The 2024 NFL Draft is now one week away. As Caleb Williams is all but confirmed to be the top choice, the focus will then shift to the next crucial picks of the early first-round period come next Thursday night. Some say that the Chargers, newly helmed by Jim Harbaugh, hold the true #1 pick of the draft.
But behind the top players, a list that includes wideout Malik Nabers and linebacker Dallas Turner, who is seeing their stock rise in these final days before the 2024 NFL Draft?
2024 NFL Draft Rising Talent #1: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey wrapped up a three-year career with the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2023 Orange Bowl. And while several of his peers at the position can expect to hear their names heard very early in the going next Thursday night, McConkey is ascending the boards in his own right. According to some, the former Georgia standout is receiving favorable reviews and might have an interesting ceiling. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler believes McConkey could, if he remains healthy, have a ceiling comparable to that of Antonio Brown:
“This is going to be unfair, but I’m going to say his ceiling is like an Antonio Brown,” Brugler said. “The inside-outside versatility, the ability to catch and run. Again, we’re talking ceiling. We’re talking everything goes right, he stays healthy, he hits.
This buzz may result in McConkey hearing his name called right at the end of the opening round next week. One could only hope that McConkey does not fall into the off-the-field nightmare that Brown has become since the former Steelers standout played his final snaps for the Buccaneers in 2021.
2024 NFL Draft Rising Talent #2: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Several of Michael Penix Jr.‘s peers, including the quarterbacks that will immediately follow Caleb Williams in the draft order, will be gone by the halfway point of the first round of the NFL Draft. Does Penix have an opportunity to join them? During a recent appearance on NFL Network, part of a wider crossover event for the buildup to draft coverage, Mel Kiper Jr. believes that this may just be the case:
“Michael Penix Jr. is gaining momentum,” Kiper said. He then listed a few things working in his favor. “We see him throw the football. He can spin it, he can layer it to every level. Can he stay healthy? He was the last two years after being injured at Indiana.”
.@MoveTheSticks ➡️ 13th@MelKiperESPN ➡️ 37th
These two experts have different spots for Michael Penix Jr. in the Draft (via @NFLTotalAccess) pic.twitter.com/YWPumWPFE4
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 16, 2024
While as of this moment, Penix is a surefire day two selection in the NFL Draft, it will not come as a surprise if Penix makes it into the first round, especially if teams jockey to trade back into the first round for his services.
2024 NFL Draft Rising Star #3: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
Quinyon Mitchell throughout this entire process has remained a virtual lock to be the first cornerback off the board. This has been especially true ever since his performance at the Senior Bowl, which was followed up by his 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Come the NFL Draft next week, Mitchell is, according to some, no longer an underrated talent and has wound up on everyone’s radar.
Really fun @CollegeGameDay @NFLDraft pod with @PeteThamel & @FieldYates. A touch from the pod & human side you’ll see on our @ABCNetwork coverage. CB Quinyon Mitchell scores big with us. https://t.co/Wh2Ba3lNMJ pic.twitter.com/twOn6PPDx6
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) April 17, 2024
Mitchell could sneak into the first half of the 11-20 range come next Thursday, if not into the back end of the top 10 selections.