Tag: 2024 draft

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) catches a punt at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Iowa City. DeJean returned the punt for a touchdown and it was later called back after review ruled he fair-caught the punt.

2024 NFL Draft: Best available entering second round

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With 32 picks in the books, the Buffalo Bills are on the clock to start the second round with the 33rd pick in the draft on Friday.

Six of the first 12 picks Thursday were quarterbacks while seven wide receivers and 23 offensive players total were chosen in the first round. Defense is about to have a day — or two — in the second and third round on Friday night.

Here are the top remaining prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft based on a consensus of Field Level Media draft analysts.

FLM Rank Pos Name School
15. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
17. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
18. DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
20. DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
21. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
30. ILB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
35. ILB Payton Wilson, NC State
36. OG Christian Haynes, Connecticut
37. CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
38. DE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
39. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
41. DE Austin Booker, Kansas
42. S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
43. OLB Junior Colson, Michigan
45. DT Maason Smith, LSU
46. DT McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
47. C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
48. S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
49. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
50. WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
51. ILB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
52. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
53. OG Layden Robinson, Texas A&M
54. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
55. CB Kalen King, Penn State
56. RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
57. ILB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
58. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
59. RB Will Shipley, Clemson
60. C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
61. DE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
62. S Calen Bullock, USC
63. OLB Chris Braswell, Alabama
64. RB Trey Benson, Florida State
65. S Javon Bullard, Georgia
66. DE Braiden McGregor, Michigan
67. C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
68. CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
69. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
70. WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
71. OG Isaiah Adams, Illinois
72. DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
73. DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
74. RB Blake Corum, Michigan
75. CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
76. S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
77. S Cole Bishop, Utah
78. WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
79. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
80. DE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
81. OLB Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
82. OG Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
83. TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
84. RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
85. DE Bralen Trice, Washington
86. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
87. OT Delmar Glaze, Maryland
88. CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
89. TE Cade Stover, Ohio State
90. CB Josh Newton, TCU
91. OG Brandon Coleman, TCU
92. S Beau Brade, Maryland
93. S James Williams, Miami
94. DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
95. RB Jase McClellan, Alabama
96. TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
97. RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC
98. TE Jared Wiley, TCU
99. ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
100. ILB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

–Field Level Media

Nov. 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Mi., USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) toward the end zone during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the University of Michigan.

Field Level Media’s Top 100 draft prospects

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Our analysts roll out their first top-100 rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft ahead of the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.

Quarterbacks and wide receivers are wrestling for position at the top of the board, but depth gives the pass-catchers a decided edge with the potential for a dozen to be selected in the first two rounds in April.

Offensive tackle and cornerback are also positions of strength, while the fight to be the first running back off the board could be a stalemate ultimately settled in the second round.

1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
2. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
3. QB Caleb Williams, USC
4. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
5. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
6. OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
7. WR Rome Odunze, Washington
8. DE Jared Verse, Florida State
9. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
10. OT Joe Alt Notre, Dame
11. OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama
12. CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
13. CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
14. DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
15. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
16. WR Brian Thomas Jr, LSU
17. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
18. DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
19. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
20. DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
21. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
22. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
23. DT Darius Robinson, Missouri
24. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
25. OLB Chop Robinson, Penn State
26. C Graham Barton, Duke
27. OT JC Latham, Alabama
28. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
29. QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
30. ILB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
31. OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
32. DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
33. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
34. OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
35. ILB Payton Wilson, NC State
36. OG Christian Haynes, Connecticut
37. CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
38. DE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
39. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
40. WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
41. DE Austin Booker, Kansas
42. S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
43. OLB Junior Colson, Michigan
44. QB Bo Nix, Oregon
45. DT Maason Smith, LSU
46. DT McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
47. C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
48. S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
49. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
50. WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
51. ILB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
52. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
53. OG Layden Robinson, Texas A&M
54. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr, Missouri
55. CB Kalen King, Penn State
56. RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
57. ILB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
58. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
59. RB Will Shipley, Clemson
60. C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
61. DE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
62. S Calen Bullock, USC
63. OLB Chris Braswell, Alabama
64. RB Trey Benson, Florida State
65. S Javon Bullard, Georgia
66. DE Braiden McGregor, Michigan
67. C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
68. CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
69. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
70. WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
71. OG Isaiah Adams, Illinois
72. DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
73. DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
74. RB Blake Corum, Michigan
75. CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
76. S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
77. S Cole Bishop, Utah
78. WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
79. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
80. DE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
81. OLB Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
82. OG Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
83. TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
84. RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
85. DE Bralen Trice, Washington
86. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
87. OT Delmar Glaze, Maryland
88. CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
89. TE Cade Stover, Ohio State
90. CB Josh Newton, TCU
91. OG Brandon Coleman, TCU
92. S Beau Brade, Maryland
93. S James Williams, Miami
94. DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
95. RB Jase McClellan, Alabama
96. TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
97. RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC
98. TE Jared Wiley, TCU
99. ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
100. ILB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

