2024 NFL Draft - five picks in the first three rounds (seven in four! [probably])

[Matches Malone]

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@DavidEickholt
I can confirm that Iowa star CB/PR Cooper DeJean has sustained an injury during practice. Will likely miss the remainder of the regular season-- status unclear about potential bowl game. (This has not been made official by KF or Iowa.)

[ReasonablySober]

I really hope he doesn't try and come back for a bowl.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't consider myself an expert on offensive line play by any means, but let's put Walker up against some other 1st and 2nd year starters using PFF (I don't love or trust them either, but their grades are all I have when it comes to line play)

Walker: 60.3 PFF grade

Paris Johnson (#6 overall): 52.5
Darnell Wright (#10 overall): 63.1
Broderick Jones (#14 overall): 61.6
Anton Harrison (#27 overall): 54.8
Matthew Bergeron (#38 overall): 57.2

Ikem Ekwonu (#6 overall): 64.1
Evan Neal (#7 overall): 39.8
Charles Cross (#9 overall): 63.4
Trevor Penning (#19 overall): 53.5

That's every 1st and 2nd year offensive tackle taken in 1st or 2nd round the last two drafts. Given the investment in draft capital, Walker compares pretty nicely to literally all of them, right?

That was a lot of words to say I don't think using a first rounder on an OT next spring is a good move.

[MVP2110]

I don't consider myself an expert on offensive line play by any means, but let's put Walker up against some other 1st and 2nd year starters using PFF (I don't love or trust them either, but their grades are all I have when it comes to line play)

Walker: 60.3 PFF grade

Paris Johnson (#6 overall): 52.5
Darnell Wright (#10 overall): 63.1
Broderick Jones (#14 overall): 61.6
Anton Harrison (#27 overall): 54.8
Matthew Bergeron (#38 overall): 57.2

Ikem Ekwonu (#6 overall): 64.1
Evan Neal (#7 overall): 39.8
Charles Cross (#9 overall): 63.4
Trevor Penning (#19 overall): 53.5

That's every 1st and 2nd year offensive tackle taken in 1st or 2nd round the last two drafts. Given the investment in draft capital, Walker compares pretty nicely to literally all of them, right?

That was a lot of words to say I don't think using a first rounder on an OT next spring is a good move.

I wanna see what Walker does the rest of the season, and I feel similarly to Walker that I do our other young guys. Walker doesn't stop me from drafting a player I think could be an elite LT but I also don't feel like they need to draft one if one isn't available. I think Walker started the year pretty badly but I've been impressed in his last handful of games and want to see if he can continue that

[M-C-G]

I don't consider myself an expert on offensive line play by any means, but let's put Walker up against some other 1st and 2nd year starters using PFF (I don't love or trust them either, but their grades are all I have when it comes to line play)

Walker: 60.3 PFF grade

Paris Johnson (#6 overall): 52.5
Darnell Wright (#10 overall): 63.1
Broderick Jones (#14 overall): 61.6
Anton Harrison (#27 overall): 54.8
Matthew Bergeron (#38 overall): 57.2

Ikem Ekwonu (#6 overall): 64.1
Evan Neal (#7 overall): 39.8
Charles Cross (#9 overall): 63.4
Trevor Penning (#19 overall): 53.5

That's every 1st and 2nd year offensive tackle taken in 1st or 2nd round the last two drafts. Given the investment in draft capital, Walker compares pretty nicely to literally all of them, right?

That was a lot of words to say I don't think using a first rounder on an OT next spring is a good move.

I wanna see what Walker does the rest of the season, and I feel similarly to Walker that I do our other young guys. Walker doesn't stop me from drafting a player I think could be an elite LT but I also don't feel like they need to draft one if one isn't available. I think Walker started the year pretty badly but I've been impressed in his last handful of games and want to see if he can continue that

Interesting. And now that I think about it, the big 'whiff' plays seem to come from Myers and Runyan. Maybe I need to recalibrate what I think about our OL and maybe fixing the interior is the priority. Let's hope Rhyan comes through as something, then we just might need center, hell maybe Dave even comes back and this OL is in good shape next year.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I don't consider myself an expert on offensive line play by any means, but let's put Walker up against some other 1st and 2nd year starters using PFF (I don't love or trust them either, but their grades are all I have when it comes to line play)

Walker: 60.3 PFF grade

Paris Johnson (#6 overall): 52.5
Darnell Wright (#10 overall): 63.1
Broderick Jones (#14 overall): 61.6
Anton Harrison (#27 overall): 54.8
Matthew Bergeron (#38 overall): 57.2

Ikem Ekwonu (#6 overall): 64.1
Evan Neal (#7 overall): 39.8
Charles Cross (#9 overall): 63.4
Trevor Penning (#19 overall): 53.5

That's every 1st and 2nd year offensive tackle taken in 1st or 2nd round the last two drafts. Given the investment in draft capital, Walker compares pretty nicely to literally all of them, right?

