Tag: draft

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Rebuilding Year? Five potential 2025 No. 1 draft picks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While the Kansas City Chiefs open the regular season as favorites to win a third consecutive Super Bowl and other contenders line up to claim the NFL throne, there are other franchises contending for another prize.

The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Carolina posted a 2-15 record last season and attempts to return to respectability with 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young under the tutelage of QB whisperer Dave Canales, the Panthers’ latest new head coach.

The Patriots made a QB change and begin a season without Bill Belichick on the sideline for the first time in two decades, but the playoffs are likely a pipedream in Foxborough this season.

And not many expect the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders to be the last team standing in New Orleans next February.

But all of them and others could be at the front of the line when the 2025 NFL Draft arrives in April.

History says there will be a quarterback — or three — there to meet them. Since 2000, the No. 1 pick has been used to select a quarterback. The Bears chose Caleb Williams in 2024, the 36th quarterback chosen first in the history of the draft.

With a few well-known arms at the front of the pack in September, here are five candidates to be the No. 1 pick:

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
The odds-on favorite to be the top pick in next year’s class, Beck’s decision to pass on an early entry into the 2024 class seems to be a good one so far. He’s more of a jack-of-all-trades but Beck’s ball placement and ability to throw with anticipation to every level of the field stand out from other passers. He’s not as exciting as Caleb Williams as a pure passer and total package, but he has top overall pick material and would be viewed as a safe pick.

James Pearce Jr, DE, Tennessee
Loose and bendy with surprising power for his spindly frame, Pearce is part of the new wave of pass-rushers who exit the college level in the 240 pound range. His explosive double digit sack campaign as a sophomore and his high upside follow the tracks of other recent top five pass-rushers. If he elevates his game further technically this year he could get to the top of the pack.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
A field-tilting offensive weapon, Milroe’s lack of polish was evident last season. But he’s the most physically gifted quarterback in college football because of a combination of elite athleticism, high-end arm talent and a knack for keeping plays alive. Milroe has the tools to leapfrog to the top of the class. If his development stagnates this year he may be better served returning to school for a second year with new coach Kalen DeBoer.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Well known as the son of Hall of Famer and Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, the younger Sanders has been the victim of untrusted offensive line play so far at the FBS level. When protected — rare as it might be — he has shown the ability to layer throws and deliver with touch, though he can’t dig out of the holes if his offense leaves him in one. He isn’t out of the race yet, but another year playing behind a shoddy line could prevent Sanders from getting serious consideration as the top pick.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
A mountainous defender and arguably the most unique athlete in the class, Walker towers over linemen at 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds. Despite having the frame of a hulking nose tackle, he can play all over the line and took snaps as a defensive end last year. Testing like an elite athlete and posting double digit sacks at his size could propel him up, although it’s likely that he remains just a dark horse candidate rather than a likely one.

–By Mark Jarvis, Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) warms up before a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft

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The backlog of players with COVID eligibility is finally coming to a close and the last of the super seniors are ready to turn pro.

That means the 2025 draft class should bring superior depth with quality talent available deep into the third day of next year’s NFL draft.

Early expectations reveal the class is light at quarterback, with possibly only a couple of first-rounders at the position.

The defensive side of the ball will rebound next year. Mass returnees the past two years loaded the trenches inside and out.

If the top juniors ultimately declare, as many as six defensive tackles could go in the first round, which happened just once in the past decade.

1. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee
A modern day pass-rusher, Pearce is on the lighter side and will need some seasoning for NFL run defense, but he is a rare bender with outstanding first-step quickness. He’s the early favorite to be the top pick and plays a premium position.

2. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
In the mold of A.J. Brown, Burden’s strength through the catch point and with the ball in his hands stands out. His testing will be key to whether he can maintain a top offensive billing next year.

3. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
One of the best storylines in college football last season, Hunter’s dual-threat ability catches attention, but his play as a cornerback is what NFL teams will love. He is an elite mover with ideal fluidity and ball skills for a pro defensive back.

4. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Reminiscent of Peter Skoronski, Banks is a technician with good strength and body control. He lacks ideal length for a tackle. His polish should get him drafted early, although there will be a split on whether to play tackle or guard.

5. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Walker’s body type will be a strike in the mind of some scouts, but he is an extraordinary athlete for his size. There have been only a handful of players ever who can line up against offensive tackles at 350 pounds and succeed, and he’s one of them.

6. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Twitchy and versatile as a pass rusher, Nolen hasn’t produced up to his physical talent yet, but teams will be captivated by the Texas A&M transfer’s burst and agility.

7. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
A big-bodied target at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, McMillan has hands as soft as pillows and a feel for crafting openings at the catch point. His speed may end up being a point of deliberation for teams, but he looks like an early favorite for the top of next year’s draft.

8. Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
The rise of Darius Robinson toward the top of the 2024 draft is a good sign for Jackson next year, who has even more juice coming off the edge. While he isn’t as bendy as the usual elite pass-rushers, his length and strength through the rush gives him a trump card against most blockers.

9. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
A defensive pillar during Michigan’s run to the championship, Graham isn’t as toolsy as Nolen or Walker, but his refined pass-rushing may translate more immediately as a pro.

10. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
Overlooked in the shadow of Brock Bowers, Delp lacks the same caliber of top-end speed once he gets the ball in his hands, but he is smoother out of his breaks and presents a similarly special receiving option as a tight end.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) makes a catch against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bills, Chargers pick receivers to open Round 2 of draft

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One day after offense dominated the first round of the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers selected a pair of wide receivers back-to-back to start the second round Friday night in Detroit.

The Bills used the first pick of Round 2 (No. 33 overall) to select Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman. It marked the first selection of the draft for the Bills, who hope that Coleman will provide quarterback Josh Allen with a deep threat after the team traded wideout Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this month.

The Chargers picked Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey moments later with the 34th overall pick. McConkey also could fill a void after Los Angeles sent veteran Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears last month.

Four of the next five picks were defensive linemen. The Atlanta Falcons took Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro, the Washington Commanders drafted Illinois’ Johnny Newton, the Tennessee Titans turned to Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat and the Los Angeles Rams nabbed Florida State’s Braden Fiske.

The only team that did not beef up its defensive line in that five-pick stretch was the New England Patriots, who drafted Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 37 overall. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound receiver will team up with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, whom the Patriots took at No. 3 overall on Friday night.

Four consecutive cornerbacks went off the board in picks No. 40-43. The Philadelphia Eagles started the run by drafting Cooper DeJean, an All-American out of Iowa whom many had projected as a first-round pick.

The next three picks were Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry to the New Orleans Saints, Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter to the Texans and Rutgers’ Max Melton to the Arizona Cardinals.

Texas’ Jonathon Brooks was the first running back to be selected this year. The Carolina Panthers picked Brooks at No. 46 overall after he rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games with the Longhorns in 2023.

Another Longhorns skill player, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, went to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 52. Mitchell, who hauled in 11 touchdowns among his 55 catches last season, will pair with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.

The Detroit Lions, the host team of the draft this season, selected a cornerback for the second day in a row. The Lions chose Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 61 one day after they tabbed Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 24 in Round 1.

The San Francisco 49ers closed out the second round by selecting Florida State cornerback Renardo Green. He was the third Seminoles player to be selected in the second round, joining Coleman and Fiske.

–Field Level Media

Apr 26, 2024; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick quarterback Michael Penix Jr talks to the media at a press conference introducing him at the Falcons training complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. confident, eager to start career

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Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose selection by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday stunned many draft experts, smiled through most of his introductory news conference Friday in Atlanta.

“A dream came true,” the former University of Washington star said. “It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little kid. … It’s a special moment and something I will forever remember.”

Penix’s excitement far overshadowed any concern over his position in the draft.

“I’m here to do whatever I can to help this team win football games,” he said. “As far as what anybody else feels about the decision that was made, I have no control over that. All I can control is what I do and what I bring to this team.

“For me I know that I’m gonna be a great leader not just on, but off the field as well. I’m gonna be a great person and great teammate as well.”

As amicable as he seemed Friday, it was clear Penix has no shortage of confidence.

