Chicago Bears |
DRAFT / UDFA GRADE:Â 3 Stars |
Total Picks - 5 |
DRAFT PICKS |
1 (1) Caleb Williams / QB / USC |
1 (9) Rome Odunze / WR / Washington |
3 (75) Kiran Amegadjie / OT / Yale |
4 (122) Tory Taylor / P / Iowa |
5 (144) Austin Booker / EDGE / Kansas |
NOTABLE UDFA |
Austin Reed / QB / Western Kentucky |
Brenden Bates / TE / Kentucky |
Jamree Kromah / EDGE / James Madison |
Reddy Steward / CB / Troy |
DRAFT & UDFA ANALYSIS |
The Bears had limited draft picks and did not pursue many UDFA, but they had made enough of a splash in free agency (signing RB D'Andre Swift) and trades (acquired Keenan Allen from the Chargers) to feel that the draft was just a process to fill a few holes. Williams is the second highest graded QB ever scouted by SNS (behind only Andrew Luck) and fills a hole that Chicago has been trying to fill, in one way or another, since Sid Luckman retired nearly 75 years ago. Williams has arm strength, accuracy, athleticism, mobility, and leadership skills similar to Patrick Mahomes and he must be planned and accounted for when preparing to play Chicago next season. Odunze, SNS' #2 WR, gives the Bears a young, tall, long WR with excellent hands to be developed alongside Williams. Amegadjie has fantastic length and good athleticism but needs development before he can be called on to contribute. Taylor, SNS' #1 Specialist, punted for more yards in his career than any other college punter. He has great leg strength and nice touch for placing the ball inside the 10-yard line. Booker only started one game last season but led the Jayhawks in sacks (8.0). He has good size and length. He needs to develop some additional pass rushing moves but he has good upside to be developed. |
Reed will have difficulty making the Bears 53 man roster but should earn a practice squad spot this summer. Reed started at Western Kentucky for the last two seasons and displayed good arm strength and accuracy. In the Hilltoppers offense, traditional reads are limited and he has limited experience making pro-style reads of coverages. But he's smart and durable. He'll compete with Tyson Bagent to be the Bears' primary backup. Bates is a large TE with limited production but the size and blocking ability to compete for TE #3 duties in Chicago this season. Interestingly, Kromah was listed as DE even though he had played DT at James Madison. Kromah is quick and agile and may have enough versatility to serve as a backup at multiple positions this fall. Steward is an All-Sun Belt CB with average size and length but very good ball skills. He has a good chance of making the regular season roster in September. |
Detroit Lions |
DRAFT / UDFA GRADE:Â 4 Stars |
Total Picks - 6 |
DRAFT PICKS |
1 (24) Terrion Arnold / CB / Alabama |
2 (61) Ennis Rakestraw / CB / Missouri |
4 (126) Giovanni Manu / OT / British Columbia |
4 (132) Sione Vaki / S-RB / Utah |
6 (189) Mekhi Wingo / IDL / LSU |
6 (210) Christian Mahogany / IOL / Boston College |
NOTABLE UDFA |
Isaiah Williams / WR / Illinois |
Jalon Calhoun / WR / Duke |
Isaac Rex / TE / BYU |
Bryan Hudson / IOL / Louisville |
Duke Clemens / IOL / Duke |
Kingsley Eguakun / IOL / Florida |
James Turner / K / Michigan |
DRAFT & UDFA ANALYSIS |
The Lions were one of the primary beneficiaries of the first 14 picks being used on offensive players and allowing several top defensive prospects to fall down the draft board. Arnold has average size and length but is highly instinctive, has excellent short area reaction skills, plays the ball well in the air, and can play outside or cover the slot. He should start as a rookie. Rakestraw is a physical CB who may be prone to PI calls in the NFL. But he is highly confident, likes to go for the big play, and has the versatility to line up outside or on the slot. He'll be a major contributor this coming season. The selection of Manu threw many Lions' fans into a fit but the selection makes sense. Detroit wants to develop a young OT to backup, and eventually take over for, OLT Taylor Decker. Manu has a fantastic combination of size, length, and athleticism to be developed. From a pure talent stand point, Manu is a stud athlete. It will just take time to develop him. In that sense, Detroit is the perfect situation for Manu to be drafted into. Vaki played safety at Utah but was listed as a RB when he was drafted. Vaki is a baller - he makes plays