2024 NFL Draft Big Board & Scouting Reports - Version 3 (February)
Below is the third iteration of my 2024 non-quarterback Top 50 Big Board. Quarterback is such a unique position that it is difficult to decide exactly where many of them fall alongside the other prospects. Plus, this method allows a few extra non-quarterbacks to get the respect that they deserve.
Top 50 Big Board
1. Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is easily the top non-quarterback in this draft 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 have rightfully earned that "generational" tag as debatably the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson came out in 2007. It is very difficult to see him falling out of the top five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2. Joe Alt – Left Tackle, Notre Dame (+2)
Alt allowed half as many pressures (5) on the season as Fashanu with only one turning into a sack. His stock has only increased throughout this season, and has seemingly solidified himself the top offensive tackle in this draft class. He is built for the position, and has elite reps in both the run and pass game throughout his tape. With his build and steady improvement over the last two years, he could genuinely become one of the best left tackles in the league.
3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Elite athleticism, balance, and hand quickness at his size is truly unique. Olu may not be a mauler in the run game, but he has room to grow as a 21-year-old come draft day. He would likely have been a top ten pick if he had declared for the draft last year, and is looking at a potential top ten spot in this upcoming draft as well. His anchor may be a slight concern to some after the Ohio State game this last season, but he is still easily a top ten talent in this draft class.
4. Malik Nabers
Nabers has really solidified his stock this season, improving vastly from 2022. His separation at all levels of the field is unparalleled, and his effective route tree is phenomenal. He is a smart player whose refinement from last year speaks volumes to his work ethic, and he may very well end up as a top five NFL draft pick.
5. Taliese Fuaga – Right Tackle, Oregon State (+1)
Despite a less consistent finish to the season, Fuaga is deserved of a top ten pick in this upcoming draft. His flexibility, footwork, and athleticism at his size are almost as impressive as his anchor, balance, and core strength. While he could still improve his hand and foot synchronization in pass protection, his ability to efficiently get inside positioning on zone runs and create gaps is the best in this draft class.
6. Brock Bowers
Bowers could have an entire offense run through him. He is easily the most well-rounded tight end to come out of the draft in at least the last decade. Despite only coming in at 6'4 240lbs, his run blocking is excellent. 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 and ability to create yards after the catch are beyond impressive. He is a truly unique prospect who deserves a spot among the top prospects despite his position.
7. Jared Verse – Defensive End, Florida State
Jared Verse had a rather disappointing start to 2023, but managed to turn it around and then some. While his off-season weight gain slowed his get-off significantly early on, he came back even stronger and more explosive at the end of this season than he had shown in any previous tape. He is a monster run defender with an every down skill set, and reminded everyone why he would likely have been a top ten draft pick if he declared last year.
8. Quinyon Mitchell – Cornerback, Toledo (+4)
This may seem oddly high for Mitchell, but he could truly become an elite NFL cornerback. While he has not faced the same level of competition as many other top prospects, he has delivered as well as he could have in his situation. His production is out of this world, he is muscled up from head to toe, and his open field movement skills are right up there with the best cornerbacks in the NFL. His hip flips are lightning quick, and it may just pay off to bet on his tools and what he has shown on the field over the last two seasons at Toledo.
9. Laiatu Latu – Defensive End, UCLA (-1)
Laiatu Latu is easily the most polished defensive end in this draft 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. While he doesn't necessarily have the best tools or build, Latu in the definition of "NFL-ready."
10. Rome Odunze
Odunze is a fluid athlete with a scary size-speed combination. His deep route refinement and dominance at the catch point can only have come through hard work and physical maturity. He has improved leaps and bounds since last season, and is firmly a top three wide receiver in this draft class before a significant positional tier drop.
11. Dallas Turner – Edge, Alabama (+2)
Turner is explosive, toolsy, and has nearly unparalleled open field movement skills for his size. He went from being listed at 242lbs last season to 251lbs this season, and will be 21-years-old throughout his entire rookie season. His movements have not suffered in the slightest with his increase in presumably pure muscle, and he is steadily improving as a pass rusher. He still does not have the every down impact of Verse and Latu, but could easily end up as the top edge rusher in this class.
12. Demeioun "Chop" Robinson – Edge, Penn State (-1)
Chop has elite explosiveness at 250lbs unlike anything seen in recent years from the edge position. He is strong, highly athletic, and should blow up the combine. This is why he was initially a top three prospect back on the October big board. Unfortunately, he has a very limited pass rush arsenal. Chop really has no go-to moves. If he does not win with his first step, then he is likely out of the rep. His potential is limitless, but he has a long ways to go.
13. Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama (-3)
McKinstry is the definition of smooth. He may not be the fastest or most athletic, 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. He may be falling down draft boards this off-season, but is easily the most skilled press coverage cornerback in the draft.
