DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Based on his impressive body type, long arms and basketball background, it won’t be a shock if Matos is selected late in this year’s draft even though he never took a snap in a college football game. Matos is a decent athlete, but he’s not as sudden or fluid in his lateral movements as I expected. His pro-day workout featured good protection posture and inside hands with a crisp punch, but he’ll need extensive practice time and coaching to get to where he needs to be as a pro. He’s likely to be stashed on a practice squad early on in his career.

After six years and three college stops, Bishop burst on the scene with major ball production in 2023. He was frequently targeted as an undersized outside corner at West Virginia and gave up his share of catch yardage. Bishop struggles with a lack of speed and length when beaten early in man coverage and allows easy catches in front of him from shuffle technique. When in phase, Bishop’s quick feet and burst to close allow him to attack passing lanes and disrupt the catch. He plays with adequate aggression against the run and is best suited playing from the slot with his eyes forward from short-zone and off-man coverages.

Hudson has all the intangibles a coach could want. He’s a leader who is driven, smart and a good communicator. While he has adequate strength, he needs to add more mass to help bolster his anchor against NFL power. He knows where to go but might not have the athleticism to get to those spots on time. He’s reliable and tough but could have a hard time earning a roster spot as a likely center-only prospect.

Allen’s career ball production and takeaway totals immediately grab your eye, and his size adds to the intrigue. However, the instincts and ball skills might not matter on the next level because he can’t run down receivers in catch-up mode and simply gives up too much separation from both the slot and in split-safety alignments. He’s a below-average run defender and fails to stand out on special teams, so his NFL shot is a long one.

Combination tight end who will need to focus less on the pass catching and more on the run blocking to make it in the league. Grandy’s catch production looks good on paper, but most of the catches were stop routes and short catches. He gets what defenses give him but is unlikely to uncover against NFL man coverage. He gets into run blocks with good hands and feet and might have enough toughness to grow that part of his game if he can get stronger on the next level.

Simpson’s size and length are impressive, and there are flashes on tape, but there is still a lot of work to be done before he could be expected to play in an NFL game. Waist-bending hurts his balance, and he doesn’t have the foot quickness to mirror and match active NFL rushers. When he throws independent hands with timing, he can stall rush plans quickly and he’s good at keeping his hands active to stay in the fight. He won’t create much drive leverage as a run blocker, but his size helps to shield off defenders when his positioning is right. Teams will need to decide if they have the patience to continue a developmental pathway for him.

Undersized but explosive, Okonkwo will need to find a team that can help him transition from edge defender to off-ball linebacker. He’s twitchy with excellent pursuit speed and keeps his motor running hot. He’s more athletic than skilled and will need additional schooling to read and respond as both a run and pass defender in space. It might be wise to utilize his rush talent off the edge on third downs or as part of a blitzing package. He might not get drafted, but Okonkwo has traits that could warrant a stash-and-develop approach to see if he can become a backup linebacker with special-teams value.

Compact every-down runner who had to learn to create yardage for himself due to limited blocking in front of him. Gore comes from impressive NFL bloodlines -- his father, Frank Gore, ranks third all-time in career rushing attempts (3,735) and rushing yards (16,000). He's a tough runner with good contact balance and an ability to handle a more robust workload. He's a very calm runner with good field vision but will need clearer points of entry as a pro, as he lacks the big burst and short-area twitch to create opportunities and escape danger on a regular basis. He can handle work on all three downs but lacks the plus traits teams tend to look for in a RB2.

H-back prospect with good quickness and footwork as a pass catcher underneath. Westover figures to be targeted as an F tight end with fullback potential. He’s not a very strong blocker at the point but there are technical corrections that should help him improve in that area. He’s capable of uncovering underneath and has the speed to threaten the seam. He’s a wily zone-beater but is fairly pedestrian after the catch. Westover will have a shot to make the roster for a team looking to operate out of heavier personnel groupings.

Athletic with a multi-positional background, Sundell will be at his best in a move-blocking scheme that allows him to pull or get out in space on stretch plays. He has the ability to get to cut-off blocks and the fluidity to adjust and tag targets in space. He will need at least a year to attempt to gain the strength necessary to face off against NFL power at a functional level. He has good hands and timing in pass protection but can get rolled into the pocket by power due to a subpar anchor. Sundell’s athleticism and versatility will help, but it could be difficult finding a team willing to wait for him to gain the strength necessary to earn a role.