wherever you play him. As a safety, he has decent range but loves to crash down and support against the run. His run stopping skills could see him lined up as a nickel LB at times. But his best attribute is running the ball between the tackles and running short routes out of the backfield where he can run over defensive backs in space. The Lions fans will love his playing style; he's a Dan Campbell type of player. He should excel on special teams. Wingo, SNS' #15 player, fell to the sixth round and the Lions swooped in and selected him at #189. Although Wingo was never a first round consideration as a draft pick, him falling to the sixth round makes even less sense. He is undersized but has a good first step and the best closing burst on the QB of any IDL in this draft. He needs to play with leverage or get washed out of plays, but he gives the Lions an inside pass rusher they've been desperately seeking for years. Mahogany bizarrely fell to the sixth round. He is a solid pass protector (no sacks given up in 2023) but he is a grinder up front who opens holes consistently in the run game. Supposedly, he fell because one leg is longer than the other. That has never been an issue on the playing field in Boston. |
The Lions left the draft with the need to find another contributor at WR and then signed two draft-worthy WRs in Williams and Calhoun. Williams has three years of starting experience in the Big Ten. He is quicker than fast slot receiver and has excellent hands. As a former QB, he understands coverages and runs good routes. A slow 40 time doomed his draft stock. Calhoun, one of 12 players listed in SNS' Third Annual Deep Dive, is an NFL-caliber punt returner and clutch, go-to WR for the Blue Devils the last two seasons. He can line up out wide or in the slot. Rex offers little as a blocker but he is one of the best route runners in this TE class. He'll push for a regular season roster spot. The Lions signed three experienced and productive college centers, all of whom could become NFL starters (another indication of the depth and quality of this center class). Hudson is well-rounded and smart. Clemens is smart and quick. Eguakun was injured much of last year but flashed excellent power and leverage when healthy. Chambers is instinctive and has good range. Special teams play will impact his immediate future. Turner, a transfer from Louisville, is very accurate but he lacks great leg strength. |
Green Bay Packers |
DRAFT / UDFA GRADE: 5 Stars |
Total Picks - 11 |
DRAFT PICKS |
1 (25) Jordan Morgan / OT / Arizona |
2 (45) Edgerrin Cooper / LB / Texas A&M |
2 (58) Javon Bullard / S / Georgia |
3 (88) MarShawn Lloyd / RB / USC |
3 (91) Ty'Ron Hopper / LB / Missouri |
4 (111) Evan Williams / S / Oregon |
5 (163) Jacob Monk / IOL / Duke |
5 (169) Kitan Oladapo / S / Oregon State |
6 (202) Travis Glover / OT / Georgia State |
7 (245) Michael Pratt / QB / Tulane |
7 (255) Kalen King / CB / Penn State |
NOTABLE UDFA |
Messiah Swinson / TE / Arizona State |
Donovan Jennings / OT / South Florida |
Trente Jones / OL / Michigan |
James Ester / IDL / Northern Illinois |
Ralen Goforth / LB / Washington |
Alex McNulty / K / Buffalo |
DRAFT & UDFA ANALYSIS |
The Packers had more draft picks than any team in the league and they used those draft picks well to fortify their roster. Morgan could play OLT or OG but after watching him last year, he clearly has the feet, mobility, and mindset to remain at OLT. Cooper is the most athletic LB in this class but his instincts are lacking. Bullard has good instincts and range. He'll provide a valuable backup this season. Lloyd, SNS' #1 ranked RB, is quick with a dynamic burst through the hole. He is still developing as a receiver but he makes an excellent complement to Josh Jacobs. Hopper is athletic and should be a good special teams player.Williams is best used in coverage but he is willing and capable in run support. Monk is an underrated center. He's smart, steady, and durable. He has starting potential. Oladapo is a huge hitter. He has excellent size and should excel on special teams. Glover is another of the long, athletic OTs in this draft. He has a tendency to reach but his issues are correctable. Pratt has good arm strength, is highly experienced, is a natural leader, and the winningest QB in school history. He could challenge for a roster spot. King was once a highly rated CB whose play dropped off this season. He ran slower than expected at the combine and will most likely start his NFL career on the practice squad. |
