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APC’s contributors pick their favorite prospects in this year’s draft class.
At long last, the NFL draft is just one week away. The cold doldrums of the post-free agency period will give way to a spring and summer full of hope. More than the warm feeling of a better tomorrow, however, we look forward to the sheer joy of ridiculing rivals before a single snap is played. Overzealous GMs will reach for the stars based on nothing other than “dat boi fast.” Others with shaky job security will trade their life away for a quarterback just… because. Because, well, that’s their guy.
Analysts, fans, and front offices all have those special few prospects for whom they slam the table. Whether highly rated blue chippers or under-the-radar sleepers, these are the guys you’d give anything to have on your team. Despite the immense risk of loving a prospect just a little bit (or a lotta bit) more than others, the brave APC crew has selected a few of their “My Guys” for the 2024 NFL Draft. Read on to find out who made the cut this draft season.
2023: First-team AP All-American; 41 total tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 5 PBUs.
It’s more than a bit cliche to pick out the Iowa defensive back at this point, but he is an extremely well-rounded prospect with more than enough athleticism to carry his skillset. There are few weaknesses in his game, highlighted by the fact that Dane Brugler’s write-up of him had one of the shortest weaknesses sections I have ever seen. While he absolutely could play corner, if he were drafted by Green Bay, the expectation is he would pair with new signing Xavier McKinney at safety, though moving him to the slot or boundary corner at some point would always be a possibility. His tackling ability and solid size would allow him to play in the box, while his high-end athleticism and great ball skills would fit well in the post safety role as well. This type of versatility with both he and McKinney would allow Green Bay great flexibility in responding to motion from opponents, allowing them to rotate the safeties rather than having guys chase across the formation.
2023: Third-team AP All-American.
Haynes would be an atypical Packers pick, as he didn’t play tackle or center in college, though he was snapping some during the post-season all-star circuit. If that experiment goes well, there may be a fit here. Haynes plays like a football psycho, through the whistle, and despite his shorter stature, has plenty of arm length. He just plays like one of those guys you really want in your trenches. There’s also upside here as Haynes was playing at a truly dismal program.
2023: Second-team All-Big Ten; 113 carries, 716 yards, 8 TDs; 19 receptions, 132 yards.
A converted wide receiver, Tracy is...
