Tag: NFL draft results

Saints pick Kool-Aid McKinstry in 2nd round of NFL draft

The Saints picked cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round of the NFL draft.

The New Orleans Saints selected Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Friday evening.

McKinstry (5-11, 199 pounds) totaled 93 tackles (five behind the line), 23 pass breakups, two interceptions and two sacks in 42 games with the Crimson Tide. He earned first-team All-American recognition in 2023 and was named to the first-team All-SEC squad in 2022 and 2023.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared McKinstry to A.J. Terrell, who was a first-round pick out of Clemson in the 2020 NFL draft.

Most draft pundits had McKinstry graded as a first-round prospect. Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon had him ranked as the fifth-best cornerback in this year’s class behind Mike Sainristil, Cooper DeJean, Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell.

Following three years at the college level, McKinstry enters the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie set to turn 22 in September.

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Ravens select Nate Wiggins at No. 30 in NFL draft

The Ravens picked cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Baltimore Ravens selected Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Wiggins (6-1, 173 pounds) impressed at the NFL combine by running a 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.59 seconds. He emerged as a starter in his second season at Clemson, totaling 12 pass breakups and one interception (which was returned for a touchdown).

Last year, Wiggins earned first-team All-ACC recognition after nine pass breakups and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown).

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Wiggins to Tyson Campbell, who was a second-round pick out of Georgia in the 2021 NFL draft.

Pundits had mixed rankings for Wiggins leading up to the draft. Jeff Risdon of Draft Wire had Wiggins ranked as the sixth-best cornerback in this year’s class behind Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Michigan’s Mike Sainristil and Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry.

After three years in college, Wiggins now enters the NFL as a 20-year-old rookie set to turn 21 in August.

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Lions select Terrion Arnold at No. 24 in NFL draft

The Lions picked cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Detroit Lions selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Arnold (6-0, 189 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.54 seconds at the combine. After a redshirt season in 2021, Arnold made the Freshman All-SEC team in 2022 and then earned first-team All-SEC recognition in 2023.

In 14 starts with the Crimson Tide, Arnold broke up 12 passes and totaled five interceptions last fall. He now enters the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Arnold to Marshon Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowler who was a first-round pick out of Ohio State with the New Orleans Saints in 2017.

Many draft pundits had Arnold ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in this year’s class. Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon has Arnold ranked No. 2 among cornerbacks behind Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and above Iowa’s Cooper DeJean.

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Eagles select Quinyon Mitchell at pick No. 22 in NFL draft

The Eagles picked cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Toldeo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Mitchell (6-0, 195 pounds) turned heads at the NFL combine when he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times. He had a breakout season in 2022 with 20 pass breakups and five interceptions, earning third-team All-American recognition and first-team All-MAC honors.

Last fall, Mitchell broke up 18 passes and grabbed another interception to bring his college totals to 46 career breakups and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Mitchell to Steven Nelson, who was a third-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon ranked Michell as the seventh-best player in this year’s class, above fellow cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (No. 11), Cooper DeJean (No. 15), Mike Sainristil (No. 22), Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 26) and Nate Wiggins (No. 28).

Mitchell will turn 23 this summer ahead of his first NFL training camp.

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Dolphins select Chop Robinson at pick No. 21 in NFL draft

The Dolphins picked pass rusher Chop Robinson 21st overall in the first round of the NFL draft.

The Miami Dolphins selected Penn State edge defender Demeioun “Chop” Robinson with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday night.

Robinson (6-3, 254 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.54 seconds at the NFL combine earlier this offseason. He started his college career at Maryland in 2021, totaling two sacks as a freshman.

Robinson then transferred to PSU ahead of the 2022 season. He recorded 10 tackles behind the line and 5.5 sacks in his first year with the Nittany Lions.

Last fall, Robinson totaled 7.5 tackles behind the line, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery in 12 games.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Robinson to Micah Parsons, a three-time Pro Bowler who was a first-round pick in 2021.

Jeff Risdon of Draft Wire has Robinson ranked as the fifth-best pass rusher in this year’s class behind Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and Marshawn Kneeland.

