Bold Predictions for 2024 NFL Draft from Bleacher Report Staff

Anticipating the unforeseen is the only certainty relating to the NFL draft.

Sure, a couple of choices will continue as pictured, however there’s a reason the occasion is so hard to forecast. One enormous trade or off-the-wall choice develops a butterfly impact that penetrates throughout the whole procedure.

Which group will trade up? Which quarterback possibility will it target? Who wants to trade down?

Plenty of other motion and surprises ought to be anticipated throughout the occasion, which begins Thursday in Detroit. The B/R group didn’t pull back from making particular statements that go versus the grain.

Ballentine: Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will land with Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams basic supervisor Les Snead took a huge swing in 2021 to generate Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, and it led to a Lombardi Trophy. It would make good sense that he goes a bit non-traditional to discover his next star at the position.

Aaron Donald’s retirement is another action towards a brand-new age in L.A. After enjoying Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. rip deep shots to Rome Odunze Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan the last 2 seasons, Snead and Sean McVay need to see some Stafford in his video game.

There have to do with 5 or 6 groups that we see discussed as quarterback landing areas advertisement nausem, however ESPN’s Field Yates tabbed the Rams as a “sleeper” group to target a signal-caller in the very first 2 rounds.

Stafford is 36 years of ages and missed out on pieces of the 2019 and 2022 seasons with numerous injuries. New backup Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t precisely the embodiment of sturdiness.

Penix includes dangers considering his age and injury history, however so did Stafford.

Davenport: Washington Commanders Select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with 2nd total choice

Gagnon: New England Patriots do not take a quarterback at No. 3

Giddings: Las Vegas Raiders choose Penix in preliminary

Holder: Atlanta Falcons still prepare a quarterback

Klassen: Los Angeles Chargers choose Georgia tight end Brock Bowers rather of an offending lineman or pass receiver

Knox: Washington Leaders choose McCarthy at No. 2

Presuming the Bears take USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 1, Washington will have a hard option to make at No. 2. The Commanders require a quarterback, and Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye appear to be the 2 sensible alternatives.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported in March that a number of league executives think GM Adam Peters would choose Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

The Commanders have actually satisfied with the Michigan signal-caller, the buzz has actually silenced over the last couple of weeks. Often, when the sound stops, it’s the outcome of a franchise attempting to mask its objectives.

I would not promote for the Commanders taking McCarthy over Maye or Daniels, however I can imagine Peters seeing in McCarthy tones of another QB he contributed to preparing– Brock Purdy– and turning the turn on the choice.

This may not be an outright stunner, however I ‘d state seeing a possibility who was hardly in the first-round discussion a couple of months ago addressing No. 2 would certify as unexpected.

Moton: Chicago Bears choose Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II with ninth total choice

Over the previous 5 draftsprotective tackles who ended up being top-10 choices taped double-digit sacks on the college level or produced buzz as elite potential customers (Jalen Carter).

Byron Murphy II didn’t examine either box.

Without a doubt, the Texas item must be a first-round choice, though ninth appears a bit high for a 1 year starter who’s somewhat undersized at a non-premium position.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus called the 3-technique position”the engineof his defense, and Murphy has actually the ability to fill that function.

In the ninth area, the Bears might take an edge-rusher to enhance Montez Sweat or a pass receiver who can handle a popular function in the passing attack after Keenan Allen’s agreement ends next offseason.

Normally, edge-rushers and pass receivers rank greater on top priority lists, however if Eberflus has significant input on the Bears’ pushing requirements, Murphy might be the choice at No. 9.

Sobleski: New York Giants pull trigger on first-round quarterback to change Daniel Jones

Thorn: Chargers choose Alabama right take on JC Latham with 5th total choice

It’s clear that brand-new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and offending organizer Greg Roman desire their offense to focus on a run-first, downhill plan that will prefer larger, effective blockers.

Recalling at Harbaugh’s most effective groups with the San Francisco 49ers, his right deal with was Anthony Davis who was an increasing star before suddenly ending his profession after simply a couple of seasons. he was a mauling, dominant run-blocker in a comparable mold as Alabama right deal with JC Latham.

With the Chargers having a replaceable-level starter at the position now in Trey Pipkins III, the group might update the position with a gamer custom-made for this plan.