While Janke has good size and solid ball skills, he’s missing the speed to threaten NFL cornerbacks and is sluggish getting out of his breaks. With defenders sitting on his routes, he might have to become a top-flight contested catch specialist, as he’s unlikely to uncover often enough to make an impact otherwise. Janke could face a move inside as a big slot receiver, but he might need to prove himself as a special-teamer to make a squad.

Carlies likely needs to make the transition from safety to linebacker to have an opportunity in the NFL. He’s very tight in his hips and plays with a debilitating lack of change of direction that causes problems for him in coverage and as an open-field tackler. As a linear mover, he needs to be able to play forward and near the line, where he’s less likely to make mistakes with his angles of pursuit. Carlies has pretty good ball skills but will have a hard time sticking with pass-catching tight ends, so it could be challenging for teams to lock in on a role for him.

A big slot target with excellent toughness, Whittington lacks the explosiveness typically associated with competing in the league. His value comes with his consistency and willingness to do any dirty work necessary. He can be found making tough catches in traffic or getting after opponents as a run blocker. While he shows attention to detail as a route runner, he’s neither fast nor sudden, which is likely to force him into tight work cubicles against NFL coverages. Whittington’s intangibles work in his favor but making a roster will be a challenge.

Draftable prospect with slightly undersized frame as a wide cornerback. Wallace was a three-time captain at UMass before transferring to Michigan. He’s a natural leader with a history of searching out challenges and putting in the work to succeed. He plays with adequate athleticism in man but lacks the size and length to control bigger NFL targets. Wallace is a natural route-reader, which creates opportunities for early jumps and pass breakups but an average closing burst limits his takeaway total. He’s smart, can play in a variety of cover schemes and was a good tackle-finisher at Michigan. Wallace does his job and has the intangibles to compete for a backup spot but needs to put a decent 40-yard dash time on the board.

Squatty interior defender with short arms and a lack of ideal scheme fit. He won’t disrupt as a gap shooter and isn’t long enough to control blockers as a two-gapper. Briggs isn’t sudden off the snap but does play with good lateral quickness to hunt and tackle runners down the line. He does a decent job of utilizing hand fighting to knock a blocker’s hands off him, but he’s more likely to stay engaged early on than find quick wins. Briggs is active and plays with good hustle but might not have the traits or one-positional advantage to stand out.

Small-school prospect with intriguing size and dominant production over the last two seasons. Blazek needs to add strength in preparation for his jump in competition, and he has the frame for it. He’s untested against powerhouse tackles with size and was allowed to play into gaps instead of stacking and controlling the point. He’s not overly twitchy off the snap, but he rushes with efficient movements, decent hand usage and tracking quickness once he’s in the pocket. Blazek has some of the physical elements needed to compete in camp but the jump in competition will be substantial.

Five-year starter with experience at three different schools. Slovis was the talk of college football after completing 72 percent of his passes with 30 touchdowns and 9 interceptions as a freshman in 2019. Since that time, his overall play and production have declined. He has good size and throws with decent timing but doesn’t have enough arm strength to make pro throws into tight windows on a consistent basis. He struggles with deep-ball accuracy and occasionally puts throws up for grabs when he’s under pressure. Slovis will likely face an uphill battle to make a team.

Physical safety who leaves me wanting more due to his inconsistent play. Perry has the size, strength and toughness to be a more impactful run defender but seems too content to cruise through games at times. He’s not as successful when forced to process the field from split safety but does have some talent in man coverage near the line. Perry has the play strength to finish tackles quickly but missed tackles have stacked up on him over the last three seasons. He lacks versatility and urgency but might have the traits to garner NFL attention.

Six-year Wolverine who has shown steady improvement over the last two or three years. Barrett lacks ideal size to take on big blockers and doesn't play proactively enough to stay ahead of blockers. His lateral burst to pursue bounce-wide runs is just average, but when he lines up his target, he can be a ferocious striker and wrap-up tackler. Barrett's anticipation and instincts leave too much to be desired, but he might have enough cover talent and special teams ability to fight for a roster spot as a nickel/dime linebacker.

