Maryland had a solid season in 2023, nothing amazing, but also nothing bad. The Terrapins went 8-5 overall but did not compete for the Big 10 title. They did however compete in the Transperfect Music City Bowl after the regular season where they beat Auburn 31-13, in what would be Taulia Tagovailoa's final game.
The Terrapins will have to replace a few key parts of the team in 2024 due to players leaving for the draft. One will be center Delmar Glaze. So where will these guys that have declared fro the draft get picked?
Here is my prediction of where these Maryland football players will be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Beau Brade is the tenth-ranked safety on Mel Kiper Jr.'s big draft board. He was voted captain by his teammates and was an All-Big 10 Honorable Mention in 2022 and 2023. In his career at Maryland, Brade had 177 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one sack. He is smart on the field by taking good angles to the ball and recognizing routes along with being quick and agile.
The Steelers have always been known to have a top defense every season. Mike Tomlin has always known how to make his defense elite. While the have great players both on the defensive line and in the secondary, they could use more players to make them unstoppable.
Brade's speed and ability to recognize routes would make him a great addition to the Steelers' defense. He did have a problem giving up big plays in college and struggles a little in zone, but his pros far outway his cons. Brade could be a steal in the fourth round and that is exactly what the Steelers need.
Delmar Glaze is a versatile player on the offensive line. He can play just about anywhere on the line, but is primarily a center. He can be moved to tackle or guard and is vicious in the blocking game with the ability to block into the second level. He has good size and is very effective in helping the run game.
The Lions were a team everyone rooted for at least some point in the season, I can admit I did at one point. Dan Campbell did a great job taking his time in turning this team around. They did it by being aggressive in the draft and they have a chance to do that again this year. Jamir Gibbs was a great pick-up for the Lions and the running game and they need offensive linemen to aid that running game.
Glaze could be a great addition to the Lions to help aid that running game with Gibbs and Montgomery. He does struggle to move laterally and can struggle to have a mean streak, but those are very coachable things. Glaze could be a sleeper that the Lions can add to Campbell's lineup and be a game-changer.
Taulia Tagovailoa just might join his brother in the state of Florida, just not with the Dolphins. Tagovailoa has and probably will always be compared to his brother Tua Tagovailoa, but at Maryland, he was just their quarterback. On Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board, Tagovailoa is the tenth-best quarterback in the draft. He is a confident passer with good accuracy and a strong build for when he has to take hits as a runner.
The Buccaneers will have to decide if Baker Mayfield is their future, and if he is, he will need backups. They do have Kyle Trask, but he now lost QB competitions twice and just may not have what it takes in the NFL. Tagovailoa could fit well into this rough and tough offense that can beat you in the air or on the ground.
Getting a quarterback like this is a risk-reward game. There is not a lot of risk, you get his cheap in the late seventh round so if he doesn't work out, it is not a huge loss, but if he does, you get a huge reward.
Undrafted free agents
- LB Ruben Hyppolite II
- OL Corey Bullock