Ballentine: Cincinnati Bengals trade Tee Higgins to Carolina Panthers

Davenport: Minnesota Vikings move into the leading 5 to land a quarterback

At this moment, it nearly seems like it will be more of an upset if this trade does not take place. From the minute the Minnesota Vikings obtained No. 23 from the Houston Texans, speculation has actually run widespread that they would package it and No. 11 to go up and prepare a quarterback.

It’s practically as if fans and experts alike do not think Minnesota’s proclaimed self-confidence in San Darnold– most likely since they have actually seen Darnold play.

If I were Arizona Cardinals basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort, it would take a lot to get me to hand down Marvin Harrison Jr.however the Los Angeles Chargers have holes all over the location– consisting of the trenches on both sides of the ball.

That can’t agree with Jim Harbaugh, who might quickly be preparing to stock choices as Chargers brass makes smores at the recreational vehicle Park.

Gagnon: Las Vegas Raiders trade up for a quarterback

Giddings: Vikings trade as much as pick Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Holder: Antonio Pierce and Raiders swing huge for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has actually made it clear that he want to reunite with the quarterback he hired to Arizona State, Jayden Daniels.

Pierce calls himself a”go-getterand has no concerns making a trade to deal with the most essential position on the field.

While there was a report that the head coach and basic supervisor Tom Telesco do not see eye-to-eye about making a relocation for a novice signal-caller, in between Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert, Telesco has actually had a leading skill at quarterback.

The GM understands how essential it is to get that position right, and Daniels provides the Raiders a much better chance to win than Gardner Minshew II or Aidan O’Connell.

New England Patriots basic supervisor Eliot Wolf just recently restated that they are open up to trading the No. 3 general choice. Las Vegas may have a tough time outbidding Minnesota however considering that we’re sweating off the facility of making a vibrant forecast, Telesco and Pierce will not let Wolf hang up the phone and they make a huge trade to bring Daniels to the Raiders.

Klassen: Denver Broncos delve into the leading 6 for a quarterback

Knox: Dallas Cowboys trade into the leading 10 for a pass-catcher

Moton: Vikings trade as much as No. 5 and choose North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye

Sobleski: Vikings move into leading 5 for their franchise quarterback

Somebody is going to make a relocation into this year’s leading 10 to pick among the elite QB potential customers. It feels as inescapable as Thanos. It’s still hard to figure out precisely which group it will be at what area for whom.

The Vikings are the most likely alternative based upon A) the company’s desperate requirement for a beginning quarterback and B) they currently made a relocation to get a 2nd first-round choice to have the ammo required to negotiate occur.

Clearly, the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders remain in play here also, however neither provides the very same utilize or possessions as the Vikings.

Minnesota will do what most anticipate and finish an offer to land a brand-new franchise quarterback, either with the 4th or 5th general choice.

Thorn: Washington Commanders trade all the method back into the preliminary with Tennessee Titans to choose Notre Dame’s Joe Alt

Beyond the 2nd total choice, the Washington Commanders are equipped with 5 choices in the leading 100 and a glaring hole at left take on to fill.

Considering they did not attend to the position in complimentary firm and presuming they will have a brand-new franchise quarterback in location with the No. 2 choice, protecting a long-lasting blindside protector will be an essential piece of their reconstruct under brand-new basic supervisor Adam Peters.

They might land a feasible starter there if they held tight at the top of the 2nd round, however they have the ammunition and require to land a genuine difference-maker who would strengthen their capability to strike the ground keeping up a high-end novice quarterback.

Giddings: RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

In a traditionally weak running back class, Isaac Guerendo turned the integrate on its head, ending up being just the second-ever individual to tape-record a 4.33 or much better in the 40-yard dash at 220-plus pounds. Along with a 41.5″ vertical dive, the Louisville item’s athletic screening remains in rarefied air.

While he will currently be 24 years of ages prior to the season, he saw a very little work throughout his college profession, becoming a late-season breakout for the Cardinals in 2023.

With such little mileage, Guerendo’s finest football leads him and his ability will permit him to offer instant worth to his brand-new group. With very little choices at the position this year, those in the market can discover fantastic worth in him.

Audric Estimé is my leading running back and a top-50 gamer on the Bleacher Report huge board.

The truth is the Notre Dame item will not go that high. There’s a shot no running back enters the leading 50. He is specifically not likely after running a 4.71 40-yard dash at the NFL integrate, though he enhanced his (informal) time at the Fighting Irish’s professional day.

