Friday Newsletter: A fast-rising CB, a falling notable OT, the Broncos' stellar rookie class, and the start of the College Football Playoffs
We have College Football Playoff games! And more! Get caught up here.
We are back for another newsletter, and we again have a small handful of NFL Draft topics to get to.
It was not a busy day yesterday, but as always, I have a player that I watched and loved, the newest episode of the Daft on Draft Podcast, and a spicy opinion of a well-respected NFL analyst.
So grab your cup of coffee and get caught up on all your latest NFL Draft news!
CB Azareye’h Thomas set for a massive rise
I had been told to watch Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas for quite some time. And I finally got around to it. Boy, do I wish I had gotten to him sooner.
There may not be a better press-man cornerback in the entire draft class than Thomas. His feet are stellar, he plays with physicality down the field and can carry vertically with plenty of long speed.
There is a ton to love about his game. He may have to be my next “Inside the Film Room.”
Broncos rookies produce to no avail vs. Chargers on TNF
The Denver Broncos nailed their 2024 NFL Draft class. Even if I have questions about Bo Nix's ceiling and whether or not this is his ceiling, their later-round picks are all hitting.
Despite a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, they saw a flurry of rookies produce for them. Nix threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, running back Audric Estime rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown, wide receiver Devaughn Vele caught a touchdown, and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine picked off a pass.
That’s a ton of production out of one rookie class. George Paton and his team cleaned up.
Kelvin Banks Jr. a 2025 NFL Draft faller?
Bleacher Report’s scouting department wrote up players at each position who have risen and fallen the most this season, and their offensive line evaluator, Trench Warfare’s Brandon Thorn (who is well-regarded in the industry), named a surprise player.
Well, it’s a surprise to the layman who is used to seeing this player listed as a top player in the class. However, as Dalton and I have gone through our big boards on the podcast, neither of us has listed this player yet through our first 15 players.
That player is Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.
There is some debate whether or not he translates best to tackle or guard at the next level, and some of his physical deficiencies have shown through this season. For one, he is not asked to set at depth a ton, and when he does his foot speed is a bit slow. This showed up big time against Georgia in the regular season.
Here is what Thorn had to say on a potential Banks tumble:
These concerns stem primarily from shaky recovery skills that result in him being manipulated out of position by skilled rushers who know how to set up their moves and struggling to get himself out of compromising positions.
Banks has made plenty of big blocks in the run and screen game this season while largely being solid as a pass protector, which has been enough to rack up accolades (Outland and Lombardi awards) but has left something to be desired for his projection to the pro game, with lingering questions on whether he can stick at tackle or would be best served kicking inside to guard.
It’s nice to know I haven’t been on an island about his skillset since last Spring.
Tune in to Friday’s Daft on Draft Podcast!
We get the first matchup of the College Football Playoffs tonight as Indiana takes on Notre Dame. Then we have a full slate of Round of 12 games on Saturday. Dalton and I broke it all down from an NFL Draft perspective: