Day 2 of NFL Combine marked by Rams favored DBs going down to injuries

While Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine rang with great quotes and sizzling athletic feats that impressed the LA Rams and Rams fans alike, Day 2 took a different path altogether. It was the day of tight ends and defensive backs, both positional groups that could be high on the team's list of priorities to address throughout the 2024 NFL Draft.

If the Rams were the only team targeting those positions in this draft, things would be incredibly promising for the team. Unfortunately, 32 teams are all likely targetting additional DB reinforcements during this draft, and even the robust supply of 68 rookie hopefuls in attendance will fall short of meeting that demand.

That number will be reinforced with additional prospects as college and regional Pro Days begin to attract NFL scouts and executives, but there will be teams whose demand for young secondary help may need to be met through the 2024 NFL Free Agency market. That is even more likely to be the case after today's events were headlined by two of the top defensive backs in this draft class reported suffering injuries:

Unfortunate injuries impact 2 top DB prospects

While some gravitated to Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry from his name alone, this young man has been among the top defensive backs in this class and has remained there throughout the 2023 NCAA football season. In fact, he and his teammate Terrion Arnold are two of the Top-5 defensive backs on almost all draft boards.

Well, until now:

While a Jones fracture may not be as horrendous as it has been to NBA players, its presence does introduct a bit of uncertainty to his draft profile. We know from past experience that players often tumble in the presence of medical flags. How far might Kool-Aid McKinstry fall as a result? We'll find out at the 2024 NFL Draft.

Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins has been one of the most respected rookie prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his 4.29-second showing in the 40-yard dash is going to place him as the top one or two cornerbacks on almost every team's draft board. Or, will it?

Hip Flexor strains are not as troublesome as the injury may sound. It is an injury that has varying degrees of damage, but due to ample blood flow in the area, will likely result in a full recovery with rest, and proper care. Because he was immediately cared for, even the worst diagnosis would be that he will be back on his feet in from four to six weeks, and even less if the strain is not severe.

But if all other factors were equal, how much would this injury impact Nate Wiggins's draft stock? For some teams, perhaps it will pose little to no impact. But NFL teams tend to shy away from medically-flagged players in Round 1 if other options are on the board. And in the 2024 NFL Draft, even a minor ding can be the difference between coming off the draft board within the Top 15 selections or falling to a late Day 2 position.

What highlights and players should fans take note of?

1. Cornerbacks
2. Safeties
3. Tight ends

Cornerbacks

The LA Rams face losing veteran cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Duke Shelley to the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, and that creates significant vacancies in the team's current projected roster. The team needed to sign veteran DB Witherspoon, not only to compete for a starting role, but to add a level of veteran leadership to a very young group.

2023 exposed the secondary to valuable experience, with the belief that having gone through a full season, the players who remain on the team will have a jump start to competing for playing time when the group reforms for OTAs and training camp this season. Still, losing two players almost necessitates replacing them with two new faces. And yes, this is the right year to be shopping for secondary support.

We featured three cornerbacks in our Scouting Combine preview article, and recommend that you revisit that piece to refresh your memory of what we had to say about them.

Defensive backs - Cornerbacks

• Day 1 - Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
• Day 2 - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
• Day 3 - Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

The fastest 40-yard times were eye-popping indeed and add to the belief that the 2024 rookie draft class of cornerbacks is both incredibly talented as well as very deep. But the Rams may seek multiple cornerbacks in this draft. So who may have fallen out of favor?

Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. certainly did not grab the spotlight with his combine performance, but the Rams organization has already confirmed repeatedly that 40 times and other track event performances are less of a priority for their evaluation process. The team emphasizes game performances, which should serve Rakestraw well.

The Rams had met with Rakestraw and that is clearly not a mistake or coincidence. He is ranked among the Top-10 at the position on almost all draft boards. Don't let his speed fool you, Rakestraw is swifter on the football field because he has great instincts, allowing him to jump routes and arrive at the right spot as the football arrives. Unlike many DBs who play the hound chasing the fox game, Rakestraw is a much smarter opponent, outguessing the quarterback and receiver as to where they are going. His combine scores are nothing less than great news for the team that is excited to add him to the team. Projection: Round 2

If you are more interested in an athletic type of cornerback, then Rutger cornerback Max Melton is certain to pique your interest. Even though he is ranked from 18th to 30th on many draft boards, he is a player who warrants strong consideration to the roster. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 187-pounds, he is certainly big enough to fill the role.

