Miami Hurricanes 2024 NFL Draft Recap

Over the past few years the 2024 NFL Draft class out of Miami appeared to be one that was ripe for top tier picks and possibly a handful of early round selections. Namely, the class was set to feature a pair of top level five star recruits in Defensive Tackle, Leonard Taylor, and Safety, James Williams. Beyond that, the Canes featured players who thrived as their collegiate careers progressed including sophomore All-American Safety Kamren Kinchens, and a pair of transfer interior offensive linemen in the top-graded returning Center, Matt Lee, and former Alabama Guard, Javion Cohen, the latter of which was invited to the NFL Symposium in 2023 which includes only the top undeclared potential future early draft picks.

However, the Canes’ faithful had to wait nearly three full rounds until pick number 99 to hear “… University of Miami,” by an NFL representative. With that pick, the Los Angeles Rams selected Kinchens, who had the most decorated collegiate career and offers immense upside as a versatile and rangy free safety. Kinchens was being projected as a top safety in this class but mainly slips due to poor combine results. That said, he could offer immediate starting potential, especially in three safety sets. NFL Analyst, Louis Riddick, further went on to say he expects Kinchens to be a future pro bowler.

The next Miami pick had to wait until the final round of the draft and was a bit of a surprise. At 226th overall in the seventh round, the Arizona Cardinals selected Cornerback, Jaden Davis. Davis joins a few other cornerbacks drafted by the Cardinals who look to turn around what was a hapless group in 2023. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback is seasoned as he originally played four years at Oklahoma before transferring to Miami. Davis’ best game came in week two against Texas A&M where he flashed his ball-hawking skills by forcing a fumble. All that said, Davis was not invited to the NFL Combine and was not as highly touted as the other Canes, which is similar to other other recent Miami seventh rounders that were not expected to be called in recent years such as DT Jonathan Ford and CB DJ Ivey. The pick holds significant importance as it is the exact selection of the late Patrick Tillman, who was killed in military action in 2004.

Davis started the streak as two more Canes had their name called in the final hour of the draft – Matt Lee was selected 237th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals and James Williams was selected 242nd overall by the Tennessee Titans.

Lee is another seasoned veteran who started nearly 50 games, playing four years at UCF before his grad season at Miami. Lee earned second team accolades in both the AAC and ACC. Lee was the highest graded returning center among centers in 2023. However, he may have difficulty cracking into a starting role in Cincinnati which currently features veteran Ted Karras. Lee has great technique, experience, and quickness, but will need to work on weight and power against longer-limbed defenders.

The final Miami draft pick was James Williams, selected 242nd overall by the Titans. A former five-star recruit and number safety in the 2021 recruiting class, Williams played most of his career at safety. Thus, it was interesting to see Williams announced as a linebacker when he was drafted by Tennessee. The 6-foot-4, 231-pound Williams is an electric playmaker who can offer versatility in many sets, but the tweener attributes also serve as a catch-22 as his game can become undisciplined and unpolished at times. Similar to Kinchens, his combine numbers did not do him any favors. Williams’ best matchups will come against tight ends or in the box, which is why he is likely being considered as an LB as opposed to Safety.

The Miami names started flying off the shelves immediately after the draft as Taylor ended up being picked up by the New York Jets and Cohen signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Similar to Williams, Taylor was also a five-star recruit and the number 11 recruit nationally in 2021. Also similar to Williams, Taylor possessed a freakish athleticism and frame at 6-foot-3, 303-pounds, which projected well to the next level. However, in spite of the explosiveness and some flashes of elite skill in pass-rush transitions, Taylor couldn’t quite put it all together during his time at Miami and sometimes relied too much on his athleticism. With the right coaching staff, Taylor could develop into a steal in the undrafted category.

Cohen lands in a system that often has a decimated offensive line so he could very well make his way up the ranks. Notably, Cohen was another guy projected to be an early rounder as recently as this past offseason after being named second team All-SEC in 2022. Cohen worked along well with offensive line coach, Alex Mirabal, at Miami. He doesn’t offer explosion but can keep up with opponents due to his strength and a stable physical frame.

The Jets also picked up a south Florida native in wide receiver, Tyler Harrell. Harrell played four years at Louisville and has elite speed as a former track star. The 6-foot, 193-pound receiver transferred to Alabama after a breakout redshirt junior season but missed nine games due to a foot injury. He only had 6 receptions for 63 in his final two seasons. The lack of special teams background will make it tough for him to carve out a role.

Defensive tackle, Branson Deen, signs with the Buffalo Bills, and linebacker, KJ Cloyd, signs with the Minnesota Vikings. Deen played last season at Miami after four years at Purdue. Deen had 9.0 sacks during his career. Similarly, Cloyd played last season at Miami after transferring from Louisville. Cloyd had a career year in 2023 setting career highs in tackles (44), TFLs (6.5), and sacks (2.0).

Finally, linebacker, Keontra Smith, earned a rookie minicamp invite with the New England Patriots. The Patriots are also reportedly bringing in 2019 cornerback, Trajan Bandy.

For next year, the expectations are tempered as far as high draft capital coming outta the U. That said, transfer quarterback Cameron Ward, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, among others, have the chance to get on draft boards with strong 2024 seasons.