DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Feast-or-famine interior lineman who came into Miami as a highly touted recruit but leaves on the heels of a relatively disappointing junior season. Taylor's physical tools and athletic ability stand out, but his technique and fundamentals need work. A lack of body control sees him knocked off balance or to the ground too often. When he’s right with his hands and feet, he can beat blockers in front of him as his power and natural talent shine through. If he doesn’t win early with the rush, he probably won’t get home, but there is potential improvement in that department. Taylor’s tape has too many ups and downs, and he will need to find much better consistency to reach his potential.

It feels like Stiggers' story should be a six-part streaming docuseries: After the death of his father, Stiggers dropped out of college, then played his way into draft relevance via semi-pro 7-on-7 indoor football and a breakout season in the CFL. But he’s a very real prospect. He has adequate size and speed. He plays with NFL-caliber instincts and ball skills. He’s a fluid athlete in space but will need plenty of practice reps to improve his knowledge of coverages and overall technique. While it could take a little while for him to acclimate to the league, Stiggers has the potential to become an NFL player.

Jones has limited starts and relatively few offensive snaps by NFL offensive line standards but he’s put outstanding flashes on tape. He lacks the size and length teams look for at tackle or guard, but he’s talented enough to play at either spot. He loses reps due to poor positioning or overstepping his landmarks, but is rarely beaten by an opponent's quickness or power. Jones is highly athletic, with the ability to bend and drive opponents off the spot or stall the rush with his punch and cinch. He has the talent to play in all blocking schemes, but there might be concerns about why he failed to establish himself as a full-time starter at Michigan.

Edge defender who plays with good technique and unwavering energy. Thomas will get widened out at the point of attack or knocked out of his gap by power, but his first-step quickness gives him the ability to disrupt from the back side or when playing in the gaps. Thomas is a one-speed rusher who prefers to attack up and around the arc, but he needs to add relevant counters to go with it. He has the effort and hand usage to keep getting better as a rusher and could find an NFL home as an eventual starter or designated pass rusher in a 3-4 defense.

Slot receiver with a somewhat unusual blend of elusiveness and power when the ball is in his hands. Smith is fine as a possession slot who can run more complicated routes underneath while also offering the courage to work successfully into the middle of the field. The route running is good but has room to get even better with more polish. However, his true calling might be as a gadget guy. He expands play-calling options with his ability as an occasional ball-carrier and open-field explorer, where the quick game and West Coast routes would allow him to get the ball in his hands and do his thing.

Thickly muscled runner capable of wearing out defenses through a heavier workload. There were times Estimé played too slowly when forced to process moving pieces up front, but he showed a greater willingness to cut it loose as the season progressed. He’s naturally powerful with adequate foot agility. Estimé doesn’t have the bend to be a one-cut runner but can make reactive cuts to sudden tacklers near the line of scrimmage. If he can hit the gas with a heavier foot, he’ll continue to break tackles and maximize yardage after contact. He’s a better weapon out of the backfield than he might get credit for being, and he could check into the league as part of a two-headed running attack with the ability to shine near the goal line.

Limmer brings center/guard flexibility and a wealth of starting experience in the challenging SEC. He has decent upper-body strength and good lower-body flexibility to provide leverage, but he could use additional mass on his frame. His clear eyes and accurate block entries give him early leads in the initial phase as a run blocker, and he maintains active feet to stay connected to his blocks over the first and second level. His tendency to lean and sit heavily on his feet has created problems mirroring rushers at both guard and center, and that is likely to continue for him as a pro. Limmer's run blocking should create an NFL opportunity at center, but the pass protection must improve.

Brinks-truck runner with the size and power to collide through first contact and create additional yards. Davis is a naturally physical player due to his size but also possesses the bend and footwork to create alternate pathways when needed. He will need to ramp up his decisiveness and hit holes more quickly to thrive through the step up in competition. Davis has limited speed to widen NFL defenses and will need to run with more downhill focus. He has the potential to play all three downs and should be in consideration in the middle rounds.

