Caleb Harris
We’ve reached the first Friday after the NFL Draft, which is always a little bittersweet, but there’s still plenty of post-draft analysis to get here on my last day authoring this daily newsletter.
How I felt last year, I had so much fun writing this every day. And frankly, I think it made me more excited about the draft, which I didn’t think was possible before. I hope you enjoyed my month-long stint as NFL Draft stand-in for John Breech as the NFL newsletter czar here at CBS Sports. Until next year…thanks!
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1. Biggest questions for all 32 teams
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Tyler Sullivan wrote a critical piece after the draft – which is now the biggest, most defining issue for the entire NFL. Like what happens with the Michael Penix Jr./Kirk Cousins saga? Can the Ravens offensive line hold up? Could Bryce Young take a step forward as a sophomore? And here’s what Tyler is wondering about the Packers after Jordan Love’s incredible rise late in the 2023 campaign: “Can Jordan Love maintain his play in the second half from last season?”
“The Packers have somehow threaded the needle at QB once again, as Jordan Love has proven to be a legitimate starting quarterback for them in their first post-Aaron Rodgers season. Love left Green Bay on the brink of an NFC Championship appearance and was fantastic down the stretch of the regular season, Love completed 70% of his passes and had a passer rating of 112.7, as well as 18 passing touchdowns and just one interception . .”
Man, with Williams in Chicago, JJ McCarthy in Minnesota, the Lions coming off a trip to the NFC title game, along with the young and dynamic Packers, the NFC North is going to be one of the most fascinating divisions in all of football in 2024.
2. ‘With the First Pick’ Podcast : 2025 MOCK DRAFT
YES! One entire episode dedicated to the draft! The 2025 draft, of course. Ryan Wilson and Rick Spielman join former college football staffers Tom Fornelli and Chip Patterson to simply talk to Shedeur Sanders for an hour. JOKING. Sure, Colorado’s quarterback is discussed, but the quartet actually runs a very early, 32-pick mock draft for next year’s class.
3. QB Competition Prediction
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In case you forgot, six quarterbacks were selected in the top 12 in the first round. So yes, some quarterback competitions are imminent. OK, so Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels can be written in Sharpie as starters in Chicago and Washington DC. However, Drake Maye apparently won’t be given the starting job in New England, and yeah, we don’t know what to make of the Penix situation.
Cody Benjamin provided a complete primer on all candidates — and predicted a winner — in every league quarterback competition that will take place in just a few months when training camps begin in late July.
Here’s what he wrote about the Raiders’ dark quarterback battle, which will feature Aidan O’Connell vs. Gardner Minshew:
“The only team in need of a quarterback that didn’t address the position in the draft, the Raiders promised to give O’Connell a chance to keep the job after the 2023 fourth-rounder fared reasonably well amid in-season regime change as a rookie, but other factors point to Minshew eventually securing an edge: He has more experience and mobility, journeyman moxie noted, and secured the upfront money to leave the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent, with veterans like Davante Adams in tow, winning more early. later may be the priority.”
4. Post-Draft AFC Team Rankings
Tyler Sullivan Time turn forward regarding the draft, as we begin to imagine the rookies included in their respective rosters and the impact (or lack thereof) they will have.
In this article, Tyler called the AFC absolutely loaded after the draft, and he’s feeling good about the Jets heading into the 2024 campaign, writing:
“I’m optimistic about the Jets in 2024. Aaron Rodgers is returning from his Achilles injury, and as long as he’s 80% of the player he was before the injury, he’s the best quarterback they’ve had in decades. he spent this offseason addressing his weaknesses by adding three new offensive tackles and adding wideout Mike Williams to pair with Garrett Wilson. With Rodgers controlling the offense and a defense with top-five upside, the ceiling for the Jets is extremely high. Coach Robert Saleh remains the biggest question mark.”
5. News and notes
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- Chargers signing former Pro Bowl WR. What the pass catcher is DJ Chark, who, yes, made a Pro Bowl in 2020. Another veteran threat for Justin Herbert.
- Ravens GM explains the thought process behind the selection of Devontez Walker. Eric DeCosta referred to field stretching skills of Torrey Smith and how impactful they were during his prime was what Baltimore was looking for with the tall, explosive Walker.
- Patrick Mahomes guarantees another Super Bowl victory. After back-to-back Super Bowl victories, Chiefs quarterback was recently mentioned saying “next year in New Orleans, we’ll do it again.”