“Personally, I feel like I’m the best quarterback out of the draft,” he said. “I’m excited that I landed here and I’m excited to get started.”

He was repeatedly asked whether he had any problem with the Falcons’ succession plan, with Penix sitting behind No. 1 quarterback Kirk Cousins.

“I’m going to put in a ton of work,” he said. “There’s not going to be a beat missed. … You got to be ready. I’m gonna prepare, I’m gonna work just as (if) I’m the starter.”

The Falcons recently signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, and the veteran QB was “confused” about the selection but reached out to Penix.

“Kirk he’s an amazing guy,” Penix said, adding that Cousins contacted him after the pick was made but wouldn’t divulge details of their conversation.

“I’m gonna keep it between me and him right now but it was definitely a good conversation, and I’m super excited to work with him — and he said he’s the same with me.”

Penix, the fourth quarterback drafted Thursday night out of a record-tying six first-round QB picks, led the Huskies to last season’s national championship game where they were beaten by the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan’s quarterback, JJ McCarthy, was selected 10th by the Minnesota Vikings and Oregon’s Bo Nix went 12th to the Denver Broncos.

The draft’s first three picks were quarterbacks: USC’s Caleb Williams (to the Bears), LSU’s Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and North Carolina’s Drake Maye (Patriots).

Penix was asked about comparisons with another Falcons left-handed signal-caller, Michael Vick, and said Vick was his favorite quarterback growing up.

“He did great things here, obviously,” Penix said. “I keep in contact with him. He’s been a guy that I can reach out to whenever. He actually sent me a text congratulating me this morning.”

Penix said a recent visit to Seattle by the Atlanta coaches to see him throw apparently cemented their belief.

“It’s different whenever you see it up close, in person,” he said. “I feel like I did a very good job in the workout. …

“I feel like the offense is very good for me. … I felt very comfortable and confident with all of it.”

-Field Level Media

Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy was drafted 28th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.

Chiefs: Speedster WR worthy of early draft pick

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Xavier Worthy might not win a weigh-in, but the first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs was highly rated by the front office because of his playmaking skills, speed and production at Texas.

A wide receiver with the Longhorns, Worthy reeled in 26 receiving touchdowns in three seasons before blazing a 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

At 165 pounds, Worthy’s weight isn’t a worry to the Chiefs because of the toughness he showed on the field at Texas.

“You’re asking the wrong guy about weight,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of the 28th overall pick in the draft. “I think he’s fine where he’s at. I don’t think that’s a problem. He’s playing at a high level, and he’s been doing this since he was a freshman. I’m not too worried about the weight.”

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Worthy, 20, still is growing and plans to connect with the team nutritionist to be in full alignment with Kansas City’s plan to bulk him up, if only slightly.

“We’ll have him with our dietitian and our weight staff. We’re not going to make him 200 pounds,” Veach joked, “but also keep him at the 175-180 mark I think will be a healthy weight for him. It will all make sense … all these (draft picks) are going to have to get bigger and stronger just from the marathon of the season, just to survive more games.”

Reid said Worthy would be used as a receiver and returner as a rookie. He’ll join a WR corps that added Hollywood Brown and expects to have Rashee Rice back for a second season after he led the team in receptions as a rookie.

Brown and Worthy bring a skill the Chiefs didn’t feature last season — the pure speed to blow the top off of a zone defense. Reid said he saw glimpses of another relatively light but blazing fast — and tough — receiver he drafted with the Eagles, DeSean Jackson.

“The speed is real and will make a big-time difference in the NFL. And the thing about Xavier is he ran that time, but that’s the way he practices every single day. Every rep is full speed,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Worthy on Thursday. “He has the ability to take the top off the defense, but he’s much more than that. He has tremendous route running ability and is a tireless worker at that. He has a very high football IQ and is extremely competitive.”

Worthy was on Reid’s radar before he lit up the turf at the Scouting Combine.

“Sarkisian and I are close. He kept talking about how smart he was, he’s got great football instincts, and he’s a tremendous worker,” Reid said. “In this offense, you’ve got to be able to do that and have those characteristics.”