Williams is a physical safety with a long, athletic frame. While it’s fun watching him run and strike from high safety, it is much less fun watching his coverage confusion. He doesn’t see the game as clearly as teams might like right now, but he has the athleticism and cover skills to tighten up the windows on tight ends in man coverage. Williams might need a year to add weight and keep working on his game, but his traits and playing demeanor should earn him a role as a box safety or nickel linebacker.

A well-built cornerback with inside/outside versatility, Newton’s 2022 tape was slightly better than his 2023 film. He’s capable in press and is made for old-fashioned Cover 2 looks where he can redirect the release and sink into zone coverage. Newton plays tall in space, creating inconsistencies in transitioning to match routes and he will lose downfield to speedsters. He’s competitive and physical at the catch point and is willing to do his part in run support. He has good football makeup, but it seems like he’s more likely to be around an NFL receiver rather than actively making plays on the ball.

McGregor has good size and length for a stand-up rusher. Teams will like the frame and the toughness, but he's not a natural knee-bender at the point of attack. There is room for better hand placement as a run defender and hand skill as a pass rusher. He won't overwhelm opponents with twitch or short-area quickness, so it might be important for McGregor to keep adding play strength in order to become a more willful challenger as a backup edge in odd or even fronts.

Right tackle prospect with athletic limitations that are sometimes covered up by his strength and length. Jones has good lean mass and a proportional frame. While the body composition is a plus, a lack of flexibility and agility works against him. He can maul and brawl what is in front of him, but meeting movement with body control and foot quickness is much tougher for him. He's a consistent waist-bender, which will make him a target for some edge defenders, but his physical attributes give him a chance to stick around.

Full-time college tackle who might need to become a full-time guard in order to minimize his weaknesses and maximize his strengths. Leveston doesn't play with the best pad level but still flashes impressive pop and an ability to maul and strain at the point of attack. His hands and body control get sloppy at times and could limit his consistency against NFL competition. Leveston's background in pass protection at tackle should help with a move inside to guard, but only if he's quicker with his punch. Leveston doesn't always look fluid and clean, but he has the power traits to become a good backup who can step in and start if needed.

Three-year starting guard with good size, great makeup and robust experience in big games. Keegan is part of a Michigan brotherhood up front that won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards (best college football offensive line unit) and made it to the College Football Playoff in three straight seasons. He plays with average hand placement but above-average strain and is extremely consistent in the duo blocking scheme Michigan features so frequently. He's always hunting extra work and is made for the physicality of the league but could struggle against the length and athleticism he will see in front of him on passing downs. Keegan has Day 3 draft value but might be able to rise from backup status to eventual starter for a run-heavy team.

Johnson passes the eyeball test with flying colors, and there will be teams who gravitate toward his NFL body type and play strength. With that said, his tape fails to consistently hit the mark. He's strong at the point of attack and will set firm edges but needs to become more intent on ridding himself of blockers and making more plays. As a rusher, he has strong hands and some tools to work with, but he needs to develop go-to moves and counters and attack the pocket with greater urgency. Johnson has upside but might never be more than a solid edge backup if his rush doesn't improve.

Swing tackle prospect with some promising NFL traits but tape that comes up lacking against some of the better competition he faced. Glaze has started at both tackle spots but is inconsistent with his pass sets and change of direction. Rushers with speed can beat him to the top of the rush and cross his face for easy inside access once he starts oversetting. He has good hand strength and should improve in protection if he can use more direct, inside hands in his punch. He’s fairly fluid in space and fits the criteria of an inside/outside zone blocker with lead-pull potential. A move to guard might give him the best chance to become an NFL starter in the future.

Ball-hawking cornerback with the eyes, instincts and ball skills to flip the field against careless quarterbacks. McGlothern can press a little bit and handle some man coverage. However, he might be at his best in zone coverages, where he can scan the field and play chess with the route combinations and quarterbacks. He overlaps coverage areas to make plays on the football and has Cover 3 cornerback written all over him. McGlothern is passive as a run defender, which will slide him down the board for some teams. He possesses average speed and athleticism, but the skills are there to label him a Day 3 prospect with upside.

