The 2022 college football season not only served as the closing chapter for countless 2024 NFL Draft prospects but also set the stage for the 2024 NFL Draft cycle. Already, the 2024 class appears to be very deep at impact positions, and it also has the blue-chip talent necessary to reward the teams at the top of the order.
2024 NFL Draft Prospects To Watch
Will the 2023 NFL Draft firmly behind us, the 2024 NFL Draft cycle now comes into focus. As the season approaches, here’s a look at the top prospects across the college football landscape. The 2024 NFL Draft is already rich with storylines — an elite QB duel, droves of tackle talent — but it’s ultimately dominated by the WR at the top of the board.
1) Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Being a Hall of Famer’s son can generate an exorbitant amount of pressure, but Marvin Harrison Jr. has already proven he can handle it. Early on, he looks like a blue-chip NFL prospect in the mold of A.J. Green.
At 6’4″, 205 pounds, Harrison makes unnatural things like sinking, separating, and converting at the catch point look absolutely effortless for his size. Everything he does is exceptional — from stemming DBs and manipulating space at depth, to stacking upfield with his explosiveness, to contorting and positioning himself to make game-changing plays.
2) Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Coming off a season with 4,537 passing yards, 42 scores, and just five picks, Caleb Williams already has the production profile of a first-overall pick.
At 6’1″, 215 pounds, Williams is an off-platform ninja with rare creative feel and a hose for an arm. Williams’ ability to create and produce off-script is surpassed only by his layering ability — both franchise-caliber traits. If he can improve at taking what’s given, he could be the best prospect since Trevor Lawrence.
3) Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Having completed 342 of 517 passes for 4,321 yards, 38 scores, and seven picks in 2022, Drake Maye is one of those quarterbacks who makes it look easy, both as an athlete and as a passer. He’s much closer to Williams than the consensus would imply, and it could ultimately be a toss-up.
Maye has a smooth, effortless throwing motion and can evade rushers and create at a high clip, despite his 6’4″, 220-pound frame. Most importantly, his ability to torque off-platform is superb. That’s an extremely underrated facet of his game, and it’s what makes him a perfect fit for the modern NFL.
4) Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
It’s rare for offensive tackle prospects to “look the part” as much as Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu does coming out of his redshirt sophomore season. Fashanu hits all the size thresholds, and he’s a superb athlete with high-end mobility and flexibility. But he’s also an incredibly composed and well-balanced pass protector who uses patience, discipline, and strong hands to suffocate rushers.
5) Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Accruing 119 catches for 1,824 yards and 20 touchdowns across his first two seasons, Brock Bowers is on a collision course with early Round 1 capital. The Georgia offense has always been proficient at giving Bowers space, but he makes the most of it with his instant acceleration, zone awareness, contact balance, preying catch-point instincts, and vice-grip hands at the high point.
6) JC Latham, OT, Alabama
JC Latham is still slept on to an extent as an early first-round prospect, but the Alabama OT has the raw talent to follow in the footsteps of other Crimson Tide first-rounders before him. He’s unnaturally explosive and nimble on his feet for his 6’6″, 335-pound frame, surprisingly balanced out of his pass sets, and his unending physicality serves as a channeling module for his truly elite physical tools.
7) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Harrison is a near-generational talent, but Emeka Egbuka has top-10 upside in his own right. At 6’1″, 205 pounds, Egbuka has the desired blend of explosiveness, agility, contact balance, and long speed. But what truly brings Ebuka’s profile together is his ability to displace and exploit zones as a route runner and his ability to naturally corral passes in stride while turning upfield as a RAC threat.
8) Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
It’s generally agreed upon that Jared Verse, who logged nine sacks and 17 TFLs in 2022, could have been a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He ultimately chose to return, but he starts out as a top-10 prospect on our board this year. Verse has it all: Burst, length, power, bend, hyperactive lateral twitch, and supremely quick and active hands at contact.
9) Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
It’s still early in the 2024 NFL Draft process, but it’s safe to drink the Kool-Aid on Alabama’s next first-round CB prospect. Kool-Aid McKinstry is coming off a sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 15 pass deflections in coverage. He has length at 6’1″, 188 pounds, to start, but he’s legitimately a gnat with his short-range technique, twitch, burst, and precise, stifling physicality.
10) Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Normally, offensive tackles hit a point of diminishing returns once they hit 6’7″ or 6’8″. It is possible to be too tall at a position where leverage is paramount, but Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is an anomaly.
At 6’8″, 315 pounds, the former tight end is absurdly flexible, well-leveraged, quick out of his stance, and his recovery athleticism is a formidable failsafe.
11) Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Next in line for the Crimson Tide, Dallas Turner has big shoes to fill after Will Anderson Jr.’s departure. Turner himself has work to do before he reaches Anderson’s caliber as a prospect, but he has the upside to get there. At 6’4″, 240 pounds, Turner has the length to go along with terrifying burst and bend around the arc, and his speed-to-power element is surprisingly destructive.
12) Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Preseason hype can be misleading. LSU WR Kayshon Boutte is a recent example.
But Malik Nabers, Boutte’s successor in the Tigers’ line of WR prospects, is a better bet to deliver on that upside. Nabers is a legitimate speed threat downfield who can offset and stack DBs with ease. He has uncanny contact balance after the catch at 6’0″, 195 pounds, and he’s an adept catch-point contortionist.
13) Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Barrett Carter — who stands at 6’1″, 225 pounds, and put up 10.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two picks, and eight deflections in 2022 — is a top-10 prospect on my personal board and a potential blue-chip prospect at the LB position. He has truly uncommon athleticism for the position, boasting the explosiveness, twitch, and range of a safety. With that physical talent comes unobstructed role versatility and dangerous dynamism in all phases.
14) Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
Andrew Mukuba’s production took a slight dip in 2022, but the Clemson defender still has the profile to be a coveted NFL Draft prospect in 2024. Mukuba, at 5’11”, 185 pounds, is an incredibly versatile piece for the Tigers’ defense. He can play single-high or two-high and has slot capabilities. Wherever he lines up, his elastic, high-energy athleticism and rare fluidity can be a trump card against offensive weapons.
15) Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Lukas Van Ness represented Iowa in Round 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Cooper DeJean is on pace to follow a similar path in 2024. DeJean — who logged five picks (including three pick-sixes) and eight PBUs in 2022 — has eye-catching twitch and movement freedom at 6’1″, 209 pounds. He’s predictably very strong in run support but also serves as a high-IQ cover man who can jump routes and swing momentum.
16) Kalen King, CB, Penn State
When Joey Porter Jr. locked down his side, the pass attempts had to go somewhere. Many were funneled to Kalen King, who similarly discouraged QBs with his three interceptions and 16 deflections. King is a natural cover man with ample burst and foot speed, fluidity, and ball skills, and his relentless competitive toughness as a support defender is a top selling point.
17) Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
A top producer in 2022 with 5.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton returns to the fold as our preliminary top-rated DT prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
At 6’2″, 295 pounds, Newton fits the mold of the modern disruptor. While his length is a concern, Newton counteracts that concern easily with his explosiveness, agility, natural leverage, intentional hands, and strength. And his flexibility is a hyper-elite trait that allows him to peel through blocks and consistently squirm free in pursuit.
18) Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
One of the nation’s most productive pass rushers in 2022, Bralen Trice returns as a first-round hopeful in the 2024 NFL Draft. On the surface, the main appeal of Trice’s profile is his power element at 6’4″, 260 pounds. He can barrel through opposing blockers with his power profile, but he’s also a surprisingly explosive and high-energy lateral mover for his size.
19) J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
If all goes well, J.T. Tuimoloau could be one of the first prospects off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. At 6’4″, 277, he has a rare blend of size, burst, and power capacity, and he doubles as an elite playmaker who’s always around the ball. He doesn’t quite have game-breaking bend, but he’s a high-motor rusher with explosiveness, strong and nuanced hands, and finishing ability.
20) Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)
Range is a premium trait at safety, and it helps when rangy safeties also have good all-around utility. Miami’s Kamren Kinchens checks both of those boxes. He’s one of the best center-fielders in the entire 2024 NFL Draft class, and his six interceptions from 2022 highlight his rare playmaking ability. But he’s also a superb support defender at 5’11’, 202 pounds, with the density to halt runners in space.
21) Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Graham Barton plays tackle for the Blue Devils, and he’s very good at what he does. His flashes of combative independent hand usage are extraordinary.
That said, with arm length concerns hovering over his profile, Barton may project better to guard at the next level. I’m of the mind he could end up being the best guard prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has a well-proportioned 6’5″, 314-pound frame and is an explosive athlete with dominating leg churn and power drive at contact.
22) Maason Smith, DT, LSU
The question will be whether or not Maason Smith can come back to 100% after missing most of the 2022 campaign with a torn ACL. If he can, he has not just first-round but early first-round potential with his dominating pallet of tools.
Smith — the 6’5″, 300-pound behemoth who logged four sacks and five TFLs in 2021 — has an overwhelming power profile, but he’s also athletic enough to shade outside at 5-tech, and he’s shown he can stack searing hand counters as a pass rusher one on one while bending around blocks with ankle flexion.
23) Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
On my board, Rome Odunze would have been a fringe first-round candidate had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Fresh off a 75-catch, 1,145-yard, seven-touchdown season, the 6’3″, 201-pound receiver is a true complete three-level threat. He’s a smooth athlete and separator, an instinctive contested-catch savant, and an elusive, slippery RAC threat.
24) Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Legacy prospects are becoming more common, and the 2024 NFL Draft has several in the early-round range. The son of an All-Pro linebacker of the same name, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. aims to carry the family torch in 2024. Trotter has a stocky frame and good strength, but his most impressive trait is his ability to snake through congestion, evade and bend past blocks, and halt plays at the line.
25) TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The college football world will be eager to watch if TreVeyon Henderson can get back to 100% in 2023. Because if he can, he can be the RB1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Henderson has an instant trigger when accelerating upfield, as well as the contact balance at 5’10”, 214 pounds to bounce off solo tackle attempts. His versatility as a receiver is an added bonus in the modern NFL.
26) Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
At 6’1″, 163 pounds, Xavier Worthy falls outside the desired weight threshold for WRs. But he could be an anomaly within that class. What he lacks in mass, Worthy makes up for with his outright gravitational effect on defenses, stretching the field and attacking weak spots with his blistering speed, and he has the high-level instincts and body control to convert beyond his frame.
27) Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Versatility is a common theme among many of the 2024 NFL Draft’s top safeties, and that theme is carried further with Michigan’s Rod Moore.
At 6’0″, 185 pounds, Moore is lighter and leaner than most of his counterparts, but he’s a spark in the open field who can close gaps with immediacy, using varied stride lengths to glitch across the field and confront ball carriers. His mobility allows him to play two-high, single-high, or the slot, and he brings tenacious physicality wherever he goes.
28) Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
2022 was a down year for Denzel Burke, who broke onto the scene in 2021 with a pick and 12 pass breakups. The 6’1″, 190-pound CB still has room to clean up his technique and doesn’t have compromising fluidity.
That said, Burke brings high-level explosiveness, twitch, and ball skills to the boundary and can easily disrupt and delay receivers at the line with his wide reach and physicality.
29) Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
There’s a big gap between the top two passers in the 2024 NFL Draft and the next candidates, but as it stands, Oregon’s Bo Nix holds our QB3 spot. Nix reached new marks in 2022 with his efficiency and decision-making.
Ultimately, when it comes to short-area athleticism, natural creation capacity, and off-platform comfort and flexibility, few are better equipped than the Ducks’ passer.
30) Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Blake Freeland had early-round hype in some corners at various points in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle, but Kingsley Suamataia should be held in even higher regard. The 6’6″, 315-pound former Oregon commit has greater flexibility than his predecessor, which he can use to acquire leverage. In a class full of explosive athletes, Suamataia is near the top of the board with his initial burst, and he relishes the chance to bury defenders in the open field.
31) Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Ruke Orhorhoro was an early-round prospect on my 2023 NFL Draft board, but he chose to return to school and keep honing his craft. Orhorhoro was born in Nigeria and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school.
As young as he is, Orhorhoro’s an exciting talent with elite burst, power capacity, and alignment flexibility at 6’4″, 303 pounds, and as he continues to refine his hands, those natural tools will only become more overwhelming.
32) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida
Past the top few prospects, the 2024 NFL Draft EDGE class is relatively ambiguous. But one prospect who could be counted on to rise is Florida’s Princely Umanmielen. Umanmielen is still fleshing out his pass-rushing arsenal, but at 6’5″, 245 pounds, he’s a hyper-explosive athlete who shows glimpses of unfair ankle flexion for his size. He’s already a superb run defender and pursuit player, and his untapped upside makes him a must-watch prospect.
33) Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami (FL)
Having produced five sacks and 19 TFLs over the past two seasons, Leonard Taylor III’s production alone has him penciled in as a potential early-round pick.
Taylor measures in at 6’3″, 305 pounds, but wears that weight extremely well. He’s lean and athletic and can generate speed to power from his brisk momentum, but he also processes blocks extremely quickly and can swim past lurching opponents with brutal quickness.
34) McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
After embarking on a career-best season that saw him amass two sacks and seven TFLs in 2022, McKinnley Jackson is one of the best, most dynamic nose tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Jackson is unique in that he’s not a pure space eater. He can surely encumber blocks and double-teams at 6’2′, 325 pounds, but he’s surprisingly explosive and fleet-footed for that size and can win with violent swims, double-swipes, and his sheer motor.
35) James Williams, S, Miami (FL)
If you missed the size/speed freak mold at safety, you’re in luck. The 2024 NFL Draft class has another mold-breaker in tow with Miami’s James Williams.
Listed at 6’5″, 224 pounds, Williams truly challenges convention with his size and length at the safety position. He also has legitimate playmaking chops and is a banshee coming downhill with his physicality.
36) Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas
A nickname can say a lot about a running back. That’s very true for Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who’s coming off a season that saw him amass 222 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns at Arkansas. Sanders is an instant accelerator with a turbo button moving upfield at 6’2″, 227 pounds, and he recoils against contact threats with an anger that can’t be matched.
37) Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
The 2024 NFL Draft offensive tackle group is very strong at the top, but there are also many names to know in the fringe first-round and early-round range. Matt Goncalves is one of those names. At 6’6″, 330 pounds, he’s a stellar mover with foot speed and gap-closing burst, stifling strength at contact as a pass protector, and menacing power and displacement capacity in the ground game.
38) Decorian Patterson, CB, UCF
Shoutout to my colleague Ian Valentino for keying me in on Decorian Patterson’s game. The UCF cornerback, who transferred over from Middle Tennessee State, put up seven picks and 12 pass deflections in 2022. He’s a ball hawk — that goes without saying — but he’s also an exceedingly explosive athlete at 6’0″, 191 pounds, with superb proportional length, long-strider speed, and exceptional support ability.
39) Tahveon Nicholson, CB, Illinois
In Devon Witherspoon’s stead, Tahveon Nicholson could go on to be Illinois’ next early-round prospect at CB. Nicholson will be an older rookie than preferred, and his size is average. But Nicholson is a feisty cover man who darts around the field with hyper-explosive mobility and searing foot speed, and he’s shown he can play up to his competition at the catch point.
40) Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
In two seasons with the Clemson Tigers, Will Shipley has amassed over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 26 total touchdowns. Entering his first year of eligibility, he has RB1 potential, even at a lighter size of 5’11”, 205 pounds. Shipley’s finesse and hip flexibility as a runner is certifiably insane, and he has the creative instincts to maximize that trait.
41) Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia
For the better part of two seasons, Georgia’s offensive line has been a dominating unit, and Sedrick Van Pran is a big reason why.
