2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Coming off a prolific season for Oregon, Nix looks like a potential first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. In reaching out to sources at five teams, two teams said they had Nix on Day 2 of the draft and three teams said they thought Nix would go in Round 1.
A director of player personnel for an AFC team that does not need a quarterback told WalterFootball.com:
“We gave him a starter grade. We think he could be a low-end starter, and at that position, that means he would go in the first …. We have Bo rated fourth, ahead of McCarthy. There is a lot to like about Bo; he just doesn’t have special arm talent. But physically, he’s more talented than Baker Mayfield, Sam Howell, Brock Purdy or Kenny Pickett.”
With plenty of teams needing a starting quarterback, Nix has a real shot at going in the top 20 or top 25.
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
In speaking with some NFL team sources over the past week, Fautanu has been a rising prospect across the league. Teams are in love with his athleticism, and while he is short at 6-foot-3, sources say Fautanu has 35-inch arms, so there is some belief that he could stay at offensive tackle in the NFL. With his quick feet, agility, and smooth movement skills, Fautanu has drawn some comparisons to tackles like Rashawn Slater. Fautanu could end up being a top-20 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama
Bradley earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl after back-to-back quality seasons for the Jaguars. In 2023, he completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. During 2022, he completed 65 percent of his throws for 3,336 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 216-pounder has NFL size and could rise with a strong week in Mobile.
John Rhys Plumlee, QB, Central Florida
Plumlee could be a third-day prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft or a priority free agent. In 2023, he completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,271 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 63 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,586 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Plumlee needs some good workouts before the 2024 NFL Draft, but he could be a draft-able player with third-quarterback potential.
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland
The 6-foot-5, 328-pound Glaze was a swing tackle for Maryland during his collegiate career, and he has the potential to be a valuable backup to start out his NFL career. He played on each side of the line in 2021 and 2022. Over those two seasons, Glaze was mostly at right tackle, but he had multiple starts on the left side. In his final season, Glaze started at left tackle. He could be a swing tackle developmental backup, but also has the body type where he could kick inside to guard. Versatile backups are prized in the mid-rounds of NFL drafts, and Glaze could fit in that range.
Charles Turner III, C, LSU
Turner had a long career at LSU, going back to being on the 2019 National Championship team that was led by Joe Burrow. In 2022, Turner became the starting center and was a solid interior blocker in that role for the rest of his career. Turner did a decent job of protecting Jayden Daniels and helping to create some interior running lanes. At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Turner could be cross-trained as a backup guard and center to start out his NFL career.
Javon Solomon, DE, Troy
Solomon was a dangerous pass rusher for Troy in 2023, ripping off 16 sacks alongside 55 tackles and three forced fumbles. In 2022, he notched 4.5 sacks and 44 tackles in 2022. Solomon broke out in 2021 with 50 tackles, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. The 6-foot-2, 249-pounder is very undersized for the NFL, but he could be a designated pass rusher who contributes in the sub package.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
As we reported in the Hot Press, multiple team sources feel that Newton is overhyped and they do not agree with some of the media projections that have Newton going in the top half of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sources at four teams said they had Newton in the second round because he has an odd body type for the NFL and there are repeated instances on tape where Newton gets destroyed in run defense. There are some evaluators that liked his 2022 tape more than his final season with the Illini. Newton needs a strong performance in pre-draft workouts and in team interviews during the lead up to the draft.
