After Week 4 in CFB, we start to see the real contenders and pretenders, but more importantly, nerdy film grinders like me have more tape to draw strong and informed conclusions. I can no longer say, "I wonder if this is real," and red flags become panic alarms. The biggest fluctuation is between the quarterbacks and one particular running back with said alarms.
Standout Performances
QB Cam Ward (SR - Miami) 6-2, 223 lbs
I'll admit that I've been one of the most apprehensive about crowning Cam Ward the next big thing. But after enough tape and a large enough Miami sample size, it's safe to say he just might be.
#Miami QB Cam Ward vs. USF
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 22, 2024
Opposite hash hole shot throw vs. Cover 2 pic.twitter.com/5zNFO9TIEx
The obvious thing about Ward is that he's as cool, confident, and collected as they come. You won't see him panicked under pressure, nor is he afraid to be braggadocious in the middle of a game. He has great but not elite velocity and flashes the ball placement you want to see from a prospect.
The not-so-obvious traits that really impress me are how he manages the offense before the snap. Ward routinely uses hard counts and motion within the offense to correctly identify pressure, protect himself, and check into better play options. However, he still needs to play with a faster clock and be on time. I won't stop complaining about that trait until it's fixed, but I also can't ignore all the other things he does well.
RB Quinshon Judkins (JR - Ohio St.) 6-0, 219 lbs
Is Qinshon Judkins taking over Ohio State's backfield after a 173-yard and 2-TD game?
QUINSHON JUDKINS CAN FLY ?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
He takes it 86 yards to the house for @OhioStateFB ? pic.twitter.com/ympRt5HPlq
Critics (mainly me) say not because of a game against Marshall. Keep in mind that this comment isn't a slight to Judkins who is the interchangeable RB2 or 3 in this draft class, and more just my support for the other interchangeable RB2 on his team in Treveyeon Henderson. They both have had a near-even split. Moreover, everyone ate against Marshall, and it's hard to take anything tangible away from a cupcake game like this besides "Ohio State is for sure a top program, and Marshall is still a MAC team."
Judkins is a hulking back with burst who should be a bell cow. Moreover, his freshman breakout that helped push former Devy Darling Zach Evans out of town seems to still be legit after a "down" year. Henderson has a bit more finesse and the edge for passing down work because of blocking and receiving. But Judkins is a hammer not unlike Jonathon Taylor, who can easily be the RB1 depending on landing spot.
WR Tre Harris (SR - Ole Miss) 6-3, 210 lbs
Tre Harris might not be the most well-rounded route-runner right now. But boy is a really good specialist right now.
Anything but a "breakout" performance in Week 4 by @OleMissFB WR Tre Harris, as he has been putting up monster numbers since beginning of last season.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 24, 2024
One thing that separates good prospects from great ones is they generally ???? ?? ???? ???? and Harris never… https://t.co/6y4TmP0zQL pic.twitter.com/aALJnyjVlU
Harris is the ideal X Wide Receiver because of his ability to line up outside of the numbers and stretch a defense downfield and the jump-ball traits to consistently turn 50/50 balls into 70/30 balls. I don't think anyone expects him to be a Round 1 draft pick in either the real NFL draft or rookie drafts, but he has blue chip qualities to eventually play at the level of one.
2025 Draft Pick Values
So let's say you're a rebuilding roster, have an excess of positional value, or just straight-up love to hoard draft picks like unfinished projects in your garage and want to buy picks. What are prices going for in this economy? Well I scrolled through Superflex values on Keep Trade Cut and listed them for you (because I care.)
Early 1sts
- Anthony Richardson QB, Colts (Would do as a rebuilder)
- Jaylen Waddle WR, Dolphins (I'm probably selling at cost)
- Chris Olave WR, Saints (Buy)
- Brandon Aiyuk WR, 49ers (if you can buy him this cheap, do it)
Mid 1sts
- Zay Flowers WR, Ravens (Absolutely buy him at cost)
- Drake Maye QB, Patriots (Smash Buy for rebuilders)
- Travis Etienne Jr. RB, Jaguars
Late 1sts
- Trevor Lawrence QB, Jaguars
- Kyle Pitts TE, Falcons
- Isaiah Likely TE, Baltimore
- Chris Godwin WR, Buccaneers (This is a buy)
2nd Rounders
- Bucky Irving RB, Buccaneers
- Khalil Shakir WR, Bills (Smash Buy)
- Geno Smith QB, Seahawks (Smash Buy)
- Jerome Ford RB, Cleveland (Sell)
2025 Draft Pick Trades
- Jonathan Taylor for Keon Coleman/2025 1st
- Chris Godwin/Aaron Rodgers for 2025 1st/3rd
- Bucky Irving/2025 1st for Derrick Henry/2026 3rd
- Justin Jefferson/Najee Harris for Puka Nacua/Two 2025 1sts
- DK Metcalf for Jordan Addison/2025 2nd/2026 2nd
- Aaron Jones for 2025 2nd
- Justin Fields for 2025 2nd/2026 2nd