Tag: NFL Draft

Report: Rams showing ‘heavy interest’ in Virginia Tech DT Norell Pollard

The Rams are showing a lot of interest in Virginia Tech DT Norell Pollard leading up to the draft

Aaron Donald is retired, which means the Los Angeles Rams will be without their best defensive player of the last decade. They’ll be looking for defensive tackle help in the draft and according to Aaron Wilson, the team is showing “heavy interest” in Virginia Tech’s Norell Pollard.

Pollard is undersized as a defensive tackle, coming in at 6 feet and 283 pounds, but he ran a 4.8 in the 40-yard dash and posted an impressive 33.5-inch vertical for a player his size.

Pollard isn’t one of the top interior linemen in the class and he’s projected to be either a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

The Rams could be building a connection with Pollard so that when it comes time to sign undrafted rookies, he’ll want to join Los Angeles over another team.

2nd offseason for the Cardinals personnel operation has been ‘smoother’

GM Monti Ossenfort and his staff are finding their second year preparing for the draft smoother than their whirlwind in 2023.

Last year at this time, the Arizona Cardinals’ current brain trust had been through a three-month whirlwind.

There was the hiring of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, putting new processes in place from a personnel and coaching standpoint, and simply getting to know each other.

Ossenfort inherited personnel executives and scouts, while implementing the way he wanted things done. There have been some changes, along with a certain level of continuity.

Now, one week away from the draft, Ossenfort was asked Thursday how the adjustment has gone.

“We talked about this a little bit last year of how it was going to be a gradual process and there were going to be things that were different,” he said. “The timing of different meetings, different processes and structures in place that we were going to ask of our scouts to do: our pro scouts, our college scouts and our analytics group. What we were able to do this past year is we were able to put a lot of those in place. I think the timing of when things happened during the year where we had our December scout meetings, then we had our February scout meetings, and we had our April process and then we got the coaches involved.

“I think everything has fallen into place timing wise. Didn’t change the volume of work, it didn’t change what we had to do, it didn’t change the end product of where we were trying to get to, but I think everybody knowing, having a clearer picture, going through it once last year and finally how it ended up this year. The process was just much smoother and much more efficient than it was last year.”

That is expected to result in a very productive 48 hours beginning at 5 pm Arizona time next Thursday.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Draft analyst weighs in on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels

Daniels’ fundamentals are great, but his arm talent isn’t the same as Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

What does one draft analyst think of Jayden Daniels?

Pro Football Focus NFL draft analyst Trevor Sikkema spent some time with Al Galdi on his podcast, discussing Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Today, what Sikkema said about Daniels. Tomorrow what Sikkema had to say regarding Maye.

“I just don’t think that Daniels’ arm talent is as good as the guys at the very top. He has the best fundamentals of anyone in this class. His throw is so repeatable and consistent that I totally understand why NFL teams go, ‘Give me that kind of consistency every single time.'”

“But I think that in the process of recognizing those fundamentals, recognizing how consistent that ball is every time it comes out of his hand, we have been romanticizing his arm talent a little bit.”

“He has a good arm, an adequate arm for the NFL level. But, it is not ripping through the wind like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are able to show you on different platforms, off balance, scrambling, off balance, those type of things.”

You don’t have to make him be what he is not and say, ‘His arm talent is as good as Caleb Williams. It’s not. You don’t have to say he is this great scrambler, this great thrower outside of the pocket.”

“When you go back and look at his entire college football career trajectory, think about what he was at Arizona State. One read, I am going to throw a deep vertical, or I am going to take off and run.”

“When you get to LSU, you can tell in his first year he said to himself, ‘I am going to take care of the football.’ If I am going to be in the SEC and be a SEC quarterback, I cannot turn over the football.”

“He really honed in on lowering his turnovers and turnover-worthy plays. And he had one of the lowest turnover worthy plays in the country. The touchdowns went down, the big time throws went down. He was simply more conservative; he did not want to turn over the ball.”

“He really does not know how to protect his body. He is rail thin. And that is not a good combination at the NFL level. These hits are too hard; they are too fast. He is going to get hurt…”

Broncos met with QB Kedon Slovis at the Shrine Bowl

The Broncos met with BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He’s likely being considered as an UDFA prospect.

The Denver Broncos spent “extended time” with BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this offseason, according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler.

Slovis (6-2, 223 pounds) was considered a promising prospect after he threw for 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns as a freshman at USC in 2019. Unfortunately, he never managed to return to that level of production.

