Marvin Harrison Jr. basically a perfect pick for Cardinals

There is no negative at all to the Cardinals’ selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. No. 4 overall. He is a perfect match in every way.

Following the NFL draft, there are days of grades and reactions. While it might not be fair to truly grade the picks the Arizona Cardinals and other teams make, it is fair to grade them on talent, fit, need and perceived value.

When it comes to the Cardinals’ selection of receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, there is nothing negative to say.

He is quite nearly the perfect prospect for the Cardinals.

In terms of value, there was no one most had more highly rated than Harrison.

When it comes to talent, there was nothing you could criticize about him. He has length, athleticism and speed that is evident, even though he didn’t do any of the athletic testing. He has great route-running. He has great hands. He had elite production over two seasons with two different quarterbacks (one was C.J. Stroud and the other was Kyle McCord). He played multiple receiver positions at a high level. There is no weakness in his game.

He is a perfect match with what the Cardinals need. They need someone they can line up at the ‘X’ and rely on to beat his coverage consistently. he is that guy.

There are no off-field concerns. As a person, he has incredible worth ethic and practice habits. His teammates loved him. He took on leadership roles when it was needed. He is humble and a team-first player.

Added to that is the fact that he is the son of a Hall of Famer.

General manager Monti Ossenfort was convinced about the player. He was convinced about the human being after his official visit.

This pick was perfect in every way.

It is an A-plus pick for the Cardinals. There was no better selection that could have been made.

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

 

PODCAST: Who were some of the best picks of the 2024 NFL draft after Round 1?

Doug Farrar and Greg Cosell discuss their favorite picks in the draft after the first round on their latest edition of the podcast.

The 2024 NFL draft is complete and what is left until practices begin and we see players on the field are reactions and analysis.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, teaming up with Greg Cosell on their podcast, “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell,” spoke of their favorite players selected in the draft after the first round.

Who are they? They include one of the Cardinals’ picks.

Have a listen!

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

 

WATCH: Graham Barton’s 1st 24 hours as a Buc

Go behind the scenes with Graham Barton and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 NFL draft

For every first-round NFL draft pick, draft night is an unforgettable experience.

Such was the case for Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, who heard his name called as the No. 26 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Years of hard work and dedication culminate in that whirlwind of moments, from getting “the call” from your new team and celebrating with friends and family, to making your first media appearance as an NFL player.

If you’ve ever wondered what that looks like behind the scenes for all parties involved, check out this awesome video from Barton and the Bucs:

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Rookie wideout with high praise for Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil

New Buccaneers wideout shows major respect for Commanders CB Mike Sainristil.

It’s tough to find anyone who has anything negative to say about Washington Commanders rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil.

After he was drafted on Friday, legendary head coach Nick Saban called Sainristil probably “the best pound-for-pound player in college football” last season. Saban should know as Sainristil’s Wolverines defeated Alabama 27-20 in the Rose Bowl. Sainristil had six tackles in the game.

The Wolverines played the Washington Huskies in the national championship game the following week, winning 34-13.

In that game, Sainristil was matched up with Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Sainristil made a believer out of McMillan, too.

McMillan, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, had high praise for Sainristil.

“He was pissing me off all game,” McMillan said at the NFL combine last month, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.

“He was calling out formations, calling out routes we were gonna run, lining up in zone — when, in reality, he was in man — and lining up in man … while in zone. He’s a great player.”

On Friday, the Commanders selected Sainristil at No. 50 overall, and he figures to start on Day 1 as Washington’s slot cornerback.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is still wearing his draft day hat

So much for Daniels not wanting to play in Washington.

It’s become customary that when a player crosses the stage at the NFL draft, he receives a hat. Whether he likes hats or not, the player dons the hat for photos on the team’s website and with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Even those players not present at the draft have a stack of hats waiting for them once they learn their destination.

Last Thursday, the Washington Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels as the second overall pick. Like other rookies, Daniels put on the hat for his photo ops.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Daniels did interviews in his new Commanders’ hat. When he showed up in Ashburn on Friday for his introductory press conference, Daniels was wearing his hat.

Over the weekend, Daniels was in a picture with 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk — wearing his hat.

Here we are, almost a week later, and Daniels is still wearing his draft-day hat.

What’s the big deal?

Remember the narrative that Daniels didn’t want to play in Washington?

That false narrative can officially be put to bed.

 

4 Chargers ranked among ESPN’s 100 best picks in 2024 NFL draft

The Chargers made some popular picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

If it wasn’t evident that general manager Joe Hortiz and his staff did a fantastic job in the draft, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller released his post-draft rankings and the Chargers were one of the most profitable teams. 

Miller compiled his rankings of the top 100 picks following the draft. The rankings were based on various criteria, including draft slot compared to pre-draft ranking, scheme fit, what they bring to the field for the team and more.

Los Angeles earned four picks in Miller’s top 50, which tied for the most in that category with the Steelers. 

The Chargers’ highest pick on the list was offensive tackle Joe Alt at No. 14. 

