2024 NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Defensive Players

 Part two features the Defensive Players.....

EDGE:

1) Dallas Turner-Alabama

2) Laiatu Latu-UCLA

3) Jared Verse-Florida State

4) Chop Robinson-Penn State

5) Bralen Trice-Washington

6) Darius Robinson-Missouri

7) Chris Braswell-Alabama

8) Jonah Elliss-Utah

9) Gabriel Murphy-UCLA

10) Adisa Isaac-Penn State

DL:

1) Byron Murphy-Texas

2) Johnny Newton-Illinois

3) Braden Fiske-FSU

4) Michael Hall- Ohio State

5) Kris Jenkins-Michigan

6) Leonard Taylor III-Miami

7) T'Vondre Sweat-Texas

8) Austin Booker- Kansas

9) Marshawn Kneeland-Western Michigan

10) McKinnley Jackson-Texas A&M

11)Mekhi Wingo-LSU

12) Marcus Harris-Auburn

13) Brandon Dorlus-Oregon

14) Justin Eboigbe-Alabama

15) Maason Smith-LSU

LB:

1) Edgerrin Cooper-Texas A&M

2) Jeremiah Trotter Jr-Clemson

3) Payton Wilson-NC State

4) Javon Solomon-Troy

5) Ty'Ron Hopper-Missouri

6) Tyrice Knight-UTEP

7) Jaylan Ford-Texas

8) Marist Liufau-Notre Dame

9) Junior Colson-Michigan

10) Cedric Gray-North Carolina

CB:

1) Terrion Arnold-Alabama

2) Quinyon Mitchell-Toledo

3) Nate Wiggins-Clemson

4) Kool-Aid McKinstry-Alabama

5) Ennis Rakestraw Jr-Missouri

6) Kris Abrams-Draine-Missouri

7) Cooper DeJean-Iowa

8) Kamari Lassiter-Georgia

9) Khyree Jackson-Oregon

10) T.J. Tampa-Iowa State

11) Nehemiah Pritchett-Auburn

12) D.J. James-Auburn

13) Andru Phillips-Kentucky

14) Mike Sainristil-Michigan

15) Josh Newton-TCU

S:

1) Tyler Nubin-Minnesota

2) Javon Bullard-Georgia

3) Calen Bullock-USC

4) Kamren Kinchens-Miami

5) Jaden Hicks-Washington State

6) Tykee Smith-Georgia

7) Jaylin Simpson-Auburn

8) Cole Bishop-Utah

9) Daijahn Anthony-Ole Miss

10) Evan Williams-Oregon

2024 NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Offensive Players

Here is the draft rankings/cheat sheet for the 2024 NFL Draft. First up is the offensive positions.... 

QB:

1) Caleb Williams-USC

2) Drake Maye- North Carolina

3) Jayden Daniels- LSU

4) J.J. McCarthy- Michigan

5) Bo Nix-Oregon

6) Michael Penix-Washington

7) Spencer Rattler- South Carolina

8) Michael Pratt-Tulane

9) Jordan Travis-FSU

10) Joe Milton- Tennessee

RB:

1) Jonathon Brooks-Texas

2) Troy Benson- FSU

3) Braelon Allen-Wisconsin

4) Jaylen Wright-Tennessee

5) Bucky Irving-Oregon

6) Blake Corum-Michigan

7) Ray Davis-Kentucky

8) Michael Wiley-Arizona

9) Jabari Small-Tennessee

10) Audric Estime-Notre Dame

11) Will Shipley-Clemson

12) Emani Bailey-TCU

13) MarShawn Lloyd-USC

14) Dillon Johnson-Washington

15) Isaiah Davis-South Dakota State

WR:

