May 212 min read

Stage Four

What a thunderous weekend in Detroit for the 2024 installment of the NFL Draft. A straight up extravaganza across three days in the heart of the 313 that saw over 750K (total reported) football fans and Detroit residents gather for good vibes to witness young adults' dreams come true.

It was special to be on ground live for a consecutive draft. Major shoutout to those across the city of Detroit that helped deliver such a remarkable experience for the fans. First responders, workers, and cleaners. Shoutout to them all, cha heard. We saw it all in Detroit. Jared Goff chants as if he was the people's champion, the number one pick be showered in boos worse than the commish, and the Falcons drop millions of people's jaws to the bloody floor. Stage four brought the noise. The draft delivered the goods. Usually I do best draft, worse draft, biggest losers- that kind of thing. Not this go around. It's a heavy blitz on this piece. Engage Eight of the biggest takebacks from the 2024 Draft. Lets roll.

Cardinals cashed in another top-five pick to select a generational wide receiver (possibly). Cardinals fans are feelin' '04 as the birds selected Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. It's just the third time in the history of the Cardinals being in Arizona (1988-) that the team spent a top-five pick on a wide receiver. The last being Larry Fitzgerald in '04, who finished his career as the franchise's all-time best player (no debate..). David Boston was the other; selected in the '99 draft. Boston only lasted four seasons in the Desert, but had an All-Pro season in 2001 to leave with some grace.

Arizona has one of the weakest rosters in the entire league. Getting Harrison Jr. added a needed x-factor worthy skill player that can elevate the offense while making those around him better. The son of the great Hall of Famer is arguably the best offensive prospect in this year's draft; awarding the Cards with a homerun pick. The cat is such a pure receiver; that the awful QB room in Arizona won't destroy his potential. This is the same situation as it was in 2004 with Fitzgerald. Same exact situation. As I feel for Harrison, the cat will be just fine in Arizona. MHJ immediately steps in as the top offensive skill player for Arizona, and has the skill to make a serious impact off the opening tip. The quarterbacks are all projects. Harrison Jr. can make a difference right away. That's the difference in his value compared to the three players drafted ahead of him. I like the pick for Arizona. It was either MHJ or Joe Alt. Harrison will deliver more impact in the grand scheme and is the perfect pillar to build an offense from. Gannon has trust in his experience with developing on the defensive side; he needed a game-changing offensive weapon that can alter a game in quick sequence. Gannon and co. get that in large sample size with MHJ. Welcome to the NFL, Junior.

After an excellent damage control first three stages of the off-season, Chargers placed themselves in a better position above the cap, then used the draft to continue to build for the future while creating good potential for the here and now- an A-grade draft by Hortiz, Harbaugh, and co. Drafting Joe Alt with the 5th selection was a homerun pick to add more protection in front of Herbert. Elite protection at that. We had over a dozen, maybe two dozen (haven't counted), prospects come from Pro-Football sperm in this year's draft... that list being headlined by Harrison Jr. and Alt; I predict those two to have the best production out of this class in their rookie campaigns.

Alt being compared to Joe Thomas is no exaggeration. The cat is legit; I think he will have a lengthy and successful career. Joe will be better than his father (John, 2x Pro-Bowl), no doubt. Starting in LA with Herbert and under Harbaugh is a real-real solid destination for the Notre Dame alum. A perfect pick to get the best offensive lineman prospect to add to Harbaugh and Roman's brute O. Linsley-Alt-Slater is an ultra-solid core to protect Herby and a running-backs room that will have far more importance under the new staff. Chargers drafted five offensive players with their nine selections, getting a pillar on the O-line, as well as bolstering the wideout room, after it took major damage in prior stages.

Chargers sittin' at 37 wasn't going to cut it with how fast and furious the wide-receivers fell off the board; they decided to move up to 33 in order to select Georgia's Ladd McConkey; the 9th receiver taken up to that point. Bolts also drafted USC's Brenden Rice & Harbaugh's former Wolverine, Cornelius Johnson to rebuild the wideout room with McConkey and alongside Joshua Palmer. Rice, the son of the GOAT Jerry Rice, has the potential to be a diamond in the rough in the 7th-round. It comes down to development; wide-receivers coach Sanjay Lal doesn't have an off the wall great resume, but he's got a boat-load of experience. Good enough to bet on the picks possibly being golden. Keep in mind, Jimbo never had a showcase of receivers in his four-year tenure with the 49ers. Michael Crabtree, two past-prime years with Anquan Boldin, and Vernon Davis. Chargers are in solid hands. Just comes down to developing.

I love the defensive picks made. Grabbin' former Michigan linebacker Junior Colson in the third-round is incredible value; gives new DC (former Wolverine DC) Jesse Minter a familiar face- and a cat with major upside. The late-round corner selections are solid too, both have some upside with Cam Hart being a potential diamond in the rough. It's been a real good off-season for the Chargers; the draft was the cherry on top. Time for training camp. Great work by the front office to elevate the staff and find building blocks to help build the 'chise back up atop the AFC West.

