Travis May's 2024 NFL Draft Top 50 Prospect Rankings coming off Super Bowl LVIII features six quarterbacks
Super Bowl LVIII is over, which means it's now officially NFL Draft season. It's time to dive into the Top 50 prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft to see how they stack up against each other as we're already nearing the NFL Combine. 1. Caleb Williams, QB USC Caleb Williams has long been the clear […]
Super Bowl LVIII is over, which means it's now officially NFL Draft season.
It's time to dive into the Top 50 prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft to see how they stack up against each other as we're already nearing the NFL Combine.
1. Caleb Williams, QB USC
Caleb Williams has long been the clear QB1 in this draft class, and for good reason. 93 total touchdowns in just two seasons with USC with three straight years above the 90th percentile in pass efficiency makes him the easy choice. He has it all. Uncanny ability to make off-schedule throws, arm strength, mobility, and downfield pinpoint accuracy. There will be a few loud mouth haters out there like Merril Hoge, but Williams is one of the best QB prospects in the last 20 years.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is not just the son of a Hall of Fame wide receiver. He's the perfect alpha receiver with prototype size at 6'4", over 200 pounds that possesses top tier speed and route running ability. On top of that he also posted back to back seasons with elite production numbers, both in volume and efficiency. The phrase gets thrown around a lot, but Harrison may truly be a generational prospect at the position.
3. Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Bowers had the most productive first three seasons of any tight end in college football history functioning as the de facto WR1 for the Georgia Bulldogs. He won the John Mackey Award (for best tight end in the nation) twice. If he tests well at the NFL Combine he could be a top five NFL Draft pick.
4. Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
Daniels is a Heisman winning quarterback who just posted the most efficient college passing season of all time, racking up 1200 rushing yards to go along with it. He was far from perfect early in his career, but his improved deep ball accuracy, Lamar Jackson mobility, and 50+ career starts give him the easy QB2 profile in this draft class.
5. Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
Latu is the most technical, proven pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He leads all edge defenders in this year's group in pass rush pressure rate and sacks over the last two seasons. If his medicals check out (important given his neck injury history) he's a clear top five player in the class.
6. Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
There isn't a prospect in the class that combines physical traits, production, and youth more perfectly than Dallas Turner. 25 sacks in his first three seasons paired with a pressure rate near 20% in 2023 make him a strong second best edge defender in the class. He has the bend, burst, and build to be an immediate Pro Bowl player from day one with room to grow since he just turned 21 at the beginning of February.
7. Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
His 2022 season was one of the best in the last decade with nearly 50 scores and 5000+ total yards he was on fire all year long. Last fall he struggled to start and finish the season, but at 6'5", over 220 pounds he's the perfect Justin Herbert comp. Top ten pick for sure.
8. Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
A monster of a man, towering over most all NFL players at 6'8" with strength and great hands, Alt is the best offensive tackle in this draft class. He improved every single year at Notre Dame, capping off his college career with over 99% pass block efficiency in 2023 (according to PFF).
9. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
Fashanu was the epitome of consistency throughout his Penn State career, only logging two games where he gave up more than one pass rush pressure. Elite numbers in pass protection with some room to grow in run blocking.
10. Malik Nabers, WR LSU
Nabers is an elite deep threat who scored the majority of his college touchdowns on targets more than 25 yards downfield. He's also an elite route runner who can dominate in the intermediate portion of the field as well. More than four yards per team pass attempt in 2023 gives him an elite production profile that suggests he should be an early first round pick.
11. Rome Odunze WR Washington
A year ago Rome Odunze would not have been a first round pick, but after leading the nation in receiving yards things have changed quite a bit for him. His physicality at the catch point, improvements in route technique, and top tier athleticism would make him WR1 in many draft classes.
12. Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
There isn't a cornerback in this draft class that does it all quite like Arnold. He can line up anywhere, always finds himself close to the ball, and offers complete shut down coverage. He snagged five interceptions, nearly averaged a pass defended per game in 2023, and is still just 20 years old.
13. Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State
Great story who transferred up from the University of Albany to become the best edge rusher for Florida State in 2022. Verse added some weight to bulk up for the NFL over the offseason, which slowed his 2023 start, but he finished with 11 sacks in the last nine games for the Seminoles.
14. Byron Murphy, DL Texas
There will never be another Aaron Donald, but Byron Murphy could come close if a team gets creative with his deployment. He's an elite pass rusher, pressuring quarterbacks 16% more frequently than any other defensive line prospect in this draft class. The post below highlights some of his pass rushing prowess.
15. Jer'Zhan Netwon, DL Illinois
His 2022 season was better than any other defensive lineman in the nation. Newton is a bit undersized and saw his per snap numbers drop a bit last fall, but he's still an easy first round projection on the interior defensive line.
16. Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
When I interviewed Laiatu Latu at the Senior Bowl he said that Taliese Fuaga was the best offensive lineman he's ever faced. Fuaga didn't give up a single sack in his time at Oregon State. His stock could still rise with a strong NFL Combine.
17. Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
Wiggins might be the best pure outside cornerback in the class who surrenders a reception on outside targets just 40% of the time. He should test well at the Combine, solidifying his round one status.
18. Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU
If there's a better deep threat in the class than Malik Nabers it's his teammate Brian Thomas Jr. for LSU. Thomas led the nation in receiving touchdowns, 12 of which came on throws over 20 yards downfield. Thomas has elite change of direction and speed for a 6'4" receiver.
19. JC Latham, OT Alabama
Latham has been a consensus first round selection dating back to last spring after his 2022 campaign where he showed manhandling ability at right tackle for Alabama. He struggled in isolated moments this past season, but should be a day one NFL starter.
20. Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
If Mims had more experience and didn't have injury issues that caused him to miss half of 2023 he may be talking about him as the best offensive lineman in the draft. Massive build and near perfect blocking rate stats as I outlined in my mock draft last week.
21. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
Elite pass defended per target numbers in the past two seasons combined with consistent results shutting down primary receivers makes him a first round talent, even if his athletic profile ends up less than perfect.
22. Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
Versatile athlete who could be the best return weapon in the NFL one day on top being a shut down corner. He has the size to convert to safety or play more near the tackle box if he wants to as well.
23. Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
He showcased his ability to a lock down defender in press coverage at the Senior Bowl on top of being the best off coverage corner in the class. Stock still rising for this small school stud.
24. Darius Robinson, DL Missouri
Speaking of risers, as I mentioned last week, no other prospect is rising faster than Darius Robinson. His diverse set of pass rushing moves and ability to move his thick frame in a variety of ways make him nearly impossible to stop. The post below highlights his quick-winning technical approach to gaining leverage and wreaking havoc.
25. T'Vondre Sweat, DL Texas
Sweat played the 2023 season listed at over 360 pounds for Texas. He's a monster run stopper who can play anywhere on the defensive line thanks to his athleticism. It's hard to stop a man you can't move.
26. Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
Franklin wins with speed both vertically and in short yards-after-catch opportunities. He posted one of the most efficient seasons in the nation with over 3.3 yards per route run, 3+ yards per team pass attempt, and scoring a touchdown more frequently per team pass attempt than all but four power conference receivers in the nation.
27. Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
We have known for a long time that Xavier Worthy was going to be a special NFL player. He posted the most impressive true freshman season (via the most meaningful metrics) of the last several years and developed into one of the fastest playmakers in the game. He played through a broken hand for a good chunk of his career, so some have concerns with his hands. Worthy's hands look just fine in this post here below as he separates with ease and dives to make the catch against Oklahoma when he was still just a true freshman.
28. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
This may seem early for a center prospect, but he has a near perfect profile at the position. He has experience at all three interior offensive line positions, never gave up a sack in his career, and is the primary reason Oregon had the best pass blocking offensive line in the nation in 2023.
29. Troy Fautanu, OT Washington
Fautanu has the widest disparity between his pass blocking and run blocking grades of any potential first round offensive lineman this year, but that's partially because he's so elite in pass protection. He has the skills to kick inside if a team needs him to as well.
30. Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn State
Chop had a slow start in 2023 and fought through injury, but still posted top ten rate stats among edge rushers in this class. He has incredible traits that should translate and earn him early round capital in the 2024 NFL Draft.
31. Chris Braswell, EDGE Alabama
Dallas Turner was the edge prospect draft analysts were excited about for Alabama all season long, but Chris Braswell actually had more sacks and a near identical pressure rate. His more physical attack style at the line is fun to watch, and he wins often.
32. Edgerrin Cooper, LB Texas A&M
There will be questions with his coverage ability, but no other linebacker plays smarter, faster, or aggressive than Cooper. He racked up 10 sacks on top of stuffing more than 50 run plays on the season as well. Incredible off-ball linebacker talent that could sneak into round one of the 2024 NFL Draft.
33. Kamren Kinchens, S Miami (FL)
Kamren Kinchens is the most versatile safety in the draft who can play deep, savvy in shorter zone assignments, then get after the opposing passer like he does in this highlight post from ESPN's Field Yates.
34. Bo Nix, QB Oregon
With over 60 college football starts and a vastly improved production profile at Oregon versus his time at Auburn, Bo Nix might be the fourth quarterback to sneak into round one this year. He offers quick decision-making, a low sack rate, and underrated mobility.
35. Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington
If it weren't for four straight season-ending injuries when he was at Indiana, Michael Penix Jr. might be in the mix for QB1. His career development was derailed early, but his back to back elite passing seasons at Washington make him a strong day two talent.
36. Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
Tyler Guyton primarily played defensive tackle in high school, so he's less experienced than most offensive tackles in this class. However, his dominant physical traits and ability to move fluidly at his size are nearly unmatched. A team could reach on him in the first round just based on upside via potential development alone.
37. Graham Barton, OL Duke
It's possible that the NFL moves Graham Barton inside due to his arm length, but he was an incredibly consistent, technical left tackle for Duke. He brings some possible positional versatility that other offensive lineman in this class do not.
38. Bralen Trice, EDGE Washington
This is mostly a traits play as he can sink, rip, and bend with strength off the edge in ways that look every bit the part of a first round pass rusher. He doesn't have the pressure or sack numbers to match, but the ceiling is high.
39. Adisa Isaac, EDGE Penn State
It took a few years for Isaac to become an every down player instead of just a situational pass rusher, but the results were incredible in 2023. Top tier pass rush rate stats with nine sacks to go along with them. Isaac may end up being drafted earlier than his aforementioned teammate, Chop Robinson.
38. Tyler Nubin, S Minnesota
As stated in the post from Matt Miller below, Tyler Nubin only allowed 30 receiving yards all season when he was the primary defender in coverage. He's an incredible cover safety with ball hawking skills. Nubin may not light it up inside the box like you would expect at his size but he's in the mix for "best safety" of this draft class.
39. Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
Incredibly strong finish to a great career at Georgia, allowing a 38% completion rate when targeted in 2023. He's a bit skinny and lacks some physicality, but his athleticism keeps him in the right spot at all times.
40. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB Clemson
Truly the most balanced skill set among all linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft. He can rush the passer, stuff the run, and covers well, only giving up three receptions longer than 12 yards all season long.
41. Patrick Paul, OT Houston
Patrick Paul struggled with consistency in run blocking assignments but his extremely physical, assertive pass blocking style was on full display at the Senior Bowl. He can put edge defenders on the ground.
42. Brandon Dorlus, DL Oregon
As we broke down during Senior Bowl week, Dorlus split time between edge defender and interior lineman at Oregon. However, his skills to line up anywhere along the line should make him valuable on draft day. He wins with speed off the edge, and flexibility or strength via great counter moves inside.
43. J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
It's true, J.J. McCarthy was never leaned on to fully carry the Michigan offense, but he flashed NFL upside frequently. He finished with the sixth highest quarterback efficiency composite (a 16-pronged production profile measure) despite the lower overall passing volume. He just may need some time to develop into an NFL starter.
44. Trey Benson, RB Florida State
There will be hot debate surrounding the RB1 conversation this year, but Trey Benson should be that guy. As you can see in the highlights in the post below, Benson has home run hitting ability with great speed and vision, even if he does have a bit of an odd upright running style.
45. Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE Texas
This class desperately needs a TE2 behind Brock Bowers and it seems Sanders is that player. He could have played a variety of positions coming out of high school as a five star athlete, but it turned out he was most valuable as a receiving mismatch nightmare at tight end. Back to back seasons with over 600 receiving yards with prototype measurables makes him a great day two pick.
46. Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
Adonai Mitchell grabbed a receiving touchdown in all five of the College Football Playoff games he participated in during his three year college career at Georgia and Texas. He's a red zone weapon who showed great improvement in rounding out his route running in 2023.
47. Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
Keon Coleman had a bad habit of pulling off a disappearing act for large stretches of games in 2023, but also managed to make at least one highlight catch nearly every week. His dominant three-touchdown game against LSU likely propped him up too high early on in the draft process, but he's a great value on day two.
48. Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona
No offensive lineman in this draft class saw greater improvement in a three-year span than Jordan Morgan. He went from giving up five sacks and almost 30 pressures in 2021 to posting a pass block win rate over 98% in 2023. Astonishing ascension that will spark the interest of many NFL decision makers.
49. Sedrick Van Pran, C Georgia
It seems some draft experts are souring on him as of late, but it's hard not to be excited about a center with only one sack surrendered on nearly 3000 snaps and two national championships. Plus he's built as big as an offensive tackle.
50. Leonard Taylor, DL Miami (FL)
Early last fall Taylor was pressuring quarterbacks at a higher rate than any defensive lineman in the country. But then when the coaching staff inexplicably moved him to nose tackle mid-season his pass rush efficiency suffered. If an NFL team uses him right, plugging him into the B-gap, he's going to be an immediately disruptive force.