1) Marvin Harrison Jr-Ohio State

2) Malike Nabers-LSU

3) Rome Odunze-Washington

4) Brian Thomas Jr-LSU

5) Ladd McConkey-Georgia

6) Adonai Mitchell-Texas

7) Xavier Worthy-Texas

8) Keon Coleman-FSU

9) Javon Baker-UCF

10) Troy Franklin-Oregon

11) Ja'Lynn Polk-Washington

12) Jalen McMillan-Washington

13) Malachi Corley-Western Kentucky

14) Ainias Smith-Texas A&M

15) Xavier Legette-South Carolina

16) Jermaine Burton-Alabama

17) Malik Washinton-Virginia

18) Jacob Cowing-Arizona

19) Roman Wilson-Michigan

20) Tez Walker-North Carolina

TE:

1) Brock Bowers-Georgia

2) Ja'Tavion Sanders-Texas

3) Ben Sinnott-Kansas State

4) Cade Stover-Ohio State

5) Theo Johnson-Penn State

6) Jaheim Bell-Florida State

7) Dallin Holker-Colorado State

8) AJ Barner-Michigan

9) Jared Wiley-TCU

10) Tanner McLachlan-Arizona

C:

1) Jackson Powers-Johnson-Oregon

2) Zach Frazier-West Virginia

3) Sedrick Van Pran-Georgia

4) Beauz Limmer-Arkansas

5) Hunter Nourzad-Penn State

G:

1) Troy Fautanu-Washington

2) Christian Hayes-UCONN

3) Cooper Beebee-Kansas State

4) Christian Mahogany- BC

5) Dominick Puni-Kansas 

6) Zak Zinter-Michigan

7) Brandon Coleman-TCU

8) Javon Cohen-Miami

9) K.T. Leveston-Kansas State

10) Layden Robinson-Texas A&M

OT:

1) Olumuyiwa Fashanu-Penn State

2) Joe Alt-Notre Dame

3) Taliese Fuaga-Oregon State

4) JC Latham-Alabama

5) Amarius Mims-Georgia

6) Tyler Guyton-Oklahoma

7) Jordan Morgan-Arizona

8) Graham Barton-Duke

9) Kingsley Suamataia-BYU

10) Delmar Glaze-Maryland

11) Christian Jones-Texas

12) Matt Goncalves-Pitt

13) Patrick Paul-Houston

14) Blake Fisher-Notre Dame

15) Walter Rouse-Oklahoma 

Broncos Free Agency Moves

Players Signed by the Broncos

-Re-signed WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey

-Re-signed FB Michael Burton

-Re-signed TE Adam Trautman

-Re-signed K Will Lutz

-Re-signed S P.J. Locke

-Re-signed LB Jonas Griffith

-Re-signed OL Quinn Bailey

-Signed LB Cody Barton

-Signed Safety Brandon Jones

-Signed DL Malcolm Roach

Players Signed to Other Teams

-Center Lloyd Cushenberry (Titans)

-LB Josey Jewell (Panthers)

-DL Jonathan Harris (Dolphins)

-TE Chris Manhertz (Giants)

-QB Russell Wilson (Steelers)

Traded

-WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland for 2024 5th and 6th Round Picks 

Justin Simmons Released

 This one hurts. The Broncos released Safety Justin Simmons in a move that was surprising to me. The All-Pro was the face of the Broncos and the unquestioned leader of the team the past few seasons. The move saves over $14 million in cap money, and it allows Simmons to pick a new team and perhaps go to a contender. Simmons was an all-time great Bronco since he was drafted in 2016. The only thing missing for Simmons' time in Denver was a playoff berth. The Broncos never made the playoffs in his eight years in Denver, and that will be a regret when you look back at his career. It is definitely sad to see him go, and Simmons was just as good off the field as he was on the field. He was very big in the community in Denver. On a personal note, when I went to Denver to see the Broncos play in 2019, my kids met Simmons before the game as we watched the players arrive. He stopped to take pictures with my kids, signed autographs, and even asked how Christmas was. He's a great Bronco and will be a member of the Ring of Fame at some point. 

