Category: 2024 Player Profiles

STRENGTHS
JaTavion is an excellent pass-catching Flex/Tight End but if you watch the film you realize he is much more than that because this kid can block. He can block in space and be used as an in-line blocker. He can be used as a move receiver or line-up in the slot because of his athletic talent to adjust to the ball in the air and make the difficult catch. JaTavion is physical and has excellent run-after-the-catch skills using a straight arm to keep tackles away from his legs. He has the speed to stretch the defense and is a mismatch when lined up in the slot. JaTavion plays bigger than his size and runs faster and quicker than he has been timed at. He has the skill set you look for in a Flex/TE and the blocking skills of an H/back. Looking at his film he seems to play with the passion to catch the ball and be counted on to make the impact play when it is needed.

CONCERNS
On film, he played and looked like he was about 6’ 5” weighed about 245 or 250 lbs, and ran in the 4.5 range. At the combine, he came in a 6’ 4” 245 LBS and ran a 4.69. I know that is not much different but it just seemed like it was. Very Strange. JaTavion will have to get better running routes and getting open in the red zone and become more of a TD threat. Of course, this could be a QB to TE play-calling issue, and not really an issue for JaTavion.

BOTTOM LINE: 2.33
JaTavion is the same size speed and athletic talent as Buffalo Bills Flex/TE Dalton Kincaid. The difference is production JaTavion has 45 Rec- 682 yds – 2 TD’s…. Dalton – 70 Rec – 890yds – 8TD’s. In fact, Dalton had 8 TD’s the year before off of only 36 Rec – 510 yards. You have to ask yourself… then what is the big difference between the same size and athletic talent players? Well let me tell you, it’s not because one player is Black and the other player is White. It’s in the impact production. I’m not a big stat kind of guy, because stats tell a story, but they don’t tell the whole story. Nevertheless, in this case, the story is in the Touch Downs numbers. The rest of the numbers could be different because of play calling, quality of talent on the team, play at the QB position, or just offensive play calling. But scoring touchdowns, that’s all about trust, and recognition between the QB, the TE getting open, and the coach calling the plays. I think if JaTavion can establish that bond of TE, QB, OC, the same way Dalton did, and is in the process of doing, then JaTavion can become just as productive and impacting a Tight End as any who has ever played in the game. That’s why I always tell you, it takes more than talent to play in the NFL

 

STRENGTHS
Tip reminds me a lot of former Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten. He is a 6’5” 270 lbs, in NFL football shape, blocking Tight End. He also is an excellent blocking Tight End in space, with the hands to catch anything thrown to him at any place on the field. His combine numbers are equal to both Jason and Rob Gronkowski but Tip, is bigger, just as fast, quick, and as athletic. Tip has good feet and excellent balance and is one of the best technique blockers among the Tight Ends and Offensive linemen in this draft. Tip’s lack of offensive production in the passing game is related to the fact that he is such an excellent blocker but trust me, the talent to impact is there, and just waiting to be used. Tip shows leadership skills through his play on the field and he is my sleeper Tight End pick in this underrated and talented group of Tight Ends in this draft.

CONCERNS
Tip’s is being considered by most, as just a blocking Tight End because that’s how his college team used him. I don’t blame teams for thinking he can only block with stats like 19 rec – 203 yds – 3 TD’s.

BOTTOM LINE: 2.42
I watch game films. I’m watching Illinois defense and suddenly on offense, I start to see Tip and how well he is blocking. It was impressive. I’m thinking Tip looks about 250 lbs and very athletic so I take note and then forget about him. I’m watching the combine and because of his name (Tip), I see he is 270 lbs and in great shape, and once again I make note of it. Then once again because of his name (Tip), he runs the gauntlet and I see a fluid, athletic player with great hands, and once again…I take note. So, I go back to the film…wondering about Tip. I see him blocking once again, and I’m so impressed with his blocking, I’m thinking what the Hell, Tip is a late-round pick just based on his ability to block. Then, I look at his production and I say to myself, it’s a good thing this kid can block. But then I get this nagging in my head saying wait, he showed up as too could an athlete to not be part of the passing game so I go to some highlights. I thought the highlights would just be more blocking but no, I saw a smooth, quick, fast, burst after the catch, a player catching balls with ease and making yardage, and that’s when it dawned on me that Tip’s ability to be such a good blocker has affected this team and coach’s ability to use him in the passing game, and that was a big mistake by this coaching staff. Even his teammates were smart enough to realize that Tip was giving up being a focal point of the offense and voted him captain. Tip knows this and that’s why he is coming out early. After all, he is smart and doesn’t want to stay in a program that doesn’t recognize and use all of his talents. Tip will not be selected early in this draft because he’s been labeled as just, a blocking Tight End but he is so much more than that. Think Jason Witten.

