DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Cohen played heavier in 2023, adding a little more strength while sacrificing a little too much athleticism. He’s a big man with long arms but might need to drop down in weight, as he played with much better body control and range in 2022 with Alabama. He’s more contact absorber than driving run blocker, and one wonders if he will struggle to break his waist-bending habit. Cohen makes effective use of his length in pass protection and has the processing quickness to see problems brewing but will need more nimble feet to do something about it. Cohen’s limitations cap his upside, but he has a chance to become a good backup or eventual starter if he can recapture better athleticism.

Tweener with solid power but below-average snap explosiveness and quickness, which prevents him from making more plays. Eboigbe plays base end and can slide inside when needed, but lacks the anchor and power associated with most Alabama interior defenders. He’s more than capable of bullying tight ends as a base end, but will need to move inside as a pass rusher. Eboigbe’s NFL frame and strong pop at contact could create an opportunity for him to compete for a backup role in 4-3 or 3-4 schemes.

Based purely on the cornerback tape, it would be easy to dismiss Watts as an NFL prospect, but once we fit the pieces together and project him as a safety, it changes the evaluation. Watts simply doesn’t have the quickness and agility to stay at cornerback with much success in man coverage. However, he’s already built like a safety and possesses tremendous length with a willingness to lean into the aggression for the position change. Watts' measurables and demeanor will work in his favor, but his impressive NFL Scouting Combine testing should create additional push for his draft stock and chances of becoming a backup safety with core special teams value.

A slender cornerback with plus athleticism and speed, Smith-Wade is a capable defender in zone or man coverages. He’s below the desired NFL mark on height and weight for an outside cornerback, which could hurt his draft slotting. Smith-Wade is a sticky man-cover corner when he gets into the receiver and he has closing burst that can make up for lost ground. He can be feast-or-famine in zone coverage, as he tends to look to jump short throws and loses his deep-cover responsibility. He could end up outplaying his draft slot due to his ball skills, competitiveness and athletic traits.

Former four-star recruit at Ohio State who ultimately became a first-team All-MAC linebacker in both seasons with Toledo. Gant is tall and possesses an athletic build with long arms. He’s instinctive as an inside linebacker and rarely displays panic or impatience when diagnosing, pursuing or tackling. He takes on blocks with adequate efficiency and is a balanced tackle finisher. He doesn’t appear to have plus speed and might need to play with better downhill flow as a pro. Gant’s football intelligence and skill level could make him worthy of a Day 3 selection and put him in position to battle for a backup spot at some point.

Starter for the better part of three years while at Ole Miss. Prince plays with an upright posture and lacks desired hip fluidity in his transitions. He could become a more effective press corner but needs to play with greater physicality and effort. He allows receivers ample workspace as route runners due to the amount of deep zone coverage Ole Miss runs but might have the athletic ability to squeeze routes tighter if asked to play more man. He has average instincts and an average nose for the football. His size and willingness in run support help and could make him a Day 3 selection with a chance to become a CB4/5.

Playmaking slot prospect who will face questions about his ability to win against NFL size and athleticism. Holmes is a fun watch with a nitrous kick in his accelerator that allows him to separate from coverage on his way to scoring touchdowns. While his route-running needs polish, he has the explosiveness and agility to challenge pro coverage and can be used as a gadget guy capable of creating chunk plays with the ball in his hands. He won’t be for everyone, but creative offensive minds in need of some juice from the slot could see Holmes as a hidden gem who could use some polish.

Good athlete but lacking size, play strength and aggression to thrive as an edge defender on the next level. Harrell fails to strike and take command of blocks early on and can be widened out by stronger run-blocking tight ends. He's fairly talented at ungluing from blocks and darting laterally to get in on tackles. His pass rush will need to become his bread and butter if he is to make an NFL squad. He has a legitimate spin counter but will need to prove he can win around the corner with quickness and hand work. Harrell could be a Day 3 selection, and teams might eventually give him a shot as an off-ball linebacker.

A defensive lineman turned right tackle, Ezirim possesses the size, length and upside to intrigue NFL evaluators. He’s still very green and needs additional experience and coaching before he can line up against NFL competition. His pass sets lack ideal lateral quickness, but he’s plenty athletic and has the lower-body flexion to set a sudden anchor. He’s fluid as a move blocker and playing with a better base width will improve his sturdiness at the point of attack. If he can improve his core strength, Ezirim could develop into a backup tackle/guard prospect.

