2024 NFL Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis for Day 3, Rounds 4-5
- Round 1
- Rounds 2-3
- Rounds 4-5
- Rounds 6-7
Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft is underway. Eric Edholm provides analysis for every player selected in Rounds 4 and 5 below.
NOTE: Only trades agreed to after Day 1 began are reflected below.
ROUND 4
Sanders, still in the development phase, is an intriguing athlete. He hasn’t quite mastered blocking yet, but possesses some unexploited receiving talent. General Manager Dan Morgan and his team taking a gamble on him is commendable as they persist in their search for playmakers.
It was a bit surprising that Franklin went outside the top 100 given his game-changing speed, yet his game is a little one-dimensional right now. He’ll have a chance to regain his mojo in Denver, reuniting with his former college QB, Bo Nix.
It’s funny, if you hadn’t told me Eliot Wolf was running the Patriots’ draft room, I might have just assumed it was business as usual in Foxboro, with Bill Belichick overseeing things. Robinson, like Day 2 picks Ja’Lynn Polk and Caedan Wallace, were semi-value reaches. Robinson is a hard-nosed guard-only who improves the depth up front, but was it a massive need?
DTD was one of the final cuts on my top 100 list, so he lands in about the range I expected. The combine helped shine a light on his athleticism, boosting a player who has three-plus years of starting experience in college. He’s a quick-close safety with a special teams mentality.
Jim Harbaugh continues to strengthen both fronts. Eboigbe’s solid performance in Bama’s Rose Bowl defeat to Harbaugh’s Wolverines makes this selection unsurprising. The Chargers are increasing their resilience by bringing in Eboigbe, provided his health sees an improvement. His breakthrough season was in 2023.
Here, a linebacker of good value is presented, who performs almost all tasks decently and can establish a positive atmosphere in the locker room. Gray is predicted to be an exceptional special-team player at the bare minimum, but he has the potential to become a starter in the future. He demonstrates aggressiveness and instinctiveness.
Johnson opened eyes at the Senior Bowl, being featured more as a receiver there than he often was at Penn State. His long, athletic frame makes him something of a Logan Thomas-like prospect and a good understudy to Darren Waller — if he plays this year.
Jackson, a late bloomer, has attended several schools and will be turning 25 during training camp. Despite this, he possesses an uncommon height for a DB, standing almost 6-foot-4, which makes him a potential matchup piece for Brian Flores’ defense strategy.
The Ducks take over in Round 4. While I haven’t kept up with every decision made by the Falcons this year, I approve of their choice of Dorlus. He has the versatility to play various positions on the D-line and can be effectively utilized by Raheem Morris’ team.
I thought the Patriots would take on two receivers and there were rumors of Baker being chosen on Day 2. I wasn’t entirely impressed with all his footage, but it’s evident that he has a knack for making significant plays. While UCF didn’t entirely exploit his skills, Baker also needs to fine-tune his craft before he can play a prominent role.
As the pre-draft process progressed, I started appreciating Williams more. While he may not excel exceptionally in any specific area, he is remarkably reliable and adept at fulfilling his assignments. He may not emerge as a prominent playmaker, but his ability to hit and his determination to carve out a role for himself cannot be overlooked.
On Day 2, I humorously suggested that the Raiders are conducting a draft that is reminiscent of Al Davis, and Richardson continues this trend. He’s a player with exceptional speed and impressive length, both promising attributes. However, his tendency for touchy coverage and lack of a solid playmaking history slightly diminish his appeal.
This is indeed the ideal draft range for Walker. His Day 2 ability as a robust athlete with speed is evident, though his tape does reveal certain inconsistencies that infer he’ll need to put in significant effort as a rookie to secure an immediate position. He could potentially become a future home run threat.
Foster has significant experience as a left tackle and demonstrated skill as a right tackle at the Senior Bowl. Although not an extraordinary athlete, he possesses good reach, demonstrates patience in pass protection, and can perform effectively and unobtrusively. Initially, he is expected to be a versatile, or swing, tackle.
His draft prospects were slightly hindered by a dubious medical history and his previous season playing in Iowa’s unproductive passing game. However, if All can maintain his health, he possesses the athletic ability and blocking skills necessary to develop into a high-quality TE2.
The Jags have chosen an LSU player for the third time and it’s their fourth SEC player selection. Jefferson, one of three Tigers DTs in this draft, is a force to be reckoned with internally due to his immense strength. However, his deficiency in pass-rush energy may necessitate him to prove his worth as an early-down run-stopper.
I like this pick for Chris Ballard and the Colts. Bortolini handled his own at the Senior Bowl, keeping his cool after a few defensive linemen tried to ruffle his feathers in some intense practice reps. Although he slipped through the cracks a bit, Bortolini has a chance to make it as a backup center and insurance for Ryan Kelly.