STRENGTHS
Tyler has the size and length teams are looking for in their Defensive Backs. He shows on film, an excellent burst to the play with the hands to make the interception. He is very smart with excellent instincts and has excellent pre-snap read intelligence. Tyler has the leadership skills and high football IQ to be a coach on the field and that’s the most important skill you can have to be a safety in the NFL. Tyler understands zone coverages and spacing and the intricacies at this point of his career, better than half the coaches at the college level. He is a solid tackler and can be an intimidating tackler and will come up and support the run quickly because of his ability to read offenses. Tyler’s size and length gives him the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and with his burst to the ball and instincts these athletic talents are what allow Tyler to be a defensive playmaker.

CONCERNS
Tyler has the agility, athletic talent, and natural size and length to be used in the slot to cover those pass-catching Tight Ends and bigger slot receivers. That being said, Tyler hasn’t been used very much in that way and has to learn better cover techniques to be effective as a cover safety.

BOTTOM LINE: 1.84
Tyler should be an excellent safety for the team that selects him and that’s it in a nutshell. He does have some limitations but not selecting him because of those limitations makes no sense to me. Tyler mentally, loves the challenge and the chess game of playing against the quarterback and play caller. Just to cover a player is boring to him and that’s why he struggles to be as good in that style of defense. It has nothing to do with his talent because I believe if you put him at cornerback, on the outside, in single coverage, that he would be fine. But playing safety is mentally, a challenge for Tyler and this is what he craves. Athletically, Tyler can play more than one position but safety is his home. As far as Tyler’s cover skills are concerned…they are there to be used, you just have to put him in a defense that requires him to use those skills. Move him around your defense and let him use all of his talents and let him be your coach on the field, you won’t regret it.

 

STRENGTHS
Bralen is a smart, solid, consistent, defensive edge player with good athletic talent. He shows leadership skills through his consistent play on the field and knowledge of a defensive game plan. You can count on Bralen to do his job on the field very much like former Buffalo Bills linebacker Darryl Talley. Bralen gives effort on every play and makes plays because of that effort. He has the talent needed to be a solid player but what Bralen brings to the next level is his high football IQ to be a coach on the field and a leader off the field.

CONCERNS
Bralen just doesn’t have that explosiveness off the snap of the ball needed to create his own sacks. That being said, Braylon does have the consistent effort and if you make a mistake blocking him, he will make you pay.

BOTTOM LINE: 3.25
Those of you who are new to the draft and do not follow teams other than your favorite team will have to look up Darryl Talley. Daryl was a fan favorite/core player for the Bills in their Super Bowl years. Every player on the defense respected and listened to Daryl because of his knowledge and consistent play. He played with effort on every down and he made plays because of that effort. He backed up Bruce Smith and Darryl’s consistent play allowed Bruce to free-lance at times with the confidence that Darryl had his back. Braylen plays the game very much in that same style and every team needs a Braylen Trice or a Daryl Talley to be successful. It’s just that simple.

STRENGTHS
Jayden is a smart, athletic multi–position player in a team’s defensive backfield. He has good overall speed and those long arms and legs that make it easy to cover off the snap of the ball. He can play up near the line of scrimmage or in a 2 deep cover because he is quick to come up and support the run. Jaden has the mental toughness you like to see in a safety, along with the high football IQ and leadership skills needed, to be a potential top safety in the NFL. He has the length and size to cover big slot receivers and pass-catching Tight Ends. Jaden has the talent to impact quickly for the team that selects him in the right defensive system.

CONCERNS
Jaden will have to learn better coverage techniques and become a surer tackler. He will also have to keep his arms extended to get off blocks quicker and make tackles that he is missing now. I do not doubt that Jaden will improve in these areas of concern and when he does he will become an excellent starting safety.