–Field Level Media

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy misses the trophy to celebrate 34-13 win over Washington at the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Vikings make first trade of draft to take QB J.J. McCarthy

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Rather than wait one more pick and risk another team jumping them in the order, the Minnesota Vikings moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 in the NFL draft to take Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Thursday night in Detroit.

The Vikings made the first trade of the draft by swapping spots with the New York Jets. Minnesota sent New York a fourth-rounder (No. 129 overall) and a fifth-rounder (No. 157) while receiving a sixth-rounder (No. 203) from the Jets in the deal.

McCarthy was the fifth quarterback off the board, following Caleb Williams (Chicago), Jayden Daniels (Washington), Drake Maye (New England) and Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta) at Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 8. Moments later, the Denver Broncos took Oregon quarterback Bo Nix at No. 12 for an unprecedented glut of QBs in the first 12 picks.

McCarthy helped guide Michigan to a national championship in 2023 by passing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He added three touchdowns on the ground.

The Vikings bade farewell to Kirk Cousins this offseason and entered the draft with Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall on the QB depth chart.

With the 11th pick, the Jets drafted Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.

–Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Williams joins Bears as QBs go 1-2-3 at NFL draft

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Led by Southern California signal-caller Caleb Williams, three quarterbacks proved to be the top three picks at the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Detroit.

The Chicago Bears made Williams the No. 1 overall pick. He became the second USC quarterback drafted with the top pick, joining Carson Palmer (2003, Cincinnati Bengals).

“To be able to be here, it’s an honor,” Williams said on NFL Network after the Bears called his name. “I’m very privileged.”

After winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy, Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023.

The Washington Commanders followed by drafting LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall. Daniels won the Heisman last season, when he threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions while adding 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores.

“I’m here to get to work,” Daniels said on the broadcast. “… I’m a competitor, a hard worker. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates.”

At No. 3, the New England Patriots turned down trade suitors and kept the pick to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder passed for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.

“Let’s go,” Maye said on the broadcast. “I’m ready to go compete. I’m ready to get to New England. We’re going to have a blast.”

The early sequence marked the fourth time in NFL history that teams have selected quarterbacks with each of the top three picks. It also happened in 1971, 1999 and 2021, when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance went in the top three.

The Arizona Cardinals added Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., has drawn comparisons to legendary Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

Harrison Jr. said he was confident that he would be the first wideout selected.

“I just had trust in my abilities,” he said on the broadcast. “I worked so hard to get to this point.”

At No. 5, the Los Angeles Chargers bolstered their offensive line by selecting Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt. It marked the first pick under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

The New York Giants picked the second wideout of the draft when they added playmaker Malik Nabers from LSU with the sixth overall pick.

–Field Level Media

NFL Draft prospect Caleb Williams walks the red carpet for NFL Draft day at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Bears take QB Caleb Williams No. 1 in NFL draft

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Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, as the expected became official when commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement on Thursday in Detroit.

“I’m ready,” Williams said Wednesday in a public appearance on the eve of the draft. “I did dream of this. I set my goals. I went after it. I got here.”

Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy and is the third quarterback drafted in the first round by the Bears since 2017, following Mitchell Trubisky (second overall, 2017) and Justin Fields (11th, 2021).

General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus arrived on the scene after those failed or incomplete QB experiments.

Their lack of success fed Poles’ plan to find his way to a franchise passer. Quarterbacks have been selected No. 1 overall in six of the past seven drafts.

The Bears received the No. 1 pick in this draft as a result of a March 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers.

Chicago traded the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft for Carolina’s original selection in 2023 and more, including the Panthers’ first-rounder in 2024. After plummeting to the bottom of the NFL standings last season, it was Carolina that landed the No. 1 pick, which was relayed to the Bears to complete the trade.

With the stage set, Poles slow-played a decision on Fields’ future but ultimately opted for a reset to execute his vision of finding the franchise a long-term answer at quarterback.

Chicago also started Thursday night with its own 2024 first-round pick, No. 9 overall.

Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023. He passed for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns with five interceptions in 2022.

Expectations are sky-high for Williams, who arrives anointed the QB1 following the March trade of Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams took only one pre-draft visit to an NFL team — the Bears — and met with the team on three occasions in the pre-draft buildup to Thursday night.