Watching Knight’s tape is highly entertaining as he consistently gets 30 to 40 tackles per game. Granted, we might be inflating the numbers a bit, and Knight’s lack of coverage skills likely restrict him to being a two-down player. Nonetheless, he’s an old-school linebacker who can deliver a powerful hit at the point of attack.
The Steelers continue to face challenges. They have made their third OL selection of the weekend, choosing McCormick who presents a strong value after receiving Day 2 evaluations from some teams. He is a physically fit professional with significant experience playing at the FCS level. Despite being projected as a guard-only player, McCormick has the characteristics of a pro with eight years of experience.
The Dolphins love speed, and Wright has plenty of it. He might be able to develop into Raheem Mostert‘s eventual replacement and a good complement to De’Von Achane. Wright has a lot of tread left on his tires but must prove he can exercise better ball security to earn that role.
Despite his longer frame and less girth, which could limit his effectiveness as a blocker in the NFL compared to college, he is a cunningly good athlete. Barner’s selection carries potential upside as his receiving skills were never fully showcased at Michigan or Indiana.
The Australian rugby-style punter greatly contributed to Iowa’s many victories through his strategic kicking and knack for placing opponents in disadvantageous positions. He also performs well in adverse weather conditions, which is suitable for a team like Chicago. However, considering their limited picks this year, was this the most valuable choice for the Bears?
There isn’t a lot of true TE upside remaining at this phase of the draft, but the Texans might have a solid receiving threat in Stover. He’s not going to mow people over as a blocker, but Stover is a smooth mover who can give C.J. Stroud another outlet in the passing game.
Mustapha is a solid choice in this context due to his strong values. Despite his pro-day 40-yard dash time being 4.54 seconds, he generally plays at a faster pace, particularly when defending the run. While he’s not the best in terms of making plays, he does have the potential to be a valuable defender and contribute significantly to special teams.
Bucky to the Bucs keeps the run on Ducks going. He’s not terribly fast but can get up to max speed quickly and might end up as a decent complement to Rachaad White, even if they do similar things well.
The University of British Columbia has its first-ever NFL draft pick. Manu is an exciting developmental OT prospect with a huge build (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) that makes him a worthwhile project for Lions OL coach Hank Fraley. However, we anticipate Manu to have a redshirt year for his first year.
Shipley was one of my favorite prospects outside of my top 100. He is an underrated athlete who runs with a competitive spirit and looks like a fine third option behind Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell.
Davis has overcome a lot to reach this level, and though he lacks long speed, he can be a Zack Moss-like player for the Bills. Davis’ vision and wicked spin move have left a few defenders in a blender.
Guerendo was underused for years at Wisconsin, beset by injuries and playing behind good talent there. Playing last year at Louisville allowed him to showcase his speed, and Guerendo could carve out a role as a specialist in San Fran, even if there aren’t many touches to go around. Kickoffs could be his meal ticket with the NFL’s rule changes on those plays.
The decline of Tampa is somewhat unexpected, given his reach and aptitude in coverage to be an effective man corner. Although somewhat unrefined due to his shift from receiver, he could greatly exceed expectations based on his draft position. The Ravens are known for capitalizing on such overlooked players.
Wiley sneaked into the back end of my final top 100 list, featuring a pro-ready body, undersold receiving skills and blocking chops. This is a fantastic pick for the Chiefs, who are nearing the day when they have to think about life after Travis Kelce.
The Lions have Vaki down as a running back, despite him also practicing as a safety at the NFL Scouting Combine and performing in both roles the previous year for the Utes. Vaki’s adaptability and all-in attitude will impress Detroit, but his optimal opportunity may lie in becoming a crucial special-teamer.
The Chiefs are on the verge of captivating my affections with their progressively impressive draft picks. In my perspective, Hicks was a Day 2 candidate, with the potential to significantly bolster the Kansas City secondary, although he could benefit from a little extra refinement. Nevertheless, I’m thoroughly impressed by the excellent value they’re getting here.
Allen is a big, fast back who might vault to RB2 behind Breece Hall eventually. There was some talk about Allen possibly landing in Round 3, so the value appears good. He’s a straight-line runner but one who brings juice and force to the position.
There’s a similar receiver in San Francisco in Ronnie Bell, but Cowing might be able to carve out a role as an undersized playmaker. He was consistent at Arizona, improving with each season, but his smaller frame could limit Cowing’s upside.
ROUND 5
Pritchett exhibits exceptional running ability and possesses the necessary length to be tested as an outside corner. His physical development is still in progress, with insufficient strength to ward off blockers and contribute significantly in the run game. However, his speed is captivating.
