2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Multiple NFL team sources raved about Mitchell’s performance at the Senior Bowl. They said they loved his natural cover skills to run the route and prevent separation. Mitchell has good size to go along with speed and athleticism. After his strong week in Mobile, Mitchell is in the running to be the first cornerback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, competing with Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins. After a great week of Senior Bowl practice, Mitchell looks like a top-20 pick for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Pearsall started out the Senior Bowl week with an excellent Tuesday practice session and followed that up with another good outing on Wednesday. Aided by his speed and athleticism, Pearsall displayed fluid route-running that led him to consistently generate separation from the all-star defensive backs. Pearsall looks like a lock to go no lower than the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft as along as the rest of the pre-draft process goes well for him.
Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri
Robinson used his time at the Senior Bowl to showed that he is big, strong, and has a real power rush. Robinson is a versatile defender who can play the run from either the inside or the outside. While he does not have explosive speed, he looks capable of being a quality starter at the NFL level. Following his strong week of practice in Mobile, Robinson could turn out to be an early second-round pick this coming April in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M
Robinson is a power right guard for the NFL, which he on display at the Senior Bowl. Team sources said Robinson helped himself with a good week of practice in Mobile. Robinson has starter potential for the next level because he is tough, strong and nasty. But his lack of athletic ability and foot quickness make him a better fit for a power-man scheme, as he could be limited on some of the wide zone runs of the pros. Robinson could be a second-day pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who turns into a good pro starter.
Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
Smith-Wade had a strong week of practice at the Senior and followed that up with a very good performance in the actual game. The best play of the day came in the fourth quarter when Smith-Wade made a diving interception deep down the field at the 16-yard line. He then got up and raced across the field for an insane interception return that saw him slash through players and get all the way to the one-yard line. On the final play of the game, Smith-Wade made a leaping interception in front of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Smith-Wade solidified his second-day standing for the 2024 NFL Draft with his week in Mobile.
Gabriel Murphy, DE, UCLA
While Laiatu Latu has received a lot of attention, there are a couple of other talented edge rushers from the Bruins in this draft class. Pro team sources said Murphy (6-3, 260) impressed at the East-West Shrine and put together a good week of practice. In 2023, Murphy recorded 38 tackles and eight sacks. Back in 2021 at North Texas, he notched 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Murphy could be a riser during the leadup to the 2024 Draft thanks to having put together two productive seasons.
Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
Team sources said Rogers had a good week of practice at the East-West Shrine. In 2023 for Auburn, he notched 17 tackles and one sack. At Kentucky in 2022, he recorded 35 tackles and .5 sacks. Rogers (6-3, 346) is a heavy nose tackle who can be tough to move at the point of attack. However, some NFL team sources said Rogers has his weight down to try to help him in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his weight was a problem at Auburn. Rogers performing well at the East-West Shrine could have helped ease the doubts about his potential.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Kalen King, CB, Penn State
As we reported in the Senior Bowl practice recaps, King really struggled in coverage in Mobile. He was consistently beaten and giving up separation to the receivers in the one-on-ones. King struggled over all three days of practice, and NFL team sources shared that King also produced some bad tape from his Senior Bowl week. King’s time in Mobile to go along with his struggles during the 2023 season could push him to the last day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