–Field Level Media

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. News Joshua L Jones

Take 5: Top TE prospects eligible for 2024 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah’s Dalton Kincaid was the lone first-round pick in a deep tight end class in 2023, hopping off the board at No. 25 to the Buffalo Bills.

But Iowa’s Sam LaPorta (34th), Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer (35th) and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave (42nd) crashed the top 50 picks with two more tight ends picked in the second round (Luke Schoonmaker of Michigan to the Cowboys at No. 58; Penn State’s Brenton Strange 61st to the Jaguars).

A deep class is coming right behind this one led by Georgia junior Brock Bowers, who is in the mold of former Florida “unicorn” tight end Kyle Pitts.

Here are the top five tight ends eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.

1. Brock Bowers, Georgia — Two years serving as arguably the best weapon on a national championship offense boosted Bowers to the top of the 2024 tight end rankings.

In reality, he’s used more as a big slot receiver than he is a traditional tight end. He’s too gifted to stack on the line and with natural tools to dominate inside and in jump-ball situations, Bowers’ impact is limited only by the imagination of his offensive coordinator. He runs jet sweeps for the Bulldogs, showcasing rare speed and agility.

2. Cade Stover, Ohio State — Perhaps he’s not the rare talent Bowers appears to be as a prospect, but Stover has a good shot at being the highest-drafted tight end out of Columbus since Rickey Dudley went ninth overall in 1996.

An aggressive blocker who bullies linebackers and stands his ground against defensive ends, he isn’t lacking in quickness or ball skills as a receiver.

3. Erick All, Iowa — A new arrival for Iowa by way of Michigan, All missed most of the 2022 season due to injury and had surgery on his spine last October. Proving he’s healthy short- and long-term is an obvious must.

Pre-surgery, he had remarkable burst for his size. A healthy year in the Hawkeyes’ tight end factory could do wonders for his value.

4. Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford — Lanky and has an enormous catch radius with game-changing length when functioning as an in-line blocker. The two-year starter isn’t elite in any one area. He provides value across the board as a receiver and blocker.

5. McCallan Castles, Tennessee — Castles spent two years as a backup at California before transferring to UC Davis to play out his college career. A dominant couple of years at the FCS level put him on the map.

Castles passed up the NFL in favor of a season with the Volunteers. He is likely a fourth- or fifth-round pick preseason, but he could work his way into the bottom of the second round with a strong season in the SEC.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) blocks Stanford Cardinal linebacker Jordan Fox (10) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Take 5: Top OT prospects eligible for 2024 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There is a strong chance the top two tackles eligible for 2024 would have been first-round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft.

For reasons all his own, Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu shocked many when he opted to play another season.

He’ll be pushed for top billing in the 2024 OT class by Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, a complete prospect who draws raves with his length and pass-blocking acumen.

Here are the top five offensive tackles eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.

1. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State — Impressively built with a double-take frame, Fashanu was in the mix to be the top tackle in 2023 before opting for his fourth year in Happy Valley.

Massive but light enough on his feet to mirror in pass protection, his combination of mass and balance makes him nearly impossible to knock backward as a bull rusher.

Another year of fine-tuning should lock him in as a first-rounder.

2. Joe Alt, Notre Dame — Length can be the true gamechanger for offensive linemen and Alt can measure up with anyone in that area.

He’s a good athlete with the power and effort to be a force in the run game, but his ability to lock up almost any opponent in pass protection commands a pick in the top of the first round. If he has a good junior year and measures as expected — in the 6-7, 310-pound range with the wingspan of a 747 — he could emerge as the top tackle in 2024.

