2024 NFL Draft Big Board - Version 1 (October)
Below is the first iteration of my non-quarterback 2024 Big Board. When creating the initial board, I always like to exclude quarterbacks entirely. This is honestly because quarterback scouting takes a really long time, and is such a unique position that it is often difficult to place them among the other positions. Many teams in need of a quarterback will take them ahead of the more skilled and refined players at the top of the draft, so this iteration provides a better look at the rest of the class and allows me to get a few extra names into the top 50.
This version is also fun because it is based almost exclusively on 2023 tape from September and October, along with some lingering bias from 2022 Summer scouting. This means that there may be some unusual takes with certain guys starting the season a bit hotter than others. If players seem oddly high or low, then know that the remainder of the season will still be assessed and likely balance out some of the more extreme grades. Never forget Daniel Jeremiah ranking Keion White at #8 and Dalton Kincaid at #9 in his initial 2023 Big Board.
That said, this is a great way of seeing which players are stepping up this season and deserve more attention, and which guys may need to play a bit better in order to rise back up the rankings. Again, these will alter rather significantly throughout the season, but this provides a great baseline for the class.
Top 50 Big Board
1. Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is easily the top non-quarterback in the class. He is an athletic monster with incredible movement skills, refinement, nuance at the position, and has just about everything you can ask for from a prospect. He may not be earning the "generational" tag so far this season, but that does not stop him from being the clear best player in the draft. It is very difficult to see him falling out of the top five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, even if he were to miss the remainder of the season.
2. Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Olu is a different type of left tackle prospect. His athleticism, balance, and quick hands on top of his size and sturdy build is a deadly combination. He would likely have been a top 10 pick if he declared for the draft last year, and is looking at a potential top 5 spot this upcoming year.
3. Demeioun "Chop" Robinson – Edge, Penn State
This may seem high compared to consensus, but anyone who has watched this season so far will attest to his freakish display of athleticism. The Iowa game really solidified his position as the top edge rusher through the first couple months of the college football season. His get-off at 250lbs is beyond elite, and he has some of the most ridiculous raw tools of any prospect in this star-studded edge class.
4.
Alt is an interesting prospect because he is not immune to having a couple of off-reps here and there for a prospect this high on the board, but his high-end reps are beautiful. He is absolutely built for the position, and has flashed some elite reps in both the run and pass game. He is clearly more of a pass blocking left tackle up to this point only allowing three total pressures so far through seven games, but has some key run blocks at multiple levels that show promise of him eventually evolving into one of the better all-around tackles in the NFL.
5. Brock Bowers
Bowers is one of the only tight ends I have ever scouted who can have an entire offense run through him. He is one of three blue chip prospects in this class up to this point in the season (in my non-quarterback rankings), and is easily the most well-rounded tight end to come out of the draft in at least the last decade. Despite technically being considered undersized, his run blocking is absolutely incredible. He is often asked to take on defensive ends one on one, and his refined technique and pure effort allow him to cleanly win many of those reps. His understanding of the game is beyond impressive, and his run after the catch looks like a big running back in space at times. He is truly a unique prospect who is only as low as number five because of his position.
6. Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama
McKinstry is the definition of smooth. He may not be the fastest or most physical at the line of scrimmage, but he is otherwise the complete package. His stop-start ability cannot be taught, and his hips are as fluid as they come. He can perform full rotations in stride without altering the depths of his hips, and blanket receivers who vary their route speeds. Not only is he in the blue chip conversation, but is also far and away better than the CB2 in this draft class which could even further bolster his draft stock.
7. Malik Nabers
Nabers has really solidified his stock this season, improving vastly from 2022. My Arkansas game notes stating "Shades of a bigger Jordan Addison with release packages stylistically similar to Davante Adams" says a lot about what he could become at the next level. His deep route running against off coverage is phenomenal, and he can win in any area of the field. He is a smart player whose refinement from last season to this season speaks volumes to his work ethic. Earning a top ten spot in the 2024 NFL Draft would be well deserved.
8. Taliese Fuaga – Right Tackle, Oregon State
Fuaga is the last player in the blue chip conversation before a tier drop on this board. His flexibility, footwork, and athleticism at his size are almost as impressive as his anchor, balance, and core strength. His ability to efficiently get inside positioning on zone runs and reliably create gaps is the best in the class. Fuaga is easily one of the biggest surprises of 2023.
