High School Football: Using Class of '24 and '25 players, here's the TCPalm's NFL Mock Draft
Unless you’re a Carolina Panthers fan, welcome to one of the best times of the sports calendar.
Renewed optimism and hope are spread across the country with the arrival of the 2024 NFL draft. The three-day event began with the first round on Thursday and continues through Saturday.
Hours before dreams come through for 32 young men, TCPalm decided to take a stab at a mock draft, only this one is with a twist and touch of imagination: Instead of using college players, high schoolers from the Treasure Coast get a chance to take center stage.
In our draft, the eligibility rules are similar to the ones for college, with juniors and seniors from this past fall season being the only players eligible.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
MORE DRAFT: What is record for most offensive players picked in first round of NFL draft? Will it be broken?
Of course, the following disclaimer is to be considered: The results of this draft are not meant to rank the area’s best players, but, instead, in the name of fun, to try to find the best fit between player and a team’s needs.
Welcome to the Motor City, the site of this year’s draft. The Chicago Bears are officially on the clock.
1. Tyler Aronson - Chicago Bears (from Carolina)
Sr., QB, Vero Beach
There isn’t an NFL fan base that has suffered more anguish over the past 40 years over finding a franchise quarterback than the Chicago Bears. But after fleecing the Carolina Panthers the previous offseason and trading former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the search in the Windy City may finally be over.
According to long-time Indians head coach Lenny Jankowski, Aronson possesses the most arm talent of any signal caller that he’s coached. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback proved that during his final season, completing 64% of his passes for 2,077 yards, 23 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He also pulled down the ball 83 times for 234 yards on the ground and four more scores to lead Vero to a 9-3 record and regional semifinal appearance.
Familiar with a Pro-Style offense and with weapons like Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore to throw to, expect Aronson to air it out in Chicago.
2. Ahmar Atwell - Washington Commanders
Jr., QB, Treasure Coast
The Commanders have had just many trials and tribulations in trying to track down a quarterback. More than a decade ago, Washington thought it was set at the position when it took Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, but at the end of a spectacular Rookie of the Year campaign, thoughts of a long-lasting career crumbled to the ground.
Now in 2024, the Commanders get a re-do with Atwell, who has the ability to scramble but has made great strides with his arm. The Titans quarterback proved he can hit his targets down the field while also throwing with some accuracy in the face of pressure or on the run.
Starting in all 12 games, Atwell (45% completion, 9 TD, 4 INT, 636 yards) guided Treasure Coast to a 9-3 record, a district title and a regional final appearance in 2023.
3. Ni’Marion Bryant - Minnesota Vikings (from New England)
Sr., QB, Okeechobee
We have a trade.
For weeks it’s been reported that the Patriots were not enthralled with the quarterback options available to them at the third pick and were open to a trade. For the past 24 years, Bill Belichick was notorious for moving down the draft order to grab selections at his ideal value. Even in the franchise’s first draft without Belichick since 1999 and Jerod Mayo now at the helm, New England is set to continue that method, with the Vikings stepping up to grab their replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Bryant was a threat to slice up opposing defenses at any place on the field. He accounted for 19 total touchdowns as a passer, rusher and receiver. With the long-term future of Justin Jefferson in doubt, Minnesota has now solidified a position that should keep its star receiver happy.
Headed to New England in the trade are the Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick, a third-rounder pick in 2025, a year's supply of Juicy Lucy burgers and a future Prince album done through A.I.
4. T.J. Alford - Arizona Cardinals
Jr., LB, Vero Beach
In a draft dominated by teams in search of offensive talent, the Cardinals use their first selection with the aim of fixing one of the league’s worst defenses in 2023. And in doing so, they take possibly the single best player in the draft.
The reigning TCPalm Defensive Player of the Year and four-star prospect destroyed offensive game plans with his activity and explosion from the middle of the field. Alford produced a team-best 114 tackles, 12 of which went for loss. He also finished with four sacks, six passes defended and an interception.
Wrecking teams by filling gaps in the run game while using his athleticism to hold his own coverage, Alford, entering the draft as just a junior, has the makeup of a franchise cornerstone.
5. Jemar Paul - Los Angeles Chargers
Sr., WR, Fort Pierce Central
Whether it's Andrew Luck at Stanford, Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco, or, most recently J.J. McCarthy for the national champion Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has helped quarterbacks reach their full potential. Now in his first season back in the NFL with the Chargers, the 60-year old head coach gets the chance to work with Justin Herbert.
The problem? Due to salary cap cuts, Los Angeles is limited with its weapons on the outside.
The solution? Grab a 6-3, 170-pound receiver with wheels, elusiveness and a big catch radius.
Paul accounted for more than a third of the Cobras’ touchdowns during his senior season, finishing with 44 catches for 457 yards and seven scores.
6. Dennis Palmer Jr. - New York Giants
Sr., RB, Jensen Beach
The running back position doesn’t hold the same value it had decades ago, but the New York Giants have proven that they will use a high first-round pick on a star in the backfield.
