Apr 14, 2024, 6:10 p.m. ET
We identify those names who have seen their bonuses skyrocket in the weeks and months leading up to the NFL college draft
The evaluation tables and all their grades are built over more than a year, and not only in the frenetic weeks that pass between Talent Combine and the pro days, and the moment when the first team is announced on stage on the day of the NFL Draft.
And although there are a handful of genuinely pleasant surprises that are invited to the Senior Bowl o al Combined, a rising prospect can climb the evaluation charts throughout the season and during the pre-draft process. He gets someone’s attention and forces an adjustment to the initial rating he carried when the college football season started.
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With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, starting April 25 (8 pm ET; 7 pm ET), let’s take a look at the players from this class who have gained the most ground. Last year’s list included Darnell Wright (N° 10 global), Luke Musgrave (No. 42 overall) and Chandler Zavala (N° 114 global).
Here are some of the prospects whose bonuses have skyrocketed the most for the 2024 NFL Draft, starting with a quarterback whose name has been frequently mentioned among rumors prior to the start of the collegiate selections. A high level in moments of extreme pressure during a 2023 championship campaign has catapulted JJ McCarthy to be projected among the first rounds of the first round. Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Ranking según Scouts Inc.: 12
His rise goes as far as: After starting the college season outside of the Top-6 or even Top-7 quarterbacks on many lists, McCarthy has been in the conversation for every team looking for a long-term solution at the most important position. of sport.
Turning point: Theirs was more of a military march of sorts, as the Wolverines steamrolled everyone in their campaign en route to a national title. McCarthy threw for 272 more yards in 2023 than in 2022 and had the same number of touchdowns (22), but some evaluators believe he looked, acted and played with much greater control of the things around him.
He is on the rise because of: His play in the most important moments. Against Ohio State, he went 16 of 20 passing for 148 yards and threw a laser touchdown. His three-touchdown performance against Alabama in the first game of the College Football Playoff is also rescued by scouts. He set a Michigan record with a 72.3 percent completion rate over the final 12 games of the season, and threw only one interception.
What’s said: “Just trying to focus on doing the best I can with each play, whether it’s handing off the ball and doing the pass fake, or throwing an inside cut route. The command of plays is out of my control, but I will do my best to the best of my abilities,’ — McCarthy, on decision making
Ranking según Scouts Inc.: 78
His rise goes as far as: Paul, who started 44 career games at left tackle for the Cougars, began the year as an early-to-mid day three prospect. At 6 feet, 7 1/2 inches, and 331 pounds, he often played too upright in his stance, although he showed fleet feet and pass protection skills. But, Paul improved his footwork and level of play throughout the 2023 campaign, and could very well enter the middle of the second day of selections.
Turning point: There wasn’t a single play or game, but his overall work last season, with a first-team All-Big 12 selection, helped his case. He gave up a sack, the only hit on the quarterback he allowed all year.
He’s on the rise because: Paul built his case by stacking up one of the best weeks of Senior Bowl practice for any player. There are few things that move the needle in all-star postseason games more than working on one-on-one drills against the best on the other side of the ball. Paul’s work in Mobile, Alabama, got him noticed.
What’s being said: “I keep telling people I think he’s one of the best pass protection tackles available,” — AFC South area scout
Ranking según Scouts Inc.: 120
His promotion goes as far as: Sinnott could move from the start of day three to day two, if the right team is waiting and the picks fall a certain way. He finished with 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons — six in 2023 — and a career-high 14 yards per catch average helped highlight his value in the passing game. The talent shown in his pre-draft work could also push him up the draft order.
Turning point: Prospects usually don’t move around the depth chart as much in the days leading up to college all-star games and the combine, but those events can force people to go back and take another look at a player. Some teams said they did just that after Sinnott’s performance at the combine.
He’s on the rise because: The former Wildcats’ non-scholarship player offers a combination of size — 6-foot-3, seven-eighths, 250 pounds — and movement skills that others in a less-than-bright class at the position don’t possess. . But, he was clearly the best of the group during the combine’s position drills, with precise routes, explosiveness getting in and out of his cuts, and consistent hands. Also, he was the best, or close, in other tests. His 40-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-6 static long jump were tops among tight ends.