9. Laiatu Latu – Defensive End, UCLA
Laiatu Latu is easily the most polished defensive end in the class. After retiring from football due to a neck injury, he came back last season and lit the world on fire. This season, he has only improved, particularly in run defense. While he doesn't necessarily have the best tools in this class, Latu would probably see the most success if dropped onto an NFL field today.
10. Emeka Egbuka – Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Three wide receivers in the top ten just speaks to how talented this draft class is at the position. Egbuka is the best slot receiver in this class, and could certainly earn a role on the outside at the next level. While he doesn't play with as much aggression as he could, his physical tools in combination with impressive route running refinement make him a clear first round talent. His release and routes are very reminiscent of Stefon Diggs at the NFL level, and he has everything needed to take a similar step forward once he is drafted.
11. Jared Verse – Defensive End, Florida State
Jared Verse has had disappointing 2023 tape for what he showed he can do in 2022. He has gained some weight, which slowed down his get-off significantly this year. He is still a monster run defender and puts up some first round tape, but is comparatively disappointing to the top 5-10 grade I game him last season. He will probably find his optimal play weight over the next year or so, and prove that he is still worth a top 20 draft pick. As it stands, he is right on the verge of dropping even further than he already has with the next two prospects on this board quickly rising through the rankings.
12. Bralen Trice – Defensive End, Washington
Bralen Trice surprised me with his 2022 tape because of how well he attacked the inside shoulder. He had great acceleration and speed to power for his size, and was my third ranked edge in summer scouting behind only Jared Verse and Dallas Turner. While he is number four now, he has still improved since last year. Trice has better leg drive to finish plays and looks less like a bull in a china shop, despite still being green as a pass rusher. I understand that this is still high for Trice, but he could easily become an impact every down base end in the NFL.
13. Dallas Turner – Edge, Alabama
Verse, Trice, and Turner are all neck and neck for rank three edge in this class. Turner has all of the tools and explosiveness he could ever want, but he really has not improved since last season. There is still a lot of season to be played, but he needs to correct some of his bad tendencies before he can live up to his potential. For instance, when locked up one on one, he often attempts to outmuscle his opponent. This almost never works because they typically outweigh him by 60+ pounds. If he can learn to embrace his strengths, then he could catapult into tier one with Chop Robinson.
14. Kamren Kinchens
Kinchens is a well-rounded safety prospect who can make impact plays in both the run and pass game. He is easily the top pure safety prospect in class with athleticism to spare. He still has room to grow a bit in every aspect of his game, which is a testament to his potential given that he already is ranked as the 14th player on this board.
15. Troy Franklin
This is by far the highest I have seen Troy Franklin, which honestly surprises me. I was astonished at his acceleration, hip fluidity, and suddenness at 6'3. He also has an extensive route tree, wins at every level of the field, and has an advanced release package for the collegiate level. He may not have the same national recognition as most of the other top wide receiver prospects, but will soon enough when people actually start diving into his tape. How he performs throughout the rest of the season will determine if I'm the crazy one here, or if he really is worthy of a first round pick.
16. Graham Barton
Barton may have played exclusively left tackle throughout college, but he is absolutely built to play guard. Everyone has been saying it, but it's very apparent when you turn on the tape. His primary deficiencies of blocking out on the perimeter and whiffing on rushers performing quick edge moves are mitigated on the inside. His ability to finish reps, overall run game prowess, and footwork efficiency when pulling should make him a studly guard. He is athletic for the position, and his pass blocking reliability in a phone booth along with his high-end run game reps leave him with a first round grade despite his projected interior position.
17. Kamari Lassiter
Lassiter is the second ranked corner on this board, however uncomfortable that may feel. The primary reason he is this high is because he is easily the best Cover 3 corner in this class, at least from the games watched thus far in 2023. He stays low and is disciplined in his movements, allowing him to accelerate quickly in any direction. There are some concerns about his playstyle and decisions against vertical routes, and he is certainly no ball hawk, but Lassiter could become a lockdown CB2 who can fit into any scheme and thrive in off-man coverage.
18. JC Latham
Latham has high highs followed by some pretty low lows. His high-end reps are game-changing, clearing gaps single-handedly on the goal line and what not, leaving him with a late first round grade. There is some concern with speed rushers getting the best of him on the edge, but his strength and flashes each and every game show his potential of becoming a franchise tackle.
