2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Nix is a riser here for the second week in a row, and that is based on text conversations I had with team sources over Easter weekend. While the consensus grade for Nix is on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, multiple team sources said they think he stands a good shot of going in the first round. There are plenty of teams around the NFL in need of a quarterback of the future, so Nix is in good position to rise now that the coaches have joined the pre-draft meetings around the league.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Penix, like Bo Nix, is making a consecutive appearance in this section, stemming from text conversations I had with sources from multiple NFL teams over the holiday weekend. The consensus grade on Penix is for the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, but a number of team sources said they feel Penix has a decent shot at going in the first round. In particular, their view is that Penix could likely end up as the fifth quarterback taken on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft. Around the league, a number of teams need a quarterback of the future, so Penix, like Nix, is in good position to be a riser, particularly now that the coaches have joined pre-draft meetings around the NFL.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Many scouts did not grade McCarthy has a high first-round pick, in fact I don’t have him among the top 32 on my 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, but McCarthy has been rising throughout the draft process, in part due to the number of teams needing a young franchise quarterback. McCarthy has aced the pre-draft workouts and meetings with teams. While some view him as a game manager, others think he has upside to be more. It would be a surprise if McCarthy does not end up as a top-five pick, with a team trading up with the Cardinals – No. 4 – or Chargers – No. 5 – to land him. McCarthy looks like a lock to have his name called early on the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Rice is not one of the top-rated wide receiver prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he is a sleeper who could be an excellent value pick. Despite being the son of one of the greatest players in NFL history, Rice has not seen a lot of buzz in the draft process. However, Rice has performed well, and team sources have said he looked really good at USC’s pro day. Rice could end up going on the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he should not last long if he makes it to Day 3.
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
A number of team sources said they like Pritchett as a third- or fourth-round sleeper who could turn into a nice value pick. He notched 22 tackles, an interception and three breakups in 2023. Over the previous season, he collected 37 tackles and eight passes broken up. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has good size and quickness. He can play zone or man coverage while being a nice corner for taking on taller, longer receivers. Fast receivers give Pritchett some issues, and he will need to be coached up on that for the NFL. Pritchett could start out as a backup who helps on special teams before potentially developing into a starter. With some buzz about Pritchett around the league, he looks like he has a good shot to go in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Bishop looks like a future starter who could compete for playing time quickly in the NFL. In 2022, he collected 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and three pass breakups. He totaled 60 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and three passes defended in 2023. Bishop then had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl and ran well at the combine. The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder is a well-rounded player who can help in coverage and defend the run. Bishop could be a safe pick on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft to turn into a quality starter.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Earlier in the year and during the 2023 college football season, there were steady projections of Coleman being a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had an electric opening to the season with three touchdowns versus LSU, and he looked like a mismatch weapon for the NFL. However, his tape later in the season was not as good. Coleman then ran very slow times at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. With the tale of the tape and the times, he has slid to being a consensus second-day prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. Given there are concerns about Coleman’s ability to separate from NFL defensive backs, I have Coleman sliding to late in the second round of my 2024 NFL Mock draft.
