2024 My Guys 2.0

My Guys 2.0! In this second edition of the series, I am going to continue to focus on a lot of players who have stood out due to stellar seasons, all-star performances, or just freak abilities and talents. All of these players are ones that I am admittedly higher on than the general consensus and guys that I would be willing to go to bat for in the war room earlier than others.

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

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

McConkey is a player that has been spiraling up throughout the pre-draft process and I am not saying that I am the only one who thinks McConkey is a stellar player. What I am saying is the Ladd train still isn't as big as it needs to be. My favorite scouting report on him comes from NFLSE when Trevor Sikkema points out the two most important things for a wide receiver to do—get open and catch the ball. That is what McConkey excels at. This year McConkey has had only 2 drops throughout the entire season and registered 3.26 yards per route run. To put that into perspective, that puts him 4th for all draft-eligible receivers that saw at least thirty targets. McConkey comes in as my WR5 and a top 32 overall prospect.

T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

T.J. Tampa runs in a very different vein than McConkey. While he is consistently in most analysts' Top 75 rankings, he just never seems to get talked about. Looking at his stats, it does make sense why he doesn't stand out necessarily. Of all of the following categories he is in the 5-30 range: QB Passer Rating Against, Yd/Rec, Forced Incompletion %, Snaps/Reception. All great metrics and all pointing to the fact that he is a solid player, but he doesn't shine in just one area. His consistency and reliability are what draw me in. It is worth noting that he does all of this as a true press corner, something that will earn an extra tip of the cap from scouts and GMs alike. All of that paired with his size and consistent play put him as my CB6 and a top 40 overall prospect.

Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

While Tampa And Sainristil are both considered cornerbacks, they are two very different players who fill two very different positions. Sainristil is 4" shorter than Tampa and is most likely a slot-only back. 20 years ago, a player like this doesn't even have a chance of sniffing Day 2 of the draft. In today's NFL where 11 personnel is lined up on 66% of the snaps across the league. That makes the importance of a high-quality nickelback that much more of a priority. Sainristil is the best in this year's class. Let this speak to his ability to play at a high level—Sainristil led all players in this draft class in picks this year with 6. Sainristil, who is a former wide receiver has legit ball skills and is a menace to opposing QBs. Sainristil is my CB10 and a top 60 overall prospect.

Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas

Booker is the player on this list who fills that freak athlete role. He is 6' 5" and 240 lbs with room on his frame to add more weight. To give some perspective on him, I would say that most analysts and media members have him as an early Day 3 player. Most of the reason for that is he has played just over 500 snaps in his entire college career. That number is staggeringly low for a player to opt into the draft after his junior year. Almost the entirety of those snaps came this last year where in just one year of playing he was top 25 for Pass-Rush Win % and top 10 Run Stop % for draft-eligible players. The combination of both of those, especially the ability to play the run tells me he can be something special and more than just a DPR at the next level. With numbers like that after only one year of truly playing the position and traits that you can't teach, he is a player I am more than willing to bet on. Booker is my EDGE10 and top 100 prospect.

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, WR, Georgia

I might be saving my favorite "My Guy" for the end. Rosemy-Jacksaint has put together a solid four-year career at Georgia, starting the last two seasons. He has played against the best secondaries in the country by playing in the SEC, especially with Saban-coached defenses. He has done nothing but be a solid, consistent player throughout. I will point out one stat that resonates with me—he has not logged a single drop over the last two years. Once again, receivers need to catch balls and Rosemy-Jacksaint checks that box. Rosemy-Jacksaint is my WR14 and in my top 100 overall prospects.

Newt Westen