Author Archives: brian Maafi

2024 NFL Draft Notes

Welcome to a new series where I will be posting my notes on prospects for the 2024 NFL draft. These are not a final scouting report and are 99% based on the 2022 film I have watched. They are not in any specific order either. They are basically just some quick thoughts about a prospect off watching 2-3 games over the summer/early fall.

The plan is to do one at least every two weeks, but I might do it once a week depending on how much time I have. It will be about three to four players every article. Now, on to the first edition of my 2024 NFL draft notes!

2024 NFL Draft Notes: Episode 1

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Benjamin Yurosek, TE, Stanford:

Yurosek sets a wide base when blocking, keeps his hands working, stays low, and bends at the knees. Gives good effort and holds his ground in pass pro. Does well to extend and catch the ball with his hands. Can get caught up in the trash when blocking and is not exceptionally quick or explosive. Needs to keep his feet moving when blocking a moving target. Occasionally rounds off his out routes, leaving his QB in a bad spot. Was asked to block or run dummy routes a lot in 2022. Needs to extend his arms when getting off press. Versatile, can line up as a Y, F, or H-back.

Photo Credit: Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Virdel Edwards, DB, Hawaii:

Edwards does an unnecessary hop out of his back pedal occasionally. Seems to have good speed. Good size. Plays hard. Needs to get stronger; has some struggles getting off blocks. Better technique will help also; needs to get lower and develop better hand usage. Patient. Plays side saddle.

Is high-hipped and just an okay tackler. Needs to wrap up better but a physical player. Edwards’ history of safety play shows he’s not afraid to tackle. Plays too far off, gives his receiver too much of a cushion. Should play tighter coverage, as he looks more comfortable in press. Loops instead of click and close when transitioning in his back pedal. Can play both sides.

Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images

Antwane Wells Jr., WR, South Carolina:

Wells can play inside and outside. Has good size with a solid build; can take a hit. Accelerates with easy speed and is fluid. Possesses sneaky build-up speed. Has little wasted motion when gearing down. Willing as a blocker, but could be better; needs to improve block sustain. Will sometimes lean and get off balance as a blocker. Has shown flashes of good blocking.

Needs to do better on scramble drills, working back to the QB. Not particularly explosive off the snap. Will use head bobs, stutter step, and single move outside fake, but hasn’t shown much outside those, and he uses them infrequently. Will occasionally round off routes and drift off his route.

Can get you some YAC; has been used on WR screens. Good hand-eye coordination. Maintains balance with any slightly off-target throw. Soft hands. Knows how to find the crease and squeeze through it. Has yet to show much speed/pace manipulation, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. Has a decent route tree, just needs to clean up and refine some technique issues.

As always check out any of my other articles or check out the draft database that I maintain almost daily.

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.

This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Defensive line:

Credit: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.

  • Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
  • Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
  • Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
  • Leonard Taylor – Miami
  • DeWayne Carter – Duke
  • Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
  • Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
  • Kris Jenkins – Michigan
  • Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
  • Maason Smith – LSU
  • J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
  • Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
  • Alfred Collins – Texas
  • Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
  • Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
  • John Tuitupou – Hawaii

Edge Rusher:

Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.

  • J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
  • Laiatu Latu – UCLA
  • Bralen Trice – Washington
  • Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
  • Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
  • Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
  • Jordan Burch – Oregon
  • Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
  • Deontae Craig – Iowa
  • Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
  • Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
  • RJ Oben – Duke
  • Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
  • Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
  • Jack Sullivan – USC
  • Van Fillinger – Utah
  • Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison

Linebackers:

Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.

  • Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
  • Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
  • Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
  • Junior Colson – Michigan
  • Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
  • Jackson Sirmon – Cal
  • Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
  • Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
  • Travion Brown – ASU
  • Dallas Gant – Toledo
  • Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
  • Steele Chambers – Ohio State
  • Ben Bywater – BYU
  • Jamoi Hodge – TCU
  • Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
  • Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
  • Easton Gibbs – Wyoming

Cornerbacks:

Credit: David K Purdy/Getty Images

This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?

  • Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
  • Shyheim Battle – NC State
  • T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
  • Cam Hart – Notre Dame
  • Duce Chestnut – LSU
  • Jahdae Barron – Texas
  • DJ James – Auburn
  • Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
  • Denzel Burke – Ohio State
  • Trey Amos – Alabama
  • Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
  • AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
  • Max Melton – Rutgers
  • Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
  • Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
  • Alex Hogan – Houston
  • Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
  • Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
  • Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
  • Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
  • Storm Duck – Louisville
  • Noah Avinger – SDSU
  • Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
  • Micah Abraham – Marshall
  • Daquan Evans – USF

Safeties:

Credit: Alika Jenner/Getty Images

This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.