Do-it-all small-school prospect with versatility and production that could create a roster advantage for him in the future. Laube's pro potential will likely be tied to how a team uses him. While he can be an efficient zone-scheme runner, he lacks the sudden burst and elusiveness needed as a pro. However, he's a very capable pass-catcher with the ability to run a variety of routes out of the backfield or from the slot. While Laube won't blow NFL teams away as a runner, his potential to return kicks and compete for a role on third downs should give him a leg up in a battle for a roster spot.

Hall's draft standing with each team will be determined by scheme and just how much the team values traits over tape. Despite his imposing size and length, Hall fails to play with consistent command at the point of attack and is too often beaten soundly in the finishing phase. He has the initial quickness, bend and hand usage to improve against the run, but it's not a given. Hall is best aligned as a 4i- or 5-technique in an odd front where he has more space to use his athleticism and length as a pass rusher. He has the tools needed to become more impactful on the next level for a defensive line coach ready to work with him.

Ayedze showed he could make the jump from a small school to the Power 5, but leaping again from Maryland to the pros might require him to get bigger and stronger to handle the rigors of playing guard on the NFL level. Ayedze has the feet and hands to play pro ball and should see his best fit in a move-based running game. His background in pass protection at tackle will be coveted by teams looking for more help bolstering the pocket at guard, but it might take him time to acclimate to the power he will see on the pro level.

Slot target with good size and production over the last two seasons. McMillan is a long-striding field-stretcher who is at his best with momentum routes in a West Coast passing scheme. He lacks aggression and play strength and could labor against press or when faced with contested catches. McMillan has adequate build-up speed to create opportunities down the field but needs the ball on target. Teams will need to determine if McMillan was a product of the impressive Washington passing scheme, or if he's a stand-alone talent outside of UW. 

Rouse possesses the size and intelligence coaches like, and he might be able to continue improving if he can get stronger and prove he can play on the right side as well. He's an average athlete with average bend, and that will show up in his lack of consistent anchor and in-line drive. However, that should not be oversold, as he tends to anchor enough and maintain a level of stickiness as a run blocker, even when it looks a little disheveled. Rouse has played almost exclusively as a left tackle but might be in consideration as a solid swing tackle prospect with some upside.

Urgent edge defender with the physical dimensions and all-day motor to stick on a roster. Tupuola-Fetui’s fidgety pre-snap movement foreshadows his desire to get off the mark and get to work. He has quality play strength and rarely sits on blocks, using spin moves and shed techniques to free himself. Despite unorthodox movement, he’s functionally athletic, although he lacks ideal short area change of direction. The sack production isn’t exciting but he’s a disciplined rusher with good hand work and stays active around the pocket. Tupuola-Fetui is an energy player who keeps charging hard through contact and could become a decent rotational 3-4 edge.

Johnson was a three-year starter, with all three seasons including action in the College Football Playoff. He's a big, tough target who displayed improvement making the difficult catch in 2023. He has decent speed but is encumbered by ragged route running that fails to hit the mark with footwork or timing. Johnson's play strength and competitiveness can become a problem for smaller cornerbacks when the action heads down the field. He's a chippy run blocker with the potential to become a weapon as a perimeter blocker. Johnson's size and traits will be lauded, but he might need a simpler route tree to be at his best as a pro backup.

Pass-catching tight end who exploded on the scene at Colorado State after three years of pedestrian production at BYU. Holker lacks the size and grit for in-line blocking but can handle positional blocks in space. He has average play speed but might be able to crank it up a notch with better attention to it. Holker has the focus and ball skills to make the contested catch and should be capable of running most first- and second-level routes a team needs. Holker's production provides a window into his pass-catching ability, but he's a very limited blocker and appears to have a ceiling as a TE3/4.

