Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here’s our latest mock draft release as the real deal draws near.
Cletis Cutts’ first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.
We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.
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The Lions are one of the biggest wildcards in the 2024 NFL Draft, and that’s a positive change for Detroit
Throughout the NFL Draft process, there’s a lot of predictions on what will happen on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft. Much of these predictions come from the results of mock draft simulators. It’s a great exercise for fans, draft analysts or even your mechanic that doesn’t watch football.
The downside is that it provides this sense of conviction that a mock draft simulator is one-hundred percent accurate and that only the few players you target time and time again are the players that will be drafted by your favorite football team.
When in reality, we’re all guessing. Even your favorite football teams are guessing. Not every team knows what another team is thinking. In the process, everyone tries to connect the dots but the draft board doesn’t always fall in favor of what you want. It tends to go sideways and for the Detroit Lions, this year will be different approach from what we’ve seen in previous years.
Much of that is due to the fact that this is latest first round selection the Lions have had under their new regime.
In 2021, the Lions picked 7th overall and were lucky enough to land offensive tackle Penei Sewell. In 2022, they had the 2nd overall pick and were able to pick defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Meanwhile, they had an additional pick in the first round in 2022 and 2023 for the trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams.
With that, the Lions surprised everyone in 2022 and moved up to the 12th overall pick to select wide receiver Jameson Williams. To follow, they held the 6th overall pick in 2023 and traded back six spots to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Using that extra pick in the first round of 2023, they selected linebacker Jack Campbell at 18th overall.
Sure, we can say the Lions got lucky on some selections and then got creative with others. Regardless, they stay true to who they are as a football team. Under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, they have created an identity in what they look for in a person and in a football player. Not every team can say that and it’s probably why the Lions are finding success with so many of their younger players on the roster.
But when you look at previous drafts, nobody thought they’d walk away with Jack Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams as first round picks. It’s just reassurance that the Lions are a true wildcard when it comes to the NFL Draft.
In fact, they may be the biggest wildcard. This year will be no different. Without a glaring need, you could make the case for the Lions to select some younger talent at offensive line with the 29th pick. However, there’s going to be a run on offensive lineman and there’s a chance that we see 10 of them off the board by the time the Lions are on the clock.
Certainly, the Lions could use some help on defense whether it be another pass rusher or potentially a defensive back but will the board fall in favor of the Lions to not have to reach for one of those players?
Then there’s the surprise factor. No, I don’t expect the Lions to go after a tight end, running back or quarterback in the first round but a month ago, it would have been more surprising to see them go after a wide receiver. Now, I’m not sure that’s the case. Could they move up for a pass catcher such as Adonai Mitchell from Texas or Brian Thomas Jr., from LSU?
With Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, anything and everything is on the table. One thing is for sure, don’t get caught up on talking about “exactly” what the Lions are going to do because we don’t exactly know. And to be honest, I don’t think they do either. Their approach will be different but it will be fun and at the end of the day, we should all just want the the Lions to draft good football players.
Adonai Mitchell is commonly projected to the Buffalo Bills in the first round.
The 2024 NFL draft is roughly two weeks away. Continue reading “Two Longhorns projected in first round of PFF’s latest NFL mock draft”
Texas DT Byron Murphy is taken off the board at No. 11 overall and RB Jonathon Brooks is projected in the first round.
The 2024 NFL draft begins in 20 days. Continue reading “NFL.com’s latest five-round mock draft includes eight Longhorns”
The 2024 NFL Draft receiving class is maybe the deepest we’ve seen
When it comes to the NFL Draft every class has a certain strength or weakness at each given position, in the 2024 class the strength of the wide receiver position sticks out unlike any other receiver class we have seen in some time.
Though recent history has blessed the league with a truck load of talented young pass catchers, it’s hard to look back and see one quite as stacked as this upcoming one. With certified studs littering the top ten on the majority of big boards in Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, that really only scratches the surfaces level on just how good this class is, which is saying something.
Marvin Harrison Jr. appreciation thread 🧵
Who needs a 40?@MarvHarrisonJr was clocked at 22.2 mph this season.