Let’s applaud the Chargers for staying true to the identity of coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz with his selection

Harbaugh wants to dominate the trenches, and Alt was the clear-cut best offensive tackle in the class. Now, will Alt play left tackle with Rashawn Slater on the right side, or vice versa? Time will tell, but the Chargers are now protected long-term.

At No. 25 was wide receiver Ladd McConkey, the team’s second-round pick.

When the Chargers didn’t draft a receiver in the first round, I was a little worried coach Jim Harbaugh would ignore the position until the later rounds. Instead, they drafted one of the toughest route runners in the class in Round 2. McConkey was banged-up at times in college, but he’s sure-handed and boasts 4.39 speed.

Just a few players below his new teammate was No. 28, linebacker Junior Colson, who was selected in the third round. 

One of my favorite players in the class is reunited with his college coach (Jim Harbaugh) while also filling one of the key team needs on this Chargers roster.

Colson will quickly slide into the starting lineup, and it speaks to Harbaugh’s trust in him that he selected his former college ‘backer in the third round. Colson was a player I thought had late-first-round potential, so the value in this pick is elite. He has great range and totaled 101 tackles last season.

Miller was surprised to see how late wide receiver Brenden Rice was selected but highlighted his value at No. 49 on his list. 

The biggest surprise of the draft (after the Michael Penix Jr. selection) was the fall of Rice to the seventh round. His reliable hands, expert-level route running and big frame were enough that I put a Round 3 grade on him as a future starting “big slot” receiver. Rice now enters a Chargers receiver room that did add Ladd McConkey and Cornelius Johnson but is in desperate need of talent at the position. I’m betting he finds his way into the receiver rotation here by his second season.

Chargers announce dates for 2024 rookie minicamp

All of the players the Chargers drafted and signed as undrafted free agents will take the practice field real soon.

All of the players the Chargers drafted and signed as undrafted free agents will take the practice field real soon, as they are set to hold their rookie minicamp from May 10-12.

This means that the towering 6-foot-9 Joe Alt will make his presence known along with the new wide receiver trio, which consists of Ladd McConkey, Brenden Rice, Cornelius Johnson, and potential starting linebacker Junior Colson.

This will also be the first opportunity for the undrafted free agents fighting for a roster spot to catch the attention of the coaching staff.

Jalen Milroe selected first overall in 2025 NFL mock draft

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is the first overall pick in one way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft.

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe returns for the 2025 college football season and is looking to not just lead the team back to the College Football Playoffs, he wants to work his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation and boost his 2025 NFL draft grade.

While the 2024 NFL draft just recently concluded, experts and analysts have already begun looking ahead to see how the 2025 first round might turn out.

One mock draft done by The Draft Network projects Milroe will be the first player selected, going first overall to the Carolina Panthers, which is interesting for a variety of reasons.

Milroe is not a player that has a unanimous first-round grade for the 2025 draft. Though he has appeared as a Day 1 pick in some mock drafts, he has some improving to do before cementing himself as a clear first-round player.

The Panthers had the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft and used it to pick up former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

Though no rationale is presented with the projection, we are left to assume that The Draft Network believes Carolina is already in a position to move on from the former Heisman winner and could look to replace him with his former backup.

There’s no telling what will happen in just under a year from now, but Milroe could very well play his way into contention to be the first overall pick.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Milroe and other Alabama players as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 college football season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Chargers rookies get their jersey numbers

Here’s a look at the jersey numbers of the newest Chargers additions.

The Chargers announced the jersey numbers for their 2024 rookie class on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at the first-year players and the numbers they will be sporting:

  • OT Joe Alt – 76
  • WR Ladd McConkey – 15
  • LB Junior Colson – 25
  • DT Justin Eboigbe – 98
  • CB Tarheeb Still – 29
  • CB Cam Hart – 20
  • RB Kimani Vidal – 30
  • WR Brenden Rice – 82
  • WR Cornelius Johnson – 86

Photos: Jaylin Simpson through the years

As Simpson begins the next step in his football-playing career, let’s take a look back at the best moments from Simpson’s Auburn days.

Former Auburn safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] was the second Tiger selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Simpson in the 5th round of the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 164 overall pick. He was the second former Auburn player taken in the 5th round, joining fellow defensive back [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] who was selected with the No. 136 pick by the Seattle Seahawks.

Simpson chose Auburn over Clemson during the 2019 recruiting cycle, joining key players such as [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag], and [autotag]Deric Hall[/autotag] by signing with Auburn during the signing period. He was a four-star cornerback from Frederica Academy in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, and was the No. 36 player from Georgia during the 2019 recruiting cycle. He was the No. 35 overall cornerback according to 247Sports.

In five seasons on the Plains, Simpson made 116 tackles with seven interceptions and 14 pass deflections. Simpson recorded a career-high 37 tackles in 2022 while hauling in a career-high four interceptions in 2023.

As Simpson begins the next step in his football-playing career, let’s take a look back at the best images from Simpson’s Auburn days.