5-10 Targets Per Round - 2024 Edition

ROUND 2

Yeah, we don't have a round 2 pick.  But I'll do it anyway because you never know what might happen.

DT T'Vondre Sweat TEX - I love Harrison Phillips, he's one of the hardest working guys on the team.  But we're just drastically undermanned on the D-Line.  I don't recall which game it was, but at one point the opponent ran about 13 straight rushes on us and we were powerless to stop them.  We need some BEEF in the trenches.

DT Braden Fiske FSU - had a great Combine and really raised his stock.  Very active and seems to have a great passion for the game.  Oh, and did I mention we need D-Line?

LB Edgerrin Cooper TEX AM - off ball linebackers seem to be getting phased out a bit, as more teams use safeties as a sort of sub-LB.  But you still want a couple and I'm not sold on Cashman getting through 2 seasons consecutively without injury.  Plus this guy is just an absolute beast.

WR Ladd McConkey UGA - great underneath guy that also has the speed to take it the distance if you're not careful.  An expert route runner and has great feel/savvy for finding soft spots.  I think of the Patriots offenses that used to torment opponents with Welker, Amendola, Edelman types that bled you to death with little 4, 5, 6 yard pickups play after play, seemingly whenever they needed it.

WR Ricky Pearsall FL - I started off thinking of him as McConkey Lite, believing he would be available a round later than Ladd.  But his outstanding Combine performance and interviews seem to be elevating his stock considerably.  He might go only 10-15 picks later at this point.

OT Kingsley Suamataia - he's big enough and athletic enough to overcome some inconsistencies/sloppiness in technique.  I think he needs a year to be coached up, but would make an excellent swing tackle candidate while O'Neill's contract gets a little smaller in dead cap as each year goes on.

CB Max Melton RUTGERS - ok I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for athletic traits. And this guy blew up at the Combine. He can play slot or perimeter at the college level, I'm interested to see if that translates to the pros - 5'11" is a borderline outside corner for me.

WR Malachi Corley WKY - The "RAC King", he's got some Deebo-like qualities to his game.  Hasn't developed a full route tree yet and I'd be more comfortable with him in the 3rd, but I don't think he lasts that long.  Will require some patience and a creative OC to maximize his potential, but what a weapon in the right situation!

ROUND 4

CB Cam Hart - ND - great size/length, looks like a prototypical boundary corner.  His speed is ok, but not great, limiting him to a leverage type player.  I'm also a little troubled by his agility (3 cone, shuttle), but it feels like there's something there to work with.

OLB/EDGE Gabriel Murphy - UCLA - short arms and a 6'2" body are what keeps him out of being a Day 2 pick.  His explosive measurements (40 yard dash, 10 yard split, broad and vert jumps) were all in the elite level for his position.  Usually finds a way to make the play even against larger OL.  Maybe not a great idea to take another undersized LB when we already have one wearing the green dot (Pace), but I just can't give up on this guy.

OLB/EDGE Mohamed Kamara - COL ST - another try-hard edge player that overcomes substandard height with attitude.  I'm easily won over by guys that fight through to the whistle on every snap, because that's one thing you can't instill in a player, either they have it or they don't.

S Dadrion Taylor Demerson - TEX TECH - just average height/weight but runs well and has tremendous versatility as both a high safety or down in the slot. Blistering football IQ and anticipation. Also blows scouts away with his engaging personality and leadership traits. Reminds me of a young(er) Cam Bynum.

OC Beaux Limmer ARK - high IQ both on the field and off, can make all the pre-snap adjustments and identifies twists and stunts well.  Could use another ~10 pounds of good weight but plays strong and is already a proficient run blocker.  Has occasional lapses in pass pro and needs to shore that up a bit.

TE Cade Stover OSU - looked smallish to me out of pads but has that country boy "farmer strength." Pushed the blocking sled around easily. Catches well and has + athleticism as a receiving option. Basketball background shows through. A late conversion to TE from the defensive side of the ball, so he's still a bit raw. I see that as a positive, because it tells me he still has lots of upside to unlock.

WR Luke McCaffrey RICE - lacks the athletic traits of his father and brother but you know he's going to be the ultimate technician.  A former QB converted to WR, he hasn't been at it long but already displays a keen understanding of the position.  Coming from that family, it's no surprise.  Limited ceiling, but low bust rate makes him a nice Day 3 pickup.

WR Brendan Rice USC - not a great separation guy, but plays like an NBA power forward.  Strong and aggressive at the catch point, can he round out the rough points of his game?

DT DeWayne Carter DUKE - 3 year captain, high football IQ and leadership qualities. Unselfish player, he often disrupts the offensive play and sets up a teammate to clean it up and take the credit. Projects as more of a 4-3 3T, but we run some hybrid fronts and I think Flores is clever enough to find a way to use him as a rotational piece.

