2024 NFL Draft: Week 14 Buzz and Teams That Could Look to Trade out of 1st-Round Pick
While the first round of the NFL draft consists of 32 draft picks, not all prospects drafted in the opening frame are considered elite talents. Typically, teams grade somewhere between 15-20 individuals as a legitimate first-round prospects.
Among the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s initial top-100 board for the 2024 class, 18 prospects currently hold a grade equivalent to a true first-round pick.
But not every prospect will be viewed similarly across 32 draft rooms.
“Everybody’s board is different, everybody has different rosters and different needs, they’re looking for different things,” Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters after drafting running back Jahmyr Gibbs with this year’s 12th overall selection.
Holmes’ point is important to understand that value for each team is not viewed in the same manner. In this particular instance, some organizations prefer to trade down and acquire extra assets to get more bites at the apple without potentially losing anything in quality.
Again looking at the B/R draft board, prospects 19 through 96 carry solid Day 2 grades. That’s quite a lot of depth. Multiple general managers toward the back end of the first round could and should seriously entertain the idea of trading back and gaining more assets.
Who are they? We’ll take a look at five scenarios while B/R’s quartet of scouts—Brandon Thorn, Cory Giddings, Derrik Klassen and Matt Holder—provide extra insight into this week’s trending lists regarding performance during college football’s championship weekend.
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1. CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Among the last two draft classes, the Michigan Wolverines placed Daxton Hill and DJ Turner II among the opening two rounds. Both defensive backs fell on the smallish side, but the versatility they brought to a backfield helped override that potential concern.
Mike Sainristil fits the same mold, and he’s thrived as a playmaker in the Wolverines defense.
The 5’10”, 182-pound corner is an ideal nickel defender because of all the different things he can do. Over the last two seasons, the first-team All-Big Ten performer accumulated 88 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five interceptions, 18 defended passes and two forced fumbles. He has no fear playing through traffic or around bigger bodies.
“Sainristil is a versatile cornerback who plays mostly out of the slot but has shown the abillity to play out wide,” Giddings said. “He’s a quick-twitch athlete who has excelled in both the pass and run game. He does a good job of breaking on the ball in the air, with ball skills to capitalize. On occasion he has shown to face-guard downfield, which can open him up to penalties.
“His lack of length and size can show up in both the pass and run game, where bigger receivers can shield him.
“When defending the run, he does a great job of reacting to what he sees. He triggers quickly and closes ground, showing good physicality and the willingness to tackle. His versatility will give him exceptional value at the next level.”
2. DL Byron Murphy II, Texas
Fellow Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat may have bragging rights this week after catching a touchdown pass in the Big 12 Championship Game. But Byron Murphy II deserves credit for a top-notch defensive performance in which he continually worked his way up field, destroyed blocking schemes and disrupted the Oklahoma State offense.
“Murphy has been a big riser all year since he’s become a full-time starter and really stepped up as a pass-rusher,” Holder said. “The latter was on display during the conference championship since he logged a handful of pressures. Murphy displays a nice swim move that should translate well to the next level. He’s also hard to move with one-on-one blocks at the point of attack.
“The 6’1″, 308-pound underclassman presents enough potential to be a well-rounded player at the next level if he gets more consistent with pad level and leg drive.”
3. RB Kimani Vidal, Troy
When a player sets an NCAA record during a conference championship game, his name should probably be mentioned.
In the case of this year’s Sun Belt Championship, Troy’s Kimani Vidal became the first player in FBS history to run for five touchdowns in a conference championship, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year contributed 233 rushing yards. He ranks second nationally with 1,582 yards.
“Vidal is not your everyday running back prospect,” Klassen said. “At 5’8” and 215 pounds, the two-time first-team All-Sun Belt performer is built like a little human bowling ball. Vidal’s sturdy build, paired with some nifty footwork and an explosive lower half, makes for a runner who is difficult to bring down in the open field. Arm tackles and ankle-biting attempts won’t cut it.
