The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Tuesday morning with interviews from selected GMs and coaches, including Detroit’s Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. It’s a good time to set the baseline for expectations for which players are projecting to go in what range of April’s draft.
It’s more about ascertaining which players might be available to the Lions at No. 29 overall — if they stay in that slot — than accurately projecting each exact pick. Based on recent mocks, the winds on the streets of Indy and general expectations from different teams, here’s how the first round looks like it might play out at the onset of the combine workouts.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
At this point (subject to change, of course), the bigger question than drafting Williams is, where do they trade Justin Fields?
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The new regime in Washington will presumably want their new (potential) franchise quarterback. The Heisman Trophy winner has high-end ability.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
McCarthy over Drake Maye? Could be this year’s crazy draft weekend surprise for a Patriots team making a huge change at coach already.
Harrison Jr. is the consensus top overall prospect in the draft, and the Cardinals benefit from teams above them all needing QBs to land the phenomenal wideout prospect.
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Hard to know what new head coach Jim Harbaugh will do, but taking a bedrock OT prospect like Alt sure seems sensical.
: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
If Maye is somehow still on the board, it seems crazy that the Giants would pass on the quarterback while not having to rush him onto the field.
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Another new coaching regime makes the Titans an unpredictable variable. Odunze is gaining momentum as a top-10 lock as we enter the combine week.
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are another team with a new coach, making them inherently unpredictable. Verse becomes the first defender off the board in this scenario.
Malik Nabers 8 dives for a ball as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.
The Bears strike paydirt with Nabers at No. 9. He’s an electrifying athlete who could wind up being the first WR off the board.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
In this scenario, Fuaga parlays an excellent Senior Bowl week and workout circuit into being the second OT off the board. His powerful surliness makes for a nice addition to the Jets.
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Three months ago, there was some hope for Lions fans that Mitchell could fall to the second round. Now, it’s much more likely he’s the first CB off the board and bolsters the Vikings.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Latu might be a bit of a surprise this high, but if his neck checks out medically, he’s the most polished and impactful pass rusher in this draft.
. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Fashanu could go much higher than this, but in these projections, the Raiders snatch up the youthful Penn State tackle.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Arnold is a polished, scheme-diverse outside CB who can provide an instant jolt to the Saints defense.
Brian Thomas Jr 11 runs the ball as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.
The Colts add a weapon here. It could very well be top TE Brock Bowers, though if he’s as small as some think he is, it’s probably too high here. Thomas makes for a dynamic addition who could surge after this week.
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Lots of options for the Jaguars here, and in this scenario they opt for the consistently disruptive Newton to build up the defensive front.
Bowers could be a top-5 overall talent in this class, but an undersized tight end with some injury concerns could make him a tough guy to select above here. I suspect the Bengals would race to the podium here.
Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams make the versatile, high-floor Powers-Johnson their first first-round pick since Jared Goff back in 2016. He can start right away at guard or center.
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Tough call here with the Steelers, who need OL help and depth all over the defensive front, but Wiggins can start right away and fit in well in Pittsburgh.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The harder part about projecting Barton is, where does he play on the line? He’s a top-shelf prospect at left tackle, center and (perhaps) guard. Miami can draft him and figure it out later.
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles must revamp the back end of the defense, and the playmaking McKinstry seems like a good place to start.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Pairing up Turner with his former Crimson Tide running mate Will Anderson would make the Texans an athletically freaky defensive front to try and block.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mims seems a little under the national radar for being such an effective blocker for the Bulldogs. The Cowboys need to be in the OT market, and Mims can be a great one quickly.
Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (2) celebrates.
Rakestraw is a popular Lions projection, but hte Packers also happen to need a scheme-diverse outside CB with some playmaking panache, and they pick earlier.
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A left tackle at Washington, many project the skilled Fautanu to kick inside in the NFL. The Buccaneers would do just that, having a dire need at one of their guard spots as well as no functional depth anywhere on their line.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
After landing a top wideout with their first pick, the Cardinals bolster their thin defensive front with their acquired pick by adding in the impressive Murphy.
Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson brings power and positional versatility to the Bills front, two things they sorely need. He’s another player often projected to Detroit but doesn’t quite make it that far in this scenario.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
DeJean has the athletic ability and hard-nosed attitude to play outside CB, but he’s also capable of flexing to safety in some defensive looks. He checks a whole lot of boxes for the Lions and their first-round pick.
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Latham could be long gone by here, and that is the type of player and value the Ravens seem to covet in the draft. It’s even better if he can play guard early on for Baltimore.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Guyton looks like a plug-and-play right tackle who has the athletic ability and technical skill to help the 49ers right away.
Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
Franklin is victimized by a deep WR class, but he’s a worthy first-round talent and could keep the Chiefs as the class of the NFL as a ready-to-roll rookie wideout.
2024-02-27 11:47:00
#Predicting #1st #NFL #Scouting #Combine
