With all the general managers, coaches, and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some highlights from around the league on day three of the 2024 Senior Bowl week.
Some in the media have projected Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou to be a first-round pick. Membou played tackle for the Tigers, but some project him to move inside because of a lack of height and length. According to sources from four different teams, none had Membou as a first-rounder. All four had Membou as a day-two pick. Some sources said that Membou has a good skill set but doesn’t finish and needs a lot of development. Perhaps some teams disagree and view him as a legit first-round pick, but there are a number of teams that feel that would be a massive reach.
Every year in the NFL Draft and at the trade deadline, teams turn down trades for veteran players, and some veteran players get shopped without finding a team willing to trade for them. One team that surprisingly turned down some offers at the deadline was the New Orleans Saints. The Saints had a quick start to the season before a long losing streak realistically knocked them out of the playoff picture by midseason. Sources from teams said New Orleans turned down offers for veteran defensive ends like Carl Granderson and Peyton Turner. Granderson is a good starter signed for the long-term at a reasonable rate, so turning down offers for him was understanding. However, Turner has been a rotational backup that has been a disappointment as a former first-round pick. It was surprising to some teams that the Saints turned down mid-round pick offers for Turner. New Orleans is at the beginning of a big rebuilding project, so many are surprised they turned down draft picks that could help them rebuild.
It is no secret that the Atlanta Falcons are looking to improve their pass rush this offseason. The lack of edge rush talent has been an issue in Atlanta, and the Falcons were poised to take UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the 2024 NFL Draft before their love of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. overwhelmed the front office to take the trigger man from Washington. In hindsight, things have worked out well for the Falcons in the long-term view of their team building. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was a disappointment, and the 2025 NFL Draft is weak at quarterback but very strong for defensive line talent. Picking in the middle of the first round, Atlanta should have some good options to consider. In speaking with sources, it sounds like the Falcons are high on edge rushers like Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams and outside linebacker Jalon Walker. If the Falcons were to trade down, they also like interior rushers like Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott, South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders, and Marshal edge rusher Mike Green. That trio could also be in play for the Falcons second-round pick as well. Atlanta has caught a good break that the 2025 draft is so strong on the defensive line in a year when they want to upgrade their defensive front.
Improving their pass rush will be necessary for the Falcons to knock off the defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Bucs are another team that wants to improve their pass rush and front-seven talent for next season. Tampa Bay has some big decisions to make at the linebacker position, with veterans hitting free agency. Even if Lavonte David returns in 2025, he can’t play forever, so adding young talent as a linebacker is necessary for the Buccaneers. One player that has caught their eye is Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Based on conversations with sources, it sounds like the Bucs love Campbell. Campbell is a versatile linebacker that can defend the run and rush the quarterback off the edge. He looks like a perfect fit in Todd Bowles’s defense. Don’t be surprised if Campbell ends up becoming a Buccaneer.
On Monday in the Senior Bowl Hot Press, we reported how the Lions are poised to continue their plan of drafting well and retaining the core players of their team. Detroit could still target some free-agency help from other teams, but it will probably be more moderate free-agent signings. They have found some superb values in that market level, including cornerback Amik Robertson last year. Other moderate free agents that turned into massive steals include linebacker Alex Anzalone and wide receiver/returner Kaliff Raymond. Don’t be surprised if the Lions make some more sneaky good signings this offseason.
