4 weeks agoThe San Francisco 49ers are "more likely" to trade wide receiver
Deebo Samuel than
Brandon Aiyuk during this year's 2024 NFL draft. Aiyuk's name has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason, but now Samuel is the more likely pass-catcher to be dealt. Samuel, 28, is two years older than Aiyuk but has more versatility in the offense. However, Samuel also has a salary cap hit north of $20 million in 2025. Aiyuk is looking for a new long-term deal as he heads into the fifth and final contract of his rookie deal, but the Niners have been hesitant to give him a market deal given their other financial commitments. San Francisco took rookie pass-catcher
Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, potentially foreshadowing a trade of either Samuel or Aiyuk in the coming days.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Michael Silver
4 weeks agoThe Carolina Panthers traded up with the Buffalo Bills at No. 32 overall to select South Carolina wide receiver
Xavier Legette to close out the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Bills curiously traded down twice from their initial pick of No. 28 to land at No. 33 (first pick of Round 2) despite desperately needing receiver help, and three wideouts came off the board to close out the first round. Legette, 23, is a much-needed offensive weapon for second-year QB
Bryce Young and will join
Diontae Johnson,
Jonathan Mingo and veteran
Adam Thielen in their WR room in 2024. Legette isn't the greatest of route-runners and is susceptible to press coverage at the line, but he has excellent ball skills and could be a solid deep and red-zone threat for Young. The landing spot isn't great for Legette's potential for fantasy value in Year 1.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe San Francisco 49ers selected Florida wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 49ers have questions about their top three receivers in
Brandon Aiyuk,
Deebo Samuel and
Jauan Jennings, with Aiyuk and Samuel being potential trade options during the draft, so the selection of the 23-year-old Pearsall makes sense for the organization. Pearsall tested very well at the scouting combine with a 42.5-inch vertical jump. He was an intriguing prospect to begin with and now gains some steam going to San Fran, especially if the Niners eventually trade one of Aiyuk or Samuel. Pearsall is old for a rookie, but he can make plays all over the field and has strong hands and great body control. Depending on what happens with Aiyuk/Samuel, Pearsall could have some sleeper value in rookie-only fantasy drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Baltimore Ravens selected Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Wiggins is tall, long and fast with rare recovery speed at the cornerback position. "He has better physical talent than Devon Witherspoon, but he doesn't have that same level of dog in him. That's probably the biggest difference right now. I think Wiggins is the better prospect, though," according to an NFC national scout. If Wiggins can play with more decisiveness, he could very well become a Pro Bowler at the next level. The 20-year-old isn't very big (6-foot-1, 173 pounds), though, and he could have trouble wrapping up and stopping the run. Wiggins needs to get bigger and stronger, but early on, his elite speed will cover up some of his weaknesses.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Dallas Cowboys selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night after they traded down with the Detroit Lions. Guyton is an ascending tackle prospect that could develop into a high-level pass protector of quarterback
Dak Prescott with the proper coaching. He plays with great leverage and has great physical traits at 6-foot-8, 322 pounds with 34 1/8-inch arms. There have been injury concerns with the 22-year-old, though, and it remains to be seen if he can develop into a starting-caliber left or right tackle in the NFL. Guyton doesn't have a lot of experience at the tackle position, but he could be competing for Dallas' starting left-tackle job right away in 2024 to replace Tyron Smith.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the No. 28 overall pick with the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night to select Texas wide receiver
Xavier Worthy. Worthy posted the fastest recorded 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine in February and doesn't turn 21 years old until Saturday. He's obviously a burner at the receiver position, but he's also tough and had the production to back it with the Longhorns (over 1,000 yards receiving in 2023). The concern with Worthy is his slight frame at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds. Worthy isn't just a pass-catcher, as he can also factor in for the Chiefs as a kick returner on special teams. It remains to be seen exactly how KC will use Worthy on offense in his rookie season, but he'll certainly help with the team's depth at the position with
Rashee Rice expected to be handed a multi-game suspension in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals selected Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson with the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Robinson was a late bloomer for the Tigers in college and sometimes disappeared from games, but in the end, the pass-rusher was a first-team All-SEC performer as a fifth-year senior in 2023 after recording 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2023. Robinson weighed in at 285 pounds and has long arms and plenty of power to push his way to opposing quarterbacks. He's also serviceable in the run game and will compete for plenty of playing time right away in the desert in 2024 next to Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari. Robinson is powerful but is going to need to develop his repertoire to have success in the NFL.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Duke center Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Barton has experience at center and left tackle but is expected to move back to center in the NFL because of his shorter arms. He's an anchor of an offensive lineman and could be a perennial Pro Bowler if he can stay healthy. He's also scrappy in the trenches and can be a foundational piece for Tampa's offensive line. The Bucs have been searching for a center since the days of Ryan Jensen, and now they have one. The 6-foot-5, 313-pounder is an explosive drive blocker with plenty of body control and leg drive. This is a solid pick for the Bucs' offensive line moving forward and their offense as a whole.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Green Bay Packers selected offensive tackle Jordan Morgan from Arizona with the 25th overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft. Morgan started all 37 games at left tackle. He could move to guard if necessary but does possess the skills to make a smooth transition. The Packers added former Pro Bowl running back
Josh Jacobs to improve on their 1,905 total rushing yards last season. Adding Morgan will hopefully provide a boost to those numbers and protect
Jordan Love's blind side.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Detroit Lions traded up to the No. 24 spot with the Dallas Cowboys to bolster their secondary with Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold. Arnold intercepted five passes last season and yet he is not afraid to defend the run and initiate contact. The Lions were near the bottom of the pack with 375 total points allowed and total passing yards allowed with 3,846. The Lions saw this need and already began to address it with the free-agent acquisition of Amik Robertson from Las Vegas and the selection of Arnold will improve on the work done in the offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Jacksonville Jaguars wasted no time in replacing
Calvin Ridley by selecting LSU wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The former Tiger played alongside fellow standout
Malik Nabers, but do not overlook his talent. The 21-year-old led the FBS with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023 and totaled 1,177 receiving yards. Thomas Jr. will be a popular pick in both dynasty and redraft as he should slot in as the number two wide-out behind
Christian Kirk and should be a solid option for
Trevor Lawrence.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Philadelphia Eagles selected Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. If there were concerns regarding the talent level that he played against while at Toledo that can be put to rest. The 22-year-old had an outstanding Senior Bowl and had 32 pass breakups over the past two seasons, which led the nation. Mitchell joins a depleted Eagles defense, which allowed the third most points in 2023.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Miami Dolphins selected Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson 21st overall in the 2024 NFL draft. After losing Christian Wilkins, Jerome Baker, and Xavien Howard in free agency, to name a few, the Dolphins bolstered their defense with the addition of Robinson. The 21-year-old totaled four sacks and 15 total tackles last season. He had the second-fastest 40-yard dash at the combine for edge rushers and should provide both speed and explosiveness for Miami.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall selection of the NFL draft. Fautanu is six feet four inches tall and has long arms, which gives him good balance in pass protection. The 23-year-old started 31 games for Washington, with 29 of them at left tackle and two at left guard. Russel Wilson will get some much-needed blindside protection with this selection.
Najee Harris and
Jaylen Warren will also benefit from having Fautanu leading the way for them.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Rams are using their first first-round selection in eight years to select defensive end Jared Verse from Florida State. The 23-year-old is one of the most talented edge rushers in the class. He has a great first step and excellent closing speed to get off of blocks. Verse had nine total sacks last season and will be called upon to help the Rams overcome the loss of the now-retired Aaron Donald.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
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