Terrion Arnold

Draft Notes: Newton, Lions, Latu, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Eagles, Broncos, Cardinals, Commanders, Giants, Panthers

April 16th, 2024 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Wednesday marks the final day for “30” visits during this year’s cycle. Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is on the way back from a January surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot. Newton went through a belated pro day in Champaign on Tuesday, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, who noted more than eight teams were in attendance. The Lions are not one of the teams Schultz named, but the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett notes Newton did go through a visit with the defending NFC North champs. A first-team All-American and reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Newton played through his foot injury last season — a 7.5-sack slate. The acclaimed DT, who ranks as the No. 32 overall prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, also recorded 14.5 tackles for loss in 2022.

Here is the latest from the draft scene:

Speaking of the Lions, they are also believed to be high on NC State linebacker Payton Wilson, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman notes (subscription required). Last season’s Bednarik award winner (given to Division I-FBS’ top defender), Wilson ranks 41st on Jeremiah’s big board. In need at linebacker, the Cowboys are also believed to be intrigued by Wilson, though Feldman adds some teams are too concerned about his medical history to consider drafting him. Season-ending knee and shoulder injuries halted Wilson in 2018 and 2021, respectively, but the six-year Wolfpack cog has been healthy over the past two years.
The Bills have brought in two likely first-round defenders, hosting edge rusher Laiatu Latu and cornerback Cooper DeJean (via Schultz and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Holding the No. 28 overall pick, Buffalo saw a concerning season from Von Miller (zero sacks after a second ACL rehab journey) and did not re-sign Leonard Floyd. The Bills also released Tre’Davious White and have not replaced him. While wide receiver is the buzz position in Buffalo given the exits of longtime performers, the Bills also have some needs to address on defense.
A fourth team booked a visit with Alabama tackle JC Latham. The first-round-level tackle will meet with the Jets tonight and Wednesday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. One of seven tackles Jeremiah places among his top 25 overall prospects, Latham has already met with the Cardinals, Titans and Bears. The Jets have been linked to an O-line investment, and the prospect of moving down from No. 10 has also come up for Gang Green.
Both the Alabama cornerbacks expected to go off the board early in this draft booked more visits before the Wednesday deadline. Terrion Arnold met with the Titans on Monday, Rapoport adds, while Kool-Aid McKinstry visited the Eagles (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane). With Darius Slay and James Bradberry set to begin the season north of 31st birthdays, the Eagles have been tied to corners. The Titans acquired L’Jarius Sneed via trade and signed Chidobe Awuzie; this would seemingly take Tennessee out of the early-round CB mix. Though, the team did lose Sean Murphy-Bunting and has seen ex-first-rounder Caleb Farley prove undependable.
Although the Texans have taken multiple fliers on former top-10 corners (Jeff Okudah, C.J. Henderson), they may be interested in bolstering their cornerback corps with a higher-upside player. Houston hosted Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw on Monday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. A Texas native, Rakestraw (Jeremiah’s No. 28 overall prospect) allowed just one touchdown on 28 targets last season, per Wilson. The 5-foot-11 defender broke up 11 passes with the Tigers in 2023.
This draft features a number of tackles set to go off the board in Round 1, but the second round could produce some investments at the position. The Giants, Jets and Commanders scheduled late visits with Arizona’s Jordan Morgan, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Jeremiah’s No. 49 overall player, Morgan also visited the Bills, Broncos, Cardinals and Panthers, Wilson adds, noting also the three-year Wildcats starter worked out for the Texans during the pre-draft process. Morgan earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition last season.

Latest On Eagles’ First-Round Options

April 14th, 2024 at 8:47pm CST by Ely Allen

The Eagles were able to avoid the hangover that has often haunted past Super Bowl runner ups, making the playoffs last year after an 11-6 regular season before falling in the Wild Card round to the Buccaneers. As a result, they hold the 22nd pick of the 2024 NFL Draft and will now be tasked with finding a player at that value to help them get back to the big game.

So, the question becomes: where on the roster could the Eagles use the most improvement? Cornerback has been a common position people have pointed to in Philadelphia, one of those people being Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, and this year’s crop of draft prospects is well-suited to fill that need.