BOTTOM LINE: 3.92
Jaden has a lot of bad habits and is effective at the college level because of his high football IQ, effort on every play, and leadership. He needs to fine-tune his overall game in general and pay more attention to the physical details too. It’s a lot of small issues that when rolled up into one become bigger issues. For example, He looks into the backfield too early and long when in single coverage. He has to learn to drop his head and run with the receiver and read the receiver’s hands better. Against the run, he collapses his arms allowing blockers to get into his body too much. In zone coverages, he is too quick to react to play action and can get fooled, and doesn’t have the recovery speed to cover up. Jaden has to learn to trust his pre-snap read and get himself in better position instead of getting his teammates set first. It’s little issues that are big for him because he does lack the speed and quickness that others have. Jaden reminds me a lot of former Buffalo Bills Safety Jordan Poyer. Jordan wasn’t selected until the 7th Rd in the 2013 Draft. I’m not sure what round Jaden is likely to be selected in but I am convinced he has the potential to be a starting safety and impact.

STRENGTHS
Cooper is the best pure guard in this draft. He has the size and foot speed to be used in any style of offensive line-blocking scheme. He shows on film, enough lateral agility to play more than one position on the offensive line. Cooper shows leadership skills through his play on the field. He is a confident player and always alert to making a block and sliding to help out his teammates. Cooper does an excellent job going to the second level and making blocks. He can be used on screens and sweeps because of his agility and high football IQ to pick up his block when he is on the move. He has played left and right tackle early in his college career but for the next level, left guard will be his impact position.

CONCERNS
I would give Cooper a 1st round grade if he could play center but to my knowledge, he has never played the position. It’s a personal issue with me, I like my guards to be able to play center and my centers to be able to play guard. You would be surprised how many cannot play both. I’ll nitpick here a little bit when run blocking, Cooper does forget (at times) to continue to move his feet once engaged and drive his player off the line. I got to nit-pick at something…

BOTTOM LINE: 2.08
If Copper can make all the snaps and still get out of his stance quickly with a 335 LB behemoth over his head, then Cooper becomes one of the most valuable and talented offensive linemen in this draft. Right now, he is a pure guard, a plug-and-play guard, a forget about drafting his position for the next ten years, guard. Cooper is THE safest pick in this draft. By all means, feel free to select him in the first round. If you work him out at center, and he looks like he can play that position, he would be a top-15 pick on my board, even with the obvious talent at the offensive tackle position in this draft. That being said, as a pure guard Cooper is the best in this draft. I just wish he played center because for me the true skilled position on offense is, QB, LT, and Center. If your offense doesn’t have Pro Bowl talent at those three positions, your team will struggle to make the playoffs. IMO.

STRENGTHS
Maason is THE Defensive lineman in this draft who has the potential to be the best, Defensive lineman from this draft. He has excellent size, strength, and length and very good overall intimidating athletic talent. Maason Showed on film and in workouts, good athletic agility with an excellent burst off the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. He can be a dominating Defensive Lineman who at times, demands a double team to keep him out of an opponent’s backfield. Mason has pass-rushing skills when lined up inside or outside because of his size and athletic talent. His ability to change the line of scrimmage in his favor, and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage is unique for his size. Maason has excellent hidden potential to be the type of Defensive lineman a team could build their defense around.

CONCERNS
After Maason’s very successful freshman year, he may have been struggling with adversity for the first time in his athletic and emotional life. He was a big fish in a little pond coming from a small high school to a big university. After his injury and one-game suspension, Maason hasn’t played with the same passion he showed in his freshman year. He seems to have forgotten all of the techniques he used in his first year and it looked to me on film that the fun was taken out of the game for him. He is on the ground too much and in general, is way too inconsistent, in all aspects of his game.

BOTTOM LINE: 2.67
Maason has top ten athletic talent and size, to be a dominating Defensive Lineman at the next level. He comes from an area in Louisiana that has about 33 thousand people and a high school that has 1,00 students with an average class size of 24 students. Think about that. He goes to a university, that has about 30 thousand students and his first year of playing realizes that he can play with the big guys and be a core player for his team and a star. Then he gets injured for the first time in his athletic life. Then he is criticized and suspended for nothing. He strikes me as being upset, angry, and maybe feels like his coaches and teammates didn’t back him or support him and now he is a kid feeling like he is all alone and just wants out. All of this is conjecture on my part. I’m trying to find a reason for the shocking difference in his passion to play football from his 2021 season to his 2023 season. If I happen to be right, selecting Maason in the first three rounds just might happen but if I’m not right, I still might take a chance on selecting him because his talent and size to dominate potentially, is unique and well worth taking a chance on him in the later rounds.