An interior defender with good strength and pad level, Randolph lacks a true positional play quality where he can plant his flag on the next level. He's not twitchy off the snap or with his field movements, but Randolph has managed to stack up tackles at a relatively high rate during his tenure at Illinois. He's consistently playing as low as or lower than his opponents and can neutralize a base block, but he's not a classic stack-and-shed defender. He could factor as a rotational defender but won't offer much help as a pass rusher. Randolph has backup talent as a potential Day 3 pick.

Three-year team captain who brings an incredible amount of starting experience and toughness to the table. McCormick plays with tightness in both his upper and lower half that shows itself when he's forced to make athletic plays. He can be forceful into first contact but doesn't display the flexion needed to redirect his weight quickly or play with leverage at the point of attack. His clear-eyed pass protection will attract offensive line coaches and his NFL Scouting Combine testing should have coaches believing there is still much more to bring out of him as a player.

Bethune's linebacker play won't make it on most teaching tape, but it doesn't take much time to figure out that he's a football player. He's an inside linebacker with average size and questionable top-end speed, but he plays with reaction quickness. He'll take on blocks with aggression and plays with decent tackle strength in space. He has sound football IQ, but recognition of blocking scheme and play design can be inconsistent. He has good coverage awareness and can drag Y tight ends around the field. Bethune can be unorthodox, and he'll miss more tackles than you'd like, but he's productive, with a feel for the game that could see him land as a Day 3 linebacker with backup potential inside.

Highly athletic cornerback with a ball-hawking mindset. Funderburk’s coverage technique needs work, but he has the fluidity and make-up speed to overcome early missteps. He is constantly searching for chances to make plays and has the instincts and burst to do just that. He can be unsound in maintaining positioning and finding the ball when routes head downfield. Funderburk has the foot quickness and hips to reduce inside to the slot and he is wired to handle run support when it’s time. Funderburk’s athletic profile and ball production might be indicators of an ability to make a roster and eventually earn playing time.

Richter is an undersized edge defender with short arms, but his athletic profile gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot. He has muscles on muscles and a strong base that allows him to play through edges and maintain balance at contact. He also has plus pursuit speed and racked up impact stats on the other side of the line. His rush is more effort-based than skilled, and that production might not translate as a pro. However, his pro day testing was terrific, and he plays with a nice GPS toward the ball. Richter might need to prove he can play off-ball linebacker, but his traits and special-teams potential should help his chances.

Interior defender with a high-performance motor and the foot quickness to pressure opposing linemen. Matterson was a rotational defender for UTSA but posted starter’s production in the impact columns. He used harmonious hands and feet for quick wins against Tennessee’s linemen and proved he could handle himself when it became a battle of force. However, he doesn’t rid himself of blockers quickly enough and needs to add more weight. Matterson's foot quickness, agility and forward-charging play demeanor could make him a player to watch as an upfield disruptor once he makes it into a camp.

Little generates good velocity into the ball and hits it with consistency. He will leave some kicks out to the right on misses, but you won't see dead pulls. He has the leg strength for the league and just needs to become more automatic on kicks from 40-49 yards out.

Anusiem is a big, strong outside cornerback whose lack of ball production could cancel out his favorable size. He doesn’t have ideal top-end speed or closing burst, but he’s a decent athlete in space. He’s more interested in covering than finding the football and taking it away, and that is unlikely to change in the NFL. He might not have the necessary speed to stick at cornerback, but his tackling success and size give him a chance to try his hand at safety.

Jennings is a college tackle with good size but below-average length and he might need to prove he can bump inside to guard. Jennings will turn 25 years old in November and has missed games in each of the past two seasons due to injury. He plays with excellent composure and possesses nimble feet in pass protection. His strong hands help him sustain both run and pass blocks. He’s a decent athlete with the flexion to unlock his lower body but his overall anchor falls below average when challenged by power rushers. Jennings might offer dual-position flexibility as a late-round backup.

Crum is a very tall tackle with loads of starting experience who has played both tackle spots. He has proportional arm length, which helps in both pass protection and as a run blocker in space. Crum has a difficult time finding the foot quickness to keep his lower body paired with his upper body. He will struggle with speed to the edge in pass protection and when attempting to maintain proper body control to mirror and sustain against moving targets. He's a better run blocker than pass blocker as a pro prospect but might find the going tough in a chase for a roster spot.

Sawed-off running back with muscular frame and truckload of touches over the last two seasons. The production looks good, but the work was hard as his offensive line struggled with consistency in 2023. He lacks quality burst and elusiveness between the tackles and has trouble outrunning pursuit when plays flow wide. He can get what is blocked and can be tough to get down once in the open field. He’s a plus pass catcher but might not be good enough in protection to warrant third-down value. Vidal could be an underdog to make a roster.