  • Kamren Kinchens – Miami
  • Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
  • Calen Bullock – USC
  • LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
  • Rod Moore – Michigan
  • Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
  • Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
  • Patrick McMorris – Cal
  • Beau Brade – Maryland
  • MJ Griffin – Louisville
  • Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
  • Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
  • Bud Clark – TCU
  • Dez Malone – San Diego State
  • Morice Norris – Fresno State
  • R.J. Mickens – Clemson
  • Cooper DeJean – Iowa
  • Kenny Logan – Kansas
  • DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
  • Evan Williams – Oregon
  • Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
  • Jack Howell – Colorado State
  • Ayden Hector – Colorado State

As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.

Final 53-Man Packers Roster Prediction

It is now time for my final 53-man Packers roster prediction. The Packers have said they will announce their “final” roster on Tuesday, so I am putting this out on Monday to “call my shot”.

It has been an interesting training camp for sure. It has seemed as if most of the roster spots have been locked up for awhile, and it has really come down to how many players do you want to keep at each positions. Do you keep nine or ten offensive linemen? Do you keep five wide receivers? or six? or seven? How many linebackers? etc…

I think this will be a fluid roster throughout the season; but here is my best guess at the Packers initial 53-man roster:

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offense

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Quarterbacks: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

This position is pretty easy to project; nothing much else to say here.

Running backs: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

Some have suggested they keep two since they kept only two on the initial roster last year, but I think that was due to them expecting Kylin Hill back soon. Taylor brings every skill set to the field the front office has said they want out of a #3 running back.

Wide Receivers: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Grant DuBose

There have been some suggesting keeping seven. I just can’t see that happening. Head coach Matt LaFleur barely uses four receiver sets, and uses a lot of 12 personnel. That would mean two receivers would be inactive every game. Samouri Toure has been the least impressive. He hasn’t taken the second-year leap that was expected. I could see them trading him. DuBose has flashed and Heath has been too good to cut.

Tight End/H-Back: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Austin Allen, Josiah Deguara

I think Allen is essentially the 53rd player on the roster, because he may not be on the roster for long if someone is cut they feel might be better.

Offensive line: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom, Yosh Nijman, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones

Cutting Royce Newman does leave Green Bay a bit light at guard, but of course Tom can play guard as well. If they want to keep that depth, expect Jones to be replaced by Newman.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Defense

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Defensive line: Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden

I know Jonathan Ford has shown a couple flashes in camp and preseason, but I don’t think it’s enough to keep a player who would essentially be the third nose tackle.

Edge Rushers: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Justin Hollins, Brenton Cox

I personally would think Cox could make it to the practice squad, but it seems Green Bay doesn’t. I could see a point in the season, if there are a number of injuries at another position, that he is the one cut.

Linebacker: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter was the only question mark here. Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia’s influence on the roster, I think, causes them to keep him.

Cornerback: Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine

There’s not much to say here. I think Ballentine makes it due to his special teams play, and that he’s an okay corner.

Safety: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt, Anthony Johnson

I would like to see them keep Jonathan Owens around because he provides another veteran to a pretty meh group. However, he didn’t do enough, I feel, for the Packers to want to keep a sixth safety. Personally, I would cut Leavitt since Ford and Moore are good special teams players, but I don’t think they do it.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Special Teams

Punter: Daniel Whelan; Long Snapper: Matthew Orzech; Kicker: Anders Carlson

I would have brought in competition for Carlson. He probably needs a year on the practice squad.

As always you can read anything I’ve written on the Packers or the draft here.

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Offense

As most Packers fans know, the Packers’ front office has certain thresholds they tend to hold to when it comes to draft prospects. This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds.

With this season being such a mystery the list will be longer than usual; although I will not be including players like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Quarterbacks:

Credit: Getty Images

I really doubt Jordan Love will be so bad that they give up on him after one year, but there is a chance the Packers look to the 2024 NFL draft for a developmental guy. Some guys to look for include:

  • Tyler Van Dyke – Miami
  • Jeff Sims – Nebraska
  • KJ Jefferson – Arkansas
  • Grayson McCall – Costal Carolina
  • D.J. Uiagalelei – Oregon State
  • Michael Pratt – Tulane

Running backs:

Credit: Eric Espada/Getty Images

Now this is definitely a position that will need some draft capital invested in. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are both free agents after this season, and the only other running back on contract past 2023 is Lew Nichols.