The Bears offer a stellar supporting cast for an incoming rookie. DJ Moore had a team-best 96 receptions for 1,364 yards with eight touchdowns in 2023 in his first season in Chicago. He was acquired in the 2023 trade with the Panthers.

Chicago also added Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen in a trade this offseason and signed free agent running back D’Andre Swift from the Eagles.

Opinions on Williams vary, and many draft analysts questioned his personality when raising doubts about the live-armed athlete who has drawn comparisons to Chiefs All-Pro Patrick Mahomes.

Williams’ blue-chip talent appears to be universally appreciated. Former Colts general manager Bill Polian, who selected Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf in 1998, summarized the polarizing debate around Williams, noting, “The better the arm, the harder the lessons.”

The Bears drafted No. 1 overall for the third time in team history and first since selecting Oklahoma A&M running back Bob Fenimore in 1947. With the top pick in 1941, Chicago drafted Michigan running back Tom Harmon. Harmon instead opted to play in the American Football League with the New York Americans. He’s the father of actor and former UCLA quarterback Mark Harmon.

Williams becomes the sixth USC player selected No. 1 overall, joining offensive tackle Ron Yary (1968, Minnesota Vikings), running back O.J. Simpson (1969, Buffalo Bills), running back Ricky Bell (1977, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (1996, New York Jets) and Carson Palmer (2003, Cincinnati Bengals).

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen speaks during a press conference during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants GM open to all ‘possible scenarios’ at No. 6

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New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he is open to “all possible scenarios” when it comes to the No. 6 overall pick the team currently holds ahead of Thursday’s first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Giants’ game plan will likely be predicated upon what happens with the five selections ahead of them.

Chicago is widely expected to take Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels is favored to go to Washington at No. 2. What happens after that remains highly uncertain.

Could the Giants move up to select a quarterback such as North Carolina’s Drake Maye? Or will they sit tight and see which elite prospects fall into their lap after the expected run on quarterbacks? Schoen also didn’t dismiss the possibility of trading back to accumulate additional picks.

“You’re going through all the possible scenarios, whether it’s moving up, staying where we are or moving back,” Schoen said Wednesday. “There’s a lot of strategy that’s going into it right now.”

Schoen said he has been staying in touch with general managers around the league and will continue to do so leading up to the start of Thursday’s first round. The pre-draft work helps with making decisions once the clock starts running.

“I told all those people, ‘Nothing’s really going to happen before Thursday, so call back,’” Schoen said. “We’ll have conversations early in the day on, ‘Hey, if we did do something, what would it look like?’ And typically, you have a few deals in place before the draft starts. That way, when you’re on the clock, everything’s been negotiated.”

The Giants own one selection in each of the first six rounds, but are without a seventh-round pick after acquiring linebacker Isaiah Simmons from Arizona last year. Schoen has made trades in each of his first two drafts with the Giants, including moving up to grab cornerback Deonte Banks at No. 24 last year.

However, don’t expect the Giants to slide back significantly on Thursday. Schoen said the team currently has 15 players with first-round grades on their draft board.

“Every year it’s different based on what you’re given,” he said. “You don’t put them there just for posterity or just a visual for window dressing. These are guys that we think deserve first-round grades. If they’re not up there, you put them in the second. You put them where their grade is. We don’t put 32 guys up there to have 32 guys in the first round.

“I think each year the ebbs and flows of where the depth of the draft is and where you can acquire players, it shifts based on different variables.”

The pre-draft work will continue through Wednesday night and up until the clock begins on the No. 1 pick Thursday night. Part of Schoen’s job is sifting through all the “smoke” of various rumors around the league while also keeping his cards close to his vest.

“I’m going to make a lot of phone calls on Thursday,” he said. “Hopefully, some information will start to trickle out in terms of what’s going to happen in front of us so we can continue to headcount who may be there at six, or what we may be doing, if we’re going to move up, back, or stay where we are.

“Just try to gather as much information as I can … talk to the other general managers around the league. If anybody wants to come up to six, get those agreements in place. Things will happen fast once you’re on the clock, so you’ve got to be ready.”

