With the NFL Draft concluding last Saturday and the UDFA/Mini-camp invite window coming to an end, let’s take a look at where the Gophers’ prospects landed and their fit with their new teams.
Draft Picks
Nubin was the only Gopher selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, going to the New York Giants in the second round. Right away, it looks as though he is in line to be a day-one starter for them in their secondary. The Giants’ secondary struggled in 2023, ending the year in the bottom third of secondary rankings, per PFF. Nubin should be able to step in and take the Free Safety role immediately, starting next to veteran Jalen Mills. Nubin will join new Defensive Coordinator, Shane Bowen, on the Giants. Bowen was previously in the same role with the Tennessee Titans, who consistently boasted strong defenses, boding well for Nubin to be able to step into a role in which he has a strong chance of succeeding in.
As I predicted in my Gopher NFL prospects article, Nubin was the first safety taken in this draft. Nubin joined Big Ten athletes Jer’zhan Newton (Illinois), Cooper DeJean (Iowa), and more as defensive players who had 1st round grades, but slipped to the second round due to the plethora of offensive players who were taken in the first round.
Also to note, Nubin will be wearing #31 for the Giants, continuing the new-found tradition of Gopher safeties wearing that number, as Antonie Winfield Jr. and Jordan Howden both wear it as well. Nubin also will be joining former Gophers John Michael-Schmitz and Carter Coughlin in New York, further growing the MN → NY pipeline.
Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs)
Spann-Ford was not drafted, but he was able to capitalize on one pro of being a UDFA, that is he gets his choice of teams to sign with. Spann-Ford joined the Dallas Cowboys, getting a strong post-draft offer of $225,000 and $20,000 signing bonus. Dallas’s tight end room is crowded with Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Noah Fant, but Dallas offering a hefty amount for a UDFA means they see something in Spann-Ford that they want to explore.
This situation seems like one of the best-case scenarios for Spann-Ford after going undrafted, as he will get the chance to get up to NFL speed and further develop his hands. Also, he is getting to join a team that has been a factory for producing quality tight ends throughout the years and utilizes sets that include multiple tight ends.
Baugh saw his stock rise in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, as his pro-day numbers caught the attention of scouts and GMs. Although this did not lead to sneaking into being a day three pick, Baugh did eventually choose to sign with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints D-Line was very poor in 2023, ending ranked 29th, per PFF. The Saints decided to not put much draft capital into fixing this position, spending a sixth-round pick on Khristian Boyd (UNI) and signing Baugh as a UDFA. These struggles could be an open door for Baugh to push his way into making the roster and having the opportunity to learn from veteran All-Pro Cam Jordan and veteran D-Coordinator Joe Woods.
Crooms will join Spann-Ford in Dallas, also as an undrafted free agent. Crooms did not get a ton of spotlight in Minnesota, as the passing game had its struggles throughout his time here. Although the Cowboys got themselves a very quick slot receiver with good hands, who plays in a similar fashion to guys like Jarvis Landry or Tank Dell. Crooms will get the full spring to try and make the roster in Dallas, where their receiver room is top-heavy with CeeDee Lamb, but no other solidified starters.
Rookie Mini-Camp Invites
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