  • TreVeyon Henderson – OSU
  • Trey Benson – FSU
  • Donovan Edwards – Michigan
  • Raheim Sanders – Arkansas
  • Rasheen Ali – Marshall
  • Will Shipley – Clemson
  • Kendall Milton – Georgia
  • Devin Neal – Kansas
  • Isaiah Davis – South Dakota State
  • Larry McCammon III – FAU
  • George Holani – Boise State
  • Roman Hemby – Maryland
  • Treshaun Ward – Kansas State
  • Jo’quavious Marks – Mississippi State
  • Alton McCaskill IV – Colorado
  • Jalen White – Georgia Southern

Tight ends:

Credit: Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After drafting two on day two just this past draft, I don’t see the Packers drafting another one early, but they could draft one on day 3 for depth. Probably someone who can block. So I don’t think we will see them draft a Brock Bowers or Benjamin Yurosek-type.

  • CJ Dippre – Alabama
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford – Minnesota
  • Theo Johnson – Penn State
  • Austin Stogner – Oklahoma
  • Cade Stover – Ohio State
  • Maliq Carr – Michigan State
  • Mason Fairchild – Kansas
  • Jared Wiley – TCU
  • Caden Prieskorn – Ole Miss
  • Ben Sinnott – Kansas State
  • Neal Johnson – Louisiana-Lafayette

Wide Receivers:

Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Similar to tight end, the Packers have so many young guys on the roster that I doubt they draft someone — unless they are so bad they have a shot at Marvin Harrison Jr. or someone drops to them unexpectedly.

  • Keon Coleman – FSU
  • Ali Jennings III – Virginia Tech
  • Rome Odunze – Washington
  • Malik Nabers – LSU
  • De’Corian Clark – UTSA
  • Donavon Greene – Wake Forest
  • Javon Baker – UCF
  • Bru McCoy – Tenneesee
  • Moose Muhammad II – Texas A & M
  • Malachi Corley – Western Kentucky.
  • Antwane Wells Jr. – South Carolina
  • Ramel Keyton – Tennessee
  • Jahmal Banks – Wake Forest

Offensive Tackles:

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Now this is one of the more interesting positions. David Bakhtiari is 32, has a huge cap hit in 2024, and had three surgeries on one knee in a 20-month period. He also is rarely practicing. Additionally, Yosh Nijman will be a free agent. I don’t see Bakhtiari back in 2024, and Nijman is questionable. That leaves you with Zach Tom, but center might be his best position, and he has seen snaps there.

Rasheed Walker could be a guy, but it’s still too small of a sample size to feel confident. I could see them grabbing an OT early. I don’t see them having a shot at Olu Fashanu.

  • Joe Alt – Notre Dame
  • Patrick Paul – Houston
  • Delmar Glaze – Maryland
  • Graham Barton – Duke
  • Kingsley Suamatala – BYU
  • Matthew Bedford – Indiana
  • Marcus Bryant – SMU
  • Jordan Morgan – Arizona
  • Brandon Coleman – TCU
  • Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – SDSU
  • Javon Foster – Missouri
  • Blake Fisher – Notre Dame
  • Trente Jones – Michigan
  • Jack Nelson – Wisconsin
  • Trey Bedosky – UAB

Interior Offensive Linemen:

Credit: Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Packers seem to be pretty set at guard with Elgton Jenkins and Jon Runyan Jr. and Sean Rhyan seems to have taken a couple steps forward and looks to be the #3 guard. However, JRJ will be a free agent after this season, and even if Rhyan is ready to take over there is no depth. The Packers also have no true back-up center, with Tom locking up the right tackle spot.

  • Christian Haynes – UConn
  • Jarrett Kingston – USC
  • Bryson Speas – NC State
  • X’Zauvea Gadlin – Liberty
  • Doug Nester – West Virginia
  • Isaiah Adams – Illinois
  • Noel Ofori-Nyadu – UConn
  • Dorian Hinton – FAU
  • Justin Osborne – SMU
  • Joshua Gray – Oregon State
  • Tanor Bortolini – Wisconsin
  • Quantavious Leslie – Western Kentucky
  • Lokahi Pauole – UCF
  • Dustyn Hall – Duke
  • Matthew Lee – Miami
  • Michael Jurgens – Wake Forest
  • J.D. Duplain – Michigan State
  • LaDarius Henderson – Michigan
  • Donovan Jackson – OSU
  • Sincere Haynesworth – Tulane
  • Rusty Staats – Texas Tech
  • Will Putnam – Clemson
  • Beaux Limmer – Arkansas
  • Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia
  • Jack Freeman – Houston
  • Ben Scott – Nebraska
  • Nick Kidwell – James Madison
  • Jacob Likes – Memphis
  • Troy Fautanu – Washington

As always check out my other writings and my draft database that I continually update. Check back later this week, as I give you a list of prospects to be on the look-out for on defense for the Packers 2024 NFL draft plans.

Pre-season 2024 NFL Draft Rankings: Defensive Backs

The final part of my pre-season 2024 NFL draft rankings, defensive backs! I combine the corners and safeties here, since there is so much crossover, plus some college corners move to safety in the NFL and even some safeties end up at corner. I have included honorable mentions, as well.