Estimé’s tape is simply too great for me to appreciate any of that. He is a thick, sturdy back with reputable vision, balance and method more speed than his screening suggests. He will be a great drawing back in the NFL.

I do not believe Spencer Rattler will be an especially late choice, however in a year with a half-dozen other quarterbacks getting a lot of buzz, he’s getting remarkably bit.

The South Carolina item has a lot of experience, sufficient arm skill and can win from both within and outside the pocket.

Being a smaller sized QB at 6’0″ and 211 pounds might have a lot to do with the absence of buzz surrounding Rattler. Too, might the reality that he’s been a relatively respected college gamer given that 2020– the media tends to prefer the hot brand-new product.

I see a great deal of resemblances with Baker Mayfield, both in regards to size, play design and possible profession arc. Mayfield wasn’t the gem of the 2018 draft, however he’s had his intense minutes and took a much better profession than a number of fellow first-rounders from that class.

I will not be surprised if Rattler is securely in the “strong starter” classification a couple of years from now while a couple of the first-round QBs are crossed out as busts.

The riskiest part of calling Rattler a “take” is that he may not land in a circumstance that gets him on the field early enough to validate it. Denver may be his perfect landing area.

Moton: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington

The group that takes Jalen McMillan— maybe on Day 2– will get a possible No. 1 wideout at excellent draft worth.

In 2022, he led the Washington Huskies in catches (79) and goal receptions (9) over possible 2024 first-rounder Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk

For McMillan, he missed out on several video games due to the fact that of a knee injury this previous season and he’s not a big-play receiver like Polk, so his general college numbers will not leap off the screen.

He has the speed to outrun protectors. He’s likewise efficient in lining up on the outdoors or in the slot. As a three-year starter, the Washington item has some polish to his video game, especially as a route-runner.

In the NFL, physical protectors might attempt to slow him down with press method, though his dexterity and capability to develop separation needs to serve him well versus any protector.

If McMillan goes to a group that completely uses his adaptability and styles plays that get him out in open area, he can lead a pass-catching group in several getting classifications.

Ballentine: Georgia tight end Brock Bowers isn’t picked in leading half of preliminary

Everybody likes Brock Bowers. He’s been hyped as an elite draft possibility given that his freshman year at Georgia, and he inspects all of packages. The issue is that positional worth makes it dangerous to take a tight end in the leading 10 no matter skill.

Kyle Pitts was thought about a safe bet and has actually disappointed expectations. T.J. Hockenson likewise entered the leading 10 and was traded to Minnesota before he truly became among the very best at the position. Eric Ebron is the just other one prepared in the leading 10 because 2007.

For Bowers, he’s part of a class that consists of several great quarterbacks along with elite offending takes on and large receiver potential customers, so he rapidly takes a back seat in the leading 10. When you get outside the leading 10, the fits are harder to photo.

The Indianapolis Colts are the first string that makes good sense that does not require a quarterback. They likewise require assistance at 2 premium positions in cornerback and edge-rusher.

Do not be surprised if Bowers slides come draft day leading to a huge take for somebody.

Davenport: Half-a-dozen quarterbacks will be prepared in the preliminary

Offered the value of the position, this may not look like that hot a take. There has actually just been one draft in league history where 6 QBs were taken in Round 1: the legendary 1983 draft, where John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O’Brien and Dan Marino were chosen in that order.

That’s. Dan Marino was the 6th quarterback prepared that year.

There’s almost absolutely no concern that the very first 3 choices will be signal-callers, even if there is now some argument about which 3 it will be. A 4th will follow quickly afterwards, whether that’s J.J. McCarthy or he supplants Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels (Caleb Williams is going No. 1– that’s taking place).

There are likewise a number of other QB-needy groups selecting outside the leading 10 that might be lured to reach for Michael Penix Jr. or Bo NixEven if they move a little, somebody is going to wish to pull a Lamar Jackson and trade back into Round 1 to get that necessary fifth-year alternative.

All 6 will be passed the time Day 1 ends.

Gagnon: Chicago Bears ought to trade out of No. 1 area

Even Round 1 is a crapshoot, and the capital the group might get by selling the leading choice (Caleb Williams) is off the charts. Plus, they ‘d quickly have the ability to land another first-round-caliber QB in the leading 10. It’s practically playing the numbers.

Giddings: San Francisco 49ers pass receiver Brandon Aiyuk will be traded on draft night

Holder: Missouri protective lineman Darius Robinson is closer to a third-round choice than very first

Klassen: North Carolina’s Drake Maye is QB1

Maye has actually been my leading quarterback for a bulk of the draft cycle. To be clear, that has little to do with Williams. I’m as in on Williams as anybody else; I simply likewise occur to believe Maye is an extraordinary possibility.

He is 6’4″, 226 pounds of explosive athleticism and outrageous arm skill. His movie is cluttered with the pre-snap cognition, pocket management and downfield aggressiveness you see from the majority of the league’s finest quarterbacks. That’s an ability I want to wager a franchise on.

Knox: Groups ought to be attempting to trade out of the late preliminary

Moton: Cincinnati Bengals trade up for Bowers, who falls beyond the leading 10

Sobleski: USC’s Caleb Williams should not be No. 1 general choice

Thorn: As numerous as 8 centers from this class will begin a video game within the next 2 years

Ballentine: New York Jets trade up for Ohio State pass receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Davenport: New York Giants will not prepare a pass receiver up until Day 3.

Gagnon: Dallas Cowboys prepare a quarterback in the preliminary

I believe Dallas is almost finished with Dak Prescott, and in this case, it can use the supreme pressure. Current actions likewise show the Cowboys currently believe they’re excellent enough to contend in 2024 or are all set to surrender. In either occasion, they do not require to prepare someone who makes sure to make an instant effect.

Giddings: UCF’s Javon Baker will end up being a 1,000-yard pass receiver

In such a deep pass receiver class, gifted gamers can quickly slip past the radar of the draft neighborhood. Go Into Javon Baker, who came to UCF in 2022 following a stint at Alabama and instantly ended up being the Knights’ leading getting alternative.

He published a massive 21.9 backyards per catch in 2023, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in a run-heavy UCF offense. He prospers when objected to, combining supreme body control, strong hands and the capability to raise and assault the ball.

He’s not simply a red-zone danger, as he’s regularly shown to be a genuine risk after the catch. Baker’s catch radius and ability will make him a popular target at the next level, so do not be shocked when the 22-year-old obstacles the 1,000-yard mark early in his expert profession.

Holder: Texas protective lineman T’Vondre Sweat goes undrafted

On the field, T’Vondre Sweat deserves a minimum of a Day 2 choice. He’s a gap-filler versus the run and has prospective as a pass-rusher considering that it’s difficult to stop a mountain of a male when bullrushing. That’s a huge reason he won the Outland Trophy this season.

The Texas item has actually stopped working the pre-draft procedure.

All of it began at the Senior Bowl where he was the only gamer who didn’t weigh in. There were currently issues about his weight which made it look like there was something to conceal. At the integrate, he tipped the scale at 366 pounds, which was apparently his playing weight in 2023, however even that’s still quite heavy and he moved much better as a 340-pound junior.

To make matters worse, Sweat was detained for a DWI simply weeks before the preliminary of the NFL draft. In his draft guide, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler kept in mind that scouts have actually revealed issues about him being a “class clown” and a “celebration animal” in college, so the current encounter with the law didn’t do his draft stock any prefers.

Long story short, there are a great deal of warnings with Sweat off the field that will likely trigger him to move on draft day. Do not be shocked if groups do not wish to run the risk of possibly squandering a badger a guy who has actually been stopping working tests just recently.

Knox: A prominent receiver gets traded on opening night

Moton: Arizona Cardinals choose Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4, then trade back up for Rome Odunze

Sobleski: Indianapolis Colts into Top 10 to prepare a weapon to assist in Anthony Richardson’s advancement

Indianapolis Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard is understood for his calm and gathered disposition when it concerns draft.

He held his water in 2015 when many believed the company needs to trade up an area or 2 to guarantee it landed its future franchise quarterback. The GM stayed client, didn’t give up any possessions and got his guy in Anthony Richardson.

This year is various, due to the fact that Richardson is now in location. The clock has actually begun. The Colts’ main objective ought to be to construct as excellent of a surrounding cast as possible within the boundaries of the next 4 years when the signal-caller’s novice offer ends (consisting of a fifth-year alternative pickup).

The inbound crop is packed on top with 3 pass receivers in Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington Rome Odunze, along with Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who can instantly go into a lineup as an offending leading target.

Set among those names with the re-signed Michael Pittman Jr., and the Colts simply went from appealing to downright hazardous.

Thorn: 20 offending lineman will be picked amongst the very first 2 rounds