In less than a week, fans will know the answers to their draft questions over the past few months. His NFL Draft analysts at CBSSports.com, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, and I, spend our free time poring over crystal balls and predicting trades, risers and fallers, and more.
Here are our answers to various burning questions:
1. It’s a foregone conclusion that Caleb Williams is going to the Bears, but who should they take second overall?
ryan wilson:QB Jayden Daniels, LSU. “Over the past eight months, no player has gained more draft stock than Daniels. Daniels, like another former LSU transfer Joe Burrow, was a top-five pick on Day 3. In terms of comps, Daniels is a lot like Lamar Jackson from Louisville, but he’s a better passer. And even with perfect coverage, Daniels can still get 50 yards rushing, so his dual-threat ability can demoralize defenses. It’s hard not to be excited about what Daniels has accomplished at LSU over the past two seasons. ”
Chris Trapasso: North Carolina QB Drake Maye. “Based solely on prospect ratings, I would choose Drake Maye, but knowing his fit with Kliff Kingsbury, Jaden Daniels should probably be the choice at the helm.”
Josh Edwards: North Carolina QB Drake Maye. “In my opinion, it should be Maye. But there’s a lot of buzz suggesting LSU quarterback Jaeden Daniels could be selected. I don’t think it’s a misguided move right now.” I continue to believe that it is sexual.”
2. Who is the safest candidate in the draft?
wilson: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.. “I was torn between Joe Alto and Marvin Harrison Jr. here, but ultimately decided on Harrison Jr. Harrison Jr. You could say he was ready for the NFL. No, he didn’t play.” There was also a pre-draft festivity that lasted from January to April, but there was no need for that. His tape said it all, showing that his ability to take over games diminished after Ohio State lost CJ Stroud. In the NFL? Absolutely, but it also emphasizes the importance of landing in the right system, and I think if Harrison Jr. lands in Arizona, that offense could take the next step. . ”
Trapasso: OT Ol Fashanu, PA. “He’s a young man with typical frame and athleticism who had a standout season in pass protection at Penn State. Why is he likely to be the third or fourth offensive tackle in this tournament? “I don’t know yet” class. “
edwards: WR Marvin Harrison Jr..
3. Which prospects have the biggest red flags?
wilson:WR Jermaine Burton. “We continue to hear that Alabama’s Jermaine Burton could be sidelined due to off-field concerns. He had a strong second half at Alabama in 2023 and is a favorite downfield for Jalen Milroe. He was a target and was consistently breaking things up with his vertical routes. I love him on Day 2 in terms of his ability on the field, but we may have to wait until Saturday to hear his name called. do not have”
Trapasso:WR Keon Coleman, Florida State. “Big. Yes. Does the highlight reel show up on film? Absolutely. But despite those two traits at the top of his resume, this player struggles to get open at any level of the field. , a 4.61 wideout who wasn’t very effective in combat – catch the scenario last season.
edwards: DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas. “Nose tackles are already at a disadvantage because they have a more specialized role. The team reportedly knows of Sweat’s partying past; This story was not helped by his recent DWI arrest.
4. What are the surprise teams targeting the QB?
wilson: Bengals. “Don’t be surprised if the Bengals target a QB during the draft, obviously not the first round. Joe Burrow is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but they don’t have a third-day six.” They have 10 picks, including “Jake Browning, who has a one-year deal, so they can package some of those picks and develop young passers.” need to be acquired. I like Spencer Rattler and Michael Pratt as development QBs who are good starters. Let’s see if the Bengals feel the same way. . ”
Trapasso: Seahawks. “While Geno Smith has proven to be a capable starter, there is a new coaching regime in place in Seattle, and Smith is looking forward to what could be his last year in a Seahawks uniform. is welcoming.”
edwards: Rams. “Matthew Stafford is a 36-year-old quarterback who has missed 10 games over the past two years. He’s still playing at a high level, but Los Angeles doesn’t have a viable long-term solution at the position.” There’s no plan. I could see them.” If the right quarterback is available, they will use a first-round pick for the first time since 2016. ”
5. Who are the top prospects expected to fall the most?
wilson: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri. “Ennis Rakestraw Jr. gives off Devon Witherspoon vibes in the way he approaches the cornerback position, but he’s a bit smaller and didn’t get as much time as Witherspoon. These two Two factors could cause him to slip out of Round 1 and advance to Round 2. We saw Joey Porter Jr. suffer a similar fate a year ago (unlike Rakestrow, he He was one of the best rookie cornerbacks in 2023. In other words, if Rakestrow actually survived past the first round, he would be on any team. . He’s going to get a big-time player.”