After a season shortened by COVID-19 in 2020, Slovis returned in 2021 and threw for 2,153 yards with 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He then transferred to Pitt in 2022.

In one year with the Panthers, Slovis threw for 2,397 yards with 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He transferred again in 2023, moving to BYU ahead of his final college season.

Slovis totaled 1,716 passing yards with 12 touchdowns against six interceptions in eight games with the Cougars last fall. He wrapped up his college career with a 64.5% completion percentage, 11,689 passing yards, 80 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.

A five-year starter in college, Slovis is now entering the NFL draft as a 23-year-old prospect. The Broncos are likely considering him as an undrafted free agent prospect.

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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Is Adam Schefter backing off his ‘guess’ about Jayden Daniels to Commanders?

Is Schefter less confident about his hunch of Jayden Daniels going to the Commanders?

When ESPN’s Adam Schefter says something regarding the NFL, you can usually take it to the bank. Schefter breaks more news than any sports reporter, and he is often never wrong.

Recently, Schefter said on his podcast that he believed the Washington Commanders, with their No. 2 overall selection, were leaning toward LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. In an appearance on the “Trap or Dive” podcast, Schefter said Washington fans could go ahead and order their Daniels jerseys.

“I think you can go ahead and get those Jayden Daniels jerseys,” Schefter said.

Remember, it was Schefter who warned everyone in January that Ben Johnson wasn’t the top choice to be Washington’s head coach. He was alone in that — and he was correct.

On Thursday, Schefter was a guest on the “Money Down” podcast, where he was again asked about Daniels to Washington. He chose his words a bit more carefully.

“I think it’s tracking for Jayden Daniels to be 2, but Washington’s got all the quarterbacks in this week; let’s see what they decide,” Schefter said. “There’s still 10 days, people change their minds, there’s a lot that happens. Again, I’m guessing, I want to be clear. I’m guessing that Jayden would be the 2nd pick today. I don’t know that. That’s my guess.”

Let’s be clear that in his previous mentions of Daniels to Washington, he never reported that was the move. It was always his hunch from talking to people around the NFL. He admitted he hadn’t talked to the Commanders.

While Schefter still stuck by his “guess,” it seemed a lot less confident than it did a week ago.

What does this tell us? Neither he nor anyone else really knows what Washington general manager Adam Peters is going to do next Thursday.

Odds are shifting for the Commanders QB decision at No. 2

The odds took another dramatic shift Thursday regarding the Commanders the No. 2 pick.

Over the last few months, oddsmakers have been split on who the Washington Commanders would take at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 to the Chicago Bears, leaving Washington to decide between Jayden Daniels (LSU) or Drake Maye (North Carolina).

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is an option, too, but not to the level of Maye and Daniels.

For the most part, Daniels has held a slight edge over Maye. However, the odds shifted to Maye earlier this month. In both instances, it was close. Daniels took a big step ahead of Maye last week when ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he thought Commanders fans could order their Daniels jerseys.

On Thursday night, we witnessed yet another significant shift.

What do we make of the latest shift? Let’s start with his: No one truly knows what Washington general manager Adam Peters thinks. That part is 100% true. Peters isn’t leaking interest to the media, nor are any members of his inner circle.

Some of this comes from Wednesday evening on Twitter. Daniels’ agent liked a pair of tweets that appeared to criticize the Commanders for holding top 30 visits with multiple prospects, including four quarterbacks.

The next day, the agent informs the media that Daniels is meeting the Minnesota Vikings for dinner on Thursday night after previously being hesitant to meet with them.

We are six days away from the NFL draft, and these odds could continue to shift up until next Thursday night. Usually, we learn more about a team’s intentions the closer it gets to the draft, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for the Commanders — so far.

Broncos met with RB Jacob Kibodi ahead of 2024 NFL draft

The Broncos met with Louisiana running back Jacob Kibodi ahead of the NFL draft. They are likely considering him as an UDFA prospect.

The Denver Broncos met with Louisiana running back Jacob Kibodi before the NFL combine, according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler.

Kibodi (6-1, 225 pounds) started his college career at Texas A&M, spending three seasons with the Aggies (2017-19). He was a rotational player, rushing 45 times for 270 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

Kibodi then transferred to Incarnate Word, but their 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. After sitting out the 2020 campaign, Kibodi transferred to Louisiana as a walk-on and had a redshirt year in 2021.