Under-the-radar prospect with a prototypical NFL body type. Tucker can operate in zone, power and gap schemes. He’s quick and athletic as a pulling guard with a desire to crunch targets on the move. He doesn’t play snatch-and-run football as a drive blocker, so his sustain is average. He has the foot quickness to mirror rushers, but his tendency to lunge and play with his weight forward can cause issues in protection and off the snap as a run blocker against slanting fronts. Tucker’s traits and playing demeanor should make him an NFL backup with upside.

Okie-Anoma's draft grade will be a blend of the talent and the expectations relative to his collegiate background. The measurables, explosiveness and ability are worthy of NFL consideration, but character and discipline -- Okie-Anoma has spoken publicly about past struggles with maturity during his college career -- might be a concern. He's a stack-and-shed edge rusher with good initial power and plus pursuit speed when he wants to hit the gas. As a pass rusher, he's a lamb-killer who overpowers weaker tackles but doesn't have much of an answer for powerful tackles, due to a lack of counters and rush plan. Okie-Anoma's traits and talent are NFL-caliber, but he needs to improve his rush skill and prove that he's mature enough to stick.

Rogers is a "what you see is what you get" nose tackle with a girthy build and film full of fistfights where he gives as well as he gets. He's built low to the ground and plays with a terrific anchor to ward off block finishes and stay on his feet. He has decent length for his size but not enough to consistently shed blocks, despite possessing the power to stack single blocks. Rogers is a drain-clogging nose capable of muddying the A-gaps for teams looking for depth and help slowing the run. 

Big cover corner with the athletic talent and skill set to employ in a variety of coverages. Hadden has the feet and strength to redirect routes from press but can be a little tight in his transitions when trying to simply mirror and match the release. He anticipates route breaks with timing and steams in to break up throws. The ball skills are fine, but there can be too much panic and grab once he falls behind because of his subpar deep speed. Hadden has good size and ball skills and improved his coverage squeeze in 2023. He has the length to annoy receivers from press and can sit back and read routes from zone, but he may need to be protected by scheme due to a lack of speed.

Big slot target who comes from high-end NFL bloodlines and who showed noticeable improvement in his second season at the position. Luke lacks the size of his father, former Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey, and the explosiveness of his brother, Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, but he catches with soft hands, great focus and extreme toughness. McCaffrey struggles to release and bypass press coverage and might not have enough separation quickness or top-end speed to uncover against NFL defenders. However, with additional time to learn the position and fine-tune his route running, McCaffrey might be able to follow his dad and brother into the league as a possession slot receiver.

Squatty interior defender who felt somewhat miscast as a 0-technique nose over the center. Jackson is explosive off the snap with the ability to get into blockers quickly or to attack their edges as a penetrator. He tends to ride on blocks once they land squarely and needs to develop his hands for better counters as both a run defender and a rusher. Jackson plays with good strength, but he's more gradual than twitchy in his battles. He might be more consistently effective at a lighter weight and as a rotational nose in a one-gapping even front.

Watson is a throwback linebacker with the size, length and demeanor to handle the physical nature of life between the tackles. He plays with good diagnostic quickness and will punch and separate from most climbing blocks. Tight hips and a lack of pursuit speed seem to limit his ability to eat with solo tackles once plays flow wide or enter open space. There are too many bumpy moments on tape to expect him to hold up in coverage, but he’s better than average at disrupting when used as a blitzer. Watson’s size and production in impact categories are impressive, but athletic limitations could put a cap on his NFL production.

Flournoy offers size and football character that is pro-caliber but has areas where he must improve. Against off-man, Flournoy utilizes his size and ball skills to stack catches. Against press, however, he can be tardy off the release and becomes reliant on physicality over route acumen to create throwing windows for his quarterback. The route running is undisciplined but can be sharpened with work. The lack of suddenness could hold him back against tight man coverage, though. Flournoy had some memorable reps at the Senior Bowl, which could make him a Day 3 pick with a shot at a roster spot.

