NFL Draft Day Blog: Rams looking to move up?
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Draft day has finally arrived.
The country's best college players are in Detroit to find out the next stop in their football careers.
The Chicago Bears own the first overall pick and are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022. Fellow quarterbacks Jayden Daniels (LSU), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) are all expected to be selected in the top-10 while Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered the best wide receiver in the class.
Follow all the day's news and rumours right here on TSN.ca.
Bears open to moving No. 9?
The Bears are "very open for business" with pick No. 9 and are telling teams they are ready to move it for the right price, according to ESPN's Diana Russini.
The Bears hold the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft where they're widely expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams out of USC. After No. 1 and No. 9, Chicago won't pick again until No. 75 in the third round.
Russini adds that multiple teams are looking to trade into the top half of the first round knowing there is a drop-off in talent after the first 12 to 15 players available on the board.
Marvin Harrison Jr. still hasn't signed licensing agreement
Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., widely regarded as the top receiver in this year's NFL Draft class, still hasn't signed a preliminary NFLPA licensing agreement, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"Marvin Harrison Jr. has yet to sign a preliminary NFLPA licensing agreement that all draftees typically sign, which would allow his name and likeness to be monetized after he is picked tonight and before his NFL contract is signed, per sources," Schefter said on social media. "His jersey will not be available for purchase and he will not be featured in video games until his NFLPA group licensing deal is signed."
The 21-year-old caught 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 with the Buckeyes.
Rams Trying to move up?
The Los Angeles Rams haven't picked in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2016 when they selected quarterback Jared Goff out of California with the first overall pick.
The Rams currently own the 19th pick in Thursday's Draft and are reportedly attempting to move up into the top-10, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Russini adds that the Rams have a specific, non-quarterback player in mind as they attempt to move up.
Los Angeles posted a 10-7 record this past season, falling to the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round.
Who's next after Williams?
Caleb Williams is a lock to go first overall after throwing for 3,633 yards with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions with the Trojans last season.
But, which top quarterback will be selected next?
The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots have the second and third picks, respectively, with both franchises in need of a starting quarterback.
TSN's Davis Sanchez and Dave Naylor discuss the best destinations for the remaining QBs
Daniels has no problem playing for Commanders
LSU's Jayden Daniels, who captured the NCAA's Heisman Trophy this past season, is expected by many to be selected by the Commanders with the second overall pick.
The 23-year-old says he has no issues playing in Washington after speculation that he didn't want to join the Commanders, who finished last in the NFC East with a 4-13 record.
“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called,” Daniels said Wednesday. “Whoever calls my phone, whoever gives the card to the Commissioner that says my name, I’m blessed to go and they’re gonna get my all."
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions for the Tigers in 2023, his fifth year of college ball.
Canadians in NFL Draft
Penn State tight end Theo Johnson may end being the top Canadian selected in this year's NFL Draft.
The Windsor, Ont., native caught 34 passes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns for the Nittany Lions in 2023, his fourth year with the school.
“Theo Johnson is definitely in that mix,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said recently. “He is my fourth tight end. Obviously, the traits and the tools are there when you're 6-foot-6 and you're almost 260 pounds (and) you run 4.57.”
Arizona's Tanner McLachlan is another Canadian tight end, who has the potential to be selected at some point in the NFL Draft.
The Lethbridge, Alta., native recorded 45 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Wildcats.
TSN's Dave Naylor has more on Johnson and McLachlan in his latest column.