniscule. Compared to other sports, these ratings are extremely impressive. There are very meaningful prime-time games in the NBA, NHL, and major conference college basketball that don’t draw audiences this big. Unless you actually work for a television network, news stories about ratings only interest you when A.) they break all-time records, B.) they are egregiously and laughably low, or C) unique oddities like this.

While it may seem odd to consider the Combine a spectator sport, these numbers show that for some people, watching young dudes do drills and exercises to chase their dreams is big-time entertainment.

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright climbs the draft rankings with excellent combine performance

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright climbs the draft rankings with excellent combine performance

This years crop of running back talent is a little different from last years. With no clear cut running back at the top of the class akin to Bijan Robinson, or really any definite first round grades from any of the backs. It is becoming a close competition for who will be the first running back off the board come draft time, and Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright continues to make a very good case to be that guy.

Wright was always in contention to be one of the top backs selected given his versatility and explosion, but a dominant performance at the combine showcased the top tier athleticism every NFL team is looking for out of a modern day running back. With a blazing 4.38 40 yard dash time, 11’2′ broad jump, and 38″ vertical jump, Wright proved to be a top tier athlete whos tape converts to his physical skills.

Given how good Wright’s tape already is, and his versatile skills as a runner and pass catcher, teams could fall in love with him early and launch him into day two of the draft as the classes top running back in a crowded class.

Minnesota Vikings NFL Scouting Combine wrap up: The Real Forno Show

The Minnesota Vikings are a week away from free agency and the NFL Scouting Combine is complete. The Real Forno Show breaks it all down.

The NFL Scouting Combine is officially completed and there are a lot of discussion points to discuss. From the numerous elements of tampering to players doing drills and meeting with teams, there are tons of storylines that come out of Indianapolis.

What should the Minnesota Vikings take from the combine? There were a lot of details about quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter. What do we make of the latest details?

Along with that, the Vikings ended up releasing running back Alexander Mattison on Monday afternoon. What ended up happening that impacted his salary cap hit? Where will the Vikings go at running back?

We are here to break it all down and more on the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, airing Monday and Wednesday nights at 6 pm central on the Vikings 1st & SKOL YouTube channel.

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Steelers OL coach got rolled by C Jackson Powers-Johnson at NFL Combine

Watch Jackson Powers-Johnson smash the Steelers assistant offensive line coach.

The NFL Scouting Combine is basically the most important job interview of any prospect’s life prior to the 2024 NFL draft. So of course they all want to make a great first impression. We are pretty sure that’s what former Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson did when he went up against Pittsburgh Steelers assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams.

Powers-Johnson lined up opposite Williams, who was armed with his blocking dummy but didn’t stand a chance. Powers-Johnson steamrolled Williams in a display of his rare power and athleticism. I’m guessing Williams will remember that rep when he and talks first-round picks for the Steelers.

Powers-Johnson is one of the top prospects for the Steelers in the first round. The Steelers released Mason Cole in a cost-cutting move but also because he struggled last season. This left Pittsburgh with a huge vacancy on the offensive line and there might not be a better player than Powers-Johnson to replace him with.

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