Russell Wilson Released

 The Broncos informed Russell Wilson that he is being released. This ends the 2-year Russell Wilson era in Denver. This will go down not only as the worst trade in Broncos history but also one of the worst trades in NFL history. As a result of cutting Wilson, Denver will take on an $85 million cap hit (spread out over two years) which will be the largest dead cap charge in NFL history. I really can't believe that the Broncos are parting ways with Wilson after just two, albiet disappointing, seasons in Denver. Not even the hire of Sean Payton can save this situation. The Broncos thought it was better to move on now instead of paying Wilson a high salary over the next two years to try to maximize his value at the QB spot in Denver. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out in Denver, but I understand why the Broncos made this move two years ago. I also understand that Wilson wasn't coming to Denver without signing a contract extension, so unfortunately this not working out has major ramifications. The Broncos gave up so many high, premium draft picks to Seattle for Wilson, so that is the other factor that just kills the deal for Denver. I'll never forget how excited I was two years ago when Denver traded for Russ. I also remember how excited I was driving home from work listening to NFL Radio the day of the Monday Night Football opener against Seattle. It was going to be a playoff, division title, type of season with Russ leading the way. The Broncos were back in my opinion. Of course, we know what happened: Denver lost to Seattle that night and the Broncos 2022 season was a disaster for Russ and new HC Nathaniel Hackett. From there, it never worked out. It's a shame, and it will have major implications on the franchise for the next few years, but hopefully now Denver will finally solidify their QB position going forward.

Post Super Bowl Broncos Outlook

 With the Super Bowl now in the rear view mirror, it is time to take a break from the Broncos. Watching the Chiefs and Pat Mahomes win another Super Bowl is just brutal for Broncos fans. There really is no hope right now for Denver to get back to a Super Bowl any time soon. I've never felt so far away from the Super Bowl as a Broncos fan as I am feel right now. The only thing Denver can shoot for is the 7th seed and last Wild Card spot in the AFC. The AFC West will be owned by Mahomes and the Chiefs for the next decade as well. For now, it is time to take a break from the Broncos and the NFL. There won't be anything substantial until the Scouting Combine at the end of February/beginning of March and then Free Agency a few weeks into March. Otherwise, there is no need to break down what the Broncos are going to do this offseason. The biggest thing is that they need to find a QB. We know that they are going to release Russell Wilson in March, but we have a long way to go in the offseason to see how they will fix the QB. Until then, I'm going to take a break from the NFL. I've got the Rangers in first place in their division with a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup this year, and the Knicks are a contender in the East in the NBA. That will keep me going through the next two months. 

Super Bowl LVIII Recap and Reaction

 The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII 25-22 in overtime to win their fourth Lombardi Trophy and their third Super Bowl in the last four years. The Chiefs have cemented their status as their eras new NFL dynasty. Andy Reid is now in the conversation of all-time great NFL head coaches, and Patrick Mahomes was sensational once again late in the game to cement his status as one of the greatest QBs in NFL history-after only six seasons as a starter. The game came down to great finish and that is all you can ask for in a Super Bowl. I was rooting hard for the 49ers, but the Chiefs and Mahomes broke their hearts for the second time in five years on the biggest stage. Here are my thoughts and reactions to the game....

1) The 49ers defense dominated the Chiefs for the first three quarters. They forced a fumble, punts, pressured Mahomes and picked him off early in the third quarter. It was 10-3 at halftime and 10-6 midway through the third quarter and it felt like it should have been 20-3 or 24-3. That's how dominate they were playing.

2) It felt like the Chiefs were melting down the first three quarters. Mahomes was being pressured, receivers weren't getting open and there was constant bickering on the sidelines with members of the Chiefs. At one point, there was a shot of Travis Kelce bumping Andy Reid on the sideline. It felt like they were self destructing.

3) The biggest turning point in the game was when the Niners were up 10-6 in the third quarter and the ball hit a Niners player and then the returner Ray-Ray McCloud dove to recover it but missed it and the Chiefs recovered the fumble deep in Niners territory. The next play, Mahomes threw a TD pass and all of a sudden it was 13-10. Right there, you knew the Niners were in trouble. 

