6 prospects whose stock is falling before the 2024 NFL Draft, from T'Vondre Sweat to Keon Coleman (2024)

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat #93 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after Texas defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Sweat’s value had taken a hit even before his DWI arrest in Texas April 7. While he’s a genuinely massive human, even for the NFL at 6-foot-5 and 366 pounds, he’s also a relatively static one. Sweat’s speed and explosion scores at the combine certainly look like a guy who can’t be weighed on a typical doctor’s office scale.

That, paired with the judgment that allows for a drunk driving arrest, has teams and draft analysts writing down his stock. Per the Mock Draft Database, Sweat peaked at No. 32 on the consensus big board — an amalgamation of expert rankings across the world. Now he’s 62nd and falling. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay’s latest mock draft at ESPN ran through three rounds without selecting the massive Texas tackle.

© Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Beebe was once considered a potential Day 1 pick. As it stands, he may linger to the back half of Day 2.

That’s not exactly a dramatic drop, but it’s a concern. Beebe is a tried-and-true road-paver. He was an All-Big-12 left tackle, then kicked inside to earn second-team All-American honors at guard in 2022, then first-team honors last fall. He tested very well in the agility and explosion drills at the combine.

So why is he slipping down draft boards? His 31.5-inch arm length has scouts concerned opposing defenders are going to be able to evade his grasp, get inside leverage on him and move him off the ball. Between the worry about increased competition and the fact Beebe’s spot at guard isn’t quite as high-profile a position as tackle (in a draft loaded with them), one of college football’s best blockers could wind up a third-round pick.

Franklin steadily improved across his three years at Oregon and finished his career with superstar numbers in 2023. His 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns were both top-6 numbers across all FBS players.

Despite this, he may be washed out by a rising tide of wideout talent. While the former Duck has the chops to have been a first round talent in other drafts, he may linger to the middle of Day 2 thanks to concerns about his route tree and physicality. His 176-pound frame represents an increase over his listed playing weight, but he could still struggle to break away from press coverage or shuck off defenders for 50-50 balls.

He’s been unable to prove he can be a complete wideout amidst a stacked class through the pre-draft process. On the plus side, he’ll be a viable option for a team who missed out on the first wave of pass catchers this spring.

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Kalen King (4) makes an catch against Utah Utes wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) in the first half of the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

King’s estimation has plummeted throughout the tail end of 2023 and into 2024, taking him from potential first-round status — his place on the consensus big board once peaked at 32nd — into a place on Day 3. He was a monster in 2022, but was beaten consistently in his final season as a Nittany Lion as his passes defensed dropped from 18 to two.

There are plenty of holes in King’s game, but teams would still have been willing to take a chance on his upside after that solid sophom*ore campaign if he’d displayed elite athleticism. Instead, King combines average size with below-average straight line speed that suggests his issues in deep coverage won’t go away. If he can clean up his positioning and reclaim the ball tracking and press skills that made him so dangerous a year ago, he could be some team’s bargain.

Sep 30, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws a pass over the arms of Missouri Tigers defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Rakestraw looked like a fringe first-round candidate after knocking down 12 passes as a junior in 2022. He teamed with Kris Abrams-Draine to make the Tigers’ secondary an asset in an 11-win season, though his numbers slumped as opponents learned to throw away from him.

Concerns about his ability to be a team’s top corner compounded at the combine. Rakestraw didn’t stand out in any specific venue (aside from opening burst), proving himself as an average prospect in terms of size and athleticism.

That seems to have cemented his spot as a Day 2 prospect. That’s still very good, it just won’t come with the extra cash and status of a first-round pick.

Oct 14, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) avoids a tackle by Syracuse Orange linebacker Kadin Bailey (45) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Coleman’s highlight reel catches are undeniable. Look him up on YouTube and he looks like a surefire Day 1 talent.

Unfortunately, his transfer to Florida State didn’t result in the statistical explosion scouts had hoped. Coleman had two games in 2023 with 120-plus yards and five with fewer than 25. This lack of consistency was buttressed by a frustrating combine performance where his 4.61-second 40 time failed to capture his play speed.

That leaves him in danger of being left behind by a stacked class of wideout talent. And may make him a Day 2 bargain for one lucky team.