Joel Klatt
Faculty Soccer Analyst
One other NFL Draft is within the books.
We noticed a file six quarterbacks chosen within the first 12 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, one thing I sensed may occur within the days main as much as the occasion. In fact, one of many quarterback picks left many people in shock.
A few of you might need heard my evaluation on NFL Community over the primary two days of the draft. If you would like extra on what that have was like in Detroit, take a look at the opening of the newest episode of my podcast, “The Joel Klatt Present.“
Now that the mud has settled, let’s check out a few of the quarterbacks picked within the first spherical, together with some perception.
After I coated Michigan’s spring recreation for FOX a few weeks in the past, I bumped into McCarthy, as members of the 2023 group had been there for his or her ring ceremony. I bought an opportunity to speak with him for just a little bit in regards to the draft course of earlier than asking him the place he needed to finish up. He informed me that he needed to finish up in Minnesota, saying he would “love” to play for the Vikings.
Lo and behold, McCarthy’s want got here true. The Vikings did not must commerce up into the highest 5 to get him, solely transferring up one spot from No. 11 to pick the Michigan quarterback with the tenth choose.
That got here after the Vikings, together with the New York Giants, made a push to land the No. 3 choose to possible choose Drake Maye, as we realized throughout the evening on the NFL Community desk. After that occurred, a very good, ol’ customary staredown between the Vikings and Giants came about, with Minnesota efficiently calling New York’s bluff that it would not draft McCarthy with the sixth choose.
The Vikings’ profitable bluff-calling was nice information for McCarthy. He’ll be in the perfect scenario out of all of the rookie quarterbacks to go and succeed instantly.
In fact, the controversy turns into whether or not McCarthy ought to and will begin instantly. I consider that he can and can begin for Kevin O’Connell. McCarthy is hyper-competitive and actually expert. The Vikings are going to see a man who can win them soccer video games instantly, partly due to what he does on the sector, but additionally as a result of he is such a robust chief. He went 27-1 as Michigan’s beginning quarterback, making performs in key moments the place prior Michigan groups failed.
Certain, McCarthy had a deep group round him. However he took them above the X’s and O’s, doing so on essential performs. His third-down tape was pretty much as good as any of the opposite quarterbacks. In truth, whenever you pieced it collectively and checked out how all of the quarterbacks threw the ball 10-20 yards down the sector, McCarthy was the perfect intermediate passer. Lots of these guys made their bones throwing the ball on the line of scrimmage, with Michael Penix Jr.’s downfield passing (20-plus yards) actually being the one one which surpassed McCarthy.
Minnesota trades up one spot and selects J.J. McCarthy
So, McCarthy’s ability set is best than many notice. He is bought the perfect weapons round him – and by an extended shot. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are all excellent. They added Aaron Jones in free company. I do know Hockenson is coming off an ACL and MCL tear that would sideline him for the beginning of the season, however that is nonetheless a robust scenario the place a quarterback can have plenty of success.
Defensively, the Vikings made a step ahead beneath defensive coordinator Brian Flores. They had been towards the middle-of-the-pack, however they could get higher after drafting Dallas Turner. I really like that they had been in a position to commerce again up and land the Alabama edge rusher.
McCarthy is in a scenario to essentially succeed early on, sort of much like C.J. Stroud. In truth, gamers on the identical group gained the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the 12 months within the final two years. The Texans had been one among them with Stroud and Will Anderson, who they traded as much as No. 3 to draft.
There’s an opportunity we see that in Minnesota, too. If McCarthy performs early sufficient to place up the requisite numbers, we may see the Vikings sweep the Rookie of the 12 months awards. That is how good of a scenario McCarthy is in.
The Atlanta Falcons shock all of us and draft Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr. is totally a top-10 choose. Nothing about his recreation suggests that you just should not draft him. He is an superior quarterback, and I have been an enormous fan of his since he was at Indiana. As I’ve stated a bunch of instances, he is the perfect passer with leverage on this draft.
This is not a case of a participant being overdrafted. Reasonably, it is a case of a group not having a plan. The Falcons went 7-10 and I do not suppose they’ve a roster as stacked as they suppose they’ve. They’ve gone six straight seasons with out making the playoffs, which was why they put their chips in the course of the desk for Kirk Cousins, giving him $100 million assured.
Then, they fall in love with Penix like some bozo who bought engaged however fell in love with some lady they noticed on the seashore in spring break. They did not give Cousins a heads-up, both.
What are we doing right here, Falcons?
Atlanta pulls off a top-10 shock and selects Michael Penix Jr. with eighth choose
We had been all shocked by this on the printed. I perceive having a succession plan, however you danger submarining the locker room earlier than the season even begins. The primary time Cousins has a foul recreation in a giant spot, which he is susceptible to do in his profession, he’ll be trying over his shoulder, as he will not be on strong footing beginning Day 1. You possibly can declare that that is harm insurance coverage for Cousins after he tore his Achilles, however you should not have signed him to that deal should you really feel you want that insurance coverage.
Atlanta wanted a greater plan than this. It is taking a top-10 choose and placing it on the sideline, failing to reap the rewards of getting a quarterback on a rookie contract. The reasons by no means actually made sense, both. All the belongings you stated about loving Penix sound nice, however now you are a spec dwelling builder. You are not going to benefit from the fruits of your labor. This does not make your group higher proper now.
Now, I hope this works out for everybody concerned. My coronary heart additionally hurts for Penix, who’s being shoved to the sideline and put right into a spot that is robust to succeed. Hopefully, in 10 years, he is the Falcons’ beginning quarterback with a Tremendous Bowl in hand. However I’ve my doubts.
I used to be impressed by Williams’ response to being requested on NFL Community why he is assured it’s going to work out in Chicago. He did not give the standard solutions we hear, telling Kayle Hartung issues will work out “as a result of I care.”
That is a novel reply, and I actually loved it. WIlliams cares about successful, being nice, the coaches, and even the janitors within the constructing. You possibly can suppose what you need about Williams, however his teammates actually like him. He tried to get different teammates paid by means of title, picture and likeness. His group was underachieving, although it wasn’t his fault. He tried to place a cape on an excessive amount of in 2023 due to that, however he was unbelievable in 2022.
So, Williams saying it is going to work out in Chicago as a result of he cares is an unbelievable reply. You possibly can hate Williams all you need, I believe he is going to achieve Chicago. The Bears are in a greater spot than anybody else however the Vikings for a rookie quarterback to succeed.
Chicago drafts Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze & Denver drafts Bo Nix
The Bears additionally added Rome Odunze with the ninth choose, including him to an offense with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift. Williams and Odunze fashioned a very good relationship earlier than the draft. This group is a far cry from the place they had been after they drafted Justin Fields in 2021.
I used to be a giant fan of the Bears’ draft and I believe they are often this 12 months’s Houston Texans.
Bo Nix is an efficient match for the Denver Broncos
We had been the primary to foretell Nix to the Broncos. I’ve stated it a number of instances: Nix is the right match for Denver due to his fashion of play and the offense Sean Payton runs.
Nix might need been overdrafted at 12, even when I predicted it months prematurely. He was most likely extra of a late first-round choose than a top-half choice within the opening spherical. However all of the quarterbacks got here off the board and the Broncos did not have a second-round choose. A commerce down would’ve been too dangerous.
It is also too pure of a match. Nix’s accuracy and intelligence match Payton’s scat-protection offense, which wasn’t a match for Russell Wilson. I believe Nix can have some success early, particularly after including Oregon receiver Troy Franklin, who I assumed was worthy of a first-round choose.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead faculty soccer recreation analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Comply with him on X/Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.
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