Robinson enters the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

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Rams select Jared Verse with pick No. 19 in NFL draft

The Rams picked FSU pass rusher Jared Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Los Angeles Rams picked FSU pass rusher Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Verse (6-4, 254 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 31 times at the NFL combine earlier this offseason. He spent the first three years of his college career at Albany before transferring to FSU ahead of the 2022 season.

Over the last two years, Verse totaled 29.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 18 sacks with the Seminoles.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Verse to LaMarr Woodley, who was a second-round pick out of Michigan in the 2007 NFL draft.

Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon had Verse ranked as the third-best pass rusher in this year’s class (No. 17 overall), below Alabama’s Dallas Turner (No. 12) and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (No. 13).

Following five years at the college level, Verse enters the NFL as a 23-year-old rookie set to turn 24 in November.

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Vikings select Dallas Turner at pick No. 17 in NFL draft

The Vikings added pass rusher Dallas Turner in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday evening.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Turner (6-3, 247 pounds) was widely considered the best pass rushers in this year’s class. He ran a 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.54 seconds at the NFL combine earlier this offseason.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Turner to Brian Burns, who was a first-round pick out of FSU in the 2019 NFL draft.

Turner made an immediate impact in his first season with the Crimson Tide, totaling 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 8.5 sacks in 2021, earning recognition on the Freshman All-SEC squad.

Turner played in 38 games at Alabama over the last three seasons, recording 120 tackles (32.5 behind the line), 22.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

After being named a first-team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, Turner now enters the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

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Colts select edge rusher Laiatu Latu with pick No. 15 in NFL draft

The Colts added pass rusher Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts picked UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday night.

Latu (6-5, 259 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.62 seconds at the NFL combine. He started his career at Washington, playing in 12 games as a freshman in 2019.

After suffering a neck injury, Latu did not play in 2020 or 2021. He transferred to UCLA in 2022 and was cleared to play again and quickly made a big impact for the Bruins.

Latu earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition after recording 10.5 sacks in 2022, then he was named the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after recording 13 sacks last fall.

In addition to the DPOY award, Latu also won the Ted Hendricks Award (given to college football’s top defensive end) and he was named a first-team All-American. After five years in college, Latu now enters the NFL as a 23-year-old rookie set to turn 24 in December.

If his injury woes are behind him, Latu could be one of the top pass rushers to emerge from this year’s NFL draft.

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Raiders pick TE Brock Bowers at No. 13 in NFL draft

The Raiders chose Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with 13th overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Bowers (6-3, 243 pounds) is the best tight end in this year’s class. He did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL combine due to a hamstring injury, but the tight end impressed clubs at his personal pro day earlier this month.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Bowers to George Kittle, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and has since made five Pro Bowls.

Bowers made an instant impact for the Bulldogs, hauling in 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 to win the Shaun Alexander Award, given to college football’s best freshman each season.

The following year, Bowers totaled 63 receptions for 942 yards and scored seven touchdowns to win the John Mackey Award, given to the NCAA’s top tight end. He won that award again in 2023 after hauling in 56 receptions for 714 yards and six scores.

In addition to his receiving totals, Bowers also rushed for 193 yards and five touchdowns at Georgia.

Bowers was recognized as a three-time All-American and three-time All-SEC player during his three seasons with the Bulldogs. He is now set to enter the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

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Vikings trade up to select QB J.J. McCarthy in NFL draft

The Vikings picked QB J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.

The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot with the New York Jets to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

McCarthy (6-2, 219 pounds) enters the NFL after helping the Wolverines win a national championship last fall. Most draft pundits had him ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in this year’s class behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

McCarthy was a two-year starter at Michigan, completing 67.6% of his passes for 6,226 yards and 49 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 40 career games (he got late appearances in 11 games as a freshman in 2021).

In addition to making plays through the air, McCarthy also rushed 161 times for 632 yards and 10 touchdowns in college, showing off his mobility. He earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023 and was named the conference’s Quarterback of the Year after passing for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns.

After spending three years in college, McCarthy now begins his NFL career as a 21-year-old rookie. He’s younger than fellow rookie quarterbacks Williams (22), Daniels (23), Michael Penix (23) and Bo Nix (24).

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