Tag: NFL Draft

Three Longhorns land in first round of CBS Sports’ latest NFL mock draft

It will be interesting to see if both Mitchell and Worthy sneak into the first round next week.

We’re now less than a week away from the start of the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Three Longhorns land in first round of CBS Sports’ latest NFL mock draft”

DeMeco Ryans, players excited for fans to see Texans’ new uniforms

The Houston Texans are about to have a new look and players are excited for fans to see their fresh new uniforms.

Will Anderson Jr. was asked what he thought about the new uniforms before their launch to the public next Tuesday evening. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year smiled, then put his index finger over his mouth.

“Shhh…” said the Houston Texans’ star defensive end as a few chuckles filled the media room at NRG Stadium.

Anderson, the fun-loving, quarterback-hunter defender, later gave a more detailed answer without giving away too much information.

“I think they’re dope,” Anderson said. “I think it really just gives back to the Houston community and I think it does a good job of getting the community back involved in football. Back involved with the Texans brand of ball and I’m really excited for everyone to see them. I’m really excited for everyone to see what we have going on here.”

After two-plus decades of the same look, the Texans are getting a well-earned makeover. It’s a new era for the franchise under a longtime favorite DeMeco Ryans, so it’s only fitting the team looks fresh to complement their new approach.

Ryans, the mastermind behind Houston’s six-win turnaround and postseason berth, remembers back in his playing days wearing the Battle Red and Steel Blue uniform combo in front of screaming fans on Sundays. He lasted suited up at NRG Stadium in 2012, but the jerseys have been a constant.

“It’s 2024, time for a fresh look for the Texans,” said Ryans. “I know we’ve had the same uniforms since our organization started here in 2002. I was messing with the guys earlier, talking about how I wore the same uniform that they’re wearing, and I think it’s time for an update.”

Texans Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Doug Vosik was tasked to come up with a new design that would best encapsulate Houston and its city. The project began back in 2022, with a few different marketing designs being released over time.

One major detail that was implemented in the new apparel was a stylized H or ‘H-Town’ design on the back. That became the baseline incorporating a new logo along with the famous bull head that resides on the helmets.

“Fans challenged us back a little bit and they said, ‘When I wear Texans gear, I’m repping my city. We love repping the H when it comes to Texans gear. What do y’all think of that, Texans?,’ ” Vosik said in a video released by the team. “So, we poked a little bit more and said, ‘Do you just want a new H on more hats, hoodies and shirts? ‘ And some of them challenged us pretty clearly and said, maybe it would be cool if that was somehow on a sleeve or on the back of a jersey or how do you bring that H identity, rep the H, into the uniform? And we took that challenge very seriously when the fans told us that.”

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The Texans involved their fan council, along with staff members, media members and current and former players to get input and ideas, incorporating much of that feedback, which included 10,000 surveys and more than 30 focus groups, into the uniform redesign.

Last month, a small group of fans, local media members and Texans players were able to see the uniforms in person. Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said H-Town should enjoy the new look as it’ll bring a new energy to a rejuvenated franchise.

“I’m super excited just to be wearing new stuff,” said Stroud. “I liked the unis last year too, but I think it’s time for change and it’s a new era now. We’ll be able to build with these unis and look good while doing it.”

Texans owner Cal McNair confirmed the photo leak on social media of a model wearing the team’s new road uniforms was true, but decided to up bring in a bit more fire.

Instead of simply confirming the uniform, McNair posted a photograph on Reddit of receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing the new threads.

“The uniforms looked a lot better on them,” McNair said at the owner’s meetings last month in Orlando, Fla. “They’re excited to put them on and show them off and we’re excited for the fans to see those. We just felt like it was the right thing to be transparent and straight-on and address it.”

All four uniforms for the defending AFC South champions will be unveiled at the team’s official uniform release party on Tuesday, April 23, at the 713 Music Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

What Packers’ top 30 visits tell us about their blueprint to the NFL Draft

Using the Packers list of top 30 visits, along with ESPN’s big board, here is what their blueprint to the draft could look like.

It is the time of the year when we are looking for any clues or past tendencies that will provide us with any sort of insight into not only who the Packers might be interested in drafting but what their approach to it might look like.

In an effort to hone in on what position groups the Packers could target, and more specifically, when they plan to target them, I took a closer look at who they’ve had in for their top-30 visits and where those players are slotted on Jordan Reid’s big board over at ESPN.

Now, top 30 visits for many teams don’t tell us much. But that hasn’t been the case for the Packers, particularly over the last two years. During that span, in some capacity, 16 of the 60 prospects that the Packers have had in for pre-draft visits have ended up on the team. That certainly isn’t nothing.

