HEADLINES

Saints Obtain No. 41 From Packers, Select CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

April 26th, 2024 at 6:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The second-round pick the Packers acquired in last year’s Aaron Rodgers trade is now the Saints’ property. Green Bay dealt No. 41 to New Orleans, which will add Nos. 45, 168 and 190 for moving down a bit in Round 2.

With the pick, the Saints are adding Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. This will bring two Crimson Tide corners off the board, with the Lions using their first selection on Terrion Arnold on Thursday night.

No. 45 is the pick the Saints obtained from the Broncos in the swap for Sean Payton‘s rights. A year later, the Packers (barring another trade) will use it to bolster their roster. McKinstry loomed as a first-round-caliber player going into his final Alabama season, but Arnold ended up being viewed as the higher-level prospect following Nick Saban’s final season.

More to come.

Eagles Acquire No. 40 From Commanders

April 26th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trades continue to flood the top of the second round. The Eagles have moved up to No. 40, swapping places with the Commanders. Philadelphia will send 53 and 161 to Washington while picking up No. 78.

Adding further to their investments in the secondary, the Eagles are selecting Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean. The team went cornerback on Thursday night by drafting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and they have followed that up with another highly regarded contributor in the defensive backfield. DeJean is one of a few defenders who surprisingly did not hear their names called on Day 1.

Questions have been raised about his best position at the NFL level, having spent time both on the perimeter and in the slot. DeJean may see time at safety in the pros, but in any spot he will be counted on to provide starting-caliber play early on in his career. Over the past two seasons, he played a central role in Iowa’s defense while also demonstrating his special teams prowess.

DeJean raked up five interceptions in 2022, and he posted another two last season before a broken fibula ended his junior campaign. In spite of that missed time, the 6-1, 203-pounder was named a unanimous All-American after cementing his status as a versatile defender and a dynamic return man (11.5 yard average, one touchdown on punt returns).

The Eagles entered the offseason with plenty of questions at the CB spot with veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry still in line to hold down starting positions. The addition of Mitchell will give the team another option on the outside, whereas DeJean could see time at nickel or safety. Philadelphia reunited with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, but DeJean will serve as depth behind him with the potential to become much more over time.

Panthers Deal No. 39 To Rams

April 26th, 2024 at 6:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers acquired No. 39 from the Giants in the Brian Burns trade; they are sending that pick to the Rams. Los Angeles will use the pick to select another Florida State defensive lineman in Braden Fiske. Through this pick, the Panthers will add a Rams second-rounder in 2025. Los Angeles will also send Carolina Nos. 52 and 155.

Apart from Burns’ Florida State affiliation in this deal, the Seminoles continue to be involved in Los Angeles’ draft plan. Fiske is set to rejoin Florida State pass rusher Jared Verse, who the Rams selected at No. 19 overall last night. Much like Verse, Fiske was a transfer addition to the Seminoles’ ACC Championship team. Fiske arrived in Tallahassee after five years at Western Michigan, where he had 27.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He gave the Seminoles impressive one-year production with nine tackles for loss and six sacks en route to second-team All-ACC honors.

Fiske will join Verse in the Rams’ efforts to replace the defensive production lost with the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. He’ll have to work his way into the rotation with Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown III, but Fiske figures to see the field early as a rookie.

The Panthers move back 13 picks but add the mid-fifth-round selection as a result. The Rams won’t miss the pick too much. While it would’ve been nice to have two fifth-round picks in a row, Los Angeles still retains the 154th pick, giving Carolina the pick it acquired in the multi-pick trade that brought Kevin Dotson from Pittsburgh.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

April 26th, 2024 at 6:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), we will be keeping tabs here:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (OT, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers): Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
34. Los Angeles Chargers (via Patriots): Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia)
35. Atlanta Falcons (from Cardinals): Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)
36. Washington Commanders: Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois)
37. New England Patriots (via Chargers): Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat (DT, Texas)
39. Los Angeles Rams (from Giants through Panthers): Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State)
40. Philadelphia Eagles (from Bears through Commanders): Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa)
41. New Orleans Saints (from Jets through Packers): Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
43. Arizona Cardinals (from Falcons): Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
44. Las Vegas Raiders
45. Green Bay Packers (from Broncos through Saints)
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
49. Cincinnati Bengals
50. Washington Commanders (from Saints through Eagles)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers
52. Carolina Panthers (from Rams)
53. Philadelphia Eagles
54. Cleveland Browns
55. Miami Dolphins
56. Dallas Cowboys
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
58. Green Bay Packers
59. Houston Texans
60. Buffalo Bills
61. Detroit Lions
62. Baltimore Ravens
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Kansas City Chiefs

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Rams Had Interest In Brock Bowers; Jets Did Not Consider Drafting TE

April 26th, 2024 at 6:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the hours leading up to last night’s first round, the Rams were touted as a team looking to move up the order. An offensive weapon was believed to be a target, and more clarity has since emerged on that front.

