We won’t know this right away, but despite hype that leads to prospects being picked in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, a small grouping of selections will go much too early. This happens in every single draft class.
To warn you about who those prospects may very well be, I’m generating another “Buyer-Beware” prospect list.
While I’m not insinuating these prospects are guaranteed to bust, they’re just the most risky propositions who could still land somewhere in the first round or very early on Day 2. In my estimation, they’ll have a difficult time living up to their draft positions. These are my buyer-beware prospects in the 2024 class.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Why: Lacking standout trait(s)
Nix can be categorized as an “incomplete” grade, for two reasons. The system at Oregon was incredibly gimmicky — but incredibly effective — and he threw to an incredible amount of wide-open Duck receivers and tight ends the past two years in Eugene.
As for the nearly 78% completion percentage, Nix isn’t nearly as accurate as that record-setting rate indicates. Does he have a ball-placement issue? No. But he’s not hyper accurate. There’s an athleticism element to his game. Without question. Will he be a major running threat in the NFL? I can’t envision it.
Now, can Nix be a quality game-manager, who operates within structure soundly? Sure. Will I trust him making challenging throws at the intermediate level or down the field in key moments? No. I didn’t see that from him on a routine basis in either of the last two seasons at Oregon. And I need that confidence from a first-round quarterback. It’s an absolute must. Because of that, and, from afar, Nix not possessing a standout trait, are why I’m placing him on this team.
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Why: Limited pass-rush move arsenal, high pad level, lacking collegiate production
There’s a future reality in which Kneeland becomes one of the best edge rushers in the class, because he’s 6-foot-3, nearly 270 pounds, with over 34-inch arms, a 35.5-inch vertical and a 7.02 three-cone time on his draft resume. In short, objectively, the size and athleticism boxes are checked.
Despite the ultra-stocky frame, that typically yields serious power, that isn’t the case with Kneeland because his rushes are high. The pad level must dip at the next level to have any semblance of bull-rush ability, the foundational rush for the vast…
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