As of now, 22 of the 30 visits have been reported. Cross-referencing those names, specifically their position groups, with Reid’s big board, I attempted to put together what the Packers’ draft blueprint looks like–and there were some patterns that emerged.

There have only been two prospects with Round 1 grades from Reid to visit the Packers, and they were cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and offensive tackle Amarius Mims. Tyler Guyton, another offensive tackle, also visited the Packers and received a Round 2 grade from Reid but was very close to being in Round 1 and could be selected there in the draft.

So, not surprisingly, what this might tell us is that cornerback and offensive tackle are the two positions on the Packers’ radar in the first round. Both are positions of need and premier positions in football, which the Packers prioritize early on.

Prospects with Round 2 to Round 4 grades that visited the Packers primarily occupied three position groups: the offensive line, the interior defensive line, and linebacker.

Even if the Packers were to take a tackle in the first round, they still have to address the interior offensive line, which is lacking both depth and competition. If they were to take a cornerback in Round 1, then both tackle and the interior line have to be addressed on Day 2.

Linebacker is, of course, one of the bigger needs that the Packers have to attempt to tackle, and the interior defensive line could be an under-the-radar need. You can read more about that here.

Other positions represented in this part of the draft were cornerback, running back, and wide receiver, just not as prominently as the ones mentioned above.

With the backup running back role up for grabs, we absolutely could see the Packers add to that position on Day 2. Receiver is far from a need, but as he should, Gutekunst is doing his due diligence, while cornerback could be a Day 2 pick if the Packers go a different direction on the first day.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that safety is missing from this group. With four selections on Day 2, I’m sure the Packers want to address that need. However, this blueprint does reflect the state of the safety draft class, which overall, isn’t very deep, and that pool becomes even more thin when searching for players who meet the Packers’ athletic thresholds.

Lastly, the position groups most represented with Round 5 to undrafted grades include linebacker and safety.

We know that the Packers could use starting-caliber additions at both of these position groups, but they are in need of bodies as well.

As of now, there are just five linebackers on the roster, which isn’t nearly enough to get through training camp, not to mention that Gutekunst said at the NFL Combine that in making the switch to a 4-3 defense, they’ll need more depth at this position than usual.

Safety also has just five players on the roster and likely needs two to three more players for the summer.

So, to put a bow on all of this, here is how that blueprint breaks down and where the positional emphasis could be for the Packers in each round:

Round 1: CB, OT

Rounds 2-4: OT/IOL, LB, IDL, RB, CB

Rounds 5-UDFA: S, LB

With 11 picks, including five in the first three rounds, Gutekunst has tremendous flexibility to move around or make a selection that may not address one of the Packers’ perceived needs. We are, of course, going to see Gutekunst deviate and make other selections than what is laid out above.

However, in terms of the needs that the Packers have, along with where the strengths of this draft class lie, this blueprint aligns fairly well with both of those elements.

Why the Rams may not draft a defensive tackle as early as some think

Defensive tackle is viewed as a position of need for the Rams, but they may not take one early like many people think they will

After Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL, the immediate question was “how will the Rams replace him?” They haven’t signed anyone in free agency, which points to them drafting a defensive tackle early to fill the massive void left by No. 99.

No single player can take the place of the future Hall of Famer, but it’s possible the Rams already have his successor on the roster. That player is Kobie Turner, who should’ve won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.

When you think about it, the Rams actually drafted Donald’s replacement a year ago when they selected Turner 89th overall out of Wake Forest. He’s the primary reason Los Angeles may not draft a defensive tackle such as Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton as early as many people think they will.

Though Turner played a bunch of snaps at nose tackle last season alongside Donald, he’s a much better fit at 3-technique, the position Donald played throughout his career. He’s 6-foot-2 and 288 pounds, which is only 1 inch taller and 8 pounds heavier than Donald’s listed weight. Nose tackles in a 3-4 scheme are typically much bigger – like Bobby Brown III, who’s 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds. That’s a run-stuffing nose tackle. Turner is a pass-rushing 3-technique.

In the Rams’ case, they need a nose tackle more than they need a 3-technique to replace Donald. Turner can be that player to fill Donald’s void, already showing impressive pass-rushing skills with nine sacks last season to tie the Rams rookie record, which was set by Donald in 2014.

Not to mention, the Rams probably knew Donald was only going to play two more years when he signed his new contract in 2022. VP of football operations Tony Pastoors told The Athletic that when Donald signed his deal in 2022, he “looked me in the face and said, ‘I’m playing two years.’” The structure of Donald’s contract, which came with an option in 2024, suggests the Rams had a strong feeling he’d retire after the 2023 season, too.