I first watched Still’s tape against Michigan, where he performed impressively. Jim Harbaugh clearly shared this opinion, although Still’s absence of elite speed or size might make him better suited for the position of a nickel, particularly when kicking inside. Coincidentally, the game happened to be against Michigan.
Thomas never quite reached the enormous expectations levied on him in college, nagged by consistent injuries, but he has the reactive athleticism and pass-rush potential to be an interesting project in Arizona.
If Magee gets solid protection up front, he can excel and make plays due to his vibrant style. However, his slight build and insufficient take-on strength could restrict him to roles in passing-down and special teams.
The Chargers are employing two tall defensive backs to counter the AFC West’s key players. Hart boasts a robust athletic profile and possesses the ideal qualities to excel as a special teams coverage standout.
He is a robust and resilient competitor with substantial anchor strength and three years of starting experience for a powerful SEC team. However, his limited athleticism and smaller physique might confine him to be projected as a center only, despite SVP’s abilities.
The Colts’ search for playmaking potential continues. Gould is a home run threat who plays about as fast as any receiver not named Xavier Worthy in this class. He also brings punt-return ability.
Despite being an Atlanta native with a history of injuries and less than ideal height, Bertrand is every coach’s dream. His instinctive, tough nature and diligent work ethic make him an exceptional player.
Right when we thought the Bears were done with the draft, they pull us back in. Chicago traded back in (for a 2025 fourth-rounder) to nab a fascinating pass-rush project in Booker, who caught my eye at the Senior Bowl. He has scant experience but possesses the juice to surprise, even if he needs a year in the weight room.
Earlier than this, I already had KAD performing well, despite his limitations in handling larger receivers due to his lack of size and length. Denver is getting an exceptional deal, as Abrams-Draine’s knack for playmaking could allow him to clinch the nickel position early on. Could he be the next Chris Harris?
Run, nickel corner! Despite lacking size and speed, Brownlee is ready to face any challenge in coverage. He makes up for these deficits with his vast experience, keen understanding of coverage, and unwavering concentration.
During his tenure in New Orleans, Sean Payton worked with larger backs like Tim Hightower and Chris Ivory, and Estimé fits into this category. Currently, he’s a two-down force capable of wearing down defenses. Despite his lack of exceptional speed, his potential to eventually become a starter should not be underestimated.
Eichenberg is an instinctive, throwback linebacker who may lack exceptional speed but possesses the potential to become a tone-setter on defense. However, his coverage ability may have its limitations.
Despite being more favored among draft media circles than NFL scouts, Newton still has the ability to make crucial plays, has experience in various positions in the secondary, and is a high-level competitor. However, he does not possess exceptional speed, strength, and size.
This is a more significant drop for Rattler than I anticipated, notably after the first 12 picks were dominated by six quarterbacks. Rattler is a fascinating prospect with traits that could remind older Saints fans of Aaron Brooks, both positively and negatively. This pick is undoubtedly valuable.
Take note of the position – Carlies served as a safety for the Tigers for three years. However, his pre-draft test, where he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at nearly 230 pounds, had scouts re-evaluating if a transition to linebacker was feasible. The Colts certainly believe so, and it’s possible that playing nearer to the ball could assist Carlies in evading some of the poor angles he encountered from deep safety positions.
Smith, a versatile player for the Aggies, handled the ball in various ways and may initially have to earn his place on the team through special teams. His petite stature may constrain his potential, but Smith is a competitive and valuable player.
Prince’s speed offers him an opportunity, whether as a corner or on special teams, though his slim, shorter physique may pose challenges. He has been a dependable team member for the Rebels in the previous several seasons.
Jackson’s unbridled energy, sturdy build, and pass-rush skills make him a quintessential Rams rusher. Despite experiencing unfortunate injuries over the years and having to take the long road, he has persevered.
Last year, we had the feel-good story of Deuce Vaughn getting the chance to go to work with dad. This year, the division has delivered again on Day 3, with a second generation of Trotter landing in Philly. The younger Trotter has the hitting ability and intensity to make it, and not just as a legacy pick.
Thrash’s single season at Louisville had its challenges, including injuries and dropped passes. However, his performance at the Senior Bowl, where he displayed natural ability and short-area quickness, bolstered his cause. He is likely to become a slot receiver.
Smith-Wade made a strong impression at the Senior Bowl, frequently being present near the ball and interfering with passes. His height likely limits him to the nickel position on defense, but there’s room for growth if CSW can develop.
The final player in my last top 100 list, Kamara will have to make it in spite of his poor length, but his hell-on-wheels style and ball-hunting ability make him a fun guy to root for. Watch the Colorado game for a sneak peek of how disruptive he can be.