Ball-hawking cover man with impressive instincts and rare ball production. Abraham is highly experienced as a wide corner, but a lack of size will necessitate a move to the slot. He plays with greedy eyes and is constantly looking to make a play on the football. He looks twitchier on tape than he did at his pro day and already possesses NFL-caliber ball skills. His technique and pad level can be sloppy, and that must be ironed out if he is to have a shot at covering NFL slot targets. His aggressive mindset extends to his hitting and tackling. Abraham is capable in man or zone coverage, but zone might give him the best chance to shine at the next level.

Big punter with an effortless strike that sends the ball flying down the field. Rehkow is a four-year punter whose leg strength has never been in question. He hits punts far but with a lower trajectory, leading to a higher number of returns and a lower net average than teams might like. Rehkow might need to sacrifice a little distance for a little more loft in order to make his mark in the NFL.

Chambers is a running back-turned-linebacker with three years of starting experience at his new position. His background seems to have spawned a natural feel for where the runner is headed, and he often ends up in or near that lane. He plays with decisiveness and quick lateral scrape in an attempt to stay ahead of the blocking scheme. He needs to get stronger and improve his block take-on technique, and there is still room for improvement against wide zone running plays. He's not a burner but is rangy enough for full-field pursuit and coverage duties. The physical traits are average, but his nose for the football puts him in line for a backup role with upward mobility.

Finesse nickel cornerback with above-average ball skills to help make up for average speed and explosiveness. Hardy will need to play with better route anticipation in man to make up for his average acceleration and recovery when beaten. He plays with excellent positioning and timing to disrupt catch attempts down the field and in tight quarters, but handling the physicality of the NFL could be a steep challenge for him. Hardy is a solid punt returner and can compete for gunner reps but might not have the suddenness and size to stand out in those respective roles.

Inconsistent pocket passer with slightly below-average size coming off a two-year run that seemed to kill the legitimate buzz created in his sophomore season. Leary's tape shows flashes of accuracy, touch and football intelligence, but it's not sustained often enough. He has an NFL arm with good life on his drive throws and might have potential in a play-action based passing scheme if a coach can iron out some of the field-reading and decision-making issues. Leary's receivers did him few favors, and there are enough splashy throws to make him a dark-horse prospect worthy of a late Day 3 selection.

Taylor is a productive down safety with good size and the type of character teams will want in the locker room. He’s much more effective as a short-zone defender or in split safety alignment from a coverage standpoint. Taylor appears to lack the athletic profile and speed necessary to handle man coverage as a pro. He’s an urgent run defender who works around blockers to make plays near the line, but he’ll also overrun his leverage and end up attempting too many arm tackles. Taylor has enough working in his favor to have a shot at making a roster.

Productive multi-purpose running back who will need to be utilized in the passing game to have a shot at helping an NFL team. Watson lacks the decisiveness and attitude to be a consistent runner inside, but his vision and elusiveness helps his cause when the play flows wide. He wasn’t asked to run many routes but was highly productive as a pass catcher and should be able to handle any route asks moving forward. Watson will be fighting for a job as an RB3 in the NFL.

Unlike his twin brother Gabriel, Grayson was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he features the same athleticism on tape. He has good size and strength but short arms create issues with taking on and controlling blockers at the point of attack. He’s flexible and instinctive with his rush movements and uses loose limbs and smart footwork to slink around opponents. The only thing preventing him from posting the same production as his twin is a lukewarm motor. Murphy has a decent chance of becoming a Day 3 pick and rotational 3-4 rush linebacker.

Cephus might lack the run-away speed to stretch the field, but he's long and plays with an instinctive feel for the position. He might need stacked releases or pre-snap motion to avoid press corners, but once inside the route, he's careful to disguise intentions and has enough snap to create some separation. He struggled with contested-catch success in 2023 but generally catches all easy throws with sure hands and competes hard for 50/50 catch space. He might not wow evaluators with testing numbers, but he's a smooth possession slot with a chance to become a WR5.

Lee's lack of mass and NFL size will be a stumbling block from a perception standpoint, but the tape doesn't lie when it comes to his talent in pass protection. Lee is a technician with good play strength whose anchor supersedes the number on the scale. He keeps his head on a swivel and was rarely beaten in 2023. He's not much of a knee-bender, so drive blocking attempts will stall out, creating lane closures inside. Lee is an average athlete with above-average core strength and protection technique, and he might be able to overcome concerns about his size once he makes it into a camp.

