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Rob Rang
NFL Draft Analyst
Correctly predicting the first 32 picks of any NFL draft is effectively impossible at this point in the season, given that a handful of clubs haven’t yet found their head coach and free agency will shake up team needs.
What is already apparent, however, is the talent — or lack thereof — available. The NFL announced last week that 54 underclassmen were added to this year’s player pool, roughly half that of previous years.
The relatively shallow pool will effectively push up the stock of the most gifted players in this class, all but guaranteeing runs of quarterbacks, receivers and offensive linemen in the first round.
Quarterbacks are always a wildcard, but the number and order in which the top defensive linemen are picked among the top 32 will be fascinating, as well. These two groups are bursting with potential — but have enough red flags to keep their stock volatile.
One more thing we know is the selection order — at least through the first 28 selections. The final four spots will be determined by this weekend’s conference title games and the Super Bowl.
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears face a fascinating decision at No. 1. Justin Fields is gifted, gutty and young (24) but is also entering the final year of his rookie deal at just over a $6 million cap hit, a fraction of what he’ll command after next season. Fields has certainly flashed, but his inconsistency as a passer was the primary reason he was the fourth QB drafted in 2021.
GM Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and new OC Shane Waldron will have their pick of the 2024 class and an opportunity to reset the rookie contract at the position, perhaps trading away Fields, but not necessarily so. The Bears specifically cited their disappointment in the passing game January 10, when Eberflus fired five of his coaches.
Williams, while far from a perfect prospect, is simply a more…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-nfl-mock-draft-bears-commanders-vikings-and-bucs-add-first-round-qbs
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Publish date : 2024-01-25 14:21:05
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