2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Over the draft process, I have been higher than most on Latham and had him rated higher than Notre Dame’s Joe Alt on my 2024 NFL Draft Big Board. Latham was even more dominant on tape than Alt, and Latham has a better skill set for the NFL. Alt is a safer pick because of his football character, and Alt’s ability to play left tackle leaves him as the higher-regarded prospect. However in speaking with a number of team sources, they really love Latham’s tape and some see him as a legit top-10 pick. Latham looks like a lock to go in the top half of Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze has been one of the top-rated wide receiver prospects throughout the 2024 NFL Draft process, and that has been reinforced by his interviews. Team sources said Odunze has really impressed with his football character and being an unselfish teammate. While Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers aren’t viewed as bad guys, teams feel their characters are just okay. Odunze is not viewed as talented as them, but sources feel he has better character. In combination the need for receivers and the teams picking should probably results in Odunze going as a top-10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sources don’t think Odunze will slide past the top half of the first round if he gets past the Jets at No. 10 overall.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
After free agency and the Vikings’ trade with the Texans to add another first-round pick, it looks very likely that Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will go as a top-five selection. Even if Minnesota moves up to land McCarthy, there will be other teams in the market to take a quarterback, especially the Denver Broncos. Denver could be forced to take a prospect like Nix at No. 12, or the Broncos could hope to move down in the first round with the aim to acquire a second-round pick. That could give Denver the option to take a quarterback lower in the first or in the second round. With the need for quarterbacks, it looks like another signal-caller could have a shot at being a first-rounder even though teams have graded them later.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Penix is another quarterback prospect who could be boosted by Minnesota seemingly going after J.J. McCarthy. If Denver doesn’t take a prospect Bo Nix at No. 12 or move down in the first round, the team could target Penix. The upward pressure on quarterback stock could help Penix to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
The 2024 NFL Draft is not strong in terms of edge rushers, plus teams have medical concerns with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. Those medical issues could push Latu down, which could help Robinson to go higher in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sources from teams who were at the Missouri pro day said Robinson worked out well and looked really good. Robinson’s size offers him the versatility to play on the edge and also move inside in the sub package. After a strong pro day, Robinson has increased his chances of being a late first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
Earlier in the year at beginning of the media turning its attention to the draft process, there were many mock drafts that projected Rakestraw to go in the first round. I never had Rakestraw in the first round of my 2024 NFL Mock Draft because I never heard a first-round grade from a team source. NFL staff that attended the Missouri pro day last week told WalterFootball.com that Rakestraw ran slowly and did not put together an impressive workout. Some sources said Rakestraw would not get consideration from them until the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As the process has evolved, Rakestraw looks more and more like the second-day prospect, which teams had projected him as at the end of the season.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
