Eddie Brown
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Draft season has arrived for the 18 NFL teams who will not be participating in the postseason and another college football campaign is in the books after Michigan earned its first national championship this century (since 1997) with a thoroughly dominating performance against Washington.
Players with remaining eligibility have until Jan. 15 to make their draft intentions official.
My evaluation process is about 75% complete with college all-star games on the horizon, most notably the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Ala.
I’ve been watching these players since high school for the most part. What I’ve seen on the field makes up the bulk of my analysis, but this is where the fun begins.
So it’s probably a good time to update the ol’ big board.
Part of my weekly mock draft preamble explains it is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season’s draft class, and which teams they’d match up well with considering the draft order. The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.
Last season, I was the third-most accurate NFL draft prognosticator in print, according to The Huddle Report. I’m tied for first overall (out of 172) over the past five years.
My big board is an attempt to discern who the best players in this draft class actually are.
Here’s my first NFL draft Big Board of 2024:
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State, Jr.
If we were to “Weird Science” a wide receiver, the computer would almost certainly produce Harrison. The consensus All-American is a route tactician who features prototypical size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds), strong hands and athleticism with Hall of Fame NFL lineage (he’s the son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison). He could be the first receiver to be drafted inside the top 3 since Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson in 2007.
2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Jr.
Williams is special off-platform and will likely become Trojans coach Lincoln Riley’s third quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy and go first overall, joining Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield.
3. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia, Jr.
Bowers is the most heralded prospect at the position since Kyle Pitts in 2021. The two-time Mackey Award winner has produced 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 TDs in three seasons for the two-time champion Bulldogs. Pitts had 100 receptions for 1,492 yards and 18 TDs in three seasons at Florida.
4. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina, So.
Maye’s prototypical size (6-4, 230), elite arm talent and ability as a runner will cause some to question whether USC’s Williams is really the top QB in this draft class. Spoiler alert: Williams is the top QB in this draft class, but I like Maye a lot too.
5. Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame, Sr.
The massive Irish tackle (6-8, 315) amassed several All-American honors after another successful season in South Bend and is one of two blue chip tackle prospects in this class.
6. Olu Fashanu, T, Penn State, Jr.
Fashanu would’ve likely ended up in the first-round discussion had he declared last season. There’s still room for growth in the run game, but he’s already an elite pass-protector and could easily go in the top 5.
7. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, Sr.
Daniels had a historic season in Baton Rouge, breaking Joe Burrow’s NCAA passing efficiency record with a rating of 208 as a senior. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner also produced 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns and only four interceptions. He added 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground for good measure.
8. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama, Jr.
Turner was overshadowed by Will Anderson Jr. his previous two seasons at Tuscaloosa — he had 8.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2021 — but he’s capable of being a star in his own right. This season, the AP All-American added some bulk to his frame and displayed more power to go with his already impressive speed-rush capabilities.
9. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU, Jr.
Nabers’ body control and route-running are top-notch, plus he’s elite after the catch and a terror in the open field.
10. Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois, Jr.
Newton was likely a Day 2 selection had he entered the draft after last season, which motivated him to return to school. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year may be undersized (6-2, 295) for some teams, but he’s been a disruptive force the last two seasons against the run and pass. He could go in the top 10 when it’s all said and done if he aces the draft process.
11. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington, Jr.
Odunze features elite size (6-3, 215), speed and strength, and will compete to become the second wide receiver drafted in prime-time come April.
12. Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State, Jr.
Like Penn State’s Fashanu, Verse would’ve likely been a first-round pick had he declared after last season. He produced nine sacks after transferring from Albany to Tallahassee for his sophomore season. The AP All-American followed that up with another nine sacks to help the Seminoles finish the regular season undefeated.
13. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State, Jr.
Coleman, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, features a combination of size (6-4, 215), strength and speed uncommon in receivers.
14. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa, Jr.
DeJean can play outside or inside at cornerback, and even safety due to his size (6-1, 207) and speed combo. He’s also one of this draft’s premier playmakers.
15. Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington, Jr.
Trice shares similar physical traits with Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson and is relentless against the pass or run.
16. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama, Jr.
McKinstry was first-team All-SEC as a true sophomore. He features prototypical size (6-1, 194) with speed and brings physicality in coverage and against the run. He’s also proven to be a dynamic punt-returner.
17. Laiatu Tatu, Edge, UCLA, Sr.
Latu features a pro-ready arsenal of pass-rush moves and became the first Bruin to win the Lombardi Award (outstanding lineman) and Hendricks Award (best defensive end) this season. Medical evaluations of a neck injury the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year suffered during his time with Washington will have a big impact on his draft stock.
18. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington, Sr.
Each of Penix’s four years at Indiana ended in injury, but he’s been as good as it gets the last two seasons for the Huskies. The Heisman Trophy finalist is a big-armed, athletic talent who might get nitpicked for his unorthodox throwing style and being a lefty. Personally, if I had a Heisman vote, Penix would have been at the top of my ballot.
19. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson, Jr.
Wiggins might need to add some strength to his frame (6-2, 185), but he already has elite ball skills and athletic abilities.
20. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon, Jr.
Franklin features a rare size-speed-agility combination and projects to be a major open-field, big-play threat. For being such a burner, he’s actually a crafty route-runner too.
21. Taliese Fuaga, T, Oregon State, Jr.
Fuaga is a well-rounded mauler at tackle and could be the Beavers’ first offensive lineman ever selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
22. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington, Jr.
Fautanu’s heavy hands and impressive athleticism have been on display at tackle for the Huskies the last two seasons, but less-than-ideal arm length might cause a team to kick him inside at the next level. Regardless, he has Pro Bowl-level talent.
23. JC Latham, T, Alabama, Jr.
Latham is a super-sized tackle (6-6, 360) with elite strength and movement skills.
24. Kalen King, CB, Penn State, Jr.
King led all cornerbacks in the country with a 93.3 overall grade and an 18.3 passer rating allowed in single-coverage as a sophomore, according to Pro Football Focus. His elite athleticism should carry him through the draft process despite inconsistent play as a junior for the Nittany Lions.
25. Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma, Jr.
Guyton has played right tackle for the Sooners, but has the prototypical size and premium athletic traits to switch to the left side in the pros.
26. Kingsley Suamataia, T, BYU, So.
Suamataia was a five-star recruit who originally landed with Oregon before transferring to Provo. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman came in at No. 3 on Bruce Feldman’s annual college football “Freaks List” behind only South Carolina wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor — a true freshman this year — at No. 1 and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 2.
27. Amarius Mims, T, Georgia, Jr.
Mims is still very raw, and has dealt with multiple ankle injuries this season, but he towers (6-7, 340) over most of the competition and he moves easy considering his size. His athletic potential and his 2022 tape will be hard to ignore.
28. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State, Jr.
Robinson is still developing his technique, but his first-step explosiveness and speed-to-power variation is a rare commodity.
29. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU, Jr.
Thomas’ physical gifts are off the charts. He’s 6-foot-4 and can hit 22 mph on the GPS. Thomas is a big-bodied vertical threat who has only scratched the surface of his potential.
30. Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami, So.
Taylor was one of the top recruits at his position coming out of high school. He’s an explosive interior defender who can overwhelm opponents when he’s on his game. He has a pro-ready build, but needs to play with more discipline and awareness to unlock superstar mode.
31. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama, So.
Based on upside, Arnold could be ranked higher on some draft boards than his Crimson Tide teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry. He’s relatively inexperienced at cornerback — he was a former safety recruit — but he’s been one of the better run defenders at the position and has proven a quick-study in coverage.
32. Graham Barton, OL, Duke, Sr.
Barton could thrive at both tackle or guard (and possibly center) in the NFL. Some scouts will question his size/length for the tackle position — he’s 6-5, 314 pounds — but 34 of his 39 career starts were at left tackle for the Blue Devils (the other five were at center). He’s a technically sound, sticky blocker with quickness and competitive tendencies and deserves first-round consideration.
33. Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami, Jr.
Kinchens is one of the most versatile defensive backs in this draft class, and thrives in coverage or as a run defender.
34. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State, Jr.
Egbuka is another polished Buckeyes receiver prospect, who is a versatile route-runner and creates separation with savvy, not necessarily elite speed. He’s capable of excelling inside or outside, much like former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
35. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia, Jr.
Lassiter is a two-year starter in the SEC despite being a true junior. He’s 6-foot tall and features enough straight line speed to thrive on the perimeter.
36. JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan, Jr.
McCarthy led a run-heavy offense for the National Champions in Ann Arbor, but he’s flashed impressive arm talent, especially with intermediate throws, with big-play ability as a thrower and runner.
37. Jordan Morgan, T, Arizona, Sr.
Morgan is a three-year starter at left tackle for the Wildcats. He features the size, strength and quickness to stick there in the NFL depending on the scheme, but refinement of his technique (especially footwork) might be needed to keep him from moving inside.
38. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon, Sr.
Nix has come a long way from his underwhelming days at Auburn. The Heisman finalist has improved his game almost across the board, showcasing better decision-making and accuracy, while maintaining his play-making ability off-platform. The Campbell Trophy winner (nation’s best scholar-athlete) will be a 24-year-old rookie, which could diminish his draft stock a bit.
39. Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan, Sr.
Jenkins’ sack totals won’t impress anyone, but he routinely draws a double-team, so there’s still upside at the next level. His abilities as a run defender give him a very high floor as a pro.
40. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson, Jr.
Trotter’s father, Jeremiah Sr., was a two-time All-Pro with the Philadelphia Eagles. Junior has some of his father’s skills in his ability to fly around, trust his instincts and make plays.
41. Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota, Sr.
Nubin is a versatile, explosive safety who uses his size (6-2, 210), athleticism and elite processing to contribute against the run and pass. He’s a turnover generator, producing a Gophers’ record 13 interceptions during his collegiate career.
42. Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama, Sr.
The right NFL defensive coordinator could mold this ball of clay (a former five-star recruit) into a Pro Bowler. Braswell has an impressive first step, converts speed to power effortlessly and is a strong run defender to boot.
43. JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State, Jr.
Tuimoloau, a former five-star recruit, is an all-around defensive end who is more smooth and savvy than explosive, but features the size (6-4, 270) many teams covet at the position.
44. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo, Jr.
Mitchell features elite speed and prototypical size (6-0, 200) for the position. He’s a proven ball-hawk — six interceptions and 37 pass breakups the past two years — who can play outside or inside. Mitchell could see his draft stock skyrocket if he impresses during Senior Bowl week.
45. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas, Jr.
I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of Worthy during his time in Austin, and his world-class speed will likely be one of the highlights in Indianapolis at the combine in March.
46. Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M, Jr.
Cooper catapulted himself into a borderline first-round prospect with a dominant junior season for the Aggies — 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Tack on his top coverage skills, and you have one of the best linebackers in a weaker-than-usual class.
47. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas, Jr.
Sanders is an explosive athlete with an above-the-rim skill set, soft hands and ability after the catch. He’s more scheme-dependent than Georgia’s Bowers, and shouldn’t be utilized in an in-line role at the next level, but he could thrive as a big slot in a wide open attack.
48. Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri, Sr.
Rakestraw wins with physicality and is one of the best man-coverage prospects in this draft class. He’ll have an opportunity to boost his draft stock in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.
49. Patrick Paul, T, Houston, Jr.
Paul was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Cougars. His technique needs polish, but you can’t teach his size (6-7, 315) or athleticism, plus he plays with top-flight power and a bad attitude.
50. Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas, So.
Brooks is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered back in November, but is expected to be ready for his first NFL training camp. Prior to the injury, I had Brooks as my top running back prospect in this draft class, but expected him to return to school after he hurt his knee. He still looks like the best option in a weaker running back class because of his dynamic, all-purpose skill set.
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