ROUND 6

DE Brennan Jackson - WASH ST - size and traits are "good enough" but this guy shines as bright as anyone in terms of motor and sheer love of the game.  If Pace showed us anything last year it's that these types areworth taking a shot on. Lowish ceiling might limit him to career depth guy, but he's never going to take a play off and will survive in the league on sheer tenacity.

C Tanor Bortolini - WIS - elite movement skills, but lacking a bit in anchor.  Normally that phrase gives me the Bradbury shivers, but it's worth spending a 6 to see if an NFL strength program can shore up that deficiency.  Plus, if Garrett gets hurt, the play style won't change much.

OT Garrett Greenfield - SDSU - speaking of Garretts... moves really well for a big man.  Needs more upper body strength and improved focus on technique.  LT/RT versatility gives him Swing backup capability for a year or two while he develops.

TE Tip Reimann - ILL - my favorite sleeper. He's a giant ogre that pushed the blocking sleds around like they were on ice. Huge hands and wingspan make him an easy possession target for redzone attempts or just moving the chains on short yardage. Moves better than you'd expect for a big dude and can threaten the seam. His hands are questionable, he has some concentration drops and is subpar in contested situations. Ideal TE3 guy that you can put in on jumbo packages when you need to move a pile, until he refines his game and maybe climbs up the ladder. Also he's crazy and believes birds aren't real, so he's probably worth some funny Gronk-like quotes.

LB Maris Liufau ND - a bit of a wildcard that will miss some reads but plays at 100mph at all times.  Throw him on STs early and see if he can figure it out over time.

CB Johnny Dixon PSU - sticky, feisty coverage guy that will need to overcome below average traits to succeed at the next level. 

OL Brandon Coleman TCU - just a touch short at 6'4" (LoL) but has good mass, huge hands, large wingspan, and elite explosive traits.  On paper this guy looks like a 1st rounder, but he doesn't play up to the potential.  Why not?  Is it fixable?  He gets beat frequently on counter moves and lacks some aggression in the run game.  Can a good coaching staff iron out these problems and find a diamond in the rough?

UDFA TARGETS

QB Sam Hartman - ND - lacks the arm to be a starter.  Which is too bad, because he's got a good head on his shoulders.  Has been through a bunch of offensive systems and is a quick learner.  Good PS candidate who could get called up on short notice and not crap his pants.  Can't be much worse than the mutts we trotted out there after Kirk went down.

DE Eric Watts - UCONN - might be a player without a position, but has enough traits to take a chance on developing.  Needs tons of coaching, but has some nasty to him and at worst can be a "body" on the D-Line.

CB Decamerion Richardson - MISS - Below average change of direction and poor feel for the game, BUT...  6'2" and 4.34 speed is a guy I'll put on the PS any time and hope the light turns on for him.

QB Kedon Slovis - BYU - had a tremendous freshman season at USC but has regressed every year since.  What threw him off track and can it be corrected?  A good all-around athlete.  Not a "running QB" but runs deceptively well when needed.  Ball placement is inconsistent and sometimes flutters due to bad footwork.  A little slow on progressions at times.

LB Michael Barrett - MICH - can lay a good hit on a ballcarrier when he lines things up, but is short at 5'11" and can get swallowed up by blockers at times.  Pretty good coverage LB and can play on all ST units.

WR Jalen Coker HC - great ball skills/tracking, but mediocre traits.  Played well against inferior competition, will it translate at the next level?

OC Andrew Raym OKLA - has the size and nasty demeanor coaches want. Not very good technique or body control, will need to hone his skills at the NFL level to overcome a basic lack of athleticism. But he's a brawler with the right dimensions and that gives him a puncher's chance on a practice squad to develop for a year or two.

OC Dylan McMahon NC ST - super agile/athletic mover, but easily pushed around by larger DTs.  Will need a year on the PS to add bulk/strength.  High boom/bust candidate.

CB Storm Duck LOU - Why? BECAUSE HIS NAME IS STORM DUCK. Do you need any other reason? He's 6'0", 201lbs, ran a 4.43, and has elite explosive traits (98th percentile broad jump, 85th% vert). Unfortunately his agility testing (shuttle and 3-cone) were very subpar, suggesting limited agility and change of direction. This likely keeps him from ever being more than an average cover guy, but HIS NAME IS STORM DUCK and that's good enough to make my Practice Squad to see if a year or two refining technique can overcome his limitations.

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agree. 100%. thank you and to all you give insights on draft prospects

Super fun & fascinating Leg! I always like to read up draft prospectus and yours is interesting, targeted, and free!

Of curiosity to me is the number of gigantic OTs in the draft pool. I’m feeling Bryant McKinnie or Phil Loadholt. The current Vikings seem less fortified inside but I would be intrigued if they could still add in another big Edge blocker.