Long, lean edge rusher who played bigger than his listed weight when matched up against most of the competition in college. Anderson needs to bulk up and get stronger to deal with run defense on the pro level, but he rarely gives in when he’s beaten early in the rep. He has good closing burst and range as a tackler and flashes quality hand play that has more room for development. He will need to learn to create better angles of entry if he’s going to compete as an NFL rusher. Anderson could be a late draft-and-stash candidate or an undrafted signee as a developmental prospect on the practice squad.

Upshaw is a physical edge defender who can play with a hand down or standing up. He never met a physical challenge he didn’t like and is equipped to do battle at the point of attack despite his average size. His field vision falls below average, and he’s often outflanked by running plays. He’s not the most explosive edge rusher, but he uses violent hands to open opportunities for himself into the pocket. Upshaw’s athletic testing likely hurts his draft chances, but he’s strong enough and tough enough to compete in an NFL camp.

With a good build and great length, Palmer generally plays to size. He lacks suddenness, so getting off press coverage and separating against tight man coverage will be challenging. He has a terrific catch radius and has proven himself a willing combatant with contested catches. Palmer’s size and build-up speed paired with route limitations could make him a late-round pick or undrafted target for a team that runs a West Coast offense.

The three-year starter was a stout interior lineman at the college level, but he lacks the size/length NFL teams look for inside. Letuligasenoa gets off the snap with good pad level and strikes first, creating quality leverage into contact. He doesn’t play with ideal body control through contact and is often engaged in protracted individual battles rather than getting rid of the blocker quickly. He will be a non-factor as a pass rusher but does have the play strength to battle against in-line blockers. Letuligasenoa might need to fight for a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.

Sixth-year guard whose journey to NFL consideration took him to Angelo State, Jackson State and finally TCU for his final season. Patrick has put in work to melt away bad weight and improve his body type. He’s poised and balanced in protection and is quick with his punch, but he allows pressures against twists and blitzes. Patrick doesn’t create as much movement as expected as a run blocker and is best in a phone booth, where he can use his size and upper-body strength to maul. His scheme and position limitations could create a barrier to NFL entry.

With one year as a full-time starter, Logue is still inexperienced despite staying for five years at Georgia. He has good size and length but average body composition. He rarely reads early block movement and finds himself on the wrong side of move blocks a disappointingly high number of times, despite decent initial quickness. Logue just doesn't have a go-to skill set that allows him to stand out.

A five-star recruit when he entered Florida State, Dent leaves with pedestrian production over his five seasons at the school. He possesses below-average size and physicality for the position, with runners breaking tackles or crashing forward for additional yardage. He has trouble changing direction fluidly whether he’s in coverage or looking to make a stop as an open-field tackler. Dent tested well at his pro day and teams love speedy safeties, but he might be a short-term back end of the roster player at best.

Four-year starter as a right tackle prospect with the potential to bump inside to guard. Coker is a decent athlete who can mirror the rush and get out into space in the run game, but his lack of core strength could be an issue. He’s unable to generate much push as a drive blocker and can be driven back into the pocket by a strong bull rush or a leveraged stab move. He plays with pretty good technique and quality hand usage, but sustaining his block and neutralizing NFL power merchants still needs proof of concept. Coker will face an uphill battle as either a tackle or guard.

Goodlow has good size and great length but is much more eventual than sudden in his movements. He rarely wins in gaps and is unable to create early threats as an upfield rusher. He’s not a natural knee-bender, so he has a hard time setting a firm anchor at the point of attack. He does have the natural strength to battle and strain. Goodlow is below average as a reduced rusher inside, so he might have to compete for as a backup spot as an odd-front defensive end to make a squad.

Steele is a ball of muscle in human form. He has the contact balance and leg strength to squeeze the most out of a carry. He has decent vision but can be a bit sluggish with short-area cuts, allowing the defense to quickly rally and tackle. Steele’s value will be as a short-yardage specialist who can help wear down defenses in a downhill attack.

Yankoff’s talent rests in his ability to get down the field to find and tackle punt and kick returners. He has adequate top-end speed as an F tight end, but he has very little practical experience as a route runner. He will need to prove his ball skills and show he can wall off defenders as a run blocker in space. His experience as a running back should help him after the catch. Unless a team decides to use him exclusively as a special-teams ace, he will need to prove to be at least functional at an offensive position to secure a roster spot.

