2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
While I don’t have McCarthy rated high on my 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, McCarthy is rising around the league, with a number of teams picking in the top 16 still in need a franchise quarterback. The Vikings pulled off a trade for the Texans’ first-round pick at No. 23. That puts Minnesota in prime position to move into the top five in a trade to land McCarthy with the fourth- or fifth-overall pick. Both the Cardinals at No. 4 and Chargers at No. 5 could opt to move down for a package of picks to help build up their rosters. Minnesota is holding a private workout for McCarthy and is clearly doing its homework on whether he will be the franchise’s replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Aside from the Vikings, the Broncos at No. 12 and Raiders at No. 13 could consider moving up for McCarthy. Denver is desperate for a quarterback as well. It only takes one team to fall in love, and right now, it looks like another trade up is likely to happen that will result in McCarthy going as a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
There have been reports that some teams prefer Nabers as the top receiver over Marvin Harrison Jr., and that is definitely possible. In speaking to some team sources, they said their teams had Nabers and Harrison graded extremely close together, so they said they believed it’s possible that other teams would have Nabers over Harrison. Nabers is a speed receiver, while Harrison is not a burner. Thus, teams that are looking for a fast wideout capable of producing a huge gain on any catch could prefer Nabers to Harrison. Both Nabers and Harrison are locks to end up as top-seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers has a shot at being the first receiver off the board.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
There has been a bonanza of money spent on guards in free agency. Players like Robert Hunt, Jonah Jackson, Kevin Dotson and Landon Dickerson cashed in some mega contracts. As a result of those moves, there are a number of teams picking in the 20s that need a starting guard or center. Those teams include the Dolphins, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Lions. Other teams like the Eagles and Cardinals could also consider an interior offensive lineman. With all of those options, Powers-Johnson looks like a lock for the first round because he has plug-and-play starting potential for guard or center. Sources think he could be a Pro Bowler early in his NFL career. Powers-Johnson had a superb 2023 season and did very well at the Senior Bowl and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He looks a sure-fire selection for the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
While Pearsall is not one of the top-rated wide receiver prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, a number of team sources said Pearsall is in play for their teams in the second round and they really like what they’ve seen from him in the pre-draft process. Pearsall did well at the Senior Bowl and worked out well at the combine, and teams feel he is a safe player to develop into a solid No. 2 or 3 receiver at the next level. While Pearsall may not be one of the first players selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he probably won’t last past the middle of Round 2, according to team sources.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
In conversations with a few team sources, they shared they felt that Mitchell stood a good chance of going in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Mitchell has shown size, speed, and route-running that make him a mismatch problem for the next level. Two things hurting Mitchell is some make-up concerns and teams being worried that he is not doing a good job of managing his diabetes. However, Mitchell’ skill set and performance on tape have been impressive, so multiple sources said they think he will go in the first round at the end of April in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
The 2024 NFL Draft is not strong at the edge-rush position, plus teams have medical concerns with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. Those medical issues could push Latu down, and that would help Verse to go higher. Sources from a number of teams said they though Latu was better on tape and has a better skill set, but noted Verse does not have a neck and head injury history. Hence, Verse could end up going as a top-20 pick because there are plenty of teams that need pass-rushing help.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
In following up with some team sources, they said the medical concerns are an issue that has made Latu’s draft range very fluid. Multiple team sources shared that they thought it’s possible that Latu will slip to Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft because of the medical questions. At Washington, a neck injury cost Latu the 2020 and 2021 seasons that caused the program to encourage Latu to retire. Latu entered the transfer portal and ended up landing at UCLA, which gave him medical clearance to continue playing. Team sources from around the NFL said that, on tape, Latu did a nice job of compensating for his issues by using his shoulder and chest while tackling to help protect his neck and head. Sources noted that if Latu starts sliding, it could cause other teams that did not rule him out medically to be concerned that other teams did disqualify him. Those sources said they thought Latu has the potential to slide to the second round, like other recent draft prospects with medical concerns such as Myles Jack, Jawann Taylor, Jaylon Smith and Da’Quan Bowers.
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
I had Lassiter going very late in the first round of my 2024 mock draft, but Lassiter hurt himself with a disappointing pro day. His 40 time was in the 4.6s, and that is scary slow for an NFL cornerback. Lassiter also is not the biggest of corners, so he could be more likely to go during Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft after his pro-day performance.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