14. Johnny Newton
Newton is one strong dude. His balance, anchor, one-gap, two-gap, block shedding, and zone block penetration make him the best defensive tackle in class. He can play anywhere from shade nose to 5-tech, despite weighing only 295lbs, and find success due to his absurd strength and motor to match. There are some slight concerns regarding arm length and how he will handle stronger NFL interior offensive linemen, but he should still be a first round lock.
15. Terrion Arnold
Arnold may have played across from McKinstry, but was certainly not overshadowed. Arnold was riddled with targets, allowing him to consistently showcase his ball skills and stickiness in press coverage. He is a flashy corner with interceptions and PBUs to spare, but it is telling that he allowed more receptions than his counterpart saw targets on the season. Although he is young and an elite press-man corner with inside and outside versatility, he allows too many easy receptions underneath and has room to grow in zone.
16. Amarius Mims
Mims may have suffered an unfortunate injury leading to ankle surgery, but he came back as strong as ever. The monstrous 6'7 340lbs right tackle plays with great body angles when pass blocking and surprising quickness for his size when mirroring. His biggest deficiency is experience with just 803 career reps, but his tools and the tape he has put up when on the field are indicative of a future star. He may not be the best run blocker on an every play basis, but has shown more than enough in his limited reps to give confidence to any team who drafts him this highly.
17. Brian Thomas Jr.
Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and superstar Malik Nabers may have been focal points of the LSU offense, but Thomas had a great year as well. With over 1000 yards, the 6'4 prototypical X was a force at all levels of the field. He has a diverse release package, understands how to win deep, and displays excellent movement skills for his size. Despite not being the best receiver on his own team, the young receiver should thrive on the outside in an NFL offense.
18. Byron Murphy II
Murphy is easily the best interior pass rusher in the draft. He consistently wins one-on-one reps with guards in pass rush situations regardless of the caliber of his opponent. He plays with great technique, quickness, power, and should find success rushing the interior in the NFL.
19. JC Latham
Latham has game-changing high-end reps, clearing gaps single-handedly on the goal line and what not, but is not immune to the occasional mistake. He is big and strong, but not 100% reliable against some of the better speed rushers. If he struggles at right tackle, then he should make a solid guard.
20. Kamari Lassiter
Lassiter may have dropped from the second to the third and now to the fourth ranked corner on this board, but his draft grade remains in the first round. He is an outstanding Cover-3 corner with an exceptional ability to click and close without allowing easy receptions underneath. 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 corner who can fit into any scheme and thrive in off-man coverage.
21. Cooper DeJean
Is there a big-bodied receiver on the outside? Stick DeJean on him and he won't catch a pass. DeJean's 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 may not end up playing full time outside corner in the NFL. He is a smart player who could also thrive at nickel or as a box safety. He is easily the best run defending cornerback in class, and is also a ballhawk who had five interceptions in 2022. Creative utilization of his unique skill set will be pivotal to his NFL success.
22. Nate Wiggins
While Wiggins has jumped significantly up this draft board with a strong finish to the season, he is still graded lower than consensus. He has great size and fluidity for the position, but there are concerns surrounding how his game will translate to the NFL. His hip flips are often high and choppy, and downfield threats occasionally pull away from him in man coverage. Wiggins has impressive ball and movement skills for his size, but is not completely lockdown like some of the other top corners in this class.
23. Leonard Taylor III
Taylor may not have first round tape, but he certainly has potential. He is incredibly strong, ferocious, and has some insane reps, but needs to improve his down to down performance. He lacks patience in the run game and his pass rush technique is hit or miss, so this grade is purely a projection stemming from his high-end reps and athletic profile. If he can learn to harness and control what he has flashed throughout the season, then Taylor could become a scary NFL defensive tackle.
24. Bralen Trice – Defensive End, Washington (+3)
Trice was ranked 12th on this board back in October, but has fallen considerably since. Despite accumulating an absurd 150 pressures over the last two seasons, he is simply too one dimensional to be considered much higher than this. He is a bull in a china shop with 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 has improved since last year, he is more limited in his pass rush profile than the tier one edge prospects. Trice could still be selected in the first round, but is more likely an early day two player.
25. Patrick Paul – Right Tackle, Houston (+4)
Patrick Paul has played out of his mind as a pass blocker over the last two seasons with over a 91 PFF pass blocking grade in each season, but is still not necessarily a plug and play starter. His length, pass blocking technique, and overall traits are highly impressive, but he occasionally struggles with power rushers. This deficiency also translates to the run game where he fails to reliably finish blocks and create gaps. He is an enticing left tackle prospect, but must gain some strength, improve as a run blocker, and learn to anchor against stronger opponents if he is to reach his potential.
