Ready for the Draft 2024 Podcast Series - Episode 14 - CFP Championship Preview/Initial Top 10 Mock

Readyforthedraft.com's Gregg Schutze shares his passion for the NFL draft and takes you on a journey leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

The CFP National Championship matchup is set - # 1 Michigan vs. # 2 Washington.  I take a look at both teams' performances in the semifinals - Michigan's 27-20 OT win over # 4 Alabama and Washington holding on to beat hard-charging # 3 Texas 37-31.  I use those performances to talk through the matchups to look for in Houston.  Not only will we have a QB showdown between JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. in what could be a battle to be the 4th QB taken in the draft, but we'll look at the passing attacks and how they might have success against the run.  Which defensive front will be able to break through against the nation's top two OL's? Will Washington load the box to stop the run?  If so, can we expect McCarthy and Co. to try to exploit matchups down the field?  Can Jabbar Muhammad and Elijah Jackson play like they did to limit the success of Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to shut down the likes of Roman Wilson and Cornelus Johnson?  TE Ja'Tavion Sanders was effective against the Huskies so can we expect a similar performance from Colston Loveland?  Or will Michigan look to impose its will against a UW DL that has gave up yards against Texas.  Michigan will want to keep Penix Jr. off the field, so expect a heavy dose of Blake Corum.  When Washington has the ball, I expect Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan and Germie Bernard to make plays against the Wolverine secondary, even if an ailing Dillon Johnson is limited or can't go with his foot injury.  Jack Westover will play a pivotal role.  Jaylan Ford didn't have the foot speed to hang with Westover, something we don't have to worry about with Junior Colson and Michael Barrett.  And even if Breiden McGregor, Kris Jenkins and Kenneth Grant can get a push up front or Jaylen Harrell and Josaiah Stewart can bring speed off the edge, Michael Penix Jr. showed against Texas he can manipulate the pocket to avoid the rush and buy time before setting his feet and to deliver a strike down the field. 

And with Week 18 in the books, we know what the top 10 looks like and I give my initial thoughts on how those picks might play out.  Could we see 3 QB come off the board in the top 5?  What about 4 in the top 10???  And could we see 3 WR and a TE selected before pick # 11?  With 2 OT as virtual locks to be off the board in the first ten picks, is there room at the top of the draft for a defensive player and, if so, who might crash the party to prevent and all-offense top 10?