He dressed for nine games in 2022, rushing 37 times for 169 yards. Kibodi finally got his big break last fall, rushing 129 times for 729 yards and seven touchdowns with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

After seven years at the college level, Kibodi will enter the NFL draft as a 25-year-old rookie set to turn 26 in October. The Broncos are likely considering him as an undrafted free agent prospect.

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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Commanders trading back into 1st round is the ‘worst kept secret in the draft’

Another top draft analyst believes Washington comes away with another first-round pick next week.

The Washington Commanders have nine selections in next week’s 2024 NFL draft. The fun begins on Thursday for the Commanders when they go on the clock at No. 2 overall, where they are expected to select a quarterback.

Washington holds five picks on Day 2, including two in the second round and three in the third round. With a massive need at offensive tackle, could the Commanders use some of that draft capital to move back into the first round?

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes it’s a good possibility. General manager Adam Peters didn’t dismiss the idea during his pre-draft press conference on Thursday.

In an interview with “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan on Thursday, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid weighed in on the Commanders’ interest in moving back into the first round.

“I think this is the worst kept secret in the draft right now, is the Commanders trading up from 36 or 40 to get an offensive tackle,” Reid said, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“It just makes so much sense for them to trade up and take advantage of this deep offensive line class. I just don’t see Adam Peters having so many picks and just waiting till 36 or 40 for one of those guys to fall to him. I could see them trading up to the mid-to-late twenties, something like that, to get one of these guys that potentially is falling.”

This offensive tackle class is as deep as it has been in years. So, for teams needing an offensive tackle, it is a good year to find one. Washington needs two, including who can come in and start as a rookie at left tackle. Veteran Cornelius Lucas was re-signed, but he is best used as a swing tackle/spot starter.

Andrew Wylie starts on the right side and while he struggled during his first season with the Commanders, the current regime doesn’t think he’s as bad as the fans think.

Every draft, there is a run on positions. Once that run begins, you need to make a move. When does that run begin next Thursday? And how high would Washington be willing to go?

Joe Alt is considered the top offensive tackle and he could go as high as No. 5. That’s not happening. Taliese Fuaga is a potential top-10 pick, with Troy Fautanu, JC Latham and Olu Fashanu likely landing in the top 15.

Cardinals’ international fan of the year to announce Day 3 pick

All 32 international fans of the year will be in Detroit and will announce a Day 3 pick for their team.

Each year, the NFL draft adds ways to keep people watching beyond the first round. With Rounds 4-7 all on Saturday all day, it is not as easy to maintain intrigue.

To perhaps entice people to watch more on Saturday, the league will have player legends, fans or other special people read the draft card and announce the pick.

For the Arizona Cardinals, their seventh-round pick will be announced by a pair of Tillman Scholars, as they have the 226th pick in the draft, the same selection the Cardinals used to draft Tillman in 1998. This month marks the 20th anniversary of when he was killed in action as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.

One of the other four Day 3 selections will be announced by a fan. It won’t be just any fan. Per the NFL, all 32 International Fans of the Year will be present in Detroit for the events and will announce a Day 3 pick.

For the Cardinals, that fan is Maria Beltran of Mexico.

So if you want to see her announce one of the Cardinals’ picks on Saturday, make sure to tune in to one of the draft telecasts on NFL Network or ESPN.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Commanders GM Adam Peters doesn’t see trading down from the No. 2 pick

It sure sounds like Adam Peters is staying at No. 2 and selecting his quarterback.

Washington general manager Adam Peters and his assistant GM, Lance Newmark, met with the assembled media in Ashburn on Thursday to answer questions in the annual pre-draft press conference.

No one expected Peters to reveal any top secrets in his meeting with the media. While he is always positive and humble in his dealings with the media, he is also tight-lipped. The biggest mystery in the 2024 NFL draft is what the Commanders will do at No. 2 overall.

We do know one thing they will not be doing, and that’s trading down. Here’s what Peters said about potentially moving down from No. 2 overall.

We feel great about staying at No. 2,” Peters said. “I don’t see a whole lot of scenarios where we’d trade down, to be honest.”

That’s as close to a definite as you’ll hear from Peters. Yes, draft season is “lying season,” but the Commanders have a unique opportunity to find a franchise quarterback in the same year they hired a new GM and coaching staff. Why trade down and risk losing one of the top options at the most important position in sports?

Washington will choose between Jayden Daniels (LSU), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) next Thursday night. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

With so many teams looking to move into the top five to select a quarterback, the Commanders could receive a haul by trading their pick, but they have the same problem as the teams trying to make a move up the draft board: They don’t have a quarterback.