Consecutive successful off-seasons has us officially ringing in the new era in Houston. Nick Caserio is on a heater, and the draft was the boiling point. Caserio had the right focus on the Texans' needs and delivered some shiny results. Each selection fits DeMeco's system and has good to strong upside. I really like the Kamari Lassiter (CB) and Calen Bullock (S) picks to help add even more depth to the Texans' secondary. Both cats should develop well under Ryans; I mean that secondary is nice top to bottom. Good cycle of reps in the back-end; which also should give the special teams unit some pieces to play with.

Scooping up former Buckeyes tight-end Cade Stover is another sneaky heater. Stover and Stroud had a solid connection in 2022 for Ohio State; I think Stover can work his way up in camp to be a better number two option at tight-end over Teagan Quitoriano. Blake Fisher can develop into a solid selection out of Notre Dame. Good work all around. They have now brought in Stefon Diggs to duel up with Nico Collins and Tank Dell; added Joe Mixon; resigned Dalton Schultz; and added solid draft pieces. Houston will only improve in 2024-25. Exciting times down in the Lone-Star state... well if you rep the battle red & steel blue.

The league has somehow given Andy Reid another lightning quick speedster with x-factor potential lettin' former Texas wide-out Xavier Worthy fall to 28th overall. Bills get the most blame for being the one to trade KC the pick. How do you make this trade with your arch enemy, that boots you from the playoffs time and time again? Now you give Andy Reid the man who broke the 40-yard dash time (4.21 seconds), also a cat who reminds many of Reid's first superstar speedster, DeSean Jackson. This is bad-bad news for the NFL, cha heard.

Worthy has major potential with Mahomes and Reid. It's a best case scenario for him to have a good career, and a hot one off the start. Chiefs now have a crazy trio of speed and explosiveness in Worthy, Marquise Brown, and Rashee Rice. Now, they may lose Rice with his current legal issue, but nonetheless, that's a flashy trio slashing around Kelce in open field. Moving up to grab Worthy could be even more important with Rice's dark cloud looming. Mahomes is just playin' a game of darts at this point. Easy pickens; and easy play designing for Big Red. Oh league, what have you done. What have you done!?

Reid licks his chops when he has a playmaker like the potential of Xavier Worthy. Big Red elevated DeSean Jackson. He elevated Tyreek Hill. Was solid with Jeremy Maclin. He started to elevate Rashee Rice. Worthy should feast. Like Marvin Harrison, he steps into an immediate top role for the Chiefs offense. Kansas City will need to lower the load off Kelce; they should lean heavy on Worthy early on. More so with Rice possibly out of the picture (hard to tell tbh). I love the pick for the Chiefs and fear the league may have given Andy Reid another stud speedster to unleash havoc on defenses.

From Tar Heel to Patriot; Drake Maye is now in the NFL. Spooky vibes knowing that Maye, who is my top quarterback prospect in this class, joins a sketchy-sketchy situation in Foxborough. Maye's progression comes down to Alex Van Pelt and T.C. McCartney... seriously. Mayo helps with attitude and morale, but the progression will come down to Van Pelt; who has a rocky track record to say the least. His one season with a healthy Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay means nothing; A-Rodg is A-Rodg. The QBs on the track record? Trent Edwards, Josh Freeman, J.P. Losman, Andy Dalton, Baker Mayfield, and Deshaun Watson. The one season with Dalton was the worst season of Dalton's career.

The QB coach having most his experience be off Van Pelt's staff in Cleveland doesn't help Maye's case. This is just a terrible situation; compare this situation to Caleb Williams in Chicago... I mean come on! Maye would have a better rookie season than C.J. Stroud's epic rookie campaign last year if he was drafted number one by the Bears rather than drafted by the Pats. The wide-receiver room for Maye is beyond mid being headlined by Kendrick Bourne and rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. Run game has some potential to help ease some stress, but this is not a pretty situation to step in for a rookie. Not in the slightest. I pray they don't start him right away. I can be ok with starting him after week nine, barring poor progression or an injury to Jacoby Brissett (does Zappe even make the team?). Hopefully Maye can progress well and turn into a diamond for the Patriots. Either that, or the post Tom Brady curse will officially kick-start.

Falcons stun the masses with Penix Jr. selection

Falcons dropped an atom bomb that left pure shock and jaws on the floor when they selected QB Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick. A stunner. Falcons saw a dark lefty with an arm and got a flashback of Mike Vick terrorizing defenses. They just couldn't resist, despite just inking Kirk Cousins to a 4/YR, $180M deal in free agency. I know it's early, but I don't hate the decision. I am assuming they have the same vision as the Packers did in 2005. They are playing the long game with this pick; and it's a damn good play.