That was a lot of words to say I don't think using a first rounder on an OT next spring is a good move.

I wanna see what Walker does the rest of the season, and I feel similarly to Walker that I do our other young guys. Walker doesn't stop me from drafting a player I think could be an elite LT but I also don't feel like they need to draft one if one isn't available. I think Walker started the year pretty badly but I've been impressed in his last handful of games and want to see if he can continue that

Interesting. And now that I think about it, the big 'whiff' plays seem to come from Myers and Runyan. Maybe I need to recalibrate what I think about our OL and maybe fixing the interior is the priority. Let's hope Rhyan comes through as something, then we just might need center, hell maybe Dave even comes back and this OL is in good shape next year.

I would be shocked if Bak ever plays for the Packers, I'll be surprised if he ever plays again.


I would absolutely take a T round 1 if someone good is there. I'm not sold on Walker but even if he does work out they could slide Tom to C, which may be his most natural position.

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[coolhandluke121]

I think Myers and Runyan looked pretty good for a year or two as well though. Yosh played very well too. I know for a fact that the whole line was excellent for basically all of 3 years, with the lone exception being the first few games last season as Bakh and Jenkins worked off some rust.

What I'm saying is, there's a lot of variability to this. Walker's snaps and PFF might be a total false alarm. Him being a pleasant surprise (so far) is not nearly as definitive as the incredible upside Fashanu would bring to the position.

[M-C-G]

I think Myers and Runyan looked pretty good for a year or two as well though. Yosh played very well too..

The regression of the young OL guys is extremely concerning. Its not the same as Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins from their rookie year at CB, but kind of similar. How do guys like Savage, Stokes, Myers, Runyan hell even Royce Neumann was almost average, regress so hard.

I have to think when Hackett left he took staff members that were the difference makers. And guys that weren't ready for their new roles here were promoted and it is impacting the coaching the youngs are receiving.

[ReasonablySober]

I would absolutely take a T round 1 if someone good is there. I'm not sold on Walker but even if he does work out they could slide Tom to C, which may be his most natural position.

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But if a center is what ends up being replaced in this situation, it would mean you could address the position later, as opposed to high in round one. Same with guard. You could get Myers and Runyan out of there with the two 2nd round picks.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I would absolutely take a T round 1 if someone good is there. I'm not sold on Walker but even if he does work out they could slide Tom to C, which may be his most natural position.

Sent from my SM-F731U using RealGM mobile app

But if a center is what ends up being replaced in this situation, it would mean you could address the position later, as opposed to high in round one. Same with guard. You could get Myers and Runyan out of there with the two 2nd round picks.

Maybe I'm underestimating Tom as a T simply because he's small but if he can be a great C vs being a good T id rather have him inside. It's like Jenkins, he can play T but he's better at G.

But mostly I'm still all in for a 1st round T because I doubt Walker is the long term answer out there.

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[M-C-G]

I would absolutely take a T round 1 if someone good is there. I'm not sold on Walker but even if he does work out they could slide Tom to C, which may be his most natural position.

Sent from my SM-F731U using RealGM mobile app

But if a center is what ends up being replaced in this situation, it would mean you could address the position later, as opposed to high in round one. Same with guard. You could get Myers and Runyan out of there with the two 2nd round picks.

Maybe I'm underestimating Tom as a T simply because he's small but if he can be a great C vs being a good T id rather have him inside. It's like Jenkins, he can play T but he's better at G.

But mostly I'm still all in for a 1st round T because I doubt Walker is the long term answer out there.

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I think finding a center is way easier than finding a tackle. Also, I also think of Tom somewhat undersized but what's funny is he is listed at 6'4 304 on pfref. Tony Manadarich was considered a monster LT at 6'5 311 lbs or so. Crazy to think how massive these dudes have gotten.

[ReasonablySober]

I wonder where Laiatu Latu goes. Probably the best defender in the class but he's two years removed from being told he needed to retire due to injury.

[ReasonablySober]

Packers in the 6th spot.

Games of interest today:

Bears @ Lions - Field's first day back.
NYG @ Washington - Expecting a blowout in DC.
Dallas @ Carolina - Ditto in Carolina.
Tennessee @ Jacksonville - This game could get weird.
Arizona @ Houston - Wouldn't put it past Arizona to get the win here.
Seattle @ LAR - Division game, Stafford is playing.
Minnesota @ Denver - Denver's defense is playing much better.