The team’s starters, Darius Slay (33) and James Bradberry (31), are aging and struggled in 2023, as did oft-injured veteran Avonte Maddox. Slay missed the final four games of the regular season and didn’t perform well in his playoff return. Bradberry rebounded horribly from his 2022 second-team All-Pro selection. After grading out as the league’s 27th best cornerback in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Bradberry ranked 100th of 127 graded corners in 2023.

Maddox had been released and re-signed after an injury-riddled 2022 season then only appeared in four games in 2023. The Eagles have young prospects in Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe who show promise, but none seem ready to take on a full-time role.

There are about four cornerbacks expected to go in the first round, and thanks to likely early runs at offensive positions, a number of them should still be around by the time Philadelphia selects. Top cornerback prospects like Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean all stand a decent chance at becoming the Eagles’ first cornerback taken in the first round since Lito Sheppard in 2002.

ESPN’s Matt Miller offered up another possibility if Philadelphia opts not to draft a cornerback. Although not necessarily a position of need, Miler suggests that offensive tackle may be a target for the Eagles, pointing specifically to Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton, who has been training with Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, a fellow Sooner. Philadelphia boasted an impressive bookend with Jordan Mailata and Johnson ranking as the league’s third- and 13th-best tackle in the league, per PFF. So why would they draft a tackle?

Miller points to the teams handling of Jason Kelce, whose eventual retirement seemed to loom every offseason. They attempted to stay ahead of the decision, drafting Nebraska center Cam Jurgens with the 2022 second-round pick. Miller see them potentially doing the same with Johnson, who turns 34 years old shortly after the draft. Guyton may be able to come in and essentially redshirt until a job opens up for him to take over.

Draft Notes: Odunze, DeJean, Nabers, Chargers, Lions, Bucs, Jags, Steelers

April 5th, 2024 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

While reports have indicated some teams prefer Malik Nabers to Marvin Harrison Jr., Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline offers a stance that could further muddy the waters among the draft’s top wide receivers. Several teams have Rome Odunze slotted higher than Nabers on their big boards. Although transfers have populated the QB ranks in this class, the top three receivers only played at one school. Odunze starred at Washington for the past two seasons, posting two 1,100-yard campaigns and elevating his stock further last year. He clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, a tenth slower than Nabers ran at LSU’s pro day. Odunze, who booked visits with the Cardinals, Bears and Jets, did not run at his pro day.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound talent ripped off 10 100-yard games last season, including five straight to help the Huskies into the CFP national championship game. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board slots Odunze fifth overall — one spot behind Nabers — while Daniel Jeremiah agrees with the teams that have Odunze higher, ranking the Washington prospect third overall — between Harrison and Nabers. All three could be gone in the top seven or eight choices. This certainly raises the stakes for the Cardinals, who have a glaring WR need and have been linked to a trade-down move from No. 4.

Here is the latest coming out of the draft:

In addition to Nabers’ Cardinals visit this week, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes he made a trip to Los Angeles to meet with the new Chargers staff. The Chargers having jettisoned Keenan Allen and Mike Williams makes them an obvious team to monitor for one of the top receivers. If the Cardinals trade out of No. 4, L.A. would be positioned to land the draft’s top WR prospect at 5. Of course, the Chargers have also been linked to moving down. And Jim Harbaugh‘s past and some recent comments have made it worth monitoring if the Bolts value a receiver this high.
After suffering a broken fibula in November, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is ready for football work. The highly touted cover man sent a letter to all 32 teams informing them he is cleared for all football actitives, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. DeJean will hold a workout April 8 in Iowa City. Jeremiah ranks the ex-Hawkeyes standout 25th on his big board; Kiper has the 6-1 defender 21st. DeJean, who notched five INTs and three pick-sixes as a sophomore in 2022, left school early despite the injury.
The Jaguars are spending some time on other corners in this draft, specifically those from Alabama. They used “30” visits on both Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. The Buccaneers and Lions also met with McKinstry, according to Schultz and the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. The Jags cut two-year starter Darious Williams but replaced him with Ronald Darby, though the latter is 30 and tied to a two-year deal that features a fairly easy out in 2025. Cameron Sutton‘s arrest and ensuing release leaves the Lions in need at corner, despite Detroit having signed Amik Robertson and traded for Carlton Davis. The Bucs trading Davis frees up a spot at corner in Tampa opposite Jamel Dean. Arnold rates higher than McKinstry, who came into last season as a better prospect. Jeremiah ranks McKinstry 36th overall. More visits are likely, considering McKinstry sat out the Combine with a toe fracture but still clocked a 4.47-second 40 time (at Alabama’s pro day) despite not yet undergoing surgery.
Nate Wiggins clocked a blazing 4.28 time at the Combine, elevating his stock. The Clemson product visited the Steelers on Thursday, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski. A first-team All-ACC choice who posted two pick-sixes with the ACC program, Wiggins played all three of his college seasons at Clemson. The Steelers releasing Patrick Peterson but added Donte Jackson. The trade pickup’s contract expires after 2024, however, and the 6-foot-1 Wiggins is among those the team is looking into as a longer-term option opposite Joey Porter Jr.