Rex burst onto the scene in 2020, making 37 catches for 429 yards and 12 touchdowns with Zach Wilson at quarterback for BYU, but he’s failed to match any of those totals since. He has good size but is too tight-hipped to bend and leverage blocks with consistent success. He’s an average route runner, but he does have good catch instincts in space and quality hands outside his frame. Rex suffered a broken ankle in 2021 and might not have the same high-point talent he once showed. He’s effective after the catch and is a smart player, but he could face long odds to become a TE3/4 in the NFL.

Team leader with above-average production who carries good lean mass on his frame. Bertrand's stats are appealing, and he plays with a decent nose for the football, but his lack of speed and short-area quickness could be a major concern as teams project his ability to keep up with NFL skill players on the move. He needs to get much better at taking on or slipping blocks and finding a way to improve his angles and positioning to become a more consistent tackler. Bertrand could get a look on Day 3, but special teams might need to be his calling card.

Nickel cornerback with above-average foot quickness and short-area twitch but lacking the ball production expected from a player with those traits. Davis will need to continue to refine his anticipation to improve his ability to challenge the catch point and create value as an NFL prospect.

Monroe’s frame and play strength are easy checkmarks in his favor, but he fails to meet the mark when it comes to the cover talent and athleticism needed to stay at cornerback in the NFL. Monroe looks like a press corner, but he is too impatient and lacks desired balance to stay connected to the release. He plays more confidently from off-man or short-zone looks and frequently takes the ball away when quarterbacks try to fit it in over the top of him. Monroe is too upright and sluggish with change of direction and transitions, but he has the toughness for a team to give him a look as a down safety.

UAB transfer who started the full 2023 season for the Tide. Key has the size and play strength of an NFL safety but is not as active or consistent as he needs to be as a run defender. He's a decent athlete and can cover straight-line routes but doesn't play with enough route anticipation or make-up burst to contest many catches. Key's physical traits work in his favor, but he needs to have a definable play trait as either a run defender or in coverage, and that seems to be missing.

Undersized slot target whose chances for success will rest squarely on where he goes to compete for a job. Victor drops too many throws, won’t win enough contested catches and benefitted from quick-game catches that helped pad his stats. However, he’s effective using foot quickness and route leverage to uncover on possession catches and is a pain for defenses to deal with once the ball is in his hands. There is talent to work with for teams looking to develop a possession slot receiver.

Solid three-year starter as a center/guard but will need to stick at center as his primary position. Jurgens uses accurate hands and consistent footwork to fit blocks with good centering, but he doesn’t have the core strength needed to displace opponents or keep from being pulled and shoved off balance by a strong nose tackle. He’s fairly average as an athlete but he does see the field well in pass protection and steadies the gaps around him. Jurgens’ lack of functional power and contact balance could hurt his chances as a late-round pick or priority free agent.

Rosi has primarily played tackle over the last two years, but he will need to move inside to guard (or center) due to a lack of length. He needs to get bigger but displays adequate strength in most instances. He fights to maintain positioning as a run blocker but finds himself overextended and off-balance at times. Rosi’s athletic testing was decent but looks below average on tape when he’s on the move. He’s composed and slides his feet with good body control in pass protection to help cut off gap shots and edge-to-edge challenges. Rosi will be an underdog to make a roster, but he could have a chance with a move inside.

Gattison doesn’t have the speed or cover talent to stay at cornerback in the NFL, but he might have the toughness for a move to safety. Speed and short-area quickness will still be an issue for him against NFL opponents, even at the safety position. He has decent instincts and ball skills, which will give him a fighting chance in camp. He’s both willing and successful as a tackler and does a nice job of getting around or playing off of blocks when it’s time to help in run support. He’s unlikely to be drafted, but his size, toughness and special-teams ability could earn him a look in camp.

While Duck’s size goes to waste as a run defender, he’s more than capable of utilizing it to aggressively contest throws in man coverage. He’s patient to time up jabs from press and does a nice job of bird-dogging the route from trail-man, but speedsters can run away from him as the route progresses. Duck lacks the premium athleticism and closing burst to play from off coverage and still create ball challenges. His size and peskiness at the catch point are tempting, but there might not be enough of the total package in place for him to make a roster.