As a result, they knew they’d need to find Donald’s replacement sooner rather than later, which is why they drafted Turner when they did. They viewed him as Donald’s heir, not some rookie in the 2024 class.

Murphy and Newton are both fantastic players and would help the Rams right away, but it’s very possible the front office and coaching staff view Turner as their replacement for Donald. In that case, Los Angeles would be better suited to draft a 5-technique like Darius Robinson or a nose tackle such as McKinnley Jackson to play alongside Turner.

It’ll be fascinating to see if the Rams take Murphy or Newton in the first round if either is available at No. 19, or if they wait much longer to take a defensive lineman. My money would be on the latter, simply because Turner would make a fantastic full-time 3-tech after playing a bunch of nose tackle in 2023.

Former Alabama OT JC Latham visiting with the New York Jets

All signs indicate that former Alabama OT JC Latham will be a top 10 draft pick after he visits with his fourth team selecting in the top ten

All signs indicate that former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive tackle JC Latham will be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as he is meeting with the New York Jets this week. Not only are the Jets in dire need of an OT to protect star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the Jets are the fourth team picking in the top ten that has visited with Latham alongside the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans.

Rodgers will be 40 years old entering the start of next season as well as coming off of a major Achilles tear so his athleticism will be quickly fading. As a result, the Jets are going to have to do a much better job providing him with protection, and to their credit, they have so far by adding Tyron Smith and John Simpson. However, the youth and upside of Latham will be way too much to pass up on for a team that has to keep some of an eye on the future.

There is no guarantee that any player is going to pan out in the NFL, but people around the league would be pretty shocked if Latham doesn’t become a solid starter in this league. Latham was the No. 5 overall recruit out of high school and saw action in 14 games as a true freshman at Alabama so the bright lights of New York won’t even be a thought for him.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Broncos met with RB Trey Benson at the NFL combine

The Broncos met with FSU running back Trey Benson at the NFL combine. He is considered one of the top RBs in this year’s NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos had a formal interview with Florida State’s Trey Benson at the NFL combine, the running back told Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

Benson (6-0, 216 pounds) impressed at the combine with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 1.52-second 10-yard split. He is considered one of the top running backs in this year’s class.

Benson spent the first two years of his college career at Oregon. He missed his freshman season with a knee injury and played sparingly as a sophomore. Benson then transferred to FSU ahead of the 2022 season.

In his first year with the Seminoles, Benson earned second-team All-ACC recognition after rushing for 990 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned that honor again in 2023 after totaling 1,133 yards from scrimmage and scoring 15 total touchdowns (14 rushing, one receiving).

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has Benson projected as a second- or third-round prospect. The Broncos do not have a second-round pick, but they do hold pick No. 76 in the third round. With Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine scheduled to become free agents in 2025, Denver would be wise to add more depth at running back this spring.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27. We are tracking all of Denver’s pre-draft prospect visits on Broncos Wire.

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Daniel Jeremiah: Byron Murphy II, top edge rushers are ‘obvious’ trade-up targets for Rams

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network could see a scenario where the Rams trade up for DT Byron Murphy II or a top edge rusher in Round 1

No one knows what Les Snead and the Los Angeles Rams are going to do in the first round of the draft this year, their first time picking in Round 1 since 2016. They could trade down and out of the first round entirely like they did in 2019, or they could use some of their 11 picks to move up for a player they covet.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah could see either scenario playing out. On a conference call Thursday, Jeremiah said he wouldn’t rule out Snead trading back and coming away with “a zillion Day 2 picks in Rounds 2 and 3 and continues to attack it that way.” He could also envision Snead trading up for someone such as Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II or one of the top edge rushers.

“They have the ammunition if they want to move up,” Jeremiah said. “I would think with a guy like Byron Murphy, knowing who just left the building, if Byron Murphy started to drift a little bit, I would think that would be an obvious one for them to target to go up, as well as if one of those three edge rushers, if they have a preference on those guys, I wouldn’t sleep on that, as well.”

The top three edge rushers he’s referring to are Dallas Turner, Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu. They’re all locks to be drafted in the first round, potentially all within the first 20 picks. With it expected to be such a heavy offensive draft in Round 1, though, it’s possible one of those three will be on the board at No. 19.

Chop Robinson would be the fourth edge rusher for the Rams to target and according to Jeremiah, he’s much closer to the top three than some people think, potentially even being the second edge rusher off the board.

