Top 5 football players with potential injury risks entering 2024 NFL draft ft. Michael Penix Jr
For prospective NFL draft picks like Michael Penix Jr., the process of draft selection is exciting. But with Penix and some other players, there's an elephant in the room. For even some of the top prospects in the draft, a history of injury issues could be a big deal. Teams don't want to find their future star to end up on the sidelines.
Here's a handful of prospects facing injury issues.
Top 5 college football players with injury risks in 2024 draft
#1. Michael Penix Jr. - Quarterback
There's no doubt about the legitimacy of Michael Penix Jr.'s injury issues as a complication in his NFL status. From 2018 to 2021, Penix ended each season with a substantial injury. He tore his right ACL in 2018 and 2020, separated his non-throwing shoulder in 2019 and separated the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in 2021.
Penix was healthy during two years at Washington, which suggests that the issue was getting beaten up behind mediocre offensive lines at Indiana. Michael Penix Jr. was electric in 2023 and is a top-tier NFL QB prospect if he's healthy. However, numerous issues will complicate his selection.
#2. Payton Wilson - Linebacker
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is a high-intensity player who turns 24 just before the upcoming draft. He also has a massive injury history, entering college with a torn ACL and then tearing the same ACL again in his freshman season. In two other seasons, he sustained season-ending or season-changing injuries to his shoulder and leg.
Wilson's age will certainly be a red flag, but so will his injury history. He's been a consistently excellent collegiate linebacker. But even an excellent linebacker who can't stay on the field will be in much less demand. Expect his draft stock to dip a bit accordingly.
#3. Laiatu Latu - Edge
Latu, an outstanding college pass rusher, suffered a severe neck injury at Washington. The injury was so severe that Latu underwent neck fusion surgery and was initially believed to have retired from college football. He sat out two seasons before returning to star at UCLA.
The question for NFL scouts is if Latu's 23.5 sacks in the last two seasons are worth his injury risk. Another neck injury would probably end Latu's career. A similar situation sidelined Dallas Cowboys' pick Leighton Vander Esch after just two seasons in the NFL. Latu is a high-impact player with a very high injury risk attached.
#4. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - Cornerback
Mizzou cornerback Ennis Rakestraw has been both an excellent player and a frequently injured one. Rakestraw started as a freshman but missed most of his sophomore season with a torn ACL. He also missed a good chunk of 2023 with several smaller injuries, one to his groin and one to a core muscle.
Rakestraw's top college season, 2022, saw him break up a dozen passes. But at 6-foot-0 and barely 180 pounds, his durability is a significant NFL concern. Unlike some of the other players on this list, Rakestraw's concern is probably less one of a debilitating injury than a series of injuries.
#5. Jonathon Brooks - Running back
Outstanding Texas running back Jonathon Brooks has injury risk because of an ACL tear that ended his 2023 season in November. Brooks hasn't made it back for football activities yet, and it's plausible that he'll be a late addition to the 2024 roster. Ultimately, any team drafting Brooks might wish to stash him on IR for the season.
Running backs suffer serious injuries every day. But trying to rush Brooks back to begin his NFL career feels like a risk. Given the open NFL market on serviceable RBs, a better bet for many teams will be to see if Brooks can get established after his injury and then pick him up on the open market in a few seasons.