Los Angeles contacted Atlanta about a trade-up to the No. 8 slot, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Had an agreement for that selection been worked out, she adds the Rams would have drafted tight end Brock Bowers. Likewise, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager notes the team’s draft plans were simplified once Bowers came off the board (video link).

The Georgia product fell out of the top 10 – something which came as something of a surprise – while quarterbacks and offensive linemen dominated the top of the order. In the end, Bowers went 13th overall to the Raiders. The Rams stayed in place at the No. 19 slot. That allowed them to select edge rusher Jared Verse, one of the few defenders who heard their names called on Day 1.

Bowers – who earned first-team All-American acclaim and twice won the John Mackey award as the nation’s top tight end – was long connected to a selection near the bottom of the top 10. Specifically, the Jets were reported to be a suitor, and general manager Joe Douglas‘ pre-draft remarks suggested New York would be interested. However, Connor Hughes of SNY reports the team never gave thought to selecting Bowers with the No. 11 pick.

After trading down one spot, the Jets ultimately selected offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. That move likely addressed a more pressing need, given the state of New York’s offensive line prior to Thursday night. Still, the team’s aversion to Bowers after being linked to him so closely illustrates the power of smokescreens this time of year. In the end, Bowers’ career will be defined in large part by his time with the Raiders, but his connections to the Rams are noteworthy as well.

Falcons Acquire No. 35 From Cardinals

April 26th, 2024 at 6:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a stunning start (per Kirk Cousins, at least) to Round 1, the Falcons are moving up the board to open Round 2. They are acquiring No. 35 from the Cardinals. Atlanta will pick up Nos. 35 and 186, while Arizona will add Nos. 43 and 79. The Falcons used the pick on Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro.

Born Oghenerukevwe Orhorhoro, Ruke spent five years at Clemson, but he didn’t start for the Tigers until his redshirt sophomore year in 2021. Orhorhoro was a consistently disruptive presence, logging eight tackles for loss in each of his three seasons as a starter while piling up 11.5 sacks over that same period.

Atlanta continues to confuse most following the draft with their selections. After yesterday’s debacle with Michael Penix Jr., they once again trade up in order to address a position that most wouldn’t see as an immediate need on their roster. With David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett signed for the next two years, Orhorhoro will be coming off the bench as an interior rotation in 2024. It was also a little shocking to see Orhorhoro, who could’ve been available later in the second round, get traded up for before some higher ranking defensive tackles in the draft.

With the two new picks from Atlanta, the Cardinals now hold five Day 2 picks. They’ll have the 43rd overall pick in the second round as well as the 66th, 71st, 79th, and 90th picks, all in the third round later tonight.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Patriots Deal No. 34 Pick To Chargers

April 26th, 2024 at 6:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers are moving up three spots, using the Patriots’ No. 34 position to do so. New England will slide down three places, picking up Nos. 37 and 110 from Los Angeles. The Bolts will add No. 137.

This swap of fourth-rounders will lead to the Chargers selecting Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The Bolts passed on a glaring need to add Joe Alt in Round 1; they will begin addressing the receiver position tonight. This move represents a continuation of the run on receivers stemming from the end of the first round Thursday night.

McConkey spent his full college career with the Bulldogs, and he played a role in the team’s back-to-back national titles. The shifty slot man showed notable improvement from 2021 to ’22. In the latter campaign, he posted 762 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions.

That was followed by an injury-shortened 2023 campaign, with McConkey being limited to just nine contests. However, he averaged a career-best 15.9 receptions while remaining a key figure in Georgia’s passing offense. At the Combine, the 6-0, 186-pounder ran an impressive 40-yard dash time (4.39 seconds). That cemented his status as one of the top options in a loaded receiver class.

Finding playing time should not be challenging for McConkey. Los Angeles released Mike Williams before trading away Keenan Allen this offseason. As a result, the WR spot has been seen as a major need in spite of the decision to select Quentin Johnston in the first round of last year’s draft. Johnston had an underwhelming rookie campaign, but he should be in line for a notable role in 2024. The same will likely be true of McConkey.

Bills Draft FSU WR Keon Coleman To Open 2nd Round

April 26th, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bills traded back twice last night, eventually falling out of the first round. Still, with the first pick of the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Buffalo hits on a position of need, drafting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman.

Coleman was one of college football’s top transfer targets after a strong sophomore season at Michigan State in which he caught 58 balls for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. In Tallahassee, he failed to eclipse the yardage he’d had as a Spartan, but he still led the Seminoles in receptions (50), receiving yards (658), and receiving touchdowns (11).

It was expected that Coleman would put up bigger numbers on an offense that went undefeated in the regular season and ranked 19th in the country in points per game, but his 11 scores demonstrate exactly the type of receiver he’s expected to be in the NFL. In Buffalo, Coleman faces a tall task, filling the shoes of the departed Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. The team returns Khalil Shakir and brought in Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins, but as an early second round pick, Coleman will be expected to step up as perhaps team’s WR1 as a rookie.

