Five Terps land in 2024 seven-round NFL mock draft

With the 2024 NFL Draft one week away, five Terps appeared in the latest CBS Sports’ seven-round mock draft as potential day three selections.

Beau Brade and DJ Glaze didn’t find themselves too far apart in the latest mock with Brade coming off the board with the 152^nd overall pick in the fifth round to the Washington Commanders. Glaze was projected to come off the board seven picks later to the Kansas City Chiefs. Brade previously admitted he’s heard he could land anywhere from the third to fifth round next week as he’s set to become the fourth Maryland defensive back drafted over the last three years. He may have gotten a chance to work with his future team as Ayedze and Brade were among the participants for the Commanders’ local pro day earlier this month, while former Terps like Taulia Tagovailoa and Jeshaun Jones were in attendance.

“It’s all part of a cool process,” Brade told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s been a long process and I’ve been waiting for some time, so I’m just ready to get that full-time job and start playing.

Gotti Ayedze, who entered the program with potential NFL buzz, was the second Maryland lineman projected to be drafted with the Cincinnati Bengals taking the former Northwest product with the 194^th pick in the sixth round. Cornerback Tarheeb Still was slotted to land shortly after that, coming off the board with the 206^th overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams.

Ja’Quan Sheppard was the fifth projected day three pick for the Terps, coming off the board in the final round with the 243^rd pick to the Cleveland Browns. The Packers and Raiders have held top-30 visits with Sheppard thus far as the former Cincinnati and Maryland defensive back has generated buzz from scouts since his performance at the Hula Bowl in January.

“I just feel like I’m a driven person. I’m a leader off the jump without trying to be. It’s just how I move, how I do things. I try to do everything right,” Sheppard told WGC. “Obviously, you’re gonna get someone that’s good in the community, who’ll never get in trouble, never have been in trouble. I’m one of those guys that can lead by example more than just vocalizing things and trying to over push and try to overplay my part. It’s all natural to me. I’m a locker room type of guy, never really had no problems with anyone never, really. I talk a lot of trash, but that’s just who I am as a person. At the end of day, I know everyone that rides with me, rides with me because of the person I am. I would feel like I’m a good locker room material guy.”

Five Terps land in 2024 seven-round NFL mock draft

Ahmed Ghafir