2024 NFL draft: You may be thinking that the answer is 32, given that Round 1 will consist of 32 selections on April 25 in Detroit. However, our focus is not on the number of players who will be selected in Round 1, but rather on the number of players who possess a genuine Round 1 grade.
What is the count of first-round prospects comprising the class of the 2024 NFL Draft?
You may be thinking that the answer is 32, given that Round 1 will consist of 32 selections on April 25 in Detroit. However, our focus is not on the number of players who will be selected in Round 1, but rather on the number of players who possess a genuine Round 1 grade.
It is extremely rare for NFL teams to select 32 prospects from a given class as Round 1-caliber talent. In practice, approximately fifteen students per class earn a legitimate first-round grade, although this figure differs between teams and recruiting departments. Sacred evaluations are exclusive to candidates who have the potential to be selected on Day 1 irrespective of the year. As a general guideline, I consider whether the individual in question would have been selected in each of the previous five classes.
Don’t understand? An initiation into the realm of reconnaissance.
Upon assigning 20 first-round scores in 2023, I proceeded to compile a list of 14 names for the 2024 class using a strict grading scale. At this juncture, the group was 14 names strong on offense. This list will undergo periodic updates leading up to the draft, thus the number may fluctuate in response to bowl games, all-star events, the combine, and additional film analysis. But for now, here are the players who deserve a first-round grade on my board. (The players’ names are followed by parentheses denoting their aggregate rankings.)
(3) Quarterback
No. 1 Caleb Williams of the USC
Williams, the first-round pick in the 2024 draft class, is a prodigy in the field vision, arm strength, and mobility, and he has an uncanny ability to generate inventive plays in the pocket as defenses inch closer. He is 215 pounds and 6-foot-1, and in his two seasons at USC, he has accumulated 93 touchdowns (72 passing, 21 rushing).
While he may need to improve his fumble recovery rate (eight in 2023) and quarterbacking speed (3.14 seconds on average), evaluators consider him a rare talent due to his NFL-style playmaking and astounding passing ability. Williams, who accomplishes remarkable things on second-effort passes, would have been my number-one quarterback pick in each of the previous five draft classes. He currently appears to be a certainty to go No. 1.
No. 7 is Drake Maye, North Carolina.
If you believe that “size is a trait,” as former NFL quarterback Chris Simms once said, then you will adore the 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt sophomore from North Carolina. Maye is mobile when necessary but composed in the pocket, and over the past two seasons he has demonstrated that he is capable of carrying a team on his back with his tremendous arm strength and determination to gain difficult yards as a runner. Although he should improve his footwork mechanics and reduce the number of interceptions he throws (16 in the previous two years combined), his overall game has considerable merit. This season, Maye threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns.
No. 8 Jayden Daniels, LSU
In 2023, the Heisman Trophy holder demonstrated the greatest growth among collegiate football players. NFL evaluators graded him on Day 3 before the season, but he recorded 50 touches (40 passing, 10 rushing) despite committing only four interceptions. Daniels not only has the highest deep-ball accuracy of any quarterback in the draft (99.6 percent on vertical routes), but he is also the most hazardous runner among quarterbacks. This season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder accumulated 1,134 rushing yards and 3,812 passing yards. With a robust pre-draft procedure, it is not inconceivable to attain QB2 status.
Returning in reverse (0)
Following the early selections of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in the top 12 in 2023, one could reasonably speculate that the running back position was regaining draft priority. Still, we have not arrived at that precise juncture. There is not a single member of the 2024 class rated among my top 65. Even though Jonathan Brooks (Texas), Audric Estime (Notre Dame), and Blake Corum (Michigan) all have Day 2 grades and are capable of providing immediate assistance to NFL teams, none of them possess the ideal combination of qualities to qualify at this time.
Four-wide receivers
Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 2)
Harrison, who is the progeny of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., possesses exceptional physical attributes such as a formidable stature (6 feet-4, 205 pounds), impeccable body control, remarkable agility and flexibility, and fingertips as quick as Tyreek Hill’s. It is uncommon for large wide receivers to demonstrate the kind of dexterity and physique regulation that Harrison demonstrates while diving to seize ground balls. Moreover, he consistently executes plays that demonstrate an exceptional capture radius. In the past two seasons, he has amassed approximately 2,500 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns, even though opposing defenses are alarmed by the passing.
No. 9: Rome Odunze, Washington
Odunze has propelled my board to WR2 and positioned me within the top ten overall. He is a physical, aggressive player when the ball is in his possession, and his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame effortlessly shrugs off defenders. In the previous two seasons, Odunze amassed a total of 156 receptions, more than 2,500 yards, and 20 touchdowns while establishing himself as an authority on back-shoulder fades. His exceptional toughness both before and after the catch, as well as his consistent ability to outmaneuver man coverage and dominate on 50-50 passes, are the reasons he receives the Chase comp.
Malik Nabers, No. 10 for LSU
The 6-foot, 200-pound Nabers is the finest after-the-catch receiver in his draft class, averaging 18 yards per catch on 86 receptions this season, 6.8 of which came after the catch. In addition, he accumulated 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns during a breakthrough season. Nabers has exceptional field vision and start-stop quickness, enabling him to locate sprinting lanes while holding the ball in his hands. Additionally, I appreciate that his decline rate over the past two seasons has been a mere 3.1%. Certain-handed, quick, and explosive, Nabers is prepared to start at NFL WR1.