26. Adonai Mitchell
27. Jordan Morgan
The Arizona left tackle will probably perform better on the inside in the NFL, but could also continue to play tackle in a pinch. He has impressive hand strength, active arms, and is an aggressive downfield blocker. These are all traits needed by interior offensive linemen, and he tends to move more like a guard as it is. His balance on outside counters is questionable, and he is prone to losing reps against legitimate pass rush moves on the edge. His comfort getting out in space, strong hands, and tendency to finish blocks should make him a great starting guard in the NFL.
28. Jackson Powers-Johnson
The best center in college football allowed one pressure on 497 pass rush snaps, and that singular pressure came in week 2. He is a dominant zone run blocker, and always finishes his reps. He may not be the best out in space, but Powers-Johnson could be an elite center in the right scheme. With experience at both guard and center, expect him to rise up draft boards significantly in the months leading up to the draft.
29. Troy Franklin
Troy Franklin has great acceleration and suddenness at 6'3. He also has an extensive route tree and has an advanced release package for the collegiate level. His hands are not the best with nine drops and only a 36.8% contested catch rate, but should still be an excellent deep threat at the next level. He may not be the bonafede number one that the October board thought he could become when he was listed up at number 15, but he is still a very good receiver who should get first round consideration.
30. Kamren Kinchens
Kinchens is a well-rounded safety prospect who can make impact plays in both the run and passing game. He is easily the top pure safety prospect in class, and still has room to grow in every aspect of his game. Despite a few bone-headed plays this last season when trying to attack the ball, Kinchens has shown everything needed over the last two years to be the top free safety prospect in this draft.
31. T'Vondre Sweat
This behemoth can rarely be stopped by a single offensive linemen. The 6'4, 362lbs nose tackle not only takes up an immense amount of space over the middle, but also has the highest PFF grade of any defensive tackle in all of college football. He ragdolls offensive linemen in one on ones, fills both A-gaps without even trying, and can absolutely tank double-teams. His pass rush arsenal is surprisingly diverse at his size, and the strength differential from college to the pros should not affect him as much as it does most other defensive tackles. While he likely will not see over 50% of snaps at his weight, Sweat has an every down skill set. His mere presence should allow for one-gap defensive tackles to feast while he takes on two offensive linemen each and every play.
32. Graham Barton
Barton may have played exclusively left tackle throughout college, but he is absolutely built to play guard. Everyone has been saying it, and it is 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 mostly mitigated on the inside. His overall run game prowess, ability to finish reps, and footwork efficiency when pulling should make him a plug and play interior offensive lineman. 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 second round grade despite not taking reps on the interior since playing center in 2020.
33. Ladd McConkey
McConkey is quietly one of the most refined receivers in the draft. If the primary objective of a wide receiver is to separate and catch the ball, then he must be a very good wide receiver. He is not the flashiest or most physically gifted, but now has multiple years of tape demonstrating his ability to separate and find open space. While he was primarily an outside receiver at Georgia, he will likely move inside at the next level.
34. Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
While watching Kris Abrams-Draine, it is difficult not to notice the physical lock down corner playing across from him. Rakestraw has tremendous balance, plays physically, and has some of the most impressive stop-start ability in this deep cornerback class. He may not be the most refined prospect just yet, but he plays with a rare type of balance that allows him to consistently stay with nearly any receiver through any route. There may be some growing pains, but his skill set should translate well to the NFL.
35. Payton Wilson
Wilson is the top linebacker in this class despite being a fifth year player with an extensive injury history. His tape is just too good to ignore, and he managed to stay healthy throughout the 2023 season. There are few weaknesses to his game with great vision, tackling, coverage, and pursuit. He has the speed to run down receivers from behind, the instincts to disrupt passing lanes in zone, and the stature and technique to wrap up the most powerful ball carriers in space. If it were not for multiple knee injuries and surgery on both shoulders, then he would firmly be in the first round conversation.
36. Chris Braswell
The weight-room monster has some of the most absurd off-field metrics in this already impressive draft class. 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 and some strong run game reps as well, but does not have much pass rush technique. He appears to play a bit reserved at time, leaving plenty of room to grow after only starting at Alabama for one season.
37. Troy Fautanu
The Washington left tackle will likely play guard at the next level, but may even convert to center. He has some major balance issues on the outside, and allowed a whopping 23 pressures this season. With great foot quickness and athleticism, Fautanu should be a much better performer on the interior.
38. Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper, like Payton Wilson, has surpassed Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in this linebacker class. The heat-seeking missile is physically gifted and does most of the difficult stuff well. He can play man coverage against tight ends, defeat blockers when rushing the passer, and navigate through contact to the ball carrier from obscure angles. His deficiencies appear more in areas that can be taught, such as open field footwork and tackling technique. He is a big play linebacker with high-end potential who truly had an unbelievable breakout campaign this last season.
