The 2024 NFL Draft gets going tomorrow from Detroit as thousands of draft prospects hope to hear their name be announced as one of the 257 picks that will hear their names called over the next three days. Sixteen former Tar Heels will be looking to be one of those, including one who many expect will be off the board by the midway point of tomorrow night’s first round at the latest. Here is a look at where the guys stand in the mock drafts heading into tomorrow.
QB Drake Maye
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
PFF Staff: Round 1, Pick 2 to the Washington Commanders
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Round 1, Pick 2 to the Washington Commanders
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Round 1, Pick 3 to the Minnesota Vikings
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Round 1, Pick 2 to the Washington Commanders
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Round 1, Pick 2 to the Washington Commanders
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
DraftTek: Round 1, Pick 3 to the New England Patriots
The masses seem to be truly split on Maye at this point over whether he will go to Washington or New England. The trade up is still on the table according to multiple insiders from around the league, but the offer has to be substantial for the Patriots to even consider moving down. Ideally, the Vikings would come up from No. 12 to take him at No. 3 and he would get the opportunity to pair with one of the best offensive head coaches in the league in Kevin O’Connell and a top-five passing catching group in the league. Landing in New York with the Giants would also be a rather attractive option because of what Brian Daboll’s offense thrives on and what he was able to do in Buffalo with Josh Allen. Realistically, though, the Patriots will probably hold on to the pick and select him with that 3rd overall pick.
WR Tez Walker
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Round 3, Pick 79 to the Atlanta Falcons
PFF Staff: Round 3, Pick 84 to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Round 3, Pick 87 to the Dallas Cowboys
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Round 3, Pick 100 to the Washington Commanders
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Round 2, Pick 45 to the New Orleans Saints
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Round 3, Pick 71 to the Arizona Cardinals
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Round 3, Pick 92 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Round 3, Pick 95 to the Kansas City Chiefs
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Round 3, Pick 79 to the Atlanta Falcons
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Round 3, Pick 84 to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 3, Pick 96 to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 3, Pick 72 to the New York Jets
DraftTek: Round 3, Pick 72 to the New York Jets
Walker’s stock has really stabilized itself after his initial fall following his performance in the Senior Bowl and the majority of mock drafters now see him as the second Tar Heel that will go off the board. Only one mock has him going outside of the 3rd round, so it feels like a pretty safe bet that he will come off the board sometime late on Friday night. Of the destinations above, Kansas City would be the dream scenario, but Jacksonville and Atlanta are very attractive destinations, as are the Jets if Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy. It also wouldn’t be the worst thing if he was to end up wherever Maye lands.
LB Cedric Gray
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Round 3, Pick 95 to the Dallas Cowboys
PFF Staff: Round 4, Pick 128 to the Tennessee Titans
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Round 3, Pick 100 to the Washington Commanders
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Round 4, Pick 102 to the Seattle Seahawks
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Round 3, Pick 99 to the Los Angeles Rams
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Round 3, Pick 85 to the Miami Dolphins
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Round 3, Pick 83 to the Los Angeles Rams
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Round 4, Pick 118 to the Seattle Seahawks
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Round 4, Pick 102 to the Seattle Seahawks
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Round 4, Pick 115 to the Cincinnati Bengals
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 3, Pick 87 to the Dallas Cowboys
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 2, Pick 53 to the Philadelphia Eagles
DraftTek: Round 3, Pick 92 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gray’s fall to the fringe of the 3rd round, and in some cases into the 4th, has been shocking. He may not have stood out at the combine the way that others at the position did, but the majority of those who did shine were already ahead of him on draft boards heading in. His performance at the Senior Bowl should have been the punctuation mark on him being a Day 2 prospect, but instead, he may have to wait until Saturday to hear his name called. The hope is that he will end up going somewhere late in the 3rd round because it will allow him to land with a contender who needs help at the position. The Cowboys and Rams are probably the most attractive fits late on Friday while Seattle makes a lot of sense if he has to wait till Saturday.
DT Myles Murphy
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Round 5, Pick 169 to the Green Bay Packers
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Undrafted
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Round 6, Pick 194 to the Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Round 7, Pick 226 to the Arizona Cardinals
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Round 7, Pick 231 to the New England Patriots
DraftTek: Round 6, Pick 214 to the Cincinnati Bengals
Murphy, like Gray, is a guy who has really fallen since the combine despite showing well in his all-star game appearance. After being seen as a draftable guy in almost every mock draft following the East-West Shrine Game, he is now seen as going undrafted by the majority of the mock draft world. Of the scenarios that are on the table here, Cincinnati and Green Bay make the most sense, as does going undrafted if he is still available in that 7th round because it would allow him to pick what team he lands with.
LB Amari Gainer
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Undrafted
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Round 7, Pick 223 to the Las Vegas Raiders
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Undrafted
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Undrafted
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
DraftTek: Undrafted
Gainer only shows up on one mock draft, but it would not be a complete shock if someone was to take a flyer on the extremely versatile piece. The Raiders wouldn’t be a bad destination for him, especially with the success that the Raiders have had at developing players in that front seven, but going undrafted and being able to pick his team wouldn’t be the worst option either.
RB British Brooks
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Undrafted
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Round 7, Pick 239 to the New Orleans Saints
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Undrafted
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Undrafted
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
DraftTek: Undrafted
If Brooks was to be selected, it would be absolutely stunning. He was a guy that most in the NFL community probably didn’t even know was pursuing a professional career until they arrived at the Tar Heel pro day and I doubt any team really views him as a draftable prospect considering he was never even a full time starter at the college level. If he was to land in New Orleans, he could certainly find a role with the team, but he will likely be someone who has to wait until after the draft is over for his phone to light up.
Others to Watch
C Corey Gaynor
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Undrafted
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Undrafted
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Undrafted
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Undrafted
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
DraftTek: Undrafted
WR Beau Corrales
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Undrafted
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Undrafted
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Undrafted
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Undrafted
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
DraftTek: Undrafted
S Giovanni Biggers
Jordan Reid (ESPN): Undrafted
PFF Staff: Undrafted
Ian Valentino (33rd Team): Undrafted
PJ Moran (Fantasy Pros): Undrafted
Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Undrafted
Shane Hallam (NFL Draft Countdown): Undrafted
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News): Undrafted
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Undrafted
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Undrafted
Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network): Undrafted
Walter Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball.com): Undrafted
DraftTek: Undrafted