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

[ReasonablySober]

Kiper's mock: Mims, Cooper, Bullard.

[MVP2110]

Kiper's mock: Mims, Cooper, Bullard.

I'd be very happy with this

[ReasonablySober]

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Nothing too controversial in here. Colson as the top LB is probably the closest.

[Profound23]

Kiper's mock: Mims, Cooper, Bullard.

I'd be very optimistic with that draft.

[RRyder823]

I'm having trouble understanding why so many talking heads think NE is, or should be, trying to trade #3 but apparently think Arizona is pretty much locked in at #4.

Like, I just don't get the logic. Yes, NE has holes, but one of those holes is a pretty gaping one at QB, so why wouldn't they take one?

And I guess people are assuming that with the top 3 QBs off the board, there might not be a great market for the 4th pick, but that makes little sense also. Seems like it would be pretty easy to start a bidding war between Denver, NYG and Minnesota. One of those teams is gonna be willing to give up value to get their guy out of what's left

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[jakecronus8]

I'm having trouble understanding why so many talking heads think NE is, or should be, trying to trade #3 but apparently think Arizona is pretty much locked in at #4.

Like, I just don't get the logic. Yes, NE has holes, but one of those holes is a pretty gaping one at QB, so why wouldn't they take one?

And I guess people are assuming that with the top 3 QBs off the board, there might not be a great market for the 4th pick, but that makes little sense also. Seems like it would be pretty easy to start a bidding war between Denver, NYG and Minnesota. One of those teams is gonna be willing to give up value to get their guy out of what's left

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I'd have to assume they are either misdirecting to drive up the trade value of the pick to the point where they couldn't turn it down, they don't like the QBs available to them at 3 and feel they're not worth that high of a pick or a combo of all of the above.

[Matches Malone]

Austin Booker from Kansas and Akeem Dent FSU have 30 visits with GB.

They seem to like this Dent kid. They’ve interviewed him several times and now a visit.

[MKE_Hodag22]

Kiper's mock: Mims, Cooper, Bullard.

I'd be very happy with this

OT, LB, S -- sounds good to me! Thought, Bullard wouldn't be my #1 choice, He's definitely a player I like at safety if there at 58.

[ReasonablySober]

The way Kiper's first round played out was kind of the worst case scenario for the Packers IMO.I don't love Mims or an OT only at #25, but he was probably the best pick.

[MKE_Hodag22]

Austin Booker from Kansas and Akeem Dent FSU have 30 visits with GB.

They seem to like this Dent kid. They’ve interviewed him several times and now a visit.

https://youtu.be/EaFEoH3qRhg?si=WrQTVDgaVC4VTumM

I watch a LOT of FSU Football...he's really solid player.

[ReasonablySober]

One thing I noticed reading through that Athletic draft book was Xavier Legette's scouting report sounded a lot better than his ranking (14th WR, 3rd round grade).

STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with speed … galloping, long strides outpace everyone else on the field (his 1.78 -second “flying 20” tied Brian Thomas Jr. for the fastest at the combine) … dangerous catch-and-run weapon on bubbles, slants and crossers … explodes out of his release to get vertical and behind coverage (led all Power 5 receivers with five receptions of 50-plus yards in 2023) … can sell deep route before dropping his weight and giving the quarterback a clear window at the sticks … strong hands and can climb the ladder to pull throws down (dropped only 2.1 percent of his targets in 2023) … really competitive and likes to get after it as a blocker … averaged 26.4 yards as a kick returner (29/767/1), including a 100-yard touchdown in 2022 … an impactful gunner on punt coverages in 2023 and genuinely enjoys playing on special teams … established a reputation for his reliability and toughness in the Gamecocks’ program (NFL scout: “The coaches say he became their best practice player. And he never misses a practice.”) … had a career year in 2023, becoming just the second player in school history to surpass 1,200 receiving yards in a season (joining Alshon Jeffery in 2010).