Despite his inability to produce big yardage numbers at Michigan State and Florida State, Coleman was an outstanding redzone target. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Coleman establishes a daunting presence that the AFC’s best will have to counter.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 26th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Round 1, No. 4: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
  • Round 1, No. 27 (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
  • Round 2, No. 43 (from Falcons): Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
  • Round 3, No. 66:
  • Round 3, No. 71 (from Titans):
  • Round 3, No. 79 (from Jaguars through Falcons):
  • Round 3, No. 90 (from Texans):
  • Round 4, No. 104:
  • Round 5, No. 138:
  • Round 5, No. 162 (from Texans):
  • Round 7, No. 226 (from Giants):

Atlanta Falcons

  • Round 1, No. 8: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
  • Round 2, No. 35 (from Cardinals): DT Ruke Orhorhoro
  • Round 3, No. 74:
  • Round 4, No. 109:
  • Round 5, No. 143:
  • Round 6, No. 186 (from Vikings through Cardinals):
  • Round 6, No. 187:
  • Round 6, 197 (from Browns):

Baltimore Ravens

  • Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
  • Round 2, No. 62:
  • Round 3, No. 93:
  • Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets):
  • Round 4, No. 130:
  • Round 5, No. 165:
  • Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 250:

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 2, No. 33 (from Panthers): Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
  • Round 2, No. 60:
  • Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs):
  • Round 4, No. 128:
  • Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers):
  • Round 5: No. 144 (from Bears):
  • Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers):
  • Round 5, No. 163:
  • Round 6, No. 204:
  • Round 7, No. 221 (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs):

Carolina Panthers

  • Round 1, No. 32 (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
  • Round 2, No. 39 (from Giants):
  • Round 3, No. 65:
  • Round 4, No. 101:
  • Round 5, No. 142 (from Titans):
  • Round 6: No. 200 (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills):
  • Round 7, No. 240 (from Steelers):

Chicago Bears

  • Round 1: No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
  • Round 1, No. 9: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
  • Round 3, No. 75:
  • Round 4, No. 122 (from Eagles):

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Round 1, No. 18: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
  • Round 2, No. 49:
  • Round 3, No. 80:
  • Round 3, No. 97:
  • Round 4, No. 115:
  • Round 5, No. 149:
  • Round 6, No. 194:
  • Round 6, No. 214:
  • Round 7, No. 224 (from Cardinals through Texans):
  • Round 7, No. 237:

Cleveland Browns

  • Round 2, No. 54:
  • Round 3, No. 85:
  • Round 5, No. 156 (from Eagles through Cardinals):
  • Round 6, No. 206 (from Ravens):
  • Round 7, No. 227 (from Titans):
  • Round 7, No. 243:

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 29 (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
  • Round 2, No. 56:
  • Round 3, No. 73 (from Vikings through Lions):
  • Round 3, No. 87:
  • Round 5, No. 174:
  • Round 6, No. 216:
  • Round 7, No. 233 (from Raiders):
  • Round 7, No. 244:

Denver Broncos

  • Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
  • Round 3, No. 76:
  • Round 4, No. 121 (from Dolphins):
  • Round 5, No. 136 (from Panthers through Browns):
  • Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets):
  • Round 5, No. 147:
  • Round 6, No. 207 (from 49ers):

Read more

Bills, Patriots, Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls

April 26th, 2024 at 5:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Like always, the teams at the top of the Day 2 draft order hold considerable leverage. In the case of 2024, that means the Bills are a team to watch closely as the start of second round approaches.

After trading down twice on Thursday, Buffalo owns pick No. 33. To little surprise, that has resulted in calls from suitors looking to move up the board, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Receiver is a position of need and despite the run at the position late last night, a number of notable options are still on the board. That includes Texas’ Adonai Mitchell and Florida State’s Keon Coleman. Those pass-catchers are the two being considered by Buffalo, Sportkeeda’s Tony Pauline reports.

The latter does add, however, that the Bills have other receiver prospects they are comfortable with, meaning a third trade-down agreement could be worked out by general manager Brandon Beane. Teams eyeing some of the defensive prospects surprisingly still available could represent a logical trade partner. In that case, the Patriots (No. 34) and Cardinals (No. 35) would be worth monitoring.

Both New England and Arizona have also received interest, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes. He, too, mentions Coleman as a prospect likely to hear his name called in short order. The Michigan State transfer had a strong Seminoles career, but his underwhelming 40-yard dash time at the Combine could help explain his stock taking a slight dip. He will nevertheless provide considerable size (6-3, 213 pounds) to his new team.

The Patriots turned aside overtures from the Giants and Vikings for the third overall pick last night. That cleared the way for Drake Maye to be selected, a move which leaves receiver as a position of need entering Day 2. The Cardinals likewise decided against moving down the board and drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4. The team followed that up by adding edge rusher Darius Robinson 27th overall, filling another notable roster hole. Either staying in place again or adding extra capital would prove beneficial, so it will be interesting to see how many pick swaps take place at the top of the round two order.

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