3. Julian Pearl, Illinois — A super senior in 2023, Pearl uses the banked knowledge and training as a former defensive end to his advantage. He flipped to the offensive side of the ball midway through his college career, and rare natural tools made his development into a potential long-term starting NFL tackle nearly seamless.

He’s an easy mover, closes in a blink and finishes at the second level. His 35-inch arms give him a wide margin of error and teams will appreciate his determination to return and get better despite being a likely first-rounder in 2023.

4. Jordan Morgan, Arizona — Back for his super senior season in 2023, Morgan was sidelined in November 2022 by a season-ending ACL tear.

A well-built lineman with the traits to be either a starting tackle or guard at the next level, he likely would have been a top-100 pick in this class. Morgan will have nearly 14 months between his knee surgery and draft day 2024.

5. Walter Rouse, Oklahoma — Rouse spent most of his career at Stanford and in a bidding war through the transfer portal, he caused tremors on the plains.

Rouse, entering his super senior season, committed to Nebraska before reversing course and picking the Sooners.

A heavy-handed — and, less attractive to NFL GMs, heavy-footed — right tackle who can be a solid run blocker. He could be jumped on this list by rising junior left tackles if he fails to progress technically.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cam Hart (5) breaks up a pass intended for Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Mark Walker (80) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Take 5: Top CB prospects eligible for 2024 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Scouts considered the climb of Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon unexpected, as the No. 5 overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks came out of nowhere as an unrated recruit to the top of the CB class in the 2023 draft.

Which cornerbacks could emerge from the pool of talent as surefire first-rounders is open to debate with the 2024 draft class.

Here are five prospects to keep an eye on for next year’s group, where Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry appears to be the only potential blue-chipper with top-15 tools.

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama — A junior this coming season, McKinstry has been in the starting lineup since he was a freshman and was an All-American last season.

It’s no surprise given his natural ability and coverage skills. The former top recruit wows with outstanding balance, agility and stickiness in man coverage.

The ability to match up against almost anyone from a size or speed perspective is highly coveted by NFL teams and should make McKinstry the favorite to be the top corner in ’24.

2. Cam Hart, Notre Dame — A redshirt junior in 2023, Hart is huge, standing at 6-3, 200 pounds.

He has the prototypical build teams want for an outside corner with fluid movement skills. He can flip his hips and latch on in man coverage. The final piece of the puzzle is developing his read-and-react skills.

Teams that desire big, physical corners in press could fall in love with Hart but injuries in 2022 have teams wanting to see him return to 2021 form.

3. Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn — This super senior is trailed by some of the size questions that will tail teammate D.J. James (see below), but he has outstanding length with 33-inch arms, a major aid in jamming receivers at the line and making plays on the ball even when a step behind in man coverage.

His zone coverage chops are raw, but he’ll be one of the best senior man coverage corners available.

Expect him to draw another Senior Bowl invite and push for a second-round draft grade.

4. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia — A junior without top-end size or speed, limiting his chances to be a first-rounder. Even so, there’s plenty to love about his game. He’s technically sound in coverage with great balance and body control, rarely pulls himself out of position with mental mistakes and has a final eval that will greatly depend on testing data.

Lassiter will receive plenty of attention as a developed starter for a two-time national champion.

5. D.J. James, Auburn — Another “super senior” and one half of the Auburn duo that received Senior Bowl 2023 invites and passed them up to return to the Tigers.

James ended the 2022 season as a lean 175-pounder at 6-foot-1, but the string-bean figure doesn’t show up as the negative you’d expect. His footwork and technique in man coverage do need to be cleaned up.

A long strider with the speed to run vertically and the length to play the ball in the air, James could make a big jump on 2024 draft boards with another season to tune his tools to be in the top 75.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Take 5: Top RB prospects eligible for 2024 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas running back Bijan Robinson was the peak of a packed running back crop in the 2023 NFL Draft, as evidenced by the Atlanta Falcons selecting him eighth overall last week.

There is talent in the 2024 class, headlined by the returns of Blake Corum (Michigan) and Kendall Milton (Georgia) for their senior seasons to help keep this cupboard full.

Here’s an early look at the top running backs potentially available next April.

1. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin — Allen doesn’t wow with his straight-line speed and is more of a downhill thumper with great size and strength for the position.

A natural at breaking tackles and moving the pile, he’s an easy projection for most scouts.

