Luke Dunavant
With the 2024 NFL draft approaching on April 25, a few Rebels have decided to take their skills to the next level. Many of the players entering the draft were key contributors for Ole Miss during their time in Oxford, and many of them improved their draft stock throughout the 2023-2024 season.
Cedric Johnson, Daijahn Anthony, Zakhari Franklin, Deantre Prince and DeShawn Gaddie Jr. headline a group of Rebels hoping to hear their names on draft night. These players could go anywhere from rounds four through seven and have clear best fits based on position of need and overall playing style.
Cedric Johnson | Best fit: Minnesota Vikings
Cedric Johnson is coming off a 40-tackle, six-sack season and has set himself up to be a well-known force in the draft. Johnson has one of the higher floors in the draft but he also has one of the lowest ceilings.
The Vikings are in desperate need of edge help. Weighing in at 260 pounds, Johnson is a standup, classic edge rusher. If drafted by Minnesota, he should be able to find consistent playing time in a relatively weak edge room.
Daijahn Anthony | Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Daijahn Anthony was the star safety for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2023, coming off of a 61-tackle, three-interception season. Anthony is a skilled safety who plays with an old-school style. The safety position is evolving into a more coverage-oriented role. He is not concerned with interceptions as much as he is with tackling.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in football, coming off of back-to-back Super Bowl victories. The Chiefs already have Justin Reed at one safety, and a few younger players at the other one. Anthony would be a perfect match for Reed, an interception machine. If drafted by the Chiefs, he will be among some serious competition, but his elite tackling skills should serve him well.
Zakhari Franklin | Best fit: Green Bay Packers
Zakhari Franklin battled injuries all of last season, playing in only three games. Franklin was a highly touted receiver transfer out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he came off of back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. Franklin, when healthy, is one of the most consistent receivers on the field. While he might not be explosive like some other receivers, he catches nearly everything and averaged around 12 yards per catch in all four of his years at UTSA.
If Franklin had played all year, he could have been one of the top receivers in this class, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. Franklin’s current health concerns have caused him to drop on draft boards, but there is optimism that he could be very good if he is able to recover. The Packers have a lot of explosive wide receivers, such as Christian Watson and Jaydon Reed, but they are missing a consistent player; Franklin could be just that for the team.
Deantre Prince | Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Deantre Prince is probably the best Ole Miss Rebel entering the draft. While his numbers — 36 tackles and a single interception — might not jump off the stat sheet, Prince shuts down most any receiver he covers.
Prince got on many teams’ radars after running an outstanding 4.38 40-yard dash, the fifth-highest among corners at the combine. After the combine, Prince made it clear that he is seeking to fine-tune his abilities as a player.
“Coming out of (the Combine), I knew what I needed to work on, like my shuttles, L drills and things like that,” Prince said in an interview with The Grove Report. “I need to get a better vertical as well. I worked on those things during my time off, and when it came to my pro day, I had to make sure that I upheld on my end and made sure that (the scouts) knew I was working.”
The Raiders desperately need corner help. Prince would most likely be an instant starter or at the very least a pretty good returner.
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. | Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. did not play much last year for Ole Miss, having only nine tackles and playing in six games. Most og Gaddie Jr.’s production came during his time at North Texas, where he recorded 82 tackles in his last two seasons there.
The Chargers need a safety to pair with superstar Derwin James. If picked by the Chargers, Gaddie can fit really well with James, and they could form one of the best tackling duos in the league. Gaddie could develop coverage skills, but he will earn his money with his tackling.
Entering one of the most significant stages of their careers, these players will have the opportunity to represent Ole Miss in the NFL, with Rebel fans cheering them on along the way.
