4 Potential 2024 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Week 2 of the College Football Season
Week 2 of the college football season is upon us, and there is plenty of great action to check out across the NCAA this weekend.
Before the Saturday slate arrives, we are going to be taking a look at 4 potential 2024 NFL Draft picks who could be on the Vikings radar next spring.
Miami DT Leonard Taylor
All three of Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, and Khyiris Tonga are set to hit free agency next offseason. As a result, Minnesota could look to the draft to add more depth to the position in April.
Leonard Taylor is well-built for the NFL level at 6’3 and 305 pounds, but despite his size, he still has a great burst on the interior of the defensive line. He is coming off a fantastic 2022 season in which he totaled 10.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.
This week, Taylor’s Miami Hurricanes are set to take on Texas A&M in what should be a great test for the entire defense. In order to get an upset win this week, the Hurricanes are going to need Taylor to show up in a big way.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers
Of course, the QB position is one that will be a big discussion in Minnesota throughout this season and into the spring. For the first time since joining the Vikings, Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract.
The Vikings likely have their eye on this upcoming draft class as a result. It looks absolutely loaded at the QB position, and one player who could be near the top of the class is Texas QB Quinn Ewers. He nearly helped Texas upset Alabama last seson before getting hurt, and in 10 games, Ewers passed for 2177 yards, 15 TDs, and 6 INTs.
In Week 2, Texas gets a rematch will the Crimson Tide. Ewers will play a big role in the Longhorns’ quest to finally upset this No. 3-ranked Alabama program. Against a strong defensive unit, including CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, this is Ewers’ first big test of the season.
Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
Minnesota’s cornerback group is already under some scrutiny before the 2023 season even begins. The group is very young, and outside of Byron Murphy, we really don’t know who will step up this year.
Even if the young group finds some success this season, the Vikings may be wise to take a look at the 2024 Draft in order to add more talent to the CB room. Kamari Lassiter was a crucial part of Georgia’s secondary last year, playing 710 snaps over 13 games and helping the Bulldogs repeat as national champs.
Georgia plays Ball State this week, so they won’t face a major test. However, it is a great opportunity for Lassiter to show off his terrific instincts in pass coverage. If Vikings fans tune into this game, keep an eye on #3.
Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
Quietly, the Vikings have very little depth at OLB/EDGE for next season. None of Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, or D.J. Wonnum have contracts for 2024, so Minnesota has an opportunity to take a top-end player in the drat at this position.
Jack Sawyer looks like the latest great pass-rusher in the Ohio State Buckeyes program. He can do a little bit of everything on the defensive front with incredible strength and a strong initial burst of speed. He has the athleticism to chase down QBs and RBs in the backfield while even being able to step back into coverage on occasion.
Ohio State takes on Youngstown State this weekend, and Sawyer should be able to put together some gaudy numbers against their offensive line.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.