WEAKNESSES: Choppy footwork when attempting to gear down and snap 90-degree breaks, leading him to round his routes … has a slight hitch when attempting to work around press and needs to develop his releases … inconsistent results with crowded catch points … had a to ugh time in the gauntlet at the combine … will occasionally break tackles with his speed/power mix, but he doesn’t have the elusiveness to shake defenders in small areas … will get himself in trouble trying to go east-west with the ball in his hands … missed two games after suffering multiple “cuts and bruises” in a motorcycle accident (September 2021) … only one season of high-level production (never finished better than seventh on the team in receiving before 2023).

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at South Carolina, Legette was an inside/outside receiver in offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains’ scheme (64.6 percent wide, 34.0 percent slot in 2023). A quarterback out of necessity as a senior in high school, he was raw when he joined the Gamecocks and didn’t break out until his fifth season (he and Malik Nabers were the only two SEC players to average more than 100 yards receiving per game in 2023). Legette is at his best on runway routes (verticals, posts, crossers) or sweeps and end-arounds that get his long-striding acceleration going. He doesn’t consistently shake tight man coverage, but he will use his size to play strong through contact. Overall, Legette needs to continue developing his route proficiency and tempo, but his film gives off DK Metcalf vibes, and he has the explosive speed and physicality to be a matchup weapon. He should be an immediate contributor on special teams before competing for starting reps outside.

GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 76 overall)

Today PFF also made the same player comparison.

WR XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Pro Comp: DK Metcalf

This comp took a small hit when South Carolina’s Legette measured 2 inches shorter than the 6-foot-3 mark the Gamecocks listed him as. Nonetheless, I’ll stick with it after watching Legette carry their offense this past season and put on an explosive display at the NFL scouting combine that was only microscopically lesser than that of DK Metcalf.

Legette and Metcalf are both blazing fast and very strong but play a linear style without a ton of wiggle at or beyond the line of scrimmage. However, when they get their momentum going, they can be serious threats to score on any play.

While he is 2 inches shorter than Metcalf, Legette has a couple of advantages heading into the draft. We never actually got to see Metcalf have a monster season at Ole Miss. Legette finished 2023 with the eighth-most yards in the country and an 86.9 receiving grade. Legette also owns a better college drop rate than Metcalf.

Metcalf was selected with the final pick in the second round of 2019 and instantly became a productive player in Seattle despite a limited route tree. I expect Legette to land around that spot, or potentially higher, and use his similar skill set to succeed in the NFL.

I know I've been high on Legette since last fall, but these two professionals are comparing him favorably to DK Metcalf. In a loaded class, you're telling me he isn't worth a look at #41?

[jakecronus8]

One thing I noticed reading through that Athletic draft book was Xavier Legette's scouting report sounded a lot better than his ranking (14th WR, 3rd round grade).

STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with speed … galloping, long strides outpace everyone else on the field (his 1.78 -second “flying 20” tied Brian Thomas Jr. for the fastest at the combine) … dangerous catch-and-run weapon on bubbles, slants and crossers … explodes out of his release to get vertical and behind coverage (led all Power 5 receivers with five receptions of 50-plus yards in 2023) … can sell deep route before dropping his weight and giving the quarterback a clear window at the sticks … strong hands and can climb the ladder to pull throws down (dropped only 2.1 percent of his targets in 2023) … really competitive and likes to get after it as a blocker … averaged 26.4 yards as a kick returner (29/767/1), including a 100-yard touchdown in 2022 … an impactful gunner on punt coverages in 2023 and genuinely enjoys playing on special teams … established a reputation for his reliability and toughness in the Gamecocks’ program (NFL scout: “The coaches say he became their best practice player. And he never misses a practice.”) … had a career year in 2023, becoming just the second player in school history to surpass 1,200 receiving yards in a season (joining Alshon Jeffery in 2010).

WEAKNESSES: Choppy footwork when attempting to gear down and snap 90-degree breaks, leading him to round his routes … has a slight hitch when attempting to work around press and needs to develop his releases … inconsistent results with crowded catch points … had a to ugh time in the gauntlet at the combine … will occasionally break tackles with his speed/power mix, but he doesn’t have the elusiveness to shake defenders in small areas … will get himself in trouble trying to go east-west with the ball in his hands … missed two games after suffering multiple “cuts and bruises” in a motorcycle accident (September 2021) … only one season of high-level production (never finished better than seventh on the team in receiving before 2023).

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at South Carolina, Legette was an inside/outside receiver in offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains’ scheme (64.6 percent wide, 34.0 percent slot in 2023). A quarterback out of necessity as a senior in high school, he was raw when he joined the Gamecocks and didn’t break out until his fifth season (he and Malik Nabers were the only two SEC players to average more than 100 yards receiving per game in 2023). Legette is at his best on runway routes (verticals, posts, crossers) or sweeps and end-arounds that get his long-striding acceleration going. He doesn’t consistently shake tight man coverage, but he will use his size to play strong through contact. Overall, Legette needs to continue developing his route proficiency and tempo, but his film gives off DK Metcalf vibes, and he has the explosive speed and physicality to be a matchup weapon. He should be an immediate contributor on special teams before competing for starting reps outside.

GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 76 overall)

Today PFF also made the same player comparison.

WR XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Pro Comp: DK Metcalf

This comp took a small hit when South Carolina’s Legette measured 2 inches shorter than the 6-foot-3 mark the Gamecocks listed him as. Nonetheless, I’ll stick with it after watching Legette carry their offense this past season and put on an explosive display at the NFL scouting combine that was only microscopically lesser than that of DK Metcalf.

Legette and Metcalf are both blazing fast and very strong but play a linear style without a ton of wiggle at or beyond the line of scrimmage. However, when they get their momentum going, they can be serious threats to score on any play.

While he is 2 inches shorter than Metcalf, Legette has a couple of advantages heading into the draft. We never actually got to see Metcalf have a monster season at Ole Miss. Legette finished 2023 with the eighth-most yards in the country and an 86.9 receiving grade. Legette also owns a better college drop rate than Metcalf.

Metcalf was selected with the final pick in the second round of 2019 and instantly became a productive player in Seattle despite a limited route tree. I expect Legette to land around that spot, or potentially higher, and use his similar skill set to succeed in the NFL.

I know I've been high on Legette since last fall, but these two professionals are comparing him favorably to DK Metcalf. In a loaded class, you're telling me he isn't worth a look at #41?

It would be hard to see a scenario where (for this team) there isn't at least a handful of guys I'd take over him. IF they were to take a receiver early I'd probably roll the dice on someone like Mitchell or BTJ at 25 if they are available.

I like Legette but I think he's more of a matchup dependent guy than someone with true #1 potential.

[Matches Malone]

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[MVP2110]

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One of my favorite prospects in this class.

[Matches Malone]

One player that keeps catching my eye lately is Jordan Morgan. Maybe not quite at 25 but a trade down or if he's there at 41, he'd be a fun add to this O-line. Likely moving inside, but I think could still play OT at the next level if you need him to.

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[Profound23]

Supposedly Washington offered the Bears #2 pick and two future firsts.

If that's true, Caleb better not be a bust.

[ReasonablySober]

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[ReasonablySober]

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First mock:

#25 - Laiatu Latu - DE
#41 - Edgerrin Cooper - ILB
#58 - Jaden Hicks - S
#88 - Elijah Jones - CB
#91 - Dominick Puni - OT
#126 - Tanor Bortolini - C/G
#169 - Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB
#202 - Jalen Sundell - OT
#219 - Jordan Jefferson - DT
#245 - Josh Wallace - CB
#255 - Taulia Tagovailoa - QB

Yes, please.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Two more weeks of this is ridiculous. The NFL really needs to move the draft up a couple weeks.

[Ron Swanson]

I still wouldn't hate it if we just said "**** it" and took Brian Thomas Jr. if he falls to 25.