Big, strong guard who uses size and body control to make up for athletic deficiencies. Jones is a downhill blocker who works to sustain blocks without getting overextended past his feet. He is scheme-dependent and won’t be able to make lateral blocks against pro defenders. His wide frame can clog gaps in protection and he does a good job of getting his hands out and snapping punches into rushers with decent timing. Taking on sub-package rushers and quick-start athletes might be more than he can handle. Jones won’t be a fit for everyone, but he does have the profile to compete for a guard spot in a power-based scheme.

A full-time starter at Cincinnati in 2022 and Maryland in 2023, Sheppard is an outside cornerback with above-average size and adequate length. However, he lacks the technique and experience to handle NFL opponents right now. Sheppard can slow the release from press but struggles to maintain both his balance and composure as the route travels downfield. He lacks instincts and anticipation from off coverages but should improve his route squeeze with additional training. Size isn’t teachable, so if he proves he can run with enough speed, Sheppard will have a chance to potentially land on a practice squad for a longer runway of development.

Productive multi-year starter with the size, toughness and talent to compete for a backup job as an NFL slot. Janke plays fast and uses gear shifts to make himself seem faster than his timed speed. He's unfazed when working into traffic, but small hands and short arms limit his contested-catch success. He's a tempo-driven route-runner with the balance and footwork to run a more expanded route tree that can span over all three levels, but he must rely on savvy over twitch to separate. He's elusive and willful with the ball in his hands, which could give him a leg up in becoming a "make-it" prospect.

Two-year starting linebacker with good size and athleticism but average speed and below-average instincts. Ford’s tackle count is almost evenly split between solo and assisted, which is a little unusual for an inside linebacker with multiple opportunities to play the role of sheriff. He lacks ideal anticipation to mirror the pathway of running backs and tends to be too impacted by encounters with blockers. He pursues the ball with good pace and has become a steady tackler in the open field. Ford has great hands and third-down value but might lack the consistency needed to stick on a roster long term.

Outside receiver with good size but below-average career production to lean on. Washington plays with physicality at the catch point and at the top of the route but lacks the foot quickness to elude press and beat coverage in and out of breaks. He catches with an extended radius and is capable of finishing catches through contact. He doesn’t outrun corners on deep throws and might not have the separation talent to make a roster.

Turner is an undersized center-only prospect who relies on his tenacity to overcome his limitations. The LSU offensive line was a physical unit and Turner fit right in. While he held his own for the most part, the step up in competition could strain his ability to keep up as both a run blocker and pass protector. He has good length and is a decent athlete but will need to improve his technique and show that he can play with enough contact balance to grind out reps on the NFL level.

Small-school runner looking to prove his eye-popping college production can translate to success in the pros. Shirden is smaller and lighter than most draftable running backs. He flashes plus acceleration as an outside runner and impressive vision and processing quickness as an interior runner. He runs behind blockers and dodges tacklers in space but doesn’t have the size or power to be a tackle-breaker. He might not be drafted, but Shirden is talented as both a runner and pass catcher and has a chance to make an NFL roster.

Rock-steady full-time starter over the last three seasons. Kubas is smaller than NFL teams might like from a frame perspective and it would be beneficial if he learned to snap. He’s technically sound, with inside hands and good lower-body bend. He’s lightning quick up to the second level and as a pulling guard. Kubas could struggle to handle the step up in size and power across from him as both a run and pass blocker. His sudden feet and athleticism are both impressive in protection, but he’s too easily conned out of his spot by moving pieces and appears to lack instincts in that regard. He could compete for a spot with a zone-heavy team.

Nickel cornerback with the traits and toughness for consideration as a fill-in safety if needed. Harper’s only season as a starter came in his single year at Notre Dame but he looked capable in his role. He’s tenacious in coverage and as a run defender. He has above-average explosiveness and the ability to make up ground when needed. He stays hyper focused on his man in coverage and lacks ideal eye balance and length to make plays on the football. Harper needs work in both man and zone coverages, but he has the traits, toughness and upside to have a chance once he gets into a camp.

McNamara has the body type and leg teams look for in an NFL punter. He can long-lever punts with good hang time but has occasionally outpunted his coverage, leading to excessive return yardage. While he has field-flipping power, his touch was a little erratic in 2023 and will need to be corrected for important field position battles. McNamara is a draftable talent and has a legitimate shot to make an NFL roster.