What stands out about Melton is his athleticism, which only enhances his ability to diagnose routes, get into position, and make plays on the football consistently. He is a bit of fresh air, in that he does not depend on his speed to carry the day. He is a willing run defender, is proficient at both man/press and zone coverage schemes, and he can pick off passes even when his receiver is not targeted.

Melton is not completely refined, but his shortfalls are very coachable. He would make a great addition to the team. Projected: Round 3

Safeties

While I failed to name safety prospects in any previous articles, I can quickly remedy the matter by focusing on a few who should be on the team's radar now. The team is projected to lose both starting safeties John Johnson III and Jordan Fuller to the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, JJIII for the second time in four seasons. While there are reports that the team wants to re-sign them, and has a role for both, history is simply not on the side of any extensions happening.

After the 2022 NFL season, the team willingly allowed both safety Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott to sign with other teams uncontested. Even if the Rams put more effort into extensions this season, I am not convinced that either Johnson or Fuller will be back.

That means that the team will be under pressure to select at least one safety who is capable of earning playing time in the 2024 NFL Draft. So who might fit that set of conditions?

Defensive backs - Safeties

Here are some names of players who appear to fit the culture of the team:

• Day 1 - Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
• Day 2 - Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
• Day 3 - Cole Bishop, S, Utah

So did any earn high marks in the 40 yard dash?

Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin is considered by many to be the top or among the top safeties in the 2024 draft class, and for good reason. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 199 pounds, Nubin is a solid presence in any team's secondary. He can do it all: Run support, press/man pass coverage, and zone pass coverage. His football IQ is not only off the charts, he is an excellent communicator and is active in ensuring that his teammates are in the correct position to make plays. While not blessed with blazing speed, the Rams have been willing to focus on safeties whose football swiftness is greater than a player's track speed. I love this young man's potential. Projected: Round 2

Washington State safety Jaden Hicks embodies the fierce tough competitor that fans love to see from a defensive back. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 211 pounds, Hicks is a player who loves to be physical, loves to work hard, and continuously gives off a love of football that even fans in the nose-bleed section of the stands can see. Hick is a big defensive back who is surprisingly effective in pass coverage. He is not fully fluent in all aspects of a safety role, as he needs to refine some coverage techniques as well as tackling skills. But he is a player who absolutely loves the game. Projected: Round 3

Utah safety Cole Bishop is a name that I have seen discussed by fans as a solid option for the team's secondary. He has been described as both a free safety and a strong safety, depending on the draft scout. But he is a solid 6-foot-2 206-pound defensive back who is not shy about stating that he is the best safety in this draft class at covering tight ends, and he may be correct.

He credits his tight-end coverage skills to training and competing against former tight end teammate Dalton Kincaid, a player who the Rams were rumored to have targeted in the 2023 NFL Draft, but failed in their attempts to trade up.

Bishop's stock is rising rapidly, as he has a solid body of work that was only amplified by his outstanding combine numbers. He may not be elite at any single safety role yet, but he does have an excellent foundation at all areas. The expectation is that he is an NFL-starter caliber safety who will only get better with playing time and experience. Projection: Round 4

Tight ends

I won't lie, the annual NFL Scouting Combine does a remarkable job of stoking the embers of NFL football back to flames at a time of the year when football is truly at its lull. But perhaps any even more significant impact is the way the combine tempts and tortures NFL fans by parading so many talented prospects in semi-related football athletic events.

What I mean is that even knowing that the LA Rams possess four picks among the Top-100 selections scheduled for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, I can name 40+ prospects who I would be ecstatic for the team to emerge with after two days of drafting.

Four picks get me involved in enthusiastically tracking more than 40 players. That is the magic of the NFL Scouting Combine.

I did name three tight ends to note in a pre-combine article, and you can check that out now to refresh your memory. They are:

Tight ends

• Day 1 - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
• Day 2 - Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
• Day 3 - Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State

Still, other tight ends are worth getting to know.

South Carolina tight end Trey Knox certainly made me sit up and take notice with his podium speech. One of the secrets to the Rams' sudden and surprising success is to look past the draft profile and peer into the person. With that in mind, Knox is certainly a prospect worth adding to the team. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, Knox is not the biggest tight end in the 2024 draft class. But he may be the most passionate:

Once he gets the football in his hands, he is very difficult to bring down, especially if he faces defensive backs. He has strong hands, and can wrestle contested catches away from defenders. He is a strong runner, and has a great sense of timing jumps to come down with the football. He is still a bit raw, as he was involved in a spread offense with a limited route tree.

Still, he loves the game. That is enough to consider me sold. Projected: Undrafted free agent priority signing