This would have been the second fastest ball-carrier time in NFL last yearpic.twitter.com/UDiSFmZqTa
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 21, 2024
Past the likely top ten picks in this class there is a possibility of anywhere from two to four more receivers drafted into the first round. Adonai Mitchell, Brian Robinson Jr., Xavier Legette, Xavier Worthy, and a few more all have made cases for a potential first-round selection.
Beyond the first round the receiver position is also the most solid in day two of the draft, with two handfuls of receivers projected to go fairly early in the second day. The drop-off from day two to day three isn’t even as steep as one might think, as it’s possible to find a starter past round three in this completely loaded class.
Adonai Mitchell double move + YAC
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) March 25, 2024
Between the top end talent and the projected starters all the way into day three, it might be safe to call this class one of, if not the best receiver class we have seen in recent years.
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The Chargers go all offense.
The Chargers may trade back to receive more draft capital to retool their roster. That’s the case in ESPN’s Field Yates’ latest mock draft, as he sees Los Angeles trading with the Vikings, who come up to No. 5 to get their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy.
As for the Bolts, they acquire the 11th and 23rd selections from Minnesota. With their first pick, they select Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham.
Following the projected move down, the Chargers can now get to work building this roster how new coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz envision it — which I expect will be through the trenches. Though the Chargers have Trey Pipkins III under contract for another two seasons, Latham would represent a short- and long-term upgrade. And he has the positional versatility to play guard if Los Angeles wanted to keep Pipkins on the field. Latham’s overwhelming strength is a perfect fit for a team that will want to wear opponents out with its physicality.
The Chargers want to run the ball more efficiently, which Latham could aid in that department.
Hulking at 6-foot-6 and 360 pounds, Latham is a force in pass protection and the run game with a great combination of size, strength, physicality and agility, projecting as a starter from Day 1.
Latham would likely replace Trey Pipkins at right tackle, but he possesses the versatility to play guard.
Later in the first round, Los Angeles takes Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
There is a plausible scenario in which the Chargers stand pat at No. 5 and take the best wide receiver available. After releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen, they have to reshape their wide receiver room. But here Los Angeles can stockpile picks and still take advantage of a deep receiver class, landing a buttery smooth route runner in Mitchell. He has excellent size, great speed and reliable hands, with just one drop in his lone season at Texas (he transferred from Georgia). He also averaged 15.4 yards per catch last season and would be a good fit with quarterback Justin Herbert.
After the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the wide receiver room is rather thin, so it’s imperative that they address that early on.
With a 4.34 40-yard dash, Mitchell is a speedy wideout with great size and ball skills. He could step in and immediately be a threat at all three levels of the field.
In the second round, the Bolts select West Virginia center Zach Frazier.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Jim Harbaugh wants to build up his offensive line aggressively this offseason. Frazier is super tough and exactly the type of guy Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz would covet. He did not allow any sacks over 328 pass-block plays in 2023.
The Chargers signed Bradley Bozeman, but they won’t shy away from selecting the long-term fix at the position, especially since Jim Harbaugh wants to build through the trenches.
One of the top centers in this year’s class, Frazier is a pro-ready player with the athletic ability, anchor strength, highly impressive awareness and toughness. He started 47 games for the Mountaineers, so he possesses plenty of experience playing the position.
Adonai Mitchell offers fantasy points even as a rookie
Adonai Mitchell is still more potential than proven, having gone to two high schools and then initially playing for the Georgia Bulldogs. He started as a freshman and ended up as the No. 3 receiver behind tight end Brock Bowers and wideout Ladd McConkey as the team advanced to the 2021 national championship. While Bowers and McConkey excelled in 2022, Mitchell lost most of his second year to a high ankle sprain.
While that was a disappointment after his encouraging freshman campaign, he still ended with four receptions for 65 yards and two scores during the College Football Playoff games. After two seasons playing behind Bowers and McConkey and wanting to be closer to family, he entered the transfer portal and went to the Texas Longhorns for his junior season.
There he paired with Xavier Worthy as the top receivers for what would become the No. 3 Longhorns and Mitchell topped 100 yards on three occasions while his 11 receiving touchdowns easily led all Texas receivers.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 pounds
40 time: 4.34 seconds
Both Worthy and Mitchell declared for the NFL draft and attending the combine where they owned the 40-yard dash. Worthy set the new combine record with a 4.21 while Mitchell ranked No. 3 with his 4.34 40-time.
