2024 My Guys 1.0

In every draft cycle there are players that I get drawn to and convinced are the second coming. Sometimes it is the way they play, others are freakish tester, and some I couldn't even tell you why if I had to explain it, I just think they're good quality players.

Here are the first five "My Guys" I have for this draft cycle.

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

DeJean is an absolute freak of an athlete. He was a star high school football, basketball and track star. In fact he has his name in Iowa's record books as a top 100 all time points scorer in basketball, ahead of NBA veteran Harrison Barnes. DeJean is going to be a nightmare for any offensive passing game. I think he may end up in a nickel/safety hybrid role, similar to a Micah Hyde, but his home should be on the outside. This year he lined up on the outside for nearly 90% of his snaps. When passes came his way, opposing QBs had a passer rating of 37.8. That number is 6th for all cornerbacks playing at least 300 snaps in college football this previous season. I have DeJean as CB1, a top 10 overall prospect and my number 1 defensive prospect.

Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

Tyler Nubin is along a very different vein than DeJean. While he is a good enough athlete for the position, he isn't a freak standout. Where Nubin really shines is the body of work that he has put forward over the past three years as the starting safety in Minnesota. Per PFF stats, his season defensive grades have been 72.6 in 2021, 76.4 in 2022, and 89.2 this last year. Nubin has the production, size and anticipation of an NFL safety and has played against very high levels of competition during his time in the Big Ten. Nubin is not being talked about enough as a potential first rounder and if he is not, he will be a day two steal. He is my S1 and a top 32 overall prospect.

Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

Similar to my take on Nubin, Colson is a player that has put together two very productive season in Michigan and has shown he can go toe-to-toe with the best competition in the nation. He played in a NFL style defense and knows how to excel in that system and be an effective player. As a prospect, Colson is the most complete package at the linebacker role. He is stellar in run support, reliable in pass defense and has an ideal frame for the position. The stat that sticks out the most to me is his missed tackle percentage, 4.7%. That is the third lowest for all linebackers that have played at least 400 snaps last season. Of every single position on defense, a linebacker needs to the best tackler on the field. Colson has proven that he will be that and much more. He is my LB1 and a top 50 overall prospect.

Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

Burton is another player that is a physical freak. Don't be surprised to hear his name buzzing after a handful of the tests at the combine. He is going to be one of the fastest receivers in this draft and knows how to use that speed and explosiveness to get open. One of the stats I like to look at when comparing receivers is the NFL passer rating for passes thrown in their direction. Burton's was 128.8 in 2023, that's top 50 for collegiate receivers last year with at least 50 targets. Tools and production aside, Burton stands out to me for one other reason. Zero drops in 2023. A receiver's number one job is to catch the ball and Burton is doing that. Burton is my WR10 and a top 50 overall prospect.

Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon St.

Oladapo projects to be a nickel safety and I think he will excel in that role. He has been a three year starter at Oregon State and has proven to be a reliable defender against some of the best air attacks in the country. He is not going to blow the world away athletically, but is skilled enough to play the position well and go one-on-one with slot receivers and in zone coverage. The stat that really sets Oladapo apart is his run defense. He had a 91.3 Run Defense grade per PFF in 2023. That is the second highest for all defensive backs last year. He is going to be an impact safety in the NFL. He is my S5 and a top 100 overall prospect.

Newt Westen