19. Johnny Newton
Newton is one strong dude. His balance, anchor, two-gapping, block shedding, and zone block penetration, mostly derived from raw strength, leave him with the last first round grade given in the 2024 draft class up to this point. He can play anywhere from shade nose to 5-tech, despite only weighing 295lbs, and find success. The reason he is not ranked higher is primarily because of his struggles against stronger opponents. The NFL is a different game than college ball, and if he cannot learn how to navigate linemen matching his strength, then he could just as easily end up on the bust list several years from now.
20. Cooper DeJean
Is there a big-bodied receiver on the outside? Stick DeJean on him and he won't catch a pass. His ability to dominate bigger and comparatively slower receivers as an outside cornerback is astonishing for his size. His mirroring footwork and ball skills are highly impressive, but he realistically will not be playing full time outside corner in the NFL. He is a smart player who can thrive at nickel in run defense, as well as a ballhawk who had five interceptions in 2022. He also may simply convert to strong safety and be used as an all-around defensive weapon. The reason he is so low is because he needs to end up with a coordinator who understands how to use him. If you draft DeJean and stick him full time in one position, like how Isaiah Simmons was misused in Arizona, then he will not have nearly as successful of a career.
21. Rome Odunze
Odunze is a fluid athlete with crisp movements and a scary size-speed combination. My player comp to him currently is 'Shades of Alec Pierce with more of a Chris Olave playstyle.' His athleticism cannot be underestimated, even though he still is not living up to his full potential. I suspect that Odunze will fly up this draft board as the season continues.
22. Denzel Burke
Burke is much more physical at the line than the other top cornerbacks in this class. He may not be the fastest and can get too handsy at times, but his physicality at the line and throughout the duration of the route is very valuable to the teams running more press coverage in the NFL. He has made incredible strides since his sophomore season, and may just play himself into the first round of the NFL Draft.
23. Josh Newton
Josh Newton is very comfortable an press, zone, and off-man coverage, but seemingly the most comfortable in press. He is not immune to getting burned by speedsters, but is another borderline 1st round talent who can start immediately in any scheme.
24. Amarius Mims
Mims may have suffered an unfortunate injury leading to ankle surgery, but he has already put up borderline first round tape. The monstrous 6'7 340lbs right tackle plays with great body angles when pass blocking and surprising quickness for his size when mirroring. He may not be the best run blocker on an every play basis, but has shown enough through three weeks in 2023 in addition to enough solid 2022 tape to warrant being in the first round conversation.
25. Leonard Taylor III
26. Xavier Legette
Through these first seven weeks of the season, Legette has hauled in eight of his eleven contested catch attempts and has no drops on the season. Not only that, but he is built like AJ Brown at 6'3 227lbs and hit 22.3mph with the ball in his hands during the Mississippi State game. His leap from last year to this year in production along with his clear physical dominance is enough to get anyone excited. He is not the most refined route runner and has a limited route tree, but is absolutely worth an early second round pick with his built-in upside.
27. Kalen King
This is very low for Kalen King. He just has not quite lived up to expectations so far this season. He allows the inside track too easily and has some issues with squat coverage on the outside. While he has played as an outside corner at Penn State, his build, eagerness in the run game, and anticipation would make him an excellent slot corner. King will likely be a valuable inside/outside corner in the NFL, but is not a true lockdown first round outside cornerback talent.
28. Patrick Paul – Right Tackle, Houston
Paul has played out of his mind this season, but is still a second round developmental left tackle in my eyes. His length, technique, and overall traits are highly impressive, but he struggles with power rushers. Mediocre bull rushers can push him upright and collapse the pocket, which is very concerning heading into the NFL. This also translates to the run game where he struggles to finish blocks and create gaps. He is a high ceiling prospect with a low floor if he cannot gain some strength and learn to anchor against stronger opponents.
29. Jonah Elliss
Elliss has been a pleasant surprise this season. He kicks off a second tier of edge rushers who will probably start their careers in more of a rotational role. Elliss is not much of a run defender, but has a variety of effective pass rush moves. The angles on his bull rush and long arm are usually very impressive, and he easily has the cleanest spin move in class. While he may not yet be a true technician, his timing, hand placement, and overall technique have improved so significantly since last season that he could easily continue that trend and become a highly productive pass rusher at the next level.
30. Brandon Dorlus
Dorlus plays everywhere along the line. I have him as a third round player if he stays inside, but a second round player from defensive end when attacking the inside shoulder. This versatile type of defensive lineman can fit into any scheme and perform any task asked of him at least decently. He would probably be a monster power 4-3 end if he lost 10lbs or so, but has an excellent release as it is while carrying over 290lbs. He must learn how to anchor better if he is to play 3-tech full time, but he is 30 on this big board with the assumption that he will play primarily base end regardless of front.