[VooDoo7]

Like I said a few weeks ago, we're likely picking closer to 10th than 5th. We'll be picking later than 10th I bet.

[LUKE23]

They currently hold:

8
40
45
72
84

In the top 100.

[ReasonablySober]

ESPN's three draft guys debated the top ten picks and I had to chuckle by the time they got to GB.

1 - Chi - Williams
2 - NYG - Maye
3 - Ari - Harrison Jr.
4 - New England - Fashanu
5 - Chi - Turner
6 - Was - Alt
7 - Ten - Coleman

8. Green Bay Packers (4-6)
Yates: The Packers have some undeniable talent on the roster, but areas that looked like strengths even a season or two ago -- offensive line and cornerback -- all of a sudden feel more uncertain. And when you have a pick this high and your quarterback is neither a surefire player nor early in his rookie deal, that position has to be on the table, too. Have the Packers seen enough to believe Jordan Love is their future? And if not, is there even a QB worth taking at No. 8? It might be too early to say.

Miller: If I'm in the room when the Packers come on the clock, and LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is on the board, he's my pick. But this is Green Bay, and GM Brian Gutekunst would never take a receiver in Round 1. That's too bad because when Love looks good -- and there are flashes, for sure -- it's clear that the Packers lack a true WR1 who forces the hand of a defense. Christian Watson has talent but hasn't been a go-to target for Love. Nabers, with his awesome after-the-catch ability, is an ideal fit for that offense.

Reid: Yeah, the Packers really stick to their draft philosophies. Every year we want them to draft a receiver in Round 1, and it simply doesn't happen. It's also time for them to find an heir apparent to David Bakhtiari at left tackle, as he hasn't been able to stay healthy, but they also keep relying on developing Day 2 and Day 3 offensive tackles rather than using an early pick on a top-tier talent. They haven't drafted an offensive tackle in Round 1 since Derek Sherrod in 2011. Twelve of Green Bay's past 13 first-round picks have been on defense, and it shouldn't come as a surprise if the team takes that route again.

Yates: Defensively, the Packers have a sudden cornerback quandary, as Rasul Douglas was traded and Eric Stokes has played just 26 games over the first two-plus seasons of his career. This might be a tad above where we'd project the top cornerback going, though, so that's probably not the move. Teams can never have enough edge rushers, but with recent investments in Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Preston Smith, that's likely off the board, too.

It all leads to a favorite of mine in this class: Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton. While Green Bay did use a first-round pick on Devonte Wyatt and has Kenny Clark as an anchor along the line, Newton is a play-wrecker whose versatility fits with any team.

Miller: Newton is my top defensive tackle in the class and an overall top-10 player. I had the chance to scout him in person against Kansas, and he was unstoppable. The Illinois defense has him moving all around the front, something Green Bay does like in prospects, and he has proven he can have success rushing from the 3-technique, working head-up on offensive tackles or even playing outside the tackle in a 6-technique.

Newton may be a "tweener" at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, but there isn't a better pass-rushing defensive tackle in the class, as he has put up back-to-back seasons with 5.5 sacks. The Packers love versatility up front on both sides of the ball, and Newton would give them a penetrator on the interior who can play multiple alignments.

Reid: There are bigger needs, but yes, Green Bay might opt for the best remaining defensive player -- which we can all agree is Newton at this stage. His versatility and explosiveness stand out every week. His relentlessness as pass-rusher and strength as a run-defender make him one of the most NFL-ready prospects in this class, regardless of position. And getting him in the mix with Clark and Wyatt would give the Packers plenty of depth.

Our pick for the Packers: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

I think Newton is fine, but there would be **** riots.

9 - LVR - JC Latham
10 - NYJ - Malik Nabers

[MVP2110]

ESPN's three draft guys debated the top ten picks and I had to chuckle by the time they got to GB.

1 - Chi - Williams
2 - NYG - Maye
3 - Ari - Harrison Jr.
4 - New England - Fashanu
5 - Chi - Turner
6 - Was - Alt
7 - Ten - Coleman

8. Green Bay Packers (4-6)
Yates: The Packers have some undeniable talent on the roster, but areas that looked like strengths even a season or two ago -- offensive line and cornerback -- all of a sudden feel more uncertain. And when you have a pick this high and your quarterback is neither a surefire player nor early in his rookie deal, that position has to be on the table, too. Have the Packers seen enough to believe Jordan Love is their future? And if not, is there even a QB worth taking at No. 8? It might be too early to say.