 

STRENGTHS
Jordan has good size and solid athletic talent to play the Left Tackle position for the team that selects him. He is very smart and understands blocking angles better than most offensive linemen coming out in a draft. Jordan has the footspeed and agility to be used on screens and sweeps. He is excellent at going out to the second level to make his blocks and overall is a solid run blocker, keeping his feet to make more than one block, if he needs to. Jordan is excellent and smart at picking up stunts. He understands the timing of passing his block on to his teammate with the agility to quickly pick up that stunting player. He is also excellent at re-setting and re-establishing his hands and leverage and stopping the bull rush. Jordan’s high football IQ and solid athletic talent allows him to play with the efficiency that most evaluators might overlook. This run-blocking efficiency is deceiving because he gets the job done, with less effort than most other offensive lineman use. Joe has the potential to be a pro bowl Left Tackle for the team that selects him. He also has the ability to go unnoticed as a left tackle by the fans of the team that selects. Why you ask…because efficient play on the field is a gift…and a curse. Ask Former Browns Left Tackle Joe Thomas who the mainstream media ignored until he retired.

CONCERNS
Joe does struggle pass blocking when an edge rusher lines up wide on the line of scrimmage. He struggles because he loses the angle to block because he is not sure where his quarterback is or where that edge rusher is going to attack him, inside rush or outside. All of this will be dealt with, and corrected, the more repetitions he takes with his quarterback and offensive line coach.

BOTTOM LINE: 1.83
Jordan goes unnoticed by the “experts” because he played for Arizona and because he is efficient. That being said, teams and scouts know him, and he is not being overlooked by them. In this draft, with so many talented offensive linemen, Jordan on draft day could get lost in the shuffle. It happens. If there is a run on offensive lineman I believe Jordan will be selected early but you never know in a draft what will happen, so look at Rob’s board to gain some perspective on where Jordan is most likely to be selected. Remember a first-round talent grade does not mean that a player will be selected in the first round, it just means that player will impact and play as if he had been selected in the first round and that’s how you find the steals in the draft.

 

STRENGTHS
Chris is a technically sound, stand-up Defensive End. He has good size and is very smart and shows leadership skills through his consistent play on the field. He is the perfect fit for a Bill Belichick defensive system stand-up, edge rusher because he is smart and doesn’t make mistakes. He does his job. Chris has solid overall athletic talent to play his position. He has almost the perfect size and arm length teams that play Bill’s style of defense look for also. Chris has the mental stamina to play with the consistency needed through all four quarters, that not many players have. This almost mind-numbing, consistent play, allows Chris to make plays in the fourth quarter against more athletically talented players who lack the ability to be consistent. Chris is that player that waits in the weeds for you to make a mistake and that’s when he takes advantage.

CONCERNS
Chris is not the type of player you put in a three-point stance. He has to see into the backfield before the snap to be effective. He also is not explosive off the ball. He is a “read and react” type of player and not a “react and read” type of player. Chris can drop off the line into zone coverage but don’t expect him to single-cover a player too far off the line of scrimmage.

BOTTOM LINE: 3.97
Chris is a good solid football player. He makes plays because others make mistakes and he is always doing his job. The biggest draft issue for Chris, and the one that will affect his draft status is, that he really only fits a certain type of defense to be effective and not many teams play that style of defense. He is limited athletically compared to most others in the draft and could get lost in the selection process. Nevertheless, Chris can become a core player and a fan favorite if he gets on the field in the right style of defense. Here’s the catch, with the new kickoff rules Chris becomes a more “sort-after type” of football player because of his size consistent play, and leadership skills. You know long have to have blazing speed to be effective with these new rules. It will take more of an ability to get off blocks quickly and attack with the consistency of staying in your lane. Engage, shed the block, and make a sure tackle.