–Field Level Media

Southern California wide receiver Brenden Rice (WO25) and his father, NFL Hall of Fame player Jerry Rice during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

From Rice to Harrison, bloodlines run deep in 2024 NFL Draft

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As payback for an elbow to the Adam’s apple in a game that season, John Lynch nearly threw hands with Terrell Owens poolside in Hawaii before a Pro Bowl more than two decades ago.

Lynch was held back by his wife that day, but the current GM of the San Francisco 49ers might need to be restrained from jumping headlong into a draft class with depth in the gene pool.

Owens’ son is part of the cluster of former pro progeny eager to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The best-known sons of former NFL stars on the draft hopeful list this week are Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. They’re projected to be drafted early in the first round. Harrison is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, perhaps best known as the primary pass-catcher for Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts. Alt was a high school tight end but moved to offensive tackle after training and film study with his dad, John, who happened to be an expert in the field of OT play from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs (1984-96).

Harrison Jr. said he is still fighting to overcome perceptions from peers and opponents that he’s being given something he doesn’t deserve because of his dad. On the flip side, he credits the 2016 Hall of Fame inductee and three-time All-Pro for setting “pure perfection” as the standard to achieve from a very young age.

“The work ethic definitely comes from him,” Harrison said. “To always push myself to be the best player that I can be.”

Lynch, a Hall of Fame safety drafted in 1993, has publicly endorsed the idea of coveting the Jr.’s this week.

Lynch maintains the value of a player’s lineage can be critical in a final draft grade and scouting report.

“I believe in bloodlines,” Lynch said. “I really do. I mean, I think there’s evidence that you should. Then you have to step away from that and you have to evaluate it. And that’s sometimes difficult to do and that’s why (you need) a lot of different eyes, a lot of different perspectives.

“There’s some inherent pressure on who their dad is, but there’s also some good genes and I think that matters. And so, it’s exciting that you have all these great — we’re talking Hall of Fame players and great players and brothers of players and it’s really fun. T.O. was out here at the local pro day and his son Terique performed really well and that was pretty cool. I saw him running at me and I played against T.O. a lot and there was something in that stride that was very familiar. It was something about the gait. And it’s crazy how those things translate. Is that just gene pool? Is that modeling the way they watch their dad run? It’s interesting to me but it’s a fun element to this year’s draft that I think is going to be interesting to watch to see how it unfolds.”

Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, the son of former Panthers and Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, is another potential first-round pick. The elder Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2001 and a two-time All-Pro. Scouts circled his name after the Maryland product ran a 5.18 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the Scouting Combine at 6-4, 320 pounds.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who played in the Super Bowl for Andy Reid in Philadelphia and also had a tour with Washington before returning to Philly. Trotter Sr. was more of a straight-ahead thumper, a run-stuffer from a bygone era, whereas his son was a two-time second-team All-American with the Tigers. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met with Trotter Jr. at the combine and chatted with him again at Clemson’s on-campus pro day.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn’t identify Trotter Jr. by name but said he’ll be fighting emotions not to lean toward “guys with Philly ties, who know what it’s like to play here.”

“I’m biased towards our hometown players. I’m biased towards the people who have legacy with this franchise. So I think that’s hard,” Roseman said.

Beyond Lynch and Owens, there are plenty of 49ers connections in the draft.

Running back Christian McCaffrey’s brother, Luke, is the son of former Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey. A wide receiver from Rice, Luke McCaffrey is projected as a mid-round pick.

Brenden Rice entered the draft early following two seasons at Colorado and last season at Southern California, embracing that “pressure” to live up to his father Jerry Rice’s legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Rice caught 20 total touchdown passes in three years of college football and attended the Senior Bowl in January. He said he’s excited for any opportunity to prove he’s “the total package.”

Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr. was the Most Valuable Player at the Shrine Bowl. Gore Sr. is third all-time in the NFL with exactly 16,000 career rushing yards, ranking ahead of Barry Sanders and behind Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.

“It’s a blessing,” Gore Jr. said of following in his dad’s footsteps. “I have the responsibility to take it further.”

–Field Level Media