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Falcons Pip Broncos & Raiders to Invite Deion Sanders’ Prodigy Home After His Pro Day Brilliance

Published 03/20/2024, 10:39 AM EDT

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The Falcons have a master plan. Remaking the history Deion Sanders made for the team with the prodigy that Sanders trained. Hence, as soon as Derrick McClendon II, a former Buffs linebacker, declared for the NFL draft in 2024, the Falcons invited him to their local pro day. Another masterstroke, since it will be a warning flare for the Raiders and Broncos, the two Giants who were interested in securing the edge in April.

The senior-year LB excelled at the Buffs Pro Day. Scoring 4.7 in a 40-yard dash, 36 in the vertical, 10-0 in the broad jump, 6.9 in the L drill, and 4.35 in the short shuttle, impressing Deion Sanders and Co. yet again. The LB even scored 27 on the Wonderlic test, which aimed to assess the players psychologically. With such numbers backing him up, the magic McClendon II can unfold on April 12 at Falcons Pro-Day.

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The Florida State transfer was in Colorado for just the 2023 season, but he gave a good taste of his skills to Deion Sanders and Co. The LB scrimmaged for a total of 17 tackles, of which 12 were solo, whereas the other 5 were assisted. The LB also made 1.5 sacks. Now that he has declared for the NFL draft ahead of the draft day, it will be a tough competition for him since the teams interested in him, the Raiders and the Broncos, are in the race for other top picks as well.

The Raiders and the Broncos are top prospects

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The Raiders are to select 13 overall since they finished the 2023 season with an 8-9 record. Overall, the Las Vegas Raiders hold eight selections for the 2024 NFL Draft, which kicks off April 25 in Detroit, Michigan. The picks are subject to change with potential trades, but the projected picks they could make are all in the air ahead of draft day. Their top projected pick is expected to be Alabama CB Terrion Arnold if they decide to go down the CB path. However, if they decide to go down the QB path, then they have several options, like Jayden Daniels and JJ McCarthy, if they are available until pick 13, that is.

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When it comes to the Broncos making a pick at 12th overall, the analysts stand divided between QB Bo Nix and CB Terrion Arnold. ESPN Mei Keiper, Field Yates, and Fox Sports Joel Klatt believe the Broncos would go with Nix since they need that thrust in the QB department. Danny Kelly and Ryan Wilson beg to differ, as they think the Broncos would go down the CB path with Arnold. Toledo’s CB Quinyon Mitchell is also proposed as a first-round pick for the Broncos. Who do you think the Broncos and Raiders will land in their first round?

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READ ALSO: Deion Sanders Says He Didn’t Write Elevate & Dominate to “Make Some Money”, but to Become a Life Coach

 

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Written by:

Pankti Parmar

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Pankti Parmar is an NFL news writer at EssentiallySports. She combines her educational background in psychology with a passion for sports to delve into the minds of athletes and their game strategies. She's our resident expert on Jim Harbaugh and played a pivotal role in our play-by-play coverage of Harbaugh's journey from the Wolverines to the Chargers.
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Edited by:

Riya Singhal