4) The next turning point was when the Niners answered right back with a Brock Purdy to Jawan Jennings TD pass to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter, but KC blocked the extra point to make the score 16-13 SF instead of 17-13. That one point played a pivotal role down the stretch. 

5) The game was kind of average for most of the three quarters but it ended in a flurry. The last five possessions of the game not including San Franc taking a knee were: Touchdown, touchdown, field goal, field goal, field goal. The game went from 10-6 with 2:42 to go in the third quarter to 19-19 heading to overtime. 

6) In overtime, the Niners took the ball first under the new postseason rules and had to settle for a field goal after driving down to the KC 9 yard line. Purdy got rushed on a blitz and forced an early throw and the field goal made it 22-19. You just knew that Mahomes and the Chiefs were going to come down and win the game on the next drive. Everyone in America knew it was coming.

7) Of course, Mahomes goes right down the field 75 yards in 13 plays and hits Mecole Hardman for a three yard TD pass to win the Super Bowl. Give Mahomes credit because in a game that he struggled for the most of it, he came up big on the biggest drive of the season. He didn't have an incompletion on the final drive and ran for two big first downs-including a 4th and 1. Classic Mahomes on that drive and it is what makes him great.

8) There has been a lot of discussion about Kyle Shanahan taking the ball first in overtime with the new rules. I didn't have that much of a problem with it at the time. I thought he was resting his defense, but it retrospect, I think in the future the team that wins the toss should defer and get the ball second. I'm not going to kill Shanahan on this one.

9) For the Niners, it is another missed opportunity for them to win a championship. When they look back at this game, they are going to be sick that they couldn't put the game away after having a lead for most of the 60 minutes. Kyle Shanahan is a really good coach, and GM John Lynch has built a stud team but they just can't get that Lombardi Trophy-mainly because of Pat Mahomes.

10) This Chiefs team was the most vulnerable of all the Mahomes era teams and they still won the Super Bowl. Their offense struggled all season, their receivers were inconsistent. Mahomes had his worst season in six years statistically. They only scored over 30 points three times. Their defense was really good all year, but it just wasn't a vintage Chiefs team that finished 11-6. They went 4-4 at home this year. They went 4-2 in the division and lost to Denver and the Raiders. They were scraping to clinch to the division in Week 17 at home against Jake Browning and the Bengals. They were underdogs on the road in the Divisional Round against Buffalo and in the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens and won both games. They were underdogs in the Super Bowl and beat the Niners. This was the year to get the Chiefs and it still didn't matter.

10) The Chiefs are the toast of the NFL that is all there is to it. They were such a non-descript franchise for like 50 years. All they would hang their hat on was the fact that they were an original AFL franchise and played in the first Super Bowl. They also won the last Super Bowl before the merger and played at Arrowhead Stadium-which was a great homefield advantage. That was it. They were always competitive but lost a lot of playoff games-especially at home. They went from 1993 to 2015 without winning a playoff game. With the exception of 1993 and 1994 when Joe Montana finished his career there, they never had a big name QB. That all changed when they drafted Mahomes. They have made the AFC Championship Game six times in a row, been to four Super Bowls in the past six years, and won three-including back-to-back titles. Mahomes really just transformed this franchise, and now you have him and Travis Kelce and the whole Taylor Swift relationship and the Chiefs are the kings of the NFL world. I hate to see it, but it is the truth. 

11) Patrick Mahomes is right now the second greatest QB of all time and he only trails Tom Brady in that category and at 28, he has a chance to surpass Brady's 7 Super Bowl wins. Mahomes has one of the best starts ever to a career in any sport. He is approaching the Jordan level of sports figures. Of all the things that stands out about Mahomes, the part that gets me is that in his three Super Bowl wins, he was trailing by 10 points each time, and each time he brought his team back to win. In all three of those games, it looked like his team was done, and each time he played great down the stretch to win the game. It is unbelievable what he is doing right now.