39. Caelen Carson
The raw aggression and foot speed Carson brings to the table are very enticing attributes. He is a physical tone setter who can stick with anyone in man coverage due to innate talent alone. Carson may lack refinement in his footwork and seem a bit lost at times in zone coverage, but he has loads of potential if connected with the right coach who can bring out the best of what he offers. He may be a bit of a boom or bust prospect, but the boom potential is worth the shot in the right scheme.
40. Braden Fiske
Braden Fiske may be a sixth year player, but he absolutely flies off the line. His gap shooting explosiveness is among the best in class, and his run defense numbers are surprisingly strong. He should absolutely light up the combine, and has the talent to go early on day two despite being one of the oldest prospects in this draft class.
41. Xavier Legette
Legette has had an impressive breakout season in his fifth year at South Carolina. His is more physical, faster, and stronger than his opponents, and went for 1255 yards after never having over 167 in any season prior. Statistically speaking, the breakout age is concerning for his outlook. He wins exclusively with physicality and has a very small route tree. That said, he hit nearly 23mph with the ball in his hands while weighing 223lbs at 6'1, and clearly progressed in every area of his game over the last year. He may not become the number one receiver he physically appears he could be, but should make an excellent number two who can play big slot and still provide value on the outside.
42. Keon Coleman
Coleman has been dropping down draft boards, but his deficiencies are rather glaring. His breaks are not crisp, often allowing corners in softer coverages to close the distance a step sooner. He has not shown the ability to consistently win in contested catch situations, hauling in only 10 of his 30 attempts in 2023. He has reliable hands with no drops on the season before his final game, but is not ready to be a number one NFL wide reciever.
43. McKinnley Jackson
McKinnley Jackson is highly explosive for weighing 325lbs. Many people think that he is a nose tackle due to his weight and utilization at Texas A&M, but his skill set aligns more with that of a 3-technique. His timing, contact angles, and burst are impressive, and he is significantly better as an interior pass rusher than he is a two-gapping nose tackle.
44. Zach Frazier
Frazier had an unfortunate leg injury in the final drive of the regular season to keep him out of the bowl game, but it should not hurt his draft stock too much. His 159-2 wrestling record will be enticing to offensive line coaches everywhere, and he moves out in space better than any college center in the country. If he can recover quickly and participate in the combine, then he may end up getting drafted higher than many analysts currently project.
45. Xavier Worthy
Xavier Worthy may be the fastest football player in this upcoming draft. His production this last season was uninspiring, but he is always a home run threat with the ball in his hands. He stretches the field as well as anyone, and his raw athleticism will be highly coveted come draft time. Worthy did not make the previous version of this draft board due to his lack of refinement on the football field, but is worth the shot due to his flashes alone.
46. DeWayne Carter
Carter is a gap shooter who may never find himself in a full-time role, but is still worth a day two pick. He is highly explosive and should help any team rush the passer in a rotational role. His strong legs, motor, and speed-to-power should translate well to the NFL when isolated in one-on-one situations.
47. Jaylen Wright
Jaylen Wright is the number one running back on this board. He is not the best athlete in class, but his vision, patience, and pass protection easily make him the most technically skilled player at the position. While running backs drafted highly are typically elite athletes, Jaylen Wright is simply too talented to be overlooked. He is not the most enticing prospect on this list, but whoever drafts him will fall in love with his ability to avoid negative plays, make the most of minimal gaps, and contribute on every down.
48. Ricky Pearsall
Similarly to running back Jaylen Wright, Ricky Pearsall is on this list due to his skill at the position more so than his athletic ability. His route running refinement is among the best in class, and his hands are outstanding. He absolutely eats up the middle of the field and generates his own separation with route breaks and nuance against all coverage types. Pearsall is not the most physically gifted or fastest receiver in this class, but he will be a reliable plug-and-play slot option for any team.
49. Tyler Nubin
Tyler Nubin is a violent hitter who can play both deep and in the box. He closes in quickly from zone coverage and reads the quarterback very well. He could thrive in a zone-heavy scheme, but there is some concern regarding his change of direction. If he is in a role where he can play more downhill and in zone coverage, then he will be more productive than if he is forced to play more man coverage or is placed into a more rangy single-high role.
50. Trey Benson
Trey Benson may be the best pure runner in class. There are few backs who rival him once at full speed, and no one with his power profile who can also stay low and shed tackle in the backfield. Benson is a workhorse who should be able to add value on every down. With few weaknesses to his game in a weaker running back class, it would be unsurprising to see him selected higher in the draft than most people would otherwise project.
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