What they say: “I liked him all season, I think he can contribute immediately in the passing game. But, then you get that performance in Indy, and you have confirmation of those traits,” — AFC West area scout
Qwan’tez Stiggers earned CFL Most Outstanding Rookie honors last year. John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images
Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
Scouts Inc. Ranking: None
His rise goes as far as: No player in the entire draft process could have risen further. Stiggers could become just the third player in the common draft era to be selected without having played at the college level. He is a former Fan Controlled Football League player and was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie last season. He was scheduled to attend Lane College after high school, but the pandemic and the death of his father ended those plans. He worked a number of jobs, including DoorDash, before being signed by the Argonauts.
Turning point: This is the first year he is eligible for the draft; It’s been at least three years since he left high school. His season with the Argonauts (53 tackles, five interceptions) combined with a high-quality week leading up to the Shrine Bowl has given him a chance to become a third-day recruit.
He’s on the rise because: His pro day in Atlanta last month attracted 29 team representatives, and at 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds, he was clocked by some scouts at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Added to that is the physical play he showed in 2023 as the youngest player on the field for much of the time, and you should hear his name called in Detroit.
What they say: “He’s pushed harder than most kids to get to this point. You don’t need to worry about willpower or how much he loves football; he’s already done what a lot of kids haven’t,” — NFC general manager
Ranking según Scouts Inc.: 222
His rise goes as far as: Laube, a six-year player in New Hampshire, has likely gone from being a priority free agent or late third-day recruit to an early third-day recruit, if the ideal situation presents itself.
Turning point: There are plenty of game tapes where his overall production on offense and on special teams is evident. More important is what Laube has done to increase that at every possible moment leading up to the draft. He clocked a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, while looking comfortable and like an impact player during Senior Bowl workouts.
It is on the rise because: Production. He averaged five yards per carry while carrying the ball, and had 171 yards per rush — an average of 3.7 per game over the course of his career — and returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns over the course of both seasons. last years.
What they say: “The biggest thing I took away from that was seeing if I’m capable of competing against the best of the best and just saying, ‘Hey, am I ready for it?’ And, I think that showed. that I can play at that level and show everyone that I really belong,” — Laube, on what he showed at the Senior Bowl
Ranking según Scouts Inc.: 249
His rise comes down to: Whether or not Shirden hears his name called on day three will likely depend on the setup and scheme, and whether there is a plan for him on offense. But there are some coaches who see potential for the 5-foot-8, 187-pounder in their offenses and say they’ll ask to recruit him.
Turning point: Despite a thigh injury that limited his combine and pro day performances, evaluators liked what they saw from him under those conditions. Shirden might be able to contribute more in the passing game than he did in college; 25 receptions with a touchdown in three seasons.
He’s on the rise because: His 3,200 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons were a good start, but his 4.45 40-yard dash time at the combine was another piece in the confirmation puzzle. He was the only FCS running back to be invited to the Shrine Bowl. In the Shrine Bowl, he was able to show that, although he still needs to improve quite a bit, he is a capable blocker against the blitz.
What they say: “He’s not going to break a lot of tackles, but I like his vision, and when he doesn’t start dancing and just puts his foot down and takes off, there’s something different there,” — NFC South area scout
DeAngelo Hardy, WR/RB/DB, North Central (Ill.)
Scouts Inc. Ranking: None
His rise goes as far as: Someone should — and could — gamble a low third-day pick, just so they don’t have to compete to sign him as an undrafted free agent. He’s on the radar, and some teams hope others don’t see him the same way they do.
Turning point: He didn’t do as well as some had predicted during Northwestern’s pro day last month — a 4.61-second (hand-timed) 40-yard dash time, and some other very average numbers, but at 6 feet and three-quarters of an inch, and 208 pounds, means a multitude of possibilities.
It is on the rise because: It is about the redeemable among everything he has done. He is a player who scored touchdowns running, receiving, passing and kickoff returns in his college career. In a December 2023 playoff game, he scored touchdowns passing, receiving and kickoff returns, to go along with his interception.
What they say: “Look, I’m not sure if he has all the explosiveness and stuff, but there aren’t many guys at any level who did all the things he did,” — AFC West personnel director
2024-04-14 22:10:00
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