“Vidal’s height and lack of long speed likely limits him from becoming a lead back in the NFL, but he has played himself into being a fun Day 3 selection.”
4. WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
It’s easy to overlook wide receiver Jalen McMillan in an explosive offense that also features Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, both of whom are potential first-round prospects.
But McMillan showed up when his teammates needed him the most, with a game-high 131 receiving yards in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
“Welcome back, Jalen McMillan,” Klassen said. “After missing a good chunk of the season with a knee injury, McMillan returned just in time to torch the Oregon Ducks.
“A wiry guy at 6’1″ and 192 pounds, McMillan wins with quickness and flexibility. He’s a smooth, agile player who weaves through his routes and in between defenders with relative ease. When those traits are coupled with strong hands, the Huskies benefit from an exceptionally reliable player with just enough juice to be a problem with the ball in his hands.”
5. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
No collegiate cornerback showed better ball skills than Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell over the last two seasons. A year ago, he snagged five interceptions and led the nation in passes defended (25). This season, the 6’0″, 196-pound defender ranks second with 18 pass breakups.
His ability to make a play on the ball will be highly valued throughout the league.
“The two-time first-team All-MAC performer is a strong player with good physical stature and high upside,” Giddings said. “Mitchell is a little raw with his technique, but he has the skills to be a man and zone defender at the next level.
“Obviously, he’s a highly instinctive player with very good route recognition and vision, with quick feet to get out of breaks. But he can clean up footwork that leads to too much separation at times.
“Mitchell is not simply a coverage defender, either. He displays good physicality when taking on blocks and tackling.”
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1. QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
Since throwing for 394 yards during the 2022 American Athletic Championship Game, quarterback Michael Pratt hasn’t broken the 300-yard barrier once.
Against top competition during the Cotton Bowl followed by this year’s AAC championship contest, the senior completed 54.7 percent of his passes. He was under constant duress against the SMU Mustangs but made two bad passes by underthrowing one deep pass, which wasn’t intercepted, and leaving the ball inside on an out-breaking route, which was picked.
“Pratt fell flat in the conference championship against SMU,” Klassen said. “The quarterback was under pressure all day (seven sacks), but he rarely had an answer for any of it. He struggled to escape the pocket or beat pressure with quick throws. That’s somewhat surprising considering Pratt had been a capable scrambler and creator all season. In fact, Pratt’s toughness and adequate athleticism are some of his best traits, alongside a willingness to make tough throws into traffic.”
2. NT Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Anytime a 320-pound nose tackle is decleated, it’s an impressive feat. But a performance is about more than one play. In the case of Georgia’s Nazir Stackhouse, the Alabama Crimson Tide delivered a serious message by how they dominated along the interior throughout the entire SEC Championship Game.
Stackhouse failed in his primary job to hold the point of attack, while the Crimson Tide owned the the line of scrimmage.
“Run defense is Stackhouse’s calling card,” Holder said. “However, he was getting bullied by Alabama’s offensive line. While one game doesn’t erase his entire body of work, underperforming against the top competition he’s faced will weigh on scouts’ minds and cause him to slide down draft boards, especially since Stackhouse offers little to nothing as a pass-rusher.”
3. OT LaDarius Henderson, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines consistently feature one of the nation’s best offensive lines. In fact, the unit won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards.
However, individuals can be exposed against superior athletes when pulled out of their traditional offense. As an example, left tackle LaDarius Henderson struggled to get quality depth and establish any kind of quality pass set against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game.
“After transferring from Arizona State prior to the season, Henderson took over at left tackle for the Wolverines and made eight starts after splitting time between left guard (19 starts) and left tackle (10) during his time in the desert,” Thorn said. “Henderson has been shaky in pass protection for the Wolverines. Thanks to their run-heavy approach, he’s been functional despite inconsistent technique while being serviceable as a run-blocker.
“Henderson is an older prospect (graduate student) with below-average athletic ability who will need to fight for a job inside as an NFL guard where his experien