Adonai Mitchell stats (2020-23)
| Year | School | Games | Catch | Yards | Avg. | TD | Rush | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Georgia | 15 | 29 | 426 | 14.7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Georgia | 6 | 9 | 134 | 14.9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Texas | 14 | 55 | 845 | 15.4 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Mitchell’s potential is hard to gauge since he only caught 38 passes in two seasons at Georgia and then only played one year at Texas. But there’s plenty to suggest that he’s already NFL-ready and may top out as an elite WR1 for his team. It speaks volumes when he is expected to be a mid to late first-round pick despite only 93 college receptions. He may be selected as highly as the fifth-overall wideout drafted.
He has it all – size, speed, power, and athleticism. The top four wideouts in the draft seem as near locks, but Mitchell should lead the rest of the rookie class and may be as good as any first-year receiver. He’s been linked to the Jaguars, Bills, Buccaneers, Panthers and Browns. The most ideal landing spot would be the Bills at pick No. 28 since they’ve dealt away Stefon Diggs and will be in the market for immediate receiver help. The Jaguars are another attractive landing spot as they try to replace Calvin Ridley.
A trio of Longhorns could hear their name called on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft.
We’re less than a month away from the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Three Longhorns projected in first round of latest NFL mock draft”
Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell has one of the most complete skill sets in this draft class, and he’s a few tweaks away from WR1 NFL status.
Between Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas quarterbacks certainly weren’t lacking for targets in the 2023 season. And Mitchell, who caught 55 passes on 86 targets for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Longhorns after two seasons at Georgia in which he was underutilized, proved to be the most complete receiver of that impressive group.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Mitchell ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and that is well in line with the explosive nature of his play. Last season, he bagged eight receptions of 20 or more air yards on 22 targets for 302 yards and three touchdowns, and with an NFL team in possession of a more credible deep passing game, that reception total could easily double sooner than later.
Able to beat cornerbacks over the top as well as he’s able to scorch defenders on quick hitches and slants, Mitchell should be a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, and he’s a few little tweaks away from true No. 1 receiver status at the next level. The upside is pretty fierce here.
PLUSES
— Great vertical speed, but it’s Mitchell’s speed cuts that will put defenders in blenders; he can cut and re-set at full speed without losing ground, which is a rare attribute. That speed also allows him to cross a cornerback’s face before the cornerback knows what to do about it.
— Sinks into his breaks on digs and slants like a five-year NFL veteran; he’s really well-formed and practiced as a route-runner overall.
— Can be a YAC addition to a receiver room with open space in front of him; Mitchell is especially tough to deal with on hitches and comebacks.
— Has an extra gear in the open field, and will accentuate it with subtle movements as deep defenders converge.
MINUSES
— Mitchell’s contested catches are made more through speed and separation than force; you can take him out with physicality to a degree.
— Let’s just say that he’s not the first guy you’ll have in mind when it comes to blocking for other receivers on screens and run plays.
— Not especially physical in traffic. He doesn’t dry up and blow away with defenders converging, but it’s not an attribute.
— Had just 11 explosive receptions last season, but I could see that total double in the right NFL offense; there were only so many deep balls to go around with Texas’ roadrunners.
Mitchell is one of My Guys this year. I love his ability to get free with moves that a lot of NFL receivers haven’t mastered yet. As long as you scheme him into space to a point and let him cook, he can be a devastating explosive weapon. Not a small guy at 6′ 2¼” and 205, and if he can develop a bit more dawg in him, he absolutely has X-iso potential at the next level.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
PLUSES
— Great vertical speed, but it's Mitchell's speed cuts that will put defenders in blenders; he can cut and re-set at full speed without losing ground, which is a rare attribute. That speed also allows him to cross a cornerback's face before… pic.twitter.com/VT7K8SPsjN
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 25, 2024
We’re looking at the seven most realistic 2024 NFL Draft options for the Baltimore Ravens in the first round
With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.
Baltimore has needs, but after a solid start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 30) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.
Mock draft season is in full swing, and most draft experts and pundits will likely simulate 100s scenarios for all seven rounds, with realistic options starting to take shape.
With Top 30 visits increasing, we’re looking at the seven most realistic options for Baltimore at pick No. 30.
