Latest NFL Draft Rumors, Fits, Speculation | Weekly Content Roundup
The NFL Draft is closing in and the rumor mill is speeding up
The NFL Draft is now officially less than two weeks away, kicking off on April 25, in Detroit.
There could be four quarterbacks chosen in the top-10 picks, there might even be three receivers that go that high as well, and there are several elite offensive line prospects to be had for teams looking to protect their franchise quarterback.
Then, there are the less-heralded small-school prospects hoping to hear their name called late Saturday afternoon or for their phones to ring after the draft reaches its conclusion as undrafted free agents.
Over the next two weeks, Between The Hashmarks will feature my top-10 prospects on offense, and defense, as well as insight from sources around the league as the draft nears and interviews with prospects ahead of the biggest weekend of their lives, so far.
Stay tuned.
To all new subscribers, each week this post will be a collection of the NFL coverage I’m most proud of from the week that was, as a roundup of the news I think you’ll find most insightful.
Weekly NFL Roundup!!
Without further adieu, settle in with your favorite cup of coffee — or adult beverage, and enjoy the content and reporting I’m most proud of from the week that was:
Will Packers’ Josh Jacobs Over Aaron Jones Bet Pay Off in 2024?
The Green Bay Packers, and general manager Brian Gutekunst, took a calculated risk in free agency by letting Aaron Jones walk and signing former NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs to replace him.
Jacobs put pen to paper on a four-year deal worth $48 million when free agency began, and, after Jones was released by Green Bay, the former Packers running back landed with the division-rival Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers, though, just might have timed Jacobs’ market perfectly.
Buzz Building Among NFL Scouts on Eagles’ Round 1 Plans, Report Says
The Philadelphia Eagles have philosophically been committed to building an offensive line capable of sustained success during general manager Howie Roseman‘s tenure and could double down on that commitment during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Already this offseason, the Eagles have signed both guard Landon Dickerson and tackle Jordan Mailata to massive contract extensions, and even with stalwart All-Pro Lane Johnson anchoring the right tackle position, Philadelphia could continue building out depth along the line of scrimmage later this month.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, there’s a belief inside the NFL that the Eagles could add to one of the roster’s deepest positions during this year’s draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers Linked to WR with ‘Rare Speed’ to Help Russell Wilson
The Pittsburgh Steelers doubled down on finding a franchise quarterback this offseason, scooping Russell Wilson off the scrap heap and trading for Justin Fields, but might be on the cusp of adding a dynamic weapon to elevate the passing game for whichever signal-caller is behind center this season.
George Pickens is a prolific weapon and matchup nightmare as a focal point of Pittsburgh’s vertical attack, but, the Steelers could be primed to add a playmaker with speed on the perimeter during the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Cowboys Urged to Add Running Back Who Forced 145 Missed Tackles
The Dallas Cowboys‘ handling of the backfield has been one of the more puzzling aspects of what has been a quiet offseason for the organization as free agency rounds into its second wave and the 2024 NFL Draft nears.
After allowing Tony Pollard to walk via free agency, and sign with the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys never reached out to former rushing champion Derrick Henry, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens, and missed out on the likes of Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs at the top of the market.
The answer to the Cowboys’ running-game uncertainty might be found on draft weekend.
Packers’ Brian Gutekunst Reveals Secret to Developing an Elite QB
Not that the Chicago Bears will be taking advice from Gutekunst, but general manager Ryan Poles is about to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — in all likelihood, USC’s Caleb Williams.
It’s hard enough for a general manager to draft a quarterback, but the NFL’s unemployment line over the years has been littered with executives who failed to actually develop their chosen passer at the most important position in sports.
Ahead of this year’s draft, ESPN polled general managers and coaches on what it takes to develop a young quarterback, as Gutekunst has done with Love, who finished last season as the NFL’s seventh-leading passer and guided the Packers to a berth in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Eagles Could Make Waves Adding Deebo Samuel Clone
The Philadelphia Eagles saw first-hand how prolific Deebo Samuel is when he is at his best.
Against the Eagles, in a pivotal Week 13 game that sparked Philadelphia’s late-season collapse, Samuel exploded for 116 yards and two touchdowns on four catches while adding three carries for 22 yards and another score in a 42-19 San Francisco 49ers blowout.
Despite boasting one of the more electrifying wide receiver duos in the NFL, in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and even after signing veterans DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell in free agency to add reliable veteran depth, the Eagles could look to add a young playmaker at receiver to quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ arsenal.
Kansas City Chiefs Linked to NFL Draft Sleeper: ‘One of Best’ Slot Receivers
Revamping the wide receiving corps around Patrick Mahomes might hold the key to the Kansas City Chiefs making a legitimate run at a third consecutive Super Bowl title, and even after signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, general manager Brett Veach’s work isn’t done.
Brown adds a deep-threat element that the Chiefs lacked in 2023 but as the 2024 NFL Draft nears, Kansas City could be in the mix for one of the more fascinating, but unheralded prospects in this year’s class.