STRENGTHS
Jonah is one of the best Edge Rushers in this draft. He is quick and has a good burst and has a 33” arm length which is as longer or longer than most offensive linemen. Jonah has the speed and athletic talent you look for in an Edge Rusher and requires double teams on passing downs and running away from him on run downs. He is very smart and can drop off the line in zone coverage easily if need be. Jonah’s arm length allows him to play bigger than his size. It also allows him to continue to pressure the quarterback when he is double-teamed and trust me, this kid requires a double team even when he was up against the best offensive tackles in this draft. He might have the quickest spin move I have ever seen. Although he is tight in his hips, similar to the Bosa Boys, he nevertheless, finds a way to turn the corner to make sacks and pressures. Against UCLA Jonah had 3.5 sacks and 10 total tackles. I can only surmise that UCLA never heard of a double team.

CONCERNS
Jonah had shoulder surgery and as of this profile has not been able to work out. Some teams will also downgrade him because he didn’t play in the SEC. Of course, Jonah has gone up against the top offensive lineman in this draft, and with 12 sacks, for the season you would think that would not be an issue…but for some teams, it will be anyway. Jonah is a little light in his lower body and when he does his spin move, can be taken off his feet. This is a leverage technique and lower body strength issue, that I’m sure he will address when he gets to the next level. The shoulder is the real key to where he falls in this draft and if the doctors think this will be a chronic issue.

BOTTOM LINE: 1.73
Utah played against the top Offensive lineman in the country and Jonah still had to be double-teamed. Put the film on of the Washington vs Utah game and watch how many times Jonah was double-teamed and still how many pressures he had in that game. On run plays, check how many times, they ran away from him and how many times they ran at him. You can bet your ass Jonah will not be selected in the 1st round because of his shoulder surgery and not being able to work out until late in the process. That happens, but don’t mistake his ability and potential to impact as an Edge Rusher for the team that selects him. If you do then you will make a huge mistake. Look at Rob’s board for Jonah’s name and if your team needs an Edge Rusher keep your fingers crossed that he lands in your team’s lap.

STRENGTHS
Tyrone is a running back…no, he’s a wide receiver…no he’s a returner on special teams…no he’s a slot receiver…will the real Tyron Tracy please stand up, please stand up? Tyrone has overall excellent athletic talent. He is smart and has good speed. Tyrone can catch the ball down the field like a receiver because he has been a receiver for most of his career. He has good hands and can adjust to the ball in the air. As a running back he is patient with quick feet and has enough strength to break tackles to gain the tough yards. Tyrone’s running style reminds me a lot of former Broncos Terrell Davis. They both run with patience, different gears, and the wiggle needed to break tackles and fall forward. Tyrone gives good effort pass blocking and seems to read the blitz very well but the truth is, with his talent you have to wonder why. Why is he in the backfield on a passing down blocking? Why isn’t he being used as a checkdown or lined up in the slot? This is the reason I have renamed this type of player the WRB or the “why running back”. Tyrone is a WRB and taking him off the field or using him to pass block makes me ask the offensive coordinator… WHY! Why aren’t you putting the ball in this kid’s hands running or catching on any down?

CONCERNS
Tyrone gives good effort pass blocking for his Quarterback but his form leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, that is to be expected considering he hasn’t been a running back until this season. The question is, WHY is he in the backfield blocking at all?

BOTTOM LINE: 2.67
Tyrone is a perfect fit as the new “why running back” for the style of offense being used in the NFL. He is the right size and weight and can run the ball outside or inside of the tackles just like the old style of running back. He is the old-style tailback who used to play in a two-back offense. The difference is, that teams now are looking more for that style of running back like Thurman Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffery, and others who are excellent receiving the ball down the field and not just as a check-down option behind the line of scrimmage. This type of running back has been around for years but it has been very hard to find them because those that can catch are not strong enough through the tackles to run and take the pounding. Those running backs who were strong enough to take the pounding struggled to catch the ball after ten yards off the line of scrimmage. Marshall Falk could do both but, there were not many in the league, at that time, who could do both, and those who could were an anomaly. Tracy can do both, and he can do both very well but he is not the anomaly anymore, now he is a necessity. Give him some time, he’s is still new to the running back position but whatever you do, keep him on the field and not as a blocker.