“In talking to teams around the league over the last week, I think it’s a lot closer with Chop Robinson with those top three guys than maybe some people expect,” he said. “So I have Turner at 12 on my list, Verse was 14, Latu was 16, Robinson was 21. There’s a lot of people out there that think that Chop Robinson could end up being the second edge rusher to go.”

Jeremiah believes there’s “a decent chance” one of those four edge rushers will be available at No. 19 and added that it “would not be a bad way to go” if the Rams take one of them.

Everything is on the table for Los Angeles, from drafting a quarterback at 19 to trading back and selecting a wide receiver. Peter Schrager of NFL Network all but guaranteed the Rams will go offense if they stay put in Round 1, so we’ll see how things play out next Thursday.

PODCAST: Texas Tech P Austin McNamara talks NFL draft prep, Cardinals local pro day

Texas Tech punter and NFL draft hopeful Austin McNamara joined Jess Root on the podcast.

This edition of the show has a special guest. Austin McNamara, punter for the last five seasons at Texas Tech, joined me on the show.

McNamara, the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, played high school ball in Gilbert at Highland High School.

He talks about his career at Texas Tech, preparing for the NFL draft, his plans for the draft and he explains how his day with the Arizona Cardinals went, as he participated in the team’s local pro day last week.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

Nov 18, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders senior punter Austin McNamara (31) with head coach Joey McGuire and wife Debbie before the game against the Central Florida Knights at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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Daniel Jeremiah believes Commanders are ‘prime candidate’ to move back into 1st round

Jeremiah believes the Commanders will come back into the first round for an offensive tackle.

You know it’s NFL draft time when NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah holds his annual pre-draft conference call, during which he answers questions from the media.

The Washington Commanders were a popular topic on Jeremiah’s call. Why? Because Washington is essentially starting over with a new owner (Josh Harris), general manager (Adam Peters) and head coach (Dan Quinn). After a solid free agency where the Commanders signed over 20 players to bolster a 4-13 roster, Jeremiah feels they are poised to make a splash in next week’s draft.

Washington’s first pick is at No. 2 overall, where it’s likely to choose between a pair of quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels (LSU) or Drake Maye (North Carolina).

The Commanders are next on the clock at No. 36, the first of their two second-round selections. This is where things get interesting, according to Jeremiah.

“I think they’re a prime candidate to come back up and try and scoop up one of these tackles,” Jeremiah said. “If you’ve got Amarius Mims (Georgia), who’s floating around there in the teens, they have plenty of ammunition to be aggressive and go get a starting offensive tackle. That, to me, is something I would keep an eye on. I don’t see them standing pat and sticking there at 36 and 40. I think you’ll see them try and make a move and address the offensive line.”

We’ve discussed this throughout the offseason. When the Commanders didn’t address offensive tackle in free agency other than re-signing veteran Cornelius Lucas to serve as the swing tackle, it was clear they would target the position in an offensive tackle-rich draft. However, a run on the best tackles could begin in the teens, meaning if Washington wants to land one of the top options, it will need to move up.

The good news is that the Commanders hold six picks in the top 100, giving them plenty of ammunition for a move up the board.

While it’s mostly been speculation, Jeremiah almost said he expects the Commanders to make a move up the board. This is a good year for Washington to need an offensive tackle and have the draft capital to move up the board.

NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers sends Vikings interesting QB in latest mock

The Minnesota Vikings take Michael Penix over Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy in the latest mock draft from Connor Rogers at NBC Sports.

The 2024 NFL draft is just a week away. We’re coming down the final stretch, and soon the endless onslaught of mock drafts will cease. But that day is not today! Instead, we have another mock draft from Connor Rogers at NBC Sports, and he has the Minnesota Vikings making an interesting pick at 11.

In his “What I do if I were the GM” mock draft, Rogers has the Vikings taking former Washington QB Michael Penix with the 11th pick. Here is what Rogers had to say on the selection:

Penix sees the field extremely well pre- and post-snap, while showing off a howitzer of an arm. His pocket passing ability would transition nicely to Kevin O’Connell’s offense, challenging all areas of the field with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

What’s most interesting here isn’t the pick itself. There are some injury concerns with Penix, but overall he would be a good fit for head coach Kevin O’Connell and what he wants to do with the Vikings offense.

No, the interesting thing here is the Vikings taking Penix over the likes of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Rogers has Daniels sliding to the Denver Broncos, one pick after the Vikings. As for McCarthy, Rogers doesn’t have him as a first round selection at all, which flies in the face of most of the buzz that has been surrounding both him and the Vikings heading into the draft.