Miller: If I'm in the room when the Packers come on the clock, and LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is on the board, he's my pick. But this is Green Bay, and GM Brian Gutekunst would never take a receiver in Round 1. That's too bad because when Love looks good -- and there are flashes, for sure -- it's clear that the Packers lack a true WR1 who forces the hand of a defense. Christian Watson has talent but hasn't been a go-to target for Love. Nabers, with his awesome after-the-catch ability, is an ideal fit for that offense.

Reid: Yeah, the Packers really stick to their draft philosophies. Every year we want them to draft a receiver in Round 1, and it simply doesn't happen. It's also time for them to find an heir apparent to David Bakhtiari at left tackle, as he hasn't been able to stay healthy, but they also keep relying on developing Day 2 and Day 3 offensive tackles rather than using an early pick on a top-tier talent. They haven't drafted an offensive tackle in Round 1 since Derek Sherrod in 2011. Twelve of Green Bay's past 13 first-round picks have been on defense, and it shouldn't come as a surprise if the team takes that route again.

Yates: Defensively, the Packers have a sudden cornerback quandary, as Rasul Douglas was traded and Eric Stokes has played just 26 games over the first two-plus seasons of his career. This might be a tad above where we'd project the top cornerback going, though, so that's probably not the move. Teams can never have enough edge rushers, but with recent investments in Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Preston Smith, that's likely off the board, too.

It all leads to a favorite of mine in this class: Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton. While Green Bay did use a first-round pick on Devonte Wyatt and has Kenny Clark as an anchor along the line, Newton is a play-wrecker whose versatility fits with any team.

Miller: Newton is my top defensive tackle in the class and an overall top-10 player. I had the chance to scout him in person against Kansas, and he was unstoppable. The Illinois defense has him moving all around the front, something Green Bay does like in prospects, and he has proven he can have success rushing from the 3-technique, working head-up on offensive tackles or even playing outside the tackle in a 6-technique.

Newton may be a "tweener" at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, but there isn't a better pass-rushing defensive tackle in the class, as he has put up back-to-back seasons with 5.5 sacks. The Packers love versatility up front on both sides of the ball, and Newton would give them a penetrator on the interior who can play multiple alignments.

Reid: There are bigger needs, but yes, Green Bay might opt for the best remaining defensive player -- which we can all agree is Newton at this stage. His versatility and explosiveness stand out every week. His relentlessness as pass-rusher and strength as a run-defender make him one of the most NFL-ready prospects in this class, regardless of position. And getting him in the mix with Clark and Wyatt would give the Packers plenty of depth.

Our pick for the Packers: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

I think Newton is fine, but there would be **** riots.

9 - LVR - JC Latham
10 - NYJ - Malik Nabers

I am definitely on the side that would like to build the offense over the defense. That said I absolutely agree our Dline is weak after Kenny and I'm not sure how much longer he'll be that good. I was never a fan of the Wyatt pick and he hasn't shown me a ton to make me change my opinion. I like Brooks but he certainly wouldn't stop me from drafting someone high. This likely wouldn't be my first choice but if a DL is your clear BPA I wouldn't have a major issue with taking him

[ReasonablySober]

Their other opinions were:

- Big dropoff after Maye and they didn't see a QB worth a top ten pick with the possible exception of Sanders. I disagree completely. Sanders, Nix, and Daniels could all go top ten, easily.
- Big dropoff after Fashanu and Alt, with the rest of the first round guys being RT. I haven't seen that opinion anywhere else.
- Top ten is too early to take a DB
- They're on the positional value train with Bowers
- Latu barely registers a debate and seems to be their 3rd rated pass rusher (if that) and that's insane. They needed to watch more late night football this season.

[MVP2110]

Their other opinions were:

- Big dropoff after Maye and they didn't see a QB worth a top ten pick with the possible exception of Sanders. I disagree completely. Sanders, Nix, and Daniels could all go top ten, easily.
- Big dropoff after Fashanu and Alt, with the rest of the first round guys being RT. I haven't seen that opinion anywhere else.
- Top ten is too early to take a DB
- They're on the positional value train with Bowers
- Latu barely registers a debate and seems to be their 3rd rated pass rusher (if that) and that's insane. They needed to watch more late night football this season.

Admittedly I haven't done any of my real draft prep at all and I don't until the offseason typically. But with QBs such as Nix, Daniels, Penix, etc. I'm very curious how much having the extra covid year has boosted their draft stock. I don't think any of the 3 would have been considered a 1st round pick a year ago and now they come out and dominate as a 5th year player. That makes me hesitate a bit as I wonder if they are just dominating because they have physically & mentally matured more than their competition or if their 5th year spikes are legitimate

[Matches Malone]

It probably won't happen, but it would be funny if Chicago stuck with Fields again and passed on taking QB at #1.