Durable three-year starting guard with a captain's "C" added to his jersey in 2023. Hanson plays with terrific technique and gets into Phase 1 of his pass and run blocks with good balance and positioning. His hand placement as a run blocker is above average, while his pass punch is well-timed and accurate. Hanson does the right things, but he simply lacks the play strength needed to match up with NFL defensive tackles. Hanson could be a potential late-round or free-agent target for a team looking to add muscle and mass during a year on the practice squad.

Highly experienced cornerback with good build and average speed. Roland-Wallace has the athleticism and play strength to disrupt the catch, but tight hips and average instincts limit opportunities for takeaways. He allows too much pitch and catch in front of him in off-man but is a much tougher matchup when pressing. He has the patience and footwork to match releases and is quick to get into the receiver's face from there. Roland-Wallace is just average shadowing patterns and doesn't have a big make-up burst in recovery. The size, strength and talent are worthy of a Day 3 selection and future backup opportunity.

Edwards has done a solid job of handling his business and helping the Georgia offense over the last two seasons. He’s slightly undersized as an early-down back, but it doesn’t hold him back as an interior runner with good contact balance and run strength. Edwards is an unorthodox runner with the ability to side-step the first tackler, but his run tends to get bogged down after that, as other defenders rally and scoop him up. He reads blockers fairly well and can squeeze through the crevices, but he lacks the consistent quickness needed to stay ahead of NFL defenses. Edwards should battle for a roster spot as a Day 3 pick.

A height-weight-speed prospect, White doesn’t have eye-catching production, but he flashes enough as a pass catcher to explore his potential further. He will need to prove he can slip press coverage, but he runs with strong vertical push into routes and has the ability to snap off routes when he’s focused. He does too much cradle catching but has the catch radius and quick hands to pull in tough catches. He’s raw and played against a lower level of competition but might have developmental upside to cultivate on a practice squad.

Well-built, rugged runner who relies on vision and physicality to move the chains. Johnson wears down defenses with contact balance and provides quality short-yardage value. His burst and short-area quickness fall below average for the NFL level, so he's unlikely to be an elusive inside runner or be able to stretch run games from sideline to sideline. Johnson has proven he can handle a heavier workload but is more likely to project as a grinder who can take on backup reps, short-yardage carries and third-down snaps.

Center-only prospect on the next level, lacking desired length and NFL play strength. McMahon plays with good intelligence and technique, which serves him well against average competition, but he is likely to struggle when it comes to getting and keeping NFL competition blocked in both the run game and in pass protection. He will need to get bigger and stronger and play for a zone-scheme unit to have a shot at sticking on a roster.

Williams was a tad more consistent in 2022 while at Fresno State, but he was also put in better position to succeed. He is broad-hipped with limited agility and athleticism to align too far away from the line of scrimmage. He’s a box safety with a good feel for finding entry points and making tackles near the line. He can match up underneath and is average in zone but will allow too many big plays against NFL wideouts. He has a chance to impress on special teams but inconsistent open-field tackling could hurt his chances of becoming a viable backup strong safety.

Manu looks like an offensive line prospect who was crafted with the help of artificial intelligence. He’s tall with long arms and impressive lean muscle mass. However, he hasn’t had exposure to high-end competition and elements of his game will have to be built from the ground up. He has some nasty in his work and has developmental tools to mold. If he doesn’t have the foot quickness to play tackle, he appears to have the bend and power to give it a go as a guard. Manu could be a late-round pick, but teams will need to be patient with his development.

Kromah posted impressive impact production in 2023 after playing a bigger role than he had in the previous four seasons between Rutgers and James Madison. He’s muscular with very long arms and might have the frame for additional weight to bump inside. Kromah features jarring pop in his hands but might lack enough fluidity and athleticism to capitalize on it as a pro. He’s an effort rusher who is unlikely to create enough consistent pressure to warrant rush-down snaps, but he does have a shot at making the back end of a roster as a base end or future 3-technique.

Rare physical specimen with the proverbial "arm talent to make all the NFL throws," but he's prevented from doing so by a lack of timing, accuracy and touch. Milton is gifted with a cannon for a right arm and can throw the ball as hard or as far as you want. His fastballs are often inaccurate and difficult to catch for moving targets, and he was wildly inconsistent locating his deep throws. He can elude pressure, extend plays and put jaw-dropping highlights on tape, but he's never been able to mature his game from splashy to consistent. He's primarily a single-side reader who struggles to improvise with his eyes. The physical ingredients could get him drafted on Day 3, but his lack of development over six seasons discourages his projection.