2024 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 0
We’re so back. It’s never too early to talk about the NFL Draft. The Week 0 slate is never great, but who cares? College Football is back, and we’ll chat about everything it means heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
The slate today includes Navy vs. Notre Dame and Ohio vs. San Diego State. I wish I could talk about the USC game but who the hell has the Pac-12 Network? Don’t worry, I promise I’ll still bring my A game despite the weak slate.
Consider this my preseason post. We won’t take too long here today.
Notre Dame totally pummeled Navy 42-3. I turned the game off midway through the third quarter. Notre Dame started sitting their starters so there really wasn’t much you were going to get from this game.
Notre Dame
Audric Estime had a big game for Notre Dame (16 for 95 and a score). I would caution you to not take it seriously. He’s got decent size to him (5-11, 227). Also… had a terrible fumble that luckily went out of bounds. Had a fumbling problem last year too. There was no gap when the backup running back was in the game. Notre Dame just dominated both lines of scrimmage.
This is someone who can run straight line but has absolutely no short area juice to him. He kinda looks like a fullback that has to become the starting running back because they have no one else. He is this year’s version of Chris Rodriguez and if that excited you, knock yourself out. Wouldn’t even put a draftable grade on Estime. He’s not even as good as Kyren Williams.
I’m not sure how much you can take away from this game when it comes to Sam Hartman. However, I’ll just let you know that I like him. Hartman was featured in this series several times last year. Notre Dame is going to be sitting pretty at the quarterback spot this year.
In terms of an NFL projection, I’ve compared him to Derek Carr in the past. The guy is just a professional quarterback. Really good at those lollipop throws putting the ball in the bucket. On the older side (24) but he has the potential to work in the league as a pure dropback passer.
This game was a walk in the park for Hartman. Didn’t face a lick of adversity. Didn’t learn anything we didn’t know already. He’s going to have a good year.
Marist Liufau is a name that we might want to pay attention to moving forward. Liufau played with his hair on fire. Just looks like a modern linebacker with range. Forced a fumble in the game that wasn’t recovered. Former four star guy from Hawaii. Looks like the best linebacker on the team. Can bend and drop in coverage. The other two look way more stiff.
Ohio
Yes, we’re here for Kurtis Rourke. Yes, Ohio has a quarterback that found their way on the way too early NFL Draft rankings too. Who knows how many more looks I’m going to get at Ohio this year so Week 0 is the perfect opportunity to get another look at Rourke. The last time I tried to watch Rourke, this happened and his season ended.
The size stands out (6-foot-5). Definitely not a small guy. Still wanted to see how he moved after the knee injury. I’d say that concern *might* be a question. Still has a brace on his knee and didn’t totally drive the ball off the back foot. Back leg (the one that got hurt) comes off the ground pretty quickly upon release.
With that said, when everything is right he can deliver the ball on time and on point. Very calm and poised. Not a panicked. Just a chain mover. Executes the play and the ball comes out quickly. Can throw the ball on the move too. Not a superstar athlete but can move within the pocket.
I’m starting to think I’ve somehow cursed Rourke like my rookie picks in fantasy. Every time I’ve watched him he’s gotten hurt. Start of the second quarter, Rourke took a hit and left the game.
At the end of the day, nothing to complain about from what we saw. The Ohio QB finished the game 8/10 for 75 yards. Just wish we could have seen more. Let’s hope the new injury isn’t serious.
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