Our first draft pick signings post for rookies taken in the third round or later:
Green Bay Packers
- QB Michael Pratt (seventh round, Tulane)
- CB Kalen King (seventh round, Penn State)
Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Johnny Wilson (sixth round, Florida State)
Pratt was the final of 11 quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft last week. A four-year starter for the Green Wave, Pratt was named first-team All-AAC and the AAC Offensive Player of the year in 2023, despite failing to recreate his breakout numbers from 2022 of 27 passing touchdowns to only five interceptions with 10 more scores on the ground. He’ll compete with last year’s fifth-round pick, Sean Clifford, and Alex McGough for backup duties behind Jordan Love.
King was a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, forgoing his senior year of football for the NFL draft. He failed to reach the success of his sophomore season, in which he tallied 21 passes defensed and three interceptions, but showed enough as a junior to warrant a late-round selection. He’s listed by the Packers as a cornerback but has the potential to add to the entire secondary’s depth as many teams saw him as a safety at the next level.
Wilson was one of two transfer wide receivers to lead the Seminoles’ offense last year, spending his first two years at Arizona State before transferring to Tallahassee. Like the two players above, his best season came in 2022, when he caught 43 balls for 897 yards and five touchdowns. After the arrival of Bills new wideout Keon Coleman last year, Wilson’s contributions lessened to 41-617-2. Wilson provides the Eagles with a massive 6-foot-6, 231-pound frame that he doesn’t always play up to but could create a number of mismatches with at the NFL level. Some thought Wilson may be a tight end as a pro, but Philadelphia has plenty of depth at the position, which could allow them to try and continue developing Wilson as a receiver as a rookie.
These are all picks I loved. I think Pratt is a better prospect than a few guys taken ahead of him, including Jordan Travis. People thought King was a potential first rounder before last season. I wonder if he can be unlocked.
Meanwhile Wilson is a weird prospect given his size, but the dude can play. He might just not make sense in the NFL, but I’m fascinated to see.
Wilson might be a decent red zone threat but way too slow to be a receiver in the NFL