REPORT: Seven NFL Draft rumours including the Chargers, Patriots, Rams, Commanders, and Broncos, among others

I have some good news if all of the NFL Draft rumours are starting to get to you, dear reader.

Before the 2024 NFL Draft, this Friday’s rumour roundup will be the final one.

Not that this is the end of the series. No, my dear reader, no. Next week, you may anticipate one of these every day until the draft really begins. Then we will have actual draft selections to talk about instead of just rumours.

Unless you count the rumours surrounding the Round 2 mock draft that is headed your way on Friday. If that’s the case, it will all end shortly.

Let’s turn on the rumour DeLorean in the interim. There will be some intense action when these reach 88 mph.

Reasons for not drafting a DT first by the Rams
Defensive tackle is a position frequently associated with the Los Angeles Rams since Aaron Donald retired. In mock drafts, the Rams frequently choose Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, with Los Angeles ranked No. 19 overall.

Rams Wire said that the Rams will probably take a different approach in light of this. As Cameron DeSilva points out, the squad had plenty of time to get ready because the organisation had known for some time that Donald was most likely entering his final few seasons in the league.

The first question that arose after Aaron Donald declared his retirement from the NFL was, “How will the Rams replace him?” Since they haven’t signed any free agents, it seems likely that they will select a defensive lineman early in the draft to cover the huge hole left by No. 99.

The future Hall of Famer cannot be replaced by a single player, but it’s likely that the Rams already have someone on the team who can. Kobie Turner is such talent, and in 2023 he ought to have been awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Upon closer inspection, the Rams selected Turner, a Wake Forest product, with the 89th overall pick last year, which effectively selected Donald’s replacement. His presence is the main reason why Los Angeles might not select a defensive tackle like Johnny Newton or Byron Murphy II in the first round as many people anticipate.

…

Not to add, when Donald signed his new contract in 2022, the Rams most likely understood he would only be playing for two more years. According to Tony Pastoors, vice president of football operations, Donald “looked me in the face and said, ‘I’m playing two years,'” when he signed his contract in 2022, as reported by The Athletic. The fact that Donald’s contract included a 2024 option shows the Rams strongly believed he would retire following the 2023 campaign as well.

Turner was selected at the right time since they understood they would have to replace Donald as quickly as possible. Rather of seeing him as a 2024 class rookie, they saw him as Donald’s succession.

Modify your expectations in line with the mock draft.

Sean Payton wants to steer clear of a repetition of 2017.
Several clubs are vying for the quarterback position in the first round, including the Denver Broncos.

Maybe head coach Sean Payton will have the opportunity to do with this draft what he was unable to accomplish with New Orleans in 2017.

Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda claims that during that draft cycle, Payton had his sights set on Patrick Mahomes. Pauline claims that the New Orleans Saints, who had the No. 11 pick, were hoping to trade into the top ten, but that deal fell through. Payton thought the Cincinnati Bengals were home free when they selected wide receiver John Ross with the ninth overall pick.

At that point, the Chiefs of Kansas City dashed his hopes when they selected Mahomes ahead of New Orleans in the first round by moving up more than fifteen slots.

Payton does not want to experience this emotion twice.

Why does that matter for the next draft? Pauline writes, “Reliable sources inform me that Payton will always harbour resentment for missing out on Mahomes.” “The Broncos coach is prepared to stake the team’s future on moving up and selecting a quarterback on Thursday night, according to recent word within the league.”

Perhaps Payton was motivated to do something by that fear: