2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
As we reported in the Hot Press, multiple team sources see Sanders as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. “He won’t wow with physical tools,” said an area scout. “But his arm is good enough, especially in the short and intermediary. Mentally, he can operate at incredible speed. He could be the most NFL ready as far as football I.Q.; he bleeds confidence and charisma. He’ll own a team immediately because of his competitiveness and obvious advantage having grown up in the rare NFL bubble. Pro ball will not scare him.”
Being a junior, Sanders has the option to return to Colorado next season. With the ability to cash in on NIL money and help his father build the Buffalo’s program, perhaps Sanders will decided to stay in Boulder. However area scouts are high on his NFL potential and multiple area scouts tell me they think that Sanders has first-round potential for the 2024 or 2025 NFL Draft.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Sweat could have been a second-day pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he decided to return to Texas to improve before going pro. That decision looks to have paid off given that Sweat has shown more pass-rush and disruptive ability so far this season. Versus Alabama, Sweat notched a sack and was a disruptive force on the interior.
The 6-foot-4, 362-pounder is a massive nose tackle who can clog lanes and provide mass at the point of attack. If he continues to show improved ability to contribute in the pass rush, he could be a top nose tackle prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Graham Barton, OT, Duke
Barton has received some first-round media hype, and some NFL team sources who spoke with WalterFootball.com said they feel Barton is a legit early-round talent. The senior left tackle is a consistent run blocker and pass protector. While Barton is listed at 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, he might be a bit smaller than that. Some team sources say their clubs are projecting Barton to move inside to guard in the NFL. Barton could end up being a first- or second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Team sources say Rakestraw has the talent to be a potential third-day pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. So far this year, he has two tackles. As a redshirt sophomore in 2022, he started all 13 games and totaled 36 tackles, 12 passes broken up and an interception. The 6-foot, 188-pound Rakestraw has NFL size with a skill set and upside. He could be a riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Connor Beebe, G, Kansas State
Beebe looks like he could be a future starter in the NFL. Beebe has a strong and thick build that makes him a tough blocker at the point of attack. He plays with good leverage, staying low and getting his hands below the pads of defenders. Along with having quality strength, Beebe has some quickness to the second level and is able to hit blocks on linebackers in space. In pass protection, Beebe is steady and effective. He sets up well and is able to sink his weight to stone wall bull rushes. Beebe has quick enough feet and just enough length to keep defenders from darting past him. The Wildcats primarily play Beebe at guard, but he also has seen some snaps at tackle. For the next level, Beebe looks like a starting caliber guard and could grade out as a second-day prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Will Howard, QB, Kansas State
Multiple team sources told WalterFootball.om that Howard has boosted himself into being a potential third-day and backup quarterback candidate for the NFL. Those sources said Howard is physically impressive, with a good frame, above-average arm and exceptional makeup. They called him a gritty, athletic guy who possesses good football I.Q. Additionally, they stated they felt Howard is being solidly prepared and could rise with a strong 2023 season.
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Last Saturday against South Carolina, Lassiter was going against a dangerous quarterback and passing attack, but he still managed to impress. Lassiter started the game with a good open-field tackle in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Lassiter dodged a block and fired behind the line to get a tackle for a loss on a wide receiver screen. Later on the drive, Lassiter came close to an interception and was able to slap a pass away from a receiver on a jump ball. In the third quarter, Lassiter had blanket coverage against a big receiver, plus he had a leaping pass breakup on a third down to get his defense off the field.
Lassiter generated good tape against the Gamecocks, as he showed the ability to run routes and prevent separation. Lassiter has good size, including the height and length to cover up big receivers downfield. Lassiter demonstrated the quickness and speed to stay in phase, and he illustrated the ball awareness to break up passes. His performance against South Carolina will definitely help his grade for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kendal Daniels, S, Oklahoma State
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Daniels could be a big strong safety type for the NFL, and team sources have labeled him a sleeper who could be a nice value pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels put together an impressive 2022 season with 71 tackles, one forced fumble, three interceptions and five passes defended. Thus far in 2023, Daniels has been a steady and solid defender for the Cowboys.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
On the opening play of the season against Utah, Marshall was torched for a long touchdown, but played better against the Utes afterward. Marshall’s mixed performance and struggles continued versus Tennessee. On the first drive of the game, a Volunteers receiver ran a corner post route and got separation from Marshall to haul in an 11-yard touchdown. On the next possession, a receiver again had Marshall beaten deep, but the pass this time was overthrown incomplete. After those plays, Marshall he did a better job of running with wideouts and preventing separation. In the fourth quarter, a receiver managed to get open on Marshall while running a dig route, but Marshall was on the spot to make the tackle.
Some in the media have projected Marshall to the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but team sources have not been high on him. Marshall is too inconsistent and really should go back to school for another season to improve his technique before going pro.