New York did so by drafting Penn State stud Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018. Now, the Giants will repeat by grabbing the best offensive talent in this year’s draft.
The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year was the unquestioned backbone to the Falcons’ run to the District 12-3S title and a 9-2 record. Palmer wrapped up his career rushing for 1,009 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. He holds the school record in rushing (4,093), all-purpose yards (5,578) and career touchdowns (61).
7. Knajee Saffold - Tennessee Titans
Sr., OL, Treasure Coast
The Titans have already addressed needs in the offseason, particularly at cornerback and the skill positions. They traded for one of the league’s best in Super Bowl champion L’Jarius Sneed while signing Chidobe Awuzie away from Cincinnati, Tony Pollard from Dallas and Calvin Ridley from Jacksonville in free agency.
However, with many of the top quarterbacks gone early in the draft, Tennessee will address a different need by taking the 6-4, 321-pound specimen. Saffold will go from one Titans program to another as the three-star prospect was a key piece to Treasure Coast’s success from both the tackle and guard positions.
8. Julius Puryear - Atlanta Falcons
Jr., Edge, Jensen Beach
Puryear is another player who may change colors but not mascots.
Although the team ranked a respectable eighth in the NFL in passing yardage allowed, Atlanta was in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Enter the 6-2, 220-pound linebacker to help solve that issue, set the edge and cause havoc.
Pacing a defense that allowed less than seven points per game, Puryear was a playmaker during his senior campaign, racking up 11 sacks. That number nearly doubles Atlanta’s sack leader in 2023.
Getting after the quarterback wasn’t his only strength, as Puryear forced two fumbles, picked off three passes, blocked a punt and finished with 103 total tackles.
9. Jahari Grant - Chicago Bears
Sr., DL, Treasure Coast
The Bears’ futility at the quarterback position has long been a topic of conversation. But any success that they’ve had has always been tied to a menacing defense. What Chicago does at the top of the draft will get all the headlines, but grabbing Grant here makes for a recipe of wins.
The newest Monster of the Midway saw time on the Titans defensive line as a freshman and continued to progress over the years wearing the black and gold. This past year, the 6-2, 280-pound defensive tackle was a force on the interior, finishing with five sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.
10. Jaylyn Monds - New York Jets
Sr., DB/WR, Fort Pierce Westwood
This pick surely will make Westwood head coach and Jets superfan Chris Kokell a happy man.
New York already has a Treasure Coast connection in Jensen Beach graduate Jamien Sherwood, who is preparing for his fourth season in the league. Now, another area product is bound for the city that never sleeps.
As part of a family awash with top-notch athleticism, Monds is capable of electrifying the Big Apple on both sides of the ball. This past season, he reeled in two interceptions while deflecting 12 passes from his shutdown spot in the secondary. The senior also posted a team-best 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Start spreading the news.
11. Chase Stevens, Sr. OL, Vero Beach - New England Patriots (from Minnesota)
12. Johnny Ahern, Jr. QB, Jensen Beach - Denver Broncos
13. Xavion Griffin, Sr. DB, Vero Beach - Las Vegas Raiders
14. Joe Shimko, Sr. DL, Martin County - New Orleans Saints
15. Braylon Vincent, Sr. ATH, Fort Pierce Westwood - Indianapolis Colts
16. Omari Kinsler, Sr DL/LB, Treasure Coast - Seattle Seahawks
17. Amar Reynolds, Sr. ATH, Vero Beach - Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Kaleb Ferschke, Sr. OL, Martin County - Cincinnati Bengals
19. Shamir Sterlin, Sr. DB, Treasure Coast - Los Angeles Rams
20. Jayden Endres-Gomez, Jr. OL, Port St. Lucie - Pittsburgh Steelers
21. Zachery Josue, Sr., DL, Treasure Coast - Miami Dolphins
22. Ricardo Guthrie, Sr. DL/LB, Fort Pierce Westwood - Philadelphia Eagles
23. Isaiah Roberts, Sr. WR, Vero Beach - Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland through Houston)
24. George Roberts, Sr. ATH, Treasure Coast - Dallas Cowboys
25. Nikko Lopez, Sr. LB, Treasure Coast - Green Bay Packers
26. Octavion Osby, Sr. RB, Vero Beach - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
27. Micah Coleman, So. LB, John Carroll Catholic - Arizona Cardinals (from Houston)
28. Jaden Mackey, Sr. WR, John Carroll Catholic - Buffalo Bills
29. Carlos McCormack, Sr. LB/DL/DB, Jensen Beach - Detroit Lions
30. Elvick Previlma, Sr. WR, Jensen Beach - Baltimore Ravens
31. John Williams III, Sr. MLB, Fort Pierce Westwood - San Francisco 49ers
32. Colton Foster, Jr. WR, Fort Pierce Westwood - Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 2024 TCPalm Draft: The NFL Draft with Treasure Coast's prep football stars
