2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
While I have other corners rated higher on my 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, Arnold is likely to be the first cornerback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft because teams view him as safer than other prospects, like Nate Wiggins, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Arnold is not freak athlete aking to Derek Stingley or Sauce Gardner, so Arnold is not a top-five talent, but he is a well-rounded player. He can handle zone, press-man, off-man responsibilites and has a quality skill set of speed, size and athleticism. Thanks to having played in the SEC, he also is more battle-tested than the 2024 NFL Draft’s other top corners. Arnold looks likely to be a top-16 pick in April.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
The 2024 NFL Draft does not have a first-round prospect at running back, but it does have some good depth for Day 2 and the mid-rounds who could make for nice value picks. Among them is Allen (6-1, 245), who is a huge power back and was a steady runner over the past three seasons. His best season was his freshman debut in 2021, when he averaged 6.8 yards per carry for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2022, he ran for 1,242 yards while averaging 5.4 yards. Over 2023, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry again while totaling 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. Allen also showed more receiving ability in 2023 with 28 receptions for 131 yards. If Allen runs well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, that would be huge for his draft stock.
Daijun Edwards, RB, Georgia
Edwards flashed some speed, vision, and athletic ability for Georgia as a senior. In 2023, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry for 881 yards and 13 touchdowns. Additionally, he had 20 receptions for 197 yards. In 2022, Edwards averaged 5.5 per carry for 769 yards and seven touchdowns. He made 14 catches for 101 yards as well. Edwards put together a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl to help himself. In Mobile, he showed some real speed to accelerate to the second level and a burst to hit the hole. The 5-foot-10, 201-pound Edwards may not have the size and power to be a three-down starter, but he could be a really nice No. 2 rotational back in the NFL.
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
The 2024 NFL Draft is loaded at the wide receiver position, and McCaffrey showed at the Senior Bowl that he could be a nice mid-round pick. While McCaffrey is not overly big or fast, he is a smooth route-runner with quickness. He could be a particularly nice weapon as a slot receiver. While McCaffrey (6-1, 202) is not the all-world athlete his brother Christian is, he showed at Senior Bowl that he is a viable pro contributor and could be a nice No. 3 or 4 receiver candidate in the NFL.
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State
Flournoy earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had an impressive week of practice that proved he could hold his own against a higher caliber of competition. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Flournoy has quality size flashed some quickness and athleticism. In 2023, he notched 57 receptions for 839 yards and six scores. He totaled 61 catches for 984 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. Flournoy could be a nice third-day value from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Stover was a solid receiving tight end for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons. In 2023, he caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. During 2022, he recorded 36 catches for 406 yards and five scores. Stover could stand to improve his blocking for the NFL, but the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder has upside to at least be a solid No. 2 tight end.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Calen Bullock, S, USC
Team sources said they like Bullock’s tape, which shows he is long, athletic and fast. They shared they really liked his coverage skills, but that there is a big problem for the NFL: his thin and slight frame. At 6-foot-3, 180-pounds, Bullock is very thin for a safety, and that is going to be problematic for tackling running backs at the second level along with receivers and tight ends downfield. Bullock will get bounced around somewhat, and that has some teams thinking of moving him to cornerback. That same plan worked to turn L’Jarius Sneed into a good NFL corner, but there is always a risk when putting a player through a change in position. Thus, some have Bullock as more of a mid-round pick. I have Bullock going in the third round of my latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, but he could potentially slip to Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
