This period marks both the peak and the low point of my favorite season. Isn’t that paradoxical? I completed my draft preparation a fortnight ago, and now all there’s left to do is wait. As the wise Tom Petty once sang, “The waiting is the hardest part!”

I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the draft… it can’t come soon enough! Although it’s just under two weeks away, it feels like an eternity.

I find joy in reflecting on life and sports while cruising around with the roof down in my trusty old Jeep Wrangler TJ! What follows are the musings I’ve gathered during those rides throughout the week.

Strap in, let’s embark on a journey through my thoughts.

The Patriots dominate the draft.

The New England Patriots are in command of the 2024 NFL Draft. My prediction is that the Chicago Bears will likely choose USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the top overall pick. Following that, I think the Washington Commanders will select LSU QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick, leaving the Patriots with the third pick.

However, there’s uncertainty over whether the Patriots will make the selection. I speculate that the Denver Broncos or the Minnesota Vikings might attempt to trade up to the No. 3 spot. Although the cost would be significant, a cleverly crafted trade package could pave the way for such a move. Despite the premium on quarterbacks, the expenditure to move up to that spot may not be exorbitant, leading me to believe that the pick could be traded.

In January, there were talks indicating that the Patriots had a strong interest in Daniels, and if they couldn’t secure him, they would trade back and select Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. Now, in April (known as the month of deception), the prevailing rumors are about the Patriots’ admiration for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy or North Carolina QB Drake Maye. I’m hesitant to fully trust these rumors, as it’s possible that the Patriots are trying to entice the Vikings (who might be interested in Maye) or the Broncos (who might favor McCarthy) to make a move.

With the Arizona Cardinals holding the fourth overall pick, there’s a chance for a lucrative trade deal. It seems like the Patriots might be eyeing a slice of that opportunity.

Which teams could draft a QB in the first round of the 2024 @NFLDraft & which teams could trade up for one or trade down? Find out on the @MoveTheSticks podcast w/ DJ & @BuckyBrooks 👇

Full episode: https://t.co/19jYRqXJLM pic.twitter.com/n6GngCPPJr

— NFL Podcasts (@NFL_Podcasts) April 10, 2024

Initiate the trade. It’s somewhat unexpected that an agreement hasn’t been reached yet. I prefer the Broncos to advance in the draft, aiming for the highest position possible before the Vikings make their move. I believe Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton is actively pursuing this goal. Now, we must wait and see if he can successfully execute the plan—and whether General Manager George Paton can assist him in achieving it.

Forget about compromise.

It is my opinion that Payton and Paton may not be aligned in terms of their first-round draft strategy. Payton seems inclined to move up, likely targeting a quarterback he favors. On the other hand, Paton appears to prefer moving back to acquire additional picks, one of which could be utilized on a quarterback. This is merely speculation, albeit an informed one.

I believe that Payton and Paton share a good rapport and hold mutual respect for each other. Nonetheless, they appear to harbor divergent draft philosophies. Payton has a history of trading picks to climb up the draft board during his time with the New Orleans Saints, contributing to the construction of a championship-caliber team alongside Mickey Loomis. In contrast, Paton aligns more with the notion of having “more darts” in the draft, having previously emphasized the high number of quarterback misses in the first round.

Indeed, that is accurate, but even more accurate is the higher rate of misses on quarterbacks selected outside of the first round. Paton was involved in the Vikings’ front office decisions that led to drafting players like Christian Ponder and Teddy Bridgewater in the first round. Ponder turned out to be a poor selection who failed due to a lack of talent, whereas Bridgewater possessed skill but suffered a severe knee injury that derailed the promising NFL career he could have had. It’s as if previous quarterback draft disappointments still linger and impact Paton’s decision-making.

All decisions should revolve around Payton’s preferences. Payton holds all the authority, and the team should avoid making excuses. Place all responsibility on Payton’s shoulders – the outcomes are likely to be favorable. If not, the team may find itself in search of a new head coach in due time.

Lack of Combine, not an issue!

Every year, there are talented players who do not receive invitations to the NFL Combine. Therefore, I always keep an eye out for those overlooked prospects and pay attention to their performances on film or when scouting them in events like the Shrine or Senior Bowl.

One player who particularly caught my eye is Memphis running back Blake Watson, who surprisingly did not receive a Combine invite despite his impressive performances on film and during the East-West Shrine Bowl practices. In my RB Draft Preview, I detailed Watson’s skillset, highlighting his playmaking abilities, speed, vision, and acceleration that make him a valuable asset for any offense.

The NFL Draft process moves swiftly, causing some players to slip through the cracks, similar to what happened with Philip Lindsay in the past. A scouting department must have their standout favorites to advocate for. If I were in the Broncos’ draft war room, I would strongly advocate for selecting Watson in the late rounds. While some teams may try to outsmart the system and wait for him to go undrafted, I believe in taking a chance on talent like Watson in the later stages of the draft.

Watson fits the profile of the kind of player the Broncos should target on the third day of the draft. This year, Paton’s main focus is to acquire such players. Payton will likely handle the early rounds of the draft, leaving it to Paton to source playmakers in the later rounds and prioritize signing undrafted free agents post-draft. Bringing in Watson would be a strategic decision.

Exceptional, extraordinary.

At the recent Cinemacon, attendees were treated to a sneak peek of a forthcoming film featuring Deadpool and Wolverine, generating a lot of buzz. Despite my thorough online search, no footage of the nine-minute trailer is available. However, firsthand accounts from those present suggest that the movie is poised to be a box office success, potentially reaching the $1billionmark.Thishighlyanticipatedfilmhasthepotentialtosurpasstheearningsof“Deadpool2,“whichgrossed$785 million.

Fans eagerly await the July 25 release date of the film, as it is seen as a potential game-changer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has shown signs of decline. Contrary to the notion of superhero fatigue, the public seems eager for engaging and well-crafted superhero movies. With only one MCU release scheduled for 2024, “Deadpool and Wolverine” is expected to be the standout blockbuster of the year.