This year looks to be a good group. The corners are not real strong at the top, but the class has a lot of depth. The safety class looks miles better than the 2023 group. It’s strong at the top and has a lot of depth.

As always, check out my draft database as well as all of my previous work, including the most recent part in this series on the linebackers.

Photo Credit: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Backs: Top Five

  1. Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB – Alabama: McKinstry, had he been eligible, would have been a first round pick in 2023. He has been pretty much lock down since he stepped on campus. McKinstry is not a ball hawk, but more of a man cover specialist. He has just two interceptions in his career, but has 17 pass break ups. His play against the run needs to improve; he needs to play more physical. He is a very good tackler. The soon-to-be junior can also get a little grabby.
  2. Kalen King – CB – Penn State: King is almost the opposite of McKinstry. He is a bit smaller at 5’11, versus 6’1. He is also definitely a ball hawk with three interceptions and 9 pass breakups this past season. This also causes him to give up a bit more in coverage, but he still holds it down pretty well, giving up just 45.8% of targets. King is not exactly a burner, but his speed is more than adequate. He also has his struggles against the run.
  3. Kamren Kinchens – S – Miami (Fla.): Kinchens had a breakout season in 2022, after just a ho-hum one in 2021. He had six interceptions and four pass break ups. He can be undisciplined at times and give up receptions; he gave up two touchdowns this past season. Kinchens is a back-end free safety type with decent size at 5’11 202 pounds and 4.5 40-yard dash speed. His tackling also needs to be shored up.
  4. Calen Bullock – S – USC: Bullock is somewhat similar in play style to Kinchens. He is a little taller, and even had similar ball production. But, he has issues with his play against the run. Bullock is under-powered and could stand to add 10-15 pounds. While not a hitter, he is a solid tackler.
  5. Fentrell Cypress II – CB – FSU: Cypress didn’t become a starter until 2022. He is undersized at 6’0 184 pounds, but it doesn’t hinder him as a tackler. Cypress is a solid, but not flashy, type player who just goes out there and does his job. He still needs some technique work. If he gets there, he could be a very solid starter in the NFL.

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Backs: The Best Of The Rest

6. Cooper DeJean – CB/S – Iowa: DeJean is an interesting prospect in that he is on the bigger side for a corner. Add in the fact he has average speed and some teams might see him as a safety at the next level. He is 6’1 209 pounds, and runs in the sub-4.5 range. DeJean had a lot of ball production in 2022, with five interceptions and five pass break ups. He is also a good punt returner, averaging 16.5 yards a return. Like a lot of Iowa corners, he is better in zone.

7. Shyheim Battle – CB – NC State: Battle has been a starter since 2020. 2021 was his coming out party. He has four interceptions and 11 pass break ups the last two seasons. Even when he gives up a catch, he is very good at limiting YAC. He is a good tackler and plays physical. Battle is very quick and can even play in the slot. He can play a little high.

8. Nehemiah Pritchett – CB – Auburn: Pritchett has also been a starter since 2020. He has shown in his time that he can play, and excel, in either man or zone. He has a good size at 6’0 and 32″ arms, but is just 183 pounds and his frame is a little thin — and it shows in his hitting and tackling. Pritchett lacks ball production, with just two career interceptions, but he still stays in phase and is able to battle receivers for the ball.

9. LaMiles Brooks – S – Georgia Tech: Brooks barely played until this past season when he became a starter and played pretty much all over the secondary. Brooks really shined in coverage, where he had three interceptions and seven pass break ups. On film, he shows an ability to go up and get over thrown balls. His tackling needs to be cleared up; he missed too many tackles last season. He has shown he can lay the wood, though. He has the potential to really move up draft boards.

10. TJ Tampa – CB – Iowa State: Tampa has the idea corner size at 6’1 and almost 200 pounds, with a sub 4.45 40-yard dash time. He didn’t become a full-time starter until 2022. A strong, physical player who is just scratching the surface of his potential. He is already a good run defender and tackler. He plays better in man right now. Tampa has some eye discipline and technique issues that need to be ironed out.

Honorable Mentions (In no order):

DJ James – CB – Auburn, Cam Hart – CB – Notre Dame, Jahdae Barron – CB/S – Texas, Duce Chestnut – CB – LSU, Rod Moore – S – Michigan, James WIlliams – S- Miami (Fla.), Patrick McMorris, – S – Cal, Davonte Brown – CB – Miami (Fla.), Kamari Lassiter – CB – Georgia, Yam Banks – S – South Alabama, Dez Malone – S – San Diego State, Kris Abrams-Draine – CB – Missouri, Jabbar Muhammad – CB – Washington