In the final part of my top 30 visit series, we visit the NFC South & west and the players they have been connected to. Specific teams are looking at some exciting prospects. Let’s dive into the last part of this series and break it all down.
San Francisco 49ers
- Interview @ Combine: Jayden Reed WR, Davis Allen TE
- Private meeting: Logan Bonner QB, Ronald Awatt RB, Deneric Prince RB, Jonathan Mingo WR
- Met @ Pro Day: Jake Haener QB, Israel Abanikanda RB, Camrun Peoples RB, Elijah Higgins TE
- Top 30 Visit: Dorain Thompson-Robinson QB, Zach Charbonnet RB, Roschon Johnson RB, Ronnie Bell WR, Cameron Latu TE, Brayden WIllis TE, Joel Wilson TE, Ben Sims TE
The 49ers were a team that had connections with many offensive players. The tight end seems to interest the 49ers, with four top 30 visits. None of these guys will come closer to Goerge Kittle, but they could serve some starting time with Kittles’s injury history. One player who could be in danger during the draft is Elijah Mitchell, who has missed time over his two-year career. The 49ers could look for a bigger back to handle the dirty work to keep CMC fresh for the long season. Mitchell could sell what you want to make right now on the 49ers. We’ve seen that the 49ers connected to some draft talent backs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Interview @ Combine: Anthony Richardson QB, Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Quentin Johnston WR, Jordan Addison WR, Michael Jefferson WR, Michael Mayer TE, Sam LaPorta TE, Tucker Kraft TE, Luke Musgrave TE, Dalton Kincaid Te, Payne Durham TE, Josh Whyle TE
- Private meeting: Trey Palmer WR
- Met @ Pro Day: Jared Wayne WR, Xavier Smith WR, Justin McGriff WR
- Top 30 Visit: Will Levis QB, Hendon Hooker QB, Clayton Tune QB, Jahmyr Gibbs RB, Roschon Johnson RB, Zach Charbonnet RB, Bijan Robinson RB, Luke Schoonmaker TE, Darnell Washington TE
The Bucs are an attractive landing spot for quarterbacks, as they have had quarterbacks visit. I doubt they have the tools to make a big move to take a quarterback early, but mid to late rounds is a more likely situation. Look for them to add someone like Clayton Tune. The two who could be in danger seem to be Cade Otton and Rachaad White, as the Bucs had most of their top 30 visits with running backs and tight ends. The Bucs were one of two teams to bring Bijan Robinson for a visit. White is probably a good sell high right now, but only take high value in return. They could be looking to have a complement to White instead. Otton played well enough to be the starter in 2023, but we’ve seen the Bucs use multiple tight ends in their offense over the years. Otton’s upside could be capped if they take a tight end early in the draft.
Arizona Cardinals
- Interview @ Combine: Jonathan Mingo WR, Sam LaPorta TE
- Private meeting:
- Met @ Pro Day: Evan Hull RB, Israel Abanikanda RB
- Top 30 Visit: Tanne McKee QB, Kendre Miller RB, Tank Bigsby RB, Quentin Johnston WR, Charlie Jones WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Tucker Kraft TE
The Cardinals are in a weird situation as they aren’t in a position in the first round to draft a skilled player. Selecting an elite prospect is out of the question unless they trade down. The Cardinals are in the market for a running back, as they have talked to a few this offseason. They could be looking to find a new running back with aging James Connor as the starter. Connor is still considered a sell-high in dynasty leagues. I’m surprised the Cardinals don’t bring in more receivers to get talent around Kylar Murray.
Atlanta Falcons
- Interview @ Combine: CJ Stroud QB, Bijan Robinson RB, Jahmyr Gibbs RB, Roschon Johnson RB, Tank Bigsby RB
- Private meeting: Hendon Hooker QB, EJ Jenkins WR, Justin Marshall WR
- Met @ Pro Day: Trey Palmer WR, Jadon Hassellwood WR, Quentin Johnston WR, Caylin Newton WR, Luke Schoonmaker TE, Johnny Lumpkins TE
- Top 30 Visit: Anthony Richardson QB, Will Levis QB, Tyjae Spears RB, Keaton Mitchell RB, Eric Gray RB, Jaylen Reed WR, Jonathan Mingo WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Rashee Rice WR, Sam LaPorta TE
The Falcons had a ton of top-30 visits on the offensive side of the ball. While the Falcons have played with the idea of one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, I don’t think they will make the move. Desmond Ridder is an excellent buy-low option in Superflex leagues right now. The Falcons have met with many of the running backs, too, which is concerning for Tyler Allgeier, who folks have as a sleeper running back. You should try to sell now, especially with the odds of Bijan Robinson landing in Atlanta. Expect the Falcons to add to its receiver core at some point during the draft. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they take the first receiver off the board to help give more weapons to Ridder. The Falcons brought in Jaxon Smith-Njiba, and selecting him could shock a lot of folks.