Cardinals Host Malik Nabers, Terrion Arnold, JC Latham

April 4th, 2024 at 6:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

As mock drafts have the Cardinals addressing their wide receiver need at No. 4 or trading down to stockpile more assets — as they did last year — the rebuilding team has a big decision to make. Being effectively assured of the draft’s top wide receiver by sticking at 4, the Cardinals made some pivotal trade-down maneuvers in Monti Ossenfort‘s first GM year.

Committed to Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are not in consideration to draft a quarterback early. After trading down from No. 3 to No. 12 (and then back to No. 6) last year, the team has two first-round picks. The Cards also hold the No. 27 overall selection, thanks to the trade that gave the Texans Will Anderson Jr.

Arizona is doing its due diligence on players that will not be available at 27, hosting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe and Ian Rapoport note. They also met with Alabama tackle JC Latham, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board slots the trio fourth, ninth and 18th in this year’s class.

While the Giants face a similar decision regarding a wide receiver, theirs involves trading up for a quarterback or staying put and having a top-flight WR available. The Cardinals, however, are in a better position thanks to the No. 4 slot. Ossenfort’s pledge of being open to trading down has produced rumblings that is what Arizona is planning to do, but the team can instantly upgrade its receiver spot by drafting Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr. or Washington’s Rome Odunze. It is quite possible none would be available if the Cardinals trade down. Odunze is also on the Cards’ visit list.

QB-needy teams like the Vikings, Broncos and Raiders could be eyeing the Cardinals’ pick. If Arizona deals with any of that trio, it would slide out out of the top 10. After the Cards lost Christian Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins in 2022 and ’23, Marquise Brown joined the Chiefs this offseason. That leaves the team in dire need at the position. The 2024 class is set to deliver another deep receiver crop, however, and Ossenfort could view a future first-round pick (and other assets) as more valuable than the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze WR tier.

Still, Nabers is viewed by some teams as this draft’s top wideout. The Cardinals already met with the LSU alum previously, though “30” visits provide better opportunities to gauge prospects’ fits. Nabers posted a 1,000-yard season in 2022 but unlocked another level to his game last season, totaling 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns to help Jayden Daniels win the Heisman. Nabers’ 4.35-second 40-yard dash at LSU’s pro day certainly did not hurt his stock.

Arnold and Latham could be targets for the Cards if they move down. The team has been in need at corner for years, losing the likes of Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy in free agency earlier this decade. Arnold rates as the top corner on Jeremiah’s big board; the Cards have not gone corner in Round 1 since Peterson in 2011. Operating across from fellow top prospect Kool-Aid McKinstry, the 6-foot Arnold recorded six interceptions (five in 2023) and 20 passes defensed over the past two seasons.

The Cardinals climbed up for Paris Johnson last year, and while the team recently released longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries, Jonah Williams signed a two-year deal. This would not make tackle a front-burner need. Latham joined Arnold as a first-team All-SEC player last season. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board lists Latham 12th overall and as the third-best tackle in this year’s draft.