Keon Coleman, No. 11 for Florida State
Coleman, who transferred from Michigan State, began the season on a fiery note but experienced a brief lull after the departure of quarterback Jordan Travis from FSU. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder utilized 50-50 balls to demonstrate his former basketball prowess, but his explosiveness and elusiveness enabled the Seminoles to utilize him as their primary punt returner. In the previous two seasons, Coleman amassed 108 receptions and 18 touchdowns. Scouts are also impressed by his jump ball and post-up capabilities.
Securing conclusion (1)
Georgia’s Brock Bowers (No. 6)
Bowers is a catalyst for the offense rather than merely a tight end. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is rugged and ready, and he will simply run you over, in contrast to the majority of smooth-moving tight ends of our time. Bowers possesses both strength and speed; he is both elusive and formidable. This is the reason why he has accumulated 31 touchdowns throughout the last three seasons despite playing tight end, H-back, slot receiver, and occasionally tailback. Although some may argue that he is diminutive, Bowers’ blocking prowess and effort are underrated. From day one, he can be the focal point of an NFL passing attack.
Three offensive tackles
Third-place Olumuyiwa Fashanu of Penn State
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, Fashanu is a massive left tackle with long arms and excellent mobility. In the past two seasons, the 20-year-old has started 20 games, allowing one tackle while being flagged a mere four times. He is both robust and nimble, and with each additional repetition, he continues to improve. Fashanu possesses the necessary skills to finish among the top five left tackles in the NFL.
Joe Alt, No. 4 for Notre Dame
The younger Alt, who is the son of Chiefs’ Hall of Famer John Alt, is a masterful technician who has allowed only two rushes in his last twenty-five games. His length and grasp strength enable him to dominate defenders despite his 6-foot-8 and 315-pound frame. As soon as he locks on, it is ideal for defenders to simply await the whistle. Alt lacks the dexterous agility of other tackle candidates, but he is NFL-ready in strength and technique.
No. 14 Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma
It becomes impossible to ignore Johnson, a former Sooners player, as Guyton, a former defensive lineman, glides across the field blocking passes and running. At 6 feet 7 inches and 315 pounds, Guyton possesses remarkable agility and length. His full arsenal at right tackle is still developing, but he possesses the lower-body qualities necessary to play either the left or right side in the pros. Guyton produced one takedown in 29 college games (15 starts).
Line of interior offense (0)
Peter Skoronski, an interior offensive lineman who previously played tackle at Northwestern, was selected first overall in the 2023 draft. A similar outcome may occur in the 2024 draft. It is anticipated that Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu will transition inside and be selected among the first 32 overall choices. In contrast, he has not earned a grade in the first round and is ranked No. 31 on my board. Cooper Beebe (Kansas State), Zak Zinter (Michigan), and Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon), all of whom are guards, are possible late-round two or early-round three picks.
(2) Edge rushers
No. 5 Dallas Turner, Alabama
Turner emerged in 2023 after succeeding Will Anderson Jr. as Alabama’s primary pass-rusher. Having accumulated nine sacks to lead the Crimson Tide, he has established himself as an exceptional force off the edge, assisting with two forced fumbles. Turner, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 242, is slender in comparison to Allen, who is 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. Both are swift, streamlined pass-rushers with extended arms. Turner, like Allen, possesses the potential and qualities necessary to develop into a remarkable edge defender.
Laiatu Latu, 12th-ranked UCLA
Turner possesses greater overall speed and dexterity than Latu, but in terms of technique, he is head and shoulders above every pass-rusher in the 2024 draft class. Latu (6 feet-5, 265 pounds) possesses a formidable speed-to-power conversion and is well-versed in hand utilization and leverage. Latu retired from football on medical grounds in 2020, before his transfer from Washington to UCLA before the 2022 season. Based on his 23.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, he has top-10 potential if his medical evaluations are positive. Sunday-ready pass-rush weapons are visible.
One defensive tackle
No. 13: Jer’Zhan, Newton, Illinois
With thirteen sacks and eighty pressures over the past two seasons, Newton has been a dominant interior pass-rush force. The 6-foot-2, 295-pounder has experience playing in a variety of formations and even participated in defensive end plays this season. He also possesses an unrelenting motor when pursuing quarterbacks or ball carriers. Newton projects to the next level as a three-technique defensive tackle, given that his natural leverage and first-step acceleration are significant contributors to his top-15 overall ranking.
(0) Linebacker
At No. 36 overall, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. of Clemson is my top-ranked defensive back, while Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M also cracks the top 50 at No. 46. However, no one will likely be present at the position on April 1st.
Zero cornerbacks
In Round 1, 2023, four cornerbacks were eliminated, including Devon Witherspoon at No. 5, but no corners in this class have recorded genuine first-round grades. However, that does not imply the group lacks talent; on my list, six CBs are rated between No. 15 and No. 33.
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Keep an eye on Terrion Arnold (No. 15) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 21) of Alabama in the College Football Playoffs; a strong showing could help them. In the top 33 are Kamari Lassiter of Georgia, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins (No. 16), Cooper DeJean of Iowa (No. 20), and Kamari Lassiter of Georgia (No. 33).
Security (0)
The safety position in the 2024 selection could be the weakest. Despite ranking in the top 32, USC free safety Calen Bullock has limited tackling ability and is not suitable for all teams or schemes. Bullock, Kamren Kitchens (Miami), and Tyler Nubin (Minnesota) are the three safeties who make my top 50.
NFL draft to go ahead as planned sans players, fans & media