Players who have logged more than 1,000 snaps at three different positions are rare, but ironically, Gadlin might be targeted as a center, where he's only played 110 career snaps. He has an unimposing frame but can catch interior linemen off guard with his drive power. He plays with sound footwork and technique as a run blocker but is missing the body control to connect and stay connected against active fronts. He's an upper-body leaner in pass pro and could struggle to secure both A-gaps with slide quickness and reactive agility. Gadlin could compete for a roster spot, but his chances might be limited if teams see him as a center-only prospect.

Brown’s short-area elusiveness can make him a fun watch on receiver screens and jet sweeps. His smallish frame will be an issue for teams concerned with long-term durability, though. He can run with separation speed vertically but isn’t built to win contested catches on any of the three levels. Brown displayed ability as a punt returner in 2022 and he might be pigeonholed as a “gadget guy” and punt returner if he makes a team.

Carter might have an untidy positional fit, as he projects somewhere between defensive end and defensive tackle. He gained 12 pounds between the Hula Bowl weigh-in and his pro day, which might signify an attempt to grow his way further inside. He has a powerful strike, with the ability to toss blockers off-balance when he’s flat-footed, but his stiff-legged posture might prevent him from finding enough anchor against downhill drive blockers. He won’t be a productive rusher, but he’s capable of putting pressure on blockers. Carter’s power might buy him time on a practice squad early on.

Safety prospect with outstanding size but limited agility and cover talent, which could create a barrier to entry. Richardson has good play strength and can match up on big tight ends but doesn't play with the change-of-direction quickness needed to constrict the route and play the ball against true pass-catching tight ends and slots. He has good build-up speed but lacks early acceleration, and that could limit his range. Richardson is below average as an open-field tackler but can stop plays suddenly when he's locked in as a wrap-up tackler. His traits and special teams talent give him a shot, but he might be too limited for teams to keep him long-term.

Phillips’ size and special-teams experience will be looked upon favorably by NFL teams, but he lacks top-end speed to run with vertical receivers. He can cover tight ends, but he needs to become more anticipatory in man coverage. He’s more of a grass guarder than playmaker as a high safety and can get turned around by routes when singled up in deep space. Phillips has the tools as a tackler, but getting to the spot without running into traffic or off the pathway is an issue.

Allen is a steady stand-up end with good play strength and a steady motor. He lacks ideal size and juice off the edge but looks to outwork his opponents. He’s not an instinctive run defender and falls prey to bad tackling angles at times, but he’s on the right side of the rep at a decent rate. He’s an effort rusher who won’t be able to beat tackles up the arc and doesn’t yet have the moves and counters needed to unlock the pocket against pro protection.

Jiles has arms like vines and showed off his ridiculous catch radius on more than one occasion during his college career. Despite playing against smaller foes, he has a lighter win rate on contested catches than he should, as he fails to bully and wall off opponents at the catch point. He’s a sloppy route-runner and lacks NFL long speed. Jiles will need to become more aggressive and consistently competitive to prove he can win possession catches and rise to the challenge of much stiffer competition.

Inside/outside linebacker prospect with tight hips but explosive movements in space. Hunter made the move inside in 2023 but isn't ready to read play design and respond with the quickness and accuracy needed for the position at this time. He's fast in a straight line but takes questionable angles as a tackler and will often dive too soon, leading to excessive misses. Hunter plays with decent hands and quick feet but will likely need to kick back outside. His best shot at making a roster is with a huge workout and a big camp as a special teams contributor. 

Rotational interior lineman at Miami who became a full-time starter in his single season with SMU. Miller has girthy lowers and long arms but lacks ideal mass to clog up the middle. He doesn’t win often enough to be a one-gapper and has issues getting rid of blockers quickly enough as a read-and-react tackle. There isn’t enough rush talent on tape to project Miller as more than a priority free agent who could have a hard time earning a roster spot.

Interior lineman with below-average frame and physical traits relative to the NFL game. Barrs plays hard and is able to create favorable angles for himself despite some lower-body tightness and unorthodox movement. He was asked to slant and move at USC, but he’s very average at beating blocks in front of him when asked to play it heads-up. I don’t expect Barrs to be on the field for pass-rush situations, so he will need to prove he can play his best ball in a one-gapping system to make a roster as a 4-3 interior tackle.