The 6’4″, 310-pound center is well-leveraged and physical throughout the entirety of reps, but Van Pran’s most eye-catching trait is his searing explosiveness off the line. He reaches the second level instantly, and his range is a game-changer on zone runs.
42) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
The 2024 NFL Draft should safely clear the 2023 NFL Draft class when it comes to early-round offensive guard talent, and Donovan Jackson is a part of that. He’s a former five-star recruit with a dense 6’4″, 320-pound frame and elite proportional length. Jackson’s hands explode into contact, he brings overwhelming core strength, and he has the lateral mobility and vision to handle stunts.
43) Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
He’s overshadowed by Odunze at times, but Washington’s Jalen McMillan has an exciting 2024 NFL Draft profile as well. Coming off a 79-catch, 1,098-yard, nine-score 2022 campaign, McMillan has already set the bar high. He’s a smooth long-strider with speed and burst at 6’1″, 180 pounds, but he can also swivel around, chop his feet, and sink his hips suddenly as a route runner.
44) Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
2022 wasn’t a statistical breakout for Kris Jenkins, but the 6’3″, 285-pound defender showed off his explosive upside — particularly late in the year. Michigan has no trouble recruiting physically-gifted defensive tackles, and Jenkins is next up. He offers absurd quickness, lateral twitch, and torque loading and can be a nightmare in one-on-one pass-rushing situations.
45) Riley Leonard, QB, Duke
Riley Leonard is one of the more underrated candidates in the QB3 conversation for the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s not nearly as refined as the underclassmen at the top of the board. Most notably, his down-to-down mechanics can be inconsistent. Nevertheless, Leonard has a talented arm and shows glimpses of elite situational precision. And at 6’4″, 212 pounds, he’s a legitimate rushing threat.
46) Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
If you’re looking for a back who can churn through early-down attempts and keep the chains moving late in games, there aren’t many better options in the 2024 NFL Draft than Trey Benson. Benson, at 6’1′, 215 pounds, has a workhorse frame, hits holes with explosive energy, and can plow his way through successive tackle attempts with a mix of contact balance and relentless energy.
47) Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
Had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, Cooper Beebe might have been a contender for the top guard spot. Beebe’s a multi-year All-Big 12 performer with experience at both tackle and guard, but guard is where his skill set translates best. The 6’4″, 332-pound blocker is refined and powerful, and his angle awareness makes him exceedingly reliable.
48) Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
After transferring from Michigan State, Keon Coleman should be a primary weapon in a stacked Florida State offense. The 6’4″, 215-pound pass-catcher has one of the most exciting three-level frameworks in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He’s an extraordinary catch-point acrobat with steely RAC ability, but he also has the quickness and burst to separate independently.
49) Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Oklahoma might have another early-round pick at right tackle after sending Wanya Morris to the Chiefs in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Tyler Guyton, a TCU transfer, started five games for the Sooners in 2022 and shined in his late-season action. The 6’7″, 320-pound blocker can shock rushers at contact but also has the spry athleticism and footwork efficiency to match without issue.
50) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Ohio State has three interior defensive linemen worth watching in the 2024 NFL Draft cycle. There’s Michael Hall Jr. and Ty Hamilton, but the best prospect of the bunch might be Tyleik Williams. Williams is unique in that he can line up at 0-tech and 1-tech with his 6’3″, 320-pound frame, but he also has the lateral athleticism and flexibility in space to stunt across alignments and slab blockers from flanking angles with heavy hands.
Beyond the Top 50 2024 Prospects
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
- Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
- Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
- Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
- Will Sheppard, WR, Vanderbilt
- Oronde Gadsden II, WR, Syracuse
- Antwane Wells Jr., WR, South Carolina
- Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
- Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
- Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State
- Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
- Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
- Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
- Tanor Bortolini, G, Wisconsin
- Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
- Fabien Lovett, DT, Florida State
- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
- Brandon Dorlus, EDGE, Oregon
- Omar Speights, LB, LSU
- Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
- Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
- Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
- Tony Grimes, CB, Texas A&M
- Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
- Javon Bullard, CB, Georgia
- Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M
- Calen Bullock, S, USC
- Beau Brade, S, Maryland