Swinson, a transfer from Missouri, is a huge, experienced run blocking Y-TE with little receiving production. Jennings was a college OT who may slide inside to guard but is a good athlete worth developing. Jones, a career backup but versatile depth piece for the Wolverines, could play any OL position and may make the regular season roster. Ester is undersized but strong for his size. Goforth, a transfer from USC, is undersized and injury proned but profiles as a quality special teamer. McNulty is experienced and reliable but leg strength is only average. |
Minnesota Vikings |
DRAFT / UDFA GRADE: 4.5 Stars |
Total Picks - 7 |
DRAFT PICKS |
1 (10) JJ McCarthy / QB / Michigan |
1 (17) Dallas Turner / EDGE / Alabama |
4 (108) Khyree Jackson / CB / Oregon |
6 (177) Walter Rouse / OT / Oklahoma |
6 (203) Will Reichard / K / Alabama |
7 (239) Michael Jurgens / IOL / Wake Forest |
7 (252) Levi Drake-Rodriguez / IDL / Texas A&M-Commerce |
NOTABLE UDFA |
Jeshaun Jones / WR / Maryland |
Trey Knox / TE / South Carolina |
Doug Nester / OL / West Virginia |
Jeremy Flax / OL / Kentucky |
Spencer Rolland / OL / North Carolina |
Gabriel Murphy / EDGE / UCLA |
Tyler Manoa / IDL / Arizona |
Dallas Gant / LB / Toledo |
Dwight McGlothern / CB / Arkansas |
DRAFT & UDFA ANALYSIS |
The common thought entering the draft on Thursday night was that the Vikings had acquired an extra first round pick (from Houston) and the thinking was they would combine those picks to trade up to get their franchise QB. The Vikings did trade up, one spot, and acquired fast-rising QB JJ McCarthy from the National Champion Michigan Wolverines. McCarthy has a good arm and reads the field well. He's a leader and a proven winner. But he has never been tested and required to carry his team down the stretch of a game. He operated in a run-heavy attack and where he is a good ballhandler and effective at play action, he has performed more as a game manager than Williams, Daniels, Maye, Penix, or Nix. Trading up to #17 and selecting ascending talent, Dallas Turner / EDGE / Alabama, was a master stroke. He has great length and elite bend and burst. He's a good chase player in the run game but needs to get better holding the point of attack in the run game. The cost of acquiring two potentially organization defining talents was sitting out a deep draft and not picking again until round four. Jackson has prototypical length and works best in press coverage. He loses a step at the break point against quick receivers. Rouse has played OLT at Stanford and Oklahoma. He has enough ability to be developed as a swing tackle or starting OLT. Reichard, SNS' #1 ranked kicker in the 2024 NFL Draft, is very accurate up to 55 yards with a range of 58-59 yards inside. Jurgens is an experienced, durable, and has very good size. He should earn a practice squad spot. LDR was a surprise pick in round seven but he has an NFL build with skills worth developing on the practice squad. |
Jones is thin but has good length, decent speed, and good leaping ability. Almost all of his catches are contested and special teams play will be huge in determining his future. Knox, a transfer from Arkansas, has teased enticing upside and could be a good pro. Nester was a solid OLT who has natural length and power. He lacks some agility and foot speed but he has a nasty disposition. Flax is huge and strong. He is slow afoot and has difficulty with games and stunts. Rolland, a transfer from Harvard, has good length and is technically sound, albeit limited athletically. Murphy, one of the twin brothers from UCLA, is an Edge / OLB tweener who lacks power for DE and some agility for OLB. Manoa is a thick, strong lane clogger with a nasty attitude. Gant, a transfer from Ohio State, has prototypical measurables but has never played as well as he looks. McGlothern has great size. He's a similar player to Jackson and they will likely compete for the same roster spot . |
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Tomorrow - SNS takes a look at the AFC SOUTH and analyzing draft performances of Indianapolis, Houston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee!
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