Carolina Panthers
- Interview @ Combine: Hendon Hooker QB, Max Duggan QB, Zach Charbonnet RB
- Private meeting:
- Met @ Pro Day:
- Top 30 Visit: Anthony Richardson QB, CJ Stroud QB, Will Levis QB, Bryce Young QB, Zach Evans RB, Kendre Miller RB, Jaxson Smith-Njjgba WR, Jonathan Mingo WR, Xavier Gipson WR, Derius Davis WR, Charlie Jones WR, Sam LaPorta TE, Darnell Washington TE
This one is easy, as the Panthers will select a quarterback with the first overall pick in the NFL. Which one is the question? Bryce Young is the favorite to land there, but rumors of Will Levis and Anthony Richardson exist. I’d expect them to draft both a running back and wide receiver during the draft. Chuba Hubbard and Terrace Marshall could fall out of favor for new regime-drafted players. We saw them bring in a few for a visit, and Kendre Miller and Jonathan Mingo would be an upgrade.
Los Angeles Rams
- Interview @ Combine:
- Private meeting: Hendon Hooker QB, Payne Durham TE
- Met @ Pro Day: Aidan O’Connell QB, Israel Abanikanda RB, TJ Cole RB, Tyler Scott WR, Tre Tucker WR, Luke Schoonmaker TE
- Top 30 Visit: Clayton Tune QB, Kendre Miller RB, Cedric Tillman WR
The Rams don’t have much draft capital, so they must be selective on their picks. Aidan O’Connell makes sense as a backup plan to Stafford, an intelligent quarterback. Remember that Akers was almost gone last year with the Rams, so selecting a running back in the draft makes sense. We saw Kendre Miller come for a visit that could be an option for the Rams. The Saints could use a bigger-bodied receiver, so seeing Cedric Tillman join for a visit is interesting. It’s an excellent time to sell Cam Akers and Van Jefferson on a high before the draft.
New Orleans Saints
- Interview @ Combine: Anthony Richardson QB, Israel Abanikanda RB, Tank Bigsby RB, Parker Washington WR, Darnell Washington TE, Tucker Kraft TE
- Private meeting: Aidan O’Connell QB, Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB, Zach Charbonnet RB, Joel Honigford TE, Ronnie Bell WR
- Met @ Pro Day: Yo’Heinz Tyler WR, Jaden Haselwood WR, Tre Tucker WR, Tyler Scott WR, Zay Flowers WR, Cephus Johnson QB, Tyjae Spears RB, Josh Downs WR, Andre Iosvias WR
- Top 30 Visit: Hendon Hooker QB, Clayton Tune QB, DeWayne McBride RB, Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Kendre Miller RB, Devon Achane RB, Jalin Hyatt WR, Rakim Jarrett WR, CJ Johnson WR
The Saints also met with many offensive pieces in the draft process. They have met with many quarterbacks which could challenge Jameis Winston for the backup job. They had Alvin Kamara-type running backs for top-30 visits, which is something to monitor. Another good sell high on Williams since fantasy owners could buy into the more considerable workload, especially when Kamara gets his suspension. As we see, receivers are another prominent position that the Saints had visitors, and I’d expect to be the case. Outside of Chris Olave, they have question marks that could be replaced with talent in this class.
Seattle Seahawks
- Interview @ Combine: Anthony Richardson QB, Zach Charbonnet RB
- Private meeting:
- Met @ Pro Day: Bryce Young QB, CJ Stroud QB, Ronnie Bell WR
- Top 30 Visit: Charlie Jones WR
The Seahawks had few connections with offensive players during the offseason. Growing rumors of Anthony Richardson to the Seahawks at sixth is growing, and that could be the spot. This would hurt Geno Smith’s dynasty value, as he could have only a year and a half wiggle room as the starter until fans want to see Richardson. I’m surprised we didn’t see more shifty running backs being connected more to Seattle as a complement to Kenneth Walker. Unless Seattle isn’t going with a receiver, I’m surprised they didn’t bring in one of the top receivers for a top-30 visit.
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