Allen has the traits of a 1,000-yard runner and brings value in the passing game with soft hands and the size to win as a blocker.

2. Blake Corum, Michigan — Corum’s Heisman campaign in 2022 was cut short due to a knee injury, and the long recovery time likely played a role in his decision to return to the Wolverines. He’s short and compactly built, but doesn’t play small.

Top-end speed is his best attribute, making Corum the type of home-run threat that would make NFL defensive backs nervous.

3. Raheim Sanders, Arkansas — A big and bruising SEC back with the vision and temperament to translate easily to the pro game, Sanders checks off almost every measurable that teams covet.

He adds impressive short-area wiggle for a big man, but his ability to win at the contact point and fight for difficult yardage stands out. A repeat of last year’s production could push him above a third-round grade.

4. Kendall Milton, Georgia — Milton spent most of his time at Georgia as a rotational back with career-high 86 carries as a junior last season. The lack of opportunities won’t be a deterrent for NFL teams, as plenty of successful backs have come through Georgia without needing lead back production.

Milton brings excellent burst and power, all without accumulating much physical damage. He fits the mold of what NFL teams seek in big backs.

5. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State — Henderson had a down year while playing on a fracture and torn ligament in his left foot, but when healthy the 20-year-old is one of the most dynamic backs in college football. He has good natural lever age and plays with lower pads through contact, but it doesn’t prevent him from making quick cuts or eluding reckless tackle attempts.

Scouts have zero questions about his toughness based on his willingness to play through injury. But 2024 is a prove-it season. Henderson played in just five of the final nine regular-season games and missed the postseason.

He enters his junior season with a career average over 6 yards per carry.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Take 5: Top QB prospects eligible for 2024 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are likely to be the prized jewels of the 2024 draft class.

The class has a handful of passers who could make their way into the top two rounds.

Here are five names to keep an eye on for next year’s crop:

1. Caleb Williams, USC — The 2022 Heisman winner and top-ranked quarterback eligible for the 2024 draft, Williams’ arm talent is the best college football has seen since Wyoming’s Josh Allen.

He is still honing his downfield ball placement but already hits passes that would make some NFL quarterbacks jealous. His ability to improvise as a runner keeps defenses honest, another similarity he shares with Allen. It might be too early to crown Williams as the next Patrick Mahomes, but that type of potential is no reach.

2. Drake Maye, North Carolina — Maye enters his second season as a starter for the Tar Heels and the redshirt sophomore is still relatively green.

What stands out after one season leading the offense is impressive touch for such a young quarterback (20). Highly confident when attacking leverage and giving his receivers a shot against man coverage, and anticipates well.

An other year of honing his accuracy and instincts should lead to projections in the top 64. There’s no doubt he’s a rising prospect despite physical tools that aren’t considered elite.

3. Quinn Ewers, Texas — A redshirt sophomore in 2023 has all the arm talent in the world, and seized the starting job in spring practice even with a Manning looking over his shoulder.

The top high school recruit in 2021, Ewers is one of the smoothest throwers in college football. Looks the part of the pocket prototype with an incredibly gifted arm and plenty of confidence attacking downfield. He dealt with injuries in 2022, prompting ups and downs from a production standpoint. A healthy 2023 could be enough to warrant an early declaration from Ewers and a spot in the top 50.

If he leads the Longhorns to expected great heights or delivers a national title, Ewers immediately enters the conversation around the No. 1 pick in 2024.

4. Devin Leary, Kentucky — The replacement for Will Levis with the Wildcats is a super senior in 2023.

The sturdy pocket passer has the guts to stand in, take hits and deliver with velocity to make tough throws.

Leary, a transfer from NC State, has the requisite ball placement and touch to win at all levels of the field. He’s back in 2023 to show a combination of a season-ending injury in 2022 and a transfer to Kentucky is more about proving his pro potential than taking cover.

If he can get back on track, the potential for Leary to rise is undeniable.

5. K.J. Jefferson, Arkansas — Enormous (6-3, 242) for the position, Jefferson has the physique of Anthony Richardson (Florida, No. 4 pick in 2023). He’s built more like a tight end than your factory specs model quarterback. His arm and accuracy are average, but his ability to be a plus in the run game will draw plenty of interest from scouts and RPO fanatics.

–Field Level Media