2024 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 9
I can’t believe we’re this far into the season already. Where did the time go? Anywho… here is the slate we’re going with for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL Draft Stock Report series. On tap, we have Indiana vs. Penn State, Georgia vs. Florida, Oregon vs. Utah, Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, and Colorado vs. UCLA.
As you can tell, not an overwhelming slate of games. It’s hard, man. Especially when UFC, NHL, and NBA all play on the same day. However, just remember the early season notes were like 15-minute reads. If you’re paying attention, you know who we like by now. Before you check out the notes, make sure you’re up to date on the Jacksonville Jaguars odds !
Indiana
I’m not even going to lie. This game put me to sleep. Incredibly boring. Maybe I should rephrase. The game wasn’t terrible. Indiana made it competitive, which is all you can ask. Penn State put me to sleep. We all acknowledge that Indiana isn’t an NFL factory so I’m letting you know that I watched the game and we’ll do a few quick hitters in the PSU section.
Penn State
That game was so ugly. I’ll just leave it at this. Kalen King may as well have been in witness protection. Did you notice him? Did he make one play? Just saying.
Lastly, there is no discussion on this Penn State wide receiver room. KeAndre Lambert-Smith has a shot as one of those smaller speed receivers. Dante Cephus stinks. End of story.
Georgia
I’m just going to say it. Carson Beck is an upgrade over Stetson Bennett. I don’t care what the stats say. He’s bigger, has better accuracy, and just looks like a real quarterback. I genuinely think Beck is pretty good. Not just good. I think he’s easily the best quarterback in the conference and I don’t have to think twice. The accuracy is really good. He’s not putting the ball in harms way. Has quality zip on his ball too. You’re out of your mind if you don’t think this is one of the best quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
No Brock Bowers in this one. Get used to it over the next few weeks. Our prediction, by the way, is off to a decent start. More than that, it speaks volumes that Beck did this, and the loss of Bowers wasn’t really felt.
Nice to see Ladd McConkey get going again. If Renfrow can become Renfrow, I just don’t see why he can’t make it. He’s not just a inside slot guy either. He can juke and run after the catch. Six catches for 135 yards and a score in this one. Curious what he runs but I don’t think he’s slow either.
Those that have been reading these know by know that I’m really starting to buy into Daijun Edwards more and more. The best way I can describe him is as a goofy baseball pitcher. He’s so unique and it never feels like anybody gets a clean shot on him. He’s Taz the Looney Tune in a good way. He’s not slow either. 15 carries for 96 yards and two scores while continuing to separate himself over Kendall Milton.
You guys know I don’t talk much offensive line until the combine. I watch their knees. It is what it is. Give me the Georgie center Sedrick Van Pran. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to watch that offensive line and notice him.
Everyone wants to blow this Penn State corner King. Tell me what makes him better than Kamari Lassiter? Not exactly a burner, burner like Kelee Ringo was but he’s long and all over guys without drawing flags. The guy he was covering was never open. Quality tackler too.
Can I buy Tykee Smith stock? He leads the team with four picks. He plays the ball well. Great in sub packages. Can tackle. Very versatile. I’m a bigger fan every time I see him.
Speaking of defensive backs, Javon Bullard absolutely killed a guy on a tackle. Clean tackle. I love him too for the record. Honestly, this should be the lesson. Georgia has better players than you. It’s not that they have better players. Their 40th best player is better than Florida’s first best player. It’s like that.
I haven’t been quite sure what to make of Dominic Lovett. I think we can go ahead and say that guy can play. Looks like a slot guy with speed that can run after the catch. Transfer from Missouri and it seems like he’s catching on in this offense more and more.
Florida
What do you want me to say? They got killed and the talent Florida has is a few years away. Ricky Pearsall and Montrell Johnson jr. might be late round flier guys. That’s about it.
Oregon
Let me just say this. No, Bo Nix is not on my list. Never will be. I saw enough of him at Auburn to know he’s not a franchise quarterback. However, what I will say is that he looks improved and deserves some credit. It’s not easy putting up 35 points against Utah while being on the road. He can definitely throw now and that wasn’t always the case. Always has athletic traits. Way more refined than before.
Not sure I have much to add on Bucky Irving and Troy Franklin. They continue to ball out. 83 yards and a score for Irving. 99 yards and a score for Franklin. Talked about both plenty in the past.
Utah
I kinda feel bad for Utah. That team is so banged up with multiple important players with season ending injuries. They still fight and battle every week. Credit to them. That’s all there really is to say. This team ran out of gas and it’s obvious.
Ohio State
This offense just hums at a different rate with TreVeyon Henderson back there. Just has a gear you don’t find. I don’t like that he hasn’t been healthy but when he’s on the field there is no question that this is the RB1. Not positive he’s the best hands catcher. Had one drop but still had four receptions and beasted in that area too. Finished the day with 24 carries for 162 yards and a score.
It’s worth mentioning too that this Wisconsin front is respectable and the Ohio State offensive line is way worse than a year ago. Chip Trayanum averaged 2.8 yards per carry.
Yes, I’m going to talk about Marvin Harrison Jr. again. I have to. Six receptions for 123 yards and two scores and Kyle McCord didn’t play well. Emeka Egbuka didn’t play either. Harrison carried the offense. Two things really stood out to me from a skillset standpoint.
A: You can’t overstate enough how big this guy is. Incredibly tall and I’m going to say something that maybe I shouldn’t. In terms of shielding defenders with his body, I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone better not named Randy Moss. Yes, I went there.
B: He runs and makes yards over the middle of the field like his dad did. Except he’s that big. He’s miles better than Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave and I’m being serious. Can’t turn the card in fast enough for this guy.
Wisconsin
Really disappointing performance by Braelon Allen. Had two fumbles right at the beginning of the game that really cost his team. They were essentially out of it after that. Had chances at the goal line before the half and couldn’t punch it in. Dude is 245 and if he can’t score on these goal line attempts, there is only so high you can go on a running back. He also got hurt and missed the second half. Not a great day at all.
Shout out to this cornerback Ricardo Hallman. Dude played a hell of a game. 5-foot-10, redshirt sophomore from Miami. Just had his 5th interception of the year in this one. Came storming off his assignment in zone and made a perfect read on the ball. Also, had an incredible pass deflection against Harrison. Marv did his damage while others guarded him. That was damn impressive.
Colorado
Not sure what you want me to say so I’m just going to put this here and call it a day.
UCLA
Just a few quick hitters for UCLA. Carson Steele looked pretty good running the ball but he also got outcarried by TJ Harden. What does it mean? Who knows.
Laiatu Latu looks pretty good. The Colorado offensive line is trash but he got two sacks in this one. Can’t blame him for dominating the opponent even if the opponent is outmanned.
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