Some of these prospects might not sound like the big hitting juggernauts of the NFL Draft, but they can be an instant impact for any team that picks them up
As the NFL playoffs come to a close and the NFL Draft starts to creep up, it becomes even more clear what each team needs. I decided to choose five players that I believe could make huge impacts on teams throughout the course of a season.
Micheal Penix Jr. | QB, Seattle Seahawks
A hometown pick and a future need, MPJ would be a perfect fit for Seattle as he can make every throw on the field and is arguably the most accurate QB in the draft. The Seahawks have the weapons around him and as we saw if you have dawgs (no pun intended) around him he will produce. Medical history will be a concern to pick him up this early (Seattle has the 16th pick, MPJ is mocked as a late first rounder) but if they can keep him upright the ceiling for Seattle drastically improves over Geno Smith.
He isn’t extremely mobile but he can move around in the pocket and extend plays when necessary. We did see in the National Championship game pressure can get him rattled so Seattle could look to beef up the 28th ranked O-line according to PFF later in the draft.
Braelon Allen | RB, Tennessee Titans
Nearly as physically imposing as free agent Derrick Henry (6’2, 245 compared to 6’3 247), Braelon Allen has a chance to be the next great Titan running back. Just turned 20 on January 20th, he is a young and strong RB. Allen is a plug and play replacement if Tennessee decides to let Henry walk in free agency.
He would be the thunder to Tyjae Spears lightning giving them a great backfield for years to come. Not known as a receiving threat with only 28 receptions for 131 yards he did only have one drop in his 30 targets. Receiving concerns should not be an issue with Spears taking on that role in passing downs. He could be a steal in the late third to early fourth round.
Keon Coleman | WR, Kansas City Chiefs
As we have seen throughout this year the Chiefs have lacked receiver talent. Coleman could step right in and be the downfield threat that Marquez Valdes-Scantling has tried to be. He is all of 6’4″ and an athletic freak. Playing basketball at Michigan State prior to his FSU transfer means he is a great jump ball catcher. The game against LSU showed all facets of his game taking slant routes for 40 yards and showcasing his contested catch ability down the field.
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He did have an UGLY drop against Louisville in the ACC championship game. The drops may scare some people away but his downfield presence will open up everything underneath for Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. His stats do not pop off the sheet but that is more attributed to his utilization than talent. He has fallen down big boards throughout the year so it may look like a reach now but at the beginning of the season he was a top 10 big board guy.
Ben Sinnott | TE, Carolina Panthers
Having the opportunity to work for Kansas State (EMAW!) during the 2023-24 season I got to see this dude everyday in practice and it was magic. He can line up in the slot, inline, as a wing and at FB. He can do almost everything you could ask from him. He is an above average blocker, see Avery Johnson touchdown run against Texas Tech where he pancakes a dude and then takes another guy to the bleachers.
Athletic enough to stretch the field and has good strong hands as we saw in 2022 against TCU in the regular season. Carolina’s TE room was below average and Dave Canales got a lot out of Cade Otton in Tampa so he may look to pick up Sinnott to add some weaponry for second year QB Bryce Young.
Cooper Beebe | OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Another guy I got to see live in the flesh, he is the most polished guard in this draft. He offers positional versatility as he has loads of experience at guard he has spent time at both tackle spots and played well everywhere. He has fallen down draft boards compared to where he was projected last years on boards but it has not been because his play has warranted it.
You get what you see from him and a little scouting fatigue may have caused the fall. He does not necessarily give you those WOW blocks you might see from other guys but he will always be in the right spot making the right play.
Built like a fridge you never see him get pushed back at the point of attack. Some people question his mean streak but his block against Houston to clear the way for a DJ Giddens touchdown should silence those critiques. He has all the makings to be a 10+ year pro. The Steelers need help on the line and Beebe fits the style perfectly as he is a great pass protector and can fit in any run scheme you need from him.