Trapasso: OT Ol Fashanu, PA. “I’ll stick with my guy here. Despite his elite talent, he feels like he essentially has zero buzz.”
edwards:WR Keon Coleman, Florida State. “The furthest is relative, but Coleman was once considered a first-round lock. He’s still a talented player with interesting NFL potential, but where does he fit in the overall pecking order at the position?” Is he in that position? If he jumps out, three points in his position could make the difference in half a round. ”
6. Which players have a chance of being a surprise top-10 pick?
wilson: EDGE Laiatu Ratu, UCLA. “I hear Laitu Latu is medically clear and the former UCLA pass rusher is likely to be a top-13 pick. It’s going to be tough to get into the top 10 — he’s not worth it. Not because of that — but that said, Latu is the most technically sound pass rusher in this class, and teams like his motor and attitude.
Trapasso: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas. “It’s hard to get a dynamic upfield rusher on the inside, and that’s exactly what Murphy is. He’s been a star at Texas for the past two seasons and tested through the roof at the combine.”
edwards: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas. “Unless there’s a trade, the Bears or Falcons have a chance to have a defenseman in the top 10 overall. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Dallas Turner come in that early, so Toledo’s Kunyon Mitchell is a possibility. It’s going to be just Murphy.” “I’m surprised.”
7. Which prospect could make the biggest jump in Round 1?
wilson: EDGE Western Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland. “I’ve been talking about Marshawn Kneeland since the Senior Bowl, but the Western Michigan edge rusher was impressive in the pre-draft process. He consistently wins with power and can line up just about anywhere. He’s going to have to continue to work on developing his pass rush moves, but at 6-3, he looks like he’s up to the task and, more importantly, in the NFL. The team is confident his best football is ahead of him. ”
Trapasso: LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M. “Most of the off-ball linebacker talk centers around North Carolina State’s Peyton Wilson, and rightly so. But Cooper is much younger and doesn’t have a huge injury history. He is also an explosive second-level defender.”
edwards: EDGE Western Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland. “I’ve been saying this for weeks, even before it became popular. There are several teams in the back half of the first round that could tackle the position, including the Buccaneers, Lions and Cardinals.”
8. Which prospects are likely to be eliminated in the first round?
wilson: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson. “Nate Wiggins could be a victim of circumstance. He’s more of a shutdown corner in today’s NFL. And while he’s tall, his diminutive frame makes some teams, especially coaches. That might be a concern after the first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes, who was a round pick a year ago and played at No. 166 in college, but struggled in his rookie season.
Trapasso: WR Ladd McConkie, Georgia. “And I think that’s because of injury concerns. You don’t hear a lot about that during the first round or even after the first round. McConkey’s production is good in the first round, but he’s undersized, so in 2023. was defeated.”
edwards: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon. “The hype surrounding Powers-Johnson was beyond reality. I think there’s a good chance he still makes it to the first round, but I wanted to pick a player who wasn’t seen as being on the fringe yet. I believe my picks are individual player choices.”The last two years were Nolan Smith (30th overall) and Nakobe Dean (83rd overall), both of whom were ironically selected by the Eagles. . ”
9. Which team do you think will make the most surprising pick to shake up the draft?
wilson: Seahawks. “The Seahawks have always been good at mixing things up, which is amazing, but I don’t know if it would be a complete shock if they took a quarterback in the first round. Would they consider Penix Jr. if he was on the board at No. 16? They weren’t keen on Geno Smith, and sure they traded Sam Howell, but Penix Jr. If you love it, you can definitely double up on that position.”
Trapasso: Broncos. “I don’t understand Sean Payton, especially general manager George Payton. The latter is just sitting on the sidelines watching other teams pick quarterbacks or move up the board to get quarterbacks. That alone is attracting attention.”
edwards: Cardinals. “Normally I would pick Seattle in this category, but the Cardinals have two chances to meet the criteria. The Seahawks have never cared about public consensus and are trying to win the court for public approval.” “Arizona has a lot of needs and a lot of potential.” ”
10. Which current NFL player is most likely to be traded during draft weekend?
wilson:WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers. “Brandon Aiyuk is the obvious choice. The Steelers need a wide receiver, but they also have needs on the offensive line and in the secondary. I don’t know if it makes sense for them to part with a top draft pick.” And while Aiyuk will have to pay a decent contract bonus, there are other teams in the market for a WR, including the Jets, Saints, and Bills, for starters. ”
Trapasso:WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers. “I know his agent is denying anything regarding a trade for his star receiver client, but everything can change in an instant in the NFL. The 49ers took the receiver in the first round. If you’re going to pick or take a receiver after that, look at Aiyuk.” No matter how good a player Aiyuk becomes, I don’t think they want to pay a receiver more than $30 million per season. ”
edwards: Broncos WR Courtland Sutton. “It felt like Sean Payton was being traded ever since Jerry Jeudy and Sutton arrived. Jeudy is gone. Sutton might follow. Stefon Diggs and Haason Reddick are the most likely. He was an obvious candidate, but they’ve already moved on. Tee Higgins essentially admitted in a press conference that he’s given up on the idea of playing on the Bengals’ franchise tag this season.
2024 nfl draft It will be held in Detroit from April 25th to 27th. For more draft coverage, including weekly coverage, visit CBSSports.com. Draft order updatedmock drafts, and regularly available See qualified leads.