The roster of centers eligible for drafting is rapidly depleting. Nourzad, who will turn 25 this autumn, may not stand out athletically and has a history of injuries. However, he compensates with intelligence, resilience, and sufficient length, making him a capable backup for three positions in the interior.
In recent years, Buffalo has taken some interesting shots on linebackers in Rounds 3-7, and Ulofoshio continues that trend. He was one of the final players in my top 100 prospect list with his excellent speed, intense style and special teams experience, even if injuries have clouded his projection.
Hampton’s journey to success with the Huskies was lengthier, but he evolved into a proficient hitter with experience in multiple positions. While scouts speculated about his potential position in NFL defense, he undeniably brings valuable special teams experience to the league.
I need to make some inquiries to understand why Jones dropped from being a potential Day 2 player to slipping into Round 5. Jones doesn’t stand out in any particular aspect, but he has experience playing both offensive tackle positions and initially fits the profile of a swing tackle. His performance during Senior Bowl week was subtly solid.
Over five seasons with the Blue Devils, Monk played center, guard, and tackle. However, he is likely to be projected as a center in the NFL. He possesses above-average athleticism, intelligence, and competitiveness within a smaller frame.
Given his significant lack of size and bulk, Simpson is likely to be tested as a nickel corner. His future is uncertain due to injuries, but his excellent athleticism and versatility are advantageous.
This is a genuine anecdote: While watching Ali at the Senior Bowl, I was chatting with a friend and made a comment along the lines of, “He seems like the kind of player the Ravens might snag on the third day.” It’s obvious we’re in some kind of simulation. Ali took a hiatus from football, which resulted in scouts taking a deeper interest in him. He also has a bicep injury that will sideline him until the summer. However, he did manage to maintain an average of over 5.0 yards per rush for three consecutive seasons at Marshall.
A converted wideout, Tracy shifted to the backfield last year and did well with the opportunity, averaging a stout 6.3 yards per carry. If Malachi Corley is the Deebo Samuel Lite of this class, then Tracy is sort of the Corley Lite. I expect Tracy to be used extensively as a receiver out of the backfield.
The Jaguars have added three straight backs off the board, likely in response to their need for more running back depth. Robinson, with his exceptional speed, is a welcome addition to Jacksonville. Despite being in a packed backfield in Texas, Robinson had to fight for every offensive opportunity, managing 156 total touches over 45 career games. He’s likely to make his mark as a specialist in gadget plays, or as a gunner or jammer in special teams.
In recent years, Solomon has proven to be an exceptionally effective rusher, despite his unconventional physical stature. Standing at just 6-foot-1 and weighing 247 pounds, he is considered short and undersized. However, his nearly 34-inch arms and large hands provide him with additional reach. This extra length, coupled with his quick acceleration and relentless energy, assists Solomon in reaching the quarterback. He is undoubtedly an intriguing subject to study.
Oladapo is a well-balanced athlete, boasting excellent length and sufficient athleticism, which enables him to be tested as a safety or even as a zone corner. Despite being slightly older, his readiness to tackle allows him to excel in various positions.
Means possesses the speed necessary to make an impact on the WR depth chart in New Orleans and is a suitable match for the Saints’ strategy. His large, dependable hands can challenge a defense at deep ranges, despite never being a principal target during his three college stints.
Someone check on Aaron Rodgers! All kidding aside, this feels like an excellent landing spot for Travis, with Zach Wilson shipped to Denver and Rodgers perhaps a year or two from retirement. Travis made steady strides as a passer and leader over his five college seasons, taking care of the ball, threatening defenses with his legs and displaying the competitiveness and creativity to give him a shot.
The depth of talent in Michigan’s offensive line led to Keegan frequently switching between left tackle and left guard positions. While he may not possess exceptional abilities as an NFL prospect, his toughness, football intelligence, and competitiveness could potentially secure him a role as a seventh lineman during games.
A consistent producer at the FCS level, Davis reminded me of Tyler Allgeier a bit as a prospect. Davis also showed up against a very good Iowa defense, with 80-plus yards from scrimmage. But did the Jets need another big back? They’re pretty loaded with Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen and now Davis. I like the player, but the redundancy is confusing.
I assumed Carson would have been chosen earlier due to the drop-off at the corner, but I suppose concerns about his size and durability pushed him back a bit. While not a top-tier playmaker, Carson could certainly compete for a place on the nickel and special teams.
Ford is a robust player with a consistent play speed, excelling in instincts and tape study. It remains to be seen if his athleticism is sufficient to evolve beyond being a two-down defender.
Stiggers, who never played college football, took an unconventional path from the CFL to the NFL draft. Despite being a clear project, his unique talent was evident through his ballhawking skills during his one-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts.