McLachlan is a slightly challenging evaluation, as his measurables and traits don't really match the intangibles and effort he puts on tape. He plays with the spirit of an in-line tight end and flashes what it takes to execute blocks, but he's missing the mass and play strength for one to confidently project him as a pro blocker at this point. While McLachlan has short arms and average speed, he still finds ways to go get the football outside his frame and does whatever it takes to add yards after catch. There are boxes that go unchecked, but his "whatever it takes" mentality is the kind of intangible that often turns prospects into pros.

Three-year starter with solid production on a unit that has been full of talent during his tenure. Jacobs has good size and play strength but offers average range as a tackler. He plays with active hands and can work around blocks, but he's often a step slow in diagnosing the play. Jacobs can fit run gaps and make plays that are in front of him, but he doesn't show consistent enough field awareness to expect he'll make plays on all three downs. His speed testing was average at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his overall explosiveness was strong, which could make him a Day 3 target with backup and special teams potential.

Tall, long-armed tight end who flashes the potential to line up in-line or as a move tight end. Wiley would benefit from better strength in his lower half to help sustain blocks, but his technique is generally good. He has the stride length to pick up speed in the seam and across the hashes on intermediate throws. The short-area foot quickness is very average and he’s an average separator underneath. Wiley’s catch talent and ability to fight through contact are big check marks in his favor. He has the versatility and potential to compete for a role as a TE3.

An enormous target with an elite catch radius, Wilson is still in the process of learning to play to his traits. He is fairly physical against press but plodding feet limit his release quickness and ability to separate out of breaks. He flashes impressive catches here and there but generally fails to impose his frame and strength on defenders, leading to a disappointing contested-catch rate for such a big man. In general, Wilson’s body control and ball skills might not be good enough to stick at wide receiver. He could end up trying to make a team as an F tight end with enough developmental traits to warrant an extended look.

Boyd is a well-built interior defender with short arms but good power. He was able to crank up his pressure totals as a pass rusher in 2023, but he might not see that same success against an upgrade in competition. He plays with adequate upper-body power, but he doesn’t press and shed blocks quickly enough to be a big factor as a run stuffer despite his bend and anchor at the point of attack. Boyd has the size and power to wage battle against NFL centers at the nose, but he might not have enough positive impact to do anything more than fight for a rotational spot as a late-Day 3 pick.

Payne returned in 2023 from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the 2022 season, but you would never know that by watching his 2023 tape. He’s lightning quick off the snap, attacking gaps and frequently disrupting play design. He doesn’t use his hands effectively enough and might be pigeon-holed as a pure one-gapper. He’s a tremendous athlete with good bend and short-area agility to hunt and tackle. His lack of lower body mass makes him a bit of a tweener, but his electric pass-rush potential could plant him firmly as a designated pass rusher with under-the-radar upside.

Four-year starter who took more starting snaps at South Carolina than he did at Oklahoma. Rattler will still flash glimpses of what he showed in his 2020 season as a Sooner but fails to consistently sustain the type of play that NFL teams look for. He lacks desired height for a pocket passer and doesn't have enough arm strength to beat greedy NFL cover men. He was better than some of his 2023 numbers might indicate, as poor pass-blocking and drop-prone receivers often put him in bad spots. He can scramble and extend plays, but he's not a dynamic runner and needs optimal protection and separation in order to work in rhythm. He needs an offense that can shrink the field so he can operate quickly and find his rhythm. He has the know-how but might not have the tape or traits to inspire confidence in projecting anything more than a QB2/3.

Height-weight-speed prospect with explosive physical traits but major issues with consistency. Wallace looks the part and can run and hit when he’s locked in. However, he struggles to diagnose plays and execute his responsibilities at a standard NFL level. Teams will like the traits and his potential to play special teams, but he will need to prove he can play with better instincts and recognition to make it in the pros.

