2024 Free agency and draft thread

[shopson67]

admittedly surprised to see Egbuka on this list. do think he'll be pretty good but wouldn't have thought bust proof.

He's a high floor professional receiver. Even if he doesn't prove to be worth a 1st, he'll still be in the league for an extended period barring injury.

I guess it depends on what consider a bust I guess? I would consider high floor to be more or less bust proof.

 

[shopson67]

OK....but you kind of just named 2. Baker also had a pretty good rookie season and looked like he could be a bust (or at least not top pick worthy) before figuring things out again a few years later.

Baker's kind of a middle ground. Is he what you expect from a #1 overall pick? Maybe not. Bust is way too harsh though.

What about guys like Geno and Darnold? They certainly busted with their drafting teams. However, they've been able to resurrect their careers.

 

[cdumler7]

OK....but you kind of just named 2. Baker also had a pretty good rookie season and looked like he could be a bust (or at least not top pick worthy) before figuring things out again a few years later.

I named a couple that were behind him. The ones ahead of him have been top-5 QB's at different parts of their career. And yes Baker is up there but like you said he has figured things out and looks closer to being a top-10 QB now. This is why situation matters big time. A player can have all the talent in the world and be a bust because the organization around them is terrible. The one that comes to mind is David Carr. Went to maybe the worst situation a top overall pick has ever went to when joining the expansion team Texans. I wonder if he went to even a middle of the pack situation what he could have been.

 

[shopson67]

I’m trying to gauge his pedigree. He’s dime a dozen when it comes to color analysis.

I would probably trust his receiver/db analysis at least? Being a player has to help with the other positions as well, but his values could also be aging out to some degree.

 

[dtgold88]

He's a high floor professional receiver. Even if he doesn't prove to be worth a 1st, he'll still be in the league for an extended period barring injury.

I guess it depends on what consider a bust I guess? I would consider high floor to be more or less bust proof.

Yeah I agree with that. I think like reach bust is an overused term, too. No idea where projected but guessing late 1st or early 2nd? If true, and the guy is a serviceable WR for a decade or even 6-7 years IMO not a bust.

I also don't like to call guys busts who were likely good if not for injuries.

 

[dtgold88]

I named a couple that were behind him. The ones ahead of him have been top-5 QB's at different parts of their career. And yes Baker is up there but like you said he has figured things out and looks closer to being a top-10 QB now. This is why situation matters big time. A player can have all the talent in the world and be a bust because the organization around them is terrible. The one that comes to mind is David Carr. Went to maybe the worst situation a top overall pick has ever went to when joining the expansion team Texans. I wonder if he went to even a middle of the pack situation what he could have been.

I do think situation matters, though with Carr he never showed anything so maybe a bust? Tim Couch also went into a terrible situation but at least until physically broken showed something.

Obviously didn't see him as much as you but wont be surprised at all if Nix or Penix become no more than middling starters. And, sure, might also become more than solid.

Either way, I'd bet someone in this draft has a better career than one if not both.

 

[VikingFan2k2]

Slightly off topic.
Does the NFL Draft get more viewers than the 3 NBA games on Thursday?

I think it's a big reason that they put the Lakers and Celtics on Friday. They didn't want to see their top teams getting smoked.

 

[Manster7588]

I think it's a big reason that they put the Lakers and Celtics on Friday. They didn't want to see their top teams getting smoked.

Probably true, but those two teams might be the only two that could threaten the draft viewership.

 

[cdumler7]

I think it's a big reason that they put the Lakers and Celtics on Friday. They didn't want to see their top teams getting smoked.

Yeah the NBA would get blown out of the water ratings wise. There is only 1 game last year that the NBA playoffs had higher than the 1st round of the playoffs and that was in the Finals game 2. Otherwise every playoff game fell short of the draft round 1.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yeah the NBA would get blown out of the water ratings wise. There is only 1 game last year that the NBA playoffs had higher than the 1st round of the playoffs and that was in the Finals game 2. Otherwise every playoff game fell short of the draft round 1.

Yep, 2024 NFL draft (1st round anyway) got more viewers than the 2023 NBA finals, and beats out basically every World Series, Stanley Cup, etc. Although last years World series had a pretty crazy viewership increase.

It's only ONE game but the Super Bowl blows every other sport out of the water (in the US anyway). It's not even close. Hell when your draft is keeping up with finals/series games... lol.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Slightly off topic.
Does the NFL Draft get more viewers than the 3 NBA games on Thursday?

Probably yes. When draft goes to commercial I'll flip to the knicks/Pistons game for a few minutes.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Couldn't they get a FA if they cut Carr?

With Carr being injured.
Can he be cut?
I could see him maybe retiring, but would cutting do anything due to his injury?

 

[jarntt]

 

[Manster7588]

Probably yes. When draft goes to commercial I'll flip to the knicks/Pistons game for a few minutes.

Knicks/Pistons? Are you being punished?

 

[Manster7588]

I think us Cowboys fans need to keep an ear out for this, especially if Dallas doesn't get Jeanty or Hampton.

 

[Xeliou66]

I think us Cowboys fans need to keep an ear out for this, especially if Dallas doesn't get Jeanty or Hampton.

Agreed, the Cowboys need another RB, and I’m not sure if Javonte Williams is good enough to be a RB1. Jeanty will almost certainly be gone by the time the Cowboys pick, Hampton should be available, will be interesting to see if they take him.
If Kenneth Walker can stay healthy he’s a pretty good RB, Charbonnet is decent but I’m not sure if he can be a RB1

 

[Manster7588]

Agreed, the Cowboys need another RB, and I’m not sure if Javonte Williams is good enough to be a RB1. Jeanty will almost certainly be gone by the time the Cowboys pick, Hampton should be available, will be interesting to see if they take him.
If Kenneth Walker can stay healthy he’s a pretty good RB, Charbonnet is decent but I’m not sure if he can be a RB1

I'm calling for them to trade back from 12 and getting Hampton later in the first.
I'll be OK with him at 12 but it's a reach in my mind.

 

[Xeliou66]

I'm calling for them to trade back from 12 and getting Hampton later in the first.
I'll be OK with him at 12 but it's a reach in my mind.

I could see that happening, I think there’s a good chance the Broncos take Hampton if he’s available at 20, they need a RB as well.

 

[Manster7588]

I could see that happening, I think there’s a good chance the Broncos take Hampton if he’s available at 20, they need a RB as well.

Agree, they can't trade too far back.

 

[Brees#1]

Baker's kind of a middle ground. Is he what you expect from a #1 overall pick? Maybe not. Bust is way too harsh though.

What about guys like Geno and Darnold? They certainly busted with their drafting teams. However, they've been able to resurrect their careers.

Team