Three Alabama Underclassmen Declare For NFL Draft

January 5th, 2024 at 10:08pm CST by Ely Allen

The Crimson Tide are certainly well-known for their ability to develop NFL talent. As of an article from US News a month ago, the University of Alabama had the most active NFL players of any university with 57, and it wasn’t particularly close with Georgia trailing them by eight players. The Tide are set to add several more to that total this year, but at least four are expected to be selected in the first round after the declarations of right tackle JC Latham and cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold.

Latham is currently projected to go the highest of the three underclassmen. After transferring from Catholic Memorial HS (WI) to the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, Latham signed to the Tide as a consensus five-star, a top-five player in the country, and the top tackle recruit of the class. Latham came off the bench mostly as a true freshman, sometimes subbing in for right tackle Chris Owens or right guard Emil Ekiyor, both of whom would go undrafted. Latham would take hold of the starting job at right tackle the following year and hold on to it for the next two years.

After making 27 starts in the past two seasons, Latham lays claim to a 2023 All-SEC First Team selection and a Pro Football Focus ranking as the 11th-best offensive tackle in the country (subscription required). Using the offseason to cut fat and gain good weight, Latham became a monstrous lineman with agility. He’s explosive off the line and can use a powerful drive in the run game, but while he lacks the technique necessary to find his way to a top-10 selection, he has nearly cemented himself as a top-five tackle. He announced his plans to declare earlier this week, per ESPN. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Latham ranked as the fourth-best tackle prospect and the 24th player overall, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic placed him as the third-best tackle and the 10th overall player in his midseason rankings.

McKinstry, born Ga’Quincy, was an in-state prospect who also ranked at the top of his position as a consensus five-star recruit coming out of Pinson Valley HS (AL). McKinstry started his freshman year coming off the bench but quickly earned a starting role down the stretch in a deep Bama secondary. He would retain that starting role in each of the next two seasons earning first-team All-SEC honors in both and first-team All-American honors this year.

McKinstry has all the measurables with excellent length on a 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame and a great ability to recover in rare scenarios that he loses coverage. These attributes just haven’t turned into statistical production as he leaves Tuscaloosa with only two interceptions and 23 passes defensed. Whether that’s the result of a lack of ball skills or just opposing quarterbacks refusing to throw his way, seeing McKinstry show more aggression could prove valuable at the next level.

Arnold found his way out of Tallahassee as a consensus top-three safety out of John Paul II Catholic HS (FL). Unlike Latham and McKinstry, Arnold didn’t see the field at all in 2021, redshirting his true freshman year. Still, he came in as a starter as a redshirt freshman the following season. Alabama didn’t try him at safety at all, immediately seeing his potential as a cornerback. He missed a few games in 2022, starting seven of 11 appearances, but would start every game in 2023. He ended up joining Latham and McKinstry on the All-SEC first team in 2023.

Unlike McKinstry, Arnold had no issue with production at the college level. In just two seasons as a starter, Arnold recorded six interceptions (five this year) and 20 passes defensed. While perhaps quarterbacks were tempted to force the ball in Arnold’s direction to avoid McKinstry, Arnold proved to be formidable in his own right. Arnold is slightly smaller than his counterpart but boasts tremendous footwork and hip mobility to blanket opposing receivers. The ball-hawking cornerback paired with McKinstry to serve as the nation’s deadliest duo by far.

The two were announced as planning to enter the draft this week, according to Chris Low of ESPN. McKinstry and Arnold are back-to-back in many rankings. Kiper has McKinstry as the final player in his top-25 but lists McKinstry and Arnold as his third- and fourth-best cornerback prospects this year, respectively. Brugler’s midseason rankings had McKinstry as the third-best cornerback (18th overall) with Arnold coming in as the fifth-best cornerback (28th overall) before four of his five interceptions this year had even occurred. PFF agrees with how closely the two rank, grading them as the country’s eighth- and ninth-best cornerbacks this year, with McKinstry just edging out Arnold.

Following Monday’s declaration by outside linebacker Dallas Turner, the Tide are now set to add four first-round picks to the NFL in the upcoming draft. It’s a little surprising not to see any Alabama players flirting with a top-five or even a top-10 selection, but the school continues to dominate with four Day 1 picks and likely several more in the rounds to follow.