31. Xavier Worthy
The raw talent exuding from Worthy is undeniable. He could easily climb into the first round with a strong finish to the season, but I have graded his overall film up to this point as third round caliber. His flashes are among the best in class, but his every down consistency is a huge concern. While a highlight reel of his best routes run throughout the season may look like top 10 tape, he is just as likely to never reach his full potential, thus leaving him with a second round overall grade.
32. Barrett Carter
Undoubtedly the best linebacker in class, Carter is a great open field athlete who has natural instincts and impressive stickiness in coverage. He is quick on the blitz, and should make an amazing quarterback spy at the next level. This type of skill set may be worth a first round pick, but his weaknesses in the run game and open field tackling drop his stock into the second.
33. Chris Braswell
The weight-room monster earned this grade on the field before I read about his enticing off-field metrics. A 38.5" vertical while squatting 705lbs, bench pressing 405lbs, hang cleaning 405lbs, and hitting nearly 22mph on the GPS at 21-years-old is simply unreal. On the field, he has excellent burst for his size and some strong run game reps as well, but does not have much pass rush technique. With all of the tools at his disposal, he could become a freaky player if everything starts to click.
34. Keon Coleman
Coleman being this low may be shocking, but he has some glaring deficiencies in his game that are often overlooked. His breaks are not crisp, often allowing corners in zone and off coverage to close the distance a step sooner. He is not elusive or powerful with the ball in his hands, and has not shown the ability to consistently win in contested catch situations, although he does have some impressive reps in traffic. Keon Coleman is a very good and reliable wide receiver, but is not the bona fide number one receiver that many make him out to be. Eight wide receivers in the top 34 on this board speaks volumes to the talent at the position in this draft class.
35. McKinnley Jackson
Guys weighing 325lbs simply do not move like McKinnley Jackson. He may need significant improvement in the run game, but his quickness, angles, effort, aggression, and overall pass rush profile are highly impressive. His tape from 3-tech is significantly better than his tape when playing over the center, so his skill set should shine through if used properly in the NFL more than it has from playing primarily nose at Texas A&M.
36. Calen Bullock
Bullock can play nickel as well as free safety for the NFL. He is not overly aggressive and is underweight at 190lbs for his height (6'3), but his vision and footwork dropping into coverage is excellent. Hs may not start right away with size concerns coming downhill, but he is well worth a day two pick for his coverage skills alone.
37. Princely Umanmielen
This is where the third round grades begin. Perhaps a calibration is needed, but I am sure that some of these third round grades will improve as the college season progresses. Umanmielen is right on the border of a round two grade with long limbs and great open field change of direction. He has shades of Felix Anudike-Uzomah from last year, except he completely lacks a pass rush plan. His speed to power is also lacking, but much of his deficiencies appear to come from a lack of knowledge. If his craft is refined as the season progresses, then he will start to shoot up draft boards.
38. Javon Bullard
Javon Bullard has excellent open field movements and footwork. This is the kind of fluidity that is seen among elite coverage safeties in the NFL. He comes downhill quickly and throws his whole body into every tackle, which has its downsides since he does not typically wrap up in open space. The primary reason he ranked lower than Bullock is because of his horrific angles in the run game. He consistently underestimates his opponent's speeds, or overestimates his own, and allows big plays down the sideline. He can make big plays of his own from the slot and free safety, but will struggle to earn a full-time starting role in the NFL if he keeps allowing unnecessarily big plays on the outside.
39. Jordan Morgan
The Arizona left tackle is another player who will probably perform better on the inside in the NFL. He has impressive hand strength and active arms, along with being comfortable out in space and an aggressive downfield blocker. These are all traits needed by interior offensive linemen, and he simply moves like a guard. His balance on outside counters is questionable and he is prone to losing reps on legitimate pass rush moves by even mediocre edge rushers. His aggression, strong hands, and tendency to finish blocks should make him a great starting guard in the NFL.
40. Tyler Davis
Davis is shot out of a cannon on the defensive interior despite weighing 300lbs at only 6'2. He does not have much pass rush technique, as expected from Clemson defensive linemen at this point, but still manages to have great penetration on both run and pass plays. He is not an anchor or two-gapping defensive tackle, but could fill out the stats sheet with sacks and TFLs if his technique improves at the next level and has a supporting cast that allows him to recklessly fly into the backfield.