Two-year starting cornerback with outstanding physical features but below-average coverage features. He’s leggy with below-average lateral transitions and change of direction in space. Richardson doesn’t play with enough anticipation or short-area burst to make plays on the ball but does have a big make-up gear in a straight line. He’s OK as a tackler but should get better with a greater focus in that department. Richardson’s size and top-end speed will immediately garner attention, but he doesn’t appear to have the skill set to play safety and will be limited by a narrow scheme fit.

Four-year starter with adequate size and impressive power at the point of attack. Crumedy plays with top-notch pad level off the snap and through the rep. He's not quick enough to consistently play into gaps but does feature quality knock-back pop and can handle himself against double-teams. He's slightly below-average as a pass rusher but above-average as a run defender and should continue to improve with better technique. Crumedy has the potential to become a rotational lineman in odd or even fronts.

Undersized slot receiver offering the versatility to create chunk-play opportunities over all three levels. Jackson is slight of frame and plays with slightly below-average competitiveness as a ball-winner when confronted. He has the speed and separation burst to get open but will need to prove he can become a more skillful route runner to uncover against NFL competition. Inconsistent hands are a concern at this stage. Jackson has gadget potential and can compete for a role as a punt returner, but the league is filled with good athletes at the slot, so he will need to find a way to separate from the pack.

Guard prospect in desperate need of improved pass protection consistency in order to unleash his potential. Robinson's mass played a pivotal role in helping to escort defenders out of the lane for Aggie running backs. Hand placement and getting into his blocks with proper footwork should come with additional coaching. However, his performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine have worked against his draft stock. Robinson pass protects with excessive leaning, inconsistent mirroring and trouble processing twists and blitzes. Teams will need to decide if his protection issues are correctable and decide how to prioritize his power at the point of attack when considering him on Day 3 of the draft.

The draft grade is lower than the flashes on tape, but projecting the ceiling seems a little too risky with his evaluation. Griffin is on the thinner side, but he's a willing run finisher after the catch and as a kick returner. He's a gifted athlete with explosive acceleration and the tools to become a challenging man cover option. Griffin doesn't play with nearly enough focus and will cruise through routes rather than finishing them with tempo. While the tools are there for him to become a more well-rounded receiver, Griffin might not develop into much more than a specialty receiver with kick-return value.

The former multi-position starter at Yale proved he could hop into the SEC and make a solid contribution to the Gamecocks' offensive front. He has the size, length and play strength for center/guard roster flexibility. He's not a body mover, but he's also not a basic stalemate blocker. His body control, patience and core strength show up in pass pro and as a run blocker, and he's athletic enough to make blocks in space. The tape won't blow you away, but he's consistent, with an above-average feel for finding positioning to wall off interior defenders. Gargiulo's physical traits and position flexibility could earn him a backup role on a roster.

A three-year starter with good feet and technique, Samac could be in consideration for a move-blocking rushing attack. He is strong at the point of attack but will have limitations against NFL power. He operates with good hand placement and nimble feet and is a demon once he’s on the move as a pulling center leading the way. He’s fluid and agile in the run game, but those traits fail to do as much for him in protection. Samac punches with inside hands but can struggle to widen his protection base in order to protect his edges. He has eventual starting talent as a run blocker but needs to add more mass and improve in pass protection to get there.

Ali's tape is a fun watch. He's a loose-limbed runner with a blend of instincts and agility that create an admirable rate of consistency relative to the inconsistency of the blocking in front of him. He does a nice job of reading his blocks and shifting speeds to get where he needs to go, but his wiggle and run strength are just average by NFL standards. Ali doesn't appear to have enough acceleration or speed to rush away from speedy defenders, but he is a natural one-cut back. His touchdown production and third-down ability could improve his chances of finding work as an RB3.

An off-ball linebacker with length, speed and agility, Hopper is lacking in field vision and instincts. He can be a step late to diagnose play design and has moments where he looks lost in coverage. Hopper has sideline-to-sideline range and plenty of physicality to hit what needs to be hit. There are holes in his game that can be exploited, but he has traits and should get a chance as an NFL backup with special teams value.