No chance Penix Jr. was lasting much longer with the Vikings, Broncos, and potentially Raiders eyeing him before the early teens. Falcons know they have Cousins for the next 3-4 seasons, they loved Penix, and now can develop him the best way possible. The Packer way (see Rodgers and Jordan Love). By letting him sit and progress behind a veteran signal caller for multiple seasons. Look how that panned out for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Same with Jordan Love (much smaller example). You can even look at this from the other side of the coin with Cousins. Compare it to Aaron Rodgers after the Packers drafted Love. Rodgers was PISSED that they spent a first-round pick on his future successor rather than an offensive weapon or defensive piece to help in the then and now. Understandable, no doubt. AR-12 then went on to win back-to-back MVPs. I'm sure the Falcons would love for Cousins to do what Rodgers did.

Penix Jr. will work behind the scenes with OC Zac Robinson and QBs coach T.J. Yates and joins a great culture under Raheem Morris. One that should make a smooth transition when Cousins is out and Penix is in... again ATL is hoping that's in four seasons. It may be a risky move to some, but if you want a QB project to be something special; this is the best way to do it. Don't get it twisted, I don't think this will pan out like Rodgers in Green Bay. Highly doubt it. I don't like the $180Ms to Cousins then telling him you have obvious plans for the future... he won't respond like Rodgers. If anything, it just hurt his long-term potential in the A. Just my opinion there. I also don't like Penix's age with the ideal vision. Four years time and that cat will be 28 (turns 24 in early May). Both Rodgers and Love were 25 when they took over the torch. I question the result, but not the vision!

This year's wide-receiver class is deep! It made some history by tying the 2004 draft class with seven first-round WR selections. The '04 class was headlined by Cardinals-Fitzgerald (3rd overall); the 2024 class headlined by Cardinals-Marvin Harrison Jr (4th overall). Crazy how things work... exactly 20 years later. This class should be far more superior than that '04 class (besides Fitz).

Malik Nabers (6th overall NYG) and Rome Odunze (9th overall CHI) joined Junior in the top ten with the other four of Brian Thomas Jr, Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette falling off the board during the final stretch of the first-round. Off the tip of the brain, I'd say 4/7 cats will have good to elite careers. Legette in Carolina and Pearsall in San Fran will have the most to prove to change my opinion regarding their potential. Top three picks should be solid with MHJ having the potential to be elite. Thomas Jr. and Worthy, now that he is with Reid, should both be solid as well in the big leagues. I really like the landing spot for Thomas, who is shadowed big time by his former LSU teammate, Nabers. Lawrence now has Thomas and Gabe Davis as deep threats who can slice the open field. Thomas has a great ceiling, and is given an opportunity to progress quickly into the number-one option for T-Law.

The depth goes well into Day 2 of the draft as guys like Ladd McConkey (LAC), Javon Baker (NE), Roman Wilson (PIT), Ainias Smith (PHI), Adonai Mitchell (IND), and Malachi Corley (NYJ) are all cats that can have the potential to develop well at the highest level. Keon Coleman (BUF) as well. Not only for what they offer as prospects, but also in regards to their landing spots. Don't sleep on the seventh rounder Brenden Rice in LA. He should be angry, if he has any level of work ethic like his father, then the anger could be dangerous for the doubters. I am confident we see more production across the board among rookie wide-receivers this coming season compared to last year's crop. You have some guys who are skilled enough to make an impact right away, then others with high potential to develop.

Howie Roseman has elevated as a general manager in recent years for Philadelphia. Doing so in all facets of his job description. Working the salary, contracts, trades, roster building, and now even drafting. Roseman has been a notoriously awful drafter since becoming GM in 2010. I'm talkin' awful. Howie hit on about 9 picks out of 80+ prospects his first decade drafting; mind you, the 9 hits had stellar outcomes, such as Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, and the diamond in the rough Jason Kelce, but all in all the cat has been rough. He has turned a gear since 2021.

Eagles draft picks haven't been off the walls productive since '21, outside of DeVonta Smith, Dickerson, and Carter, but they all have a strong ceiling; barring better coaching/developing. Roseman has had a much better eye and sense on talent. That was made known again in this year's draft. He also continues to show improvement in drafting per position. Howie has swung and missed on every defensive back he's drafted (Maddox is ok); he may have flipped the switch, landing two of the best in this year's draft in Quinyon Mitchell (22nd overall) and Cooper DeJean (40th overall). Getting DeJean at 40 is massive value. It's a changing of ways in that Philly war-room.

Roseman hit a homerun snaggin' those two back-to-back; Eagles needed fresh vibes in that secondary and stat. They also needed speed. Speed is what they got. The selections not only help Darius Slay and James Bradberry, but they help the rooks who can now develop under their All-Pro wing... before takin' their spots. DeJean gives new DC Vic Fangio a lot of versatility as he can be moved around in multiple positions (similar to Maddox). I love these picks by Roseman. I have some confidence we might see him finally hit on some defensive backs with those two right there, cha heard.

Now that stage four is closed; we play the summer waiting game for the gridiron to open it's new campaign. Stage five is a breeze, then it's training camp and OTAs. Take your final breath. Enjoy some baseball and summer vibes. Before you blink, it will be football season once again. In closing, just another final shoutout to Detroit for puttin' on the NFL Draft:

Stage Four

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