41. JT Tuimoloau
Tuimoloau is consistently the first player off the line of scrimmage with an efficient release and no unnecessary steps. Beyond that, he has not been too impressive in either 2022 or 2023. His lower pass rush win rate is explained by his mediocre speed to power, bend, and lack of suddenness. He simply does not often get around or through the offensive tackle one on one, which, along with a lack of edge setting, drops him to 41 on this board. He has the tools to improve and some special reps sprinkled throughout his tape, but Tuimoloau is one player who may end up dropping even further if he does not show improvement on his every down efficacy throughout the season.
42. Kris Jenkins
The number six player on Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freaks list has loads of potential. He has great explosiveness and drive, but lacks an anchor and is often pushed off of his gap assignment. His movement skills make him look like a large defensive end playing on the inside, and his arm overs are incredible quick. He just has to learn how to apply his strength and athleticism to practical uses in the game of football.
43. Nate Wiggins
Wiggins could easily jump up the draft board with a strong finish to the season. He has good size for the position and puts out some tape deserved of a higher grade, but there are concerns surrounding how his game will translate to the NFL. His hip flips are often high and choppy, and he is just a bit leggy at times. His ability to close quickly from softer coverage is in question, and he often gets beat on the first break at the line following a split release. Wiggins has impressive ball skills, but I do not yet trust him as an all-around player enough to put him any higher on this board for the time being.
44. Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Trotter has very good fundamentals at the position. He is a great run defender, and his tackling technique in open space is likely the best in class. Unfortunately, he is just a bit too small for his playstyle. Right now, he projects best as a run-defending weakside linebacker with blitzing upside. He would be a lot higher on this board if he weighed 10-15lbs more and maintained his current play speed.
45. TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson is currently my top rated halfback based on his current tape despite many people thinking that he is not playing up to his full potential this season. There are really no studs at the position in this draft class, and Henderson has the athletic profile of a difference-maker at the NFL level. There may be more refined and well-rounded backs in this class who would see more success on an NFL field today, but none of them are the same caliber of athlete.
46. TJ Tampa
This high-waisted corner will probably not stay inside the top 50 come April, but he is surprisingly smooth at 6'2, 200lbs. His footwork in press could use some work, but his open field footwork is still impressive at times. There are concerns surrounding how he will handle NFL speed, but he could certainly settle in as a scheme-dependent C1/C3 number two boundary corner who will be most valuable in the red zone. He will likely have his best career if he is able to sit for a year, play on special teams, and just come in on situational sub-packages next season so that he has time to learn and prepare for the faster pace of play.
47. Gabriel Murphy
Murphy is a reliable, versatile, and technical every down defensive end. He is the type of player coaches can rely on in a pinch to do his job. He may never be a superstar, but can add value and fill a void on the edge regardless of scheme. His violent hands, high effort play, and ability to play effectively from nearly anywhere along the line provide some upside as well. He will probably lose some value and fall out of the top 50 once I get to watch more of the smaller school guys and reassess some bigger names who have not yet shown up over the first half of the 2023 season.
48. Trey Benson
Benson has superb contact balance and sinks his hips incredible low when cutting for someone of his stature. He is a strong athlete who should be a great gap runner at the next level. He puts everything he has into each carry and runs full speed into contact to gain the extra yard in the open field. His vision is not that great and he often stops before changing direction, but has the strength, receiving ability, and physical profile to become a solid workhorse NFL back.
49. T'Vondre Sweat
This behemoth can rarely be stopped by one offensive linemen. The 6'4, 362lbs nose tackle not only takes up an immense amount of space over the middle, but currently also has the highest PFF grade of any defensive tackle in all of college football through the first half of the season. He ragdolls offensive linemen in one on ones, fills both A-gaps without really trying, and can absolutely tank double-teams. That said, he may want to drop 20lbs or so for the NFL. His lateral mobility is non-existent and he should not be asked to play more than about 50% of snaps at his current size. His chops, rips, and arm overs in the passing game are all still surprisingly effective, and he could become a truly great interior defensive lineman if he drops weight and adds some foot quickness to match his current upper body movements.
50. Jonathon Brooks
Brooks is a talented back with great vision and contact balance, but he is not a high-end athlete. He will not create big plays without an offensive line, and is not going to take screens to the house. The reason he made the top 50 is because he is a very solid single-cut downhill back with great patience and vision. He always seems to get positive yardage, and maximizes what is given on tighter short distance plays. At only 20-years-old, he could become the lead back in an inside zone scheme and drastically improve a team's every down efficiency.
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